Aida Courtenay-Smith

Asheville High School

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
101 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

0.4

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

30

minutes

not spent in front of a screen
UP TO

30

minutes

spent outdoors
UP TO

5.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

5.0

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

0.2

pounds

food waste prevented
UP TO

8.5

gallons of water

have been saved

Aida's actions

People

Connect While Social Distancing

I will connect with at least 5 person/people a day through phone call or video chat to support mine and other’s mental and emotional health during this challenging time.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

People

Spend Time Outside

I will replace 30 minute(s) each day typically spent inside (computer time, watching television, etc.) with quality time outside that follows CDC guidelines for preventing disease spread.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Weekly Meal Planning

I will reduce food waste and save money by prepping for 1 meal(s) each day, only buying the ingredients I need.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Oceans

Say No to Plastic Straws

An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When marine wildlife ingest plastic, they have a 50% mortality rate. By asking for no straw when placing a drink order, I will keep 5 plastic straw(s) of out of the ocean each day.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Reduce Animal Products

I will enjoy 2 meatless meal(s) and/or 1 vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 0
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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Oceans Say No to Plastic Straws

What single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, vegetable bags, plastic bags) do you regularly use? What could be substituted instead?

Aida Courtenay-Smith 4/14/2020 9:27 AM

I use drink cups when I get food to go, and instead I could substitute with my own reusable cups and plastic straws. Also, instead of using plastic bags at the grocery store, I will always use a reusable bag.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Weekly Meal Planning

An average American throws out about 240 lbs of food per year. The average family of four spends $1,500 a year on food that they throw out. Does this surprise you? Where would you rather use this money?

Aida Courtenay-Smith 4/14/2020 8:54 AM

This is not surprising to me because I can see how much food gets wasted just in my own household. This money should be going to good causes like homeless shelters or environmental programs.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
People Connect While Social Distancing

How does connecting with others help your own mental and emotional health? How can it help support others?

Aida Courtenay-Smith 4/14/2020 8:52 AM

When you talk to someone about how they are struggling, and agree with their struggles, and share your own, you can let them know that they are not alone, and that it is normal to feel isolated or lonely. Making connections with people helps strengthen them.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
People Spend Time Outside

Rachel Carson said that we need the beauty and mysteries of the natural world for our spiritual and emotional development. Does that ring true for you? What are the implications for a culture that spends most of its time indoors?

Aida Courtenay-Smith 4/14/2020 8:49 AM

I would agree with the statement that the natural world is needed for our development. It is only right for us to spend time outdoors, because that is the natural way our Earth exists. When I spend time outside, although I don't do it that often, I find myself energized and happier.

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