Home Remodeling That’s Good For The Environment

by Guest Blogger, Nathan Johnson of Visions Kitchens

“It’s been a lot of learning and fun since the day we’ve started this company, it keeps getting better thanks to the people we keep working with. I love being able to do the good things that we do. Saving lots of waste from going to landfills, giving back to local non-profits, donating time and money to local groups making positive change in our communities. It’s great, I love it and am thankful that this is how I can live my life. I’m thankful I am able to always act and be a person I want my children to be. I couldn’t do that when I worked for other design center companies; it was all about get the money and move on.” – Nathan Johnson

 Whether you are building a new home, remodeling an existing one, or are looking to reface your cabinets and counter tops, at Visions Kitchens you will receive exceptional design services and high-quality products.  We work with you to create your dream kitchen, bathroom, office, closet or any other room in your home that you always wanted, while keeping the ideas and concepts of green design at its core.

Your new kitchen will benefit from our knowledge of both new construction and remodeling, and we will engage you in our consultative design and selection process. We will assist you in considering all the finer points and details to meet your specific individual needs and desires providing a truly customized interior space that is designed and constructed specifically for you! You are sure to be delighted upon the completion of your project with Visions Kitchens.

With our wide range of stock and custom cabinetry experience, we jump into your design project feet first saving costly time. providing to you valuable knowledge, superior products, integrity and performance, Visions Kitchens is the right choice to deliver the quality and value that suits your discerning and distinctive style of living.

By utilizing Visions Kitchen and Design’s computer based design services, you can avoid costly design errors and mis-communication that can occur. 20/20 design software is incredibly accurate and flexible-allowing us to be as detailed as your design situation requires.

With a simple conversation to go over your notes, we’ll start drawing while you get back to your daily life. Rest assured knowing that we are constantly applying a critical eye to ensure proper fit and function of the cabinetry design, and will notify you of any potential issues we identify.

You will receive your completed drawings in a timely manner. Need it faster? We do everything possible to meet those tight last minute deadlines for design plans and revisions. We can get cabinets in as quickly as 2-3 business days or same day pick up at our off site location.

Green Specialties

At Visions Kitchens we believe that green means products that are good for the planet and safe for your home. To be good to the planet cabinets should be made of materials that are sustainable, renewable and/or recycled. The lumber should be legally harvested, legally exported and FSC Certified if applicable.  Lastly the cabinets/countertops should be manufactured with care to minimize waste and pollution.

Along with being good to our planet we think that your cabinets and countertops should to safe for your home and family. Chemicals like urea-formaldehyde are frequently used in products around the home including the plywood, particle board and glues used in most cabinetry. The finishes on most cabinets will off-gas volatile hydrocarbons into your home for a long time after the cabinets are installed. Green cabinets and counters contain no added urea-formaldehyde in the lumber or glues and the finishes contain no or very low VOC’s.

Green cabinets and counters are actually increasing being made with renewable and salvaged/recycled materials. Bamboo is becoming more and more popular as a cabinet choice for it’s obvious advantages – incredible strength and extraordinary renewability. Stranded bamboo makes a dramatic statement as when used in flooring, countertops or cabinets. Standard and carbonized bamboo are popular cabinet choices. Newer products like Dakota Burl, made from sunflower seed husks, and Kirei Board, made from sorghum stalks, use waste products to make beautiful materials for cabinetry. DuraPalm is another product that takes an agricultural waste product and turns it into a beautiful material for cabinetry.

Another exciting material is salvage lumber made from century old submerged logs and disassembled old farm buildings and factories. First growth lumber has an unmatched beauty with extraordinary grain. It’s the most beautiful “recycling” you”ll ever see.

LEED Design and Credits

LEED Credits have become an important consideration for many of today’s  building projects.  One of the things that some people don’t consider are the abundance of LEED credits that can be attained through your kitchen and Visions can certainly help you take full advantage of them.

What sets us a part from the other options?

