October 6 - October 27, 2021

Emily Houtz

"I will educate myself on environmental topics I am unaware of, as well as, my ecological footprint and how I can minimize this. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
916 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

public official or leader

contacted
UP TO

1.0

advocacy action

completed
UP TO

35

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

4.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

145

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

20

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

60

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted
UP TO

3.3

pounds of paper

have been saved
UP TO

33

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

6.0

locally sourced meals

consumed

Emily's actions

Waste

Carry my Trash

Do at Home

I will carry all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash with me to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Core Values

Do at Home

We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Mug

Do at Home

I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill each day by using a reusable mug.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Meet My Local Farmers

I will visit my nearest farm to find out who produces my food, and will learn about the quality of life of those around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

Do at Home

I will keep 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Research Impact Investing

Do at Home

Using the links provided below, I will research impact investing and determine if it is right for me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

Do at Home

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Happiness

Do at Home

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Go Get a Check Up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Forgiveness

Do at Home

I will begin, or continue, on the journey of forgiving myself and/or other(s). I may do this through journaling, meditation, prayer, and/or talking with a licensed healthcare professional.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Learn About Constructive Communication

Do at Home

I will spend 15 minute(s) learning about constructive communication.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Research Local Waste Sites

Do at Home

I will spend 15 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Family Game Hour

Do at Home

I will spend quality time with family and friends by playing low-tech game(s) and/or through the spirit of imagination.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Engage In Active Listening

Do at Home

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 10 conversations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

Do at Home

I will collect all of my unrecyclable, non-compostable trash to raise my awareness of how much I send to the landfill.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

Do at Home

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 15 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Go Paperless

Do at Home

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Research Voter Suppression

Do at Home

I will spend at least 15 minutes finding out what local laws, policies, and practices keep people from voting in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Advocate for More Food Options

Do at Home

Access to affordable, nutritious food is a food justice issue. I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work, on campus and/or in the spaces I frequent.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Know My Health

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Learn About the Impact of Old Refrigerants

Do at Home

I will spend 15 minutes researching the impact of old harmful refrigerants on our environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

Do at Home

I will spend 15 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

Do at Home

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

Do at Home

I will spend 15 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

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
Nature

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?
Emily Houtz 10/25/2021 3:06 PM
pollinators are one of the biggest components that goes into agriculture. Many and most plants would not be able to grow and survive if pollinators were not present. If Pollinator insects, such as bees, were no longer present, crops would not flourish.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing and Renewal

How does being playful with others enrich your life?
Emily Houtz 10/25/2021 5:52 AM
Interacting with others is a great way to form and strengthen bonds with peers. Especially when you're doing something such as a game.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

In what neighborhoods or areas of your region are landfills or other waste sites located? Which communities are most affected by these locations?
Emily Houtz 10/17/2021 6:15 PM
There is a landfill about 30 minutes from campus. I live in the area so I know and have passed this semi-frequently. I did some research on the animal population affects (if any) were seen in the area, because often when passing, I would see deer on the property eating. In my research into this, I found that deer in the area have decreased in size over the years. Some have to speculate it is due to the landfill and feeding from the ground covering it. It also makes you wonder how this affects the people living in this area.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

Why is it often difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places?
Emily Houtz 10/17/2021 6:07 PM
I think this is due to how easy it is for us to rid ourselves of our trash. Espceically in cities, there are trash cans everywhere. We can so easily get rid of our wastes and then it is "not our problem". When we take time to collect the trash during our daily lives, we can see just how much waste we produced.

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Emily Houtz 10/17/2021 6:02 PM
The challenge seems to be a bit more difficult while on break, however, knowing this has helped me feel more accomplished when I complete my tasks.

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Emily Houtz 10/12/2021 7:34 AM
This challenge has helped me to connect to people I never would have--I have encouraged others and friends to join! Its a great conversation topic!!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?
Emily Houtz 10/12/2021 7:29 AM
I was able to find a local store that is considered "low waste". It is an amish store that sells goods that you can bring your own containers to fill. For example, this is where I got oatmeal, flour, beans and rice...WITH NO WASTE!! I was able to take jars and fill them with the things I needed. I was incredibly happy to find this store and plan to utilize this every week for groceries.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity

How might impact investing help you better live your values?
Emily Houtz 10/12/2021 7:27 AM
I never knew what impact investing was until I did some research for this. I think that this is a great idea because people would be more likely to worry about the environment if it affects their finances--this is not everyone but Im talking about big business. I think this is also a great way to better live my values by sharing them with others.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?
Emily Houtz 10/12/2021 7:24 AM
I try to always have at least one resuseable bag in my car at all times. This is in case I stop at a store anywhere I will not have to use a plastic bag. If I only have a few items, I typically will carry my items out in my hands. However, with covid, sometimes I could not take in my own reusable bag. In this case, I will either just take the cart directly out to my car and put the things directly into my car. OR I can request a paper bag, which is able to be successfully recycled!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste

While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?
Emily Houtz 10/12/2021 7:19 AM
One issue I have is never having a reusable water bottle when I need water, making me buy or use plastic water bottles. I have forced myself to adopt the habit of always making sure I have my reusable water bottle with me when I leave my house. I have found that this also has helped me stay more hydrated.

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