How to Build a House is a great primer on home construction. Whether you plan on building a simple house or on helping others (for example, as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity), this book provides all the basics, and includes hundreds of photographs and illustrations walking through the construction of a single house.

The book was written by Larry Haun, a veteran supervisor of Habitat for Humanity projects. A percentage of the book’s proceedswill go to helping Habitat for Humanity continue its work.

Tom Fitzmorris started the New Orleans MENU in 1977, a famous review of New Orleans dining. He is probably best known for his daily radio show called “The Food Show”. Born and raised in New Orleans, he understands the ins and outs of New Orleans cooking.

I got a chance to visit New Orleans a year before Katrina. I ate an ate and ate for three days. Beignets, crawfish, jumbalaya, gumbo, you name it. When the hurricane hit, I wondered how long before the city could rebuild itself.

The New Orleans Food Cookbook is a cookbook that is helping. A portion of proceeds will benefit the recovery efforts in New Orleans.

The cookbook has over 225 creole and New Orleans staples. From some of the reviews, here are some dishes you can make yourself: Louisiana Seafood Pasta, Red Bean Soup, Redfish Herbsaint, Bananas Foster, Beignets, Shrimp Limone, Crab cakes, Jambalaya with oysters, Shrimp Remoulade, Redfish Herbsaint, Root Beer-Glazed Ham, and Cafe au Lait.

These are frosted glass platters sold at Uncommon Goods, each of which goes to help a separate great cause. The platters are all designed and handmade in Pennsylvania and support various great causes in the western Pennsylvania areas. Each reflects the mission of the cause it supports.

Forget Me Not Platter for Alzheimer’s
The illustration of the “forget-me-not” flower illustrates how precious memories are, and the tragedy of those who cannot keep theirs. 10% goes to support the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania.

Heart Platter for Habitat for Humanity
10% of proceeds from this platter benefit Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity, which organizes volunteers to build houses for low-income families.

Star Platter for AIDS
10% of proceeds from this platter go to AIDS service organizations in Pittsburgh.

The Giving Tree Platter for CASA
10% of sales of this plate goes to support the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Allegheny County, which organizes community volunteers to serve as advocates for children who are victims of abuse or neglect in western Pennsylvania.