Hugh Smeltekop

University of St. Thomas Faculty & Staff

"Keep learning, and keep changing! "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
446 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

6.0

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

180

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

30

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

90

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

20

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

4.0

organic meals

consumed
UP TO

4.0

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

2.0

zero-waste meals

consumed

Hugh's actions

Simplicity

Meditate

I will meditate or create a moment of silence for 20 minute(s) each day to reflect on things important to me.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

I will take a 30-minute walk outside each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Exercise Daily

Exercise is a great stress blaster! I will exercise for 30 minute(s) each day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

More Fruits and Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cup(s) of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Health

Happiness

I will write down three things every day that I am grateful for, or send one email every day thanking or praising someone.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Try a New Way to Prep

I will try a new method of food preparation, such as canning, pickling, or baking bread.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 1 meal(s) each day from local producers.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Zero-Waste Cooking

I will cook 1 meal(s) with zero-waste each day

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

I will enjoy 1 meal(s) cooked with organic ingredients each day.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 0 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Building Resilience

Support Businesses Owned by People of Color

Racial inequity is both a sustainability and justice problem. I will support businesses owned by people of color in my community whenever I shop.

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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Simplicity Meditate

What would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?

Hugh Smeltekop 4/24/2021 11:35 AM

I use the Headspace app to stay present in the moment. I get lost worrying about things, and having a reminder to be grateful for what is happening right now is good for me.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Nature Go for a Daily Walk

How do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?

Hugh Smeltekop 4/22/2021 12:41 PM

There is so much interesting architecture around our neighborhood! and also it's nice to smile and say hi to folks out walking. :)

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Hugh Smeltekop 4/22/2021 12:39 PM

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!! May we bring our spirit of connection to the earth every day.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Health Exercise Daily

How can you incorporate other personal values (like quality time with friends or spending time in nature) into your exercise routine?

Hugh Smeltekop 4/20/2021 6:54 AM

I try to walk outside (usually by the Mississippi River) with my husband for half an hour or more every day.

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- Elise Amel 4/20/2021 11:39 AM
  
  I hope to see you two someday along the mighty Mississippi!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Try a New Way to Prep

Canning and pickling food is a great way to have delicious summer fruits and vegetables all year round. Just make sure to follow the canning and pickling guidelines from the USDA or another trusted source. What are some foods that you would like to preserve and enjoy later in the year?

Hugh Smeltekop 4/18/2021 11:14 AM

I learned how to make pickled onions -- it's really easy, and they are great on rice bowls.

Also, I have never been able to make good pizza at home, UNTIL: I found this recipe for pan pizza from King Arthur Baking. It changed my life!!!

https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/crispy-cheesy-pan-pizza-recipe

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Choose Organic Ingredients

Many people say that “you can’t feed the world with just organic food.” How would you respond to that statement?

Hugh Smeltekop 4/16/2021 11:37 AM

If the US invested in organic production techniques similar to what it invests in conventional production, we would have plentiful organic food at competitive prices. Let's invest!

I found these organic mushrooms produced right here in Roseville, MN.

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- Elise Amel 4/16/2021 8:54 PM
  
  Women's Environmental Institute offers a class on growing your own mushrooms as well as one on growing your own microgreens!
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Reduce Animal Products

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our planet and other people?

Hugh Smeltekop 4/15/2021 2:49 PM

I think we eat a lot of meat because of culture and habit -- and there are so many great-tasting alternatives!!! The amount of methane produced by cows, water needed to produce meat and derived calories required for meat are ASTOUNDING! Eating less meat is one of the easiest ways to reduce our impact on the planet.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Locally-Sourced Meals

If you were to only eat what is in season locally from now on, what would be the most difficult food item for you to give up? Why?

Hugh Smeltekop 4/14/2021 7:34 AM

My neighbor's son has an egg farm just outside of town and delivers fresh eggs to us every week now! <3

Eating in season feels easy except that I want fresh tomatoes all year round! (and of course chocolate -- is there a chocolate exception?)

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Hugh Smeltekop 4/13/2021 9:22 AM

Woot!!!! Excited about this year's EcoChallenge!

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