The Standard - Employees, Family and Friends

I have participated in courses over the years, so I know that these can help bring change. We get to see things through new eyes, which helps us rethink our priorities and how we can make changes for good (positive good) and for long-lasting good!

I'm not a spring chicken, and I grew up being outdoors every chance I could. It's more difficult for me to get around these days so I spend a lot of time binging Britbox/PBS and knitting, but the challenge has encouraged me to get back outdoors - even if it's only for a little bit each day.

I enjoyed trying new dishes. I'm not fond of beef and have wanted to do this for a long time!

I've canned fruits and veg in the past, but I'm trying my hand at pickling the leftover green tomatoes in the garden (I'm also going to fry some green tomatoes, too... something my dad did in the past).

I try to fit too much into my day, so by I average about 5.5 hours of sleep - prior to the challenge. Some things that have helped me were the mindfulness challenge, and I'm not getting an average of about 6.5 hours (still low). Focusing on mindfulness helped me sleep better and not wake up quite as often. I still have a way to go to get enough...

I was in downtown Portland a couple of days ago and went for a walk... I couldn't help taking a picture of our lovely Portlandia statue, framed by the trees. The leaves were just starting changing color, so they may have more of the fall colors today. "Isn't she lovely..."

My car was totalled (no injuries, just an old car) and we have to consider getting another car or continuing to share one. My spouse's car gets much better gas milage (it's a hybrid) than mine did, has only had him as an owner, and has a very reliable system. In researching cars we decided that we would prefer to get an electric car if we do...

I'm always looking for ways to lighten my footprint on this planet, so I had hoped to come up with some new ideas. That didn't happen, but I am cheered to learn that I am doing about the best I can at this moment.

I used to only care that the sugar and flour I bought were organic, and mostly due to the fact that it would guarantee they were produced in a vegan way. After watching "The Seeds of Vandana Shiva" in a Food and Culture class, I was enlightened to the cultural and environmental impact of GMO foods. I now buy much more of my food...

I have been trying to get better at freezing my produce and bread before it starts to go bad! I live with one other adult and sometimes it can be hard to find food in quantities that we can easily get through before they start to turn, so after 4-5 days I'll pre-slice the remaining bread (we try to buy whole loves from a local bakery) and put...