* Offer products sourced from companies which practice sustainable harvesting

*  Specialize in low or no VOC products

* Personal attention to each customer

*  Experienced and professionally trained in design

* Products include bamboo and other sustainable woods

* Because they don’t have a traditional showroom, their business has much smaller carbon footprint and less waste

* Make use of reclaimed or recycled cabinet or countertop materials

* Design expertise utilized to achieve points towards LEED certification

* Donates and works with local non-profit groups and organizations

 

What People Are Saying About VK:

“When we were thinking about remodeling the kitchen in our 1930’s era home, it was our great, good fortune to meet Nathan Johnson. After a complimentary consultation in our barely functional kitchen, Nathan came up with an awesome and unique design. Although I love the range angled in a previously useless corner and the tons of storage the new design created, my favorite feature is the island with six drawers (including a dish drawer) and gleaming quartz top. Nathan recommended products that fit our needs and preferences without breaking the bank. I would heartily recommend Nathan to anyone with a challenging kitchen redo!”  -K Pearce

 

We would truly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you in person, learn more about your needs and wants, and more fully describe our services. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today with any inquiries you may have. Sample drawings are available by request.

About Nathan Johnson – VP / Senior Designer:

 

Nathan has more than 8 years of experience in both residential and commercial design working with homeowners, architects and contractors.  He has a degree in Interior Design with a focus on sustainable design.  Nathan is also a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the Green Alliance and is on the committee for the U.S. Green Building Council, NH Chapter.  He is a member of the Black Thunder Singers a Native American Singing group (Native American Music Award winners), was in the movie “Crooked Arrows” and is Hunka Lakota. He and his wife Danielle are raising their two sons using Traditional Native values. Danielle operates her own business providing organizational assistance to corporations and businesses.

Vision Kitchens is located at 70 High St Hampton, NH 03842

603-601-7459 office

866-428-8037 fax

603-531-7221 cell

njohnson@visionskitchens.com

www.visionskitchens.com

facebook.com/visionskitchens

 

About Healing Hands Community Chiropractic

Our mission at Healing Hands Community Chiropractic -Portsmouth, NH is to promote and support the overall health, well-being and highest quality of life of all individuals and families in our community through affordable chiropractic care.


Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is a health -care model intended to increase access to chiropractic care by offering adjustments in an open setting and fees on an affordable sliding-scale, without income verification.  By doing so, we offer the people of our community the opportunity to receive treatment as often as they need, to get the results they deserve with no insurance hassles -simply paying what they can for only $20- $40!


Click here to book now!

 

Postpartum doulas provide vital support to the Community

by Guest Blogger, Darcy Sauers of Dover Doula

Postpartum doulas are knowledgeable professionals who assist families during the critical 12 week period immediately after the birth of their baby.  They “mother the mother” and offer physical, emotional and informational support to the family, as well as practical help.  My expertise in mother and baby care enables me to assist with postpartum comfort measures, breastfeeding support, non-judgmental guidance in infant care techniques, information on normal postpartum restoration, and family emotional assistance through this major transition.

 

As a postpartum doula, I provide essential support during the modern postpartum experience, a time when many mothers today feel uninformed, isolated and anxious.  Traditionally, the postpartum period was a “nesting period”, when a new mother was attended by other experienced mothers.  They helped take care of her and her family, so that the mother could focus on the vital tasks of postpartum recovery, emotional adaptation to great change and getting to know her precious little one.

 

Today, few families have such support, and frequently become exhausted and overwhelmed by the immense work of becoming parents.  Postpartum doulas gently guide and support families through this transition so that they may get off to the best start with their new baby.

 

The practical help that is included with my postpartum doula services varies from client to client and day to day.  But it usually includes:  simple meal preparation for the family, comforting and diapering the baby, answering the phone and door, taking care of the baby and older siblings while the parents nap, shower or take a much-need break.  I even assist with light household chores such as laundry and dishes.

 

If you are pregnant and live in the Seacoast area, I encourage you to contact me to schedule a free prenatal meeting to discuss your postpartum needs.  In this meeting we discuss everything from your experience with babies to your relationship with your mother-in-law.  We’ll discuss any food allergies/preferences, your plans for feeding the baby, your cares and concerns and create a plan around your specific needs.

