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April 1 - April 30, 2020

National Aquarium Feed

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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
    Food Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates
    How does knowing the difference between use by, sell by, and best by dates empower you to make better decisions?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/30/2020 12:50 PM
    I will literally use something well past so long as it's not moldy or smells weird. ;)
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Climate Choose LED Bulbs
    Changing lightbulbs is an excellent first step toward energy efficiency! In what other ways can you exercise your civic duty to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/30/2020 12:43 PM
    I like to do anything I can to reduce my emissions, so learning new ways is awesome! My big one is being able to walk to work, but every bit makes a difference!
  • 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?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/19/2020 12:48 PM
    I definitely try not to waste any food. This is something I am very adamant about. I work through my cupboards, even if I just have pasta, before buying more stuff.   
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Compost Food Waste
    New to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/06/2020 12:52 PM
    I have always been a composter and when I lived in New Zealand, it is required. I appreciate that and I think we should start implementing that! I know Washington state already has (or at least Seattle). I see areas where we can be better about this here at the aquarium.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Watch a Documentary about Food Sovereignty
    How does food sovereignty address the complex agrarian transition to modern food systems?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/06/2020 12:49 PM
    I love to support local farmer's markets. The food is fresher and better!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Connect While Social Distancing
    How does connecting with others help your own mental and emotional health? How can it help support others?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/05/2020 8:55 AM
    I'm an extrovert, so having people, and particularly friends, around helps me to stay light and positive! I also am really glad that the aquarium reopened, because I'd forgotten just how enriching and fulfilling it is for me to educate people about our animals, conservation, and what they can do to help change the world. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Use Muscle Power
    How do your transportation choices affect your engagement in your community? Does your experience or enjoyment differ while walking, riding transit, biking or driving?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/05/2020 8:53 AM
    I actually walk to work every day! It's great exercise and great for the environment. My car waits for the weekend to do a good trip to go hike in the great outdoors! I try not to drive too much and even walk to get my groceries. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience Research Benefits of Biodiversity
    How can you encourage biodiversity by your own actions?

    Beth Rizzo's avatar
    Beth Rizzo 7/05/2020 8:52 AM
    While in Colorado, I advocated for bringing wolves back to the state to restore our ecosystem balance. We got enough signatures to be on the September 2020 ballot and will be voted on this year! Very exciting! I would often tell people to watch "How the Wolves Change the Rivers," because it is a wonderful and short documentary that really impacts you on how wolves are a keystone species. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Action Track: Building Resilience 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?

    Tracy Borneman's avatar
    Tracy Borneman 4/30/2020 11:33 PM
    So true. And not just development, but spiritual and emotional sanity. I only feel the full reality of life when outside. Our world shrinks by magnitudes, not just physically, but mentally when we’re inside. There seems so much more possibility when out in the open world.

  • Tracy Borneman's avatar
    Tracy Borneman 4/30/2020 11:28 PM
    A fun month of doing more to be eco friendly!