Good Places to Study!

Happy Fall everyone!

As the beautiful colors are appearing and trees are shedding their leaves, it's common to run into some kind of pumpkin-carving event on campus. I recommend you take in the season by trying some vegan "Phenomenal Pumpkin Cookies" made by Alternative Baking Company. They sell them at most of the market places around campus. I hope the smell of cinammon is here to stay for a while.

I want to share with you all the wonderful Dining spots where I go to study, take in the environment, and eat a nice meal.

One of my absolute favorites is on the outside patios of OVT, where I can look at the beautiful horizon. It is relatively quiet up there if you come in before 7pm. (I've noticed that is when most people start to flow in). But it's still fine! Just put in some headphones, pull out a jacket, and watch the sun set into the ocean as you do your studies.

My other favorite place to study and take in the environment is at Cafe Ventanas. The seats outside give you a clear view of the sky overlooking a field of grass. It is a nice place to observe other students. If you are in the homework mood, just pop in some headphones or study to the sound of quiet chatter. It's an overall peaceful place to be.

Cafe V is also a great place to get great food. Take a look at the daily specials that will be there for you to enjoy on the day before Halloween. I'm sure you can find something you would love to sink your teeth into!

October 30

Café Ventanas Livewell Lunch Special Oven Baked Coconut Chicken Sides: Pineapple Craisin Rice Pilaf and Steamed Broccoli w/Almonds Livewell Lunch Special Vegetarian Rolled Tacos Sides: Brown Rice and Black Beans Lunch Special Carnitas and Tortillas Sides: Rice and Beans All Day Specialty Soup Clam Chowder and Cheddar Cauliflower All Day Specialty Pasta Smoked Ham and Pea Carbonara w/Wheat Pasta Dinner Special Orange Chicken Sides: Herb Roasted Red Potatoes

And remember, this is just what is going on at Cafe Ventanas today. Check out the link to see what delicious goodies will be available at the other Dining locations near you.

http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/menu/dailyspecials.aspx

May your Halloween be satisfyingly safe!

In best regards,

Jessica B.

Don't be a Turkey......Keep your res hall/apartment "green" even when you're not there!

Hey everyone!

So our first holiday break of the academic year is coming up next month...Thanksgiving! That means turkey, pumpkin pie, family, and energy efficient res halls...wait, what?

Yep...I'm talking about doing that "little extra that saves a whole lot" before you leave campus for the holiday. By keeping your electronics, appliances, and chargers unplugged, you can enjoy your break knowing that those items aren't sucking up energy while you're away.Remember that even when your TV or desk lamp is turned "off", if it's plugged in, it's still using energy. By taking the time to unplug things that aren't being used, you're ensuring that those items are off the power grid.

Power strips are another great item to have when your gadgets outnumber your outlets. Having your laptop, cell phone, and digital camera charger all hooked up to one power strip, makes it super easy to switch off when you leave the room!

But why wait till Thanksgiving break to start being energy efficient? When you leave a room, you switch off the lights right? Well go ahead and switch off that power strip while your at it! *Tada* You're livin GREEN!

And while you're not using your computer, set it to "sleep mode", so it uses less energy!

Want more tips on how to "green" and maintain your res hall?

Check out HDH Maintenance and Custodial Services at: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/maintenance/

Maintenance Services are available 24/7 through their Customer Service Center at 858.534.2600

as stated on the website:

You can assist them by…

• Taking your trash and recycling materials out to the designated receptacles.
• Immediately reporting any necessary maintenance or cleaning needs, such as fresh carpet stains, dripping faucets and showers, etc., to 858.534.2600.
• Returning all Dining Services food trays, dishes, and silverware back to the campus restaurants or designated Toby’s Spot.

LET'S TALK E-WASTE
While Angela and I were doing a "Trash Talk" at Roger's Place in Revelle Plaza, two students approached us about the proper disposal of batteries......
We told them about some of the battery disposal bins located around campus:
UCSD Bookstore, Earl's Place in Warren College, MOM at Muir College
For more info on how and where to recycle e-waste (computers, cell phones, printer cartridges)
go to: hdh.ucsd.edu/majorplanet
then click on What You Can Do found on the left side of the page
then click What is E-Waste, and How Can I Recycle it? as you scroll down the page


Hope all this helps : )

Have a spooky, fun, and safe Halloween!!!

~Hilary *Compost Queen*

Midterms and Busses

So the majority of midterm rush is over, (yay!) there are still those lingering classes that waited to the last moment to test (uhg), but for the most part they are done. If your wondering, mine went well, as I hope yours did too. Now I was wondering what made your midterm rush easier?

