Eye Opener: Online Learning Activities

TACKLING TRANSPORTATION: SARAH
For this activity, we were asked to choose 3 places that we visit on a regular basis and mention how we commute to them.  We then accessed the Google Transit website and route our locations. 

Location 1: Home to UMD (school and work)
Convenient Route: Bus - 10 minute ride
Typical Commute: This route does not differ from my typical route. I have been living off-campus for 3 years now and I have always taken the bus to school.  I have actually been able to convince one of my roommates that riding the bus is easier and more convenient and she has been taking it ever since it first snowed!
Realistic Change: This is a realistic change because I am doing it!
Incorporation of Route: Yes, I have incorporated this into my daily routine.

Location 2: Home to Essentia Health
Convenient Route: Bus - 8 minute ride
Typical Route: I know in the past when I have gone to that area I have driven.
Incorporation of Route: Yes, I would like to incorporate this into my routine. I will be doing my internship at Essentia Health and after growing up in the country, to be honest I have had enough of city parking, haha!

Location 3: Home to Glensheen
Convenient Route: Biking - 12 minute ride
Typical Route: I generally drive because I often run a little late!
Incorporation of Route: Yes, I would like to incorporate this into my routine.  Towards the end of this summer I was beginning to ride my bike to work more.

CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING: ALYSSA
For this activity our task was to go to the CDC website and report 3 recalled items within the past year. We then went to the EPA website and figured out 3 ways to prevent ourselves from lead poisoning in our home. Finally, we then had to watch a video and reflect on the whole lesson plan and describe what we learned from completing the previous activities.

The 3 Recalled Items:

1. Children's Bangles Bracelets: Recalled March 2010; First appeared May 2007; and Available since August 2008
2. Youth and Junior Hockey Sticks, Shafts, and Blades Gear: Recalled April 2010; First appeared February 2005; Available since March 2010
3. Bicycle Bells: Recalled March 2010; First appeared August 2008; Available since August 2009 

3 Ways to Prevent Lead Poisoning in the Home:

1. Clean floors, window frames, window sills, and other surfaces weekly. 
2. Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
3. Make sure children eat healthy and have a balanced diet; children with good diets absorb less lead.

Reflection:I enjoyed how the video actually demonstrated the signs and symptoms of lead poisoning. I feel often times when we list signs and symptoms we tend to forget how they actually affect a person, but seeing it generally puts it back into perspective. This activity, as a whole, really opened my eyes up to the fact that you never know what materials may be used in an item you purchase. I always liked to think that all items had to pass specific tests before getting 'certified' to be sold on store shelves. I was aware that items have been recalled before, however, it was really scary to learn that a lot of the items on the list to choose from were children's toys. I will definitely be a lot more cautious about the toys I purchase for my nieces and nephews.

WATER VOCABULARY MATCH: CALLIE
Callie provided a few information links that discussed water and she also had a fun matching/pairing game to complete.

By completing the matching game I realized how many different ways water may become contaminated and how many systems there are when it comes to treating and cleaning the water. This activity really makes me appreciate all of the work that is necessary for me to be able to drink clean and non-contaminated water.

UNDERSTANDING EMISSIONS: ADAM
For this activity, we reviewed fact sheets about transportation and being active, we also watched a video, and used a vehicle pollution impact calculator to measure our emissions then report on our findings and what we have learned.

1. After completing the emissions calculator, I found out that I am a little better than average.  Even though mine was lower than average I know there are still plenty more ways I can reduce the amount of exhaust emissions I permit. I do take the bus quite a bit, especially during the school year and in the summer I am trying to bike and rollerblade more so that's a start! 
2. I learned that if I must drive some cars may be fueld by 'clean fuel,' which is made of ethanol (a renewable fuel, unlike fossil fuels. I also learned that clean fuel is available at a variety of locations in the Twin Cities.
3. After watching the video I found it interesting that in the video, 'Walkable Communities,' it was mentioned that most places that are necessary to go (ie. work, school, church, grocery store) will all be within walking distance. It was also mentioned that Walkable Communities are the way of the future, which I feel is funny because if we look back on history (I mean way back like settler's time, haha) most communities were walkable communities and have simply developed over the years. I have never heard of these communities before, however, I would really like to go visit one to learn more about how the community runs.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD CROSSWORD: SAM
For this activity, Sam created a crossword puzzle for us. I had to search for the answers online and as I searched I found out lead poisoning and the effects they can have. Below I have listed the answers to the crossword that I found.

