Molly McCarty (cho 902)

YCP Fall 2023

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
268 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

locally sourced meal

consumed
UP TO

1.2

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

3.6

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

12

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

76

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

18

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

15

minutes

spent learning

Molly's actions

Water

Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Say No to Plastic Straws

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Tend a Garden

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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

Weekly Meal Planning

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Whole Food Lifestyle

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Skip the Straw

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

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?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:45 AM

I chose some of the actions that I thought would be good to keep me accountable, and some that I already incorporate into my life.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Brush My Teeth Without Running Water

What is the main water source in your region? If you don't know, how could you find out?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:42 AM

I was not sure about my region, so I looked it up on Google. It says that for my area, the water comes from several river basins.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Say No to Plastic Straws

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:41 AM

I use paper plates a lot, and those could easily be substituted with dishes that I can wash.

Read More
- Rachael Clarke 10/21/2023 12:58 PM
  The paper making process uses a lot of water. Good for you making the change at the sacrifice of convenience! There is so little time in the day for how busy many of us are. Many eco friendly options require a bit of extra time to wash over disposable options, but reusables are cheaper over the long term
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Tend a Garden

Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:40 AM

For me, fall time in nature is so beautiful and it often amazes me how nature is so pretty. I also think it is so fascinating how the leaves on trees are green for so long, and then they turn all different colors even if they are the same species.

Read More
- Rachael Clarke 10/21/2023 3:09 PM
  
  Fun fact, the reason the leaves of deciduous (leafy trees which typically lose their leaves in the fall and winter) turn different colours is because of the different pigments left in the leaves as others (chlorophyl) are diminished and not replaced like they are during the warmer months. Carotenoids are a type of pigment which reflects red, orange, or yellow and are left in the leaves in the fall which give them their beautiful colours!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

Father 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." What is your response to Berry's assertion?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:39 AM

I agree, there are so many beautiful things here on Earth that I think we often look past or take for granted.

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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 or another trusted source. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:36 AM

I would like to can tomatoes, jam, applesauce, peaches, and other seasonal fruits and veggies.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Whole Food Lifestyle

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 assertion?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:34 AM

I think this is a good statement because in the long run, it will be cheaper, and it is good to prioritize your health in the beginning, rather than when problems arise.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Power Down the Computer

What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:33 AM

Turning off lights, TV, and other electronics to save electricity and energy. Also, only turning on heat/AC when needed.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Weekly Meal Planning

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four in the US spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Does this surprise you? Where would you rather use this money?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:32 AM

This does not surprise me because it is natural to just throw away something you don't need anymore, or that has gone bad. I would rather use this money for fun activities or towards other life necessities.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Locally-Sourced Meals

If you were to only eat what is in season locally from now on, what would be the most difficult food item for you to give up? Why?

Molly McCarty (cho 902) 10/21/2023 8:31 AM

I think certain fruits I like would be hard to give up in the winter time because I like the freshness and sweetness that they add to my meals or snacks.

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