Monica Mader
"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 TO0.0gallons of waterhave been saved
-
UP TO50plastic containersnot sent to the landfill
-
UP TO180minutesspent learning
-
UP TO480minutesspent exercising
-
UP TO10poundswaste composted
-
UP TO1.0documentarywatched
-
UP TO2.0locally sourced mealsconsumed
Monica's 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.
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.
Health
Exercise Daily
Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.
Health
Eliminate Toxic Plastics
I will avoid buying toxic plastics - including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl - and instead replace them with bioplastic or durable options.
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.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
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.
Health
Go get a check up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
Food
Buy From a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
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.
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.
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 PMThis 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 -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWater Fix Leaky FaucetsFixing 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 PMWell, 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Eliminate Toxic PlasticsWhat 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 AMI regularly use disposable coffee cups - I need to be better about bringing my reusable thermos with me everywhere! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Meet My Local FarmersWhen 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 PMThis 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Buy From a Farmers MarketWhat 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 PMKnowing the source of the meat products I eat will do more good - instead of promoting large nasty farms that do not treat animals well. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Try a New Way to PrepCanning 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 AMI 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! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Go get a check upHow do you practice self care?
Monica Mader 10/15/2018 12:48 PMOne aspect of my self care is planning - I schedule routine exams and checkups far in advance. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Watch a Documentary about Food SovereigntyHow does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?
Monica Mader 10/15/2018 12:45 PMThe 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. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Compost Food WasteNew 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 PMI notice that a significant portion of my garbage is compostable! Much more than I anticipated. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Reduce Single-Use DisposablesBringing 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 AMI 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.