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October 3 - October 24, 2018
Michael Russell's avatar

Michael Russell

Sustainable Saints

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 301 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    40
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    4.0
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    50
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    2.0
    whole food meals
    consumed

Michael's actions

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

I will spend 20 minutes researching environmental justice concerns in my region, their causes, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

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

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

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

COMPLETED 2
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 2
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
    Water 5-Minute Showers
    Five minute showers are an impressive step toward reducing your water footprint. What is the next step you can take?

    Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:55 AM
    Try to use less lighting: i leave the lights on too much, time to turn them off!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Simplicity Eat Mindfully
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How do your eating experiences differ when practicing mindfulness?

    Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:54 AM
    When I don't practice, I overeat... it's good to be mindful!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Meet My Local Farmers
    When 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?

    Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:54 AM
    I like to know where my food comes from - not a lab, but a real person.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Try a New Way to Prep
    Canning 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?

    Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:54 AM
    I would like to try applesauce preserving... maybe jam and beets too.
  • 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?

    Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:53 AM
    American's think they are superior and "need" meat - very sad - try to think away from the flesh of dead animals, eat healthy and vegan/vegetarian!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Choose Organic Ingredients
    Can organic farming feed the world? Which side of the argument do you fall on? Why?

    Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:52 AM
    Organic farming is "old school" farming.... you bet it can save the world!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Whole Foods Diet
    Michael Pollan states that "it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor." What are your thoughts on this?

    Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:52 AM
    Eating healthy can take funds, but I too would prefer it to the doctor's office!

  • Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/08/2018 7:49 AM
    Good morning! Have a wonderful Monday!

  • Michael Russell's avatar
    Michael Russell 10/07/2018 6:31 PM
    great! thanks for asking!