Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

Healthy People 2020 Objective: Surface and Groundwater Quality

EH-4: Increase the proportion of persons served by community water systems who receive a

supply of drinking water that meets the regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Target: 91 percent

Baseline: 89 percent of persons served by community water systems received a supply of drinking water that meets the regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2005.

H.R.425 Great Lakes Water Protection Act

Title: To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a deadline for restricting sewage dumping into the Great Lakes and to fund programs and activities for improving wastewater discharges into the Great Lakes.

Sponsor: Rep. Dold, Robert J. [IL-10] (introducted 1-25-2011)
Cosponsors: Rep. Lipinski, Daniel [IL-3] - (1-25-2011)

Lates Major Action: 1-26-11 Referred to House subcommittee.  Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Recommendation: Vote YES for H.R.425 Great Lakes Water Protection Act

My political representative: Rep. Chip Cravaack

Share 'N' Voice: Whole Foods Co-Op

Hey guys!  So we've talked about the Whole Foods Co-Op a lot in class, and it got me to thinking about sharing their website through my blog.  I'm sure a lot of you guys have already been there before or shop frequently, but I bet there are a few of you who maybe need this extra "shove" to get yourself to this awesome store!  This website offers lots of good information concerning local events, some coupons you can use at the store, and other general information.

For those of you who haven't been there before, it's in an easy-to-get-to location right downtown in Duluth:

610 East 4th Street

Duluth, MN 55805-2055

(218)-728-0884

The site is easy to read and lets the public know how important shopping at the Co-Op really is.  Buying foods from the Co-Op is like voting "yes" for locally grown/organic foods.  Frequent shoppers can even receive benefits by becoming a "member" of the Co-Op, which is explained more here.  

So, I suggest you all take a look at this site, even if you already shop there.. you might learn something new about the Co-Op!  I also encourage anyone who hasn't gone to this store to PLEASE visit it, it's worth looking around at.  Even if you try a couple of new things from there, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Advocacy Project: My Political Representative

I was asked to find some political representatives... here's what I found!


Barack Obama (President):
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
202-456-1111
website

Amy Klobuchar (Congressman):

U.S. Senate/Democrat

302 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

202-224-3244/202-228-2186

website

Al Franken (Congressman):

U.S. Senate/Democrat

309 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20500

202-224-5641

website

U.S. House/Republican

508 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20500

202-225-6211/202-225-0699

website

Mark Dayton (Governor):
Democrat
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-201-3400/651-797-1850
website

David J. Tomassoni (Senator):

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
State Office Building, Room 21
St. Paul, MN 55155-1206
651.296.8017

website

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!

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 5

http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Vegetables/Stir-Fry-Vegetables.aspx

I can't believe it's already the last week of the lifestyle change!  As always, my SMART goal was to increase my vegetable intake by eating 4 servings each day while purchasing organic foods in less packaging.  I think this past week was successful.  I managed to make some vegetable "stir fry" and, it was a great thing to have for lunch during the school days.  It was also easy to make!  I decided not to add any sauces or anything, so I just cooked my vegetables in a small amount of Pam Cooking Spray and some water, salt, and pepper.  I bought some vegetables from Whole Foods, too:  snow peas, red and green peppers, and cucumbers.  I also had some salads here and there.

I didn't really face any challenges this week aside from a common challenge:  just staying on track and making sure I keep up with my goal (which I did).  It felt good to have a solid week of no distractions, complications, or "excuses" for not being able to meet my goal.  I learned that even though I might have a rough day or week to deal with that might interfere with my goal, I can still accomplish it with determination.

Next week I plan to keep up with my goal by finding more recipes and and ideas to incorporate my vegetables into each day.

The Past 5 Weeks
As for the entire lifestyle change process, I didn't end up changing my goal.  I think I set my goal at a comfortable, yet challenging level, so that's why I never changed it.  The ways I was most successful was just by keeping a positive attitude and making sure I went out and actually bought the environmentally friendly veggies.  Challenges included running off course by going on vacation and poor time management skills during the school days.  This lifestyle change made me realize that I can succeed over these obstacles, I just have to get my mind set on overcoming them.

I benefited from this project not only from being environmentally friendly, but I increased my daily nutritious intake.  I learned that I can achieve a goal when I set my mind to it, and I learned it really isn't that difficult to eat more healthily (as long as you want to do something, you can do it).  As for my environment, I think it's what I make of it that benefited me in achieving my goal.  Even though I was on vacation for a bit, I still tried hard to make sure I ate lots of veggies.  Being is school was something I thought would be difficult, but I learned that I need to take charge of my environment to make my goal happen.  I think others benefited by seeing my lifestyle change, and I encouraged others to do the same as me.

I want to try and keep up with increasing my vegetable intake, but I don't think I want to strive for 4 servings every day.  Although it is great to get veggies in your diet, I like to eat things other than veggies, like meat and cheese.  I think as long as I keep an open mind with my diet and keep choosing veggies more often than I used to, I will be on a good track to becoming a healthier person.

If I had to recommend anything to someone choosing a lifestyle change like me, I would say they need to keep a positive attitude while making sure they manage their time appropriately.  Planning ahead when to buy food and make it helped me a lot in making sure I ate enough veggies to meet my goals.

Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

I decided to look up the ChapStick brand chap stick I use because the "dry" season has just started, and I'm starting to use my chap stick ALL the time.  I use lots of different brands of chap sticks, but this is one that I think is a popular one among everyone.  I was surprised to see that the hazard number was as high as 6!

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

I guess what surprised me the most is just the fact that this is hazardous at a moderate level.  Chap stick is something almost everyone uses often or at least sometimes (especially in dry climates like our winters).  It makes me feel like I need to be more aware of what I am putting on my body, like lotion, makeup, nail polish, etc.  I began to look up more cosmetics I use, and most of them were either at level 6 or lower.  I am glad that I don't have any cosmetics that were higher than 6, but it still makes me more aware of what I choose to put on my skin.

As I said before, I use lots of different kinds of chap stick/lip balm.  I looked up another brand that I use, and it is much safer than the ChapStick brand.  It's called Eos Lip Balm, so I recommend you all try this kind!

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/