The eLearners News Blog : Organized Living

My Orange Has Never Been So Green

JonM — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:22:00 GMT

What does it mean to "go green?"...When someone says "go green," common associations that come to mind are issues , such as global warming or the energy crisis. Yet, at its heart the Green Movement's main objective is the maintenance of the human health and condition; including taking better care of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.

Consider your average meal. The typical American meal has traveled an average of 1500 miles before getting to your plate and is usually grown by industrial agriculture corporations. This plate of food emits tonnes of fossil fuels and is likely injected with steroids and peppered with pesticides while depriving your neighbor and local grower out of viable business. Sustainable foods, in contrast are grown seasonally, locally, and are organic. Food should be sustainable post-consumption as well; uneaten food comprises over 7% of the National Average waste stream. Food prep scraps, post-consumer food residuals, waxed cardboard, paper towels, napkins, and food prep waste comprise 70% of a college's food waste; all are completely compostable and are the major sources of methane released into the atmosphere from landfills. Recognizing the predicament they have caused, over 200 universities have jumped onto the eating sustainable bandwagon.

Universities Making a Difference:

Inherently rebellious, college students always seem to be on the forefront of change. Student-run organizations across the nation have single- handedly changed the ways their campuses operate. Like most schools, the University of Portland received its meals from giant food providers like Sysco and Aramark. The first step taken was the removal of the Pepsi Vending Machines and Hunts Ketchup bottles. Then in 2005, under pressure from its students, the University transformed its food consumption to over 40% from local farms and growers in Oregon. The shrimp and chicken they used to offer students grown and shipped in from different countries like Thailand, was now grown in the adjacent county of Clackamas.

The Sustainability Integration Office (SIO) at Middlebury College pushed the school to award over ⅓ of its four million dollar budget to Burlington Foodservice Company, which consists of over 47 Vermont-based growers. The percentage rises each year as the dining halls work directly with the farmers. The SIO also started The Middlebury College Organic Garden a trend soon followed by over 45 colleges across the nation. This program grew more local and organic food and taught experiment learning along with agriculture production. The SIO didn't just stop there; they took all the leftovers and food prep waste, ran them through a pulp to remove water and then composted over 300 tonnes of would be waste. The Ski Team also uses the vegetable oil waste ot power their biodiesel truck and the excess oil is sold off campus.

A major success story tells the tale of the students of the University of California Santa Cruz. Students for Sustainable Agriculture forced Sodexho (a food service giant) out of contract in favor of a local food grower and distributor. The movement began to grow and spread and soon the SSA started Local and Real Food Week annually across UCal campuses throughout the state.

In 2003 Alice Waters head chef at Chez Panisse (winner of best restaurant in America 2001 by Gourmet Magazine) visited her daughter at Yale. Disgusted by the food her daughter was forced to eat, Waters went to the President to solve the problem. After a couple months of fundraising, Waters converted the Berkeley College dining hall into an entirely seasonal and local eatery. The menu threw out hot dogs and fries and only served food that was in season around campus. As lettuce and tomato disappeared from the Connecticut fields so did the selection from the menu. Surprisingly to President Levin-but not to Waters, Berkeley College was soon the most popular dining hall on campus. Even the school chefs took pleasure to this change, ridding themselves of the traditional monotony of lunch lines. Students went to the extreme as making fake IDs to enter the dining hall and chow down on the chef’s squash gratin and beet slaw. Waters was later inducted into the California Hall of Fame (2008), Co-Recipient with Kofi Annan of the Environmental Citizens Award (2008), won a Lifetime Achievement Award (2007), Chez Panisse was recognized as one of “Best 50 Restaurants Worldwide,” and founded the Sustainable Food Program at the American Academy in Rome. Even campuses overseas were getting a hint that sustainable foods were the way to go.

Over 200 colleges across the nation are now investing in sustainable foods. Some are starting new recycling programs others are eating local, each are making a difference to the students and community.

"Go green" in your own way, several colleges and universities offer sustainability studies online.

Learn more at Sustainability Programs on eLearners.com

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Free online course in stress management

AndriaL — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:17:00 GMT

Could you use some stress management?

Holidays, finals approaching, the job market, the last of this stubborn winter, money woes, traffic...

