Fallon Harris

Education for Sustainability

"To live a life where I leave this world better than I found it "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
277 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

30

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

600

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

20

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

10

whole food meals

consumed

Fallon's actions

Waste

Recycle Everything I Can

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 60 minutes researching and recycling all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 2 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

Historically, marginalized and low-income communities live closer to landfills, contributing to a multitude of health problems. I will find out how I can limit single-use items and do my best to limit the waste I generate.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 10
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
Waste Reduce Single-Use Disposables

Bringing your own bags and containers to the grocery store, and even to restaurants for leftovers, are a couple of ways to reduce your waste. What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Fallon Harris 10/15/2018 5:22 PM

This year I have focused on reducing my use of single use items by stashing grocery bags in my back pack and car, meal prepping and bringing real silverware and a cloth napkin, saying no to the straw, and only getting a coffee if I have a reusable cup with me. I could be better about actually bringing the reusable grocery bag in and using it. I will challenge myself to either carry my items or go out and get my bags before checking out if I forgot them in the car.
I love the idea of bringing your own containers for leftovers from restaurants! I did that while traveling in Cambodia a couple years ago but then didn't bring the habit back home. I will place a reusable to-go container in my car for these situations.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Needs Vs. Wants

How is creativity necessary for practicing simplicity?

Fallon Harris 10/10/2018 8:45 AM

I think that creativity plays a role in practicing simplicity because you have to think outside of the box to make what you do have work. I grew up very poor and my mom was always very good about this, especially when it came to meals. She created great meals out of very little.
I think that creativity also plays part in challenging the instant gratification mindset that many American's have by asking us to slow-down and think, envision, dream before rushing to the store.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Whole Foods Diet

Michael Pollan states that "it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor." What are your thoughts on this?

Fallon Harris 10/10/2018 8:36 AM

I love shopping at the farmers market or local farm stands. But these options are not available during winter and early spring (October - April/May). To combat this challenge, I stock up on things that store well like winter squash, potatoes, onions, carrots, and dried goods such as dried beans and oats. I also try to preserve as much of the fresh harvest as possible. Canned tomatoes and fruits are a must! Right now, I have been going out on the weekends to forage for wild mushrooms, which I sauté and freeze.

Read More
- Monica Martin 10/10/2018 8:48 AM
  
  I admire your dedication and ambition.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Recycle Everything I Can

What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

Fallon Harris 9/19/2018 9:08 AM

After China quit taking our recycling I felt lost with what I could and could not recycle. I had heard so much about what could and couldn't be put into our bins now. When I went to Waste Management's website and looked at their recycling handout, I found that nothing had changed. I plan to further investigate and will report back about what I find. In my brief initial search, I did find this neat guide to recycling in Washington County:
https://www.co.washington.or.us/hhs/swr/upload/residential-recycling-guide_web_nov-2013-v.pdf

Read More