Ecochallenge.org

2018 People's Ecochallenge

October 3 - October 24, 2018

Stacey Foreman

City of Portland Office of Management & Finance (OMF)

"To be mindful of my daily actions, on people, the planet, and my overall well-being."

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
959 Total

Participant Impact

up to

36

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
up to

405

minutes

being mindful
up to

340

minutes

spent exercising
up to

460

minutes

spent outdoors
up to

15

minutes

spent learning

Stacey's Actions

Waste

Launch a Recycling Program

I will start a recycling program at my workplace or school. If a recycling program exists, I will advocate for ways to improve and expand it.

Completed
One-Time Action

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Improve a Bus Stop

I will improve a bus stop in my neighborhood by posting the stop schedule, adding seating or shelter, adding art or flowers, picking up litter, or some other small improvement.

Completed
One-Time Action

Waste

Go Paperless

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.

Completed
One-Time Action

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Reduce Animal Products

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

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 15 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

Completed
One-Time Action

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 5 minute(s) each day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and the nature surrounding me.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 20-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

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

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Create Your Own Action

Reusable produce bags and bulk containers

My goal is to only use reusable produce bags (or no produce bags) when grocery shopping. Also, when I buy bulk, bring my own reusable containers. This reduces waste.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Feed

Stacey Foreman 10/24/2018 8:44 AM

Thank you to all the team captains for coordinating this EcoChallenge and motivating us to try some new, healthy habits. I found a lot of value in participating.

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- Melissa Walton Hendricks 10/24/2018 11:32 AM
  
  Thank you for your participation, Stacey. You've rocked the challenge, and we're glad we could help inspire you!
  
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Reflection Question
Nature Practice Gratitude for Earth

Kathleen Dean Moore says that a sense of gratitude leads to a sense of moral obligation. Do you agree? How do we cultivate a sense of gratitude as individuals, and as a society?

Stacey Foreman 10/24/2018 8:41 AM

I wouldn't use the phrase "moral obligation". Rather, I think a sense of gratitude leads to a connection with our environment, community, and people. That connection binds us in a way that fosters a desire to "do better" - which is rewarding for individuals and communities. Cultivating a sense of gratitude as individuals is fostered by moments of reflection. As a society, it is driven by open expressions of gratitude - both in words and actions.

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Reflection Question
Nature Explore My Area

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place?

Stacey Foreman 10/23/2018 12:22 PM

When you make an effort to try a new experience outdoors, you often learn something new or appreciate something you previously took for granted. This appreciation translates to a more connected sense of place.

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Reflection Question
Food Reduce Animal Products

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

Stacey Foreman 10/19/2018 7:28 AM

I think there are many societal norms that contribute to our high meat consumption, but one of those, I believe, is how our fast food (and convenience food) industry makes meat-focused meals very inexpensive. And in our time-pressured society, we seem to focus more on eating quickly (which can be easier with meat-focused meals) than savoring cooking and meal times with each other. The shift, I believe, will come from us as a society valuing slowing down, valuing the health and environmental benefits of eating lower on the food chain, and shifting food production subsidies to support plant-based diets.

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- Heather Hafer 10/23/2018 9:57 AM
  
  I love your response, and totally agree!
  
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Reflection Question
Simplicity Eat Mindfully

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

Stacey Foreman 10/16/2018 12:50 PM

So far, this has been the hardest daily challenge for me. Especially during lunch, since I bring my own lunch to work everyday and we don't currently have a break room in our office. So, I eat at my desk - which then makes it really hard not to look at my computer or phone when I eat. But when I stay committed to this, I find I enjoy and appreciate my meal more.

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Reflection Question
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

Stacey Foreman 10/15/2018 2:40 PM

More of my senses are stimulated when walking. When driving I can "drown out" the outside. But when walking, I feel and hear the crunch of leaves under my feet. I hear bird songs, dogs barking, kids laughing, music blaring, and the tamale guy yelling. I smell roses, wood stoves, cooking food, and the bakery. It is a much richer experience.

Read More
- Liz Zavodsky (EcoChallenge Staff) 10/15/2018 2:46 PM
  
  I love the crunch of leaves under my feet! Such a lovely sound. So glad you appreciate so much outdoors.
  
  Read More
Reflection Question
Nature Support Local Pollinators

Why is it important to take care of pollinators?

Stacey Foreman 10/10/2018 6:21 PM

Without pollinators, we compromise our food production system. Food production declines and/or becomes a lot more expensive. Think about it. One in three bites of food we eat depends entirely on bees. This is just one example of nature providing an invaluable service to us that we can no longer afford to take for granted.

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Stacey Foreman 10/10/2018 12:20 PM

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. “ - J. Burroughs

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Stacey Foreman 10/10/2018 10:21 AM

Coffee tastes better when it isn’t in a plastic—paper cup.

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Stacey Foreman 10/10/2018 6:55 AM

After having their mail forwarded to me during their vacation I started receiving a bunch of catalogs in the mail addressed to my parents. This challenge finally motivated me to request mailing list removals. Feels good. But I’m also a bit appalled that the standard response is that I may still get 2-3 more catalogs before the request is fully processed. What a waste of resources.

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