Emily Shpringer

Students of Sheridan's Sustainability Class

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,442 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

3,226

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

2,178

minutes

being mindful
UP TO

73

meatless or vegan meals

consumed
UP TO

107

more servings

of fruits and vegetables
UP TO

70

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

25

minutes

spent outdoors

Emily's actions

Health and Education

Learn about the Need for Family Planning

Health and Education

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning more about the need for family planning globally.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

More Fruits And Veggies

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 3 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.

COMPLETED 36
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Eat Mindfully

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

COMPLETED 35
DAILY ACTIONS

Health and Education

Research Barriers to Participation and Representation

Health and Education

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the barriers to women's equal participation and representation around the world.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 60 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 37
DAILY ACTIONS

Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Explore My Area

Sometimes protecting nature requires feeling connected to nature. I will invest 30 minutes in exploring and appreciating a natural area in my region, whether a forest, wetland, coastal area, or somewhere else.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Smaller Portions

Reduced Food Waste

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

COMPLETED 31
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
Health and Education

What did you learn about the need for family planning? How do the needs of different people in different places compare to each other?
Emily Shpringer 4/01/2023 6:39 PM
Effective family planning methods that emphasize empowerment, well-being, and education not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions (fewer people = fewer emissions), but also lessen the strain on the environment. The need for effective family planning is acknowledged by Project Drawdown as being universal. Contraceptives are not just unavailable to women in low-income nations; they are also required in wealthy nations like the United States, where 45 percent of pregnancies are unintended. Family planning is a powerful tactic for enhancing human welfare and consequently reducing climate change.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Health and Education

What are some of the barriers that exist to women's equal participation and/or representation in your community?
Emily Shpringer 3/18/2023 9:56 AM
Women are still not getting the respect that they deserve. There is still a lack of equal pay for women, even when we do the same jobs as men. There is also not enough representation of women in leadership positions, especially women of color. There is not enough opportunities for new mothers. Many of them have to send their babies at three months old to daycare otherwise they lose their jobs. Equality for women is not saying "We have a female VP, isn't that enough?" Equality for women is a long and hard road that people need to start getting accustomed to. In today's society women are the bread winners of the family, and yet we are not treated with any respect, receive lower pay and have to fight for our rights every single day!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Why do people in richer countries eat more meat than people in other places? How does eating more meat affect our bodies, our planet, and other people?
Emily Shpringer 3/15/2023 10:07 AM
It can be understood that people in richer countries eat more meat than other people in other places because the cost to produce meat is quite high, therefore it brings forth the fact that richer people can afford it. Consuming too much red meat can harm ones body. It can lead to higher risks for heart disease, diabetes and other dangerous health concerns that can be detrimental to ones body. It can be harmful to our planet as well. After reading certain articles, I have come to realize that millions of tons of carbon dioxide are discharged into the sky when forests are cut down to produce industrial meat, hastening global warming.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

While dishing food out, we tend to load our plates with more than we need. Using smaller plates helps to mitigate this. Aside from the environmental benefits, what other benefits might come from eating/serving smaller portions?
Emily Shpringer 3/11/2023 6:08 PM
Some other benefits that might come from eating/serving smaller portions is physical health. Not only is it safer for the environment, but it is also a great influence one ones physical health. It can improve ones metabolism and make it easier to manage your weight. It is also helpful when one is trying to lose weight.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal

How can spending more time outdoors enhance your sense of place -- your deep knowledge of and appreciation for your surroundings?
Emily Shpringer 3/09/2023 9:07 AM
Spending more time outdoors can be very good for ones mental and physical health. Something I have personally noticed since starting this challenge is, I am more at ease when I am outside breathing in fresh air. I told myself that even after this semester is over I will be holding myself accountable with all of these challenges because it has really helped with my mental health. Being one with nature, breathing in the crisp clean air, letting the sun radiate on your skin, sitting on a park bench and just watching the world right in front of you brings me a sense of stillness. I feel that I can be more present and appreciate the little things in life that most of us take for granted.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?
Emily Shpringer 2/25/2023 8:48 AM
I am very happy with selecting this action. At first it was hard to not use my phone or check my emails, not I actually find it relaxing. I always say I want to set a good example for my kids, and this week I feel I was doing just that. My 3 1/2 year old is so used to listening to his disney songs and watching his favorite disney movies. This week I was leading by example. It took a few days for him to understand why we aren't using the phones at dinner anymore, but after a few days, my 2 1/2 started following my 3 1/2 year old and they both stopped watching the phone during dinner time. This week we were able to connect and be with one another. It helped ground me and my kids this week and it has not turned into something I would like to continue doing going forward.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?
Emily Shpringer 2/25/2023 8:44 AM
There is so much about my area that I did not pay attention to before. This week I tried dedicated time to myself and to nature. I noticed how many different trees is in my area alone. I like the fact that if I go in one direction I see all the beautiful scenery and homes, if i go another direction I am able to find super markets, parks and local stores. I enjoy seeing my neighbors and taking the time to just breath in the fresh air.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Action Track: Healing & Renewal

How does eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat positively affect yourself, other people, and our planet?
Emily Shpringer 2/25/2023 8:40 AM
Eating more vegetables and fruits this past week has made me feel more light on my feet. Cutting out meat I notice I don't feel heavy and its easier for me to wake up in the mornings.

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