Voya Financial (ESC Sponsored)

I met with a dietician today online and she gave me some whole food goals, exercise range goals, talked about the plat method, eating more protein, not counting vegetable from the garden as calories. We are going to keep meeting on a regular basis and this will keep me accountable and motivated.

So far, I have eaten more fruits & veggies, locally grown that are organic and whole foods, exercised more regularly, conserved water and energy and reduced the packaged items I purchase. I have spent less and saved money overall. This is what I have achieved.

anyone else playing catch up this week!? Whew! it's been so busy! I'm also unable to take the ecochallenge "share your why" as it is linked to a google doc, which is blocked by Voya systems.

Start local is my advice. It could be your block, your street, your village. Be inquisitive, find out who handles things within your town, mabye check with your local non profit board if you have one, or chamber of commerce. Find out what local businesses are doing for sustainability. as always, be the change you wish to see :)

It has been a lot easier than I thought, especially with so many filling in season vegetable selections to choose from! It's easy to sneak protein in, if you get creative and intentionally plan meals!

Hiking and kayaking are my favorite outdoor activities and I do them any chance I can get. It's amazing what the forest tells you when you're walking around in it! There is a whole ecosystem out there operating around us, busily carrying on their days :) I love it so much.

When the world's problems feel too overwhelming I turn to my community to help make a difference in the lives of people right here in my village. I attend local events at the library, donate to the local food pantry, positively comment on the community fb page. Supporting others goes a long way :)

I have been obsessed with butternut squash and the Amish farmers down the road sell them for 50 cents a piece! This week I made a Butternut Squash/Cauli/BBQ chicken one dish skillet meal. You can find it on Lillie Eats and Tells website. Last week i was quartering it and topping it with goat cheese/cranberries/walnuts and balsamic.

Exercise is the best mental health therapy I can give to myself! I've been soaking up hiking and kayaking all that I can, as we are nearing the winter season where I live. Hiking is my most preferred method of exercise in the summer/fall months. If I'm not hiking you can catch me kayaking or walking.

Everyone is affected, though people in lower income brackets cannot afford to fix problems that affect them, on their own as easily, perhaps. I am a Sierra Club member, and we work to fight environmental injustice through local government.