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Maintaining Green Motivation in the Workplace

Steph — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:39:35 +0000

This post is my submission to February’s APLS blog Carnival http://theaplsblog.blogspot.com/. This month’s topic is how to stay motivated about living a green life. Check Going Green Mama http://going-green-mama.blogspot.com/ on February 24 for the carnival round-up and lots of great ideas.

Recently I posted about the changes to our family’s life, which led to some changes for Greening Families http://www.greeningfamilies.com/families/thinking-about-next-steps-for-greening-families/. With the launch of my husband’s business, we have made the switch to complete self-employment, something we have been working toward for years. We are already reaping benefits in terms of flexible schedules (we both attended our daughters’ Valentine’s Day parties at school with zero guilt – amazing!) but the change has also meant longer-than-normal hours for me over the last few months as Rich’s business – and income – got off the ground.

When I am racing a deadline, I sometimes have a hard time maintaining my motivation for green habits. Since I know many others are starting or growing their own businesses these days, I wanted to share some tips to maintaining green motivation in the workplace. (I also wanted to encourage myself to keep following the green path so this article itself is a form of self-motivation!)

Ways to Green Your Home Office

1) Buy only what you need. When starting a business, it is easy to be tempted into buying items that might come in handy since you don’t know exactly what you will need yet. Hold off on making any purchase until you absolutely know you need it.

As an example, I started my business more than 10 years ago thinking that I would need a monitor stand since I spend so much time working at my computer. Money was tight so I had to get creative. And here I am, still perfectly functional all these years later without one!

2) Along this same line, reuse everything possible. Along with stacks of paper serving as monitor stands, in the early days my kitchen table was my desk and an old milk carton from college was my file cabinet. I also look for ways to reuse items I receive as part of my work. Folders, pens, paper clips, and name badges all get multiple uses in my work.

3) Consider used furniture. My current desk is a beautiful solid wood desk that we found in the used section of a local furniture store for about $100. Both my husband and I also found solid wood bookcases for our offices there for equally low prices. We don’t have to breathe in the chemicals released by pressed wood, we have lovely pieces that will last our lifetime, and we saved a bunch of money.

4) Be thoughtful about your work processes. This is where I really have a tough time when stress mounts. I’m a grant writer so I pour over Requests for Proposals as I’m working with clients on grant applications. These RFPs are often long – one hundred plus pages of densely worded text is typical – and most grant applications go through multiple iterations before they are finalized so I could easily burn through lots of paper. I’ve been focusing on limiting my printing. I’m doing so by keeping more many more items electronic (thanks in part to the handy comments feature in Adobe http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrfaq.html). When I do print, I double-up pages whenever possible. I then recycle everything printed once the project is complete. My daughters are big artists so they find lots of uses for used paper!

5) Utilize the Power Save options on all electronic devices. One of the downsides of working at home is that I’m responsible for paying the utility bill. I work to keep mine low by taking advantage of the Power Save options on my computer. Rich is a techie so he helped me figure out all the choices but there is a handy tool, called EZ Wizard http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_mgt_ez_wiz, that will do the same thing if you need a hand (although you won’t get your fill of Star Wars humor with the software.)

6) Utilize renewable energy where possible. One of the advantages to working at home is that I have more control over the source of the energy I am using. We switched to renewable energy as soon as it was an option in our area. These days many utility companies now give their customers the option to purchase at least some of their energy from renewable sources. Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency http://www.dsireusa.org/ to learn about alternatives in your area.

7) Delete unused files and emails – even from the deleted folder. It takes energy to store information, even when it is in the deleted file. While it is hard to get a measure of how much energy it takes to store files and emails (see One Green Generation http://1greengeneration.elementsintime.com/?p=887 and Treehugger http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/the_footprint_o_1.php for two attempts), I have (slowly) been learning that keeping only what is needed makes the work environment more pleasant so the benefits to this action go beyond energy reduction.

