Steph Fregosi

It's important to recognize that there are multiple indicators of health. Weight isn't the only one. I can weigh the same and have the same amount of muscle and fat and still be in poorer shape than I was pre-quarantine. I'm working at taking longer and longer walks at least three times a week. That seems to be far more important to my physical and mental health than giving up sugar.

I spent a little time cleaning out the garden this afternoon as a break between zoom calls. It's my goal to get this ready for winter before the end of the ecochallenge.

The last article in the water justice series was really illuminating. I mostly avoid bottled water and when I do have to buy it (like in 2016 when our local water supply was contaminated by toxic algal blooms and a little unsafe for my particular conditions) I usually try to find some that comes directly from a spring. I hadn't realized that some of that water could come from tribal lands. I generally avoid Nestle as I wasn't too excited when they tried to move into Cascade Locks, but I should look more into what other companies practices are like in the future.

I was sick over the weekend. I played some games with my family but that was all I really managed. It's important to kick back when we need to.

This isn't my first time giving up refined sugar. Actually I've managed to find good brands that have the least amount of refined sugars out of our everyday products like ketchup, and peanut butter. It's much more like giving up desert and keeping an eye on the sugar in yogurt and then watching white flours - for me this about my blood sugar level, not just sugar. I bought the yogurt not remembering about the ecochallenge, so I'm focusing on everything else but the yogurt... Sugar is hidden in everything though, but I need my energy levels to be as good as they can be during the pandemic.

The pandemic made bringing reusable bags to the grocery store really confusing. Over time, we are learning about transmission of COVID-19 and it became clear that we are less concerned about picking up the virus from surfaces and more about catching it from the air. Many places that I shop let you bring your own bags as long as you pack your own groceries. Here's to revisiting this important habit. And I should ask for paper when getting groceries delivered!

I included family game hour into my actions this year and thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of great games for families.

Here are a couple of family friendly recommendations that are on theme for the ecochallenge.

Tiny Towns - really the only thing on theme about this game is that it involves planning. It's quite simple in its structure although winning at Tiny Towns is very hard. I like it because it lets you play however competitively you like.

Wingspan - gorgeously illustrated game that will teach you about birds. Fun to also enjoy with a supplemental google search of the sounds the birds make. This game has you try to attract the best birds to your wildlife preserves. The birds are in the form of cards, some of which give you special powers. Anyway it's very family friendly and really fun.

Photosynthesis - this is a very meditative game in which you are planting trees as the seasons change. Shade from your trees inhibit the growth of your opponent trees, but the sun does move around the board, meaning that the shade moves too.

Forbidden Island - Work together to capture the treasure and escape the island before it floods. This game is great for building collaboration skills, but beware of family arguments!

In addition to using the resources provided to learn about water justice, I'm also planning on reading The Poisoned City.