Ecochallenge.org

Campus Ecochallenge

Janelle Sztuhar

Sustainable UFV

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
50 THIS WEEK
533 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

9.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

2.9

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

6.1

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

2.0

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

120

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

23

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

3.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

144

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

211

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

90

minutes

spent outdoors

Janelle's actions

Waste

Launch a Recycling Program

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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 7
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Nature

Explore My Area

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

COMPLETED
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

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

Health

Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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

Reduce refined sugar

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

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Go get a check up

I will make an appointment for my annual physical.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Know My health

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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 8
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.

UNCOMPLETED
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 9
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

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

COMPLETED 7
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

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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 15
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 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.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Disconnect from Email

Notice how much time you were spending checking email away from work and make note of that. Now that you have stepped away from it and have not been checking, what changes are you noticing in your thoughts, use of time, stress and energy levels?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/18/2024 1:45 PM

I used to check emails before I got to work in the morning to anticipate the day ahead, but now that I am doing that less (I'm not down to never checking) but reducing this has helped my morning routine by being more present in what I am doing. Having breakfast, spending time with hubby and cats, noticing changes in the yard. So my day feels more peaceful and I am reminded that there is more to life than work and emails!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Launch a Recycling Program

How might thinking creatively help us address big systems problems differently?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/17/2024 3:35 PM

A colleague and I worked together with OoS to launch K-pod and wrapper recycling for our department and the team seems to really be on board! Knowing what matters to staff can help identify what we can do to be more sustainable in the workplace. As for thinking creatively, I think looking to others for inspiration and getting new perspectives is key.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use a Reusable Water Bottle

While water bottles are needed for health and safety in certain places, we can do more to reduce the unnecessary use of them. What are the barriers to you using reusable bottles and tap water instead of bottled water? How could you make this a permanent habit?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/17/2024 3:31 PM

Some of my barriers around re-usable water bottles at work are 1. the temperature (I find the water from using the wall filter systems is so warm so I don't want to drink it). I could mitigate this by having two water bottles that I fill/keep in fridge. I don't use bottled water in replacement of this - I just find I don't drink enough water during the day. If I use bottled water it is typically for an event with a lot of people (e.g. wedding at our house or big party).

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Happiness

How does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/17/2024 3:21 PM

Practicing gratitude helps me focus on the positive things rather than be weighed down by the negative which really helps my headspace. It also fosters goodwill with friends and colleagues. It reminds me of what is important and to ensure my goals are in alignment with what I value.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Explore My Area

How might spending more time outdoors enhance your brainpower?

Janelle Sztuhar 10/16/2024 12:37 PM

I tried a hike for the 2nd time ever with a good friend of mine on a weekend after a busy work week. It was a tough hike for me but the views were lovely and afterwards I felt so happy and good. Getting outside and disconnecting from technology, smelling the fresh air, and let my eyes look at something not on a screen was good for my physical body and mental health. I feel inspired by nature so I feel more hopeful, grateful, and creative after being outdoors.

Read More
- Samantha G 10/17/2024 9:49 AM
  
  I think that a beautiful view is the reward for a tough hike! I am always reminded how small we are in the scope of nature and our world. Nature always makes me feel existential!
  
  Read More
Janelle Sztuhar 10/15/2024 12:29 PM

Hi Team! My name is Janelle and I am a librarian at UFV. This is my 2nd year participating in the eco-challenge. I really like this opportunity to be accountable for my actions and remind myself of all the ways I can change my habits. This year I tried to select actions across the health, simplicity, and food categories as my focus as I think that those areas are what I need to focus on in my life right now. Excited to see how I progress this month and connect with others on the Team :)

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