Sara van der Giessen

Periop Green Team

"SCH OR"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
525 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

2.0

locally sourced meals

consumed
UP TO

84

gallons of water

have been saved
UP TO

281

items

recycled
UP TO

12

items

donated
UP TO

381

additional oz of water

consumed
UP TO

15

minutes spent

learning

Sara's actions

At Home

Adjust the Thermostat

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Needs Vs. Wants

I will adopt a "Needs Vs. Wants" approach and only buy things I need.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Brush My Teeth Without Water Running

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

At Work

Recycling Champion

I will recycle 10 items at work and/or at home each day, making sure I review recycling program guidelines and only place accepted items that are clean, empty, and dry in the recycling bin.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

At Home

Learn the Truth about Expiration Dates

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

One Healthcare

Use a reusable bottle/mug

I will keep countless disposable cups and/or bottles from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle, cup, or mug.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Well-being

Whole Foods

I will enjoy 3 meals each week free of processed foods.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Health & Well-being

Healthy Hydration

I will improve hydration by drinking an additional 16oz of water each day. I will do this by drinking additional servings of water or by drinking water in place of other less healthy beverage options.

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

In Our Communities

Donate Items

I will help others in need and prevent useful items from going to landfill by donating 10 items.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

In Our Communities

Buy From a Farmers Market

I will purchase produce and/or meat from a local farmers market or food co-op to make 8 locally-sourced meals.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 & Well-being Healthy Hydration

How do you plan to increase your water intake during the day?

Sara van der Giessen 4/15/2024 2:55 PM

I carry a water bottle around with me every day! and am trying to remember to actually drink it :)

Read More
- Christina Moran (PHMG-B'ham) 4/15/2024 4:01 PM
  
  I actually had to add reminders on my phone to get me into a real good habit
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
In Our Communities Buy From a Farmers Market

Did procuring local ingredients impact the way you think about food or the meals you decided to prepare? If so, how?

Sara van der Giessen 4/11/2024 3:23 PM

Yes! It always feels so good to make a meal from items all sourced locally. I dont have to wonder where it came from, how it was processed, etc. It's easier and cheaper to get ingredients that are packaged, canned, etc from the grocery store but I do enjoy my meals so much more when I buy fresh from a market.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
At Work Recycling Champion

When did you learn about recycling? Why is recycling important to you?

Sara van der Giessen 4/11/2024 3:18 PM

I learned about recycling as a child since my family regularly recycled. My mom was very careful about how we recycled and how we disposed of food waste because in the area she grew up they did not (and still do not) regularly recycle.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
In Our Communities Donate Items

Why is it important to consider how and to whom you donate your no-longer-needed items?

Sara van der Giessen 4/11/2024 3:13 PM

It helps me de-clutter and makes me think twice when I'm buying something - is this something that I will actually use or is it something that will sit in a corner until I decide to donate it?

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
At Home Adjust the Thermostat

What other steps can you take each day to heat and cool your home more efficiently?

Sara van der Giessen 4/02/2024 11:17 AM

I try to keep the window shades closed at night to prevent heat loss, as well as minimize the amount of time we leave the door open to keep it warm. When it is warm enough we turn off the heat, and use open doors and windows and fans to cool. This does use electricity but we have solar panels to power up.

Read More
- Brian Nelson (SWMC) 4/02/2024 12:10 PM
  
  I'm a cold sleeper and would actually want to open mine up right now...the ol' wifey-poo's allergies are kicking right now, though. Can you please add your hosp/clinic to your profile name, Sara? :)
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
At Home Learn the Truth about Expiration Dates

What did you learn about expiration dates? How do you reduce food waste at home? What are some additional ways you can reduce food waste?

Sara van der Giessen 4/02/2024 11:14 AM

Interesting reads - I do tend to go more by smell or look rather than the expiration date and good to read that this is safe :) I didn't realize milk was a sell by date, not use by.

Read More