Thursday, November 11, 2010
Share and Voice: Sara's Table Restaurant
I noticed from my previous post that some of you have never heard of or at least have never been to the restaurant, Sara's Table. So, I decided to inform you about this lovely little restaurant. I also figured that since my lifestyle change involves going to the restaurant, I thought this might give you a better visual as to what I am actually doing, haha!
I felt the article, 'At Sara's Table Chester Creek in Duluth, MN,' really informs us about the restaurant really well. The article was written earlier this year so I can only assume this is the most current information regarding the restaurant. Once you finish reading the article, let me know if you would like to go check it out and I would be more than happy to meet up with you to go to the restaurant; or maybe we should see if our class could go there as an 'end of semester' celebration field-trip! Though, I will admit some items on the menu may get a little pricey.
The article mentions how the goal of the restaurant is to create a 'farm-to-table' restaurant to promote local sustainability. What this means is that the restaurant receives most of the food they serve from local farmers/gardeners. In the summer approximately 80% of the food served is local and in the winter the percentage close 45% of the food is local. The article continues on discussing how the owners of the restaurant receive their menu items.
What I really enjoy about Sara's Table is also the fact that they do more than just serve food! The article mentioned that they are also leading the Duluth community in composting. They have a drop off center located in the restaurant that takes all composting items brought in to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District. They also promote and support many other organizations in the Duluth community.
Needless to say, Sara's Table is a great restaurant implementing a great cause!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 1: My SMART Goal
I will place any extra food I have after each meal into a bucket to be dropped off and composted at Sara's Table Restaurant (a composting site) each Friday between 10 - 10:30am.
This eco-chic lifestyle change will help reduce the amount of food that is wasted and is then disposed of. Composting is a great way for nature to nuture itself. What I mean is that by taking the food that was not consumed and composting it, it may then become a great soil nourisher which will enable new plants and 'life' to grow from it. By doing this there will be less 'waste' to harm the earth.
I chose this particular behavior because I've really noticed lately that I do have a difficult time finishing meals at times. Growing up whenever we had food scraps left we would set them outside for my dog and cats to eat. However, now I am living in a home that does not allow pets and so I have had to scrape any leftovers I have had off my dish and into garbage. When I do this I feel extremely wasteful and it reminds me of the fact that some people do not have as good of access to food and are starving. This way if I compost I am at least giving something back to the environment and allowing it to grow instead of hindering it.
To give myself a 'kick-start' I went an picked up the composting bags and set it up in a bucket. I have also placed the bucket on my shelf in the fridge to remind myself to place any leftover scraps I have remaining.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Advocacy Project: My Political Representatives
Due to the recent political election, which took place on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 some political representative positions may be subject to change. However, this was the most current list of representatives I could locate for the time being.
President -
Barack Obama (Democrat)
Contact Information -
202-456-1111
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Congresspersons:
Senate -
| Al Franken (Democrat - Class II) Contact Information - 202-224-5641 320 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 | |||
| Amy Klobuchar (Democrat - Class I) Contact Information - 202-224-3244 | |||
| 302 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 House - Jim Oberstar (Democrat) Contact Information - 218-727-7474
Governor - Tim Pawlenty (Republican) Contact Information - (651) 296-3391 Office of the Governor 130 State Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 State Legislators: Senate - Thomas Huntley (Democrat) 651-296-2228 585 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 House - Roger Reinert (Democrat) 651-296-4246 429 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 | |||
County Board President -
Dennis Fink (Republican)
218-726-2458
Room 208
100 N. 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
City Mayor -
Tammy Konz (Republican)
320-398-5011
P.O. Box 341
Kimball, MN 55353
Friday, November 5, 2010
Reflection: Weeks 5-8
In the previous weeks I have primarily learned three key topics: various kinds of environmental dilemmas that face our nation today, how to design and create a blog header, and junking.
