I’m dying to know who wins the Tesla test run! Could have it be me???

I wish I could have chosen more challenges. I think I could have done more than 6 per day.

I wish I could have chosen more challenges!

So I have a hot tub.  It uses a lot of energy in the winter even though it is really insulated.  So this winter I emptied it and did not use in the winter to save energy.  Now we will only use it in the spring, summer and fall.  We saved SO much energy this winter!  And a hot tub is almost a necessity for a horticulturist because of the nature of the work and how it calms the muscles.  But, wow, what a savings!

On this last day of the challenge I am reflecting on what I might have learned from it. I think that my take-away is a greater sense of eco-consciousness. (Is that a word?) I'm definitely more acutely aware of what I use, reuse, recycle and, especially, what I throw away. For instance, previously I would have tossed this bottle into the recycling bin, cap and all. But the "eco friendly" label caught my eye and I discovered that the company wants to reuse the wire swingtop from each bottle. I went to their website and requested a prepaid mailer. It felt great to pop that mailer, with wire top enclosed, in the post!  If you're a vodka-drinker, read the mailer and consider buying this brand. It was pretty good vodka, to boot

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I saved the sustainable restaurants app in my phone notes so I can quick reference it on the go.  Looks like a great source to find newer restaurants around town that I haven't been to before either.  Do recommend.  

This was way more fun than I would have expected.  Loved being a part of the challenge and this team. I walked around to see some of the Spring show earlier today and these girls made my Spring Heart skip a beat...   Happy Spring everyone!  :)

Spring is finally here and I am ever so thankful for that!  Crocus is popping up all over my yard, giving it bits of color and that makes me happy. You know what else makes me happy? My favorite spot at Phipps:  a space in the Tropical Forest where the gardenias start to show their beautiful blooms this time of year. I was excited to greet them when I walked through the TF earlier this week. Get a load of these lovelies!

Congrats to making it to the last day. I hope we are all able to continue these good habits of better living in both our physical world and our internal, mental world. Regardless of what we might win or what points we might have earned, at the end of the day the more intrinsic nature of this exercise is key. It is my hope that things like this continue and branch out in ways which can reach a larger audience in SWPA. Considering some of the country's major businesses have headquarters in this city (PNC Bank, GNC, Uber, Highmark, Wesco, NexTier Bank, Westinghouse, Compunetix, UPMC, Dollar Bank, Alcoa, American Eagle, Fedex, Rue21, Calgon, Duolingo,for example), it would be great if we were able to show these groups the importance of operating at-minimum on a sustainable level. I encourage everyone to reach out to these companies (or do your own research!) and try to affect change*. 

BTW - Giant Eagle, also HQed in Pittsburgh, happens to own its own fuel distribution group, Guttman Energy. Sheetz is another local (Johnstown/Altoona area) company. Both of these groups could be easier targets to reach and attempt to affect change*.


*These are individual views and not derivative of other individuals, organizations, or companies mentioned herein.  

Wishing you all a happy spring, friends!