On July 4th, we will celebrate a new kind of patriotism, adding green to the red, white and blue. We hope you can stop by the store at 6111 Kirby anytime between 11am and 4pm for our community grand opening party! The kid-friendly event will feature spin art activities with non-toxic paints from New Living, an organic, lemonade stand on Kirby, a New Orleans style second line parade, all natural gelato, and a variety of treats from Whole Foods and The Grove. We really hope you can stop by!

11am - Party Starts and food is served
Oneish- New Orleans musicians
All Day Long - NoVoc Spin Art, Organic Lemonade, American Clay Demo, Gelato

Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors.  Over the coming months, as red ozone days are sure to come, and the heat index in Houston gets to 100+ degrees, we are warned to stay inside.  However, even without going outside, poor air quality can still be a problem.   Indoor air quality is effected by many of the everyday products you use in your home such as cleaning supplies, paint, furniture, mattresses, and building materials.  There are many healthier alternatives to these items that parents can use such as bleach-free dishwashing soap, no-voc paint, and organic mattresses.  Improving indoor air quality can have a positive effect on children and adults suffering from asthma and allergies. New Living and the American Lung Association are teaming up for a short session on improving indoor air quality in your family’s home.  There will be helpful hints as well as new green home products that are accessible and affordable for the everyday consumer.

Additionally, childcare and refreshments will be provided.

All attendees will be entered in to win free NOVOC non-toxic paint for one room in any color and a kit of non-toxic home cleaning supplies.

RSVP or register for childcare to:  CRedwine@breathehealthy.org

Meet at New Living on Kirby Drive in Rice Village (park on Times or Rice Blvd)

6111 Kirby Dr.
Houston, Texas, 77005
Thursday, June 11
10:30-11:30 am
Phone:  713-521-1921

Hope to see you there.

reprinted from Houston Family Magazine, written by Amy Barnett

Jeff Kaplan is a man driven by his passions. That’s why the native Houstonian quit his job two years ago as a commercial retail real estate broker to start his own business. It’s called New Living and Kaplan and a small group of employees are determined to make sure the company lives up to its name. The goal is to inspire customers to start a new way of life by making responsible, healthy, eco-friendly decisions when selecting everyday essentials.  In other words, Kaplan wants New Living to be the general store for Houstonians who are seeking a greener way of life.

Kaplan felt an authentic neighborhood hardware store would be the best place to see the birth of New Living.  In November of 2007, that idea took him to Houston’s legendary Wagner Hardware on Kirby Drive.  The owner, Nancy Wagner Abernathy, who was planning to soon close the family business, allowed New Living to start selling its eco-friendly paints and household cleaners on one aisle.  A year later, New Living took over the entire store. 

“We’re trying to make green living accessible,” says Jennifer Touchet, co-owner of New Living, “and you don’t have to compromise style, we cater to design as well.”   Inside the New Living showroom, builders can find countertops made from 100% recycled glass and concrete, and environmentally sound wood and Bamboo flooring.  And for folks like you and me, who want to create a safer environment in the homes we already have, there are soybean candles, organic cotton blankets and mattresses, and of course, non-toxic household cleaners.  And the labels on those cleaners proudly state, Made by Houstonians.  “We wanted to do something to maximize local labor,” says Kaplan, “Part of the green movement is using local resources.” Read on

New Living teams up with local Houston fashion designer, Neha Gupta of national luxury organic cotton line Sama Baby Organics, with an eco-fashion show featuring her Summer 2009 collection for newborns to 6 years old!

Come enjoy a short belly dancing class for mommies, gelato and spin art for the kids, a beautiful natural playhouse featuring New Living’s newest products, free raffles and much more!
Please RSVP for this event at neha@samababy.com
Sunday May 31st from 2-4 pm at New Living 6111 Kirby Drive (at New Living)

Sponsors:
Green Lily Events
Ruggles Green
Opmom
The Motherhood Center

Green & Clean, What it Really Means

How do you know when a product you are using on your body or in your home is really all natural or organic?

What if you could know for certain that you are absorbing nutrients into your body instead of harmful chemicals?

Your body is designed to work divinely with ingredients from Mother Nature.

Join us Tuesday, May 26, 2009 6:30-8:00 at New Living 6111 Kirby (at Rice Blvd.) to learn more.

For more information: www.Adivinenature.com

Join us for the Emerging Green Builders (of the US Green Building Council) May educational event Wednesday, May 20th from 6-8pm at the store. Stephanie Edwards-Musa will be speaking at the event. Stephanie is a realtor and certified eco-broker who also runs a blog at www.turninghoustongreen.com. Stephanie will be speaking about current trends in green building and discussing everyday things you can do around the house to make your house more energy efficient. Stephanie is a great resource to learn how and where to buy, sell or remodel a green home in Houston.

The event is open to the public and complimentary drinks and appetizers will be served.

Join us for a community planting at Beavers Saturday May 23rd from noon to 6pm. 2310 Decatur, 77007 713-864-2328

Bring a plant for Beaver herb garden and come back to watch it grow and become part of the menu! Free drink and buffet for everyone who brings a plant. Plant suggestions: Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Flat Leaf and Regular Parsley, Lemongrass, Mint, Marigolds, Orka, Radishes, Cucumbers, Eggplant, any kind of peppers, Tarragon, Rue, Chives, Basil