Organic Living [Hardcover]

Michael van Straten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

As demand for a more natural way of life grows, 'green' ethics and organic products have become the way forward. Now, at last, there is a book for those who want to live organically and to do so with style. Alternative health expert Michael van Straten never preaches, just shares his wealth of practical experience on making organic choices in every aspect of life - food and drink, health and beauty, home and garden. This comprehensive manual explains all the issues, great and small, and takes us through all the changes we can make - many of them seemingly insignificant - to improve our own well-being and help preserve the planet. An organic lifestyle has never been so easy to understand, or to practise. Organic Living is illustrated with the work of acclaimed photographer David Loftus. His pictures capture a new aesthetic of 'organic' and show that living organically can be as stylish as it is politically and socially relevant. A goldmine of information and helpful tips, this book is sure to become the 'bible' for people who want to live healthily and do their bit to safeguard the planet for future generations.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Admitting that "[i]t may be impossible in the modern world to lead a completely organic lifestyle," Michael Van Straten (The Good Sleep Guide) argues in Organic Living a lively polemic-cum-how-to that "every person who takes a step toward organic living makes a difference." The author, who for 25 years hosted an alternative health call-in show on London's major talk-radio station, explores organic farming, eating and gardening, recycling and eco-friendly household products in the interest of health and the environment. The book should attract interest, especially given the recent uproar over genetically modified foods. Photos not seen by PW.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Michael van Straten is one of Great Britain's leading health gurus, practicing osteopathy, naturopathy, and acupuncture. He also works as a nutritional consultant. He lives in Buckinghamshire, England, where he runs two busy alternative health practices and tends to a large organic garden. He presents Bodytalk for British radio, and he is the author of 12 books, including the best-selling series of Superfoods health and cookbooks and Foods for Mind and Body (HarperCollins). Frequently asked for his expert comments by newspapers and magazines, he is also a regular guest on British television shows such as This Morning and Sky News.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Press (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875969305
• ISBN-13: 978-0875969305
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,481,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zen and voluntary simplicity style A nice book, May 23, 2002

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Organic Living (Hardcover)

This gem of a book is published by Rodale and is for lack of a better word a combination of Zen and Voluntary simplicity living. The photographs and the text via for your attention. And the book is in 5 sections that cover everything from The Natural Environment with an emphasis on farming and where food comes to, then We Are What We Eat which covers why eating organic helps...finding organic foods...organic food for health...and the future.

From The Inside Out covers healthily beauty, looking good organically, exercise. mind body spirit and natural remedies.
The Organic Home covers recycling, saving energy, eco style, and organic household products. Even I was surprised to learn some new ideas, even though we thought we were pretty organic as it was.

The Organic Garden was a favorite section because it covers how and where to plant, caring for the garden which was very informative because even though we are avid gardeners it was nice to learn some earth friendly ideas for pests. Choosing plants was good because people still think that the succulent with the purple flowers will look so nice next to the water hungry pole beans. And they don't mix well. And then there is the looking to the future section.

The book has a healthy resource and additional reading suggestion section as well. Oh and I love the herb section and believe everyone even if you live in a small space with only a window ledge, should grow a variety of herbs for cooking and teas. The book is shy 180 pages and is semi coffee table size.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zen and voluntary simplicity style A nice book, May 23, 2002

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Organic Living (Hardcover)

This gem of a book is published by Rodale and is for lack of a better word a combination of Zen and Voluntary simplicity living. The photographs and the text via for your attention. And the book is in 5 sections that cover everything from The Natural Environment with an empahsis on farming and where food comes to, then We Are What We Eat which covers why eating organic helps...finding organic foods...oragnic food for health...and the futire.

From The Inside Out covers healthily beauty, looking good organically, exercise. mind body spirit and natural remedies.
The Organic Home covers recycling, saving energy, eco style, and organic household products. Even I was surprised to learn some new ideas, even though we thought we were pretty organic as it was.

The Organic Garden was a favorite section because it covers how and where to plant, caring for the garden which was very informatibe because even though we are avid gardneers it was nice to learn some earth friendly ideas for pests. Choosing plants was good because people still think that the succulent with the purple flowers will look so nice next to the water hungry pole beans. And they don't mix well. And then there is the looking to the future section.

The book has a healthy resource and additional reading suggestion section as well. Oh and I love the herb section and believe everyone even if you live in a small space with only a window ledge, should grow a variety of herbs for cooking and teas. The book is shy 180 pages and is semi coffee table size.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to why you should consider organic living, June 21, 2006

By 

Amalfi Coast Girl (Mid-Atlantic, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Organic Living (Hardcover)

I became interested in organic living when my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Once I was told that this cancer was most probably the result of exposure to some toxin, organic living became the goal at our house. I have been collecting books on organic living ever since. This is one of the first books that I found. This book focuses on helping the readers to make smart and safe choices in every aspect of everyday life. The topics are food, health, beauty products, clothing and home design and decoration.

The book is subdivided as follows:
1. Introduction
2. The Natural Environment
3. We are What We Eat
4. From the Inside Out
5. The Organic Home
6. The Organic Garden

The book is written by a naturopath and osteopath based in England. He has a very informative website that will give you an understanding of his believes and attitudes toward health. (http://www.michaelvanstraten.com)

The section on nutrition is especially good. I like the fact that he gives different advice based on the age of the individual. If you have been studying nutrition, you will find that his nutrition advice coincides with conventional wisdom.

The organic gardening section is helpful, but you will probably need to supplement with more information depending on the scale of your gardening.

Overall, I found this book to be very enlightening and well written. If you are looking for a book that is a comprehensive introduction to why you should be considering moving toward organic living this is a good book to pick up.