Clutter sneaks into our homes in unexpected ways. We drop in at a neighbor’s yard sale and take home a couple of items. We see a perfectly good shelf sitting on the side of the road and pick it up. A beautiful weekend leads to exploring junk stores along the Blue Ridge Parkway; we simply […]
Wise Health Care Consumers Know that Disease and Injury Prevention Begins at Home
A couple of days back, one of my clients sent me a link to a “Healthier at Home” publication of the American Institute of Preventative Medicine. As February is national “Wise Health Care Consumer” month, the title caught my eye. Finally, I thought. Home healthiness has found its way into the world of preventative medicine. […]
Is Your Heat Escaping Into the Attic?
As a homeowner, you try to be conscious of your utility bills and energy usage. During especially cold or hot months, you want to make sure that the heated or cooled air you are paying for is staying in your home, and, specifically, in your living areas. How can you quickly determine if you are losing precious […]
Need a Last Minute Gift Idea? Create a Travel Readiness Kit
This week boasts the longest nights and shortest days of the year. If you’re running out of time and need a last minute gift idea, I might recommend creating a personalized travel readiness kit for friends and family members who will find themselves on the road this holiday season. Start with a container. A milk […]
6 Mold Myths to Shovel to the Curb This Winter
Cold and flu season means we get cozy in our homes. However, breathing the air in our home environments can be problematic if there’s mold to be found. Let’s dispel 6 common mold falsehoods that we can shovel to the curb with the coming days of snow. A Healthier Home works with you side-by-side to […]
Back to School?
Check out these changes to make at home for a healthier, happier home. The “Back to School” month of August in western North Carolina slips away all too quickly. One minute, we’re picking up #2 pencils and marbled composition books. The next, we’re getting the kiddos ready for senior portraits. Many of us work to usher our […]
Avoid These Things at Yard Sales, Flea Markets & Second Hand Stores
Endless summer days are filled with classic pastimes in these parts: ballpark dogs and Asheville Tourist minor league baseball; farm to table markets; refreshing ourselves in favorite summer swimming holes; picnic spots on Mount Mitchell; and an endless assortment of rambles. Yard sales, flea markets, upcycled and second-hand rambles can look a bit like a […]
Sprayed On Specks: Meet the Real Life “Plants vs. Zombies” Fungus Who Lives at Your House
When my kids were younger, one of their favorite books was “Freckle Juice,” a tale about a boy who would try almost anything to rid himself of the little specks across his nose. Now, with high moisture and temperatures edging toward the 70s and low 80s, the conditions are ripe for another kind of tenacious freckling. If you […]
Ready for a Home Security System? Here’s How to Choose the Right One.
Ring. Brrrrinnggg. Yesterday, the phone rang, and Mrs. Bayless, my wife, answered. The caller on the other end of the line approached her about purchasing a home security system. Home security systems, most of which retail under $1000, definitely factor into increases in safety and value in our homes. But in this case, my wife […]
Forget the Wildlife Selfies When Black Bears Come Over for Breakfast
The “Dogwood Winter” of the past week reminded us that despite the beautiful spring days, we can experience severe winter weather right up through Mother’s Day in May. When weather conditions are challenging, perhaps due to high winds, rains and flooding, or a spring snow, we all tend to notice that weather affects garbage schedules. […]