8) Maintain equipment so it won’t have to be replaced. A little time can save a lot of money. Helpful primers on maintaining computers and computer accessories is available here http://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-Your-Computer and here http://support.gateway.com/support/manlib/notebooks/solo1150/8507028/maintain.htm. If you utilize other forms of equipment in your business, ask how to care for them properly when you purchase them or seek out guidelines online.

9) Select office supplies carefully. When buying supplies for work, check to see if eco-friendly options are available. I’ve found paper with recycled content, pens made out of recycled plastic, and

10) Keep plants near your work space. Plants don’t only look good, they also help clean the air of toxic chemicals http://www.care2.com/greenliving/top-ten-houseplants-for-cleaner-air.html. And caring for a plant has been shown to increase people’s level of happiness so you could get two benefits for the price of one.

11) Store office supplies where kids can’t reach them. OK, this one may be unique to my family but, from what I have seen of kids and Post Its, I don’t think it is. After way too many fine-tip dry erase markers were mashed into oblivion by my preschool daughters, who were used to the fat-tipped markers at school, I moved my office supplies to a location they couldn’t reach. It saved a bunch of supplies and was much less frustrating since I always knew what I had, and where it was.

12) All the stuff you do in the rest of your house. Use power strips. Clean with non-toxic cleaners http://www.greeningfamilies.com/your-home/save-money-and-the-earth-with-homemade-cleaners/. Use CFLs. Dress appropriately for the weather. You know the drill.

This post is my submission to February’s APLS Blog Carnival. This month’s topic is how to stay motivated about green living. Check Going Green Mama on February 24 for the carnival round-up and lots of great ideas to keep your motivation levels high.

Recently I posted about the changes to our family’s life, which led to some changes for Greening Families. With the launch of my husband’s business, we have made the switch to complete self-employment, something we have been working toward for years. We are already reaping benefits in terms of flexible schedules (we both attended our daughters’ Valentine’s Day parties at school with zero guilt – amazing!) but the change has also meant longer-than-normal hours for me over the last few months as Rich’s business – and income – got off the ground.

When I am racing a deadline, I sometimes have a hard time maintaining my motivation for green habits, especially the ones that take a little extra time. Since I know many others are starting or growing their own businesses these days, I wanted to share some tips to maintaining green motivation in the workplace. (I also wanted to encourage myself to keep following the green path so this article itself is a form of self-motivation!) Here are my top twelve tips for greening your home office:

1) Buy only what you need. When starting a business, it is easy to be tempted into buying items that might come in handy since you don’t know exactly what you will need yet. Hold off on making any purchase until you absolutely know you need it.

As an example, I started my business more than 10 years ago thinking that I would need a monitor stand since I spend so much time working at my computer. Money was tight so other things – like a computer! – came first, leaving me no money for a monitor stand. I had to get creative and came up with a homemade monitor stand – a stack of several reams of paper. Here I am, more than a decade later, still perfectly functional with my homemade version.

2) Reuse everything possible. Along with stacks of paper serving as a monitor stand, in the early days my kitchen table was my desk and an old milk carton from college was my file cabinet. I still look for ways to reuse items. Folders from meetings, name badges and pens from presentations, and paper clips from handouts all get multiple uses in my work.

3) Consider used furniture. My current desk is a beautiful solid wood desk that we found in the used section of a local furniture store for about $100. Both my husband and I also found solid wood bookcases for our offices at equally low prices. We don’t have to breathe in the chemicals released by pressed wood, we have lovely pieces that will last our lifetime and beyond, and we saved a bunch of money.

4) Be thoughtful about work processes. This is where I really have a tough time when stress mounts. I’m a grant writer so I pour over Requests for Proposals as I’m working with clients on grant applications. These RFPs are often long – one hundred plus pages of densely worded text is typical – and most grant applications go through multiple iterations before they are finalized. I could easily burn through lots of paper in my work.

I’ve been focusing on limiting my printing in a couple of ways. I’m keeping more many more items electronic (thanks in part to the handy comments feature in Adobe). When I do print, I double-up pages whenever possible. I then recycle everything printed once the project is complete. My daughters are big artists so they find lots of uses for used paper!

