Meg Stivers

Mayo Clinic

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
535 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

302

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

6.0

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

302

minutes

spent exercising

Meg's actions

Water

Collect Rain Water

Do at Home

I will create a rain garden or bioswale or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Skip the Straw

Do at Home

Plastic bags and small plastic pieces like straws are most likely to get swept into our waterways. I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill and ocean each day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Happiness

Do at Home

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

Do at Home

I will take a 15-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Adjust the Thermostat

Do at Home

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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
Waste Skip the Straw

How could you incorporate other "R's" -- reduce, reuse, refuse, repair, repurpose, etc. -- into your lifestyle?

Meg Stivers 10/28/2020 7:30 AM

I reuse paper bags as often as I can. One way is to reuse them as wrapping paper for Christmas and birthday presents. I have began refusing plastic bags at stores when it's possible to just carry the items or using one of my own bags. I will try to repurpose household items for décor more. I will also try to reduce my trash waste by buying items NOT prepackaged or in plastic wrap.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Water Collect Rain Water

Trace the water that flows down the drain from your house to the largest body of water nearby. What is the route it takes?

Meg Stivers 10/16/2020 8:05 AM

I think the largest body of water that my drain goes into is the city's holding ponds a couple of miles down the road. I have had the opportunity as a councilmember to be able to see these holding ponds and work with the maintenance person. I am able to educate myself on how these are used and operated on a monthly basis.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Energy Adjust the Thermostat

Your utility company is able to tell you your average energy usage. Ask them how your energy usage compares to others in your ZIP code, region, and/or state. What other steps can you take each day to reduce your electricity usage?

Meg Stivers 10/14/2020 2:53 PM

I will have to call my utility company and ask my average usage and compare it to others in my area. Other ways that I can save on energy is by unplugging more devices. I currently have many different things plugged in that don't necessarily have to while I am gone, such my TV, my printer, my lamps, etc.

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Meg Stivers 10/14/2020 2:48 PM

I am not doing as well as I would have liked. I am not logging in everyday. My goal for lowering the temp on my thermostat isn't being met because we don't have it on right now. Any ideas on how to better prepare lunches and food for the week instead of buying lunch???

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- Amanda Holloway 10/23/2020 1:30 PM
  
  Similar to Kimberly's suggestion, sometimes I'll make a big meal (like a big pot of soup) on Sunday and then eat it for lunch during the week. It means I'm eating the same thing for lunch for several days, but I usually don't mind. Other times I'll make sure I have the fixings for sandwiches on hand so I can quickly make a sandwich in the morning (or previous evening) to take to work with me.
  
  For dinners, you could make a double batch of one of your favorite recipes and freeze part of it for another night. It's nice to have a few pre-prepared dinners in the freezer that can be quickly thawed during the work week.
  
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- Kimberly Hanson 10/15/2020 9:42 AM
  
  Meg - do you have a crock pot? I find that making large meals in the crock pot and then having leftovers from that all week helps me a lot! There are also great crock pot meal plans, just Google "Crock Pot Meals" and go to town :)
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

Meg Stivers 10/12/2020 11:26 AM

I am able to enjoy the weather. I am also able to take in all that is happening around me that I am not able to when I'm driving because walking is slower than driving. I also experience the people and nature. I am grateful for the weather and nature.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Happiness

How does/can practicing gratitude keep you centered and motivated to work for a better world?

Meg Stivers 10/07/2020 1:52 PM

Not only does practicing my gratitude help others who may have had a bad day or week, it keeps me centered and motivated to work for a better world knowing that I can influence someone/something for the better. I also feel more humble about the successes in my life by writing them down, instead of feeling like I have to tell someone, who may see it as bragging.

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