Monica Mader

Hennebery Eddy Architects

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe - John Muir"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
680 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

0.0

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

2.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

480

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

180

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

50

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

10

pounds

waste composted

Monica's actions

Water

Fix Leaky Faucets

I will fix faucets or report leaky faucets to facilities that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet every day.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Buy From a Farmers Market

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Go get a check up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

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

Try a New Way to Prep

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Health

Eliminate Toxic Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics - including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl - and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Compost Food Waste

I will avoid sending up to .69 lbs (.31 kg) of food waste to the landfill each day by composting my food or learning how to.

COMPLETED 10
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 11
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?

Monica Mader 10/24/2018 4:33 PM

This quote feels right for the eco-challenge:

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe" - John Muir

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Fix Leaky Faucets

Fixing leaky faucets is one of the tasks that we can easily put off until later. Good job on completing this action! How will you use the momentum from completing this action to increase your water efficiency?

Monica Mader 10/24/2018 4:30 PM

Well, The faucet in the kitchen was leaky - all it needed was tightening in a few locations. The toilet bowl runs on occasion - I will look into replacement parts for the interior so that it does not reoccur.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Eliminate Toxic Plastics

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Monica Mader 10/24/2018 8:44 AM

I regularly use disposable coffee cups - I need to be better about bringing my reusable thermos with me everywhere!

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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?

Monica Mader 10/22/2018 4:08 PM

This refection questions harkens the same message as saying write to your senators. If you know where your food comes from and make the consious choice to purchase it, the power is in the hands of the consumer. The more people advocate for better quality of life - the more elevated everyone is.

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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?

Monica Mader 10/22/2018 4:05 PM

Knowing the source of the meat products I eat will do more good - instead of promoting large nasty farms that do not treat animals well.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Try a New Way to Prep

Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?

Monica Mader 10/18/2018 8:54 AM

I pickle items every year. We have a recipe that has been passed down for 3 generations. Pickling beets, onions, garlic and asparagus are my favorite with that recipe! Pickling carrots with ginger is also super yummy. That is one thing i look forward to in the wintertime!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Go get a check up

How do you practice self care?

Monica Mader 10/15/2018 12:48 PM

One aspect of my self care is planning - I schedule routine exams and checkups far in advance.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

How does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?

Monica Mader 10/15/2018 12:45 PM

The movie we watched as an office was enlightening. "Regaining Food Sovereignty" was about the state of food systems in some Northern Minnesota Native communities; examining the relationship between history, health, tradition, culture and food. By reclaiming and revitalizing knowledge and practices around tradition, local & healthy foods, communities and Tribal Nations are working toward a new model of community health and well-being for this and future generations.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Compost Food Waste

New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? Do you know how your compost will be used and the benefits it has on the environment?

Monica Mader 10/15/2018 12:42 PM

I notice that a significant portion of my garbage is compostable! Much more than I anticipated.

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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?

Monica Mader 10/05/2018 10:32 AM

I have recently purchased - what looks like a hair net - reusable lid to substitute out saran wrap for leftovers. Plastic bags, especially the compostable ones are also re-used to line my compost bin.

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