Reflection: Weeks 8-14

  

The two photos above are of my junking project, which ended up being one of my favorite assignments.  I bought a bottle cutter online, then cut wine bottles!  I'm making different parts of them into different things - candle holders, wine glasses, drinking glasses... it's been really fun!
I liked that we focused on junking and re-purposing.  I think it's really fun, and it's an easy way to do a lot of good for the environment!
Visiting Goodwill was awesome.  Before this class, I had no idea that there was so much going on behind the scenes.  It makes me that much more willing to drive down there when I have donations.  I also got a nice laugh from the huge, smushed cube of stuffed animals we passed during our tour - kind of terrifying to my inner child though!

I really enjoyed the second half of this semester - and man did it fly by!  Doing the Share & Voices were fun because we had more freedom to get creative with our subject, and research new things!  All of the ones I read were really cool.  The photo essay was possibly my most favorite assignment we did, because it is totally "me", haha.  It was interesting to see what everyone else chose to do theirs on too!

The advocacy project was a little more challenging, for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, I chose a subject that I didn't know much about, so that forced me to research is a lot more.  I'm glad that it turned out that way, but it was still kind of hard sometimes.  And secondly, because I don't know much about politics and government, so making a list of our political leaders took a while (and a lot of Googling).

All-in-all, this was one of my favorite classes I've taken at UMD.  I learned so much, and something sparked in me that makes me want to change my habits, along with other people's.
Thanks so much for the great time and knowledge! :)

Good luck with finals guys! Remember:

OR..

Whichever one helps you ;)

Share & Voice: Roxaboxen

"Marian called it Roxaboxen. (She always knew the name of everything.) There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill -- nothing but sand and rocks, some old wooden boxes, cactus and greasewood and thorny ocotillo -- but it was a special place: a sparkling world of jeweled homes, streets edged with the whitest stones, and two ice cream shops. Come with us there, where all you need to gallop fast and free is a long stick and a soaring imagination.In glowing desert hues, artist Barbara Cooney has caught the magic of Alice McLerran's treasured land of Roxaboxen -- a place that really was, and, once you've been there, always is." (here)

Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran was one of my favorite books growing up.  It's a short book filled with beautiful illustrations, and a wonderful story about a group of friends who build their own town out of just nature and few boxes. 

I always wanted to build my own Roxaboxen - it seemed like such a special and beautiful place.

But I did have my own similar adventures created by imagination when I was growing up.  That is the beauty of nature - when kids (and adults) are unleashed into it, magical and amazing things come out of them.  We don't need the computer games, television shows, or even books to provide us with hours of fun. 

I recommend this book to anyone of any age, if you haven't read it already.  And also encourage you to spend some more time outdoors, building your own version of a Roxaboxen. 

Advocacy Project: Letter to Elected Official

Dec. 11th, 2011
Senator Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Senate
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Vote yes on amendment H.AMDT.631.

I am writing to encourage you to vote yes on the amendment to the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act.  The purity of our drinking water in vital to the health of every community, especially in our schools. By requiring a report on water, we will be ensuring that our children are safe from lead.

As a health educator and community member, this issue is important to me.  Lead can cause many negative health conditions ranging from upset stomachs, to brain and memory damage.  It can seep into our drinking water from old pipes used to carry and distribute water.  Many of our older school buildings could easily contain such pipes, and lead could be slowly damaging the children, staff and parents who come in contact with the water.

Others may think that testing and repair if our school's water and pipes is too costly.  Or that the health concern isn't really there.  But can we really put a price on the health of our children and community members?  Lead poisoning is very real, and very serious, and we should do everything we can to protect our future from it.

Thank you for your time.  If you want any further information, or have and questions, please don't hesitate to call me at 321-555-1234.  Again, I encourage you to vote yes for this amendment.


Sincerely,
Sierra Wilson-Beckman
safewater@us.yes.com

Share & Voice: National Geographic

For this Share and Voice I chose to post about National Geographic.
Many of us are familiar with the name, either because of TV shows, the magazine or the photography.

I used to say I was going to be a National Geographic photographer when I grew up - travel the world, cover thrilling stories, and take spectacular photos.

National Geographic is an amazing source for current information on a wide range of topics - all related to nature, people, animals, the earth, our world.. the environment!

Since the photography is what really catches my attention, I'm going to share some National Geographic photos - famous and my favorites. (All found here)

"A lioness lets out a mighty yawn to shake away the sleep and be ready for the wildebeests which were headed in the direction of the pride. Soon after she walked away in the familiar swagger of a confident hunter and took up position under the bushes."

Lions are my favorite animal, and I loved this shot.

