Reflections 1-7

It's crazy that 7 weeks have already flown by!  I feel like this class has gone over a lot of what I have already learned, but this "information" became more apart of my lifestyle and beliefs, rather than just what I know.  I feel thankful to be apart of a academic program that discusses such essential information, and I think this class is something everyone should be taking.

Usually I hate taking classes where we have to make goals for ourselves and then try them out.  I always feel like I never get fully satisfied with my goal, but this class was different.  Even though my goal was as simple as adding more veggies to my diet by purchasing them from Whole Foods CoOp, I found it to be very beneficial and something I can accomplish after this class is over.  The Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change really taught me the ideas of what it is to have a goal and how to mold my daily lifestyle to make it manageable for my needs.

I enjoyed the interesting videos we watched, too.  I think my favorite video was "Tapped" because I recently had to do a project on the concerns of water bottle production and use.  Even though I had done a lot of research for my project, I really did learn a lot more in the video than I already knew.  I personally try my hardest to stay away from bottled products, water being a big "no-no".  I really liked the part of the video that discussed how water bottles have turned into the "baby bottle"of adults:  it's there to comfort us, to know we have something of our very own.  This made me laugh, but it is so true!  Our country is so concerned about their individual selves, which in turn, increases our bottled water consumption because so many people think "it's convenient, so it doesn't mater".

Another thing I enjoyed in this class was the outdoor activity where we "became one with the earth".  It is so relaxing when we can find time to just enjoy the simple things in life, like the wind, the sun, the grass, and the fall smells.  Even though I have done activities like this before, I think it was great to do it in our class to have people do it that may have never done it before.  This activity simply reminded me that I need to take a second or two each day and just enjoy what is around me and to wipe out the life stresses.

Lastly, I really enjoyed our "junking" session.  Learning to reuse and repurpose objects we have lying around the house is such a good idea!  The activity where we tried to find ways to repurpose objects from Dr. Nowak's house really opened my eyes to all of the possibilities that I can find in simple objects.  I enjoyed finding myself to be creative, even though I never considered myself to be.

I'm very eager to know what other awesome things we will be doing and learning in this class for the last half!  

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Antique:  An old, collectable item due to its age, condition, or rareness.  Most define an antique by being at least 100 years old.

Junk:  Discarded material that can be reused in some way.  Some examples include old furniture scraps, rags, clothes, glass, and plastic bottles.

Flea Market:  This is where old or already used goods are swapped or bartered for.  There can be food vendors at flea markets, too.

Thrift Shop:  A place that sells already used items, where the profits will benefit charitable organizations.  Thrift shops mainly sell clothing.

Upcycling:  Converting waste materials into new products of better environmental value.

Resale Shop:  The act of selling something again.  A good example includes the store Plato's Closet, which buys secondhand clothing from people so they can resell them at a lesser cost.

These terms, some of which I did not know until I researched them, have a lot in common.. as well as a lot in common with environmental health.  These are all relatable because they all share the idea of reusing or buying what has already been bought, which is considered environmentally friendly.  If people never reused clothing, objects, or products, our world would have to put so much more effort into making and supplying more products.  All objects have a life, and most objects can be "transformed" or changed by others into something else to make it's life longer.

Antique Store: Father Time Antiques
395 S Lake Ave # 1
Duluth, MN 55802-2311(218) 625-2379


Junk Store:  Chesney Auto Salvage
6250 Beaver River Road
Duluth, MN 55803-9499(218) 721-4874


Flea Market:  Flea Portal (gives all different flea markets in MN)

Thrift Shop:  Ragstock (one of my favorite stores!!)
7 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802-2029(218) 722-1201

Upcycling:  Christopher Lowell (different resources for finding upcycled furniture)

Resale Shop:  Plato's Closet
5115 Burning Tree Rd # 315C
Duluth, MN 55811-1876(218) 733-9455


I actually have gone to the local antique stores in Duluth because I think they are 
so interesting and fun to go to. I also sell and buy some things from Plato's Closet,
 and I shop at Ragstock when I'm around the downtown area. 


1) Antique/Upcycled Bracelet

I thought this piece of jewelry was so cute and creative!  I love antique jewelry because I think it has such a unique look to it, and it doesn't look like all the other "popular" jewelry that everyone has.

2) Globe Turned into Pumpkin

I thought this was a great idea to turn something into a festive decoration.  This caught my eye because I always hate spending money on decorations for holidays, but I love to be festive.  I want to try and follow this idea by using some old stuff I don't have and turning them into Christmas decorations :) . 

3) Truck turned into planter

What a cute idea!  This would be a great idea for parents who have old toys laying around from when their kids used to have them.  Instead of just throwing them away, turn them into art or something useful!  I love the idea and never would have thought of this!