Imperfectly Natural Woman: Getting Life Right the Natural Way

"I liked this book but was disappointed.

I liked the fact that it didn't make you feel like a failure if you still prefer to wash your undies in Fairy. I also liked how for much of the book it was about easy changes you can make. She also come accross as human and admitted she takes short cuts sometimes. The discussion on child birth was really interesting and raised some valid points which I wil definately consider if I have kids.

However I was also very conscious that a lot of what the book talks about simply isn't available to people either on a limited income, outside of London or who don't have the time to spend hours a week being massaged. I also diliked how it glossed over some of the the whys eg she stuck a magnet on the back of her mobile after being horrified by the electromagnetic field it was creating but did the magnet change this? She doesn't say. I also found myself getting incredibly infuriated when the book started to dictate what birth control women should use. Whilst I agree that pumping women's bodies full of chemicals isn't good she fails to acknowledge that for some women it is the only practical option they have. SHe also implies that the methods she suggest are 100% reliable. They are not. The other thing which made me a bit mad was the sunscreen discussions. Her book is very misleading with regards to this discussion and fails to address to real issues and otehr possible reasons for the link between sunscreen and health.

I like listening to Janey Lee Grace on the radio. I think she talks a lot of sense most of the time. I also appreicate it must have been hard for her not to rant in this book! I just wish it was a bit more balanced and acknowlegded that some of the theories in the book are just that; theories and that there are other theories too."
~ Written on 2008-06-19

"I highly recommend this book, It is jam packed full of natural, simple and probably much cheaper alternatives to shop bought chemically laden un-natural cleaning and toiletry products. I love the 'imperfect' part which summarises the books ethos of doing the best we can and being 'good enough'. This is a book is one you can return to time and again, and pass round friends and family too! Janey writes with wit and sense of humour and you know she has been there before you- and writes from experience. "
~ Written on 2008-03-22

"Really full of tips and sources for buying and using natural products. Not too jugemental!!"
~ Written on 2008-01-08

"This is a good read - the style is friendly and accessible, and I found the subject matter really interesting. Lots of her tips would make sense for most people; such as a lot of the stuff on diet and what I found encouraging was that Janie Lee Grace isn't a Gillian Mckeith type zealot. However, switching all your cosmetics / skin care / cleaning products to chemical free alternatives is going to work out much more expensive. The toothpaste she recomends is several times the cost of a 'normal' supermarket one, for example, and this is before you factor in the cost of juicers, water purifiers, aromatherapy sessions, feng shui practitioners and the rest. A lot of people would like to cut out the chemicals, but might be put off by the cost implications, which is a shame. I would recommend this book nevertheless - people can take the bits of advice that seem sensible to them, and ignore the rest. "
~ Written on 2007-12-08

"My husband bought me this book as he thought I would enjoy it. I have, since giving up work to look after our two children, considered all aspects of our life and made many changes to make us all happier, healthier and greener.
I didn't find this book helpful at all. I think many of the suggestions are impractical and idealistic rather than things that can fit into a busy family life. I found the whole tone of the book patronising and the author verging on obsessive. Don't waste your money or your time! "
~ Written on 2007-09-24