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October 3 - October 24, 2018
Nicole Kozlowski's avatar

Nicole Kozlowski

EcoLogicals

"Going green doesn't start with doing green acts; it starts with a shift in consciousness. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 647 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    10
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    19
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    760
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    60
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    1.0
    public official or leader
    contacted

Nicole's actions

Community

Express My Support

I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.

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

Learn More about Food Deserts

I will spend 60 minutes learning about food deserts and find out how I can advocate for healthy and fresh food in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 20 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 19
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 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Needs Vs. Wants

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

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a walk for 20 minutes each day.

COMPLETED 19
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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Express My Support
    What sustainability issues are most pressing or prominent where you live?

    Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/23/2018 5:57 AM
    I find that MANY folks in NJ are not nearly as enivornmentally conscious as they ought to be. Well, I'm sure that can be said for a lot of folks. But anecdotally, I moved to NJ from SC. Really, there are many similarities between the two states, mainly they are both coastal regions and have many rivers, waterways, etc. Fishing, recreation, and other water activities are a HUGE form of income for the state and its residents, so the folks that live there take EXTRA good care of their immediate environments, which has a larger impact on the region. I would LOVE to see a little bit more of this type of behavior from the folks of NJ. Never have I seen SO many water bottles purchased and thrown away, single-use cups and plastic, and trash around the cities and left on beaches. It makes me a little sad and angry and that folks don't want to preserve the beautiful place in which they live.

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/23/2018 5:31 AM
    Although I can't exercise as vigorously as I'd like, I still managed to hit the gym last night and get in a good workout. Afterwards, I sat on my porch and appreciated the beautiful fall colors that Mother Nature has crafted for us. The fall air is so crisp and refreshing right now.
  • 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?

    Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/18/2018 5:11 AM
    Obviously cutting meat out of my diet would be the biggest impact. I do LOOOOVE meat, so I don't think taking on a vegetarian diet would be a reasonable thing to do. I counter this by rarely cooking meat at home, participating in "meatless Monday's", and do my best to live a sustainable life by using things like single-use plastic VERY RARELY. I also purchase from farmers markets as often as possible, which stimulates local economies as well as keeps some money out of big-agro.

    • Louisa Lubiak's avatar
      Louisa Lubiak 10/18/2018 9:02 AM
      I'm a meat-a-tarian and have been trying to adhere to Meatless Mondays. Sometimes I miss and have to go for "Tofu Tuesday" instead. ;-)

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/18/2018 5:07 AM
    Well my arms are certainly getting a workout! Even though I'm going to stay away from the gym while my ankle heals up, my arms are getting stronger from crutchin' around.

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/17/2018 12:03 PM
    So I fell last night and sprained my ankle which has resulted in me wearing a boot and using crutches. It takes me 20 minutes to hobble from the garage to 401....... does that still count for my 20 minute walk each day? :-P

    • Peter Revilla's avatar
      Peter Revilla 10/22/2018 5:31 AM
      You can take the shuttle van to the parking garage.

    • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
      Nicole Kozlowski 10/18/2018 5:03 AM
      Ha.... I think I'll continue to hold onto these crutches for a while.... This is the third time I've used this same pair in 15 years, so it's likely they'll be needed again.

    • Louisa Lubiak's avatar
      Louisa Lubiak 10/17/2018 2:30 PM
      Nicole - Oh no! So sorry that you are ailing. But when you're all healed-up maybe you could repurpose the crutches as a garden trellis? Just a thought. :-)

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/16/2018 6:55 AM
    Yesterday was recovery day for me after my 5K. I did still get up and take a walk though to get my achy muscles moving a little bit!

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/16/2018 6:54 AM
    I ran a 5k at a winery on Sunday, which was obviously a great form of exercise. Not only did I spend several hours outside before, during, and after the race, but it was a great way to be thankful for opportunities to participate in these events because of my good health. I did, however, go out for a HUGE lunch (and beverages) afterwards, which I obviously didn't NEED. But either way, I am not reporting on Simplicity challenge for this day because of that.

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/16/2018 6:52 AM
    I went to a sensory deprivation chamber on Saturday. To start off my meditation upon entering the chamber, I reflected on the things I was thankful for, rather than physically writing them down. I was able to come up with a lot more than three things that I am grateful for, which for that I am grateful too!

    • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
      Nicole Kozlowski 10/18/2018 5:06 AM
      Louisa- I HIGHLY recommend checking out a float studio. They are really, REALLY great. I used to go every month or so and then stopped, which was silly. This was the second time that week that I went, and I forgot how much I enjoy it. You can absolutely fall asleep, and I usually do. But in the meantime clearing headspace and staying in a "meditative" state is just as beneficial.

    • Louisa Lubiak's avatar
      Louisa Lubiak 10/17/2018 2:33 PM
      Neat - I always wondered what it would be like to be immersed in a sensory deprivation chamber. Time for a nap, maybe?

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/16/2018 6:50 AM
    I didn't get to actually post since Friday, so I'm making up for it today by checking in all the days I was not able to. I had a training seminar at the beautiful Montclair State University, and spent my 20 minutes walking in the brisk fall weather site seeing at the campus. What a beautiful school campus! They have many new and updated buildings, many of which I learned are equipped with green technology.

  • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
    Nicole Kozlowski 10/11/2018 6:08 AM
    I know we talked a lot about composting in yesterdays SAGE meeting. Just an FYI for those who are going to try it, coffee grounds make an exceptional compost items. Don't forget to remove the grinds from the filter though, as the moist paper product has the propensity to grow mold which could jeopardize the integrity of the compost.

    • Nicole Kozlowski's avatar
      Nicole Kozlowski 10/16/2018 9:41 AM
      Yeah Katie- that is an idea. Perhaps someone from the Composting Initiative team wants to explore that further. You're right- they do brew a lot of coffee!

    • Carey  Compton's avatar
      Carey Compton 10/11/2018 5:48 PM
      Katie has a great idea for the coffee grinds at the DEP Cafeteria, I think