Everyone’s work is different so think what you do and where you could easily make changes to green your work.

5) Utilize the Power Save options on electronic devices. One of the downsides of working at home is that I’m responsible for paying the utility bill. I work to keep it low by taking advantage of the Power Save options on my computer. Rich is a techie so he helped me figure out all the choices but there is a handy tool, called EZ Wizard, that will do the same thing if you need a hand (although you won’t get your fill of Star Wars humor with the software). ; )

6) Utilize renewable energy where possible. One of the advantages to working at home is that I have more control over the source of the energy I am using. We switched to renewable energy as soon as it was an option in our area. These days many utility companies now give their customers the option to purchase at least some of their energy from renewable sources. Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency to learn about alternatives in your area.

7) Delete unused files and emails – even from the deleted folder. It takes energy to store information, even when it is in the deleted file. While it is hard to get a measure of how much energy it takes to store files and emails (see One Green Generation and Treehugger for two attempts), why use up energy on things you know you don’t need? I have also been (slowly) learning that keeping only necessary items makes the work environment more pleasant so the benefits to this action go beyond energy reduction.

8) Maintain equipment so it won’t have to be replaced. A little time here can save a lot of money – and headaches since equipment always seems to die right before a deadline. Helpful primers on maintaining computers and computer accessories are available here and here. If you utilize other forms of equipment in your business, ask how to care for them properly when you purchase them or seek out guidelines online.

9) Select office supplies carefully. When buying supplies for work, check to see if eco-friendly options are available. I’ve found paper with recycled content, pens made out of recycled plastic, and remanufactured printer cartridges, among other items.

10) Keep plants near your work space. Plants don’t only look good, some also help clean the air of toxic chemicals. And caring for a plant has been shown to increase people’s level of happiness so you could get two benefits for the price of one.

11) Store office supplies where kids can’t reach them. OK, this one may be unique to my family but, from what I have seen of kids and Post Its, I don’t think it is. After fartoo many fine-tip dry erase markers were mashed into oblivion by my preschool daughters, who were used to the fat-tipped markers at school, I moved my office supplies to a location they couldn’t reach. It saved a bunch of supplies and was much less frustrating since I always knew what I had, and where it was.

12) All the stuff you do in the rest of your house. Use power strips for your electronic items. Clean with non-toxic cleaners. Use CFLs. Dress appropriately for the weather. You know the drill.

I have to say, I feel more motivated to keep going on my green changes in my home office now. And the timing couldn’t be better since I am up against several more deadlines. Thanks Robbie!

What suggestions do you have for maintaining green motivation in the workplace?

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Business Review: The Common Thread

Steph — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:37:37 +0000

In preparation for my first sewing class, I visited the newly opened independent fabric store The Common Thread just over a week ago. What a treat!

As I mentioned when I listed my goal of learning how to sew this year, I haven’t done any real sewing since I took a home ec class in junior high. That was a few years ago (ahem!) so I felt a little nervous preparing for my sewing class. What fabrics would be best for the various projects? I checked out organic fabric online but for my first projects, I wanted to feel the fabrics. The selection of organic fabric at the chain store in my area was nonexistent so I had to find another option.

Then I heard about The Common Thread, a new locally-owned fabric store. I walked in not knowing what to expect. Is it me or do some smaller stores seem to specialize in making non-experts feel like idiots? Thankfully that was not the case here. When I explained that I was clueless about sewing and fabric options, the owner walked me through the available fabric in the store, explaining the pros and cons of the different types for my upcoming projects. The information was delivered in a very helpful manner and my many (many) questions were answered clearly,fully, and without a hint of condescension.

The fabrics there are beautiful! I can already understand how people get hooked on sewing. Seeing the beautiful colors and patterns got me thinking about all kinds of things I can make. Next time I’ll take my daughters so we can ooh and ahh together.

Best yet, The Common Thread works to provide customers with:

unusual, exciting, beautiful fabric for creating clothing and crafts

Earth and human-friendly sources and fibers

reasonable prices

Due to the difficulty in meeting all three characteristics, not all the selections are organic but many of them are. They had some vintage fabric that was so pretty even my hockey-playing husband remarked on it!