"The Cascade Room, some 80 feet (24 meters) beneath the surface, leads divers deeper into Dan's Cave on Abaco Island. Nearly seven miles (11 kilometers) of the cave have been explored since the mid-1990s."


It's amazing that places like this exist! Although I don't think I'd be brave enough to dive down there - good thing I chose a different career path!

King Tutankhamen’s Funerary Mask: "Icon of ancient Egypt, the teenage pharaoh's funerary mask immortalizes his features in gold, glass, and semiprecious stones. This and other treasures from his tomb, now in Cairo's Egyptian Museum, attract a constant swirl of visitors."


A piece of history. It is so interesting to read about discoveries like this one - and ones from around the world.

"Colorful shawls and flowered dresses accentuate these Bruneian girls as they practice for a traditional Malay family gathering. Their hands, folded together, symbolize humility and peace."


I love learning what other cultures do and value - using your hands and body to symbolize different things, and wearing garments that have been passed through generations. Sometimes I wish American's held things like this in higher regard.

"At an electric plant in southern Spain, mirrors as big as houses catch some of the 120 quadrillion watts of sunlight that constantly fall on Earth. Government subsidies for this pricey yet promising power source have made Europe the world's solar capital."


I wish the US would invest in more solar/renewable/clean energy. It might be expensive now, but it will pay off in the long run.

"I love all the empty space around the swimming platform. It shows how the lake is both huge and peaceful. The figures of the people become very small, and what makes the shot is the person jumping from the platform and appearing especially tiny surrounded by all that water."


Even our very own Lake Superior made the cut! Has anyone jumped of the ice house down by Canal Park?







If you are interested in learning more from National Geographic, you can visit their website here, which is also where you can sign up for a magazine subscription. I have one, and think it is definitely worth the monthly fee.
You can also follow them on Facebook! They often post current events, interesting facts, and of course beautiful photos!
And, if you use Netflix, they have a ton of documentaries and videos on instant-watch. I'm currently in the middle of The Photographers (of course), which uses a famous and stunning photo for it's cover.

Enjoy!

Advocacy Project: Fact Sheet

Is Lead Contaminating 
Our Children's Drinking Water?

What is lead?

The National Institutes of Health describes lead as "...a highly toxic metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. Because of its abundance, low cost, and physical properties, lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products... Since 1980, federal and state regulatory standards have helped to minimize or eliminate the amount of lead in consumer products and occupational settings. Today, the most common sources of lead exposure in the United States are lead-based paint in older homes, contaminated soil, household dust, drinking water..."

What effects does lead have on the health of children?
There are many effects and symptoms from lead poisoning, and can range from acute to chronic. Children and more at risk because of their developing bodies and organs. Some complications and symptoms include:

• Anemia (low levels of red blood cells)
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Kidney failure
• Learning disabilities
• Loss of short-term memory and ability to concentrate

How does lead get into water, and how do I know if it's there?
Lead does not naturally occur in water. It can leach into drinking water from pipes used to deliver the water to the home or building.
The only way to know whether your tap water contains lead is to have it tested. You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water.

Has my child's school been tested?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Unless a school is regulated as a public water system, testing for lead and copper within the school is not specifically required. Therefore, many schools served by water systems owned by cities, towns, or other entities may have never been tested for lead under the LCR. Therefore, EPA strongly recommends that schools test drinking water in their facilities for lead.

Where can I get more information?
The Duluth office of the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources:
Phone: (218)-723-4752
Address: 394 South Lake Av. Room 403

Duluth Public Schools
Contact your child's school and ask for information on their water testing history.

Visit the EPA's website for both general and local information.

Brought to you by Sierra Wilson-Beckman

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

For this eye opener, I was immediately excited. I knew what topic I wanted to cover right away, and any excuse to use my camera is welcomed.

I chose to do my photo essay on the topic of "Nature Deficit Disorder", which I talked about briefly in my last share and voice. I wanted to base my photos off of what I have been reading about in Richard Louv's book The Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, which I also covered in my last share and voice.

It was hard to get stared for this post. First of all because I had so many different branches of the book that I wanted to cover, and secondly because I wasn't sure how to capture those ideas and teachings in photographs. Finally, I decided to just go, and see where my lens took me. The results are a little scattered, since I couldn't pick just one chapter, issue or idea to focus on - they were all too important and intriguing. 


So, I took a walk around Lake Harriet with my mom on Thanksgiving morning. I had one photo in mind I knew I needed.

This is the Gnome Home.  I've been visiting this humble little abode since I can remember.  A little door nestled into a hole in a tree that lines a paved path around the lake.  I used to write notes to the Mr. Little Guy (as he calls himself); telling him about my latest swim meet, or my birthday, and asking him about gnome life.  And the kind gnome would respond to me on a tiny little silver piece of paper.  He would congratulate me, and tell me about how he and his brothers had moved the Porta-Potty away from his little house - with the help of a few squirrels.  Of course, the Gnome Home grew in popularity, and soon other kid's letters would stuff the little door so full I had to shove mine in amongst them.  A border of bricks, and planted tulips soon made it easy to find this little treasure.  

