Final Reflection

 

Reflections: Week 13 & 14

So I know that I could've posted my final reflections and my week 13/14 post together but I have such good design layouts I didn't want to mush the creative vibes! Please read up on this and I'll have another one you can indulge in for the final review. Thanks everyone for continuously reading!

Eye Opener: Online Learning Activities

Activity: Concepts Relating to Obesity in America
by Paige's E Health Blog

She gave these instructions:

After reading the above summary of the reliable links and resources I found, please take the time to answer these seven questions dealing with obesity in America today, by referring to the above information (there is no need to click on the links, I summarized the articles for you).

1.)  Obesity can cause ________________ referred to as high blood pressure and can harm the arteries.

2.)  ______________ are highest at risk for obesity.

3.)  _____ percent of children in the US are considered obese.

4.)  Obesity is a _______   ________ treament.

5.)  Obese children's __________________ skills are greatly hindered, mainly due to the disease.

6.)  _________   ___________ is positively correlated with the risk of becoming obese.

7.)  Increased consumption of ____________ foods have assisted to rise the trend of obesity.

My Answers: 
1.Hypertension
2. Native Hawaiians
3. 33%
4. Life long
5. Socialization
6. Social Economic Status
7. Highly processed

Holy.... I would've never guessed that Native Hawaiians are at the highest risk for obesity!! My roommate just went to Hawaii this summer and I asked her about this fact and she said that all of the people there were actually quite large --> she just didn't think anything of it. Good Eye-Opener Paige. I just cannot believe that such a high percentage of children may become obese this year. It's just such a startling thought and hopefully we can really get back to the core basics of healthier local grown nutrients; for EVERYONE'S sake.

   
Activity: Relay For Life 

by Mals Rain Forest
She gave these instructions:

Visit this webpage: http://www.relayforlife.org/relay/whatisrelay#whatisrelay

1. Watch the video on relay for life on webpage

2. Read what is relay for life, why we relay and history 

3. After watching and reading, tell me know 3 things you learned. Also try to find out how and where you could get involved with one either here in Duluth or back home

4. Upload a picture of Relay for Life

My Answers: 

1. Relay for Life is dedicated to raising money for the American Cancer Society. A groups of individuals come together to form different teams for whomever they may know who has cancer, lost the battle to cancer, or is fighting cancer. They take turns over a 24 hour period walking a track, a local high school, or a park in efforts to show the resistance of fighting back against the never resting disease.

2. Relay for Life really aims at empowering whatever community the walk takes place in to celebrate, mourn, or rejoice the essence of life. It's about being thankful for who you are, whom you've lost, and who you still have. It's about celebrating and creating memories that will not only help you but will relay the hope that everyone in the efforts of this walk will encourage to continue.

3.This is an amazing story as all that create something bigger then themselves end up being. During the 1980's a doctor named Gordy Klott felt so motivated by his own patients (cancer ones) that he wanted to give back. He wanted to increase local awareness and funds in the American Cancer Society. The best thing he could think of was doing a 24 hour run/walk and have his own friends/family members come out to support him/donate money to encourage his 24 hour pledge. He ended up raising $27,000 for the group. He teamed up with Pat Flynn who was another big name during this decade and they began the first Relay for Life on a track where 19 different groups participated in and together raised $33,000.

4.
A) I never knew how this organization started up. It really empowers me to get involved in different events. I cannot believe that Dr. Klott actually ran/walked over 83 miles for this cause --> Talk about motivation and support!!

B) There is an International Relay for Life that is also being held! I found out that there are 19 different countries besides that U.S. that have gotten involved in this same cause. I love when people can put aside their differences and work together for a cause that affects not only AMERICA but everyone across the world.

C) The coolest thing I found was that during the walk they have this portion called Remember - The Luminaria Ceremony. Stated on the Relay for Life website "After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence. As people take time to remember, those who have walked alongside others battling cancer can grieve and find healing. This is a time that truly highlights the importance of defeating this disease." I found this so amazing. That all these people who have come together for hope and prayer can all have a moment to recognize the people/person they truly care for.

5. 2010 Relay For Life of Lyon County MN (my hometown)

Event Date: August 20-21, 2010

Relay Online Chair: Lisa Henning

Relay Online Chair Email: lisa_henning@admworld.com

6.

