Mercedes Salles

Ruby Planeteers

"Doing my best to make this world a better place."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
620 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

260

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

34

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

13

more servings

of fruits and vegetables

Mercedes's actions

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

More Fruits and Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 1 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Know My health

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

I will advocate for alternatives to single-use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, at work, or on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Avoid refined sugar

I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

COMPLETED 8
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?

Mercedes Salles 10/24/2018 3:30 PM

It's the final dayyyy!!!!

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Mercedes Salles 10/18/2018 1:52 PM

#EcoChallenge

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Mercedes Salles 10/10/2018 1:22 PM

I've been keepin' up with my short showers and it's not only been saving water but it's saved me precious time in the morning! #goingwell

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- Holly Smith 10/10/2018 10:44 PM
  
  Yes! The extra time has been grea gor me too! It has actually made my mornings easier
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Know My health

How do you deal with the physical and emotional stress of the big problems we face? How can you help others cope?

Mercedes Salles 10/08/2018 8:39 AM

This is a question that I've been asking others. I have been having a really hard time with stress lately. It's been affecting my diet, my work, and my personal life. I would normally go on a bike ride or do some sort of healthy physical activity, but my body is in too much pain to ride a bike, let alone take a walk.

The struggle is real and I've been using the EcoChallenge as motivation to get out of this mess. #onethingatatime #onedayatatime

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- Mercedes Salles 10/15/2018 11:42 AM
  
  Holly, I haven't been practicing meditation and you're right, I should! I just had one other person bring that up with me today actually. I'm absolutely setting myself a reminder to get back into it. :) Thanks friend
  
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- Holly Smith 10/10/2018 10:46 PM
  
  Im so sorry youre in pain! Have you tried meditation at all? If not, i was referred to a book " Meditation for Fidegety Skeptics" as a vwry accesdible way to learn about it.
  
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Mercedes Salles 10/05/2018 2:33 PM

I may have gotten some more veggies in however, I failed on the sugar. #iblamestress #trytryagain

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Mercedes Salles 10/04/2018 12:43 PM

Okay, I remembered no straws with my drinks last night but this morning I had troubles shortening my shower because I injured my hand. It's amazing how much an injury can slow you down and even cause more waste.

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Mercedes Salles 10/03/2018 9:37 AM

Coconut Avocado Smoothie

avocado, coconut oil, shredded coconut, spinach, kale, lemon, raw cashews, almond milk, ice

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- Holly Smith 10/23/2018 10:02 PM
  
  Wow! Talk about healthy! Sounds yummy too
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water 5-Minute Showers

Five minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?

Mercedes Salles 10/03/2018 8:27 AM

Next step is cold showers. ;) Today was like, 4min hot, 30sec cold... #babysteps #feelsgood

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- Holly Smith 10/23/2018 10:03 PM
  
  Sounds like camping ;)
  
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- Jenn Donehey 10/03/2018 1:28 PM
  
  Short, cold showers are TOUGH!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Skip the Straw

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?

Mercedes Salles 10/02/2018 11:25 AM

I started this challenge months ago and I must say it's been quite difficult! I'm hoping that by checking in daily, it will help remind me to speak up while I'm first placing my order to prevent unwanted straws. :)

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health More Fruits and Veggies

What do you think contributes to people in North America eating more meat than any other places, and what does this say about North American values and ways of living? How can we start shifting from a meat-focused food culture to a more plant-based one?

Mercedes Salles 10/02/2018 11:24 AM

Cutting out grains and sugars in another challenge SHOULD help me with this one! Veggies, here I come!

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