I believed in fairies and gnomes and magic already, and found them in my own adventures elsewhere as well. But this was extra special since I had proof!
My imagination's connection to nature was easy when I was little - and creativity has been shown to blossom when someone is in the outdoors.

It was easy for me to believe in the Gnome when I was little, because of the magic and nature that surrounded the experience.

My mom and I continued our walk; catching up, commenting on the houses, people watching...

Then my aunt called my mom's phone, and my boyfriend texted me which prompted me to check the score of the Packers game, and then this man ran by us:

Plugged in to his iPod, running around the lake in the beautiful 50 degree weather. 

It reminded me of a clip from Louv's book:

"'It was a perfect, quiet day, the kids are skiing down the mountain - and they've got their headphones on.  They can't enjoy just hearing nature and being out there alone.  They can't make their own entertainment. They have to bring something with them.'"

I had to laugh. I'd just been ranting to my mom about what I'd been learning... yet here I was on my smart phone and talking to her and thinking about a billion different things I had to do later (most of which involved technology of some sort). 

That night, I found myself in a conversation with my Gramma (who is in the photo above). I was telling her about the photos I'd taken, this assignment, and then about what I'd been learning in Louv's book. She told me some stories about how when she was a little girl (around 1930s):
Her and her sisters, along with the neighborhood kids, running down to Minnehaha creek and climbing around behind the waterfall... all day.
Cutting out the people in magazines and matching them to their hats - like a puzzle.
Going through the local library books A-Z.


Her childhood was so drastically different from mine, and even my mom's. We grew up in different times, but I still felt sad after listening to her. I felt sad because I wished I'd had that kind of freedom... I wish I had it now even. 
Kids rarely go outside to play, when given the option. And even then, it isn't the kind of outdoor play my Gramma can describe to you.

(I hope it counts that I took a picture of a picture...) 

Above is my mom, aunt and a friend when they were little. Just entertaining themselves with the world around them.

"'We tell our kids that traditional forms of outdoor play are against the rules... Then we get on their backs when they sit in front of the TV - and then we tell them to go outside and play. But where? How? Join another organized sport? Some kids don't want to be organized all the time. They want to let their imagination's run..." (pg. 31)

"For the young, food is from Venus; farming is from Mars" (pg. 20)

I chose to photograph my Thanksgiving dinner to represent this clip from Louv's book. The quote is a header for a section, in which Louv interviews a farmer friend of his. The man talks about how he raised his children to know where their food came from. They saw the dead goats, and even killed some chickens. The majority of my generation, and the ones after me, don't see any of that. We can label what a cow and a sheep are from the time we start talking, but we don't make that connection when we are eating a burger, a turkey dinner, drinking a glass of milk, or even when we enjoy a big salad..

..Or are about to juice a bunch of veggies and fruits. I have a total disconnect from this pile of food. I couldn't tell you how to grow it, or where, or what is involved in getting it to my table.

Finally, I took this photo as we drove back up to Duluth. With the following quotes in mind, I tried to pay attention to the world passing by outside my window. 


"'...it is not unusual to make a day trip, stopping only for coffee or a snack along the way. The entire experience occurs from the automobile looking out." (pg.52)


"But now even that visual connection is optional. A friend of mine was shopping for a new luxury car to celebrate her half century of life ... 'The salesman's jaw dropped when I said I didn't want a backseat television monitor for my daughter,' she told me."
"Why do so many Americans say they want their children to watch less TV, but continue to expand the opportunities for them to watch it? More important, why do so many people no longer consider the physical world worth watching?" (pg.62)




There is a very real issue today. Children and adults are suffering from this disorder. There are multiple reasons why we've dissolved our relationship with nature so quickly. And there are many real and dangerous symptoms because of this dissolve - evident in individuals, families, communities and our whole nation. 

Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Introduction:

• Lead in the drinking water of schools
• An amendment to the Clean Water Act, requiring annual testing and reports of school drinking water

Who is affected?:

• The students who attend the school, families/friends who visit the school and staff who work at the school. Also the companies employed to test the water and the school district staff who deal with the budget.
• The people who consume water contaminated with lead would win, because they would hopefully be saved from possible lead poisoning: "Lead is considered the number one health threat to children, and the effects of lead poisoning can last a lifetime. Not only does lead poisoning stunt a child’s growth, damage the nervous system, and cause learning disabilities, but it is also now linked to crime and anti-social behavior in children." (source)
• The company employed to test the water would also win, because they would be gaining business.
• The people directly effected by the school's budget might be the losers, since paying for testing could be costly. 

