Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 10: Overall Project Reflection

MY SMART GOAL

My SMART Goal was to use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic water bottles. I was tired of having so many plastic bottles around my house and in my room. I bought a reusable bottle to carry around with me to class, work, driving, working out, and for just around the house. My goal was: "I will use a reusable water bottle everyday for the next ten weeks". I didn't make any changes to my goal, but I almost bought another bottle to have for at work so I would stop forgetting to bring it.

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES

I did really well with my goal for the most part. I always remembered to bring it to class. When I started my walk to school, I always had my bottle in my hand. Not in my backpack, but in my hand where I knew I would use it. It was tough at times, because I would leave for work but forget my bottle at home. I only forgot maybe 2 or 3 times, but even so, I would have to use a plastic cup to drink out of, which I didn't like at all. I may possibly get another bottle to keep in my locker at work, that way I don't have to worry about forgetting it at home!

BENEFITS

Before beginning this project, I didn't really know much about plastic, and how bad it really is for the environment, and for my own health. Reusing a regular plastic bottle can have bad health effects. By using a reusable bottle, I save money, and reduce the amount of plastic being used and trashed on the planet. Although I do recycle, it is still possible for my plastic to get elsewhere.

CONTINUE BEHAVIOR?

I am most definitely continuing to use my bottle. It has become a habit and I'm proud of it. It is convenient, healthy, and simple. Something so small can change the environment so much. People see others making the trend of buying reusable bottles and it can influence them to do the same. I know it has influenced me!

RECOMMENDATIONS

My recommendations to someone making a lifestyle change would be to just keep with it. If you need to make changes, then make changes. Learn as you go. Educate and encourage others to change for the better. It really does make a difference!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 9: Weekly Update

MY SMART GOAL

My SMART goal is to use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles. It is very unhealthy for the environment and for me to be using plastic water bottles over and over.


"I will use a reusable water bottle 100% of the time 7 days a week."

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES

I've been doing good still, remembering to bring it to work and school. I had it for my ride back up to Duluth after Thanksgiving so that was nice. One of the days, I worked at my other job, which I haven't worked at in about 2 months. I remembered to bring it to work with me, but I forgot to bring it home! I used my roommate's water bottle for the time being, until I could get back to the mall to pick it up. I have it back with me now, and I'm about to bring it to work with me again. Not the job where I will forget it though!

FEELINGS

Things are winding down, and I'm still going strong. I'm happy I did this because I was always wanting to get a reusable water bottle, but didn't really have the time or motivation to actually look for one. Now all that's over with and I use it all the time! I'm happy about it!

PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK...

I will be keeping my goal the same, and I will not forget my bottle anywhere! It will stay by my side at all times!


Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 9 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic With Amy.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 8: Weekly Update

MY SMART GOAL
My SMART goal is to use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles. It is very unhealthy for the environment and for me to be using plastic water bottles over and over.

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

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES

I've still been remembering to bring my bottle to work! I haven't forgotten since I last updated and I'm doing very well with it. I don't really give in to drinking pop when I have my bottle full of water. I am now back home for Thanksgiving and I had my bottle next to me in my car for the 2 hour drive. The only thing was that I gave in and filled it with pop instead of water. I wanted something with a little flavor and there was a 2-liter of soda in my fridge so I just used it. But since I've been home I've been using it for water, especially next to my bed like usual.

FEELINGS

I'm feeling really good about my goal. I've been remembering to bring it to more places, more often. It's very useful when I have it around and I know I didn't just waste money on it. I feel really good about that. I don't like to spend money, unless it's something I will actually use. I like how it's been going. I know that I'll keep using it even after the complete ten weeks is up. It's just a habit now :)

PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK...

Definitely going to keep my goal the same. I like how it's going and I know I will keep remembering it. Once I get into the habit of something, I usually keep at it. Most definitely going to bring it to work with me for Black Friday. I will be exhausted that day!


Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 8 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic With Amy.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 7: Weekly Update

MY SMART GOAL


My SMART goal is to use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles. It is very unhealthy for the environment and for me to be using plastic water bottles over and over.


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

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES

I did better this week at remembering to bring my water bottle to work. I didn't forget a single time! I continue to bring it with me to school everyday and while I'm driving. It helps me avoid giving in to drinking pop when I have it with me, because I feel it is a waste to even bring it with me if I'm not going to be using it. I'm happy I kept remembering it!

FEELINGS

I feel better this week about my goal than last week, because I didn't forget to bring it to work with me. It's nice to have my bottle sitting next to my bed every night when I wake up thirsty, or if I'm sitting in bed doing homework. I'll even carry it down to the living room with me when I go down there to sit and do homework or just watch tv for a bit.

PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK...

I will be keeping my goal the same. I didn't forget to bring my bottle to work at all, so I don't quite feel a need to buy a new bottle to keep in my locker there. I will continue to bring it with me everywhere and use it to keep me healthy!


Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 7 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic With Amy.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 6: 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

I remembered to bring my water bottle to work with me last week on Wednesday and Thursday, which was very good. I took my bottle hunting with me and had it for my two and a half hour drive, and I even brought it out to the woods with me! It was very useful when I got thirsty out in the woods. I caved and bought a bottle of pop for my drive back to Duluth. I was craving carbonation and sugar, and I had gotten up at 4:30 each morning to get out in the woods before dawn, so I felt I was in need of caffeine for my drive home. Once I was done with that, I returned to my water bottle. On Tuesday this week, I forgot to bring my bottle with me again to work, but the rest of the week is looking up. I will keep it by my purse at all times to make sure I don't forget!

