LowCountry Healthy Homes

Organic Landscaping

With the fall comes tree planting, so I thought I would introduce you to Jeff Tant of Full Circle Landscaping. I first met Jeff at the Green fair where he shared with me his goals for organic landscaping and gardening in the Charleston, SC area.  

Full Circle was started as a direct response to the current recession. Jeff had previously been working as a landscape supervisor in Kiawah for 8 years before being laid-off in November of 2008. Landscaping at Kiawah had been far from chemical-free, and this was always a big conflict for him. After much soul-searching he decided to start his own landscape company and since he had been personally gardening organically for 20 years, he decided doing things without chemicals was a logical step. 

Because studies have shown that gas-powered landscape equipment accounts for 10% of the Earth's air pollution, their smaller engines are not regulated, and are actually four times more polluting than an automobile operated for the same length of time. Full Circle not only does things completely chemically free, it also strives to practice sustainability in as many ways as possible. For example,  it uses all battery-powered maintenance equipment, including a push mower, weedeater, blower and hedge shears. 

They also design and install plants (vegetables as well, organic of course!!) that are native to this area or simply need fewer resources to survive. When possible, they use recycled materials. They've even installed retaining walls and walk paths using recycled concrete pieces. 

All said, Full Circle allows Jeff to garden and landscape in a more sustainable way. Most importantly, he is able to help educate others about safer, alternative options to the multitudes of chemicals we are currently applying to our lawns and landscapes.

Interested in learning more about or from Jeff, please visit his web-site 

Full Circle Landscapes

Healthy Home Foods

As I wrote in this post I recently attended Charleston’s 2009 Green Fair to connect with environment-minded people in our area and share what I learn with you. The first person I'd like you to meet is Kathy Richards of Healthy Home Foods, Inc. 

Kathy realized her vision for Heatlhy Home Foods, back in 2001. Having spent 12 years in the in-home food service industry, she saw need to be able to provide people with the convenience of home delivered foods that were healthy too. Her first step was to research numerous farmers, animal breeders and private growers who could comply with the company's strict criteria for “Mother Nature” intended products.

Her next step was to spread the word: that Healthy Homes Foods are free from any type of chemicals, are sustainable and are "Grown in the USA".

At Healthy Home Foods, they  believe that we live in a toxic environment, air, water and food included. So that if you want to really protect your family, it’s imperative that we keep our homes and lives "CLEAN".

And now, after having done so, many of their customers often comment that it has helped bring the family unit back to the table again, thus sharing both healthy meals and time together.  

If you are interested in learning more about them or their services, follow the link below

Healthy Home Foods, Inc.

Green Fair

This month's venture is going to take us (me) on "learning" journey to the 2nd Annual Charleston Green Fair coming up this Sunday from 12-6pm at Marion Square.  

The concept for the Green Fair is the Brain Child of Drew Franyo and Suzie Webster. Together they have not only brought the community in touch with businesses in the area that sell or promote green products. They have also made the fair itself "Green" by having 95% of the waste generated diverted away from landfills. I'd say that is quite a accomplishment! And just one of many reasons I plan on attending and encourage you all to do the same. For those of you that can't, don't worry I plan on bringing back all of my new knowledge to share here with you.

For more info. on the fair, please see the link below.....  

Charleston Green Fair    

Eco Architecture

Today we’re going to take a look at a sustainable green home being completed on Brown’s Island between Charleston and Beaufort, SC.

The Crosby Residence is a contemporary dogtrot with a large outdoor living space and a pool.

 

Frederick + Frederick Architects had the objectives in designing this variation of a Southern style home into a contemporary “Dog Trot” home. (According to Wikipedia, “A dogtrot house historically consisted of two log cabins with a breezeway or dogtrot between them under a common roof. “)

Green Strategies Some of the Crosby’s Green Strategies include, sun angles and prevailing breezes. An overhang on the south side blocks the noon sun from March until September and lets the sun warm the interior the cooler months. This strategy takes advantage of the solar rhythm which saves heating and cooling costs and more importantly connects the Crosby’s to the great view.

The north side has windows and dormers to allow cross ventilation and glare free daylight to pour in year around.

The open center dogtrot is naturally cooled and on hot days when there seems to be no breeze this space is comfortable without mechanical air conditioners. In this house the foyer is a dogtrot and doubles as a living space overlooking the pool. The interior living areas are one room wide which gives them great cross ventilation and plenty electricity saving daylight.

