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October 5 - October 26, 2022

Mayo Clinic Feed

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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?


  • Michelle Folken's avatar
    Michelle Folken 10/31/2023 5:35 AM
    I am going to focus this year on finding ways to conserve water and reduce my use of single use plastic. I am also going to work on eating more of a plant based diet. I think reducing my family's use of single use plastic will be my biggest challenge for me personally. I am hoping I find more information on solar panels as our family is interested in putting solar panels on our roof using IRA incentives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Balancing Consumption Develop a Work-Life Balance
    How does practicing a work-life balance create a more sustainable life for you? How might it contribute to sustainability more broadly?

    Jackie Luehmann's avatar
    Jackie Luehmann 10/26/2022 5:18 PM
    Practicing work life balance is importance for sustainability both for the individual and a community.  I found that when I practice work life balance I make healthier food choices, make smarter choices with my purchases, and enjoy life more by being outdoors more.  I also perform better at my job and don't feel as anxious as much about work.  As a community as a whole it helps build better relationships and creates a healthier community physically and mentally.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Balancing Consumption Repair a Broken Item
    What did you fix and how did it go? Share a few pics if you can!

    Jackie Luehmann's avatar
    Jackie Luehmann 10/26/2022 5:09 PM
    The broken item that I fixed was my leaf rake.  So far my repairs have held with all of the leaves I have raked recently.  Fixing my rake also inspired me to fix a snow shovel I had just sitting in the garage.  Now I have two yard tools that I can get a least a few more years out of.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nourishing 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?

    Jackie Luehmann's avatar
    Jackie Luehmann 10/26/2022 5:05 PM
    No, it does not surprise me that we throw away that amount of food along with that amount of money.  I don't think Americans really realize how much food we throw away each year.  I would use the money saved from throwing away food to make improvements to my house to make it more energy efficient, put it into my investments, and go on a trip.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nourishing Food Advocate for Equitable Food Access
    What changes would help food insecure regions have access to local, seasonal foods? How can your choices contribute to these changes?

    Ira Anand's avatar
    Ira Anand 10/26/2022 5:33 AM
    I think restaurants should not be required to dispose of food at the end of the day and instead be allowed to give it to food banks. This country wastes so much food that is still perfectly good to eat. 

    I try not to waste food as best as I can and I only grocery shop for non-perishables and just enough produce for a couple of days because I have a tendency to forget what I have.


    • Crystal Tyree's avatar
      Crystal Tyree 10/26/2022 6:58 AM
      I agree with this!!! I feel that this could help the communities that have increased levels of homelessness
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Enacting Equity Listen to Equity & Justice Podcasts
    What podcast did you choose and what did you learn on the podcast you listened to?

    Ira Anand's avatar
    Ira Anand 10/26/2022 5:29 AM
    I chose a few podcasts: "Brown Girl Green", "Beyond Prisons", "Social Medicine on air", and "Woke WOC Docs". 

    I've learned a lot listening to these podcasts over this past month that it's difficult to just pick one thing. I'm familiar with most of the topics discussed and have read some of the source materials referenced, but learning about specific instances where inmates are given meat labeled "not for human consumption" and the building of prisons and immigrant detention centers in places where toxic waste is disposed of was very troublesome to learn. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Cultivating Communities Practice a Sharing Economy
    What benefits does the sharing economy offer to you and others? If you are a little shy to try, what could be a first step for you?

    Ira Anand's avatar
    Ira Anand 10/26/2022 5:23 AM
    A sharing economy is beneficial in many ways. It allows people to participate in activities and projects they would not normally be able to due to space and affordability. It also keeps us from buying things new and thus contributing to mass production. 

    I'd like to start a tool library because I love building things but I do not have the space to store the tools I'd like to use. I also have many tools that others may not have, so pooling a variety of tools makes it so that we are not overconsuming. I have tried to start it in my apartment building but getting people to join is really difficult.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Balancing Consumption Personal Waste Audit
    Why is it often difficult to understand the impacts our purchases and waste have on other people, animals, and places?

    Ira Anand's avatar
    Ira Anand 10/26/2022 3:52 AM
    I bought a new electric toothbrush that I didn't need the other day. I know someone who wants my old one so at least it's not going to landfill. The new one I bought has also been created with repairability and sustainability in mind. When looking into it, it didn't feel like greenwashing and I only hope that this will turn out to be true. B Corp certification is still pending, the company is so new, so I hope I don't regret this choice in the future.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nourishing Food Donate Food
    Why do you donate food? How does it connect to your values?

    Jackie Luehmann's avatar
    Jackie Luehmann 10/25/2022 7:57 PM
    I donate food because no one should go hungry or worry about where their next meal is coming from.  A community that is nourished is healthier, more productive, and happier.  Food brings us all together.  It doesn't cost much to help those in need out with a good, nutritious meal.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Balancing Consumption Track My Purchases
    What have you noticed about your purchases? Where are you inclined to make shifts, if any?

    Jackie Luehmann's avatar
    Jackie Luehmann 10/25/2022 7:43 PM
    I have noticed with my purchases that I bought many items that were not on my list.  Most of the items not on my list were on sale and I was able to save a lot of money.  I need to take better inventory of my food items at home before going to the grocery store so that I do not over buy and end up wasting food.