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April 3 - April 21, 2023
Andrew Mack's avatar

Andrew Mack

Penn State Altoona

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 366 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    21
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    6.0
    zero-waste meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    120
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    3.0
    whole food meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    558
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    85
    minutes
    not spent in front of a screen
  • UP TO
    130
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    11
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    lightbulb
    replaced

Andrew's actions

Energy

Choose LED Bulbs

I will replace 1 incandescent lightbulb(s) with Energy Star-certified LED bulbs, saving up to $14 per fixture per year.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Energy

Learn About Renewable Energy

I will spend 60 minutes learning more about renewable energy alternatives (i.e. solar, wind, biomass) in my region.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 5 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day this week.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset

I will enjoy the sunrise and/or sunset each day.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Practice Gratitude for Earth

I will spend 20 minute(s) per day outside, practicing gratitude (prayer, meditation, journaling, etc.) for Earth and my natural surroundings.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Energy

Power Down the Computer

I will power down my computer and monitor when not using it for more than 2 hours, saving up to (1.1) lbs of CO2 each day that I do this.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Learn About Local Environmental Justice Concerns

I will spend 60 minutes researching environmental justice and environmental racism concerns in my region, who is affected by them, and local initiatives to address these concerns.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Zero-Waste Cooking

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

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Tend a Garden

I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Food Lifestyle

I will enjoy 2 meal(s) each day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Explore My Area

I will explore at least one new hiking trail or nature walk in my area.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Join An Outdoor Project

I will join an outdoor restoration project in my community while observing best practices in my region for not spreading COVID-19.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?


  • Andrew Mack's avatar
    Andrew Mack 4/19/2023 11:57 AM
    last year there were a lot of green tomatoes on my plants by the time of the first frosts coming. So I picked them and froze them whole. Yesterday I thawed them all out and used them to make green tomato marmalade-- 9 half pint jars. So these tomatoes in the past would have frozen on the vine and gone into the compost pile. Instead I was able to save them to make enough marmalade to last me more than a year; won't need to buy.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Energy Power Down the Computer
    What are other easy things you could do to save energy and reduce your environmental footprint?

    Andrew Mack's avatar
    Andrew Mack 4/06/2023 11:01 AM
    Use an efficient electric kettle and boil just as much water as you need to make tea/hot drinks rather than a pot on the stovetop (especially a gas stove top). Heat water for pasta, etc in the electric kettle first rather than a large pot of cold water heated on the stove top.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Tend a Garden
    Have you ever had a significant experience in nature that altered your perspective or focus? If so, please describe it.

    Andrew Mack's avatar
    Andrew Mack 4/06/2023 10:58 AM
    I lived off the grid in a wilderness for nearly 4 years. Nothing since approaches that level of calm and being in the moment.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Nature Enjoy the Sunrise/Sunset
    Father Thomas Berry says, "... our primary purpose is celebration. Celebration of the dawn and the sunset and the different seasons of the year is a religious ritual, a way in which humans can establish their integral relationship with the universe, with the planet Earth." What is your response to Berry's assertion?

    Andrew Mack's avatar
    Andrew Mack 4/04/2023 9:02 AM
    nice thought, but I don't really think we have a purpose. We just are, and can make the most of it or not.
  • 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?

    Andrew Mack's avatar
    Andrew Mack 4/04/2023 8:59 AM
    I have made pickled melon rinds in the past. They are good as a condiment and last forever if canned properly.