

Laura Sage
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 603 TOTAL
participant impact
-
UP TO1.0locally sourced mealconsumed
-
UP TO100minutesspent exercising
-
UP TO30minutesspent learning
-
UP TO240minutesspent outdoors
-
UP TO270minutesnot spent in front of a screen
-
UP TO9.0whole food mealsconsumed
Laura's 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.
Energy
Adjust the Thermostat
I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.
Energy
Choose Clean/Renewable Energy
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.
Waste
Go Paperless
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and ending unwanted subscriptions.
Health
Exercise Daily
Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 20 minute(s) each day.
Food
Whole Foods Diet
I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.
Food
Buy From a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
Simplicity
Less Screen Time
I will replace 30 minute(s) of screen time each day with other activities.
Nature
Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.
Nature
Explore My Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
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.
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 QUESTIONFood Whole Foods DietMichael Pollan states that "it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor." What are your thoughts on this?
Laura Sage 10/24/2018 5:56 PM"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." "You can't outrun a bad diet." Both those quotes seem to apply here as well. :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealth Exercise DailyHow can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?
Laura Sage 10/24/2018 5:54 PMI asked my husband to join me a few times but Pilates isn't his thing, turns out. But at least now he has more respect for it as an exercise type! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONSimplicity Less Screen TimeWhat did you notice in implementing this challenge? Was it hard to choose other activities over screen time? How did you decide to spend your time?
Laura Sage 10/24/2018 5:52 PMI implemented this challenge by not multitasking with a screen. For example, I often fold laundry while watching a TV show. Turns out laundry folding goes much quicker with my eyes wholly on the folding and not distracted by a screen. I still listened to music or podcasts though - just not something with my face toward a screen. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Enjoy the Sunrise/SunsetFather Thomas Berry says, "...our primary purpose is celebration. Celebration of the dawn and the sunset and the different seasons of the year is a religious ritual, a way in which humans can establish their integral relationship with the universe, with the planet Earth." Respond to Berry's assertion.
Laura Sage 10/22/2018 9:20 PMI believe there are lots of things we should celebrate that we forget to. They don't have to be big celebrations. Just pausing a moment to look at the sunset (which have been gorgeous these last couple weeks) and say, "Ahhhh...that's pretty," is in my opinion a small celebration in itself. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNature Forage for My FoodAmongst the motivations for foraging are: a source of food; means of income; connecting with nature; cultural tradition; or transmitting "local ecological knowledge, and a means for stewarding local and native plant populations" (McLain et al. 2012, 13). Which of these would be your chief motivation and why?
Laura Sage 10/22/2018 9:17 PMMine would be a source of food. Blackberries fresh picked off the brambles (of which there are many in this area during the summer) taste better and are much less expensive (free!) than at the store. Just watch out for the brambles that have been sprayed. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Adjust the ThermostatYour utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your zipcode, and in your state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?
Laura Sage 10/22/2018 3:41 PMIt's not hard to adjust to being a little warmer or a little colder. I have a tiny personal fan (that I assume uses less energy than a whole AC unit) for too warm and can throw on another layer of clothing if it's too cold. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergy Choose Clean/Renewable EnergyHow might you be able to get others involved in advocating for the shift to clean energy?
Laura Sage 10/22/2018 3:24 PMI've been planning to switch to PGE's green program for a while now, but this was the push I needed. Plus, there was a PGE rep in the entrance of my local Fred Meyer talking about the program and helping people sign up the other day, so that made it even easier! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWaste Go PaperlessReducing your paper mail can be such a freeing action to take -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?
Laura Sage 10/22/2018 3:22 PMIn addition to reducing waste both coming to me and from me, it really frees up some time and mental energy in my day too! I've also unsubscribed from some email lists, which isn't physical waste but helps me feel more free mentally.