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Testimonial: Dr. Ben Warner, D.D.S.

Amanda DeMers — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:20:38 +0000

When local dentist Dr. Ben Warner built his office, he designed it to be healthy for both his patients and the environment. Warner believes that health care professionals should not just promote healthy behaviors in their specific specialty, but in all aspects of healthy living, and when building his office, it was important to him that he expressed this idea in the space.

To help him accomplish this goal, New Living provided helped him choose and install non-toxic flooring materials and no-VOC paint. While paint is very important to indoor air quality, Dr. Warner was especially excited about his new floors. Marmoleum, a brand of natural linoleum, was installed in this dentist’s treatment area. This flooring option contains materials that are harvested sustainably and also help inhibit the growth of bacteria and microorganisms, helping the environment as well as people.

Dr. Warner spoke passionately, stating “I wanted to improve the environment and improve health at the same time”, He says, “and as we know, those two go hand-in-hand”. By taking care of ourselves, we also take care of our Earth, a concept that is a driving force for Dr. Ben Warner, as well as New Living.

Keep your home clean and healthy with Branch Basics

Amanda DeMers — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:50:31 +0000

So now that you’ve designed and built your dream home, what’s next?

Why not take care of yourself and your home with healthy, environmentally-friendly cleaning products from Branch Basics, available at New Living.

This non-toxic cleaning line is made from all-natural ingredients, and it works wonders without unhealthy and unpleasant fumes. We sell Branch Basics All-Purpose cleaner and a Window and Glass cleaner. The former even comes in a concentrate to save you time and money!

There is a growing awareness that chemical-laden cleaning products may do harm to you, your family, and even your pets. From skin and eye irritation to chronic diseases relating to long-term chemical exposure, the EPA attributes many health and environmental problems to these common household items.

Why expose yourself and your family to harmful chemicals when you could choose Branch Basics?

PHOTO: Courtesy Threebrancheshealth.com

Five Steps to a Healthier Home

Amanda DeMers — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:40:17 +0000

Sometimes figuring out how to make your home healthier can be overwhelming. There are so many studies, and articles, and editorials out there that you can’t wade through them all.

Or maybe you know a few healthy home projects you’d like to take on or purchases you’d like to make, but don’t know where to begin or how to prioritize. Almost everyday, someone asks which of our products is the most essential to having a healthy home.

We believe that to truly have a healthy home, one must consider many factors, and often make many changes. We can’t decide what’s right for your family, or tell you how to take on the task of creating a healthier home. We can, however, tell you that over the past few years, we have put together a list of the 5 most important things for you to consider. We hope it helps!

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1. Are you sleeping healthy?

We know we’ve said it before, but that’s because it is important: You spend one-third of your life in bed! Traditional mattresses contain toxic flame retardants, and petroleum-based memory foam mattresses have been found to off-gas numerous toxic chemicals, some of them carcinogenic. Does this sound like a place where you’d like to spend 20 to 30 years?

Organic, natural, and non-toxic mattresses are a safer alternative, and come in many different feels, and at many different price points. If you are in the market for a new mattress, these are definitely worth considering. If you are not looking to buy a new mattress, there are several covering options that make your mattress healthier — from airtight covers that eliminate off-gassing, to mattress toppers that put a little distance between you and your mattress. Of course, look for organic or natural linens as well!

2. Are you breathing healthy?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers to the public. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to problems like allergies, asthma, and, according to the American Lung Association, even lung cancer. It can also exacerbate conditions like autism, cancer, and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS).

Quality air filters remove biological and chemical particles from the air you and your family breathe. Austin Air filters are our favorite brand of plug-in filtration systems, and use medical HEPA filters, surrounded by activated carbon to address 99.97% of all environmental particulate contamination and chemical toxicity. These filtration systems are extremely efficient, cleaning either 700 or 1500 sq. ft. New Living can also help you if you are interested in testing the air in your home, or if you are interested in a whole house IQ air filter.

3. Is your water healthy?

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness about water quality issues. Many Houstonians probably don’t know that Houston has been found to have some of the worst water quality in the country. Additionally, the chemicals that Houston chooses to use to clean our water may have harmful effects of their own. While chlorine has traditionally been used to sterilize water, chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) has recently been introduced in Houston. Both chlorine and chloramine have been found to be respiratory irritants, and some studies suggest other long term health effects. The major problem with chloramine is that, unlike chlorine, it does not evaporate, and becomes concentrated when water is boiled. For a detailed overview, check this out!

Luckily for Houstonians, Al McDonald of AMAC water supply has developed a whole-house water filtration system that is tailored to Houston’s water. A whole-house water filter cleans the water you drink — and all other water that comes into your house. This is important because in a 15-minute shower, you absorb as many chemicals as you would from drinking half a gallon of water! With this system, your water will taste great, and your skin and hair will feel softer after your showers. The long term effects may be even better!