 














Great eye-opener Mal!! So many of my friends in high school were involved in Relay for Life walks since a few of our group of friends parents had been diagnosed with it. I know my roommate and my own grandpa & grandma have had different forms of cancer and I think we're actually going to be participating in it when it comes up to DULUTH!  Hooray :)


Activity: Water Science

by Mediterranean Melissa

She gave these instructions:

Since my project is centered around water quality, I wanted to show you how much we rely on clean drinking water and how hard it would be if somewhere like the Great Lakes became too polluted for us to use it as a water resource. Go to this questionnaire and complete each question. After you enter your information, look at what others contributed around the country. Some of the stats are a bit shocking! 

This next link I'm having you click on, is an opinion survey. This shows what our current water worries are. Complete this activity the same way and check to see what others answered around the country!
All of these activities are provided by the United States Geological Survey.

Click here to see the current water quality around the state of Minnesota.

My Answers: 

1.

What kind of water do you drink at home? United States totals by state
State	From the faucet	Filtered	Bottled	Don't know	Total

Minnesota

1088  (50%)

585  (27%)

439  (20%)

62  (3%)

2,174

Where does your home drinking water come from? United States totals by state
State	Public supply	Self supply	Bottled	Don't know	Total

Minnesota

744  (57%)

378  (29%)

95  (7%)

99  (8%)

1,316

How much water do you use at home on a typical day?

---

Your own per capita use: 79.18 gallons per day

Here are the numbers we used in our calculations:

Bath: 50 gallons

Shower: 2 gallons per minute

Teeth brushing: 1 gallon

Hands/face washing: 1 gallon

Face/leg shaving: 1 gallon

Dishwasher: 20 gallons/load

Dishwashing by hand: 5 gallons/load

Clothes washing (machine): : 10 gallons/load

Toilet flush: 3 gallons

Glasses of water drunk: 8 oz. per glass (1/16th of a gallon)

2.

What do you think the biggest water problem will be in the future? United States totals, by state
State	We will not have enough water	Water will be too polluted	Drinking water will be unsafe	Water systems will break down	There won't be major water problems	Total

Minnesota

225  (22%)

466  (45%)

181  (17%)

40  (4%)

124  (12%)

1,036

How do you rank water concerns with environmental issues? United States totals by state
State	Number of answers	Solid waste disposal	Water problems	Air pollution	Nuclear waste disposal	Using up resources	Over- development

Minnesota

638

2.7

2.7

2.8

2.7

2.6

2.8

Water Survey: How would you handle this water crisis? United States totals by state
State	Number of answers	Restrict water use	Find new water supplies	Raise the cost of water	Restrict develop- ment	Water conser- vation	Buy water from another place

Minnesota

898

2.7

2.9

2.4

2.6

3.4

2.1

What is your favorite water body? United States totals by state
State	Oceans	Big rivers	Small streams	Rainbows	Bays	Waterfalls	Lakes	Glacier	Geysers	Total

Minnesota

148 (10%)

49 (3%)

163 (11%)

122 (8%)

63 (4%)

277 (19%)

569 (39%)

46 (3%)

31 (2%)

1,468

3. I really cannot believe just how much we're truly harming ourselves in the long run! After taking the survey on how much water I use a day (79.18 gallons daily) I'm floored. I need to start conversing my water and really THINK about what I'm doing when I'm using this water. YIKES!
Great eye-opener Melissa :)

SHARE N VOICE/ADVOCACY: Letter to Public Official RESPONSE

Hey Guys!

I'm not sure if any of you will think this is super cool or not but I thought it was SWEET! Senator Amy Klobuchar actually wrote back to my letter to the public official and I thought I'd just share it with you. I know Dr. V said we didn't have to but I thought it was of importance since it really lets me and everyone reading this post that our public officials DO take the time to read the mail we send them. :)

December 14, 2009

Dear Ms. Goodmund:

Thank you for contacting me about S. 2093.  I appreciate hearing from you on this particular piece of legislation.

As you may know, S. 2093 would suspend temporarily the duty on Perfluorobutane sulfonyl fluoride. I introduced this bill in the Senate on October 29, 2009, and it was referred to the Committee on Finance.  I will keep your comments in mind should this or related legislation come before the full Senate for a vote.

To keep track of what I am doing both in Washington and in Minnesota, please visit my website at http://www.klobuchar.senate.gov.  You may also like to track legislation through the Library of Congress legislative information website at http://thomas.loc.gov.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me.  One of the most important parts of my job is listening to what the people of Minnesota have to say to me.  I am here in our nation's capital to do the public's business and to serve the people of our state.  I hope you will contact me again about matters of concern to you.

Sincerely,

Amy Klobuchar

United States Senator

Advocacy Project: Fluoride Around You

Purpose
Through this activity, I hope to show why healthy fluoride should be encouraged in our water systems and to prove the need for fluoride in our daily lives.

