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Sonja Howe's avatar

Sonja Howe

L.A. Zoo Team Angeleno Plastic Eliminators (Team APE)

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 400 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    12
    whole food meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    30
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    25
    minutes
    spent outdoors

Sonja's actions

Study

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Use What You Have

The only thing worse than a single-use item is a zero-use item! I will use (and use up) what I already have in my home before buying something new.

COMPLETED 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use a Reusable Mug

Even just one to-go coffee or tea a week adds up to 52 trashed cups in a year! I will avoid sending 2 disposable cups to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or travel cup.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Whole Foods Meals

Prioritizing whole foods is one of the most effective ways to avoid single-use plastic in the kitchen, since most whole foods can be purchased without any packaging. This month, I will prepare 1 whole foods-based meals at home each day.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Is it trash...or a trash bag?

The plastic industry has convinced us that some plastic bags are "trash bags," while others are just "trash." Instead of throwing empty bags away (such as bread bags, pet food bags, etc.), I will reuse them as trash bags.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Plant a Garden

I will plant an herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Mend and Repair

We've all got it - that thing in the back of our closet we keep saying we'll fix "one day." I will make today that day by learning how to mend or repair ripped or broken items in my home - or by finding a local offering to do it for me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Go For a Walk

Science has shown that focused time in nature calms our over-worked frontal lobe and gives space for the areas of our brain associated with emotions, pleasure, and empathy to take over, providing a sense of calm that is measurable in brain scans and even blood tests. Each day this month, I will spend 30 minutes outside in nature, and share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the Participant Feed.

COMPLETED 0
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
    Kitchen Whole Foods Meals
    Share your favorite whole foods-based meal recipe with us!

    Sonja Howe's avatar
    Sonja Howe 7/23/2024 11:29 AM
    Breakfast has been easiest for me to ensure a whole foods-based meal for my family. I make eggs with left over fish or chicken on the side, as well as cut up some fresh fruit. My kids love the array of colors (I haven't seen anyone opting for cereal lately!) and flavors.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family + Pets Use What You Have
    Besides the economic benefits of using the things we already own, how can this practice impact our lives in other ways and influence the way we interact with "things"?

    Sonja Howe's avatar
    Sonja Howe 7/23/2024 11:26 AM
    This has actually been a challenge for me. I keep reminding myself that I have alternatives already in hand. I don't need to buy a new/another item and/or I should finish using all of what I *do* have before I think about something more. I like this extra thoughtfulness in my day-to-day.