4. Are you painting healthy?

When you repaint, you consider the effect that a new color will have on your home. Why not also consider the effects of the new toxins you are introducing to the air you breathe? Traditional paints are so toxic that painters are the only professionals in the construction industry with a demonstrably lower life expectancy. This is because of the toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in traditional oil-based paints such as bezene and formaldehyde.

The great thing is that, all over the world, people are realizing that, in most cases, natural paints (which are water or plant based) can do the job just as well, without the added health effects. Our NOVOC paint, as well as paints by Mythic and Anna Sova, contain none of these harmful VOCs. They are great for painting walls. For masonry, wood, and metals, we recommend using our LOVOC (low-VOC) paint — which has far less toxic chemicals per gallon than traditional paint, but can still get these tricky jobs done. We can also provide guidance on how to get your painting job done in the healthiest and greenest way!

5. Are you shopping healthy?

Finally, and maybe this is the hardest one, it’s important to realize that anything you buy and bring home can have an effect on home health.

If you are a DIY family, make sure to choose materials and finishes that are low-VOC. Products like stains, caulk, adhesives, sealants, and shellac are far often more toxic than even traditional paint. We always like to remind people of the importance of looking at a project holistically. For instance, if you chose to buy a non-toxic flooring material, don’t undo yourself by using traditional adhesives or sealants!

You should also pay attention to the materials used in the finished products you buy. Because much of a product’s off-gassing occurs in the first few weeks, buying second-hand can limit — although not eliminate – the amount of chemicals brought into your home. Watch out for recently refinished products, though! Choose natural materials and finishes whenever possible, and look out for certifications like Green Guard, Green Seal, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), and Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

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You can compare your home to your body when it comes to making it healthy. With your body, while eating healthy is important, we’ve all learned that what you put on your body is as important as what you put in it, and that no one thing alone makes you healthy. With your home, you also have to think about many things, but most of them relate to air quality and water quality. We hope that this list helped to narrow down the most important steps we believe that you should take in order to have a healthier home.

Bedding Sample Sale! Dec. 13 to 31

Amanda DeMers — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:41:29 +0000

This is your chance to get select organic bedding and bath linens at unbelievable prices!

New Living has decided to begin stocking bedding and bath linens again, but in order to make room for new stock, we are selling our current stock at prices that are 30%, 50%, even 80% off!!!

We have luxurious and natural bedding in all sizes – from crib bumpers and baby puddle pads to King sized sheet sets! We are also reducing the prices on all of our instock bath items — wash cloths, bath towels, and bath mats!

Brands include OMI, Coyuchi, Under the Canopy, Nandina, Amenity, LOOP, and Luxurious Organics Bamboo Sheets.

Many of these products would make great holiday presents for loved ones of all ages — or get spoiled this holiday season and buy them for yourself!

***These products are all unused, not floor models. Most are still in original packaging. In addition to selling many great items to make room in our store, we are selling OMI products that have opened or partially opened packaging. This is not because these items are damaged in any way, but because of the commitment that OMI makes — and we make — to the purity of those products; We can not sell these items at full price, even if the outer packaging is ripped just a little. This is a great opportunity to get these items at a steal as they are NEVER discounted otherwise!***

FYI: The Green Painter offers Certified Green Painting services!

Amanda DeMers — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 06:23:08 +0000

Did you know that The Green Painter is more than just a paint store? The Green Painter has revamped its Certified Green Painter program, and is now offering even better painting services. Our Certified Green Painters use healthy, green products — like our non-toxic NOVOC paint — and practices. They are also trained color consultants and mixologists, able to help you chose your color and mix paint to match it perfectly.

These services are available at a comparable price to the leading paint and painting companies in Houston. You can call or stop by to discuss your upcoming projects.

Got a painting job? Call us first! You’ll be surprised how affordable green can be!

Testimonial: Zalla Massage Studio

Amanda DeMers — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:58:44 +0000

Zalla Otten, Owner of Houston massage studio Zalla Massage, recently re-painted her office space with non-toxic NOVOC paints from The Green Painter. Zalla Massage offers a variety of massages, including Swedish and deep tissue massage, prenatal and postnatal massage, as well as infant and pediatric massage. Zalla says that she decided to switch to non-toxic paint because she has so many pregnant clients, and she wanted to ensure that she was providing them the healthiest environment possible. Research suggests that exposure to VOCs during pregnancy puts the new born at an increased risk for many health problems, including a lower infant birth and weakened immune systems. Of course, VOCs are harmful to everyone who is exposed, so by using The Green Painter’s non-toxic paint, Zalla is doing right by all of her clients by providing them with a safe, healthy space, while protecting our environment.

