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Heather Parsons's avatar

Heather Parsons

Sustainability in Action

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,021 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1,740
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    99
    meatless or vegan meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1,860
    minutes
    spent exercising
  • UP TO
    23
    organic meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    1,400
    minutes
    being mindful
  • UP TO
    105
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    500
    gallons of water
    have been saved

Heather's actions

Health

Exercise Daily

I will exercise daily for 60 minute(s) per day for two weeks.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Organic Ingredients

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

COMPLETED 23
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Advocate For Composting

I will advocate for a composting program at my school. If a composting program exists, I will advocate ways to improve and expand it.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Simplicity

Eat Mindfully

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Buy Nothing But Food

I will not purchase anything but food during the challenge.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Needs vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Simplicity

Physical or Mental Mindful Practices

I will spend 10 minute(s) per day thinking quietly, practicing meditation, yoga, working out, or doing another mindful activity.

COMPLETED 28
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Watch a Documentary

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Plant an Herb Garden

I will plant an herb garden or window pot in my home, workplace, or dorm room.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Water

5-Minute Showers

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

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Shop at Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and meat from a local farmers market or food co-op, or join a CSA.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Animal Free Diet

I will enjoy vegan meals each day, eliminating all animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy.

COMPLETED 20
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Eat Meatless Meals

I will enjoy 3 meatless meal(s) per day.

COMPLETED 33
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use Reusable Containers

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

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Nature

Study Outside

I will replace 60 minute(s) per day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Health

Gratitude

I will write down three things that I am grateful for each day OR reach out to thank someone who's doing something positive for our world's health and well-being each day.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Avoid Disposables

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

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Waste

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

I will keep 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle.

COMPLETED 21
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?


  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 11/26/2017 11:45 AM
    I am becoming very aware of the waste that the holidays bring. From buying gifts people will use for a few weeks, to the wrapping paper, food waste, packaging waste, it is rather difficult realizing our culture is based primarily on consumption... especially this time of year.

    • Madison Elick's avatar
      Madison Elick 11/26/2017 11:42 PM
      This is great! I have been noticing a lot of things like that in my life, too. It's insane how much things ramp up this time of year. Some options for wrapping paper that I have discovered are to reuse newspaper, or give gifts that don't need wrapping (like a bag with little gifts in it or something)! 

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 11/19/2017 7:08 PM
    I now have a compost bin I have been using and currently trying to get my roommates to participate. 

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 11/16/2017 10:15 AM
    I visited the garden yesterday and picked some food. I used the cilantro and spinach for my dinner and had high appreciation for what I was eating. I definitely recommend using some of our garden greens!

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 11/12/2017 6:08 PM
    I was able to watch the sunset a total of 4 times this week. Its great because no matter what youre doing it is (usually) an acceptable excuse to stop what youre doing, take a moment, and enjoy a beautiful view

    • Sabrinna Alonso's avatar
      Sabrinna Alonso 11/13/2017 2:56 PM
      YES! The sunsets this past week have been amazing! So nice to be able to see God's work and artistry in our day to day lives.

    • Harry Watkins's avatar
      Harry Watkins 11/13/2017 8:38 AM
      That is a gift, Heather! Hope you catch fire from it! :-)

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 11/04/2017 10:10 PM
    I went home for the weekend and have been sharing some nuggets of knowledge with my parents about living sustainably. I was able to cook dinner tonight where I made a vegan meal and I talked to them about plastic use and how we can all reduce food waste. (I am slowly but surely converting them, stay tuned)

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 10/25/2017 6:18 PM
    The past week I have been extremely busy with homework and studying. Everyday I try to take at least 30 minutes for myself alone without distractions and outside. However, it has definitely been a struggle to stop what I am doing to take a break because I know I have deadlines. Luckily, after doing so, I feel 10x more motivated and energized to knock out all my responsibilities. 

    • Harry Watkins's avatar
      Harry Watkins 10/29/2017 7:50 PM
      That is a neat testimony, Heather! I need to follow your good example!

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 10/02/2017 4:28 PM
    This week, I was able to take time out of my day to go to the local OB farmers market. It was great to support local businesses as well as they environment. I enjoyed my time there and also enjoyed my produce I purchased!

    • Harry Watkins's avatar
      Harry Watkins 10/05/2017 7:01 PM
      I absolutely love the strawberries I get at the La Mesa farmer's market. Much fresher than those I find at Sprouts.....they last us a week!

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 9/23/2017 2:57 PM
    Something I have been working on every morning is waking up 15 minutes earlier than usual. I dont check my phone, I dont go on social media, but I write down my expectations for the day, my goals, and 3 positive things about life at the moment. Its quite soothing!

    • Harry Watkins's avatar
      Harry Watkins 9/28/2017 10:38 AM
      I like this Heather!  It sets you up to notice God's blessings in your life throughout the day. Very cool.

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 9/17/2017 8:30 PM
    Being able to do something as simple as going outside to exercise everyday makes all the difference in my week. This week, I am going go running everyday to be more mindful of the beautiful world around me

  • Heather Parsons's avatar
    Heather Parsons 9/11/2017 12:52 PM
    Recently, I have noticed the many extra items we buy without being aware of the waste which packaging brings. I am challenging myself to not buy things i do not need but only the necessities such as food. Clothing, packaging, plastics, etc all end up in the land fills. Its something we dont necessarily think about in our everyday habits

    • Harry Watkins's avatar
      Harry Watkins 9/17/2017 2:59 PM
      Heather, this is one of the "simple living" challenges. Might as well add it and get credit when you do this!

    • Harry Watkins's avatar
      Harry Watkins 9/11/2017 1:10 PM
      That is a great discipline, Heather. Change begins with awareness. I am amazed when I contemplate how much waste I have generated over the years. Trying hard to reduce it!