Pages

Friday, March 4, 2022

Book Review - Down to earth by Rhonda Hetzel - Step by step instructions on how to take control of your life

 

Valspierssews book review

 "Simple living is about a powerful change in attitude and how you apply that change to the way you live"

Introduction

This book is a manual or self help book designed to show a clear way to take control of what you do each day.

Topics include:

  • Saving and Spending
  • Home
  • Housework
  • Organisation
  • Sustainable garden
  • Nutrition and cooking
  • Recipes
There are detailed sections on each topic.
The author also shares personal experiences and provides practical steps.


Book Details

Title: Down to Earth
Author: Rhonda Hetzel
Published: First published by Penguin Group Australia 2012
Republished as a paper back by Viking 2020
Genre: Self-help, Sustainable living
Audience: Young adults who need help becoming independent. Also anyone who is toying with the idea of living with intent to achieve a fulfilling life. Also parents who want to be good role models for their children.
Page count: 324

A Summary

The first two sections called Living Simply and Ages and Stages give an introduction to living a simple life and how it can be achieved at different times of your life.

The section on saving and spending is a comprehensive study of your finances with over 30 pages describing practical steps on how save and pay off debt.


Next are three sections based inside the home. There is a good introductory section  describing the meaning of 'home' and its importance in providing a safe haven for you and your family.
The next section on housework describes exactly how to do the housework including recipes for home made cleaning solutions for clothes and surfaces. There are even recipes for personal hygiene like soap and face cream. 



The section on organising your life has tips and practical steps for organising and decluttering all your belongings. No matter if you are a housework queen or a complete newbie these sections are full of great ideas.
The final sections are all about gardening and cooking.

"You have never really tasted a potato until you taste a new potato, dug that afternoon and steamed with butter and parsley."
The section on home-grown self-reliance has sections on why bother to garden then how to enrich your soil, how to choose what you grow then how to grow it and harvest it and also how to save seeds.
There is also a chapter on growing in containers. You are never left wondering what to do.
The next section follows on with with more outdoor activities like controlling pests, keeping chickens, how to compost and show to look after your gardening tools.

The final sections cover food storage, preserving your harvest, shopping, cooking from scratch and some basic recipes.

My Impressions

I feel like nothing is left to chance. Everything you need to know is laid out in a logical and easy to read step by step fashion.

If you're an old timer like me you may not need all the instructions but I found the homemade cleaning product recipes something worth keeping. I also enjoyed the introductory chapters of each section explaining why simple living is worthwhile.

There are lots of nice photos including beautiful full age images. I found it a lovely book to browse through picking out parts to read.


It's set out like a beautiful text book and would make a perfect gift for anyone starting out on their own. 

Everyone needs to know how to create a budget, how to do housework and how to organise and plan.
It is not just aimed at people who want to simplify their life. It's also a great guide for anyone who wants to build a great life.

Does the author achieve what she set out to achieve?

"We are encouraged to work out entire lives so that big business remains healthy, the country prospers and we skill ourselves in how to earn a living rather than how to live a life."

Throughout the book the author is throwing out challenges. She clearly explains what to do and why it matters then leaves the decision up to the reader.

"Be bold, step up and take back what is yours."

Each section lays out the skills you need. The overall message is one of taking back your independence. 

Becoming capable, productive and independent is simple, not easy, but also essential if you want to lead a fulfilling life.

I try to live my life without being wasteful and I agree with the sentiment in the book. 

I have a budget and I keep track of my spending. I can knit and sew and crochet and mend and I have passed those skills onto my children. 

However, I am not interested in making my own yoghurt or butter. I'm not interested in growing my own zucchinis and tomatoes. I'm not interested in home made washing powder.

I've tried all theses things in the past and I'm happy that I don't need to do things things, but I could if I needed to. I have skills I can call on.

If you or your family or friends don't have these basic skills of self-sufficiency and you would like to know where to start this book is a perfect resource to get you going.

If you have an idea that you want a simpler life this book will show you how to achieve that step by step.

Is the layout logical?

The book is well organised and it is easy to follow section to section or you can jump from one section to another without getting lost.

There are lots of sub-sections or chapters that are logically laid out in the contents pages.
The introduction for each section explains why the author thinks the topic is important or useful. Her attitude of giving advice while saying that you have to work out what suits you is very encouraging and friendly.

Is this a good self-help book?

This book is not a self-sufficiency manual. It is more a combination of the topics that you often find in separate books like housekeeping or homemaking or gardening or how to organise your life.




You might think that by fitting all those topics into one book that it couldn't possibly contain enough information on each topic. I think that by including the basics on a range of related life skills the book comes across as a convenient resource that makes it all seem very doable.

