Mittale Suchak
"“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 2,825 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO390minutesspent outdoors
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UP TO17pounds of CO2have been saved
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UP TO2.0lightbulbsreplaced
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UP TO1.0hourvolunteered
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UP TO20disposable cupsnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO0.0minutesnot spent in front of a screen
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UP TO2.0zero-waste mealsconsumed
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UP TO4.0outdoor mealsconsumed
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UP TO16organic mealsconsumed
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UP TO1.0locally sourced mealconsumed
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UP TO840minutesspent exercising
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UP TO230gallons of waterhave been saved
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UP TO50milestraveled by bus
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UP TO15meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO5.0plastic bottlesnot sent to the landfill
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UP TO3.0milestraveled by carpool
Mittale's actions
Food
Whole Food Diet
I will enjoy 2 meal(s) per day free of processed foods.
Simplicity
Work-Life Balance
I will not work more than 8 hour days each day.
Transportation
Conduct Virtual Meetings
I will not travel for meetings and will instead conduct them virtually.
Transportation
Work from Home
I will work from home 2 day(s) to avoid my commute's carbon output.
Food
Say No to Seafood
I will not eat seafood.
Health
Exercise Daily
I will exercise daily for 60 minute(s) per day for two weeks.
Food
Smart Seafood Choices
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.
Waste
Find Local Recycling Depots
I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.
Nature
Leave No Trace
I will practice the seven principles of leave no trace when doing nature activities alone or with family and friends.
Nature
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses, such as 'Reconnecting with Earth', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Nature
Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.
Simplicity
Buy Only What I Need
I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.
Simplicity
De-Clutter my Home
I will de-clutter, clean, and donate or recycle unneeded items in my home.
Food
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses on food sustainability, 'Menu for the Future' or 'Hungry for Change', with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Water
Fix Leaky Faucets
I will fix faucets that have been wasting up to 9 gallons (34 L) of water per faucet per day.
Community
Volunteer in my Community
I will volunteer 1 hour(s) in my community.
Simplicity
Eat Mindfully
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.
Simplicity
Limit Social Media
I will limit my social media use to once per day.
Community
Host a House Party
I will host a house party to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on an issue that matters to me.
Waste
Become a Master Recyler/Composter
I will sign up for a Master Recycler/Composter program in my area.
Health
Audit Toxic Products In My Home
I will research toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.
Simplicity
Organize a Course
I will organize NWEI's discussion course 'Voluntary Simplicity' with my family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Waste
Go Paperless
I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by opting into paperless billing and/or unsubscribing from catalogs.
Simplicity
Less Screen Time
I will replace 0 minute(s) of screen time per day with other activities.
Nature
Join an Outdoor Project
I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community.
Waste
Start Composting
I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.
Nature
Eat Meals Outside
I will eat 1 meal(s) outside each day.
Simplicity
Track my Purchases
I will maintain a record of all my purchases.
Health
Take Control
Develop a plan with my medical professionals to achieve my best health and live my life to the fullest.
Health
Eliminate Toxic Plastics
I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.
Health
Healthy Sleep
I will commit to getting 60 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.
Health
More Fruits And Veggies
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.
Simplicity
Disconnect from Email
I will disconnect from my email when not at work.
Waste
Use Reusable Bags
I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.
Simplicity
Have a Garage Sale
I will have a group garage sale with friends, family, and/or neighbors.
Community
Share my Actions
I will make my environmental actions visible with a lawn sign or bumper sticker, or by posting to my social media networks.
Water
Ditch the Lawn
I will replace my lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape and save water, money, and time cutting the grass.
Energy
Upgrade Heating & Cooling Units
I will replace inefficient heating and cooling units.
Transportation
Choose a Carbon Offset
If buying a plane ticket, I will also buy a carbon offset.
Energy
Use an Energy Meter
I will use an energy meter to monitor my energy use and identify opportunities to save power.
Energy
Upgrade my Windows
I will upgrade the windows or weatherstripping in my home or office to reduce air leaks and save on energy costs.