FEELINGS

I'm still feeling decent about my goal. I liked having it out in the woods with me over the weekend. I also had it by my bedside at the hotel each night. I might have to get another bottle to keep in my locker at work so I can stop worrying about forgetting to bring my bottle from home each time! I'll see how the rest of my work week goes. If I keep remembering it, I'll stick to my current plan.

PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK...

I will be keeping my goal the same. If I can't keep remembering to bring my bottle to work, I'll buy another bottle to keep in my locker, so I don't have to worry about forgetting all the time!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 6 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic With Amy.

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.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 4: 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 has been going very good and I'm doing a good job at remembering my water bottle everytime I go to school. I take my new bottle with me many places. The orange juice stains are starting to fade too! It's still hard at work because I work in a cafe and we can't have any of our own foods or even water bottles inside the cafe, so I have to use a small plastic cup to drink out of. I do keep it in my locker and use it for each break, but I throw it away at the end of my shift. I didn't really think about it, but I think I need to start bringing my water bottle to work and keep THAT in my locker for on my breaks instead of using plastic cups over and over. I will definitely start that change today at work! I bring it with me when I work out and I keep my bottle on my desk next to my bed from the second I get home from school so it's always where I can find it when I'm thirsty!

FEELINGS

I'm happy with the changes that I've made, and I'm glad to still find things I can change, such as bringing it to work and keeping it in my locker during each shift. I look forward to finding new things to keep using it for!

PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK...

I'm going to continue to bring it with me to school and working out. I will also keep it by my bed as usual. I plan on bringing it to work with me also from now on so hopefully I can remember to keep that up! I'll let you know how it went next week!!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 4 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic With Amy.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 3: Weekly Update

MY SMART GOAL

My SMART goal was to use a reusable water bottle instead of plastic bottles. I reused plastic water bottles beforehand, and realized I needed to change. Not only for my own health, but for the health of the environment.
"I will use an aluminum water bottle or coffee mug 100% of the time 7 days a week for the next 10 weeks"


SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES
 
 My goal has been going great and I'm doing a pretty good job. I take my new bottle with me almost everywhere. It's hard at work because I work in a cafe and for safety purposes, we can't have any of our own foods or even water bottles inside the cafe, so I have to use a small plastic cup to drink out of. I do keep it in my locker and use it for each break, but I throw it away at the end of my shift. I still keep my bottle next to my bed at night to drink out of as well.
 
FEELINGS
 
Normally, I think of a "water bottle" containing only water, but I've had a cold for the past week and I bought a couple gallons of orange juice. So everyday before I leave for school, I fill my bottle up with orange juice. I think the inside of the bottle is stained yellow now. Oh well! My cold is getting better and I'm still using my bottle for nearly everything. I like the changes I have made and hope to keep them going even after the ten weeks is up! I'm sure I will!

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic With Amy.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 2: Weekly Update

My SMART goal was to stop using plastic water bottles and use a reusable bottle. It was tough at first because I was out running errands and I figured a grocery store or wal mart type store would have those kind of water bottles, but I could not find any anywhere! So for a few days I used one that my roommate had in the cupboard until I could find one for myself. When I finally got a chance at school, I went to the school store and had quite a few to choose from. I found one that even had its own tag from BioGreen Bottles.

On the tag it says "This bottle is 100% biodegradable, recycable, reusable. BPA, DEHA and DEHP free. It is made from recycles materials also. I'm excited to know that I have something better than a plain plastic water bottle and something that will last me a long time. This week I learned how simple it can be to change one small thing that can help the environment. Things aren't always that simple though. Next week, I plan on keeping up with using my new bottle. I take it with me everywhere! Class, gym, in the car, next to my bed...I'm constantly carrying it with me.

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 2 hosted by Eco-Chic with Amy.

Eco-chic Lifestyle Change Week 1: My SMART Goal

I constantly have a bottle of water with me at school and next to my bed at home. They are left over plastic water bottles from when I purchased water at a gas station or something. For my lifestyle change, I'm going to use something other than plastic water bottles to carry around with me. Sure, I recycle the plastic water bottles after using them for a while, but why use more and more when I could be using the same thing over and over? It may be just a glass of water next to my bed that I refill each night, or an aluminum bottle or coffee mug that I carry with me to school.
Based on that, my SMART goal for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change project is:
     "I will use an aluminum water bottle or coffee mug 100% of the time 7 days a week for the next 10 weeks"
NO PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES!!!!

I also blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 1 Linky Party hosted by Eco-Chic with Amy.

Welcome to Danielle's Dandy Environment!!

I'm Danielle and my blog is for HLTH 3500 Environmental Health. I will be blogging about things we do in class, things I do outside of class, and just other random things!



There are 6 possible types of posts on my blog. They include:



Advocacy Project

Eye Openers

Reflections

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change

Read 'n' Seed

Share and Voice

If you notice at the bottom of this post, the categories will be listed as labels. This post is has been labeled with all five kinds of posts.  You will also see the number of each kind of post in my Labels Gadget at the top of the page. All post titles from now on will begin with one of the categories above.



The members of my web group are:

Carrie@Carries Environment http://carriesenvironment.blogspot.com/

Rita@Ritas Realm http://ritasrealm.blogspot.com/

Kayla@Kaylas Green Land http://kaylasgreenland.blogspot.com/



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Blogged for the Welcome Linky Party hosted by http://ecochicwithamy.blogspot.com/