Reflection: Weeks 5-8

These have been a very busy past few weeks in our Environmental Health class.  Every week we were introduced to a new topic and watched videos focusing on each of them.  There were a couple main topics that stuck with me and instigated some new changes in my life.   

The video "Fresh" was the main one.  How these industrial and factory farms are taking over our nation is scary, plain and simple.  Watching how they treat the animals, what we feed them, and what we end up consuming have long term affects that so many of us are unaware of.  I joked with Dr.V how I no longer want to eat anything because we truly don't know what we're buying at grocery stores.  It was inspirational to see throughout the video, the farmers that were out there changing how they operate.  They want to provide better quality (not quantity) for us.  These local farmers are aware of the troubles we will encounter over time.  Now I know what to look for and how to incorporate healthier food choices in my daily life.  This video showed the benefits of supporting local farms around the country.

The second video, "Tapped," was an exciting one as well.  It provided information of plastic water bottles and how companies get the water we purchase.  It never crossed my mind that by buying bottled water, we are purchasing a product we could have had for free.  It seems so simple, but I guess I never thought twice about HOW these companies got the water...from the same place we do!  Out of the faucet!  The video mentioned how we are continuously looking for "easy access" to products...but we are getting it at the cost of our environment.  Rivers, lakes, oceans, are slowly being destroyed at our expense.  The little things are what matter and can make a difference!  Recycle and clean up after ourselves...simple.

Overall, this course has provided some very powerful information.  I just wish that others outside of this classroom, outside of this city, every where could see and learn what we have these past few weeks.  Knowledge is power.   Think of the things that could take place! :o)

Share and Voice: Plastic Bottles

Here's a fun story that I heard on the today show awhile back.  It really  correlates with the video "Tapped" that we watched on Monday.


Her name is Laura Kutner.  She's 25 years old and has been working with the Peace Corp.  Recently, she traveled to Guatemala to work in the village of Granados.  The school here in this village has slowly been crumbling...so the idea was to rebuild, but the supplies and the cost were too much and out of the question.  The idea sparked and the project "Message In A Bottle," came about.  The children were to gather plastic bottle and garbage from around the streets in order to use as the foundation of the school.  Each child stuffed 20 plastic bottles full of garbage.  There are a total of 6,000 plastic bottles that completes the foundation of the school.  The children had new motivation to clean up their streets and alleys.  The students share pride over their new school and a new-gound excitement about picking up garbage.  "You don't need alot of money, and the best thing is that they worked together."


Check out the website.  It's pretty inspirational.  This girl is not much older than us and proves we are capable of many things!  New junking project, maybe?

Eye Opener: Junk On the Brain

PART ONE: All definitions were found at Encyclopedia: Free Dictionary.  Very resourceful website!

• antique- is an old collectible item
• antiquing- is enhancing a piece's form or current state
• junk- the remains of something that's been broken or no longer wanted
• flea market- an open-air market selling cheap and often second-hand goods
• thrift shop- sells used articles, especially clothing, as to benefit a charitable organization
• upcycling- use of waste materials to provide useful products, transform it into something with greater value
• resale shop- retail establishment operated by charitable organization for purpose of fundraising These terms deal with Environmental Health because we're not just recycling anymore.  We are RE-using these materials

PART TWO:

1. These terms deal with Environmental Health because we're not just recycling materials, we are Re-using them.  We're taking products already made and making them into something bigger and better. They're not just going into the dumps.
2. Goodwill International, INC
• 4883 Miller Trunk Hwy
  Hermantown, MN 55811
  (218) 727-0001
  www.goodwillduluth.org
3. I have used goodwill before.  However, I have never purchased anything from there.  I frequently bring old clothes and other goods to this location throughout the year.

PART THREE:

• Holiday Craft: 
•  This one seemed alot of fun, especially with the holidays around the corner.  It takes an old, mismatched mitten and some outdoors pine and other pretty things.  It can be hung as a door decoration and a great, simple gift to those you care for! 
• Winter Green Fresh: 
• This one was especially interesting and could be used throughout the seasons.  It takes an old box spring and place small flower pot in the springs.  This showcased certain bulbs that were planted, but i'm sure you could plant whatever you please.  Use it as decoration and change it up throughout the year!
• From Card Table To Wall Art:
• I especially enjoyed this project.  I am always so interested in big art work for the place that I rent and each year you may have a new home to decorate.  All the walls are different sizes and need to be filled in different ways.  Big art pieces are not cheap!  This is an amazing, cheap(er) way to fill up those empty white spaces.  It takes an old card table, that has designs on it, and hang it up as your new masterpiece!  Love it!