Kathy Thomas
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 540 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO17meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO14food itemsproperly stored
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UP TO5.0poundswaste avoided
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UP TO355minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO30minutesspent learning
Kathy's 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.
Kitchen
Save Jars for Reuse
Pinterest may want you to think that you need a cupboard full of matching mason jars, but reusing what we already have is one of the best ways to reduce our waste. This month, instead of recycling glass jars (such as pasta sauce, pickles, and salsa jars), I will save them to reuse for food storage.
Kitchen
Meatless Meals
There are many benefits to enjoying meatless meals - including reducing our plastic footprint. Most meats and dairy products are packaged in plastic, so this month, I will reduce my animal product consumption and enjoy 1 vegetarian or vegan meals each day.
Kitchen
Plastic-Free Produce Storage
Produce doesn't need to be stored in plastic bags to stay fresh! I will learn how to properly store my produce to extend its freshness without single-use plastic.
Family + Pets
Take the pre-survey!
Help us make the Plastic Free Ecochallenge the best it can be! Take the challenge pre-survey (and look out for the post-survey at the end of the challenge!) so we can better understand the impact the challenge has and how we can improve in the future. Plus, you'll earn points for completing it! Thank you!
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.
Bedroom
Clean the Dryer Vent
Every time we tumble dry our laundry, our clothes' lifespans get a little shorter. The lint trap is evidence of the shedding fibers and our clothes slowly losing their quality. The less time our clothes need to be in the dryer, the longer they'll last. So this month, I will clean my dryer's interior and exterior air vents to help the dryer work more efficiently (and extend the life of the dryer!).
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.
Bedroom
Declutter Sustainably
While it can be tempting to throw away (or drop off at Goodwill) any and everything that no longer brings us joy, there are so many options that are better for the planet! This month, I will declutter my home and properly dispose or re-home the things I no longer want.
Study
Divest and Reinvest
Does your savings account, retirement account, or investment account support the fossil fuel (and plastics) industry? This month, I will spend 15 minutes investigating where my investments (and where my bank's investments) are going, divest from the fossil fuel industry, and reinvest in ways that are more in alignment with my values.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Plant a GardenBesides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?
Kathy Thomas 7/31/2024 4:57 PMA significant benefit from growing my own garden is the lack of pesticide use. With so much of our food having bioengineered ingredients as well pesticides and microplastics, every little bit of a reduction of these should improve my health. -
Kathy Thomas 7/31/2024 4:49 PMReducing my use of plastic is going well. I have replaced several plastic storage containers with glass containers. Only 3 more plastic ones to replace. I am not using plastic wrap but instead use tin foil and parchment paper. Plan to do my best to avoid plastic if I can. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Divest and ReinvestWhere we choose to spend (and invest) our money is one of the most powerful ways we can shape the future we want. What are some other ways you can ensure that your money is being used in ways that align with your personal values?
Kathy Thomas 7/30/2024 8:36 AMSupport charities that have similar views to mine as well as action oriented so I can see a difference being made. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroom Declutter SustainablyCompared to your previous experiences with decluttering, how was this experience with sustainable decluttering different?
Kathy Thomas 7/30/2024 8:28 AMIt was not much different since decluttering is part of my weekly routine. However, I focused more on textiles than I had in the past. Closets are looking better. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Save Jars for ReuseWhat's the most creative way you've reused a jar in your home?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONFamily + Pets Use What You HaveBesides 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"?
Kathy Thomas 7/30/2024 8:16 AMLess in landfills or trash on the ground is always a good thing. And we come to realize we don't need as much so perhaps will consider buying less. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Plastic-Free Produce StorageIn the United States, 30-40% of all edible food goes to waste. What are some other ways you can reduce food waste in your home?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONBedroom Clean the Dryer VentWhen was the last time you cleaned your dryer's air vents? Was it easier or more difficult than you anticipated?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Meatless MealsShare your favorite "Meatless Monday" recipe with us!
Kathy Thomas 7/29/2024 5:25 AMEating less meat is not only good for me but also for animal survival. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONCommunity Go For a WalkWhat have you noticed about your mental and/or physical health while going on daily walks? How has it affected other areas of your life?
Kathy Thomas 7/29/2024 5:23 AMWalking relaxes my mind where I no longer focus on what I need to do next but instead focus on my surroundings.