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February 27 - March 20, 2019
Jennifer Torrance's avatar

Jennifer Torrance

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

"To live a healthy and happy lifestyle; to restore more than I destroy; to try many new things"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 998 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    88
    gallons of water
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    16
    hours
    volunteered
  • UP TO
    16
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1,020
    minutes
    of additional sleep
  • UP TO
    330
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    330
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    32
    more servings
    of fruits and vegetables

Jennifer's actions

Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 16 hour(s) in my community.

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

Health

Audit Toxic Cleaning Products in my Home

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching toxic chemicals found in cleaning supplies and personal care products and remove them from my home.

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

Waste

Start Composting

I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

Install a Toilet Tank Bank

I will reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water per day by installing a toilet tank bank.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Join a Local CSA

I will sign up for a local CSA (Consumer-supported Agriculture).

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Waste

Use Reusable Containers

I will only use reusable containers for my lunches at work or school.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Collect Rain Water

I will create a rain garden or bioswale, or use rain barrels to collect water for outdoor watering needs.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Go for a Daily Walk

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

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Water

Eco-friendly Gardening

I will plant native species, landscape with water-efficient plants, and use eco-friendly fertilizers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Nature

Explore My Area

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

I will enjoy 1 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Healthy Sleep

I will commit to getting 60 more minute(s) of sleep each night to achieve at least 7 hours per night.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

More Fruits and Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 2 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

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?


  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/20/2019 6:21 AM
    I'm so thankful for the first day of spring! This challenge has given me a reason to set a lot of sustainable, health, and community goals for the future. I have really enjoyed having this challenge as a guide. Thank you Ashley and Meghan for getting us involved, and thank you everyone for your active participation! 

    • Meghan Scanlon's avatar
      Meghan Scanlon 3/20/2019 6:28 AM
      Thanks for the thanks, Jennifer! :-) And for all of your ideas and input throughout the challenge.

  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/19/2019 8:16 AM
    I got in an extra walk this morning. It was lovely - the birds were chirping, air was a little frosty, my neighbors were out and about. It would have been even more lovely if I hadn't been chasing my escaping cat the through bushes in my pajamas and rain boots.  But I'll take all the nature time I can get!

  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/18/2019 6:38 AM
    I decided to plant my garden with native perennials and started to do a little research. Well, a little research turned into to-scale sketches of all possible gardening spaces and a 50 slide PowerPoint containing photos, growth requirements, and slides placed in order of bloom time. I only stopped because I ran out of garden space and possible plants. 

    #RESEARCHandscienceeducationteam 
    #baptisiacoreopsisandasclepiaseverywhereplease

  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/17/2019 10:38 AM
    I spent the majority of the day outside yesterday, and despite the cold, it was one of the best days I've had in a while! Something to be said for a day outdoors

  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/15/2019 9:05 AM
    I had a great chat with my next-door neighbor last night. We're thinking of doing a combined garden in our backyards! We started mapping out where we're going to build raised beds. I'm so happy to live in a place with such kind and generous people, and especially people who also like gardening! 

  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/13/2019 7:50 AM
    Last night I was looking for a buddy to go on a walk with me, but no one was available. So I ended up going for a walk with someone a little unusual... 

  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/12/2019 10:40 AM
    I got my roof assessed and inspected for solar panels this past weekend! It's a future project, but I'm making steps :)

    • Meghan Scanlon's avatar
      Meghan Scanlon 3/12/2019 12:17 PM
      I hope to buy a house with solar potential. I check that out via Google's Project Sunroof.

    • Ashley Dean's avatar
      Ashley Dean 3/12/2019 10:59 AM
      This is awesome, Jennifer! I have solar panels on my roof, I went through Solar City and I've had them for a little over a year with no problems. If you're also by chance looking into Solar City, or are curious, I'd be happy to share about my experience with them!

  • Jennifer Torrance's avatar
    Jennifer Torrance 3/11/2019 7:35 AM
    I'm slowly realizing how difficult it is to get outside and walk for 30 min each day, especially when it's cold. I get outside every day, but rarely hit the 30 minutes of walking. I am going to try borrowing my neighbor's dog and see if that encourages me to stay outside longer and walk more!

    • Ashley Dean's avatar
      Ashley Dean 3/12/2019 11:04 AM
      Jennifer I've had this same issue! It's certainly easier when it is a bit warmer and sunny, but I admit especially on work days I find it hard to find the motivation to get outside and walk! 

    • Jerry Crockett's avatar
      Jerry Crockett 3/12/2019 5:20 AM
      Do you listen to podcasts or audio books? Both of those can be great ways to make that time pass more quickly. We do have a dog, fortunately, which helps us...but prior to our pup, we would map out the route beforehand, too, as a way to try and ensure distance and time matched up. Good luck! 

    • Meghan Scanlon's avatar
      Meghan Scanlon 3/11/2019 1:01 PM
      You and Ashley should become accountability buddies!