Consequences:

• Negative consequences for the individuals most impacted are the health problems associated with lead poisoning.  
• For the families of these individuals - if parents had a child or other family member with lead poisoning they would likely suffer emotional stress, along with medical bills.
• For society the impacts would include financial stress due to medical treatments, which might impact the overall community.  Also if it is a small community they could suffer emotional stress.

Economic Impacts:

• The school or school district would bear the cost of funding the testing.  They would also likely bear the cost of some repercussions if someone did get lead poisoning. 
• The social benefits would be healthier children and families, which would lead to happier children and families.  They wouldn't need to worry about possible poisoning.

Barriers:

• Barriers would be mostly financial.  Testing an entire school annually could get pricey, and then if they did find outlets with lead, the price of replacing them would be much more expensive.  Other barriers might be time - finding a time to bring in the testers, or do replacements if necessary.
• The school could do some sort of fundraising - if concerned families and communities would want to donate.  Also they might be able to get help from the government.  Time could be figured out easier, since they could do it after school hours on weekends most likely.  Here is say that grants are available under a statute.  

Resources:

• We would need the school community, and also the surrounding community, to come together to support the cause.  
• A local company to do testing, and also replacing if necessary
• The community could be tapped by bringing up the issue in school board meetings or parent groups.  Also by distributing fliers and pamphlets to homes.

History:

• I found a Minnesota Statute that was passed, here.
• "Minnesota Statutes 144.9501-144.9512 (also known as The Minnesota Lead Poisoning Prevention Act) were enacted to prevent and reduce lead exposure to children, up to the age of 72 months, and pregnant women from the adverse health effects caused by elevated blood lead levels."

Allies and Opponents:

• Allies would likely be the community and concerned families. 
• Opponents would probably be anyone in the school or district concerned about money or possibly legal issues if lead is found.

Policy Makers should definitely vote in agreement with annual water/outlet testing.  It will ensure the safety and optimal development of the children in the community.

Share & Voice: Last Child in the Woods

A new term was introduced to me a couple of months ago: nature-deficit disorder.
This term was coined by a man named Richard Louv.
This new "disorder" really got me curious, and I wanted to learn more. So, this morning I checked out one of Louv's books from the UMD Library: The Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.

(richardlouv.com)

I'm only on page 41 of 310, but I'm already hooked (and have a page of quotes and notes I want to remember).

The things that Louv talks about in these pages are so startling, interesting, and right in front of you. 

First, I will start with a definition:

"Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them; diminished use of senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. This disorder can be detected in individuals, families and communities." (pg. 34)

One sentence instantly brought a scene from work to mind; one I had experienced only a couple of weeks ago.

"In 2002, another British study discovered that the average eight-year-old was better able to identify characters from the Japanese card trading game Pokemon than native species in the community where they lived: Pikachu, Metapod, and Wigglytuff were names more familiar to them than otter, beetle, and oak tree". (pg. 33)

I work at the First United Methodist church as a childcare provider. One little boy, Tommy, who is seven-years-old, brought his collection of Pokemon cards in to share and play with during a Wednesday night.  He was utterly shocked, almost appalled, that I couldn't name the Pokemon as he flashed the cards one after another.  Even then, I found it funny and crazy that he could memorize all of the names, skills and types of that huge stack of characters.  Looking back now, I wish I had a stack of my own cards... only with animals, bugs, birds and plants. 

I've barely even begun this book, but I have already been rocked by the reality of children's relationships with nature.  I would highly recommend this book: to parents, to educators, to aunts and uncles, and just to curious individuals (this disorder applies to us grown-ups too).  I am excited to keep reading and learning, and fully intend to read more of Louv's books. 

(sheknows.com)

Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

I chose to focus on the healthy homes and communities section. This one had a lot of objectives and sub-objectives, since it encompasses homes and schools. It was hard to pick which one to use for this post, since they all seem important. I chose the objective of checking water outlets in schools for lead, since I hadn't ever thought of this before, but it is very important. On this page the author states that early exposure to lead can reduce IQ in young children.

Baseline: 55.7 percent percent of the Nation’s elementary, middle, and high schools inspected drinking water outlets for lead in 2006
Target: 61.3 percent
Target-Setting Method: 10 percent improvement
Data Source: School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS), CDC
More Information: here

H.AMDT.631 (A004)  -- an amendment to this bill
Sponsor: Rep. Hanabusa, Colleen W.

