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October 11 - October 25, 2017
Veronika Vazhnik's avatar

Veronika Vazhnik

Penn State EcoChallenge 2017

"Sustainability starts with solidarity. So, lets train not only our stomachs and hands, but also our hearts!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 956 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    490
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    28
    locally sourced meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    15
    organic meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    30
    phone calls
    made to public officials or leaders
  • UP TO
    42
    whole food meals
    consumed

Veronika's actions

Waste

Complete a Recycler / Composter Training

I will sign up for a Recycler / Composter program in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Reduce Unwanted Mail

I will reduce the amount of unwanted mail I receive (catalogs, phone books, etc.).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Energy

Consider Switching to an Electric Vehicle

I will research or test drive an electric car or bike.

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Find Local Recycling Depots

I will find out where to recycle the recyclable items that I can't put in my curbside bin.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Avoid Disposables

I will not use any disposable plates, cups, or utensils.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Lobby for Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health

Avoid refined sugar

I will adopt a diet free of refined sugars, which eliminates sweetened beverages, candy, and processed foods.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Whole Foods Diet

I will enjoy 3 meal(s) per day free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Install a Low-Flow Showerhead

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day by installing a low-flow showerhead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Locally-Sourced Meals

I will source 2 meal(s) per day from local producers.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Animal Free Diet

I will adopt a diet free of animal products.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Say No to Seafood

I will not eat seafood.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Pick Up the Phone

I will make 2 phone call(s) per day to a public official or company to advocate community or planet-friendly policies.

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Host a House Party

I will host a house party to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on an environmental issue that matters to me.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

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

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

5-Minute Showers

I will save up to 20 gallons (75 L) of water each day by taking 5-minute showers.

COMPLETED 14
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about food with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

COMPLETED
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?


  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/25/2017 5:53 AM
    The last day of the challenge! This went by very fast! Just did my last two calls for the challenge, but now I feel much more comfortable and encouraged to call PA representatives.  It is such an easy way to communicate the concerns of the community around me!

    • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
      Veronika Vazhnik 10/25/2017 6:05 PM
      Thank you, Dave, for the kind words! And thanks for all links and resources you posted!

    • David Jones's avatar
      David Jones 10/25/2017 4:59 PM
      Veronika, thanks so much for your enthusiasm and leadership through out the challenge... it has been encouraging and inspiring! 😃👍

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/24/2017 8:28 AM
    Only 2 days to go! Just called PA representatives to ensure funding for research on energy and climate change.

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/23/2017 4:06 PM
    Watched "Just eat it", and happened to be near Au Bon Pain, which was closing with lists of pastry leftover. So I had to sprint to buy what I thought I could fit into my backpack as I couldn't stand the thought hat some of it could be wasted. Wonder what - I got 50% off for that!

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/23/2017 8:41 AM
    Another 2 calls go to PA senators about Jeffrey Bossert Clark's nomination for Assistant Attorney General for DOJ Environmental and Natural Resources Division. If you have never contacted your state representative - it is very easy. "5 calls" app can help you make the first step. 

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/22/2017 9:28 AM
    Happy Sunday from central PA! With this summer-like weather it is really easy to do the "eat outside" challenge. I wonder how frequent these warm days will be in the future, when the effects of global weirding get stronger...

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/20/2017 7:55 AM
    Just did another 6 calls to prepare for the weekend. If one of you is planning to be a politician, it is really rewarding when you have staff at the phone that is informed - makes a very large difference compared to just leaving a message!

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/19/2017 6:23 AM
    Another 2 calls for today to PA representatives about the delayed Penn State Budget, a kind legislative assistant at Gov. Wolf's office updated me on the budget situation. He said that they are waiting for the House of Representatives to provide (or not provide) the budget to Penn State, but he was convinced that the state will provide the money "somehow, from somewhere" independent of House's decision.

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/18/2017 6:05 PM
    Having some productive rest today. We are already one week through - less than one left!


  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/18/2017 5:56 AM
    Got another 2 calls in! Today, I expressed the concern about possible allowing of oil and gas drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the two senators. And again, someone at Sen. Toomey's picked up the phone! 🤓

  • Veronika Vazhnik's avatar
    Veronika Vazhnik 10/17/2017 6:10 PM
    Although I did not take up the challenge of saying what I am grateful for, EcoChallenge inspired me to think about it today. Sounds like a great preparation for Thanksgiving!