 

Once your baby is born, I come to your home to offer experienced, non-judgmental support.  At each visit, I chat with mom to assess the day’s situation.  Throughout my shift, I provide mom with nourishing snacks, meals and plenty of water.

 

A postpartum doula is not a maid, though, nor is she a nurse.  I leave diagnoses and clinical procedures to medically trained personnel, but will make referrals to medical professionals if I notice anything of concern.  It is commonly felt that a doula can help a mother stay healthy and reduce her chances of postpartum complications.  I do this by educating the mother and enabling her to focus on her recovery from birth and to rest as much as possible.  I always keep my clients well nourished and hydrated and help to reduce incidences of sleep deprivation and postpartum depression.

 

Studies have shown that with the help of a postpartum doula, breastfeeding duration is increased, while feeding problems and depression decrease.  Also, parents report feeling more confident and less stressed or anxious.

 

Many women express concern at the cost of hiring a postpartum doula, but with some planning and some calls to your insurance company I find that most families can make it happen.  I’ve even had clients who were reimbursed for doula care from their Flex Spending Accounts.  Other clients “register” for doula care and take advantage of the gift certificates that can be purchased on my website.  I firmly believe that every new mom needs support.

About Darcy of Dover Doula:

 

Darcy Sauers of Dover Doula offers postpartum doula services, lactation counseling and prenatal yoga classes in the Seacoast area.  She is nationally certified by DONA (Doulas of North America).  Darcy is knowledgeable about many aspects of the postpartum period, including infant care and development, normal postpartum restoration and cesarean recovery, breastfeeding assistance, postpartum depression, facilitating bonding and more.  For more information, visit her website www.doverdoula.com.  To schedule a free, no obligation prenatal consultation, call her at 603-988-5945.

About Healing Hands Community Chiropractic
Our mission at Healing Hands Community Chiropractic -Portsmouth, NH is to promote and support the overall health, well-being and highest quality of life of all individuals and families in our community through affordable chiropractic care.

Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is a health -care model intended to increase access to chiropractic care by offering adjustments in an open setting and fees on an affordable sliding-scale, without income verification.  By doing so, we offer the people of our community the opportunity to receive treatment as often as they need, to get the results they deserve with no insurance hassles -simply paying what they can for only $20- $40!

Click here to book now!

 

 

5 Green Tips from Healing Hands Community Chiropractic

January 14, 2013 2:00 AM
From: www.SeacoastOnline.com

Five green health tips to stave off winter colds:

1. Use a neti pot. Neti pots help clean out your sinuses and keep your breathing pathways clear and fresh by removing dirt, pollen, excess mucous and other irritants. Pick one up at the local health food store.

2. Add more fiber to your diet. Adding fiber such as whole grains to your diet improves colon health and increases immunity.

3. Drink more water. Drinking eight glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, bladder cancer by 50 percent, and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer.

4. Take probiotics. Eating more yogurt or supplementing your diet with a high-quality, refrigerated probiotic can boost the healthy bacteria in your gut, where about 70 percent of your immune system resides.

5. Sleep. Studies show that people who get about seven hours of sleep a night have the best survival. Sleep loss not only plays a role in whether we come down with a cold or flu, it also influences how we fight illnesses.

For information about Healing Hands, visit www.healinghandscc.org. For more green tips, visitwww.greenalliance.biz or at the Green Alliance blog at www.seacoastonline.com.

 

for online article: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130114-NEWS-301140345

Chiropractic Wellness Clinic Opens in Portsmouth

Oct 1, 2012 From The Granite State Sentinel.

PORTSMOUTH–Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is bringing wellness to the masses, and its business model will revolutionize the industry.

On September 5, Healing Hands Community Chiropractic opened its first-of-its-kind wellness center, which provided services on a sliding-scale fee system with no income verification.  This model, based on similar ones within other holistic health industries, has not occured in the chirpractic field, until now.