Instructions
This is a two-part activity.

Part 1: Please read the following:
-Learn about the top ten facts of having fluoride. See why fluoride is a positive additive and why it should be implemented into our lives.

-Check out these fluoride sources. Click on some of the sources to see how much fluoride is in each product listed. Evaluate all of the items on the page to your own life and how many of these items you consume yourself. Think about how healthy your food and beverage choices are especially after you look into the fluoride levels in the items.

-CDC offers a great site to see what is happening fluoride-wise in your own community. This will allow you to see how fluoride affects your own family & community (a localized idea)

• Click on your state, then county, then your town 
• See what fluoride is being used around you and how you're getting your fluoride.
• Look at towns around you to see what you could also be consuming from their fluoride systems.
  

Part 2: Your assignment (two parts): 

• Look into your own life/home and take a photograph of an item(s) that have fluoride in it. Choose something unique and that is a daily necessity for you.

AND

• Please write a short description of this item and why it’s a necessity for you. Include what your life would be like without this item and how you would feel if you found out a deadly chemical was in it (EX: my issue overview was of perfluorbutane sulfonyl fluoride WHICH is a product of a synthetic organic chemical that is used to manufacture protective coatings for apparel and home furnishings, and to manufacture specialty surfactants).

Even if you don’t spend the time checking the labels for fluoride or worry about what you’re consuming or using on a daily basis I hope this activity helps bring the issue down to a personal level. Fluoride is after all around us in our daily lives and without a regulation on what chemicals are added to it, we may all be in grave danger.  We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves, family members, and our communities safe. Please pay attention to local and national updates on fluoride- as we’ve learned through this advocacy project, some of our leaders don’t always know all of the facts on what our issues are about. Please advocate for safer and healthier fluoride additives. Remember after all this fluoride is not only in the water you drink but in almost all of your daily activities. Bathing, eating, drinking, and cleaning! 

Read n Seed 6: Final Review of "Diet for a Small Planet"

OVERVIEW:

This book shows how Frances Moore Lappe changed her life by changing what foods she consumed. However, it also allows everyone to read what she learned along the way. She educates readers on what protein really entitles and how to eat complementary protein to get more energy. She writes to educate us on how buyers and sellers are wasting our energy on bulky animal feed that we're not truly profiting off of.

Lappe compares regular "quick and easy" meals to actual home made ones how actually insignificant the differences really are. Only a few minutes here or there doesn't really change the quality of homemade food compared to store bought and taken out food. She additionally goes into depths to provide readers healthy recipes to show that making food can be simple. These recipes range from appetizers to main courses and even desserts

3 SIGNIFICANT THINGS:
One) Protein isn't always found in meats! There are many other places you can find a good source of protein. For example you can consume legumes,  grains, nuts & seeds to get a great balance.

Two) Shopping in local whole food centers allow you to find what you really need. Get rid of the advertisement and marketing aspects of food and really get to the basics of what food really is. The ingredients are more important than all of the colors and styles plastered on the shelves.

Three) Starting with someone who cares and can be a support system is a major help. Everyone needs someone in their life who can pick them up when something isn't going their way. When changing a habit this is a necessity. If you want to start eating right you need to stick to the plan.

IMPORTANCE/MEANING:

The book really allowed me to realize that not all protein comes from animals. This was something I was lead to mainly believe growing up. I wasn't taught that different items could be used as vital protein components.

This book therefore, has taught me many things. I feel it has great importance in simply educating people to see what is really happening. What is happening in our food chain and why we're being so mislead to think that protein means more meat and bigger portions. This in fact isn't the truth; nor close to it. We need more variety and meat doesn't always need to be our main focus. Not all meals need to have a consistency of meat in them sometimes finding substitutes can be one of the greatest things to understand.

RECOMMENDATION:

I would easily recommend this book to anyone. This book is a simple eyeopener in itself! It has been revised throughout the years and really has shown tremendous growth as times have changed.

Lappe has gone back and edited to make each section more sensible for each generation that continues to read it. She has great input into why she's made these changes and why she has done such.

Anyone that wants to learn real facts and understand what is really out there should read this book. I've learned so many things by just reading this book. It opens my eyes to what else could be out there pertaining to this topic.

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10: Overall Project Reflection

Blogged for the Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 10 hosted by Amy@Eco-Chic with Amy.

