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April 3 - April 24, 2019

Team Catskills Feed

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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
    Transport Research and Consider Switching to a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle
    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?

    Kristina Zill's avatar
    Kristina Zill 4/24/2019 9:43 AM
    Every time I fill my tank with gas, I think about how I'm supporting the worst elements in society, including corrupt government officials. For that reason alone, I would love to switch to an electric vehicle. I also would save gobs of money. And as it is, I often simply don't drive in order to avoid all the negative effects, and that can be constraining. These are all great reasons to switch to an EV. I have my eye on the Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid: https://www.mitsubishicars.com/outlander-phev/2019 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Smaller Portions
    Fun 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?

    Kristina Zill's avatar
    Kristina Zill 4/24/2019 9:06 AM
    Eating smaller portions is something I need to continue working on. I often realize about halfway through a meal that I'm full, but I continue eating because it tastes so darned good! Since i eat organic, my food bill is substantial. I believe I could save quite a bit of money on food by eating less.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Use Plant Trees
    How is planting trees good for your mental, physical, and spiritual health?

    Mary Van valkenburg's avatar
    Mary Van valkenburg 4/24/2019 6:18 AM
    We got our own composter to use on our own gardens.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Materials Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
    Name some of the human activities impacting the health of water systems, both locally (your watershed) and globally (freshwater and oceans). What can you do to improve the health of water systems?

    Mary Van valkenburg's avatar
    Mary Van valkenburg 4/24/2019 6:11 AM
    Plant more trees. Use natural mulch, with no dyes.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Electricity Generation Watch a Video about Methane Digesters
    What does your vision of a sustainable community look like? What would need to be changed in order for such vision to become reality?

    Mary Van valkenburg's avatar
    Mary Van valkenburg 4/24/2019 6:08 AM
    Just a suggestion...that every university in the U.S. commit to the same electricity generation that MSU is doing. That would be a good place to start. Or maybe small towns could do it. The state should give grants.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Land Use Forest-Friendly Foods 1
    How is your diet currently impacting deforestation? What can you do to decrease your negative impact and increase your positive impact?

    Kristina Zill's avatar
    Kristina Zill 4/22/2019 7:37 AM
    The way my diet is currently impacting deforestation?  I have occasionally bought Triscuits, which contain palm oil. Also, it isn't enough to choose organic coffee, I need to seek out the Rainforest Alliance coffee, or "shade grown" to protect forests. I have made my own laundry soap, but I find that the powdered version doesn't work if you wash in cold water. Scroll down at this link to find a recipe for liquid soap. All you need is a bar of soap, and 2 cups each of Borax and Washing Soda. https://wellnessmama.com/462/homemade-laundry-detergent/
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Women and Girls Support Women-Owned Businesses
    Globally, women typically invest a higher proportion of their earnings in their families and communities than men. How can you better support communities by supporting women? Can you share any past experiences that may help others take action?

    Solveig Comer's avatar
    Solveig Comer 4/22/2019 6:11 AM
    Hmmm.... a quick search generated no comprehensive listing of women owned businesses in my region. :(  I did find a link to the DEC and found some great info about recycling.  I also found a woman based non-profit- CLASI- and spent some time learning about its mission and events.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Women and Girls Connect With A Nonprofit
    What are the most pressing issues for women and girls in your community?

    Solveig Comer's avatar
    Solveig Comer 4/22/2019 5:57 AM
    I'm supporting Girls on the Run, a program that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using an experience based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

    • Kristina Zill's avatar
      Kristina Zill 4/22/2019 7:45 AM
      Hi, Solveig - Thanks for finding "Girls on the Run" - it looks like a great organization that I would like to support as well. I often think of "Educating Girls" (#6 on the Drawdown list) as needed mostly in third-world countries, but it's good to remember that girls in the US need support as well.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Learn More about Silvopasture
    Had you heard of the term "silvopasture" before now? After learning more about it, what do you think is the biggest advantage of silvopasture?

    Kristina Zill's avatar
    Kristina Zill 4/21/2019 4:02 PM
    I had heard of the term Silvopasture, but I didn't realize how important it is to draw down carbon from the atmosphere... #9 out of the 100 actions. With Silvopasture, livestock fertilizes the ground, while being sheltered by the trees. And the forage under the trees is more nutritious. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Reduce Animal Products
    In 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?

    Pat Parks's avatar
    Pat Parks 4/15/2019 7:51 AM
    Meat is marketed heavily and is featured in many restaurant dishes. Good eating practices can start in childhood, and the meat/starch/veg model was prevalent. Good vegetarian options exist with research and some effort on my part!