Stephania Fregosi

Based on a post Peggy made during the ecochallenge, ​I'm exploring some sustainability/health & wellness apps that we could use as a college and I'm checking out the Shine App for Joulebug. Right now I'm using the free version.  I don't know if we'd use the paid version or not. I requested a demo for 9:00 am next Tuesday if anyone is interested. (Please let me know so I can grab a conference room and bring a laptop to work).

I'm wondering if a few of you would help me try it out. I set up Chemeketa as an organization.

Below is the canned invite message:

Will you join me? There’s a new Challenge almost every week, it’s easy to get started, and I think we’ll have fun competing and learning healthy habits. 

Here’s what you need to do:
1. Download Shine here: https://shine.joulebug.com/download/ 
2. Sign in with your email and Access Code chemeketa862
3. Start Playing! 

Let me know if you have any questions, or if you want to learn more, here’s a link to their site:  https://www.shine.joulebug.com/

See you on a Challenge Leaderboard soon!

I didn't ever have a fully refined sugar day, but I did lessen my overall sugar intake substantially. Add that to the physical therapy and a few short walks and I lost a couple of pounds. I know if I really avoid refined sugar and white flour though that my overall health goes up and my blood sugar levels lower and don't spike as often. 

In a couple of weeks, I'll be relaunching the food waste/compost program at dining services in our cafeteria area. The main difference between these and the old bins are that these do not accept compostable plastics (except for the can liner). The bins are emptied daily into an area behind the kitchen. These items are bagged and so do not create additional odors.

These bins accept food waste only. Please do not pour in your liquid beverages. No tea bags, plastic utensils, etc. No compostable plastics.

Stew and ramen is okay - I'm just keeping out stuff that is pure broth.

Here are a couple of pictures from outdoor walks this weekend.

I haven't been able to get outside for a walk as much as I'd like. I hurt my ankle back in December and thanks to some recent physical therapy, I've been feeling a lot better. It still gets pretty worn out though.

Over the weekend my family and I went out to a pumpkin farm and that counted as one of the walks. I also counted a bicycling activity. We were up in Portland to see friends visiting from out of town. We decided that we'd rent a three person bicycle (you pedal side by side) and go around the river. We're not in top shape, but we had a great time. I suspect my husband did most of the pedaling, but I definitely got a work out! The point is though, to get outside and get moving!

Last night I went to see Winona La Duke speak at Willamette University for the Atkinson lecture. It was excellent as always. I'm particular interested in the hemp she's growing for a fiber mill. It's part of one of many fibersheds around the US that are working on creating a sustainable textile industry, a topic near and dear to my heart.

As part of my job here, I am sometimes create materials to promote conservation As such, environmental psychology starts to play a role. I'm currently reading an article about creating lasting behavioral change around conservation. In particular, it compares the efficacy of cost savings messaging versus health based messaging. 

Here's an excerpt that shows different messages around conservation. 

"1.

Health frame: Last week, you used XX% more/less electricity than you efficient neighbors. You are adding/avoiding XX pounds of air pollutants, which contribute to known health impacts such as childhood asthma and cancer.

2.

Cost Savings frame: Last week, you used XX% more/less electricity than your efficient neighbors. In one year, this will cost you (you are saving) $XX dollars."

 "https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167268116300257

I'm not surprised at all. This method still has its challenges.

How would you feel if you knew that taking fewer paper towels would reduce air pollutants and that using a hand dryer is actually better for the environment in the Pacific Northwest due to our green grid? Would other health considerations come into play? Would it matter if it freed up time for custodial staff to do more cleaning? 

Has anyone tried out beeswax wraps? We got a few this summer to help reduce the amount of plastic we are consuming and they work pretty well. The hardest thing is remembering what's in each one - which just goes to show that we have too many leftovers in our refrigerator.

Hi. I drew this weeks prizes.

The mug went to Hannah.
The spork or book went to Richard Rieman.

Everyone is doing really well - keep up the great work and continue to spread the word. 

Steph

We just got challenged by Lane Community College's sustainability team and I accepted on our behalf. The score is very very close  (they are winning by 22 points), so be sure to log your achievements and post to this feed.

--Steph