Zalla Studio with NOVOC paint

Zalla is now stylish and healthy

Massage and Yoga, hold the VOCs

MOMS UNITE!!! And you, too dads, aunts, and uncles…

Adam Brackman — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 23:00:56 +0000

Jennifer here.

I’m not an “overprotective” mom. I’m not a germophobe either. But right now, I’m on high alert for protecting the BLOOD of my 3 children from chemicals and I’m angry. I’m angry that I have to protect them from CHEMICALS at all. I’m angry that I haven’t had easy access to critical information about the products I have been using to feed them, clothe them, clean my home with or sleep on with them. I’m angry that my kids are getting poisoned even though I try my best to keep them safe and keep myself informed.

There is a glimmer of hope though, I believe, because information is getting out and mom’s are taking a stand and getting involved.

They are getting involved right now to help pass a new bill has been introduced in Congress called the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 that could really make a difference in how we regulate the chemical industry.I am also hopeful because I know a lot more now thanks to groups like Healthy Child, Healthy World, Three Branches Healthy Living, New Living (of which I am partner) Air Alliance Houston, and more. I thought I was doing everything I could by giving birth to them naturally, breastfeeding, and eating a balanced diet. Little did I know……

Here’s the top 5 things I’m pissed about and I’m going to do something about it:

The BOTTLES I had to use when I had trouble with my milk production were likely leaching toxic chemicals like BPA and phthalates into the milk they were drinking. Read more.
The PJs they were sleeping in given to me by generous and loving friends and family members were treated with flame retardants that can get into their bloodstream and cause developmental problems. Read More.
My own BREASTMILK was probably laced with chemicals. In a study done in 2003 women from the U.S. had the highest concentration of FIRE RETARDANTS found in our breastmilk. It was 75 times the average found in European women’s breastmilk. Fire retardants effect human fertility among other things.
Not to mention the untested, chemicals such as stain proofing or waterproofing on the fabrics in their CAR SEATS or the lead that is in the buckles. Read more and find out what’s in your child’s car seat here.
The PLAYGROUND. YES. The PLAYGROUND. Laced with pesticides, pressure-treated lumber that leaches arsenic, artificial playing fields made from crushed rubber tired that off-gas VOCs and the list goes on.

Why did those chemical companies get to DUMP THOSE CHEMICALS into everyday household products, into our COMMUNITIES into OUR KID’S BODIES?????? Why haven’t these products been tested or outlawed? Who is studying these chemicals? Who is regulating them? Who is protecting our kids?

VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS AND YOUR TIME.

Here’s 5 things you can do:

Read the book, Healthy Child, Healthy World, by Christopher Gavigan or Toxic Bedrooms, by Walt Bader to find out more you can do to clean up your home and community.
Learn about the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 making its way through Congress right now.
Pass around this blogpost and tell your friends about how they can get involved, too.
Contact your legislators about the Safe Chemicals Act.
Come to New Living’s panel discussion on Wednesday, August 11th from 12 – 1 to learn about how the Safe Chemicals Act will affect our community.

I hope to see you soon. Moms can and will change the world. Even though we’re really busy, and tired, and working….

- Jennifer Touchet

Watch Steven Deutser explain how to “Nurse Your Home Back to Health” – Part of New Living Talks

Adam Brackman — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:41:31 +0000

As part of our ongoing New Living Talks series we have another fascinating speaker, Steven Deutser of Park Lane Builders and Park Lane Healthy Homes, to discuss “Nursing Your Home Back to Health: Understanding Your Home, Your Health, and Indoor Air Quality.” Deutser, a home builder and healthy home auditor, explains the relationship between energy efficiency and health. He also explains why our homes are integrated systems where indoor air quality is dependent on how our homes are built, what they are built with, what products we choose to put in our homes, and how we act in our homes.

In the first clip Deutser answers the question “What is a Healthy Home?” In the second clip he gives us a tour of the Park Lane/New Living “healthy playhouse” in the New Living Store. In the third video you’ll see Deutser’s full talk.

Steven Deutser answers the question “What is a Healthy Home?”

Steven Deutser gives us a tour of the Park Lane/New Living Playhouse

Steven Deutser’s full talk “Nursing Your Home Back to Health: Understanding Your Home, Your Health, and Indoor Air Quality”

Steven Deutser is the owner of Park Lane Healthy Homes. Through Park Lane, he conducts home energy audits where he assess both the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and homeowner practices to determine the health of your home. Check out the Park Lane Healthy Homes website or come see the New Living playhouse at New Living to learn all about what makes a home healthy and what products you can use to make your home healthier.

Keep a lookout for more in our New Living Talks series here throughout the summer.