Sierra Horsey

Honestly, I still don't really look at the origin of my food when it comes to cheese, though learning about Seafood watch makes me quite aware of buying sustainable seafood. As far as meat/beef, I try and look for grass fed but am not too picky (I usually look for sales). Working in an environmental field and studying it in school I have been fairly aware that food doesn't just grow in grocery stores and as I have more money and become more aware of the environmental issues surrounding products I do my best to adjust and buy earth friendly products. 

As far as quality, I didn't notice a difference but that is probably because I almost never buy steak. I didn't see an option for cuts of chicken which is usually my meat of choice but going to the counter means I can be more adventurous. I did find it funny that they automatically wrap the meat in plastic at the counter so you have to ask them to use more butcher paper. 

I totally anticipated sharing my journey more on social media. I think because I didn't (couldn't) link my account to my Facebook I was less motivated. However, I follow some of my previous coordinators and their plastic free/trash free lifestyles are really inspiring. Watching them go through their journey reminds me that going plastic free is a not easy and struggling is just part of the journey. I hope to keep continuing to live as plastic free as I can and share my progress with my social media. 

I remember at least 12 years ago, my dad would buy bulk sweets from the grocery store and one time we went to buy chocolate covered peanuts. He used the scoop to dig down a ways and out popped quite a few flies. I think that experience influenced my shopping ways but now I use Sprouts bulk sections and the quality is the same as buying pre-packaged. It's an added bonus that i can just buy what I need so things don't go bad before I can use them. I just wish they had more options! Options like cereal since it comes in a plastic bag would be great, as well as pretzels or crackers. Hopefully as more people buy bulk, I can continue to use less plastic! 

There is a lot of research right now on aluminum antiperspirants and diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer's. In reading a few articles, both mention that there are studies saying there is a definitive link between the two as well as studies saying there is no link at all. I honestly find it hard to tell which information is accurate since many research opportunities are funded by organizations that have an investment in the research producing a certain outcome. 

However, I did read about how the body becomes dependent on the aluminum in antiperspirants, which makes the body foster more odor causing bacteria when antiperspirants are not used. I found this to be true when I switched to a natural deodorant. The first few days were ROUGH! I smelled incredibly bad (it didn't helped that I was in Florida and sweating like crazy) and had to return to my hotel to wash under my arms, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. Now that I've been using the deodorant for about a week, I do not smell nearly as bad and my sweating doesn't seems as bad as well. 

Overall, I'm happy with the switch (the company I use will also send me a return label so I can send the glass jars back to be sanitized and reused) and will continue to use it barring I don't have any skin reactions (this happened the first time I made my own deodorant).  

I think one of best ways to advocate is to lead by example. I purchased bamboo cutlery and metal straws that I keep in a cloth pouch that clips to my purse or water bottle. It is quite noticeable so several people with as me what the pouch is for or notice me with using bamboo cutlery. I then explain the need to reduce single use plastics and tell them about the plastic free eco challenge happening. 

A lot of restaurants use plastic cutlery out of convenience and cheap costs and we as society are always in a hurry -- getting our food to go and using disposable cutlery -- which encourages businesses. Taking the time to dine-in as well as bringing our own cutlery would encourage businesses to ditch the plastic as they will only supply disposable cutlery if there is a demand for it.  

In preparation for my trip, I purchased reusable containers for my toiletries. I have used bar soap for 2 years now so bringing a bar with me was an easy adjustment. The hotel I stayed at had a bar of soap wrapped in a cardboard box which I was excited to see, however, upon opening the box, the soap was wrapped in plastic so I didn't use it. For my other toiletries, I brought my powdered tooth paste, lotion, deodorant, and various hair products. This allowed me to keep my usual hair and skin routine without having to learn the products provided by the hotel. I will definitely be bringing my products with me more often.