Earth Month Ecochallenge: Drawdown

April 1 - April 30, 2021

Stan State Eco Challenge Earth Month Team Feed

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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 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?

Gabriela Lopez 4/30/2021 9:28 PM

Other benefits that come from eating/ serving smaller portions are eating healthy and not wasting as much food. Another benefit is saving money since we are eating smaller portions. I also learned that when we go grocery shopping we tend to buy more food than we need. Just because shopping carts are big and we want to fill them up with food and because we can just push them instead of caring for them.

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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?

Gabriela Lopez 4/30/2021 9:10 PM

When I practice mindful eating I don't tend to rush and eat fast. I also notice what I have been eating more because I'm usually eating while I'm using my phone, computer, or watching something on TV.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Choose LED Bulbs

Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

Gabriela Lopez 4/30/2021 9:04 PM

I was really impressed by the benefit of using LED bulbs. The next step I would take toward energy efficiency is to get all my family members to all switch to LED bulbs and infomr the benefit of doing so. I would also unplug unused chargers and install a low-flow showerhead to save water.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?

Gabriela Lopez 4/30/2021 8:54 PM

By spending more time outdoors made me realize how grateful I am for nature. I also lean the important roles they are part of. For instance, I learn how wetlands are very important and play a big part in the ecosystem. Wetlands are natural water filtration, provide nurseries for fishes, and are the first line of defense from floods. One of the pulses of being outdoors in nature is that it can reduce stress and improve ones mental health,

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Samantha Salvatier 4/30/2021 8:51 PM

During this month I have tried to make more sustainable choices. I've wrote a few actions that I have done during the month and there are a few more that I haven't mention. I recently began using reusable dryer balls instead of constantly using drier sheets. While I eat, I've been using table cloths instead of using so many paper towels. My most recent change has been the use of bee's wax that I use to protect my food. It's amazing how natural resources can be used to help make more sustainable choices. I want to continue this journey on making better choices.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Smart Seafood Choices

Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?

Samantha Salvatier 4/30/2021 8:34 PM

I never thought about this issue too much. I did check seafoodwatch.org to get more information. I know that there's this new documentary on Netflix I want to check out more on this issue.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

Gabriela Lopez 4/30/2021 8:31 PM

By knowing the difference between the date phrase I will no longer be wasteful of my food. I will no longer throw everything out of my pantry that has a date we already passed. Before learning about the diffusion of the at the phrase I would throw a lot of things out because I thought they were no longer good. Now next time I am cleaning my pantry I will not be wasteful and I would decide if the food is still good to eat.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Electricity Choose LED Bulbs

Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! What's next for you?

Samantha Salvatier 4/30/2021 8:07 PM

My next step will be to use less electricity whenever I can. Since most days are still really nice I began doing my work in the backyard since there's more natural light.

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Gabriela Lopez 4/30/2021 8:06 PM

I am really glad that i learned a lot about the truth about operation dates. I am also sad because I did not know the definitions of the date phrases which resulted in me throwing a lot of food away. I would clean my pantry and see that the date would past on some of my food and throw them away. I am really glad that I know the definitions of the date phrases and am going to be able to not waste food any more. I am actually going to keep the deifintons of the dates in my pantry so i don't forget them. One thing i learn and was shocked is I have been placing my eggs in the wrong spot.

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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?

Samantha Salvatier 4/30/2021 7:53 PM

I feel like when I eating with others it is easier for me to be more mindful and not be on my phone but when I am eating alone thats when I'm more tempted to be on it or watching tv. I'm going to try to make it a habit to continue mindfulness. Its nice to be in the moment truly enjoying my meal. :)

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