Details from Audible:
The Sweetness of a Simple Life
Tips for Healthier, Happier and Kinder Living from a Visionary Natural Scientist
By
Narrated by
The author of The Global Forest—an international bestseller and a classic upon publication, beloved by people around the world—gives us her tips and advice for achieving better health and peace of mind, with frugality, simplicity and pleasure not far behind.
In The Sweetness of a Simple Life, Diana Beresford-Kroeger mixes science with storytelling, wonderment, magic, myth and plenty of common sense. Orphaned at an early age, Beresford-Kroeger was raised by elderly relatives in Ireland in the Druidic tradition, taught the overlap between the arts and sciences, and the triad of body, mind and spirit. After pursuing a PhD in medical biochemistry, Beresford-Kroeger set out on a quest to preserve the world’s forests. In this warm and wise collection of essays, she gives us a guide for living simply and well: which foods to eat and which to avoid; how to clean our homes and look after pets; how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from illness; and why we need to appreciate nature. She provides an easy dose of healing, practical wisdom, blending modern medicine with aboriginal traditions. This inspiring, accessible book emphasizes back to basics, with the touchstone not an exotic religion or meditation practice, but the natural world around us.©2013 Diana Beresford-Kroeger (P)2023 Random House Canada
Initial Thoughts:
I have always believed that it’s better to keep your life simple, its one of the reasons why I never wanted children and why I’ve cut out 99% of social media and other things in life that unnecessarily complicate it. So I suppose that’s what I was thinking that this book would be a self-help/self-improvement focus about removing distractions and focusing on what makes you happy. That and it did get good reviews and it was read by the author, something I’ve always enjoyed, so I decided to give it a listen from Audible.
Main Points:
This a fascinating book that touches on so many things that honestly it makes it hard to review, so I will say that if Diana reads this review I hope you will keep that in mind and forgive me for leaving out whole swaths of it/not focusing on the important parts/points she was trying to make. I loved everything she said about nature and I agree that we need to spend more time outside and connect with it. I make an effort to that even in the middle of winter when it’s cold outside (and it’s too windy for me to light a fire in my backyard firepit). I also agree that nature holds the key to being healthy and we need to focus less on pharmaceuticals/pills. I found her ideas of spirituality very interesting and the longer I live, and especially when I’m high, I believe that we are connected somehow and that the universe is unfolding as it should. I’m not so sure about her idea of a person’s spirit visiting you and imparting knowledge/wisdom but maybe I haven’t experienced it yet.
Her many tips on how to garden, which trees to plant, how to clean your house and how to protect yourself from harmful chemicals (and microwaves) are good, though I don’t agree with all of them. I think it’s wonderful she puts in so much effort to grow her own food/look after her pets/herself/her loved ones but I think most people do not have the energy and patience to do everything she says. I also can’t see putting tinfoil in the lining of a house but that doesn’t mean she’s wrong about it helping. I really loved the whole section on trees and agree they are some of the most wonderful living things in our world and need to be protected/planted/encouraged to grow every chance we get. I also fully agree that just spending time in nature, and away from devices, makes you a happier/better adjusted person/healthier person. I will say, however, that some of her ideas are a little too far out there for me but I’m sure are great for someone else.
Final Thoughts:
I thought she did a great job reading this and you can tell when she is a passionate person who wants to make the world better, I applaud her for that and I wish her all the best on her journey. That said I did feel that some parts of the book just made me feel either guilty about what I should be doing or depressed about what is happening in the world. She does, however, always end on a hopeful note and I agree that the world can heal and be a better place, we just need to care more and do more. I give this a solid 8 out of 10 and would reccomend this to anyone who is interested in hearing about a wonderful combination of natural history, science and ages old wisdom from this wise Irish woman. Keep an open mind and you’ll find there is plenty to challenge your ideas and learn how your life could be much sweeter and simpler. There is some adult/complicated themes so ages 13+.