Five years in the making, it’s an antidote to these troubled times.

This down to earth, practical book chronicles Alanna’s exploration of temperate zone, eco-friendly living in a ‘normal’ home in rural Ireland and why this is an imperative today. It's a tool for the times - anyone can do some of the actions required, with inspiration gained from plant profiles and low carbon recipes, to poetry and a plethora of tasty visuals to bring the rich flavour of the healthy, eco-peasant way into the realm of your own possibilities.

Alanna Moore is a gardener, poet, geomancer, teacher, author of nine books and numerous magazine articles, maker of film documentaries and a songwriter/singer. She hails from Sydney, Australia, now lives in Co. Leitrim and she gained three Diplomas of Permaculture from originator Bill Mollison in the 1990s.

Introduction to Peasant in Paradise:

“The year 2020 was looming with a lead-up of dark warnings from astrologers. Planets would be aligning in significant ways and we were in for some kind of shift, though I couldn’t imagine what the big shake-up, or re-set, could be from. It felt appropriate to offer some courses in eco-living and I put together a programme. But it wasn’t meant to be. A global pandemic and economic mayhem were coming. Things would be changing in a big way indeed!

“The pandemic lockdowns of 2020 allowed me greater focus on eco-living and saw me grow more food than I’d ever imagined. And I wasn’t alone, people were emptying the supermarket shelves of veggie seed packs and bicycles sales went exponential. It was the gift of time.

“I could experiment with new crops and recipes, nurture nature and get more in tune with my locale. No more jet-setting off for teaching weekends. Travelling generally made me sick anyhow, due to being electro-sensitive. No, this was a year to enjoy health, harmony and the riches of simple living.

“So I embraced the eco-peasant life, aiming for as much self-sufficiency as possible. Free from wage slavery. Growing a big variety of plant foods for husband Peter Cowman and self, plus gifts for friends and neighbours. Not growing for selling, which diminishes it’s true cost and value.

“I found that peasanthood was something to be proud of. Not to be confused with the feudal serfdom that continued in Ireland longer than anywhere else. No, I owned my old Irish cottage and a hectare of lovely land with no debts. It was my sovereign domain and despite a diminished income, by living the Good Life frugally I could still pay the bills, follow my heart and pursue wholesomeness.

“I was loving it! 2020 turned out to be a perfect time for realising the frugal splendour of being a peasant in paradise.”