Each week as my class comes together to discuss environmental health we have been watching documentaries on subjects such as genetically modified crops, livestock factory farms, and the importance of water. What amazes me about all of these documentaries is that the primary concern is how we, as a nation, are really impairing the earth and it's natural essence. In both documentaries regarding livestock and modified crops researchers are revealing to us that since these organizations are becoming more fast-paced and quickly-expanding, by speeding up the natural reproduction of products, they are beginning to have negative health effects on the land and animals as well as humans! The final documentary discussed bottled water and how, unfortunately, our society is literally buying into the fact that bottled water is 'safer' and 'tastes' better than tap water. Though, in the documentary it was revealed that bottled water is not a commonly filtered and regulated for contaminants as city tap water is - meaning it's generally not better than tap water. I guess I would have to say the overall moral we can learn from these documentaries is: If it is not broken, or in this case if the current or natural process is working productively AND effectively, we do not need to fix or change it!
I am someone who really enjoys creating and crafting so this was a fun project to do! I have never used Picnik before so it was a great treat to learn about how to utilize this website. How the website works is you simply go onto the website (linked in this post) You may upload any photo you would like to edit, where you can change the photos size, crop it, or even chang its colors. After that you may add a border around the photo or add words onto it if you like. Once you're finished you may save the file. I feel this website is a great way to personalize any photos and give them a little extra 'pazzazz!' I hope you can tell by the looks of my header that I enjoyed the website!
Finally, this past week we learned about 'junking' - a process in which you collect old/unused items and create them into something new. For example, I had an old flute and had it made into a stand for a lamp!This is a great way to utilize objects that have already been manufactured and serve no current purpose. By doing this we are able to cut down on waste and reduce the demand for purchasing newly manufactured items, through which less goods need to be manufactured and thus decrease various pollutions these companies release into our environment. Another great aspect about junking is that you may create one-of-a-kind pieces and make your home more unique to your fashion taste! They also make great personalized gifts to give to others.
I realize the semester is over halfway concluded, yet, I feel as if I'm still just beginning to learn so many new environmental health issues and the importance of taking care of our earth. I cannot wait to see what the next portion of the semester has in store!
Finally, this past week we learned about 'junking' - a process in which you collect old/unused items and create them into something new. For example, I had an old flute and had it made into a stand for a lamp!This is a great way to utilize objects that have already been manufactured and serve no current purpose. By doing this we are able to cut down on waste and reduce the demand for purchasing newly manufactured items, through which less goods need to be manufactured and thus decrease various pollutions these companies release into our environment. Another great aspect about junking is that you may create one-of-a-kind pieces and make your home more unique to your fashion taste! They also make great personalized gifts to give to others.
I realize the semester is over halfway concluded, yet, I feel as if I'm still just beginning to learn so many new environmental health issues and the importance of taking care of our earth. I cannot wait to see what the next portion of the semester has in store!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Share and Voice: Wall-E Film a Teaching Tool?
A little while ago I was babysitting my boyfriend's nephew (who's 4 years-old) and we began watching the film created by Disney and Pixar, Wall-E. As we viewed the movie it occurred to me how much Wall-E sends a futuristic picture of what the world will look like if we continue to consume and produce trash the rate we do. Throughout the film the nephew would ask questions such as 'Why don't the people live on Earth?' and 'How come there's so much garbage everywhere?' I realized that Wall-E was a great way for me to inform the nephew about the world and how we need to take care of it, otherwise it will disappear. The film was a great visual for the nephew to see and gave him an idea of what the world could end up looking like. So I would encourage all of you to know that even younger children can learn and begin to grasp an idea of how important the earth truly is. We may inform them we need to take care of the earth and let it grow naturally like they do at the end of the movie. If you're having a difficult time simply explaining it to them, rent the Wall-E movie and have them compare-and-contrast how Wall-E's world is different from ours and how we can help prevent it from getting to that condition. Has anyone else noticed a fun and/or creative way we may let younger children know how vital the earth is?
Monday, November 1, 2010
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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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!
- 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.
- Again, I really liked the fact that this project allows you to display pictures around the home in a fun and unique way!