If you live in the Austin area, The Common Thread is having its Grand Opening on Thursday, September 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The store is located at 701-E South Lamar Boulevard, which is one block south of Barton Springs Road. Discounts, door prizes, and refreshments will be available.

Happy sewing!

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Organic Fabric Sources

Steph — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:33:29 +0000

This may not be news to the green crafting crowd, but finding cute organic fabric can be tough!

One of my goals for this year is to learn how to sew. I’m signed up for a class that begins shortly so I’ve started looking for fabrics for the class projects. (Exciting!) I naively walked into a nearby Hancock Fabric expecting to find an organic section and found… no organic fabrics in the store. Not one. When I asked about them, the salesperson said, “We only get a few of those and they sell out quickly.” If I were working in the fabric world, I would see this as a sign that there is a strong demand being unmet!

Rather than driving from store to store, I decided to hop on the information highway to see what I could find.

My first stop was Mod Green Pod. This Austin-based company creates the organic fabrics that started me thinking about making our curtains myself. It is fair to say that I am going to learn how to sew so I can use their fabrics. Their beautiful selections are made out of 100% organic cotton, which is grown, woven and printed in the United States. They keep the fabrics free of fire retardants, wrinkle-free agents, and other toxic chemicals so they don’t off-gas. I love the bright colors and clean designs! Both of my girls and I enjoy playing with their Room Creator. Check out the Bloom fabric to the right as curtains!

The fabrics at Mod Green Pod led me to Near Sea Naturals. This site carries organic fabric from a number of companies, including Mod Green Pod and Harmony Art, which is listed below. They carry not only organic fabric but also organic lace, organic ribbons, organic sewing thread, organic stuffing and other notions so you can find everything you need in one place. They carry several out-of-production selections from Mod Green Pod, including this one called Tickled Pink that my daughters love. ( Pink ladybugs with flowers for spots, could anything be more perfect for little girls?) Their site even shares project ideas in case you need a jumpstart.

Harmony Art is another source of lovely organic fabric choices. The prints are especially compelling and I really appreciated the fact that coordinating fabrics are listed. Details for wholesale purchases of 50-yard rolls are listed. For smaller orders, retail distributors, including Near Sea Naturals, are listed on the site. I see a possible dress option for my girls here!

I recently came across Betz White’s book Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials so thought to see if she carried any organic fabric on her site. It turns out that she has a very cute organic fabric line that just came out at the end of July. (Sounds like smart folks ARE paying attention to the strong demand!) These colorful fabrics made of 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton are available at her Etsy shop. So far the Sprigs and Sprout on the left-hand side of this pillow is my favorite but the Lawnchair on the right-side of the pillow is growing on me as well. I have a feeling the more I look, the longer that list will grow.

Etsy is also the home of Daisy Janie. Her organic fabrics are a blend of 55% organic hemp and 45% organic cotton or 100% organic cotton sateen that are printed in the United States. Her patterns are very clean and crisp looking with lots of fun colors. I think the Parkside fabric would make a cute skirt; good thing I am going to learn how to make one!

I’m continuing my search for organic fabric so please share any sources you have found.

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Save Money, and the Earth, with Homemade Cleaners

Steph — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:10 +0000

Last week we discussed how toxic many household products are (so toxic that they are routinely referred to as hazardous household waste) and how to safely remove them from your home. This week we want to share some inexpensive and simple recipes so you can make earth-friendly replacements for those items.

We’ll start with cleaning supplies.

Conventional cleaning supplies: Homemade cleaning products can get your home just as clean as conventional products for far less money and with far less toxic exposure. They also smell better! Here are recipes for a few multi-tasking items.

Glass cleaners can be made with white vinegar and water. Simply mix equal parts of each and place in a spray bottle. If you have been using commercial glass cleaners for a while, you may want to add a drop or two of liquid dishwashing soap to the first batch. Commercial glass cleaners often leave a waxy film on glass, which the soap will help remove. This works well on windows, mirrors, and chrome.

