Blythe Chase
4/06/2019 9:05 PM
Eating smaller portions helps me lose extra weight.
Blythe Chase
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 744 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO4.4locally sourced mealsconsumed
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UP TO30meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO75minutesspent learning
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UP TO3.0peoplehelped
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UP TO3.0treesplanted
Blythe's actions
Transport
Use Muscle Power
#49 Cars
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, and I will only use muscle-powered transportation for all other trips.
Electricity Generation
Choose Renewable Energy or Purchase Renewable Energy Credits
#2 Wind Turbines (Onshore), #8 Solar Farms
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.
Food
Support Local Food Systems
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will source 15 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.
Transport
Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
#26 Electric Vehicles
I will spend at least 60 minutes researching and weighing my options to see if a hybrid or electric vehicle makes sense for my lifestyle.
Food
Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.
Materials
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
#46 Water Saving - Home
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of trees and plants in my yard.
Food
Smaller Portions
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.
Food
Keep Track of Wasted Food
#3 Reduced Food Waste
I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during the EcoChallenge, either because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food preparation.
Food
Composting
#60 Composting, #3 Reduced Food Waste
I will start a compost bin where I live.
Action Track: Social Justice
Give a Microloan
#62 Women Smallholders
I will give 3 microloan(s) to women who need help starting a business.
Food
Reduce Animal Products
#4 Plant-Rich Diet
I will enjoy 2 meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.
Land Use
Plant Trees
#15 Afforestation
I will plant 3 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard.
Land Use
Buy Bamboo
#35 Bamboo
When they are available, I will purchase products made from bamboo instead of wood, plastic, or metal.
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?
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Blythe Chase 4/22/2019 5:06 AMI'm planting more trees today - very young ones from the Arbor Day Foundation. 20-30 years ago I was a member and planted 10 trees every year. About half of them survived to mature - climate and deer took their toll. I planted trees for screening, shade, fruit, and wildlife. -
Blythe Chase 4/10/2019 4:28 AMWhen I had some tree work done after a storm, I asked them to leave the shredded wood chips here and I used those to mulch other trees. He asked if he could dump a load here now and then. Win win. -
Blythe Chase 4/09/2019 7:26 AMWe have very little food waste. We compost and cook what we'll eat. We freeze breads and fresh produce to prevent spoilage. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Smaller PortionsFun fact: Your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes of eating. While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come out of eating smaller portions?
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Blythe Chase 4/04/2019 11:20 AMI have been lending microloans through Kiva (https://www.kiva.org/) since 2013. To date I have lent $775 and have been paid back all but $25. I relend what is paid back, sometimes adding some more. So basically I have lost $4 per year, or 33 cents per month. How can you not do this? I highly recommend Kiva.-
Blythe Chase 4/10/2019 4:12 AMBy the way, I didn't put out $775 all at once. I relend the same money over and over so my total loans add to $775. I started with $25 and added some now and then. I didn't have more than $75 at risk usually. -
Petra Ruger 4/09/2019 12:08 PMThis is great thank you for sharing!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Buy BambooAre bamboo alternatives readily available in your community? If not, what are other sustainable alternatives?
Blythe Chase 4/03/2019 2:37 PMI have bamboo sheets and clothing, as well as household items. I am in the habit of reading labels to not only find the material but also its care. I do not buy anything that needs dry cleaning, for example. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONLand Use Plant TreesHow is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?
Blythe Chase 4/03/2019 2:34 PMPlanting trees is an outdoor activity that involves physical capability. Being outside is known to improve mental health. How can one not feel spiritual connection when encouraging life. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFood Reduce Animal ProductsIn your opinion, what contributes to people in North America eating more meat than any other countries? What does this say about North American values and ways of living?
Blythe Chase 4/03/2019 2:32 PMEating meat is in our heritage and historically we had the land to support it becoming the industry it is today. -
Blythe Chase 4/03/2019 2:30 PMI bought 2 pairs of bamboo socks. -
Blythe Chase 4/03/2019 2:29 PMI transplanted saplings from where they were not wanted onto my property. They were going to be cut down.