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April 1 - April 30, 2021
Lisa Yow's avatar

Lisa Yow

ECO-NCMNS

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 711 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    42
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    87
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1,800
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    1,472
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    2.0
    trees
    planted
  • UP TO
    49
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Lisa's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Zero-waste Cooking

Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Hang Laundry Outside to Dry

I will hand one load of laundry a week outside to dry instead of using the dryer.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Participate in one of the NCMNS Earth Day programs on April 22nd.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has prepared an Earth Week event starting from April 20th to April 25th. To celebrate Earth Day, participate in 1 program on April 22nd and write a short reflection in your feed.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting with black soldier grubs

Learn about NC's native Diptera that has one of the widest digestive enzyme profiles, allowing for digestion of virtually all human food waste in one to two days: pre-and post-consumer; cooked, raw, or spoiled. Sign up for this workshop and discuss with your team members:

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Plant Trees

Temperate Forest Restoration

I will plant 3 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Support a Community Garden

Multiple Solutions

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Tend A Garden

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants

Farm Irrigation Efficiency

I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Tend A Garden
    Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

    Lisa Yow's avatar
    Lisa Yow 4/30/2021 4:04 PM
    Years ago, when I planted my first herb garden, I discovered the dill was being eaten by big striped caterpillars. I didn't know what they were and my twenty-something self thought they were frighteningly cool. Years later, I learned that they were black swallowtail caterpillars. Now, I plant lots of dill so that we ALL have plenty. I consider myself very fortunate when they show up in my garden.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Smaller Portions
    While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come from eating/serving smaller portions?

    Lisa Yow's avatar
    Lisa Yow 4/30/2021 2:54 PM
    Eating smaller portions sure has helped me keep my weight in check. I'm also cooking less. There's enough food left from Monday's meal for Tuesday's meal. That's saving money and calories!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Composting
    Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

    Lisa Yow's avatar
    Lisa Yow 4/30/2021 2:44 PM
    Why are all of these food scraps going to a landfill when I can turn it into something wonderful for my garden? It takes only a small amount of effort on my part.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Zero-waste Cooking
    In North America, up to 65% of food waste happens at the consumer level. Chef Steven Satterfield advocates for utilizing every part of a vegetable. How can you incorporate using an entire vegetable, including the skins, tops, and stalks during your next meal prep?

    Lisa Yow's avatar
    Lisa Yow 4/30/2021 2:40 PM
    Thrify+Lazy=less food waste.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Eat Mindfully
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?

    Lisa Yow's avatar
    Lisa Yow 4/30/2021 2:37 PM
    When I concentrate on the food, I can taste everything with clarity. I notice the way the spices interact with the other ingredients and enhance the flavor. I perceive that I can taste the food when I swallow it and even as it travels to my stomach. I feel full faster.