Cleaning powders can be replaced by simple baking soda. Sprinkle on your sink or tub after wetting it and scrub. If grime has built up, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply and let sit for 10-20 minutes before scrubbing.

For those who prefer sprays, mix 1/4 cup ammonia, 1/8 cup white vinegar, 1 Tablespoon baking soda, and 1 quart water. Put in a spray bottle and enjoy the savings. Note: Do not use this product on varnished surfaces.

When mopping, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water. If you like, add a drop or two of essential oil for scent. Mop the floor with the mixture. The best part is you don’t have to rinse!

And this one isn’t multi-tasking but is so easy I had to share. To clean brass, simply coat with ketchup, let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe off with a soft cloth.

Air fresheners: One of the simplest and cheapest air freshening ideas is to open your windows and air out your living space. However, this is not an appealing option when the temperatures are over 100° as they are here!

Another inexpensive option is to pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into a bowl and place it in the necessary area. If you have a stubborn cooking smell (fish comes to mind), you also add 1 Tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup of water, place in a pot, and bring it to a boil. Vinegar eliminates the odor without replacing it with a vinegar smell.

Drain openers: If you notice your drains running slowly, an easy and inexpensive option is to pour boiling water down the drain. If that doesn’t work, try pouring 1 cup of baking soda into the drain and flush with 3 cups of hot water.

For even more stubborn drains, you can pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, then add 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain so the mixture can work on the clog. Leave it for an hour, then flush with hot water. NOTE: Do not use this method if you have used a commercial drain opener and it may still be present in the drain.

Another option uses 1/2 cup salt, 1/8 cup cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup baking soda. Mix them together and pour the mixture directly into the drain. Follow with 6 cups of boiling water. Allow to sit for several hours (overnight works well). Flush with cool water and you’re done.

For more ideas and recipes, visit Pioneer Thinking or check out Karen Logan’s book Clean House, Clean Planet: Clean Your House for Pennies a Day, the Safe, Nontoxic Way. This informative book, written by a mom, makes navigating green cleaning options very easy. You can read an earlier review on the book if you want more information.

If you would prefer to utilize pre-made cleaners, the Austin-based company The Purple Fig Cleaning Company sells green cleaners in their online store. I met the owner of at the Sunset Valley Farmers Market and it was clear she was very passionate about this topic. You’ll save some time while supporting a small business!

This article was syndicated on the AustinEcoNetwork. If you live in the Austin area, or want to learn about eco-happenings in Austin, be sure to visit the site.

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Greening Your Home, Frugally

Steph — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:41:07 +0000

Many people associate going green with expensive purchases scattered throughout their living space, but living a greener lifestyle is more often about what you don’t buy and don’t have in your home.

A quick, and frugal way to improve the health of your home is to remove the toxic items. You may be thinking, “Who lives with toxic items? What, do people have piles of radioactive waste in their living rooms? If so, I’m a better housekeeper than I thought!” With toys and books currently littering way too many surfaces in our home, I’m clearly not qualified to judge anyone’s housekeeping abilities, but I can tell you the odds are high that items you have in your home today are toxic.

The truth is that many items we now think of as everyday purchases from the grocery or hardware store are toxic. Here are a few examples:

• Conventional cleaning supplies – In 2007, cleaning products were responsible for 225,410 reports of toxic exposure to U.S. Poison Control Centers. With ingredients ranging from ammonia to formaldehyde to volatile organic compounds (the VOCs that have had so much media play), many store-bought cleaning supplies contain items that can be harmful to humans and pets.
• Air fresheners – Common contents include tongue twisters like trichloromonofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethanol, and phthalates. As many say, the harder something is to pronounce, the less likely it is good for you. For a detailed report, see the National Resources Defense Council’s report Clearing the Air: Hidden Hazards of Air Fresheners. (This link will allow you to select either the overview or the full report.)
• Drain openers – While most people know not to let drain openers touch their skin, many do not realize that these products also release harmful gases. With Central Texas homes already shut up to hold in cooled air, these gases will stay inside your home.

