Mary Ferrell

High Country UCC

"I pledge to be as ecologically aware as I possibly can (for the rest of my life!)."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
432 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

11

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

60

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

360

minutes

being mindful

Mary's actions

Nature

Explore My Area

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Leave No Trace

I will practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Happiness

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

De-Clutter My Home

I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Create Your Own Action

Recycling workshop

I signed up for a workshop at ASU on recycling called "Can I recycle that?" I signed up for it because the bins at work have changed and now they have compost bins but it is not clear how to use them.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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 Leave No Trace

Educator Stephanie Kaza advises her students to focus on what they care about most when addressing the enormity of ecological problems. Is there a specific area you feel particularly called to work on?

Mary Ferrell 10/14/2018 5:51 AM

I think people have become disengaged with nature due to technology. My college students are addicted to their phones - most of them check them all during the night. They have them either in bed with them or beside their bed. They have a fear of missing out on something. They don't get outside enough and therefore haven't developed an appreciation of nature.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Locally-Sourced Meals

If you were to only eat what is in season locally, what would be the hardest for you to give up?

Mary Ferrell 10/12/2018 5:39 AM

Graham crackers - I love them! However, a huge part of my diet is from locally sourced foods. I grow herbs and flowers that I can eat (nasturtium). I go to the farmers market and shop from High Country food hub and buy honey and eggs locally. I buy local cream top milk. Also, salmon every fall from an Alaskan fisherman. I make jams from local fruit. I pick apples in the fall and make applesauce and freeze it for the winter. I buy basil by the pounds from the market and make pesto and freeze it for the winter. I barter with a hunter for deer and elk. My husband is a trout fisherman.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

Mary Ferrell 10/11/2018 1:48 PM

I am near Mount Rogers now in a cabin and just walked an hour and a half on the New River State trail. The river is high due to the hurricane - nature puts my life in perspective.

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Mary Ferrell 10/11/2018 6:39 AM

Pretty well, but since I am on vacation for 4 days, I can't do most of the challenges so I am going to choose a few more.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Buy From a Farmers Market

What is one food choice that you make, or could make, that would do more good and less harm?

Mary Ferrell 10/10/2018 2:55 PM

I go to Walmart as little as possible - it is easy to buy everything in 1 place, but I never feel good when I got there. Instead, I go to a lot of produce markets and shop at the High Country Food Hub to get as much as I can. I also make as many things as I can that I need - candles, soap, lotion, shaving cream, bath salts.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity De-Clutter My Home

How can you prevent yourself from accumulating more things in the future?

Mary Ferrell 10/10/2018 12:59 PM

I give away anything I have 2 of that I don't need, especially if someone else wants it. By cleaning out, I can give away to the thrift shops. I also am enjoying keeping my car cleaner - driving is less stressful.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Eat Mindfully

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

Mary Ferrell 10/10/2018 12:57 PM

At first, I kept finding myself starting to pick up my phone or go to my laptop while I was eating. Now, I don't have them near me, even if it is just a bite or snack.. I think I eat less.

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Mary Ferrell 10/09/2018 9:05 AM

A few years ago I participated in a carbon fast and it forever changed my way of thinking about energy. For changes to be permanent, I feel we do better as a group who shares with others.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Happiness

How does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?

Mary Ferrell 10/09/2018 9:03 AM

It keeps me from being negative and complaining and makes me grateful for what I have. I have so much to be thankful for and so many others have so little resources. I realize this when I travel especially.

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Mary Ferrell 10/05/2018 2:27 PM

I just got started today on the challenge - my email got really full! I am cleaning out 1 box a day from the garage. I really needed this motivation!

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