The Austin EcoNetwork or AEN is “a network of people interested in information, events, and resources related to Austin and the environment.” For those of you in the Austin area, AEN has a great calendar that lists local happenings as well as updates on news affecting the Austin area. For those who live in other parts of the world, Austin has a vibrant eco-community so it can be heartening to read about all the people who are thinking and acting to protect the environment. (We live outside of Austin so I browse it myself when feeling blue about going green.)

Please come visit to check out Greening Families’ weekly posts and to see all the other great offerings!

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Once I took a deep breath (OK, a couple of deep breaths), I realized one of the best things would be to make sure my kids, Rich, and I have strong immune systems. Our time at preschool, elementary school, and work gives us exposure to plenty of local germs. I wanted to make sure all our defenses were in tip-top fighting shape for whatever we encountered.

Here are some of the best ways to bolster immune systems. As I wrote this, I was struck by how many of these items have multiple benefits. If we did these things all the time, my family would be leaner, happier, and healthier.

(1) Get plenty of rest. This can be tough, especially for new parents, but a good night’s sleep will do both you and your immune system a world of good. Studies have shown a clear link between immune functioning and sleep. A recent study suggests that sleep may have even evolved to defend against disease.

Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep per day for adults. The recommended amounts for children vary according to the age of the child. If you aren’t sure how much sleep your child should be getting, check out this handy sleep guide on Web MD.

(2) Eat healthy food. Nutrient rich foods supply tons of ammunition for your body’s immune system. They also contain little sugar, which has been shown to reduce immune functioning. Healthy eating, as we all know, includes lots of fruits, veggies, and whole (not refined) grains. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Fruit smoothies, salads, and other quick and healthy meals are actually faster, and much cheaper, than picking up fast food.

(3) Move your body every day. Moderate regular exercise is simply magic. The benefits range from more stable blood sugar levels to reduced risk of high blood pressure, many cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis, etc., etc. to increased immune functioning.

For those of you who are serious athletes,  know that intense exercise has been shown to decrease immune functioning for up to three days. If you are running a marathon or participating in another intense endurance event, take extra steps to strengthen your immunity and reduce exposure afterwards.

(4) Have a laugh. Laughing helps your immune system by increasing the number and activity of  T-cells, which are part of your body’s first line of defense against viral attacks. It also reduces stress hormones and releases endorphins, the natural opiates produces by the brain, so lets your body’s defenses have a break. Tell silly jokes with your kids, watch a funny movie together, or just think about laughing.

(5) Make time for tea. With two daughters, we have many tea parties. It turns out that all that tea is good for our immune systems. Drinking tea increases your body’s ability to fight off germs and infections. Both green and black teas contain an amino acid called L-theanine, which increases the boy’s infection fighting capacity. No wonder our teddy bears are so healthy!

(6) Get some sunshine. Vitamin D has received a great deal of press lately (bone saving! cancer preventing!) but one of its less well-known traits is strengthening immunity. The easiest way to get the Vitamin D you need is to have 10-15 minutes of sun exposure. Exposure through windows or on skin covered with sunscreen will not do the trick.

If you work nights or live in an area that does not receive much sun, supplements are available. Cod liver oil, tuna, salmon and fortified milk are all dietary sources. You may find Epidemic Influenza and Vitamin D particularly relevant and interesting reading.

(7) Take steps to reduce your stress. Stress does more than cause headaches and tense muscles – it also depresses your immune system. Take the time to do something nice for yourself to help reduce the impact of stress in your life. Talk with a friend, take a hot bath, meditate, read a book, or do something else that makes you feel relaxed. You’ll rejuvenate yourself and your immune system.

The Centers for Disease Control have also published some helpful tips for limiting exposure.

Be well!

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Then, days before spring break began, the flu hit. Both girls got sick but with different strains, which allowed us to experience the full glory not once, but twice as germs were swapped. I am now ever more thankful that we own a washing machine.

By the tail end of spring break, everyone was finally feeling better. After a day of waiting to ensure no relapses would occur, we headed to the nursery. With their bright orange and yellow flowers and pointed leaves, the milkweeds were easy to identify among all the other plants. We had looked at some pictures online first, mostly because I wanted to spare the other gardeners a long search by two tired girls and their exhausted mom. Looking at the pictures definitely helped – the girls spotted the plants first.

