Good—simple choices for a better life

Good start

4 Editorial

Tell us what you think

6 The Goodies

Adrian Clapperton, Miyuki McGuffie, Nick Potter

8 Letters

Write and win

10 News

Mostly good news from around the globe

10 Slow cookers vs pressure cookers

Good choice: Pressure cookers and crockpots hold traumatic childhood memories for Sarah Heeringa—but now hungry kids of her own and a daily need for efficient meals has her facing her fears. But which way to jump: fast and furious, or slow and low?

11 Peak oil

Convenient truths about: Peak oil does not mean the world is running out of oil: it refers to the point of maximum production, after which the availability of oil will steadily decline.

16 Good reads

Good reads: Celebrity, Nudge, Sufficient, Step-by-Step guides

18 DIY carbon cutting

Good question: How can I offset my own flight? Plus: DIY double-glazing

20 Good stuff

Good stuff: Win lots of nice stuff

22 Neil Finn

My green journey: In 2001, iconic Kiwi songwriter Neil Finn brought together a few top musical friends to make a charity album. Those friends are some of the world's top musos; the album, an acclaimed live recording featuring the best of five sellout 7 Worlds Collide shows.

24 Hairstylists

Power of two: Stephen and Lucy Marr follow the latest trends in sustainable beauty while balancing on the unforgiving razor-edge of fashion

Features

26 This way to happy

What really makes us happy has little to do with money. Even better, what's good for us, is great for the whole country. Dave Hansford explores the new economics of happiness

31 The road to happiness

There’s a wealth of data on happiness. Here’s what the research says

32 Love thy neighbour

Buying stuff you don't use is such a waste. Here's how to set up a neighbourhood network, host a clothes swap, share tools, computer connections and even cars—and create a safer, friendlier community while you're at it

40 Natural crossing

If you tread lightly on the planet in life, why wouldn't you want to leave this world the same way? Francesca Price investigate the growing number of green alternatives when it comes to natural funerals

56 Green day

A growing numbers of weddings today aren't white—they're green. But how to host a sustainable wedding? Good meets two newlywed couples and discovers how they dragged one of the oldest traditions into the 21st century

The goods

64 Men in a lather

Style: The ultimate men's shave

68 Seaside safari

Travel: Much like an African safari, a holiday in Kaikoura comes with a checklist of wildlife to marvel at: dolphins, whales, seals, giant albatrosses—Annabel McAleer visits the small seaside town that’s big on adventure

70 For the love
of bugs

Family: Make your own Victorian-style natural collection display case

72 Safety last

Transport: Safety last with Stig Heeringa

74 Getting into hot water

Technology: How to get serious with solar-powered hot water

76 Should you worry about gluten?

Health: Going gluten-free seems almost fashionable. It may be the latest dietary villain—but is there really anything wrong with consuming it?

80 One-pot wonder

Grow + eat: Delicious one-pot meals. Plus: pressure cooker dinners, make your own onion chutney, authentic foccacia, get carroting in the garden

83 Taking stock

Food: Stock adds flavour and nutritional value to fancy and simple meals alike. It’s also a great way to use leftover vegetable or meat scraps that might otherwise go to waste.

Good bits

87 Leave only footprints

Business: Rod Oram on innovating out of the carbon trap

88 A tale of two countries

Eco-worrier: Emily Perkins ponders lessons from Albania

90 Love your leftovers

Good housekeeping: Barbara Good on turning leftovers into lunch

92 In his own words

Gaia and brimstone: Dave Hansford listens to John Key

93 Why aren't we generating our own energy?

The green room: Charmaine Watts, chair of Refit-NZ, explains how 'feed-in tariffs' could help everyone profit from producing their own electricity

103 One day, 350 actions

Action: Prepare now for the International Day of Climate Action, 24 October 2009

104 Natalia + Jamie Harrington

The good life: Building green homes in Nelson

Plus

94 The Good Guide

Renovations: Sustainable solutions for walls, floors and warmth