You don't have to live on acreage and kill your own sheep to lead a simple and organised life. I think it puts a more sustainable and rewarding life within the reach of ordinary people with big dreams.
This book doesn't just provide opinion and information, it provides hope, and that is such a positive message.

Conclusion

I have to say that I really enjoyed looking closely at this book. As I have indicated throughout, this book is a great manual for life. I loved reading it and yes it is very readable. It is not just tips and instructions.
Rhonda's passion for a simple and organised life comes through on every page. 
I found the layout with a main section then sub-sections or chapters very easy to follow. It was easy to find a particular topic of interest. I think this would be a great book for anyone starting out on their journey to independence.




Happy reading,
Val

Saturday, April 23, 2016

A White House Chef Mystery by Julie Hyzy

I have discovered another cosy mystery series that I really like. It is not just a murder mystery story it is more like spies, terror threats, bomb threats etc. Security breaches at the White House. That sort of thing.

Screen shot from Fantastic Fiction


There are lots of books in the series so it will keep me going for while. I started with no.6 and have now gone back as my library goes. They don't have the first 3.

The life of the first female executive chef in the White House progresses through the series. You get to work through her relationship with the first families and her love life. She can do anything and is very brave and resourceful. I like this character. She is late thirties I think.

 


Happy Reading,
Val

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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Agatha Raisin in Deadly Dance

It has been way too long since I read an Agatha Raisin adventure.
I had forgotten what a feisty old gal she is and I thoroughly enjoyed the e-book I borrowed through my library.

The volume of e-books is slowly growing. At present there are only random selections from some of my favourite authors but this makes me try new ones.

If you haven't already clicked the link in the first line you must check out all the Agatha Raisin books by MC Beaton on my original blog post.

If you haven't already tried e-books on your tablet just visit your library online and find the e-books link. You will need to download the Bolinda app for one lot and the Overdrive app for another lot.


Happy Reading,
Val

Friday, April 1, 2016

E-audio books from Bolinda

I love the library on-line.

In March I listened to Six Sacred Stones by Matthew Reilly.
The narrater has a great voice and does all the characters really well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Just log into your local library using the Bolinda app and download from the catalogue. I use my iPad but you can also use your phone.

The choice is limited but I am sure they are adding all the time.

Happy Listening,
Val

Friday, April 4, 2014

Pretty Little Presents - of the Pretty Little sewing series

Loved this book and the others in the series look just as good. They will soon be out as paperbacks at around $12. I got this one from my library. It contains project ideas with patterns and instructions from a variety of designers.








Friday, March 28, 2014

Amsterdam A History of the World's Most Liberal City

By Russell Shorto

What a great read. A history book tracing the growth of freedom, free will, tolerance and human rights in Amsterdam and how it influenced the world.

DetailsonAmazon

 

Friday, February 7, 2014

The Baking Book


Unfortunately this book is out of print. Amazon had one used one available. It is a great book.
Here is the Marbled Chocolate and Orange Loaf recipe.
You can also download the PDF.

Serves 6

Ingredients:



50g/2oz plain dark chocolate
125g/4oz butter, softened
125g/4oz caster sugar
zest of one orange
2 medium eggs, beaten
125g/4oz self raising flour
2 tsp orange juice
1 tbsp cocoa powder

To Finish:
1 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp cocoa powder

Method:


  1. Preheat oven to 180 C or 350 F or Gas Mark 4. Lightly oil a 450g loaf tin and line the base with non-stick baking paper.
  2. Put the chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water. Stir occasionally until melted. Remove from heat and leave to cool a bit. I microwaved the chocolate squares 1 min on medium and one min on medium high. Stirring the last lumps until they melt.
  3. Meanwhile, cream together the butter, sugar and orange zest until pale and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs, beating well after each addition.
  4. Sift in the flour, add the orange juice and fold with a metal spoon or rubber spatula. Divide the mixture into two bowls. Gently fold the cocoa powder and chocolate into one of the bowls.

5.     Drop tablespoonfuls of each cake mixture into the prepared tin, alternating between the orange and chocolate mixtures. Briefly swirl the colours together with a knife to give a marbled affect.


6.     Bake in a preheated oven for 40 mins, or until firm and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out and cool on a wire rack. Carefully remove the lining paper.

7.     Dust the cake with icing sugar and then with cocoa powder. Cut into thick slices and serve. I made some icing using the left over orange juice.


My husband says this is the best cake I have ever made :)

I have to show you my Botanic Garden cups and spoons. They are my souvenir from Iron Bridge in England. The gift shop had all sorts of nice things. I would so love the whole dinner set.


Cheers,
Val