Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Janelle Sztuhar

Sustainable UFV

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
848 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

17

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

5.1

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

11

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

17

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

145

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

5.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

29

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

255

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

241

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

90

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

35

minutes

spent learning

Janelle's actions

Health

Know My health

I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

I will spend 30 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Happiness

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products

I will spend 15 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home or dorm room.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Learn More about Food Apartheid

What can lack of access to nutritious food affect a community? How can having access to nutritious food help a community become more resilient?

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Take Control

Both systemic and personal sustainability are important! I will develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Go get a check up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Reduce refined sugar

I will keep track and reduce my consumption of refined sugars, including sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Health

Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation

I will spend 5 minutes practicing Loving-Kindness Meditation to nurture love and compassion for myself and others.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Learn About Renewable Energy

I will spend 15 minutes learning more about renewable energy alternatives (i.e. solar, wind, biomass) in my region.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Support Local Pollinators

At least 30% of crops and 90% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to produce fruit. I will spend 20 minutes researching which plants support local native pollinators and plant some in my yard or local community garden.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Core Values

We may find more meaning and joy in life when our actions are aligned with our personal values. I will determine what my top 3-5 core values are so that I can better align my actions with them.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Disconnect from Email

I will disconnect from my email when not at work or school, using my personal time for endeavors that help me live out my values.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Learn About & Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will learn about sustainable fashion and begin trying to practice it in my own life.

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 around the world who produce my food in order to make better choices when I shop.

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 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Waste

Launch a Recycling Program

I will start a recycling program at my workplace, dorm, or elsewhere on campus.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Limit Social Media

I will limit my social media use to once each day reducing my daily use by 15 minute(s)

COMPLETED 4
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
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? How can knowing their food producers enable someone to advocate for a better quality of life for those who produce their food, both near and far?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/30/2024 2:39 PM

My husband and I switched to a local farm for our beef. I was not impressed with store bought and felt uncomfortable not knowing where it came from/how it was treated. The farm we now source from is 5 minutes from our house and they post about their farm on social media and care for their animals and involve the whole family. The meat tastes so much better and is easier to cook with as well. To support this family business, we have left them a Google review which they said is really helpful for their small business.

I've also switched over to buying organic chicken - even though it costs more - I feel like it cooks much nicer (no more chewy chicken) and has been cared for a bit more than non-organic chicken.

Read More
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?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/30/2024 2:36 PM

I tried making jam with my mom last year and it was awesome! I have a few raspberry plants so it is great to harvest them and then create something new to enjoy over the summer. Bonus - our homemade jam has less sugar than store bought. This fall, I've made butternut squash soup, a new butternut squash appetizer, and quick pickled radishes!

Read More
Janelle Sztuhar 10/29/2024 12:04 PM

I didn't check in last week - but I did reflect on some of my actions - good practice for after when the challenge is over and I'm not getting the satisfaction of checking things off a list :)

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/29/2024 12:01 PM

I am constantly carrying things in my hands because I enter a store thinking I don't need a bag :D Or I come out with the cart/basket and then bring it back into the store. I have also bought more re-usable bags if in a pickle, so I have lots!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Limit Social Media

Social media can keep us connected with loved ones, make us laugh, and help us to learn new things. It can also create echo chambers and take more time than we realize or intend to give. After completing this action for a few days, how do you feel? What do you notice?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/29/2024 11:55 AM

I love looking to social media for inspiration for home renos/gardening projects/decorating for events. It is so addictive though and I find myself spending time on it and I look up and 30min have gone by! The time restrictions don't really work for me - I just pass them. I think I am doing ok though and don't find it controlling my life.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Exercise Daily

How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/29/2024 11:51 AM

I am hoping to spend some time on the trails this winter - hiking and snowshoeing. Those are opportunities for me to be outside, active, and social. It is actually fun to be out in the rain/stormy conditions if you have the right gear!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Reduce refined sugar

Before you started this challenge, did you think you were 'addicted' to sugar? How do you feel now?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/29/2024 11:30 AM

Before this challenge I was addicted to sugar and I am still a little bit. As a diabetic I try to limit my sugar already, but it is difficult to manage during busy times of year (such as October) when it might be easier to get a cup of coffee on campus versus making it at home or buying a snack versus homemade. But I always remind myself that I feel better when I reduce my sugar intake which makes me more prepared to handle the busy times.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation

How can practicing Loving-Kindness Meditation be helpful to the health of the environment?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/29/2024 11:23 AM

When we are in a state of gratitude for the things around us - including the planet - then we are more likely to take care and notice when something isn't thriving/needs help. I hope my gratitude for others and the planet makes me more thoughtful in my daily actions.

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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?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/29/2024 11:22 AM

I feel like food waste is a big area I can improve on. For me, it just takes a lot of time to plan meals and it is easy to do a big shop with a general idea and then I can whip up dinner last minute when needed. My food waste usually comes from no one eating leftovers so I think I should start taking more for lunch - and actually take/eat lunch!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/21/2024 4:43 PM

My understanding is that animals (such as cows) are more expensive to care for and make available for consumption than plants. Therefore as a food source for humans therefore they are more "taxing" on the environment. Plants also have a diversity of vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy. There are also pant based proteins. Eating less meat can help us use precious resources such as land and water in more effective ways to feed more people.

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