Personally, I studied primarily at CV, Canyon Vista. I was able to get some food, and sit in front of the fire and go through my notes, and books. When I did my group studying, I invited everyone to the study room at my Resident Hall, it was fun (at least for the amount of studying we got done). It was really nice, because of the white boards that are in our study room.

Where did you study? Let me know, comment or email me amcooper@ucsd.edu.

So amongst all this rabid studying, I got sick. I actually had to go to my doctor on the other side of San Diego. I don't know about you, but I don't have my truck here on campus, its just too expensive to keep it here on campus for occasional (at best) use. So here I was stuck on campus and I was scheduled for an urgent care visit. I panicked. My first instinct was to call my dad, he was 4 hours away at work, so after he calmed me down, he reminded me I could take the bus. So I prepared to leave, but had to figure out which busses and how much it would cost. Well the all encompassing Google helped me out =D

1.Go to http://maps.google.com/ it allows you to enter to addresses (kind of like mapquest).

2. Select get directions on the left.

3. Enter point A as, 9350 Campus Point Dr La Jolla, CA 92037. And point B as where ever you'd like to go.

4. Then select public transit on the drop window (default says by car).

5. It then shows you bus routes that leave campus (and times). You can now get where ever you wanted to go (or as close as it can).

Its super amazing if you ask me, but maybe I am just a noob lol.

Anyways, I knew the buses that touched campus were free but did you know all of the San Diego buses are free? I didn't know till they didn't ask me to pay.

I was later informed by the HDH people I work with that in that Housing and Dining pays for us to have all the public transit in San Diego (that yellow sticker on your ID). Pretty niffty, if you ask me.

Anyways, good luck with those last finals, give me some feedback and have a good week!

Angela =]

Signs, Water, and Education!

Hey guys!

I hope you are all doing great! I know I am.

We recently put up signs around campus, hot off the press, to clearly remind students what is the recycling and what is the compost bin. We still have plenty more to distribute so don't get too upset if you haven't seen them yet. Remember, the trash dumpster is GREEN and the recycling is BLUE.

Another thing to aware you of is that November is WATER AWARENESS MONTH. Expect to be reminded of saving water every day of life, and be on the look-out for really cool stuff. Something that is going on with that is an Art, Film, and Innovation Competition. Exemplify your artistic ability relating to water in any way and win

$100.

This will be rewarded by Aquaholics Anonymous, a student org, and you can turn in your work by November 13th to aquaholicsucsd.com

Want to do some extra good for others? Are you a patriot for education? If you answered yes to these questions, all you have to do it a very simple tax of collecting your box tops that say "box Tops for Education" and $.10 for each top will go to Box Tops will be donated to a school in Bellingham,

Washington that has been selected by the host institution, Western Washington University.

Collect your box tops and turn them into Windi N. Sasaki's desk by November 12th.

Find out what is included in this Box Tops for Ecucation Program:

http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspx

Best,

Jessica

Puttin your waste in its place? ....Come to Revelle's "Eat Local" event!

Hey students!
Been eating in the dining halls lately? Then you've probably been approached by students in black shirts who aren't afraid to "talk trash" to ya!
No these aren't over-studied and over-midtermed students ready to chew you out........they're your super friendly and incredibly helpful EcoNauts! If you haven't been graced by our presence yet, be on the lookout for us because we're here to help you reach your ec0-goals, no matter how "green" ; )

We approach you guys while you're eating (sometimes mid-bite) because we want to let you know how easy it is to compost and recycle before you head to the waste receptacles.

Be on the lookout for signs like these:


Some signs will have pictures and some will have words describing what waste item goes where. It's that easy people! But it's up to you to make it work!

So PLEASE take the time to look at the signs before you toss out your leftovers!
This looks more like a compost/trash bin than one for recycling : (

Wanna have some eco-fun! If you aren't doing anything from 4pm-6pm this Thursday night (10/22/09), then come out to "Beyond the Bite" at the anchor located near Plaza Cafe in Revelle!

This awesome event, which is geared toward UCSD students living both on and off campus, will focus on the benefits of eating fresh and local food from local growers.

The Revelle RAs are planning this fun-filled event that will include food, fun, music, and a chance for you to meet some of the EcoNauts! Kim (water conservation), Jessica (vegan and vegetarian tips), and I (Hilary aka composting queen) will be there to support the event and invite you to get to know us and all the initiatives we advocate for as EcoNauts. : )
Hope to see you out there tomorrow!

Otherwise, be on the lookout for us in the dining halls.

~Hilary *Composting Queen*

When you put your waste in the right bin, we all win!

Water Conservation

Well water month is on our doorstep, and HDH is really pushing the conservation of Housing and Dining facilities.

Just recently static clings went up in most (all is in progress) Resident Hall and Apartment showers and bathrooms. They support turning off water, not wasting it and knowing what you as a student can do to cut back on the amount of water you use.

