2020 People's Ecochallenge

October 7 - October 28, 2020

Rachel Fricke

"It is each of our responsibility as human beings to leave this planet better than we found it. I consider myself an environmental steward and do my part as a conscious consumer, but I know the potential for significant change lies in corporate practices. My mission is to better the planet, one sustainable project at a time. I consider the solutions Duke Energy invents to combat to the climate emergency paramount to saving the world as we know it. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
943 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

25

whole food meals

consumed
UP TO

530

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

120

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

0.0

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

1.0

locally sourced meal

consumed
UP TO

5.8

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

136

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

3.0

public officials or leaders

contacted
UP TO

1.0

conversation

with a person
UP TO

2.7

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

16

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

540

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

19

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Rachel's actions

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Support Native Communities

Do at Home

I will use the resource links provided and spend 20 minutes learning about the native populations that lived in my area prior to colonization, and what I can do to support those that still exist.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Engage In Active Listening

Do at Home

I will practice actively listening to a friend, family member, co-worker, acquaintance, or someone who I may disagree with in at least 3 conversations.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

If at all possible, I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Forgiveness

Do at Home

I will begin, or continue, on the journey of forgiving myself and/or other(s). I may do this through journaling, meditation, prayer, and/or talking with a licensed healthcare professional.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Buy From a Farmers Market

Do at Home

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Nurture Self-Compassion

Do at Home

I will spend 5 minutes nurturing my Self-Compassion.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Zero-Waste Cooking

Do at Home

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Foods Diet

Do at Home

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation

Do at Home

I will spend 5 minutes practicing Loving-Kindness Meditation to nurture love and compassion for myself and others.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Family Game Hour

Do at Home

I will spend quality time with family and friends by playing low-tech game(s) and/or through the spirit of imagination.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Reusable bottles - minimizing plastic

Influence friends & family to use reusable water bottles and a water filtration system such as a Brita if necessary for minimal waste.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Biking for Errands

establish a habit of biking for errands such as quick trips to the grocery store instead of driving the car.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Recycling efficiently

Take the extra time to establish a habit of going the extra mile to rinse or wash recyclables that have some food waste you can remove. additionally, educate friends & family that you can't recycle products with food waste as it may contaminate the whole load.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Teach 1 new friend yoga

Yoga is the greatest vehicle to mindfulness. I'll teach 1 new person yoga so they can practice bringing self love into their lives individually.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing and Renewal

Gratitude Tracking

Establish a regular practice of journaling about at least 10 things I'm grateful for regularly in order to practice having an abundant mindset.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community

Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

Do at Home

I will watch 1 documentary(ies) about food sovereignty: the right of local peoples to control their own food systems including markets, ecological resources, food cultures and production methods.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Learn About Constructive Communication

Do at Home

I will spend 30 minute(s) learning about constructive communication.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Move your body!

I will stick to an exercise regimen of at least 4 times per week in order to maintain sharp mind, body, spirit connection.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Vegan Ideas

I will learn 2 new vegan recipes during this challenge to add to my repertoire.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

Do at Home

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Work From Home

Do at Home

I will work from home 5 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Advocate for Greener Vehicles

Do at Home

I will spend at least 180 minutes assessing the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle

Do at Home

I will spend at least 180 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Work From Home

It takes the average worker in the United States 26 minutes to travel to work. One way to fix long commutes would be to make cities more affordable. An even simpler option: promote the use of telework. How have you used technology to replace in-person meetings or work this year?

Rachel Fricke 10/28/2020 4:06 PM

I really enjoy going on video for my Teams meetings. I've met everyone virtually, so getting to know someone not just by their voice but also their face really helps in order to Earn trust within the team.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Advocate for Greener Vehicles

Reducing (or eliminating) exhaust emissions and improving public health are two benefits of green vehicles. What other motivators inspire you to consider switching to a more fuel-efficient vehicle?

Rachel Fricke 10/28/2020 4:05 PM

Federal & state incentives, less maintenance costs, fuel efficiency, but mostly - 50% less emissions!!

Read More
- KC Spivey 10/28/2020 6:13 PM
  
  There are so many but with my heavy right foot :-) have to say improved performance!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Learn About Constructive Communication

How can you, your loved ones, the community, and environment all benefit from constructive communication?

Rachel Fricke 10/28/2020 3:52 PM

Instead of listening to respond, we need to listen where we're truly hearing and affirming the other person before jumping right into our tidbit to add. I observe myself doing this, unfortunately, so it's key to be mindful of the way you're listening so the other person feels supported.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Try a New Way to Prep

Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA or another trusted source. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?

Rachel Fricke 10/28/2020 3:48 PM

Fruits available in the summer/early fall I usually miss the freshness of in the winter. Freezing apples from the farmer's market that are at peak quality right now are a great opportunity to experience those flavors later in the winter.

Read More
Rachel Fricke 10/28/2020 3:43 PM

This challenge not only ignited my competitive side in a fun way, but was all-encompassing in terms of associating health/wellness with environmental mindfulness. In my mind, these elements go hand in hand and I'm really glad The People's Ecochallenge brought that to light.

Read More
- KC Spivey 10/28/2020 6:16 PM
  
  Solutions for Sustainability has been so fortunate to have you as a Team member Rachel - thanks for all of your efforts and willingness to share!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Justice for the Whole Community Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty

How does food sovereignty address the complex transition from localized food systems to modern global food systems?

Rachel Fricke 10/27/2020 2:36 PM

Food sovereignty allows for freedom from oppressive, environmentally damaging, and processed modern global food systems. It's key we actually take inspiration from our Native American peers and think about how we can go back to the old way of doing things and grow our food locally for better health and control of food quality.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing and Renewal Engage In Active Listening

What was it like to actively listen to someone? How did both people and the conversation(s) benefit from active listening?

Rachel Fricke 10/27/2020 1:42 PM

I've been practicing this with my best friend as she discusses her other relationships with me. I listen to everything she needs and then follow up with my thoughts only when she is ready and asks for my opinion. I do ask questions as we go through a discussion, but it's critical not to interrupt.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing and Renewal Forgiveness

How has the process of forgiving, or contemplating forgiveness, benefited you?

Rachel Fricke 10/27/2020 1:41 PM

I don't burn any bridges in my life. All relationships are imperative to me, so if a person hurts me, holding onto that suffering only hurts myself. It's important to let pain go in order to fully heal and move on in life.

Read More
- KC Spivey 10/27/2020 5:24 PM
  
  You are way wise beyond your years Rachel. Thanks for sharing.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Waste Use Reusable Bags

What do you do if you find yourself in the situation of needing a bag for items but don't have a reusable one with you or aren't allowed to use the one you brought? Carry things out in your hands? In a cart? Accept a disposable one? If you find yourself in this position often, what system could you put in place to try to create a successful habit of not using plastic bags?

Rachel Fricke 10/27/2020 1:36 PM

Great question. I actually just bought a tote bag today for smaller errands that I'll use even more frequently than my full size grocery bags. I plan to keep that in my car, or even bring a backpack running errands even if I think I don't need many things (we always end up getting a little more...).

Read More
- KC Spivey 10/27/2020 5:28 PM
  
  I have found some stores that were prohibiting the use of reusable bags (e.g. TJ's) earlier in the year are now allowing them once more. So it may pay to ask your favorite retailer regarding their current policy.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Family Game Hour

How does being playful with others enrich your life?

Rachel Fricke 10/27/2020 1:34 PM

This is a great question! Being playful with others reignites our creative side and taps into the childlike tendencies we previously exhibited without inhibitions. Not taking yourself too seriously allows for a successful, balanced life.

Read More