Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life
Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life
Are you confused by all the advice you hear and see daily on how to “go green”? Do you want to incorporate earth-friendly practices into your life, but you don’t know where to start? Don’t stress! Green guru Sophie Uliano has sorted through all the eco-info out there and put everything you need to know about living a green lifestyle right at your fingertips.
In Gorgeously Green, Sophie offers a simple eight-step program that is an easy and fun way to begin living an earth-friendly life. Each chapter covers topics from beauty to fitness, shopping to your kitchen—even your transportation. Whether it’s finding the right lipstick, making dinner, buying gifts, or picking out a hot new outfit, finally, there is a book that tackles your daily eco-challenges with a take-charge plan. Just consider Sophie your go-to girl with all the eco-solutions. Find out how to:
- Green your entire beauty regime
- Detoxify your home
- Indulge in guilt-free shopping
- Adopt a home fitness routine
- Prepare eco-licious treats
- Give your kitchen a green makeover
- Become more aware of your impact on the earth
The book’s dozens and dozens of eco-friendly tips, products, and practices combine to form a treasure trove of practical advice for every possible way to become stylishly green. Your questions about dressing, makeup, eating, shopping, cleaning, travel, and more are all answered right here. Adopting a green lifestyle is among the most positive, forward-thinking, and personally fulfilling choices that anyone can make–and Gorgeously Green shows that it doesn’t have to be tedious, time-consuming, or glamourless!
Questions for Sophie Uliano
We had the opportunity to chat with Sophie Uliano over e-mail about Gorgeously Green, her suggestions for saving the Earth, and the very real possibility of becoming a hippie. Here’s what Sophie had to say about the economics of eco-consciousness, the allure of non-toxic nail polish, and of course, whether it’s truly easy being green.
Amazon.com: I’ve heard a common complaint that energy-saving light bulbs, organic food and clothing, and other “green” products are not as economical as traditional products. Is that true? Any tips for readers who want to be eco-conscious and budget-conscious too?
Sophie Uliano: I think that going green has a double meaning in that it also is about saving money. There is no way that I would or could go green if it meant that I was going to have to pay much more. If you make the cleaning spray that I suggest in my book, you will save a bunch on cleaning supplies because it’s an all-purpose cleaner that I use on almost everything (a great germ-buster too). You will pay a little more upfront for energy-saving light bulbs, but as they last 15 times longer, you will save money in the long run. Food is the only thing that you may have to pay a bit more for, however, I think that your health is an important investment, so I choose to save on boring cleaning supplies and treat my family to food that not only tastes more delicious, but will keep them healthy and vibrant. Remember that if you follow all the energy-saving tips in the book, you are going to save a wad of cash too–so it’s a win/win.
Amazon.com: I think many people are interested in making more sustainable choices, but when it comes to the heavy lifting it can be hard to break old habits. We tend to think, “Someone else will ride their bike to work today–I’ll drive like I always do.” What advice do you have that can help people “walk the talk”?
Uliano: I agree that it is hard to break old habits. My suggestion is to break one habit at a time. Choose the one thing that bothers you most. For me it is using paper towels when I know that I can easily use a rag instead. Make a decision about the change you want to make and tell your friends and family that you have decided to do this one thing and that you want their support. It could be that you are going to cook one organic meal from scratch once a week, or that you are going to air-dry your clothes this summer or simply that you will wash out a barely used zip-lock bag, instead of throwing it away–easy!
Amazon.com: Furthermore, I’ve heard many people worry that eco-consciousness is the first step toward becoming a granola hippie, to use one of your own phrases from the book. Do you have to be a hippie to go green?
Uliano: You so don’t have to become the tree hugger/hippie to live a green way of life. I feel passionately that you can still have the glitz, the glam and the gleaming house because now there are so many eco-friendly companies that offer you safe and healthy choices: nail polishes, organic clothes that are fabulous to name a few.
Amazon.com: Not everyone lives in an area where green options are available and accessible. Can you suggest a few ways that readers can live a greener lifestyle even if they don’t have easy access to car-sharing companies, wet dry-cleaners, and other alternatives you mention in your book?
Uliano: If you don’t have easy access to some of the green options in my book, it really doesn’t matter. No matter where you live, you can make a start. I recently visited my in-laws in Georgia, who have fewer options than we do here in Los Angeles; however, they have embarked on making their own cleaners, composting, growing veggies etc. There’s advantages to living in a metropolitan city in that you can buy all the great eco-stuff, but if you live in a more rural setting, it’s fantastic too because you may have a yard in which you can grow tomatoes or air-dry your laundry. I’d pick the latter if given the choice!
Amazon.com: Your book is mainly directed toward female readers–what tips do you have for men who are interested in making sustainable lifestyle changes?
Uliano: I wrote my book for women because I realized that as a mom, wife and working girl I could show like-minded women how easy it is to become green, however, men can totally benefit from my book too! My husband doesn’t have a huge interest in non-toxic nail polish, but he’s fascinated with everything solar and has started biking everywhere. We work together as a team, inspiring each other with our daily green discoveries–it’s fun!
Customer Review: I wanted to like this book….
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I found it to be very cute, but a bit of a puff piece.
There’s alot of tid bits of information, but nothing substantial. Some information is conflicting - on one page Sophie says she avoids microwaves and doesn’t want it altering the molecules in her food. Yet, on another page, she writes that the microwave is the most eco-friendly way to cook, as it uses the least amount of energy.
And yoga sun salutations and exercise instructions don’t belong in a green guide. They just don’t!
I also purchased Easy Green Living by Renee Loux and found it to be much more substantial and informative - like a mini encyclopedia on what you need to do to live green.
Customer Review: my bible!
This is the best book i have bought in a long time.. Very insightful and life changing.
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Gobel 10-Inch Deep Quiche Pan, Non-Stick 
Made Of Tinned Steelwith non-stick coating Removeable Bottom Great For Tarts & Quiches When Product Cannot Be Inverted To Be Released The non-stick coating provides exceptional resistance to abrasion and mechanical friction
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Scanpan Classic Nonstick 9-1/2-Inch Fry/Omelet Pan 
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List Price: $95.00
Amazon Price: $48.43
Customer Review: You’ll love this cookware!
Scanpan is wonderful. We bought a saucepan last year, and we are hooked. This skillet is ideal size for sauteing, as well as portion control when you cook breakfast! Clean up is, as they say, a snap. Really. Well worth the cost, too. We will be adding to our set, I’m sure.
Customer Review: Does not live up to the hype
We got a large sauce pan, 1 small and 1 medium size fry pans. I was very excited the first time we got our Scanpans. I saw and read about the new technology surrounding this product that supposedly to be non-stick for many years. Now we only have the big sauce pan left. We have to throw away the 2 fry pans. Well, to give it some credit, they lasted a couple of years before it started to peel off (actually not peeling off like a teflon. It starts to have some tiny holes on the surface coating which grows in size as you use it. Then finally when we see the metal base, we got worried that pieces of those non-stick surface gets to our food that we decided it’s time to get rid of it). The non-stick properties starts to wear off before it lasted a year. Pros: -heavy and thick to distribute heat evenly -Handles and glass covers are oven resistant so you can actually use it to cook in the oven -Well made, great construction. Durable. -(If you order a cover) We love the glass cover. It is see through to see your food without lifting it. Heavy that it does not easily rocks on top of the pan. We actually use it with our other pans. Cons: -Not as non-stick as teflon. And non-stick properties continue to deteriorates as you use it. Approximately a year. -For the price, it should last much longer. -Even if it is heavy and thick. It is not good for induction cooking.
