Lindsay Hernandez

Organic farming practices are healthier and safer for our planet, animals, and people. I will enjoy 3 meals cooked with organic ingredients per day.

Each of us has a water footprint, directly linked to our daily activities as well as the water required in the production of things we use each day. Understanding our water use is important for a healthy planet. I will calculate my water footprint and look for a few ways I can reduce consumption or waste, then share what I learned on the feed.

I will repair at least one item that is broken, but is repairable. This might be items like garden tools, sewing machine, small appliances, electronics, clothing, and more.

I will replace 6 incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

I will complete an online energy audit of my home, office, or dorm room and identify my next steps for saving energy.

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in recycling dumpsters or my curbside bin.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 3.4lbs (1.5kg) a month or 41lbs (18.6kg) a year by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions and opting out of junk mail.

I will calculate my digital carbon footprint and take steps to reduce my CO2 emissions.

I will spend 60 minutes learning about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of CO2 over the course of the next year.

Seeing where waste goes can change how we think about what we throw away. I will visit a local facility to learn more about the waste stream in my community and share what I learn with others and in the feed.

Knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. I will calculate my carbon impact and identify lifestyle changes that could reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on the environment. I will share my commitments to lowering my impact on the feed.

I will spend 30 minutes listening to a podcast about food.

Producing 1 kg of beef emits as much greenhouse gas as driving 150 miles, meanwhile, 1 kg of veggies or grains leaves a much lighter footprint! This week, I’ll shrink my climate impact by having 1 meatless meals and/or 1 vegan meals each day.

Processed foods can be less nutritious for our bodies and take more energy and water to produce, which can create more waste, pollution, and may offer fewer health benefits. I will enjoy 3 meals per day free of processed foods.

I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.

Daily movement supports our physical and mental health. I will spend 60 minutes each day exercising in a way that feels good to me, such as walking, running, stretching, or dancing.

I will spend 30 minutes doing an activity where I'm both moving my body and enjoying myself.

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI) if available to me through campus or local clinics.

Cutting back on refined sugar can improve energy, mood, and overall health. I will limit my intake of sugary snacks and drinks by reducing refined sugar in meals or snacks each day.

I will watch 1 documentaries about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

I will avoid buying toxic plastics - including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl - and instead replace them with durable non-plastic options.

Many common products contain harmful chemicals. I will spend 15 minutes researching chemicals found in products I use, and I will make a list of products I'd like to replace with safer options.

Adding fruits and vegetables to our meals nourishes our body and the planet. I will prepare and enjoy 4 servings of a variety of colorful fruits and veggies.