Erica Palmcrantz Aziz - The New Art of Living Green: How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Live a Happier, More Eco-Friendly Life

Copyright 2014 by Erica Palmcrantz Aziz and Susanne Hovens

Photography 2014 by Bianca Brandon-Cox

Illustration 2014 by Saga Aziz

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN: 978-1-62873-739-4

Printed in China

The recipes, advice, and tips in this book are not intended as medical advice and the authors disclaim liability for any printing errors. All recipes are made at the users own risk. Reliance on any content or other information provided by the authors or other contributors appearing in the book is solely at the users own risk. Any person accessing the book should exercise his or her own care, skill, and diligence with respect to the use of the content in the book. The authors are not responsible for the condition or content of any third party website, product, or material that are recommended in the book. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience only and do not imply any endorsement of those sites or products or services provided at those sites.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

W hen did you last get a handwritten letter? The kind of letter you knew that someone had taken the time to write on carefully selected stationery, gone out to buy a stamp, and stuck it in the mail box. Theres no better feeling than the joy of opening one, and then sitting down to read it. Do you take the time to write back in the same way?

Time has become scarce. Everyone has a lot to do and there is never enough time. Everything is speeding up; we look for quick fixes for ourselves and for putting things in order. The faster you move, the better you are; you appear to be more successful. But what happened to quality thinking, consideration, and commitment? And what is happening to our Earth? Natural resources are being depleted because we constantly want a lot of new things. It is time to step back, raise our eyes and reflect on what kind of Earth we will bequeath to our children and grandchildren.

With this book we hope to convey sensitivity and knowledge for you to dare to stop, to think, to increase your awareness of what is going on, and how to make even greener choices for yourself, your fellow man, and Mother Earth.

This is a guide from us to you, for your daily practical use. We have collected the best we have found in our own search for how to live a more sustainable life. What works for our daily routine of work, children, grocery shopping, and vacation well, for all phases of life. Our goal is to live as green as possible, but sometimes Life interferes. A first step is to become aware and do the best you can. We are not better than you, this is not the message of our book, but rather how we can accomplish our task together.

Each one of us is capable of greatness. Each personal contribution is meaningful. We may choose to turn away from this or we can face the responsibility we all have to change what doesnt work.

Together we color the world, and the greener we are, the more vibrant it will continue to be. For instance, we need the rainforest, the lungs of Earth, to remain, so what can we do on a daily basis to prevent its devastation? Our lifestyle, greed, and ignorance are lurking behind the mask of progress and prosperity.

We have divided the book into seven chapters, each represented by a color of the rainbow. At the end of each chapter you will find seven challenges to give you a nudge in the right direction. It is action that matters and sometimes we need someone to kick-start us in order to transform thought into action.

Nature is our mother. Because we live cut off from her, we get sick. Some of us live in boxes called apartments, very high above the ground. Around us are only cement, metal, and hard things like that. Our fingers do not have a chance to touch the soil; we dont grow lettuce anymore. Because we are so distant from our Mother Earth, we become sick. That is why we need to go out from time to time and be in nature. It is very important. We and our children should be in touch again with Mother Earth.

THICH NHAT HANH (zen Buddhist monk, teacher, and peace activist)

About Time

Time is of the essence for us, and we can not regain lost time. Give of your time; its the most appreciated gift of all. Enjoy every momenteach moment is a miracle in itself; all things are so intelligently interconnected. There are no coincidences.

This book is not intended to make you feel guilty or point out what you do wrong.

Think Big, Act Small, Start Now!

In the documentary Home , filmmaker Yann Arthus-Bertrand photographed the earth from above. He shows how quickly our Earth is able to recover if we humans choose to help her. A hope inspiring film indeed!

About the movie, which you can watch for free on YouTube:

We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have ten years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the earths climate. The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and Home has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being. For this purpose, Home needs to be free.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

Have fun on the way. Spreading joy, hope, faith, and love on our path to a greener lifestyle will help make the world an even more magical place. Replace sadness, anger, and boredom with joy and live fully every day.

P ositive

U can do it!

R eality

E ternal

WHO WE ARE

Erica Palmcrantz Aziz

AGE: 36

FAMILY: Husband Sam and daughter, Saga

I LIVE IN: Gothenburg, Sweden, Planet Earth

I WORK: To inspire people to eat and live more with raw food. You should use this powerful tool, food, to live in a deeper connection with yourself, and be grateful for whatever there is. Raw food is a lifestyle where you make better choices for yourself, your brothers and sisters, and for this magical planet.