Happy DEEP-GREEN New Year — Catch the Permaculture Spirit!

Now that the gift-giving holidays are over for most of us, are you looking ahead to your New Year's resolutions? Your DEEP-GREEN New Year's resolutions? If so, I might be able to help. Though I'm not generally much of a shopper, there are some excellent products on the market that I highly recommend. I call them "deep-green permaculture household appliances"; they are powered by 100% renewable energy; and they can make it much easier, not to mention more fun, to walk your green path.

Here's a list of practical deep-green household items that I either own or would like to. What makes these things "permaculture" rather than just "green" in my book is that they offer multiple benefits beyond just saving energy.

Some of these (like the Kelly Kettle and Rocket Stove) are meant for camping rather than indoor use, but they're also a good addition to your household's disaster-preparedness kit. A lot of these are also fun for kids to use.

Solar oven – cook with the ultimate free renewable energy source! It's a bit like an oven and a crock pot all in one.

Solar charger, rechargeable batteries – I've pretty much weaned myself off of batteries, other than laptop and cellphone. But if you can't beat 'em, at least green 'em! Particularly handy if you've got kids.

Hand-cranked coffee grinder – In many homes there are so many electric and electronic devices it's hard to find a free socket to plug yet another thing in. And then you might have to be a contortionist to actually reach the socket. So, hand-powered appliances get extra points in my book! Plus a hand-cranked grinder can give you really fine control over the coarseness of the beans. 

Bicycle trailer – A cargo trailer that you tow with your bicycle. Someone in your life is definitely wanting one of these! I've owned two different models: a Burley (capacity 100lb) and a Bikes At Work (capacity 300lb). Both are excellent. Bicycle trailers were the thing that finally set me car-free. 

Kelly Kettle – a twig-fueled kettle with hollow walls. The core serves as a mini chimney. The walls are hollow; you fill them with water. The water supposedly reaches a boil in minutes. AND, with the extra attachment, you can turn the unit into a stove burner, so you can be cooking your food and boiling water for your tea or coffee at the same time!

Twig-burning campstove that also charges your cellphone – this is really cool! I haven't tried it yet but I want to get one of these.

Rainbarrel – rainwater harvesting containers are available in all price ranges. Every household should have some rainwater storage capacity. This is particularly important for central Texas. I suggest at least 50 gallons to start with.

Pickling crocks – Do you love pickles? Maybe you or someone you know could be persuaded to make these highly nutritious and mouth-watering goodies! All that's needed is water, salt, veggies, and a conveniently sized crock.

Permaculture Design Certificate course – There's a lot more to permaculture than just buying stuff, even deep-green stuff. Permaculture is a whole way of thinking that you can apply to every area of your life. This skill-set is so practical and so much needed in the world today that you might even think of it as a kind of universal vocational training. Permaculture design education is a great gift for you, the people you love, and the world.

Wishing you all a very rich and happy DEEP-GREEN New Year! 

*** LINKS ***

–> For product photos, detailed descriptions, and online purchase links, visit my new website: 

JENNY'S DEEP-GREEN PERMACULTURE HO– USEHOLD SHOP

–> Find out about permaculture and the upcoming Permaculture Design Certificate course in Austin (at this writing, there are still five more spaces open in the course):

AUSTIN PERMACULTURE GUILD

 

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