If you have concerns about a product in your home, check online to see if a material safety data sheet is accessible as many of these items are not required to list their ingredients on their packaging.

Taking these items out of your home will improve your indoor air quality and make your home healthier and greener immediately. It also saves you from searching for places to store the products away from your children and pets, awful fumes, and reading warning statements a mile long. That plus lower totals at the checkout makes for a green and thrifty switch.

Rest assured that we don’t want you to live in a dirty, smelly home! Our next post will cover inexpensive and safe replacements to all these items.

Be sure to protect others by disposing of these items safely. If you live in the City of Austin or Travis County, the Household Hazardous Waste Facility will collect and dispose of these materials safely.

For those living in Williamson County, the Williamson County Recycle Center at 495 County Road 156 accepts hazardous household waste year-round. Vouchers are available for City of Georgetown residents and a small fee is charged to others.

In Hays County, tri-county household hazardous waste collection events are held with Kyle and San Marcos Counties. The next event is being held on July 25, 2009 so if you live in one of these counties you have plenty of time to scour your shelves and cupboards for toxic materials.

Cedar Park offers an annual household hazardous waste collection event called Keen on Clean. In Round Rock, household hazardous waste collection events occur on the first Wednesday of each month, special collections occur in the spring and fall, and, for a $10 fee, by appointment. To learn more about all these services visit Round Rock’s Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

If you live outside these areas, check with your local city government for hazardous waste collection procedures or visit Earth911.org for an online tool to find hazardous waste collection sites near you.

This article was syndicated on the AustinEcoNetwork. If you live in the Austin area, or want to learn about eco-happenings in Austin, be sure to visit the site.

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Check Out the Austin EcoNetwork!

Steph — Sat, 30 May 2009 14:09:27 +0000

The Austin EcoNetwork has officially launched its new website and Greening Families is proud to be one of the featured bloggers!

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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Family Friday: How to Strengthen Your Family’s Immune Systems

Steph — Sat, 02 May 2009 04:04:14 +0000

All the media coverage of swine flu, or influenza A H1N1, is causing some people to panic. As I listened to the news on my way home from dropping my youngest at preschool, I could feel my own worries growing. So I started thinking about what action I could take. Action is a great antidote to panic!

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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Green Chores

Steph — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:33:02 +0000

Today when we left my youngest daughter’s preschool, we discovered some styrofoam peanuts in the front plantings. My kids were very upset since they have heard that plastic is not good for animals. After some discussion, we picked them up to make sure no birds or rabbits, the animals we see most frequently there, would be harmed.

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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Protect Your Child, Your Wallet, and Your World with One Spin of the Dial

Steph — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:25:32 +0000

When I was pregnant with my first child, a colleague gave me a great piece of advice about labor: “Remember that you only have one contraction at a time.” I’ve since discovered that this advice has broad applications; I often remind myself of it when I become overwhelmed with parenting or fighting global warming. The end results I want in both arenas are really the culmination of many small actions, just as the birth of my daughter was the result of many (many!) contractions.

Global warming sounds so big (ginormous, as my youngest would say) that it is easy to feel overwhelmed or inconsequential. However, we can all make small changes, many of which benefit us directly. Collectively we can make a positive difference for the environment. As I remind my kids when we’re faced with a messy room, many hands make light work. None of us has to assume the mantle of responsibility for the entire world but we can all help to clean up the mess!

Today we’re talking about water heaters. By lowering the temperature setting on your hot water heater, you’ll garner three main benefits for your family:

(1) Protection for your child. Water heated at 140º F, the typical setting for hot water heaters, is dangerous for children. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing unintentional childhood injuries, hot water from household taps accounts for nearly 25% of all scald burns among children. Scaldings are the most common type of burn-related injury among young children. A child exposed to 140º F water will sustain a third-degree burn, an injury which would require hospitalization and skin grafts, in only three seconds due to their thinner skin. Turning down the temperature on the household hot water heater is a protective change parents can make easily.