Health
Support Pollution Reduction
I will learn about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.
Water
Mulch the Base of Trees and Plants
I will prevent water runoff and increase absorbency by mulching the base of plants and trees at my home or work.
Community
Express my Support
I will find out who in my state makes decisions that impact the environment and express my support for more environmental actions.
Nature
Spend Time Outside
I will replace 30 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.
Transportation
Advocate for Greener Vehicles
I will assess the vehicles used by my company or college and advocate for a purchasing policy focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.
Transportation
Car Share
I will sign up for a car-sharing service, or organize car sharing with my neighbors, to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road.
Health
Know My Health
I will get my Core Four Biometrics tests (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and BMI).
Energy
Switch to Cold Water
I will switch to washing my clothes in cold water, saving up to 1,600 lbs of C02 over the course of the next year.
Energy
Heat and Cool Naturally
I will naturally heat and cool my house, office, or dorm room by opening or closing my windows, curtains, and blinds, and by using fans.
Energy
Replace Manual Thermostats
I will replace manual thermostats with programmable ones.
Energy
Turn it off
I will keep lights, electronics, and appliances turned off when not using them.
Health
Happiness
I will write down three things every day for two weeks that I am grateful for or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.
Community
Connect with a Nonprofit
I will connect with a local nonprofit, environmental or otherwise, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.
Energy
Choose Clean/Renewable Energy
I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.
Health
Go Get a Check Up
I will make an appointment for my annual physical.
Food
Try a New Way to Prep
I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.
Food
Buy from a Farmers Market
I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op.
Waste
Avoid Disposables
I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or cutlery.
Waste
Use a Reusable Mug
I will avoid sending 10 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day.
Waste
Visit a Waste Management Facility
I will visit a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.
Waste
Use Reusable Containers
I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.
Waste
Recycle all Recyclable Materials
I will recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community.
Waste
Needs vs. Wants
I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.
Create Your Own Action
Veganism
Explore at least 2-3 things about Veganism. What do vegan eat, how do they get their source of iron and other critical vitamins? What are some of the health benefits associated with being a vegan? What are some of the drawbacks with veganism?
Food
Plant an Herb Garden
I will plant an herb garden in my home, workplace, or dorm room.
Energy
Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle
Research or test drive an electric car or bike.
Water
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day.
Nature
Explore my Area
I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.
Energy
Disable Screen Savers
I will disable screen savers and will put the computer to sleep instead, saving up to 28% % more energy.
Food
Locally-Sourced Meals
I will source 1 meal(s) per day from local producers.
Food
Cook New Recipes
I will cook a new recipe every day that features organic and/or local ingredients.
Food
100-Mile Diet
I'm up for a serious challenge! I will only eat food that has been raised and cultivated within a hundred-mile radius of where I live.
Water
Conserve Toilet Water
I will save up to 12 gallons (45 L) of water a day by flushing only when necessary.
Food
Weekly Meal Planning
I will reduce food waste and save money by planning a weekly menu, only buying the ingredients I need.
Food
Advocate for more Food Options
I will advocate for local and/or organic food options at work or on campus.
Water
Use Reusable Bottles
I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.
Energy
Choose LED Bulbs
I will replace 2 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.
Community
Join my Neighborhood Association
I will join my neighborhood association or another local group.
Food
Eat Meatless Meals
I will enjoy 3 meatless meal(s) per day.
Energy
Install Alternative Energy
I will install alternative energy systems, e.g., solar electric systems or solar water heaters.
Energy
Organize a Course
I will organize one of NWEI's discussion courses, such as 'Powering a Bright Future', with family, friends, coworkers, or classmates.
Water
Brush My Teeth Without Running Water
I will save up to 8 gallons (30 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.
Food
Zero-Waste Cooking
I will cook 2 meal(s) with zero waste each day.
Transportation
Use Public Transit
I will use public transit 50 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 15.23 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Transportation
Just Drive Less
I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips.
Transportation
Try Carpooling
I will commute by carpool 3 mile(s) per day and avoid sending up to 1.69 lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.
