Get Excited: Panel Discussion about the Safe Chemicals Act on August 11th

Wondering what all the hubbub over the Safe Chemicals Act is about? Want to learn more about how this legislation and further regulation of toxic chemicals  will effect YOU? Interested in hearing experts and activist discuss the bill and answer YOUR questions? Then join New Living Health for a panel discussion on the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 on August 11th at Noon. We’ve got four fascinating panelists lined up who all have an interesting, and slightly different take, on what exactly this act means for Houston and our nation.

Houston, we have an Indoor Air Quality Problem

Unlike other cities, in Houston, we spend most of our time (estimated at 90%) indoors. Because of the heat and because of air quality problems – like ozone levels – we usually believe that buildings are healthier. However, although indoor environments may feel safer, it’s important to remember that indoor air quality too can effect our health.

The EPA ranks indoor air quality among the five largest environmental dangers to the public. They also have found that air indoors can be anywhere from about 2 to 5 times as polluted as outdoor air. For a city like Houston, that’s rated the 3^rd most toxic city in the nation where outdoor air quality is concerned, these numbers are troubling.

The Texas Department of State Health Services finds that “building materials and furnishings; biologicals; products for household cleaning, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; pesticides; oil, gas, kerosene, or wood combustion sources” are the primary sources of indoor air quality problems. They also report that poor indoor air quality can lead to “irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and allergy-type symptoms.” And more seriously, “asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever can also affect some individuals after exposure to certain indoor air pollutants.” This list of health problems that can emerge from our homes and spend so much time in is startling.

However, rather than living in fear of both the heat outdoors and the pollution indoors we can make smart decisions to make our indoor environments healthier. Start by reading about various pollutants in everyday products in your home online from reliable sources. Also, try to follow these three rules when shopping for things for your home:

1. Look for products that don’t contain any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
2. Buy organic – buying organic usually means products haven’t been treated chemically
3. Look for corporate transparency – corporations and stores that tell you what’s in there product usually have healthier products.

Although indoor air quality in Houston is a problem, one needn’t live in fear. Instead, being conscious of what is in your home and around you is the best way to protect your family and your health.

Find out more:

Air Alliance Houston – read reports and get the local information about air quality

The EPA – find out specifics about what’s causing air quality problems in your home and more facts

BuildClean – learn about the sources of air quality problems in your home

Texas Department of Health State Services on Indoor Quality and Indoor Air Quality Programs in Texas

Donation to the Gulf Restoration Network – Until the Leak is Stopped!

Even though we didn’t cause the spill, we are all responsible for creating the demand for oil. Mention this post when you shop at our store and we will donate 10% of your sale* to the Gulf Restoration Network until the oil leak stops. The Gulf Restoration network is one of many organizations providing much needed assistance to the region. If you ride your bike or take public transportation to the store, we will donate 15% of your purchase. (*no other discounts apply)

Smart Meals Installation

We recently worked with our friends at Smart Meals on the buildout of their flagship Shepherd Location, which just opened this month. From J.R. Cohen; Director Retail Operations – “Smart Meals chose to source and install all of our finish materials from New Living in order to ensure the healthiest possible indoor environment for our customers and workers. We were especially happy to know the pricing was the same as any other environmentally unfriendly” product. Smart Meals  seeks to align itself with other local businesses committed to a social, environmental and economic bottom line.”

October Newsletter

Dear Houston Green-rushers,

Please take a look at what we have going on the next several weeks and pick one or two events to attend.
Read the rest of this entry »

Fearless Critic Houston Book Release Party – Sept 16th 5:30 to 8:00pm

Join our friend Robin Goldstein, along with his council of local food critics, food bloggers, and undercover chefs, for a book release party for the brand-new Fearless Critic Houston Restaurant Guide 2010 at New Living. The 544-page book highlights many independent restaurants that are vital to our local economy. There will be a free wine tasting, vegetarian Indian food from Udipi Café, and an organic tasting by an emerging Houston Chef. Food and drinks are free, and signed books will be available for sale.

Wednesday, September 16th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at New Living.

Mattress and a Massage

Join us after work to relax on a natural mattress and enjoy a mini-massage, its on us! Mattress space is limited, so please RSVP to events@newliving.net.

July 4th Grand Opening and Independence Day Celebration

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!

American Lung Association event at New Living 6-11-09 10:30-11:30AM

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.

Houston Family Magazine – Inspiring Houstonians to live green

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 the rest of this entry »