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October 3 - October 24, 2018
Jen Luecht's avatar

Jen Luecht

Community Team

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 524 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    6.0
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    13
    miles
    not traveled by car
  • UP TO
    13
    miles
    traveled by foot
  • UP TO
    480
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    150
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    9.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    12
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Jen's actions

Waste

Personal Waste Audit

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

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Walk Instead

I will walk 1 mile(s) each day instead of driving and avoid sending up to 0.96 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Healthy Sleep

Effectively working for sustainability requires self care! I will commit to getting 30 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 16
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 who produce my food in other regions of the world to make better choices when I shop.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

I will watch 1 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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 Personal Waste Audit
    Why is it so difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places? How might your experience with this challenge impact your future consumption and choices?

    Jen Luecht's avatar
    Jen Luecht 10/24/2018 8:45 AM
    It is very difficult to not see or understand the impact of our waste on the earth and environment, because most of it is out of sight and out of mind. During this exercise, I realized that I have about 2-3x as much recycling each week as waste. This is great at first thought, although I wonder how much of it is actually making it to be repurposed (I need to recheck the various guidelines in Oregon to be sure). Most of my waste was packaging from food purchases. This is frustrating! I wish that there were more grocery options that didn't have as much packaging. This also teaches me to look for, and choose, food that is more fresh and that doesn't include layers on layers of waste. It also is a great lesson in vocalizing the need for stores and companies to use compostable or recyclable packaging. Another question I have: how much difference does compostable packaging really make in our more immediate future (versus no packaging)...I know it will cut down on the time it takes for it to decompose. But it is still sitting in a landfill and we're using resources on creating it and turning it into waste.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Meet My Local Farmers
    When you know who produces your food, you are connecting personally to your complex regional food system. What are the advantages of knowing who produces your food and where it comes from? Do you think this might enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?

    Jen Luecht's avatar
    Jen Luecht 10/22/2018 12:34 PM
    I visited three farms on Suavie island to learn more about the food they grow, their CSA programs and how to shop with them all season long. The produce available with them is waaaaaay more affordable than at any of my local grocery stores. They also depend on seasonal workers who have no place to live out of season. This is an issue that our city never discusses...and I would be interested to learn more about what the farmers and workers propose as a solution. Migrant workers are a HUGE part of our history in the PNW. This is something we should be talking about more!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Transportation Walk Instead
    Half of all trips made in the US are three miles or less; 72% of them are driven. Do you feel that this fact applies to you? If so, how might you incorporate more muscle-powered transportation in your daily life?

    Jen Luecht's avatar
    Jen Luecht 10/08/2018 1:44 PM
    I walked 3 miles today instead of driving to where I needed to go!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty
    How does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?

    Jen Luecht's avatar
    Jen Luecht 10/08/2018 1:43 PM
    I watched the whole series of Ugly Delicious and learned SO MUCH about the cultural heritage of some of the world's most delicious food. I've been thinking a lot lately about the different cultures that have influenced the Portland food scene – from historical origin, farmers, suppliers and workers – and those that get priority in the city's marketing efforts. There are many voices that aren't heard or amplified. Our city is so great at lifting up the little guys. We could be so much better at exploring more about those who we don't give priority (or even a voice at all).
  • 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?

    Jen Luecht's avatar
    Jen Luecht 10/03/2018 2:07 PM
    Walk to my local outdoor produce market which is six blocks from my house, instead of driving to Fred Meyers (3 miles away). This choice is much more convenient and greatly reduces my carbon impact!

  • Jen Luecht's avatar
    Jen Luecht 10/03/2018 2:05 PM
    I'm so excited to kick off day one! So far, so good. Today I'm reminded that I need to check in everyday on my challenges and consciously prioritize my challenge goals within my daily habits to have a real and lasting impact. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health Healthy Sleep
    Consider how many hours of sleep you get now. How would you like to shift your sleep patterns? What are you finding works for you to be successful in this action?

    Jen Luecht's avatar
    Jen Luecht 10/03/2018 2:03 PM
    In order to be successful, I need to turn my phone off about an hour before bedtime. I also need to try hard and not binge watch a show right before bed...otherwise I end up staying up later than planned!