Down:
1.  Inhilation
2.  Decades
4.  Wash

Across:
3.  Lead
5.  Blood
6.  Symptoms
7.  Work

THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING: KRISTY
For this activity, Kristy provided a couple of websites regarding smoking statistics in the United States as well as in Minnesota.  Once we went through the websites we then had a quiz/survey to complete about smoking.

As I was completing this activity I found it so surprising at the statistics the websites shared.  I do get very nervous when I am tested on things so this activity was also challenging to overcome.  I am a little bummed that once I finished the quiz I was not able to see my answers so that I would know the correct one.  The information was very powerful and the websites, especially the Minnesota one really captured the emotion that smoking is a serious matter and has negative affects on everyone it encounters.

Eye Opener: Photo Essay

Have you ever heard the expression 'One person's junk is another person's treasure?' Well, that quote defines the hobby of junking to a tee. When it comes to junking individuals collect items that are old and of no use to others; next the individual creates something from the old item that may be used to serve a new purpose in their home. Junking is a creative way for people to re-purpose and reuse things as well as a great and fun way to make a home more unique to fit the personality of the family living inside it. Junking also benefits the environment! It saves an item from being disposed of when it may no longer be used or serve its intended purpose. This reduces the amount of waste produced and accumulated in addition to reducing the amount of manufacturing that is 'necessary' to create new goods and items for individuals to use.


Junking is what my project represents. The photos I took represent items and pieces I found displayed around my homes, both, in Duluth as well as back home. My mother and I love to craft and create unique pieces and my parents' home definitely resembles just that. I should let you know that my parents live in a log home and the theme displayed throughout it is a 'western' theme; so a number of the pieces I discovered are related to that. In addition, I can not take the credit for creating these items myself. A majority were made by family members or family friends, however, since they have been collected over a large span of years my mother was unable to remember who made what. I will admit that before this project I had never put too much thought into what these pieces really mean, to us and to our environment, and that's leaving a legacy of sustaining our world. 


Mirror - Made from an old horse breast collar used for horse carriages.

      

Giraffe Memo Holder - Made from a stick, Dixie cup and clothes pin.

      

Picture Frame  - Decorated with old barbed wire.

  

Clock - An old clock that was fixed and decorated with old rope.

      

Pan Cooler/Wall Decoration  - Made from old wine bottle corks.

   

Necklace - from spare washer fastener and scrapbook paper (that's my mom modeling hers!).

      

Miniature Hook Rack - welded together from old horse shoes.

   

Fireplace - from rocks collected from our farm's fields.

   

House Decoration - from horse bells worn by horses when they would pull sleighs.

   

Rail Bars - made from old cementing rods.

   

House Decoration - from spare rope (sorry it's a little hard to see, it covers the space between the logs and the wall).

   

Plate Mat - from scrap pieces of leather woven together (that's my Thanksgiving meal on it!).

   

Sewing Pin Holder - from an animal hoof, scrap pieces of felt, and old jewelry box.

   

Wall Decoration - from an old cabinet door.

Lamp - post made from an old flute (this is the one I mentioned in a previous post).

      

Side Table/Storage Bin - from an old suitcase.

      

Also does anyone know how to get rid of extra spaces that occur in-between paragraphs and pictures!

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

PART 1.

• antiques/antiquing:  a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago.
• junk/junking:  any old or discarded material.
• flea market:  a usually open-air market for secondhand articles and antiques.
• thrift shop:  a shop that sells secondhand articles and especially clothes and is often run for charitable purposes.
• upcycling:   the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.
• resale shop: a retail establishment operated by a charitable organization for the purpose of fundraising.

PART 2:

