Sleep Healthy

This month’s "must read" for a bedroom makeover

We love Natural Home & Garden magazine. Our July/August issue issue finally arrived last week and it’s full of helpful information on remodeling to create safer living environments. This issue will go in our library for future reference when work on our house continues next fall.

Debra Lynn Dadd’s article "Remodeling Basics Windows, Floors, Walls" is the definitive resource for selecting non-toxic materials for your bedroom makeover. I like the fact that they offer Pros and Cons on all items listed.

"Windows 101" compares wood, aluminum and wood with aluminum clad exteriors. The "Floor Primer" is especially helpful for those of us looking to create bedrooms that are allergen-free, although I would have given carpet a harsher review under the Cons since it is a harbinger of dust mites.

"Intro to Walls" is an idea generator that offers many more selections than just paint. From sisal and bamboo to rice and parchment, you can decorate your bedroom in style and not create havoc with a peaceful night’s sleep. The handy sidebar provides information on product resources so you don’t have to flip to the back of the magazine like most publishers make you do.

The "Best for Remodeling 10 great ways to green up your home" by Nancy Nachman-Hunt offers ideas from woven wood shades to recycled-polyester fabric. Allergy sufferers should skip the all-natural wool carpet no matter how tempting the colors.

If your bedroom makeover is more substantial you might be interested in the "Top 10 Green Architects 2005". NH&G’s criterion for inclusion in this year’s list encompasses all aspects of Eco-design including an emphasis on healthy living. The list covers a good cross-section of the country. View list

Get a copy, make a cup of tea, and enjoy!
Natural Home & Garden July/August issue

I hate air conditioning, except when I need it to breathe

Most of my life, I embraced sleeping with an open window enjoying the fresh night air even in the dead of winter. Nocturnal breezes worked like Tylenol PM on me, until recently.

Aside from mild seasonal allergies, I’d consider myself a healthy person. Last winter, however, I contracted a weird flu bug accompanied by severe asthma symptoms and was struck down for months. I learned to live the life of an asthmatic, carrying a nebulizer, waking night after night gagging for air, being rushed to the hospital after a serious choking episode. That’s when I learned bad air can REALLY hurt you.

Air conditioning is a beautiful thing for allergy sufferers. Not only is the air temperature and humidity reduced but airborne allergens are filtered out, cleaning the air you breathe. Less bad stuff in your throat and lungs means you sleep deeper and wake up refreshed.

Lately stuffy summer nights, rare though they are here in Maine and a nasty pollen season have led me to give in to my husband’s air conditioning fetish. I now embrace High Cool and join him in turning our bedroom into what he delights in calling, "The Meat Locker."