Ecochallenge.org

2018 People's Ecochallenge

October 3 - October 24, 2018

Eleanor Hucker

Slow Food

"Ecologically responsible, sustainable, self-reliant, enjoyable homesteading"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,443 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

44

whole food meals

consumed
UP TO

60

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

300

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

energy audit

conducted
UP TO

88

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

26

locally sourced meals

consumed

Eleanor's actions

Create Your Own Action

30 minutes a day learning

I am a life-long learner and I love learning new things and expanding on what I already know

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

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

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Forage for My Food

I will use the 'Learn More' resources below to find where I can forage for my own food locally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Online Energy Audit

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

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

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 60 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

I will spend 60 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

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

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Ditch the Lawn

I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save the water, money, and time I used to spend cutting the grass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

I will spend 60 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

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?

Eleanor Hucker 10/24/2018 5:27 PM

Thanks to Slow Food for making me aware of this program - I am already looking forward to participating next year, even to possibly recruiting a team!

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Eleanor Hucker 10/23/2018 6:08 PM

I consider myself deeply fortunate I am able to grow much of what I eat and that I am easily able to access fresh, healthy and locally sourced food when I shop. The daily food based challenges really reinforced to me the plight of those within my community who are food insecure and the importance of local community groups seeking to rectify the shameful food deserts existing in nearby communities; they've strengthened my resolve to do my part.

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Eleanor Hucker 10/22/2018 6:30 PM

Almost 3 weeks of purposeful actions which feels great - I hope I am able to maintain the momentum through the holidays and into the new year...

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Eleanor Hucker 10/21/2018 6:00 PM

Thankful for the focus on healthier eating that has me exploring recipes- Spelt is one of the grains grown this year on our homestead - tonight's dinner featured Wheat Berry Pudding made with spelt - a definite keeper recipe!

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- Monica Martin 10/22/2018 7:50 AM
  
  That's so cool that you're growing spelt!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

Who is most affected by environmental degration and/or environmental irresponsiblity in your community? How are they affected?

Eleanor Hucker 10/20/2018 2:35 PM

Every living thing, be it animal or plant in the community suffers from environmental degradation / irresponsibility. We rely on the environment for sustenance, shelter and quality of life - negatively impact the environment and of course this has corresponding effects for all. Fortunately though, positive efforts also have the ability to affect communities, if we have the knowledge, willingness and ability to work as good stewards of our environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Ditch the Lawn

What is the main water source in your region?

Eleanor Hucker 10/20/2018 2:17 PM

The two closest major water systems for my homestead are the Clinton River Watershed and the Flint River Watershed. Our home draws water from our well and we have a pond.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Choose Clean/Renewable Energy

How might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to clean energy?

Eleanor Hucker 10/20/2018 2:06 PM

Inspire by example - share information about and my experiences with my BoltEv all electric vehicle and about our 14 kilowatt home solar hybrid system with family, friends and colleagues; similarly, sharing information about and experiences with our two chamber in ground root cellar.

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Eleanor Hucker 10/20/2018 1:53 PM

Attended Keep Growing Detroit's 1st Annual Fall Festival at their new location - wow what an impressive, inspirational, relevant example of community and sustainability for Detroit's ecology!

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Eleanor Hucker 10/19/2018 3:38 PM

The weather has been perfect for warm comfort food dishes with fresh fall-harvest produce - looking forward to the weekend

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Eleanor Hucker 10/18/2018 1:17 PM

As I am cleaning up my garden I am reminded of both how fortunate I am that I have access to nutritious, delicious homegrown food and of how my gardens are relevant in their own small ways to sustaining the health of my little place on Mother Earth...

Read More