1. What do the terms above have to do with environmental health?
• If we are able to continue to use and re-use the various items mentioned above that may be found at locations such as an antique store or a resale shop then it may not be as necessary for manufacturers to continue to make mass amounts of products since people are using products that have already been manufactured.  This would cut back on consumer needs and also would cut back on manufacturing companies, thus creating less pollution in the waters and their communities.  By 'junking' you are ultimately helping maintain the environment since there is no need to manufacture new products.
2. Identify at least one local resource for each of the terms above...provide name, location, contact info, and link to website or blog.
• Father Time Antiques, 395 S Lake Ave Duluth, MN 55802, 218-625-2379
• Chesney Auto Salvage, 6250 Beaver River Rd, Duluth, MN 55803, 218-206-8725
• Vintage Duluth, 205 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802, 218-722-1917
• Plato's Closet, 5115 Burning Tree Road, Suite 315C, Duluth, MN 55811, 218-733-9455
• Park Point Garage Sale, Park Point, Duluth, MN 55802, 218-722-6828
• Seaman's Yesterdays Treasures, 5617 Grand Avenue, Duluth, MN 55807, 218-628-1969
3. Identify whether you do any or use any of these things. Why or why not?
• I do use these stores.  Growing up I had always went to various antique shows in the cities with my grandparents and flea markets with a friend of mine.  So going to stores such as these is something I have been doing since I was very young.  What I enjoy about some of these locations is that you are able to find quality products that last years upon years and you also get to learn a little about history and how different products were used.  It's fun to observe how things have 'improved' over the years along with purchasing pieces that have a 'story' to them.  Another great aspect about these types of places is that you generally cannot find the products today which makes them more unique and adds a more personal touch to your home and wardrobe!

PART 3: Get your junk on!

• This project has definitely given me some great craft project ideas for the future.  It is also nice knowing about the junking blog so I may continue to be inspired to create 'new' pieces of art!  What I really like about junking is how vintage the projects appear.  I love having pieces around that give a home an 'older' look because they seem more friendly and cozy to me.
• Unique pieces from JunkMarket Style:
• 5 Unique JUNK Picture Frames
• I really enjoy putting up pictures throughout the home and this is a different approach to do that as opposed to simply placing the photo in a frame and placing it on a wall.  I also like how the photos are on a vanity.  I plan to have a vanity when I have a home and so I enjoy how they made the vanity a little more personal as well.

• "Hinge-on" to another really simple idea...
• Again, I really liked the fact that this project allows you to display pictures around the home in a fun and unique way!

• Vintage Sewing Pedal Goes Contemperary
• I have an old sewing table that I fixed up to simply use as a desk, however, the pedal tends to get in the way and serves no purpose.  This would be a useful way to give the pedal another purpose, along with allowing me to display pictures or serve as a great memo board!



Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

To be completely honest, generally speaking, I do not tend to use a lot of cosmetic supplies. I actually had to look up on the Target store website to search through the cosmetics section in an attempt to find a product I 'use' that's probably lying in the bottom of my dresser's drawer. I do not wear any foundation creams or anything so the product I chose was CoverGirl Lashblast mascara, Black Brown. 


After typing the product's name into the Cosmetic Safety Database I was slightly discouraged.  It was revealed to me that the safety of my mascara was rated 5/10 (10 being the most toxic), which means it poses a moderate hazard.  The database continued on and revealed that some of the ingredients found in this product are linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, and allergies/immunotoxicity.  From that the most toxic ingredient in my mascara is Petroleum Distillates scoring 8/10 (10 being the most toxic ingredient).  Unfortunately some side effects linked to this ingredient include cancer and organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).  Followed closely behind Petroleum Distillate was Propylparaben scoring 6/10.  Negative side effects and links to this ingredient entail developmental/reproductivity toxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies/immunotoxicity, and again, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive).


When I view these results I am both shocked and disappointed.  Since I don't wear make-up very often I do feel I am less likely to develop any of the negative side effects, however, that being said, I do have a high concern about using the product now.  The next time I wear make-up instead of applying mascara I will be thinking that I am applying cancer to my lashes.  After using this database I have really realized how much I need to assess my life as a whole.  I feel as if I would like to go home right now and toss the mascara into the trash.  As I was browsing through the Target webpage I notice they carry an organic mascara, Physicians Formula Organic mascara.  I attempted to look this product up on the database, however, was unable to find any results.  This is a product I will be conducting more research on and will hopefully consider in the future.

Eye Opener: CSPI

For my Eye Opener post this week I decided to Take a Tour of the Food Supply to receive helpful tips on how to eat green.


When window first opened to the webpage I had a little laugh due to the animal sounds the website provides.  On the website there were many areas to receive information when it comes to the process of raising cattle and other farm animals.  I will be honest, I do feel the website was slightly biased when it comes to the topic and that they seem to be completely against raising livestock for food consumption.  What gives me that impression is the terms they use throughout the webpage, terms such as 'foul' and 'smelly.'  I also noticed the only information the webpage provided were ways that the livestock industry is harming the environment and made no point to mention what precautions farmers are taking to run a green farm.