(2) Shelter for your wallet. Hot water heaters are the third largest energy users in most homes, accounting for more than 17% of a typical household’s utility expenses. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, each 10º F reduction in water temperature will save 3 to 5% in energy costs. But the savings don’t stop there. Lowering the temperature on your hot water heater will also slow corrosion and mineral buildup in your water heater and pipes. By keeping the temperature lower, you’ll help your heater last longer. If you have an electric water heater, make sure to check if there are two thermostats. If so, set them to the same level so one heating element is not working harder, thus wearing out prematurely.

(3) Sustaining the world. The reduction in energy use won’t just save you money; it will also cut your CO2 emissions, one of the main contributors to global warming. Turning the dial on your hot water heater from 140º F down to 120º F will save up to 733 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, according to Consumer Reports’ Greener Choices. Not bad for such an easy change!

Action Step
Turn your hot water heater’s thermostat to 120º F. Collectively this would prevent more than 45 million tons of CO2 emissions annually!

If you have an older dishwasher, one without a booster heater, look for a warm water detergent once you have lowered your hot water heater’s temperature. Water of 130º F to 140º F is necessary to dissolve some dishwasher detergents.

Bonus Activity
If you plan to be away from home for several days or more, consider turning your thermostat to the lowest setting or even turning your water heater off completely. You can easily turn off an electric water heater by switching off its circuit breaker. If you have a gas water heater, make sure you know how to safely relight the pilot light before shutting down completely!

If all this has you thinking about installing a new hot water heater, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to help you pick the right one.

This is my submission to January’s Green Moms Carnival. This month’s host is The Not Quite Crunchy Parent. Be sure to visit them for a compilation of the selected articles on global warming! If you are interested in submitting an article for future carnivals, visit Green Moms Carnival for upcoming topics and more information.

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What To Do with an Old TV

Steph — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:51:06 +0000

With the upcoming recent switch from analog to digital television signals, many families have bought or are planning to buy a new TV. That means numerous families are faced with the decision of what to do with their old television. What a perfect opportunity to help protect the environment!

Electronic devices, including televisions, contain many toxic elements. Televisions with a tube contain between four and eight pounds of lead while flat panel TVs hold less lead but much more mercury. Both types also contain literally hundreds of other chemicals and compounds that can be harmful.

With the ongoing changes in technology, people are disposing of televisions and other electronic devices at a rapidly growing rate. According to the EPA’s Office of Solid Waste, 1.5 – 1.8 million tons of electronic waste ended up in landfills in 2005, the last year for which data is available. With the upcoming change in broadcast television signals and other technological improvements, experts believe this number has actually grown since then.

When televisions are dumped into a landfill, the lead, mercury, and other metals and chemicals leach out into our groundwater and soil. Experts estimate that roughly 40% of the heavy metals in landfills come from discarded electronic equipment. The good news is that you can help prevent this from continuing.

So what can your family do to clear out space in your home while safeguarding the environment? Simply choose one of the following:

(1)    Sell your TV. Give eBay or Craig’s List a try to see what your TV is worth on the open market. Unexpected income is always a treat!
(2)    Donate your TV. There are many organizations that would be happy to receive your old television as a donation. Check your local nonprofits or visit Earth 911’s listing of groups that facilitate electronic donations to find an organization that appeals to you. This method also helps your bottom line since you’ll receive a tax write-off for the value of your donation.
(3)    Recycle your TV. According to the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, sixteen states, as well as New York City, have created statewide e-waste recycling programs as of the time of this writing. Similar legislation is currently pending in Illinois. These states, in alphabetical order, are:

California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
Texas
Washington
West Virginia
Virginia

With the exception of California, these states require manufacturers to pay for recycling. With new initiatives springing up regularly, visit the Electronics TakeBack Coalition for a map listing environmentally responsible recyclers by state to find one near you.

By selecting one of these earth-friendly methods of clearance, you’ll not only bask in the glow of your new TV but also in the good feelings that come caring for the earth. Enjoy!

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