Reflections: Week 7 and 8

Week 7 we started out with an eye opener from the Environmental Working Group. It's a website that you can look up different cosmetic items and see what kind of harm they can cause, to humans and the environment. I looked up a blush that I own (don't use it very often) and it had an 8 out of 10 high hazard. I was shocked that something so simple as blush could potentially be extremely hazardous to my own health!

We then watched a movie called "Green". It was about people living near the Mississippi River in Louisiana and there was a high cancer rate. They blamed it on the chemical factories in the area, for exposing them to toxic fumes and getting into their foods in the gardens through the ground. It's outstanding at how many cases they had of cancer in the area! I got to read a few more cases in my book I'm reading for my read 'n' seed. The ones I read this time were mostly about pollution and air quality in big cities. Some interesting stuff!

Week 8 we started out with an eye opener titled "Junk on the Brain". We got to see this cool website of projects that people make out of things that seem to have no use anymore. Very creative! I liked it a lot.
Then we watched a documentary titled "Thirst". It was about privatizing water and people having to pay to use it. I thought it was outrageous. Water is a necessity for life. There shouldn't be a price on that.
After the movie we talked about our blogs, and the general things that needed to be worked on. Mine had a few things that needed improving, such as putting my longer posts into separate paragraphs so it's easier to read. It was a good discussion because it helped me notice things that I needed to work on that I didn't notice before!

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 5: Weekly Update

MY SMART GOAL


My SMART goal was to use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles. It was very unhealthy that I was reusing plastic water bottles that I would keep buying in stores. Not only for my own health, but for the health of the environment.


"I will use an aluminum water bottle 100% of the time 7 days a week for the next 10 weeks"

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES

My goal is going good still, I keep remembering to bring my bottle with me to school, working out, and when I'm driving. One part I need to work on is remembering to bring it to work with me, so I don't have to keep reusing plastic cups to drink water out of. The first day I brought it to work, I forgot it in my car! The next day, I just completely forgot it. But the last time I worked, I remembered to bring it and I kept it in my locker to drink while on my break. I was really craving pop, but I didn't give in. At my work, we have a fountain pop just like the picture here, and I have to work right next to this machine so it's hard to not give in but I've been doing great! I wanted to put my water bottle to good use. It worked out great.

FEELINGS

I'm feeling pretty decent about my goal, although I wish I was better at remembering to bring it to work. I think I'll be better about it from now on. Now that I actually brought it once, it will be easier for me to remember. Just have to get into the habit.

PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK...

I will be keeping my goal the same. I'm going to keep bringing it to school with me to drink during classes and working out. I'm going hunting this weekend, and it will be almost a 3 hour drive to where I'm going, so I will definitely have it with me while driving! I'm going to bring it into the woods with me as well to keep hydrated during the day. I will most likely have a mug with hot chocolate in it as well to keep with me. Also going to work hard at remembering to bring it to work with me to drink on my breaks!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic With Amy.

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

PART 1

Antiques/Antiquing: any work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, or the like, created or produced in a former period, or, according to U.S. customs laws, 100 years before date of purchase. To shop for or collect antiques.
Junk/Junking: anything that is regarded as worthless, meaningless, or contemptible; trash. To cast aside as junk; discard as no longer of use; scrap.
Flea market: a market, often outdoors, consisting of a number of individual stalls selling old or used articles, curios and antiques, cut-rate merchandise, etc.

Thrift shop: A shop that sells used articles, especially clothing, as to benefit a charitable organization
Upcycling: involves processing used materials into new products, or the re-use of a product with crippled functionality for alternative purposes, to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production, with the intent of creating a product of higher quality design and artistic value.
Resale shop: They usually sell mainly second-hand goods donated by members of the public, and are often staffed by volunteers. Because the items for sale were obtained for free, and business costs are low, the items can be sold at very low prices.

PART 2

1. They have to do with environmental health because instead of these things being thrown away, they are donated, resold, reused, and recycled. Saves energy and helps the needy.
2. Antiques: Canal Park Antique Center 310 S Lake Ave Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 720-3940
Junking: Junk My Car 1-877-586-5692
Flea market: Studebaker Drivers Club Swap Meet Flea Market and Classic Car Show Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road Duluth, MN 55811
Thrift Shop: Goodwill 4883 Miller Trunk Hwy Hermantown , MN 55811 (218) 727-0001
Upcycling: I couldn't find anywhere that has upcycling, but I found this cool short article about it :)
Resale Shop: Plato's Closet  5115 Burning Tree Rd Ste 315C Duluth , MN 55811 (218) 733-9455
3. I have used some of these things, most of which are Thrift shops like Goodwill or Savers, or resale shops like Plato's Closet. I have gone antiquing with my friend's parents or my grandparents before, but it's not something I do regularly. I also donate my old clothing to these types of places so I'm not throwing them away. I'm helping the company, and helping the commuity.

PART 3

I really like this Paris Themed Necklace. I thought it was very creative and pretty as well. I would never think to make something like that!
I also thought this Light Bulb project was cute. Good way of reusing an old light bulb by planting flowers in it!
This edible centerpiece was super cool. I love food and finding creative ways to use it and display it are very interesting!

That is a very cool website and I like how creative people can be!