There never seems to be a shortage of reasons to be stressed, but luckily, University of Florida is offering a free, seven-part series in stress management that you can access here. There's no registration needed, which is great, because who needs another login and password to remember?

In the seven lessons, you'll learn plenty, including:

What causes stress
How your body reacts to stress
How to relieve stress using physical techniques
How visualization can help

As removing stress from your life is completely impossible, learning to deal with what's stressing you—both mentally and physically—is important for a longer, happier, healthier life.

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Keep It in the Car

JenniferA — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Whether you have big kids, little kids or both, you've probably noticed that there is a significant amount of "gear" they need wherever they go. The constant schlepping of diaper bags, backpacks, sports bags, etc. can create a hectic scene when you're trying to get out the door. So why not make it easier on yourself and start storing the essentials in your vehicle? Now is probably a good time to put together a "keep-it-in-the-car-bin."

The one I use is a medium-sized under-the-bed type of storage container. Here are some of the items it holds:

diapers, wipes, swim diapers
a change of clothes for each child
disposable cups and utensils
snacks and bottled water
a few books and toys
sunscreen and first-aid items

In the spring and fall I bring the bin in the house, restock it and change the outfits according to the season.

Knowing all of these items are in my van makes getting out the door a lot easier. I'm not running around trying to gather all of the essentials and I'm less likely to forget something important (like one of the kids!).

Jennifer Applin is a freelance writer, wife and mother of four. She spends her days cooking, cleaning and caring for little ones, and her nights writing about parenting, pregnancy, and the quest for peace (as in peace and quiet—there is such a thing, right?).

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Five Steps to Take Now to Make Your Post-Holiday Clean-Up a Breeze

JenniferA — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:46:00 GMT

Quick and Easy Holiday Clean-up

List all new items entering your house.

You probably have a pretty good idea of the gifts your family members will be receiving. Make a list of all these items. Don't forget to include clothes, shoes, toys, books, electronics, household items, etc. Also consider any items you may be picking up at post-holiday clearance sales. Will you be adding to your collection of holiday decorations? Will you be stocking up on presents or clothes for later in the year? Anything new that will be "walking" thru your door will need to be on your list.

Pretend to put these items away…

Take a notepad and pen with you around the house as you pretend to put all of these new items away. What do you notice? Is the Barbie® bin already overflowing and your daughter will be getting four more? Are the hanging clothes squished together and you'll be receiving a new wardrobe (at least you hope)? What about the books on the shelves or the cds on the rack? Will you need to rearrange the furniture in your son's room to fit that new desk? Cross off anything on your list that can easily be put away. Everything else will need further attention.

Purge, purge, purge!

As you check out the closets, drawers and toy bins, take the time to purge. Organize, rearrange and get rid of anything you won't need after the holidays. Donate what is worthwhile and throw out what isn't. Try to avoid starting a pile of items to possibly sell at a garage sale. Unless you already have a designated spot for these items, they'll just create one more mess to contend with during a busy holiday schedule. Box up your donations now and put them in the car to drop off while you're running errands. This gets rid of the clutter and is a great way to get an additional tax deduction before the end of the year.

Purchase new storage containers.

Now that you've made a note of the items that can't be easily put away, make a list of any storage items you'll need to buy. Run out and purchase any necessary bins, boxes, organizers, racks, or hangers you'll need. Now would also be a good time to drop off that donation box.

Put your purchases to use.

There is one final step, but it is crucial—put your newly purchased storage containers to use now. Don't wait until the holidays. Transfer those Barbies® to the larger bin to await the arrival of their new friends. Rearrange your purged closet and make room for that new shoe rack. Replace your current ornament container with the new one to accommodate those clearance sale purchases.

After the new gifts have been unwrapped, played with, tried on, and are annoyingly scattered around the house, the last process is very simple. Just put everything away in its place; smiling all the while because everything has a place. Happy Holidays!

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Never Lose That Phone Message Again

JenniferA — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Has someone in your family ever taken a phone message for you and then immediately lost the post-it, leaving you in lurch?

Well simple solutions that work for businesses are great for busy families too. For under $10 you can purchase a telephone message book that allows one copy of the message to be torn off and given to the intended receiver and another copy stays with the spiral-bound book.

That way if the torn off message gets lost, no problem, you still have a copy of the message.

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