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October 1 - October 31, 2023
Marissa Sanderson-Bick's avatar

Marissa Sanderson-Bick

The Hartford

"Always finding different and exciting ways to connect to the planet, nature, and others. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 197 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    4.0
    zero-waste meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    5.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Marissa's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Zero-Waste Cooking

Reduced Food Waste

I will cook 2 meals with zero-waste each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Electricity

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

Ocean Power

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Reduce Single-Use Disposables

Bioplastics; Reduced Plastics

I will avoid buying and using 2 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

Reduced Food Waste

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Industry

Plastics Audit

Reduced Plastics

I will complete a plastics audit to see where plastics show up in my life and determine how I can reduce the use of single-use plastics.

COMPLETED 0
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?


  • Marissa Sanderson-Bick's avatar
    Marissa Sanderson-Bick 10/03/2023 9:22 AM
    Hi everyone! I am really enjoying this ecochallenge - I feel like it allows me to take the time to focus on goals while being a part of a team (which means being held accountable!). When I see plastic, extra food in the house/fridge, and my compost bin - I am definitely thinking twice about my actions and next steps because of this challenge!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
    Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?

    Marissa Sanderson-Bick's avatar
    Marissa Sanderson-Bick 10/03/2023 9:19 AM
    I have a habit of constantly wanted to be engaged - whether it is scrolling, listening to something in the background, shifting through different applications in my phone, etc. It tends to be an automatic response, especially when I sit to eat a meal. When I eat a meal while practicing mindfulness, I am able to acknowledge different aspects of my food - the flavor, texture, and overall an appreciation of how it will be nourishing my body. I feel more attuned to my body when I eat mindfully, and I am able to recognize different body cues.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Industry
    What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

    Marissa Sanderson-Bick's avatar
    Marissa Sanderson-Bick 10/02/2023 6:06 AM
    I use thrift mason jars for my coffee and other beverages rather than plastic cups/containers, I use mental straws (which I got a huge, inexpensive pack from Amazon), and I have reusable bags. Consistency with using reusable bags is something that I want to be able to focus more on - when I am out, sometimes I will forget my reusable bag at home/in care, and will opt for plastic bag out of convenience.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
    In North America, up to 65% of food waste happens at the consumer level. Chef Steven Satterfield advocates for utilizing every part of a vegetable. How can you incorporate using an entire vegetable, including the skins, tops, and stalks during your next meal prep?

    Marissa Sanderson-Bick's avatar
    Marissa Sanderson-Bick 10/02/2023 6:01 AM
    Getting creative and being able to find recipes and ways to incorporate all parts of the ingredient. Pinterest is a great tool to explore new ways to use different parts of food if you are unable to find ways on your own. Majority of the time, I keep the skin on my vegetables (if safe to do so) and use it in meals, which adds texture, flavor, and nutrients. I know that the tops/stalks can be used in making stew/broths too - and it is the perfect season for soup :)