I like to think this is a book your grandmother could have given you. Chock-full of tips, recipes, and remedies, it’s her hand held out, sharing what in her day felt ordinary but seems extraordinary today. Of course, she didn’t write this book—she lived it. As for me, I had to learn it first, then live it, and only then start to write it down, all while striving for a simple, slow, sustainable life in line with the principles of zero-waste.

My hope is that what I’ve written will serve as a bridge between the can-do ethos of generations past and the Earth-conscious mindfulness many of us seek to capture and bring into our lives today. Inside you’ll find guidance and inspiration for simplifying, slowing down, working with your hands, making more, buying less, valuing quality over quantity, and living frugally, self-sufficiently, and harmoniously with the natural world.

For every area of your household—kitchen, cleaning, wellness, bath, and garden— you’ll learn ways to eliminate wasteful packaging, harmful ingredients, and disposable items. Practical checklists outline easy swaps and sustainable upgrades for common household tools and products. Projects include scrap apple cider vinegar, wool dryer balls, kitchen bowl covers and cloth produce bags, non-toxic dryer sheets, all-purpose cleaner, herbal teas, tinctures, balms, and more, plus recipes for package-free essentials like homemade nut milk, veggie stock, salad dressings, toothpaste, mouthwash, and lotion. A section on kitchen gardening will inspire you to grow and preserve your own food while caring for and connecting with the natural world right outside your door.