Amendment decription: Amendment, as modified, requires the Adminstrator of EPA to submit to Congress within one year and then annually thereafter, a report on any increase or reduction in waterborne pathogenic microorganisms(including protozoa, viruses, bacteria, and parasites), toxic chemicals, or toxic metals (such as lead and mercury) in waters regulated by a State under the provisions of H.R. 2018, and including any amendments to the bill.
Amendment purpose: An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-144 to require the Administrator of the EPA to submit to Congress within one year and then annually thereafter, a report on any increase in waterborne pathogenic microorganisms (including protozoa, viruses, bacteria, and parasites), toxic chemicals, or toxic metals (such as lead and mercury) in waters regulated by a State under the provisions of H.R. 2018, including any amendments to the bill.

Latest action: (7/13/2011 3:50pm) On agreeing to the Hanabusa amendment (A004) as modified Agreed to by voice vote.

Recommended Action: Vote yes for this amendment.

Political Representative: Congresswoman Amy Klobuchar

Share and Voice: A Journey Through My Environment

For this first share and voice, I chose to post pictures that I have taken of the environment. I am very passionate about photography, and was excited to look back on the places I've been. I tried to post a spattering of old and new photos!

I took this photo during a hike through Torrey Pines, in San Diego. The trail brings you towards the ocean, and the sun was setting as we approached it. In the photo is a group of people standing on a cliff, across a canyon from me.

This is a picture of ice hanging from a branch outside my apartment building. I like it because it looks like a hummingbird to me. I took it in high school.

I love the sun rays in this one. I took it last year on my phone, from my car.

I love playing with the sun when I take photos - It usually lends some amazing light effects.

That's me IN my environment! :)

My roommate and I went out on the boardwalk behind Fitgers, then spent a couple hours exploring the amazing ice shards that had built up along the rocks. 

A shot from the same ice adventure. This is Hannah, showing off a huge ice hunk she found. 

I grew up visiting California, since I have family there. This is a shot of one of my favorite beach inhabitants! They are sticky and close up when you touch them.

Taken at Soundset two years ago. Meant to shoot the rainbow, and got a peace sign as a bonus!

Took the two above on a photo excursion for a photography class my freshman year. 

My roommate and I went up to Hawks Ridge - my mom's old college roommate lives up there (the awesome house in the background of the 2nd photo).

Lastly, and old crumbled castle I found in Duluth. I'd love to share it's location, but I haven't been able to find it again...

If you happen to stumble upon it, let me know! I'd love to visit again.

That's all I am going to add - I could post a bajillion pictures, but I wont. 

I don't have many/any pictures of environments that are in danger or dirty. But, I'd like to start looking out for that. 

No GMOs

(sorry it's reversed - dang photobooth)

Way to go UMD Stores! 

Offering frozen, organic meals with 

NO GMOs! 

(that's what that little green circle say on the right)

Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives

President:
Barack Obama - Democrat
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW Washington, DC 20500

Phone: 202-456-1111
TTY: 202-456-6213

Congresspersons: 
Amy Klobuchar - US Senator - Democrat
1200 Washington Avenue South, Room 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Main Line: 612-727-5220
Main Fax: 612-727-5223
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

Al Franken - US Senator - Democrat
515 W 1st St Suite 104
Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: (218) 722-2390

Chip Cravaack - US House - Republican
Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse 515 West First Street, Room 235 Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: (218) 740-7803
Fax: (218) 740-7804

Governor:
Mark Dayton - Democrat
Office of the Governor 130 State Capitol 75
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone: 651-201-3400
Toll Free: 800-657-3717

State Legislators:
Carly Melin - MN House - Democrat/Farmer Labor
309 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-0172 or 888-726-0711

David Tomassoni - MN Senate - Democrat/Farmer Labor
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. State Office Building, Room 21 
St. Paul, MN 55155-1206

Phone: 651.296.8017

Reflection: Weeks 1-7

The first half of this class has taught me so much and really gotten me invested in issues happening in our environment.  I think the topics concerning food production and distribution have shocked me the most, and really made me think about my choices.
Watching the documentaries Fresh and The Future of Food might have been my favorite parts so far, along with the discussions that followed each.  The things I learn and the questions they raised stuck with me for hours after I left class.  I even called my best friend after "The Future of Food" and rambled about GM food for a while!

Also, the Huna principles we've been learning about have been very cool.  I've enjoyed all of them, but one has really stood out so far.  The first one we discussed, Ike: The world is what you think it is.  I've caught myself telling others about it, and also repeating it to myself.  This semester, mostly month of October, has presented me with a lot of challenges and opportunities to grow - ones that were scary and totally out of my comfort zone.  I usually try to be a positive person, but sometimes it's hard when it comes to my own problems or road blocks.  It's easy to help a friend or family member see the positives in their issues or situations, but much harder for yourself.  This concept of 'making the world what I want it to be' has opened even another door in that positivity I'm trying to apply to my life.

