Join the 2018 People's Ecochallenge, presented by Ecochallenge.org

2018 People's Ecochallenge

October 3 - October 24, 2018

Eastwood Earthstars Feed

BACK TO TEAM PAGE

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?

Roberta Gallagher 10/24/2018 6:42 PM

Last weekend I went to Green Door Farm for the first time. <https://www.greendoorgourmet.com/> "We are a 350 acre USDA certified organic farm, on-farm market, and agritourism destination in Nashville, Tennessee. Nestled along the Cumberland River, our farm is just minutes from downtown, Green Hills, and the West End corridor! We grow a wide variety of fruits, flowers, vegetables and herbs. We provide our customers, including our Local Farm Box participants, local restaurants and florists, with the absolute best direct-from-the-field produce. In addition, our on-farm market offers co-operatively sourced products from the area’s best local producers; including grass fed meats, honey, jams, dairy, baked goods, and much more!" I bought one of the farm boxes,which was full of beautiful, fresh organic produce. Here is what will be in this weekend's farm box (but you don't have to buy the box, and can just buy these or other items individually):
"PUMPKIN!
Kale or Chard
Radishes, radishes, radishes!
Bok Choy or Pac Choy
Bunches of beets
Baby mustard or arugula
Butternut squash
Garlic
Bell peppers
Carrots or turnips"

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Plant an Herb Garden

Consider the ways you can garden: a plot of land? a patio container? hanging basket? windowsill gardens? What would work best for your living situation and lifestyle?

Roberta Gallagher 10/24/2018 6:26 PM

This is not a great time of year to start an herb garden, but I did it anyway on a small scale, indoors. My little garden has basil, mint, oregano, and thyme, and I am looking forward to pruning my herbs throughout the fall and winter to spice up my cooking. I hope I can keep the plants going long enough to move them outside in the spring after the risk of frost has subsided. For now, I am planning to move the plants outside on sunny, mild days as long as I can to maximize their exposure to sunlight I read this before I bought my plants:< https://howtoculinaryherbgarden.com/indoor-herb-garden/>

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Express My Support

What sustainability issues are most pressing or prominent where you live?

Dawn Hartley 10/24/2018 12:32 PM

It's hard to say what the most pressing issue is, but the one that effects me the most right now is an unsustainable growth in traffic volume. It wasn't obvious how to write about this to a public official, because I know most were hoping the recent transit bill would win public support, but it did not. So I decided the best thing to do would be to write to a couple of offices about my specific experiences. I also learned there is a commuter challenge happening here in Nashville this week, so I signed up for that.

Read More
Jami Anderson 10/24/2018 11:59 AM

I’m not happy with how many plastic bottles of water my child’s preschool goes through on certain days so I’m about to donate one reusable bottle per child to them. Wastefulness in many ways makes me crazy. Sometimes so much so that it feels pathological, lol.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Find Local Recycling Depots

Our ability to recycle certain things ebbs and flows based upon many factors. Luckily there are places that accept uncommon things to recycle or dispose of in a less harmful way. What did you find when looking for places to recycle items that can't be recycled in your curbside bin?

Jami Anderson 10/24/2018 11:56 AM

There are a lot of places that will take things if they have an artistic reuse for crafts or artisans, like smART and Turnip Green.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Visit a Waste Management Facility

Field trip! What a fun way to learn about our impact and consumption! What facility did you visit? What did you learn? Did you take anyone with you?

Jami Anderson 10/24/2018 11:55 AM

I went alone to the recycling facility off Lebanon pike and took a bag of things I had questions about as far as their recyclability.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Recycle Everything I Can

What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

Jami Anderson 10/24/2018 11:54 AM

Glass is hard because it’s heavy to haul to the recycling center. Electronics are hard bc I feel like I need to sweep them of personal info before I recycle them but a lot of them don’t have monitors.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Go get a check up

How do you practice self care?

Jami Anderson 10/24/2018 11:52 AM

Drink lots of water, eat less sugar, connect with friends, help people, try to sleep more and worry less.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Know My health

How do you deal with the physical and emotional stress of the big problems we face? How can you help others cope?

Jami Anderson 10/24/2018 11:50 AM

I try to put it in perspective in relation to what is basically fatal and what isn’t. It doesn’t always work, lol. I try to be an ear and sounding board for other people in their times of stress.

Read More
- Dawn Hartley 10/24/2018 12:09 PM
  
  One thing I've also noticed is that you jump in and do what you can. That is something that has inspired me while I've read your posts. I find that action, even small, feels empowering and helps ward off despair.
  
  Read More
Jay Hartley 10/24/2018 7:27 AM

And, if you're reading this and if you're coming to our church supper tonight -- I'm planning to make my own mess kit and bring a plate, utensils, and cup so I don't have to add more to the landfill ... and I invite you to do the same.

Read More
- Jami Anderson 10/24/2018 12:01 PM
  
  Will do!
  
  Read More