By sealing and conditioning the attics and crawl spaces, they have an energy savings of about 30%. Mold is a common lowcountry indoor air contaminate, which is often caused by condensation where plumbing pipes and ductwork penetrate from hot humid crawl spaces and attics to dehumidified cool inside air.  Additional methods to improve the air quality included no VOC paint, formaldehyde free cabinetry, and a fresh air supply unit incorporated into the heating and air conditioning system.

All the hot water is generated as it is needed with L.P. gas instantaneous heaters. Traditional tanks would have wasted energy by keeping water hot 24/7 as well as increasing the cooling load for the AC units. A reflective “cool roof” paint using soft brown tones is used on the metal roof to save energy.

 

Combing high tech air conditioning, lighting, construction methods and local indigenous building materials create a healthy environment that will connect the Crosbys to the wonderful lowcountry environment.

Coordinates:

Frederick & Frederick Architects 

 

  

How to Allergy Proof a Home, Interview with Dr. Andrew Davidson

 

 

 

As I begin my new journey into Healthy Homes here in the Low Country I have been fortunate enough to meet Dr. Andrew Davidson of Allergy and Asthma Consultants.

 

We all know, along with the beauty of living in the Low Country come allergies for a lot of us, both in the house and outside. The following conversation I was able to have with Dr. Andy is a start in the attempt to understand some of the causes and what to do about them.

 

 

Can you tell me about yourself and what you do?

 

I am a physician board certified in asthma and clinical immunology. I treat people with all different kinds of allergy problems including asthma, hayfever, sinusitis, eczema, hives, and allergic reactions to various substances including airborne allergens, foods, and medications. In my office I can perform or order tests to determine which substances are triggers for a given individual person's symptoms. I then recommend and prescribe treatments including measures to reduce exposure to allergy triggers, medications, and sometimes specific allergen immunotherapy which is commonly referred to as allergy shots.

 

 

What are the most common household allergies?

 

Dust, in particular particles produced by microscopic dust mites, is #1. Mold and mildew is a particularly common problem in warm moist environments or when water damage has occurred. The humid climate and flooding that are common in the lowcountry make mold a major trigger for allergy and asthma problems. Animal danders from indoor pets are a problem for individuals who are sensitive. Pet danders have been found in the dust of homes years after pets were gone. Cockroach is also a common indoor allergen. Tobacco smoke will aggravate  respiratory problems but is not considered an allergen, it is an environmental irritant.

 

 

Who is affected?

 

In general, less than half of the population have allergies. People who do have allergies are affected by indoor allergy triggers but individual sensitivities vary. For example, if a given person is not allergic to cats, cat dander will not bother them. Another individual with asthma and cat allergy may have a life threatening asthma attack when exposed to an indoor environment were cats have lived. People with asthma, hayfever, sinusitis, eye allergies, eczema, and hives often have allergies and may be affected by household allergies.

 

 

Can allergies be triggered by the home environment?

 

Definitely, I see it every day.

 

 

So, how can you allergy proof your home?

 

It really depends on which allergy triggers are important for a given individual or family. For dust mites, mattress and pillow covers specifically designed for people with dust mite allergy are often helpful. Frequent vacuuming is recommended. Wood or tile floors are better than carpets which harbor dust mites. Keeping the relative humidity in the home less than 50% will reduce growth of dust mites and mold. Repairing any areas where water damage has occurred will reduce mold and mildew. This includes window frames and flooring, mildew may be present under carpets. Removal of pets from the household or at least from the bedroom is recommended for those who are allergic to their pets. Regular exterminator visits should effectively reduce cockroaches. Air cleaners are not as helpful as most people think but may help in certain circumstances. It is best not to allow smoking of any kind in a home where people with respiratory problems reside.

 

 

 

Can you allergy proof your flooring?

 

Wood or tile floors are much better than any kind of carpet.

 

What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

 

African or European?

 

 

Well Dr. Davidson, this has been most informative, but I am sure some others may have more personal questions, so if somebody needed an allergist, how would they contact you?

 

I work at Allergy and Asthma Consultants with offices in West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville. You can call 843 881 2030 or 843 832 9588 to schedule an appointment.

 

Environmental Cleaning - Simple Green Floor Cleaning

For a simple green floor cleaner - mix 1/4 cup white vinegar 

to 1 gallon of water

pour into spray bottle

mist floor 

then wipe up with dry mop