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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?


  • Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:47 AM
    It is a good reminder to keep working on the small things that hopefully it will add up to a much bigger impact.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Go Paperless
    Reducing your paper mail can reduce mental clutter as well as physical waste -- by reducing what is coming in, you can reduce what is going into the recycling bin too. How does it make you feel? What is the next step you will take to reduce your waste?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:46 AM
    I have called and emailed to request being removed from mailing lists. I have also signed up for organizations that work to remove my name from junk mail lists. I need to go back and redo some of these things as I haven't followed up on this for a while. I always feel better when I don't have to add more things to the waste or recycling stream.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Compost Food Waste
    New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:45 AM
    I regularly compost and have a system of using that compost in my raised beds and garden plots that grow my salad greens, peppers, cucumbers and Tomatoes The Following season.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Choose Two-Sided Printing
    Choosing two-sided printing can be an easy adjustment on your computer settings. How can you help others make this same switch? Can it be encouraged company wide?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:44 AM
    It is encouraged company-wide where I work. I have taken the time to show other people how to access two-sided Printing and to check that it is turned on.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Reduce Single-Use Disposables
    What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What did you substitute or could be substituted instead?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:43 AM
    The major single-use plastic that I use is the plastic bags that hold Frozen vegetables and fruit. I tried to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables using reusable bags as much as possible but in Minnesota in the winter, I can often only get local fruits and vegetables from the frozen section.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Waste Prevent Recycling Contamination
    What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:41 AM
    I am bummed about the fact that our local recyclers are reducing the types of plastic that they will take, including no more black plastic. The most difficult part of recycling right now is keeping track of the eco-friendly Plastics that need to be recycled and the compostable Plastics that cannot be recycled but can be composted through my Municipal facility. Often these companies use similar packaging and marketing symbols to show they are agreeing company but it makes accurate recycling much more difficult.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Health More Fruits and Veggies
    How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:39 AM
    I feel better when I have more fruits and vegetables and my body works better too! I also know that most fruits and vegetables are much more environmentally sound than any type of meat.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Whole Food Lifestyle
    Michael Pollan states that “it is better to pay the grocer (our edit: or the farmer!) than the doctor.” What are your thoughts on this assertion?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:38 AM
    I have made an effort to move toward this non-processed food diet for the last 10 years. I feel better when I eat more Whole Foods. This is a no-brainer for me.
  • 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?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:37 AM
    Coffee and avocados. We don't eat a lot of avocados but they are a special treat. Coffee is also something that I enjoy.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Zero-Waste Cooking
    In North America, up to 65% of food waste happens at the consumer level. Chef Steven Satterfield advocates for using every part of a vegetable. How can you incorporate using an entire vegetable (including the skins, tops, stalks, etc.) during your next meal prep?

    Sandy Muellner's avatar
    Sandy Muellner 5/01/2021 9:35 AM
    I regularly use most of the parts of the vegetables that we eat. As a vegetarian oh, many of our meals are vegetable only. The parts of the vegetable that are in edible go into my home compost. That home compost is then used in my garden beds to regrow vegetables the next year. Food waste does not get wasted in our house. We are also privileged enough to live in a city that has a municipal compost. Any eggs, cheese or other Nan home compostable waste is also composted through that system.