Non Toxic Environments Home Health & Wellness

Sure, we've got plenty to complain about.  Material shortages, price increases, yada yada.  But as we say every year, we just have so much more to be thankful for.  Jay and I are back in the saddle today to discus that, as well as why 2022 is shaping up to be the best, healthiest year yet!! 

We preach all about healthy building and making the bedrooms the  healthiest rooms in the home.  So its time to talk about mattresses.   Tim Masters, owner of My Green Mattress in Illinois, has been in the mattress making business his entire life.  While they have always used high quality materials, the switch to organic and chemical free was the result of a personal family crises.  I met with Tim at his manufacturing facility recently to discuss his story and how now it benefits all of his customers.  

Building a home is a massive challenge for most.  Now, adding to this that you want to build it healthy and the challenge just increased by double.  But is it really that difficult?  It certainly doesn't have to be.  On today's show, Andy speaks with one of his past consulting clients to get her take on how the healthy building process went and whether or not she believes that it was worth the commitment. 

While I normally leave the nutrition-related podcasting to my friends Robyn Openshaw, Ashley James and Katie Wells, this was one episode that Jay and I HAD to do. Tim James has an eye-opening story to tell and beyond that, an incredible gift to share with everyone.  The gift of personal health.  Tim does private and group session health coaching, and has created his own line of personal supplements and detox products that lend themselves perfectly to those of us trying to get rid of the toxins we are exposed to every day.   Plus, he's like Mr Energy.  Just listen!!   Tim's Website ChemicalFreeBody.com  Use code 'NTE' for 5% off Tim's podcast, Health Hero

Oh boy do I love this time of year.  You can feel the cooler weather starting to make its way in.  Leaves are beginning to change. What stays consistent, however, is the amount of calls and emails we get asking us questions about healthy home projects.  Today, we're tackling some of those questions and I'm pretty sure at least one of two of them will be regarding subjects on your mind as well.  Thanks for listening! 

Even though I'm a trusted healthy home consultant and materials expert, I could never say that I know it all.  When I'm stumped on a project, Caroline is one of my go-to experts.  We've had the pleasure of working together on projects over the years and it's about time we had the chance to put one of our conversations on record and share it with the world. Today we'll hear about her successful testing and mitigation business, along with some exciting new air purification equipment she is pioneering. Enjoy the show! My Healthy Home website IVP - Integrated Viral Protection 

A few years back when we started the podcast, Jay and I both did an intro episode to give you all a little background.  In these last years, we've gained thousands of new listeners and I get several emails a week asking about how I ended up in this business.  So, this may be a refresher course to some, but it should be enlightening to all.  The history of healthy home building with Andrew Pace. 

One of the most frequent calls we get.  My walls, my carpet, my cabinetry is off gassing...what do I do??? Today, Jay and I tackle that question and discuss what off gassing really is and how to deal with it.  Plus, I take a little time to talk about why I LOVE doing what I do and helping people with their healthy home dreams.  

Seems a whole lot different than a year ago, thats for sure!  As the word starts to open up again, Id like to take a few minutes to let you know what's happening with material availability and pricing. Also an exciting new offering in the world of spray foam insulation.  

Many years ago, our local builders association constructed a model "green" home that achieved LEED Platinum status. I walked in to inspect it and had to walk out minutes later due to the offgassing coming primarily from the closet shelving systems.  Since then, I've been on a quest to find the perfect system. Well, here it is!!  Today I talk with Rob Norden, CEO of Lundia USA, who has developed the healthiest system I've ever seen.     To receive free shipping and a 5% rebate on your purchase http://www.lundiausa.com/andy.htm 

Stick frame, ICF, rammed earth, net zero..... what does it all amount to when you are building a new home or doing a major remodel.... one that has to be healthy, sustainable and light on the earth?  In today's episode of NTE, Jay Watts interviews architect Michael Frerking of Living Systems Architecture. Michael has perfected the construction technique know as poured earth. If you aren't familiar with earthen construction and its many benefits, this episode will literally "ground" you in the basics. Take it away Jay   https://formfreebuilding.com/ and https://livingsystemsarchitecture.com/about-us/

Woo boy it has been a while since Jay and I have been behind the NTE microphones.  So glad to be back!  Today we discuss some project updates, material pricing and take a few listener questions.  Thanks for joining us!!

Im a huge fan of ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) construction... have been for years.  It can be the single best way to avoid mold in a new home project, but I've steered away from it because of the cost.  With the rising prices of traditional lumber, is now a good time to rethink ICF for our new projects?  I'll talk about that, along with some early spring project tips and tricks.  

Its been few weeks since Jay and I sat down together to talk about what's rambling through our minds.  Sure, the high cost of building and material shortages are putting a stranglehold on parts of our industry right now, but there are silver linings and great deals to be had.  We'll talk about this and several more timely topics on today's show. 

Jay steps up to the plate this week to knock out a great interview with another sustainability expert and thought leader, Ian Johnson.    Ian talks about the broad picture of sustainable building, but also shares his extensive knowledge and experience with healthy materials research.   Signature Sustainability Reducing Emissions of VOC's... Thrive Collaborative  Linnean Solutions

One of the hottest topics in our email and phone messages these days is the idea of refinishing furniture.  Let's face it, the cost of buying new seems overwhelming, so why not just freshen up what we already have?  I wish I could say its an easy task, but in order to do it right and make it look good, it requires a lot of patience, skill, the correct tools and high quality products. Do you even know if your table will take a new finish?  Are you sure you still want to try?  Then, here's your episode!

Oh boy, this is a hot, hot topic right now.  People are stuck inside their homes because of weather and the pandemic, so how do you know if the product you're using to refinish those cabinets is safe or not?  Ah yes, check the safety data sheets, right??  Not so fast people...this really wont help you at all. Uh oh.  Now what?  Let Andy and Jay fill you in. 

Today we take some time to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ozone generation for air purification and why you shouldn't be afraid of it.  We also take a few questions from our listeners to help then with their home projects. 

Well, its finally cold here in Wisconsin, so there's no better time to stay inside and work on small home projects.  Today, Jay and I answer a number of listener questions to help with those projects. I also get to announce a bit of exciting news!    

The holidays are over and the new year is upon us.  Jay and I have come up with a list of New Year's resolutions for us and the entire NTE community.  This is the year for growing the bonds between us all and sharing our successes.  Folks, 2021 is going to be the best year yet for NTE.  We are so glad you can join us!!