I'm excited to keep learning about our environment, making changes in my life, and doing the junk project!

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

1. Defining the following terms:

• antiques/antiquing (found through a Google search of "define antiques" and "define antiquing" - definition is the first listing):
• Verb: Make (something) resemble an antique by artificial means. 
• Noun: A collectible object such as a piece of furniture or work of art that has a high value because of its considerable age.
• And antiquing is shopping in stores where antiques are sold.
• junk/junking (found through the same Google process):
• Noun: Old or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value. A flat-bottomed sailing vessel typical in China and the East Indies, with a prominent stem, a high stern, and lugsails. 
• Verb: Discard or abandon unceremoniously.
• Also a funnier, more "hip" definition found here at Urban Dictionary
• Junking is defined as "Discard or abandon unceremoniously."  
• flea market:
• A flea market is a place where used or second-hand items are sold or traded. It can indoors, outdoors, big or small. Often includes food stands. 
• thrift shop:
• Savers is an example
• A place to find used, donated items such as clothes and household supplies. 
• A definition offered here
• upcycling:

• "Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value." found here
• Popular with crafters (like me!)
• Turning something you would normally throw out into something new!
• resale shop:
• "A charity shop, thrift shop, thrift store, hospice shop (U.S., Canada), resale shop (when not meaning consignment shop [U.S.]) or op shop (Australia/N.Z.) (from "opportunity shop") is a retail establishment operated by a charitable organization for the purpose of fundraising." -what came up when I Googled "define resale shop"
• Another site said that any shop that sells gently-used goods are resale shops.

Part 2:

1. The above terms have a lot to do with environmental health! They are all about saving things from ending up in dumps and polluting our planet. Instead, using them for new things! Reduce, REUSE, Recycle!
2. Local Resources:
1. Antiques: (for some reason I can't get the above picture to follow the "antiques"....). A quick Google search for "antique shops in duluth mn" produced all of those results! 
2. Junk: Sweet Salvage - Buffalo, MN. Found here.
3. Flea Market: Flea Portal lists different flea markets happening near Duluth.
4. Thrift Shop: I love shopping at Value Village
5. Upcycling: Sewing old clothes at Do It Green Minnesota
6. Resale: Turn Style consignment shops.
3. I do reuse and recycle things! I love to craft, and a lot of times that includes using stuff I already have. I love making mittens out of old sweaters I get for cheap at Savers. I've also made a wreath from an old sweater. Usually re-using things is a lot more budget friendly too, which is helpful to a college student like me!

Part 3:

1. Junk Market
1. A sign about wine. Honestly, I love wine. And I love funny little signs. Looks easy enough..
2. A "junkmarket bride". I'm that classic girl who has been dreaming of her wedding for years, even though it's years away. I like unique and budget-friendly ideas.
3. AWESOME - for sure going into my future yard!! Looks so comfy and fun and relaxing :)

Lifestyle Change Week 5: Final Review

My SMART goal: I will read/watch 2 environmentally related articles/videos each week. They will be from a variety of reliable sources.


This week, something that helped me be successful was getting my National Geographic Magazine in the mail.
But, something that made it more difficult was being super busy with school, so it was easy to push this to the back burner compared to some other things I had to get done. It was a crazy, crazy week!

What I learned #1:
This one was a little smaller scale than some past posts, but still very dear to my heart in a way: cranberries.

Haha, kind of gross looking (shaped like the can it came from), but I love, love, love cranberry sauce. And with Thanksgiving quickly approaching, it's been on my mind!
In the most recent issue of National Geographic (November 2011) that showed up in my mail box, there was a short article titled "Cranberry Nation".
A few quick things I learned:

• It wasn't a Thanksgiving staple until the 19th century
• It is a US native (along with blueberries and pawpaws)
• They are healthy! Good for urinary tracts and possibly for preventing cancer!
• Wisconsin produces more than any other state (18,000 acres) - glad we live so close!!

Short but sweet. Now my mouth is watering, so I move on to the next subject.

What I learned #2:

Well,  I sort of failed my goal in this aspect - I didn't get my articles from different sources this week. But, they were very different subjects. Plus, magazines are meant to be read all the way through. 

The second article I read was titled, "This Baby May Well Live to 100". It caught my eye for two reasons: 1) That's old! So I wanted to know why, and 2) I recently attended a presentation, which told me that the generation growing up now will have shorter life expectancies than their parents. 

So, to summarize the article, it said that more than half of babies born in "wealthy nations" will someday be centenarians. The author touches on the gap between life length in industrialized countries, compared to places like sub-Saharan Africa (life expectancy of 53 years). 