Advocacy Project: Letter to Public Official

December 7, 2009
Senator Amy Klobuchar
United States Senate
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2304

Senator Amy Klobuchar,

Our nation is currently in need of water system that will protect our community members and children from the harmful effects of inappropriate additives to our fluoridated water. This is a reason that I’m urging you to vote yes to S. 2093 To suspend temporarily the duty on Perfluorobutane sulfonyl fluoride.

This bill, which was created to take a closer look into what was being added to our fluoridated water systems, has therefore lead me to some interesting findings on what should be allowed in. The United States International Trade Commission illustrated that perfluorbutane sulfonyl fluoride is a product of a synthetic organic chemical that is used to manufacture protective coatings for apparel and home furnishings, and to manufacture specialty surfactants. This means that the fluoride that is being investigated more in depth has been proven to not even be ingested in humans let alone be found in fluoridated water.


I believe the implementation of this policy will allow for a change in many American lives. This policy will provide appropriate actions to protect the health of the people and the people that support you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 286 million Americans receive their tap water from a community water system. These public water systems are monitored and regulated as set by the EPA. Removing this fluoride from the public water systems will decreasing the amount individuals that become sick from this unnecessary additive. The American Dental Association is an organization which fights for fluoride to remain intact in our government’s water system and has made positive strides and efforts to get the public behind them. In turn an expectation of a clean and healthy fluoridated water system must be help up by the government which requires help from the United States’ Department of Health Service’s Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management along with the public water systems that are subject to the EPA. 


I’ve found that a memorandum on a proposed tariff legislation of the 110th Congress also passed a temporary duty suspension on June 12, 2008 facing this same issue: H. R. 4975 To suspend temporarily the duty on perfluorobutane sulfonyl fluoride. These results showed positive action and allowed the harmful fluoride to be temporarily suspended through December 31, 2011. Many lives can be changed by your approval of voting YES to this bill.

Your community along with the community that has elected you to be in office is being affected firsthand by this contaminated water. I think families, children, and perhaps even pets who end up consuming this water have the right to know that the water they wash with, bathe with, and consume on a daily basis is contaminated by a fluoride that should not be found in our water systems. I hope you understand the necessity for the S. 2093 To suspend temporarily the duty on Perfluorobutane sulfonyl fluoride and urge you to vote YES to create a safer, and healthier public water quality for all Americans. If you need any additional information or would like to contact me, do not hesitate to do so. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Ashley Goodmund
(contact info)

Reflections: Week 11 & 12

Week 11

Due:

• Advocacy: Issue Overview
  
• Eco-Chic Week 8
  
• Read n Seed: 4th quarter of "Diet for a Small Planet"
  

This week in class we had one of the most interesting classes yet! We all received five different objects that we only had a set amount of time with. We had to come up with as many different junking ideas to transform the object into something new and creative!

Our group consisted of Hailey, Abby, and myself... I'd have to say we had a blast thinking of strange and inventive ideas! Laughter was endless with the ideas we conjured up about these five items. I'll list a few crazy ideas to let you know a few of the inventions we chuckled over: Plus below are a few examples of the items that were brought in:

Item 1 (tripod item): candle holder, plant stand, camera stand, boot dryer, chandelier, tree stand, chair/stool, table, ceiling fan, door wedge, and meat pounder. 
 
Item 2 (glass conductor): lamp cover, cup, balloon weight, hors d'oeuvres holder, juicer, hair stuff holder, change holder, paper weight, and cookie cutter. 

Item 3 (hardware): utensil holder on wall, drawer hardware, door knobs, hold curtain rod in bathroom, wind chime, and brass knuckles.

Item 4 (wooden drawer): pet coffin, Christmas ribbon holder, hold a statue of Mary, sock and underwear drawer, and to build a fire if you are stranded and it is your only item.

Item 5 (metal/wooden item): hold folders/letters, scarf rack, yard rake, baking rack cooler, toothbrush holder, and doll holder/Barbie holder for a child.

Week 12

Due:

• Photo Essay
  
• Eco-Chic Week 9

We learned how to create a blog hop. I found this to be sort of confusing while we watched the whole video but once we got to actually have a hands on interaction it seemed to be much easier than I expected.

I really thought it was cool how we all had an interconnected MckLinky Links on all of our Eye Opener: Photo Essay posts however! After we connected our final bog hops we took the chance to go through everyone's photo essays created for class.

So many people had such great essays and even depicted photographs that I could relate to growing up in my own family. By doing this photo essay it really made me feel more connected to my classmates and what they've gone through in their own lives. I've learned that everyone has their own little quirks that make them who they are and sometimes these quirks are similar to others' --> YAY :)