Constantly unwell, fatigue, headaches, stomach trouble, nausea? Desperate for some answers? Ever thought that it may be your home contributing to you or your family’s ill heath. Introducing HEALTHY LIVING SPACES, an expert on how dwellings can make you sick.
Being a qualified building biologist, Narelle McDonald is focused on reducing the potential health hazards that affect your life from the buildings you live and work in. Throw in a some Feng Shui and you have an interesting and creative mix of skills.
Q1. What do you do?
Maintaining a healthy home, just like maintaining a healthy body, requires preventative steps. There are many elements in a building that can affect quality of life, physical health and emotional wellbeing. Our homes are living organisms and Building Biologists refer to them as our third skin. In Feng Shui, homes are considered a reflection of ourselves.
Building Biology and Feng Shui give us the tools to help us create healthy environments and an understanding of how to make better consumer choices easily. This holistic approach encourages us to be conscious and aware of the choices we make in regards to our environment as we recognize how intimately connected we are to our homes.
Q2. What got you started in the chemical free industry?
When I started studying at ACES (Australian College Of Environmental Studies) and was further introduced to some of Rachel Carsons (author of Silent Spring) work, I began to piece together how all these environmental influences could directly impact our health and some of my previous health experiences made more sense. As a mother the realisation that the impact of my choices, not only affected me but future generations as well steered me in the direction of children’s environmental health. I gained an understanding that by having this information I could then choose to become a more conscious consumer and choose products that were healthier for my family. Knowledge is power and that is what I want to give my clients.
Q3. What makes your product different?
In my view by combining both the science of Building Biology and the art of Feng Shui you can create amazing spaces to be in that work beautifully together and create a completely holistic approach. My aim is to create change by empowering and educating people so they can make their own informed choices and therefore create environments that will support them.
Q4. What has been your biggest obstacle?
Juggling being a mother and a small business owner and creating time and balance between them. Sometimes when I read the studies and the literature I can feel that the problems are too large and I have to remind myself that every change no matter how small can make a difference
Q5.What is your most interesting/best TIP to help families reduce their chemical exposure?
Q6. Is there another non-toxic business that you think is great & would recommend?
Buckwheat pillows on my website by Pure Earth – the kids and I love them. Completely chemical free!!
Go to Healthy Living Spaces for details.
Healthy Living Spaces is listed under the following categories and business opportunities.