Simplicity
Go for a Daily Walk
I will take a walk each day.
Water
Collect Rain Water
I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.
Water
Insulate Water Pipes and Water Heater
I will avoid wasting water while waiting for the shower or sink to heat up.
Simplicity
Support a Sharing Economy
I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.
Water
Install a Toilet Tank Bank
I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day.
Water
Eco-friendly Gardening
I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.
Food
Visit a Local Farm
I will visit a nearby farm to pick my own fruits and veggies.
Food
Join a Local CSA
I will sign up for a local CSA (consumer-supported agriculture).
Food
Watch a Documentary
I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.
Food
Choose Organic Ingredients
I will enjoy 2 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients per day.
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?
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Mittale Suchak 10/28/2016 12:51 PMMy favorite one-time challenge in the Community Category was to connect with a non-profit in the community and learn more about them. I was very pleased with the end result of this challenge. I also really enjoyed the one-time challenges around Food, Energy and Water. I created a personal challenge around veganism, which I was able to attain. -
Mittale Suchak 10/28/2016 5:59 AMI am so grateful for this EcoChallenge! I have learned so much by simply participating and proactively taking action in the community and in my daily life to make small changes that continue to have such large impacts on the planet and our environment's well-being. The one-time challenges have been great because they have made me think outside the box and have allowed me to explore options. I hope these kinds of Eco-Challenges continue to occur every year. I thoroughly enjoyed participating, working with my Team mates, encouraging others to post and get involved and make a difference!-
Tara Marie Colaruotolo 10/28/2016 9:24 AMWe made it ! I hope they do this again every year too :)
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Mittale Suchak 10/26/2016 7:46 AMI am really trying to be more energy efficient around my place - trying to take into account high energy efficient measures to ensure that I am doing everything to conserve energy and reducing costs at the same time.-
Mittale Suchak 10/27/2016 5:36 AMThank you so much Tara! You are doing great too!!! -
Tara Marie Colaruotolo 10/26/2016 3:27 PMYou are doing great ! Keep it up :)
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Mittale Suchak 10/25/2016 1:10 PMI have been using eco-friendly cleaning products at home! Wow what a huge difference have they made! There are so many cost-effective products out there. With enough research, I was able to choose some great products. -
Mittale Suchak 10/25/2016 1:07 PMEveryone, this is the LAST week for the CR Eco-Challenge! Be sure to write down some progress you have made!-
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/25/2016 1:08 PMWe are in 3rd place now!! And pretty close to first!! LET'S DO THIS!!!
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Mittale Suchak 10/25/2016 12:12 PMRecently, I have been very conscious of water usage - I make sure my showers are short and when brushing my teeth, I close the tap!-
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/25/2016 1:02 PMMe too! To make sure that I am not going over 5 minutes I play two songs that equal about 4 and a half minutes so I know to wrap it up.
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Mittale Suchak 10/25/2016 6:05 AMI tried a new lentil recipe last night (10/24) and I also did two classes at the studio, which I am very proud of. Replaced two light bulbs with more energy efficient light bulbs. :)-
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/25/2016 12:12 PMAwesome job!! :)
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Mittale Suchak 10/24/2016 12:57 PMI have been eating a lot of home cooked vegetarian meals with fresh ingredients. I have recently tried some new recipes with quinoa. I love how versatile it is. I am also buying organic ingredients and I love to shop at Trader Joes.-
Kevin Zacharyasz 10/25/2016 12:11 PMI love quinoa! It is such a great meal addition.
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Mittale Suchak 10/24/2016 5:51 AMRecently took a course on planting a herb garden - what it involves, what are the steps involved in getting started and what some of the benefits are. It was very interesting! -
Mittale Suchak 10/24/2016 5:46 AMReferring to one of my Eco-Challenges, having a garage sale. I did not have one at my place. But I just recently participated in one at my neighbors place. It was such a unique experience, especially since I have never had one myself. You don't realize how many things you have until you put them on display!