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Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without - our grandmothers knew the importance of responsible, thrifty choices. But somewhere along the way we succumbed to the belief that we can get everything for next to nothing, have it shipped halfway around the world and then, more often than not, just throw it away.

This consumer binge is taking its toll. Diet and lifestyle-related illnesses are epidemic, our environment is awash in a sea of plastic, our climate is changing, and the cost of everything is skyrocketing with the price of oil. Are we doomed? No. We can make greener, healthier choices, and we can do it while saving money.

Where to start? Ecothrifty is packed with simple, practical ideas and recipes to help you:

• Make homemade products for cleaning and skin care
• Grow your own food and cook more from scratch
• Raise your family without lowering your standards

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Going green has never been so easy! The array of so-called "green" products on the market is dizzying and often misleading. Consumers need one reference book that clearly lays out what is the better choice-between brands, benefits and costs. Just Green It! compares brand-name products, making it easy for consumers to make environmentally friendly choices on everything from light bulbs to mattresses to baby food. It tells you which products are the best for the planet and also healthy for you, your kids, your home and your budget. For the average consumer, this means clarity of green definitions and product comparisons that are no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Authors Ron and Lisa Beres debunk the "greenwashing" that is so prevalent in modern marketing and teach readers how to know the difference between such confusing terms as "natural," "organic," "chemical free" and "nontoxic." Full of surprising facts and lots of ways to save money and help the environment, this is an essential book for the modern age. Did you know the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island is large enough to be seen from outer space? That imported vodka has a higher carbon footprint? The Green Movement is concerned about the effects of our collective carbon footprint on the planet. A "green home" is one that does not endanger the planet's health. The Beres, on the other hand, are concerned with how our footprint is endangering the health and well-being of each individual. A guidebook for navigating the oversaturated green marketplace, Just Green It! is a must-have for today's tough economy. Just Green It! was chosen in May 2011 as an honorable mention by San Francisco's 2011 Green Book Festival.

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Making Babies is a fun, informational, artistic and colorful pregnancy book. Follow author Shoshanna Easling through her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter, as she stays healthy and builds a baby. Packed with 480 beautiful pages of research about fertility, conception, morning sickness, pregnancy, birth, nursing, postpartum issues, losing weight, and more, Making Babies is a fresh, organic look at the simple beauty of pregnancy and birth. You will also find delectable recipes, superb remedies, must-have tips, birthing exercises, resources, and relaxing techniques to aid in having a healthy and natural pregnancy and birth.

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Increasing the energy efficiency of your home can save you money, help the environment and enhance your comfort, but how do you decide which improvements are the most beneficial and cost-effective? Completely revised to incorporate the latest developments in green technology, The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings is the definitive resource for consumers who want to better their home's performance while reducing their energy bills.

Well-organized and highly readable, The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings begins with an overview of the relationships between energy use, economics and the environment. Updated and expanded chapters focus on specific aspects of any home, such as heating and cooling, ventilation, electronics, lighting, cooking and laundry, and provide helpful explanations for each, including:

• Energy use characteristics
• Comparisons between available technologies
• Cost-effective repair and replacement options
• Step-by-step guidance for finding the right equipment