“Our goal at Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is to provide wellness services to people throughout the community, and do not want income to be a barrier to this,” says Dr. Jessica Caruso, co-owner of Healing Hands with her husband, Brian Caruso.  “We have seen this model work in acupuncture and now we want to bring it to chiropractic care.  This is truly a first-of-its-kind clinic, and I am thrilled that we are doing it in Portsmouth.  Since we want to immerse ourselves with the community, we became proud members of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, official chiropractor for the NH Roller Derby as well as members of the Green Alliance.”

The Granite State Sentinel does not fully publish all of their articles online, so for the full story pick up a copy at your local store!

 

Environment Plays Huge Role in Health: Seacoast Online Blogs

By JIM CAVAN | Published: NOVEMBER 6, 2012 | 1 Comment

http://blogs.seacoastonline.com/seacoast-green-alliance/2012/11/06/environment-plays-huge-role-in-health/

By Heikki Perry

A National Public Radio story indicates that people respond more favorably to issues framed in a health context rather than an environmental one, connecting our health to the environment. And there is much to be concerned about, according to three local experts.

The fall NPR story, titled “When Heat Kills: Global Warming As Public Health Threat,” cites emerging science that ”shows that people respond more favorably to warnings about climate change when it’s portrayed as a health issue rather than as an environmental problem.” Health officials carry special credibility, the story says, “far more so than politicians, journalists, environmental activists and other widely heard voices on this topic.”

What do two local health-care providers, and a small-business owner whose company helps protect the environment, say about how local environments affect Seacoast residents’ health?

Healing Hands Community Chiropractic

Dr. Jessica Caruso of Healing Hands Community Chiropractic, 40 Pleasant St., Portsmouth, notes that a bad indoor environment significantly contributes to people’s health problems. Caruso conducts a workshop called “Hidden Health Hazards in the Home.”

“Today’s smaller, energy-efficient homes trap indoor air pollutants and hazardous chemicals resulting in the air inside your home being worse than outdoor pollution,” she says. “Studies by the federal Environmental Protection Agency have shown that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times and occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels.”

According to the Neighborhood Network’s 2002 Environmental Resource Directory, one of the greatest factors contributing to indoor pollution is hazardous cleaning products. The following chemical contents found in most household cleaning agents — ammonia, bleach, petroleum distillates, and paradichloro-benzene — have been shown to cause and/or trigger bronchitis, asthma, cancer, eye irritation, skin issues and heart conditions, to name just a few.

The solution, Dr. Caruso says, is to make your own cleaners with natural products such as baking soda, olive oil, essential oils and vinegar. More information on natural cleaning products can be found at . Or, if you use a cleaning company, choose one that produces results using natural and safe cleaning agents. Green Maids of Eliot Maine is one such company; cleaning green is not an option with Green Maids, it’s how all of its houses are kept bright and shiny.

“Off-gassing” is another potential hazard. The term, first used in 1966 to describe the release of gaseous chemicals from a solid, is defined in the Construction Dictionary “as the release of airborne particulates, often from installed construction materials such as carpeting, cabinetry, or paint that can cause allergic reactions and other health problems in building occupants.”The problem is, Dr. Caruso says, “this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Off-gassing also emanates from mattresses; stains and varnishes; insulation; flooring materials such as vinyl, finishes, adhesives; countertops; particle board; paint strippers; and cleaning supplies, according to the Healing Hands Community Chiropractic Web site,http://healinghandscc.org/health/toxic-home-newsletter/. Infants or toddlers and pets may more quickly be affected by prolonged proximity to off-gassing carpeting or flooring.

While avoiding off-gassing sources seems to be the most logical lifestyle choice, it is often not an option. Dr. Caruso recommends her patients undergo a “spinal adjustment,” a highly specialized procedure a chiropractor uses to free the body from a serious form of health-destroying nerve stress called “subluxation.” Chemical toxins are one the primary causes of spinal subluxation.

“The adjustment unlocks misaligned vertebrae and nearby tissues from their ‘stuck’ positions,” Dr. Caruso says, “freeing them to move where the body wants them to go and removing nerve interference. Your family chiropractor knows that a healthier lifestyle will help you avoid the chemical triggers that may cause spinal subluxation.”

Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is a business partner of the Green Alliance, a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices, and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members. GA members receive a new patient consult and exam at Healing Hands for just $10 and a free stainless steel water bottle.

Environment Plays Huge Role on Health: Portsmouth Patch

Nov 1, 2012

From the Portsmouth Patch

By Heikki Perry

Dr. Jess adjusts child

A National Public Radio story indicates that people respond more favorably to issues framed in a health context rather than an environmental one, connecting
our health to the environment. And there is much to be concerned about, according to three local experts.

The fall NPR story, titled “When Heat Kills: Global Warming As Public Health Threat,” cites emerging science that ”shows that people respond more favorably to warnings about climate change when it’s portrayed as a health issue rather than as an environmental problem.” Health officials carry special credibility, the story says, “far more so than politicians, journalists, environmental activists and other widely heard voices on this topic.”

What do two local health-care providers, and a small-business owner whose company helps protect the environment, say about how local environments affect Seacoast residents’ health?

Healing Hands Community Chiropractic

Dr. Jessica Caruso of Healing Hands Community Chiropractic, 40 Pleasant St., Portsmouth, notes that a bad indoor environment significantly contributes to people’s health problems. Caruso conducts a workshop called “Hidden Health Hazards in the Home.”

“Today’s smaller, energy-efficient homes trap indoor air pollutants and hazardous chemicals resulting in the air inside your home being worse than outdoor pollution,” she says. “Studies by the federal Environmental Protection Agency have shown that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times and occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels.”

To read the full article, click here!

For online  newspaper article: http://portsmouth-nh.patch.com/blog_posts/environment-plays-huge-role-on-health

Healing Hands Community Chiropractic offering ‘Wellness for all”

Monday, September 10, 2012

From Foster’s Daily Democrat

Picture
Courtesy photo Jessica and Brian CarusoClick here for Foster’s reprint information

PORTSMOUTH — Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is bringing wellness to the masses, and it hopes its business model will revolutionize the industry.

On Sept. 5, Healing Hands Community Chiropractic opened its wellness center, which will provide services on a sliding-scale fee system with no income verification.

This model is based on similar ones within other holistic health industries.

“Our goal at Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is to provide wellness services to people throughout the community, and do not want income to be a barrier to this,” said Jessica Caruso, co-owner of Healing Hands with her husband, Brian Caruso. “We have seen this model work in acupuncture and now we want to bring it to chiropractic care. This is truly a firstof- its-kind clinic, and I am thrilled that we are doing it in Portsmouth.”

She said they wanted to immerse themselves with the community, and became proud members of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, official chiropractor for the NH Roller Derby as well as members of the Green Alliance.

Brian co-owns and manages the Portsmouth clinic as well as their flagship office, Healing Hands Chiropractic Family Wellness Center in Londonderry. He said that the tagline for the new practice, “Wellness for All!” is more than just a slogan.

“We want to provide the people of the Seacoast a true wellness option, and believe that these services should not be a privilege for certain segments of the population,” Brian said.

Healing Hands Community Chiropractic is at the Custom House office (40 Pleasant St., Suite 206; Portsmouth), with a grand opening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept.26. The clinic can be reached at 603.512.3191, and convenient, one-step registration can be done atwww.healinghandscc.org.

For link to online newspaper article: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120910/GJBUSINESS_01/709109989/-1/FOSBUSINESS

New Chiropractic Office Offers Sliding-Scale Fees

Sep 14, 2012

From The Portsmouth Herald

By Suzanne Laurent

Dr. Jess adjusts baby

PORTSMOUTH — Imagine being able to pop into your chiropractor’s office during your lunch hour, have a quick adjustment, and pay what you can afford.

That is possible at Healing Hands Community Chiropractic, which opened Sept. 5 at 40 Pleasant St., providing services on a sliding-scale fee system with no income verification.

“We want people to be able to afford chiropractic care for the whole family,” said Jessica Caruso, who owns Healing Hands with her husband and practice manager, Brian Caruso.

For the full story in The Portsmouth Herald, click Here

Online newspaper article: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120914-BIZ-209140379