review: The Art of Frugal Hedonism
The Art of Frugal Hedonism
Chelsea Green Publishing sent several books to the National Ladies Homestead Gathering for us to read and review and I snapped this one up as soon as I saw it. In the beginning of 2017 I resolved to focus my spending on companies making an effort to become more environmentally or socially conscious (both, ideally). I didn't spend less overall, but I did spend less at big box stores, so I'm satisfied and intend to continue.
This book pushes me to take my journey a step farther - not only to focus on what I buy (and from whom), but to enjoy it with all my senses. Not plan my next purchase, but to pay attention to what I just bought and savor it. What does it feel like? What does it taste like? How do I care for it, to make it last and look its best (or work its best)? What does it look like in the sun, shade, rain? Are all my senses pleased with it? Or is it not a good fit?
Some of the suggestions are a little out there for me. I'm not going to dumpster dive for my food. But gardening and foraging? And I am going to take chapter 11 to heart and Beware Fake Frugal. This chapter, especially, speaks to my homestead heart:
"We foolish humans cheat ourselves when we try to save money by buying crap stuff that requires us to spend more money replacing it, or leads to us living with crap health on a crap planet - since what we were trying to do in the first place was spend less money and have a good life."
YES. My son's poor quality food was a significant road block. But high quality food comes with a higher price, just like all other high quality goods. If you can't afford to pay for it, then try to figure out a way around it (your own garden and chickens, bartering with a friend, a community garden, working for a few hours in exchange for food, etc).
And yet the very next chapter is titled, "Enjoy Excess" - and this, too, I agree with. I often say "I'm paleo for my health, but I cheat for my sanity." I can’t think of a single culture that didn’t have some kind of feast day or festival for over-indulging for some reason.
Fifty bite-size chapters that are quick and easy to read before bed, when traveling, or whenever you just want a little something to read with no commitment that also give you a good bit to mull over. What do you want your life to look like? What can you do to get there? I’m sure one of these tips will help.
(Psst! Chelsea Green has offered National Ladies Homestead Gathering Members a special discount. Please log in to your account and check out the Member Access section!)