- 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!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Read 'n' Seed 5: Fourth and Final Review of Do One Green Thing
For the fourth and final quarter I read the last section or part of the book. This time the primary topic of discussion was regarding ‘Transportation.’ This section included chapter 13 which expanded from page 215 to 225.
The overall main topic, as I mentioned, was about transportation the each chapter was focused on discussing walking, biking, and ride sharing.
After reading the fourth section of the book I would have to say there was 2 main pieces of information I found to be most significant and surprising.
1. The book gave a list of online stores were you may donate any old, wearable shoes to those who really need them, such as orphans to AIDS victims in Africa. on is http://www.hoperuns.org/.
2. One way to 'cut back' on gas is by making sure your tires are properly inflated. If everyone in the U.S. did this gas consumption would reduce by 3.3 percent (or $24 million a day). Another interesting fact is that when it comes to driving try to reduce the amount of things you transport. For every extra 100 pounds your car has to transport a 2 percent lose of gas mileage occurs.
What we can really take away from this is that knowing in the U.S. most people travel by driving a vehicle so these were a few precautions we can do if you have no other option but to drive.
1. The book gave a list of online stores were you may donate any old, wearable shoes to those who really need them, such as orphans to AIDS victims in Africa. on is http://www.hoperuns.org/.
2. One way to 'cut back' on gas is by making sure your tires are properly inflated. If everyone in the U.S. did this gas consumption would reduce by 3.3 percent (or $24 million a day). Another interesting fact is that when it comes to driving try to reduce the amount of things you transport. For every extra 100 pounds your car has to transport a 2 percent lose of gas mileage occurs.
What we can really take away from this is that knowing in the U.S. most people travel by driving a vehicle so these were a few precautions we can do if you have no other option but to drive.
New Terminology:
- Polycyclics aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs): potent atmospheric pollutants
I really enjoyed reading this book. What I appreciated about it was that the book let you know of how you may become more eco-friendly in a number of different areas in your life. The book explained how adapting these behaviors would benefit the earth as well as yourself and those around you AND it actually gave you names of products to choose over others, which has been super helpful. The book is also not formatted like most books, so it has been very simple and fun to read. This means a lot to me because I know I can easily access and look-up the information in the future whether I want to show others about the topic or simply remind myself of how I can be eco-friendly. This book is very important since I would really like to be more cautious when it comes to taking care of myself and the environment. This book has been such a useful tool that has really encouraged me to adapt new behaviors and consider making different life choices, which I know will help out everyone and everything in the end. I would most definitely recommend this book to others and I actually have been encouraging my roommates to read the book! As I mentioned before this book has broken down the facts about why and how it's important to take care of the earth. It is also very simple and easy to read so I know the book won't be confusing or hard for them to follow. I found this book to be very helpful and these are the three most significant things I have learned from it:
- When it comes to washing dishes and wanting to save more energy and water, would you think hand-washing or dishwashing would be more eco-friendly? I guessed hand-washing and I was incorrect in my assumption. On average, using a dishwasher uses only half the electricity and one-sixth of the water than hand-washing does.
- If every American stopped purchasing water in disposable bottles then we would save a lot of water. I'm sure this seems like a given point, however, I was not aware that it takes twice as much water to make the disposable bottle. So you could say that every bottle of water actually represents three bottles of water. This poses a problem not only because over 80% of disposable bottles end up in landfills, but this also uses up even more water than necessary. What we can do to help diminish this issue is to purchase reusable bottles, such as steel or aluminum, and fill the bottles with tap water.
- Most of us are now aware that drinking wine, in moderation, is good for you. Though people with asthma and allergies have something even more to look forward to. Studies have shown that people with asthma and/or allergies often prefer white wines over red due to the lower quantities of sulfite, a common allergen, found in the wine. USDA organic wine forbids any additions of sulfites in the wine. So organic wine is beneficial for people with these health conditions since enables them to drink without the issue of breathing problems occurring.
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