During professional development, I've been participating in the new mindfulness for educators group forming through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. I would like to think that the core of my teaching already asks students (and me as well) to constantly be mindful of the implications of behaviors and then to often substitute new behaviors that are more socially responsible. I am curious, however, about introducing 'mindfulness' more formally in future curricula. Colleagues in the group, for instance, said that they observed voluntary changes in student behavior with respect to cell phone use as a result of mindfulness. I can see the utility in questioning who benefits (and who loses) from the seeming social imperative to upgrade cell phones to the 'latest and greatest.' I can also see the utility for questioning food consumption. The Sunday food advertisements, for example, included the following:
The advertisement was actually for three of the above packaged in cardboard. So...if we're not mindful of the environmental implications of our consumption, we've just bought product that is not only barely 'food,' but that's been packaged in all sorts of plastic, foil, and cardboard.
If there's one thing I hate more than wasteful packaging, it's food waste itself. I'm planning to have Melanie and I join a CSA this year in hopes we will reduce grocery store dependence and increase access to local and affordable food. Likewise, I'd like to help reduce food waste, by seeing how I can volunteer to help Table to Table. I would also like to inquire about the new program started by Drake University law school volunteers to eliminate restaurant industry waste, which apparently saved $5000 in potential waste during the Drake Relays alone. I wonder if my Social Problems or Sociology of the Environment students could partner with the University of Iowa Law School on a similar initiative in future?! Peace out, B.
If there's one thing I hate more than wasteful packaging, it's food waste itself. I'm planning to have Melanie and I join a CSA this year in hopes we will reduce grocery store dependence and increase access to local and affordable food. Likewise, I'd like to help reduce food waste, by seeing how I can volunteer to help Table to Table. I would also like to inquire about the new program started by Drake University law school volunteers to eliminate restaurant industry waste, which apparently saved $5000 in potential waste during the Drake Relays alone. I wonder if my Social Problems or Sociology of the Environment students could partner with the University of Iowa Law School on a similar initiative in future?! Peace out, B.
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