Healthy, Happy Home: Ideas & Inspiration
Want simple, practical ideas for a healthy, happy home?
A treasure trove of gorgeous (and FREE) resources await you at Western Downs Libraries.
Here are just a few!
How to Live a Low Tox Life – Workshop with Alexx Stuart
Recently Alexx Stuart visited our libraries sharing her knowledge and experience in reducing toxins in everyday life. Alexx Stuart is an author, health coach, educator, and founder of the Low Tox Movement. Participants enjoyed the workshop and took home some easy ways to begin their journey towards a happier, healthier life for themselves – and the planet!
Books by Alexx Stuart
Low Tox Life: a handbook for a healthy you and a happy planet by Alexx Stuart (2020)
Ever stopped to read the list of ingredients in the products you use every day? In Low Tox Life, activist and educator Alexx Stuart gently clears a path through the maze of mass-market ingredient cocktails, focusing on four key areas: Body, Home, Food and Mind. Sharing the latest science and advice from experts in each area, Alexx tackles everything from endocrine-disruptors in beauty products, to the challenge of going low plastic in a high-plastic world. And, how to clean without a hit of harmful toxins.
Low Tox Life Food by Alexx Stuart (2021)
Packed with inspiration and stories from regenerative farmers, checklists for what to ask about the produce you buy, ways to afford better choices, as well as 80 of Alexx’s most requested recipes for budget-friendly, easily adaptable meals without waste.
More ideas and inspiration
Practising Simplicity: Small steps and brave choices for a life less distracted by Jodi Wilson (2022)
“I’m not here to nag you and tell you that you need to live with less stuff. Nor will I tell you that owning less is a sure and certain path to happiness. But let me tell you what it’s like to carry all you own with you… to reduce your consumption and increase your free time, and to realise that everything you need in life can fit in a caravan, along with those you love most…” Author and photographer Jodi Wilson shines a light on the best things in life that don’t cost money – and how you can incorporate them into your lifestyle, whatever your circumstances.
Homemade Beauty: 150 simple beauty recipes made from all-natural ingredients by Annie Strole (2014)
A beautifully packaged collection of 150 all-natural skin, hair and body care recipes. As reports on dangers of chemicals in cosmetics become increasingly alarming, many of us are seeking healthier beauty regimens. Commercially available organic beauty products are expensive, but they are easy and cheaper to make at home. Most require 5 simple ingredients or less! Recipes like Almond Rose Body Lotion will enchant you with heady scents – and thrill you when you realise they take only 5 minutes to make!
The Healthy Skin Kitchen: For eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, allergies, hives, rosacea, red skin syndrome, cellulite, leaky gut, MCAS, salicylate sensitivity & histamine intolerance by Karen Fischer (2021)
Award-winning author and nutritionist Karen Fischer knows what it’s like to struggle with embarrassing skin disorders no one could fix. Her journey from head-to-toe hives and eczema, to clear skin, turned around when she found the underlying cause of her symptoms. You can do this too! Find answers and recipes to combat acne, allergies, dandruff, leaky gut, migraines, gluten intolerance, rosacea, and many more conditions. Even those without skin problems will experience benefits.
Thrifty Household: More than 1000 budget-friendly hints and tips – Collected wisdom: Country Women’s Association of Victoria (2020)
Red wine on the carpet? Coffee stain on your white t-shirt? Candlewax on the tablecloth? This book will save you time and money on 100s of everyday household problems. With advice on everything from unblocking a sink (if you own a tennis ball but not a plunger), to making your oven sparkle without any toxic chemicals. Over 1000 hints and tips for: kitchen, bathroom, laundry, car. Christmas, clothing, craft, creepy crawlies. DIY, gardening, floors, food, cleaning EVERYTHING. Hair care, health and beauty remedies, ironing, home decorating. Jewellery, knitting, pets, sewing. Shoes, silver, storage and stain-removing.
Naturally Inspired: Simple DIY recipes for body care and cleaning by Krissy Ballinger (2019)
With her gentle and realistic approach, Krissy Ballinger helps you reduce your body’s toxic burden with recipes for common day-to-day essentials. Deodorant, sunscreen, magnesium oil, dishwasher tablets, cleaning sprays and much more! Be inspired by simplicity of recipes and stunning photography. Natural DIY has never been so easy – and rewarding!
Stories for the kids
A Patch From Scratch by Megan Forward (2016)
Jesse and Lewis want to grow their own fruit and vegies, just like people do on a farm. They’re going to dig and build, plant and grow, and when they’re finished they’re going to have a feast!
Hotel for Bees by Alison McLennan (2020)
Benji is scared of bees. His big sister, Charlotte, wants to teach him all about how special bees are.
Together, they make a plan that might just change Benji’s mind!
Why I Love the Earth – in children’s very own words [kit] (2020)
This heartwarming book combines endearing things said by children about the Earth, with gentle illustrations of familiar animals. There are beautiful colours everywhere, amazing places to explore, and all our friends are here. No wonder everyone loves the Earth!
Note: this item is a Take-Home Kit, which includes the book as well as extra related activities supporting early literacy.