Longer lives are due to things like earlier diagnoses of disease and more access to buildings (handicap parking/ramps).

They close with a few tips if you want to live to be 100: be a woman, don't smoke, have money and don't become overweight. 

Secondly, I was intrigued by the contradicting information I had been given. 

I took this screenshot of the quote, which can be found here on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation website. 

I plan on looking into this some more, and I'm sure there are many factors to consider for both statements.

Review:

Yes, my goal did change slightly. Right away I decided to do only 2 news reports instead of 3. I realized that 3 might be just a bit too much, and I didn't want to get caught up in having to meet a number, instead of really learning from what I was reading or watching.

Things that helped me be successful included a magazine subscription, Facebook friends who partake in current events, and Google. There were a lot of big things that happened while I was posting, so it was easy to find topics most of the time. And the huuuuge amount of information available online was great. In the future, I think without a specific number to meet, I'll probably just keep up-to-date on topics that interest me, which might be easier.

I learned a lot! Too much to summarize here. But, what I learned about myself is that I DO like news, even when it's not all happy. It is very important to know what it happening in this world I live in. 

I hope others benefited by reading my posts. Education is important - without it people don't care, or don't know how to change or help. If even one of my posts helped someone spread information or make a lifestyle change of their own, then I had an impact. 

YES I will for sure continue this change. 

Advice to others who want to make a lifestyle change:

Make sure you want to do it. And if you need to make adjustments along the way, that is perfectly okay. Don't base your change off of what someone else has changed for themselves, because everyone is different. And, have fun with it - no matter what it is!: if you want to use rags instead of paper towels, find fun colors! If you want to eat healthier, look up exciting new recipes! Or, if you want to keep up with news, read thing that get your attention and tug at your heart-strings.

Lifestyle Change Week 4: Weekly Update

My SMART goal: I will read/watch 2 environmentally related articles/videos each week. They will be from a variety of reliable sources.


I think I was successful again this week, but wish I would have done more reading/watching just for my own education - there is so much happening right now!
Something that helped me be successful was the huge amount of articles, pictures, videos, tweets etc. popping up everywhere about the Occupy protests and also about Gilad Shalit. Since I covered the Occupy topic last week, I chose to look more into Shalit.
Some challenges are sometimes not having reliable sources, or bias sources, especially on topics that I don't know much about.
Feelings I experienced were typical of most world news: frustration, sadness, shock, happiness, confusion, curiosity...

What I learned #1:
So I hadn't really heard of this man previous to this (which is a perfect example of why I need this lifestyle change!). I started with a few brief statuses from friend's on Facebook, most following the lines of "Welcome home Gilad!!". Then, on the MSN.com homepage, I watched this quick video. Then the first article to come up from a Google search was titled: "Gilad Shalit returns: One Israeli for 1,027 Palestinians?", so I read on. I was hoping for a little more history on the subject, but I was very intrigued by the numbers - that is quite a trade!
To get more background, I read this article which gives some information on Gilad's capture (along with others) and the wars between the two countries.
It's all very sad, but thankfully he is on his way home. The exchange has sparked a lot of criticism and fear from Israelis. I plan to stay updated on this, and hope that the death and war will come to an end.

This is Gilad Shalit. He is talking to his family on the phone after his release. His family was not updated on his conditions during his five years captive.









What I learned #2: 
Earlier this week I read this article, about the world's population nearing 7 billion! Holy Hannah.. that's a lot of people. The extremes are interesting: one man they interview has two wives and fourteen children (more to come), while other countries place limits on the number you can have. This article says that most of the growth will happen in Africa, which is already pressed for resources. Clearly, family-planning programs are needed in many places around the world.
"'Extreme poverty and large families tend to reinforce each other,' says Lester Brown, the environmental analyst who heads the Earth Policy Institute in Washington". Parents want to be taken care of in old age, and while more children means more mouths to feed, it also means more workers to bring in the bacon.




Bonus: In searching, I came across this article! Since we watched the video in class, I thought I'd provide you guys with the story.


Also just wanted to post this photo from a friend's Facebook:

I think what is happening right now is amazing in many ways. It is something that my kids will ask me about in the future, and I want to be able to tell them about it. There are a lot of supports and critics of the movement, each with some valid points, but I am really rooting for the 99%. I hope we can make positive changes. 

Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

Right away I was interested in how this eye opener would turn out. So, I went to this site, and thought of a cosmetic item I use a lot. I don't wear a lot of makeup or really do much to my face/skin, but I do wear Maybelline Colossal Volume Express mascara every day. So I searched that, to no results. So I moved on to the next thing I wear often but not always: Loreal Paris True Match foundation/cover-up. This did have results, but none of them have very much information. But, I clicked on the one closest to what I use and looked at the results. Here they are. It scored a 4 (I assume out of 10), which isn't terrible, but the data is also limited. Some the high concerns were: Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns. Most of these just sound scientific and scary to me, so I wish they would explain what they mean.