We were excited to find Asclepias curassavica or Tropical Milkweed, a favorite of monarchs. We each took a pot and checked out. Both girls were clearly wiped out by the short trip and fell asleep in the car.

Since the trip wore everyone out, we did not plant them that day but left them in their pots for several days. A little water and they were fine. It was a bit cool during this time so we didn’t see many butterflies. I was beginning to wonder how long it would take for word of the milkweed to get out in the butterfly community when a warmer day arrived. And, just like that, the plants were swarmed with monarchs.

I could see the plants from my computer and, in one 20 minute period, four different monarchs appeared. I know this sounds anthropomorphic but in each case the butterfly flew up to the plant and appeared to get excited as it got close. The wings would flap faster and faster and the butterfly would almost dance in the air as it approached the milkweeds. Then the butterfly would light on a plant, sip some nectar, and appear to take a deep breath. It was really incredible to watch.

That afternoon we checked the plants and there were already 3 eggs! Now we are watching them (not very) patiently and waiting to see the caterpillars. It is giving us lots to talk and read about, as well as an appreciation for how much is happening in the world right around us.

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As we walked to the car, my oldest asked if she could have some green chores. She went on to explain that she wanted to do work that was good for the earth but wanted her dad and me to treat them like her other chores and pay her for them. I said I thought this was a great idea and that I would talk it over with her dad.

I know allowances, chores, and payment are issues that get a lot of discussion. After a bunch of reading and thinking we have decided to pay the girls for “chores” they do that are above and beyond our expectations (for their current age and level of responsibility) for contributing to the family’s well being. For example, putting dirty clothes in the hamper = part of life so no payment but picking up all the sticks in the yard after a storm = chore so payment. They have to save 10% of their earnings and have to give 10% away to charity but the rest they can spend.

Rich and I agreed to expand our definition of chores to actions that help the earth to show the girls how much we value them. We consider this our own little WPA project. : )

What do you think? Would you institute green chores in your family?

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This tax credit has companies all over the country offering incentives to their employees to encourage cycling. From Discovery Communications in Maryland to New Resource Bank in California, companies are offering money to their employees to purchase, repair, or maintain a bicycle.

If more exercise or fewer carbon emissions are one of your New Year’s resolutions, ask your company about this and make sure they know about the tax credit. For more on the Bicycle Commuter Act, visit The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Commuter Act FAQ.

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Several very large benefits would arise from a shift away from foreign oil and these often seem to be given short shrift in discussions about fuel. For me, the largest benefit would come from strengthening America’s ability to power its own destiny. Currently we are dependent on other countries for one of the basic building blocks of a strong economy – the energy to manufacture and transport goods and services. This is just plain foolish. By allowing ourselves to rely on oil from outside the US, we have given away some of the control over our own destinies.

This raises national security issues as well. We are letting ourselves be painted into a corner. By continuing our dependence on foreign oil, we are increasing our need to keep oil flowing across the globe. That is a lot of territory to cover. Do we really want to risk the lives of the men and women who serve in our military for cheap gasoline?

The last big issue I see, and the one I hear mentioned least frequently, is the need to give our children as many options as possible. I strongly believe that one of the primary duties of parents is to give their children opportunities so they will have an array of tools at their disposal as they make their way through life. I want my children, and every child, to have choices in every arena, including energy. I think we owe them nothing less.

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Honda, which is currently the only manufacturer of these cars, plans to double the number of Honda Civics that utilize compressed natural gas or CNG available in the US.

Toyota is preparing to re-enter the CNG market if demand continues to rise. This November Toyota plans to reveal a concept version of a Camry that is a CNG/electric hybrid at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

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Honda has released the name and photos of its newest hybrid vehicle. The new car is named the Honda Insight and is expected to be priced near $18,000. If the price estimates bear out, the Insight will be the least expensive hybrid on the market! You can read more about it in yesterday’s Scientific American.

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Due to the current fueling limitations for hydrogen cars, these test driving programs are only available in certain areas.

Visit Project Driveway to learn more about General Motors program. Honda and BMW are providing hydrogen cars to celebrities and others they select.

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Sales are expected to begin in the United States, Europe and Japan in early 2009 with production estimates currently cited at 200,000. Good news for everyone stuck on a hybrid wait list!

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