The most surprising fact, to me, mentioned that the overall cost of diet-related diseases costs an annual sum of approximately $90 billion.  In addition, the cost of drugs to reduce health conditions such as high cholesterol levels is about $30 billion dollars a year.  As high as this number is I do have a hard time believing that this is a result solely due to citizens consuming meat and dairy products; which was the impression I received from the website.  Some individuals, for instance, have poor health conditions due to their family genes.


I do feel I need to disclose that my family does raise beef for a living so that is probably why I am noticing the lack of healthy environmental facts when it comes to livestock farms.


Please do not misinterpret what I am saying.  I know there are ways that livestock farms are being detrimental to the environment and that the facts the website is presenting should be brought to people's attention.  What I am trying to say is that now all farms are run this way and that there are farms trying to reduce their ecological footprint as well.

Eye Opener: Ecological Footprint

After taking the IUHPE Ecological Footprint calculator, I have discovered my ecological footprint is 4.8 Earths. Meaning that if everyone in the world lived like me we would need 4.8 planet Earth planets to provide enough resources. It would also take 21.6 global acres to support my life style.  My ecological footprint is mostly affected by the services I use regularly and the food I consume, relating to how my food is made, where I get the food, and how it is transported.

I was very surprised that my ecological footprint was so high. I'm not very big into technology and when it comes to transportation I either, generally, ride the bus or walk/roller blade. However, when I consider all of the services I use and the fact that primarily purchase my groceries from the grocery store instead of a farmers market, I am beginning to see how I could cut back on products even more.  I feel very disappointed in myself because I know that my behaviors impact how the world will function and, being a future health educator, I dislike knowing that I will be trying to encourage others to live healthier when I could do more for the environment.  The results showed me that I am using up the earth's resources quicker than it can reproduce and knowing that I am the cause for so much pollution and degradation of the world makes me not care about cost of services and food so much, but helps me focus more on how I can me even more conscious about how I'm living.
 
I have realized that I do spend a lot of time driving in my car and most often I am by myself! I grew up living in the country and so I had learned to create of list of goods that I would need the next time my family and I went to a bigger city, though, since living in Duluth I have not been as diligent with creating lists and waiting until others need to go somewhere  and carpool when I need to pick up my items.  i am also not the best at purchasing food from the farmer's market or organic food.  Seeing how much of a difference it would make for me to choose those instead of simply going to the grocery store really makes me want to change.

I also took the 'Carbon Footprint of Nations' quiz and it revealed to me that I am not too different from my country.  Our country creates 7,922,600 millions tons of CO2 on an annual basis, most of which are created from services (16%) and mobility (21%) and a grand total of 1,483,300 million tons on imports.  

Overall, I feel myself and the United States could do more for our world if we took the time to slow down and observe how we can help each other instead of viewing what's most convenient for ourselves.  As what my photo for this post is supposed to symbolize, we need to lend a hand and work together if want to make the one world we do have last a lifetime.

Welcome to Sonny Days Ahead!

My name is Sonny and I am currently a college student pursuing a degree in Health Education with an emphasis on Community Health.  Spinning off from my blog title, my blog's content will entail information involving 'looking ahead.'  We will be researching and viewing what is going on in the environment now and precautions that are being taken to prevent this, or reducing the chances of this, from happening in the future.

There are 6 possible types of posts on my blog. They include:

1. Advocacy Project
2. Eye Openers
3. Reflections
4. Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change
5. Read 'n' Seed
6. Share and Voice

If you notice at the bottom of this post, the categories will be listed as labels. This post is has been labeled with all five kinds of posts. You will also see the number of each kind of post in my Labels Gadget at the top of the page. All post titles from now on will begin with one of the categories above.


The members of my web group are:

1. Kristen M@Kristens Atmosphere
2. Callie@Ecofriendly with Calista
3. Heidi@Heidis Healthy Environment
4. Kara@Karas Coming Clean
5. Danielle@Tree Hugging with Dani
6. Ashley@Ashleys Fresh Air Atmosphere
7. Casey@Caseys Green Daydream

You can subscribe to my blog by clicking the subscribe gadget in the gadget column. You can also follow my blog by clicking "Follow this Blog" in the gadget column. I am subscribed to all the blogs in my blog list gadget. You can see my complete profile and all the blogs I am following by clicking on "See Complete Profile."


I hope you find this blog to be not only entertaining but informative as well.  Thanks for stopping by and remember, no matter how today seems there will always be 'Sonny Days Ahead!'