Overall, it doesn't change my opinion/use of this product. If it had a high rating/warning and more data I would probably look into research on it more, but for this one I don't think I will.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3: Weekly Update

My SMART goal: I will read/watch 2 environmentally related articles/videos each week. They will be from a variety of reliable sources.


I think I was successful in my goal this week. This time I had two topics in mind that I wanted to look up, instead of just looking around until something caught my interest.
Something that helped me be successful for my first topic was that it is currently happening, so there is a lot of information out there for it.
My feelings fluctuated depending on what I was reading, but my feelings about my change are positive. I'm excited to be more "in-the-loop" on current, past and future topics that could be effecting me or people I know.

What I learned #1:


I've been hearing a lot about "Occupy Wallstreet" in the past few days - a few high school friends are there protesting for the week, and a couple others are participating in OccupyMN. So I started a Google search for Occupy Wallstreet first, since that seemed to be the main event.

First, just so I knew what it was, I went here.
Then, I read a couple articles about what has been happening, from different sources and different views.

This started on September 17th, and is currently in day 26.
The basic jist is that people are occupying Manhattan's Zuccotti Park in peaceful protest, pushing for a separation of money and government. What started as an idea by an activist group spread across the country, and is happening all over (including Minneapolis, MN).
The continuous message I saw was "We are the 99%" - this is saying that we are the majority, and in this case, we don't have the money or the power. One author, Demetria Irwin, wonders in her Huff Post article (here) if this is America's revolution - following Egypt and other countries this year. She mentions a poll taken, who's results revealed that the majority of the protesters are twenty-somethings:  "they aren't anti-capitalism, but they are anti-getting run over by policies that favor the wealthiest one percent" -Demetria Irwin.

There is a ton more information and topics - from police brutality to Millionaire March - and I plan to keep up-to-date on the subject. It is current, ongoing and constantly changing, and more importantly, it is effecting us right now. Personally, I think it's a great movement, and I hope some peaceful and intelligent changes can sprout from it. Here is the movement's official website if you want to read more and continue to know what is happening. Also this site is good.


What I learned #2:


So after watching the video "The Future of Food" in class on Monday, I was very disgusted and freaked out by genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This page from the World Health Organization gives a short definition of GM foods, along with some frequently asked questions about them.
I had heard of GM foods before, but didn't know much about them, how they were created, or what awful things their "owners" are doing to small farmers. In brief, genetically changing a plant to that it doesn't die as easily, or produces more food sounds great! But what most people don't know (including me until Monday) is how they make that happen. As I found out in the video, a common practice is to use viruses and bacteria as hosts to insert a new gene into a cell. I don't know about you, but I typically try to keep viruses and bacteria out of my body. They also mention that these new species are often tagged with "antibiotic resistance genes" so they can be followed later. This raises the question of the possibility of those genes transferring to the people who eat them, thus making them more resistant to some antibiotics.
To make matters worse, GM foods do more require labeling. So when you go to the grocery store and buy a tomato or corn flakes, you have no way of knowing if it was grown from something genetically modified.
I personally plan on starting a new, non-class related lifestyle change by trying my best to reduce my GM food intake (shopping at co-ops, looking for foods labeled as "not GM", buying local).

Eye Opener: CSPI

I chose to do the Eating Green Calculator for this assignment. I was interested first of all to find out my estimated impact, but also about how I could improve my diet. It was a little difficult to enter my weekly servings of each food (beef, chicken, eggs, milk...) since it usually varies from week-to-week. So I tried to kind of enter servings on average (I put zero servings for eggs since I rarely use them - it doesn't mean I never do).
I think I'm happy with my impact, however it is hard to tell what is "good". I also liked that they provided the nutritional information!
Then I clicked on the tab to learn how to improve my diet AND protect the environment: I didn't change much. Since I had already entered such small amounts of servings, it was hard to reduce them by much without totally replacing them - and I don't want to go vegetarian. I think, for me personally at least, getting some meat and dairy during the week is important. It helps me feel healthier, gives me protein, and aids me in making other healthy food options (milk in my oatmeal).
I did not take the pledge, because I think that I am already doing good on my animal product levels.

In summary, I do think it is important to be conscious of the amount of animal products you eat, but I think it is even more important to consider where you get them/how they are raised. A large majority of the beef I make at home comes from my boyfriend's uncle who raises cows in Michigan. And when I buy chicken I try my best to buy local if available, and free-range. This calculator doesn't take any of that into account when giving you your results.