Share & Voice: Video

Ever since taking this class, and seeing all of the different documentaries I have really changed all of my eating habits and behaviors. I use to go to Super One and buy whatever was on sale, such as Easy Mac or the most sugary cereals, because they were cheap. I never actually looked at the labels, and what was inside of them. However, ever since then I find myself actually looking at labels and shopping at Whole Foods. I try to buy organic foods, or attend farmers markets for local farmers around the area. My diet has changed entirely, and I am quite pleased with my new behavior. On the Whole Foods website I found this very informative and interesting video discussing how foods are labeled. In this video them emphasized the difference between organic, and natural. I now know that the only if it says "naturally organic" does that truly mean it is. I really learned a lot about labeling foods, and how companies use their own name on the labels at a cheaper price then a name brand item, but there is no difference in the actual ingredients, but because the label is more popular verses the store brand people think it is better, but really they are just paying more. Now when I go to the store I am actually going to look at the label or a store brand verses a name brand product and compare what is in them. So, I challenge you this, to read the labels next time you are at the store and compare the two products.
Are the ingredients the same?
How much is the difference in cost?
If you buy the store brand compared to what you usually do, does it taste different?

I went to the store and bought Great Value cheese tortillas chips, commonly known as Doritos.
I was able to get these for $1.79 less and there was a slight difference in taste, but they were not bad tasting at all. I was able to learn all of this from the video I watched on the Whole Foods websites about labeling and that there really is no difference if you know what you are really looking for.
Everyone should check it out, it is very informative!

Share & Voice Week 3

Through my web group I have found myself SO inspired by all of the work that Cole is doing! Every week I look forward to reading her blog, and to see all of the great environmentally friendly things she is. I was very intrigued by her photo essay actually. I have always wanted to be better to the environment, but I would definitely get lazy, or didn't really know how to go about doing things. However, after seeing all that she did with her garbage and how easy it was to recycle I found to be awesome! Now there really is no reason that I should not be able to do that. After living in my house with 5 girls and people always over there is a lot of garbage scattered throughout, and empty cans. If my roommates and I all made an effort to be more environmentally friendly and recycle we would be helping conserve so much, while producing less garbage, and making it easier for garbage centers to not have to sort through all of our trash. She was able to go through tons of garbage and boxes from garbages to not even one full sized garbage bag after a week just by all of the composting, and recycle. I am truly inspired by her efforts, and think it is awesome what she is able to do!
Great Job Cole!
Everyone should check out her projects and all of the work she is doing at How Does Cole's Garden Grow?  I know I am going to continue to do so! Not to mention her fruit bars were also delicious, which I am going to attempt to make, even though my cooking skills are not the greatest.

Share and Voice Week 2: ISV Australia Crossings Project

Hey Mate!
For about two weeks this summer I went to Bermagui, Australia! This was the most influential and rewarding trip I have ever been on. During my time here we planted over 1,000 trees, went koala surveying, and learned so many different ways on living a sustainable lifestyle. We stayed with a family who owned "The Crossing". This was an incredible project, I learned what it really meant to rough it and live outdoors. This experience made me truly grateful for everything that I do have, and I learned to take nothing for granted. We cooked and prepared food that we picked out from the garden. I have never eaten so many vegetables in my life! We were also only allowed to shower every 3 days, with a 5 minute timer, so I learned to not waste water. The projects we did was really cool as well. We barely had any electricity, so we had to make our own fun. It was were serene to just sit outside a fire, and listen to Erik play his guitar on the evenings. Or, during the day we would take nature walks, and explore the beautiful land as well. It was exciting when we got to go into town. I learned that I use to take a lot for granted in regards to the amount of paper products I used, or heat. This was the greatest experience I have been apart of. I met so many wonderful people that I still am in contact with today. I also developed so many habits that I still use today. I am less dependent on technology, a better cook, and just more aware of what I am using, and always find the thought in the back of my head of, do I really need this?
If ever given the chance I would go back to Australia, and work on a sustainability project in a heart beat!

                                                         Jumping beside the beach!

                                                      Group after planting 1,000 trees!

                                                        Rendering Australian homes!

                               Group shot with some Aboriginal leaders after koala surveying!

                                                   Just swinging away in the rainforest!

Share and Voice Week 1

This is a GREAT website for everyone to look at. Global Stewards: Environmental Tips has so much information on it, and simple everyday actions, and behaviors to do to help our earth. There is simple recycling, reducing, and reusing tips. Then, there are projects you can do around your community to help make it from friendly, like picking up garbage. Also, kind of like our junking project, there is ideas on how to reuse certain materials that you may consider to be garbage, but can actually be used for different things! Everyone should definitely check out this website!
I really liked the part about different methods of transportation, which I think would be great for everyone else to look at, as we all know what a pain it is to park at UMD with the limited parking options. I also learned a lot from all of the pollution that comes from plastic that I never really knew as much about. There is really no need to have plastic bottles, when it would be easier and cause a lot less pollution if everyone would just refill a glass bottle.
Check out this very informational website!

Lindsay's Loving Land

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Lindsay, a junior at UMD enrolled in the class HLTH 3500, which focuses on the importance of cutting down our resources and preserving the earth! The focus of my blog is to learn and discuss ways we can all go green and help the earth we live in! There are many simple everyday behaviors we can change and work on to not only help ourself, but everyone else around us as well! I know for me personally I am very health conscious, but there is still many things I can work on!

My blog will contain these types of posts:

1.  Advocacy Project
2.  Eye Opener
3.  Reflection
4.  Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change
5. Share and Voice

The members in my web group are:

1.  Sierra W@See-Air-Ah
2. Dr. V/Kristen@Enviro Surfing with Amy and Kristin
3.  Chnice@Eco Summit With Chnice
4. Duzong@Duzong's Treehouse

This is the beginning of making life style changes to help our earth, and also a great way to find out different ways my fellow classmates are making changes as well. I believe if we all work together we can really make a difference!