You as a student can be water wise by doing some of the following things:

Take 5-minute showers.

Turn off the water when shaving and brushing your teeth.

Wash only full loads of clothes (and if you air dry you save electricity too).

Report leaks of faucets, toilets, showers and sprinklers to 858 534 2600.

Refrigerate water instead of letting it run till it is cool.

Conserving water starts with us, as individuals, but if you want to do more there are green groups on campus, such as the Aqua-holics who do more. Stop by the student organization center at Price Center for more information on green groups.

Thank You!

Angela =]

Signs in Dining Halls

Hey guys!

I hope you are all having a wonderful week. We know we are at HDH because we are updating all of the recycling and composting signs in the dining facilities and really working on implementing the composting program.

If you didn't know, UCSD is going to start COMPOSTING around November. The composted goods from UCSD are going to go to "The Greenery" at the Miramar Landfill. There they will be transformed into soil and be used to beautify the earth!

For those of you who read the Guardian, there was an article written about our composting plans in the 42nd volume and 5th issue (Volume XLII, Issue V). It's called "Compost Plans Still in Early Stages" for those of you really interested in learning about composting at UCSD.

The updated signs will include the recent changes to the acceptable recyclable and compostable items for specifically the UCSD campus.

NOW COMPOSTABLE:

-Meat and bones

NOW RECYCLABLE:

-milk jugs/cartons

-#3-#7 recyclables (things such as yogurt cups)

And napkins have always been compostable. That is a compostable item that most people are in unbelief about. But believe it!!

Hilary, *the Compost Queen*, enforcing the composting way.

Look out for the new signs, and follow them. Happy composting!

-Jessica B.

Feelin icky? Get a FluBuddy!

Hey tritons!
So I know that you are all aware of the epidemic swirling around campus....the FLU that is. I just survived my week of illness, and I'm here to tell you that you can too. Whether you've already been sick, are currently, or have a feeling you're next in your res hall ; ), I have some helpful hints on how to make it through.

My amazing boss, Krista Mays, actually told me about this awesome service on campus that provides students with a "flu buddy" (no not another sick person to hang out with). Flu Buddies are Student Health Advocates on campus that can bring you a Get Well Kit from the Student Health Center, and Flu Recovery Meals that are delivered by them to you.

The main goal of this awesome service, is to bring sick students essential get-well supplies, so you don't have to get them yourself. That way, you can stay home and rest, and keep your peers from gettin what you got. : ) It's a win-win situation! So e-mail FluBuddy@ucsd.edu, and get all the details about the kits ($5) and meals. They can hook you up Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am and 4pm.

Remember that hydration is super important when you're sick. I was able to stay on top of it by refilling my reusable water bottle at every hydration station I encountered. What's a "hydration station" you ask? They are located in every dining hall on campus. So you don't have to go to the store and re-stock the kitchen with water bottles. By carrying around your reusable water bottle, you can easily fill up free of charge! Yay! Honestly guys, since I've been living on campus (Sept. 11th, 2009), I have not purchased one plastic water bottle. Trust me, it's possible, you can do it!

If you do muster the strength to head to a dining hall while sick, remember to use the free hand sanitizer stations while there. ; )

For more info on what flu symptoms to look out for, go to https://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/flu.shtml.

Stay happy and healthy.

-Hilary

Composting: The Scoop

So I have heard so many things from students about Housing-Dining-Hospitality’s Composting program:

“We have one…?”

“Its not real they throw it away…”

“I never see the signs…”

“No meat or bones…”

And so, so much more…

Well here is the deal about Housing-Dining-Hospitality composting…

Yes, we do have one. Participate! Make it better!

It has been being thrown away with the trash –wait, don’t start yelling yet!- there are reasons for that.

1. There wasn’t enough room for UCSD to start the program at the Miramar landfill; they didn’t have enough room for the amount of compost we would bring in yet.

2. The compost had to be relatively clean of non-compostable materials, so we had to get you students use to not throwing other stuff in there. It’s got to be clean healthy compost material! =]

BUT we will be starting at the Miramar Landfill in November. It’s the real deal people, so be prepared!

If you don’t see the signs ask the people working in the dish area! They will be more than glad to help you. (Ask and you so shall receive!)

Everything on your plate can be composted! The meat, the cheese, the fish, the pasta, the sauce, the syrup, the salad, the dirty napkins, the straws, the cups, the soup containers, the plates, the containers, the wrap papers… all of it. Ain’t it great?

Composting. Do it.

Oh, by the way, for all the people who asked, Recycle-Mania is from January to April. Be prepared to make your college the best!

Angela =]

Cage-free Eggs!

So, Housing*Dining*and Hospitality has made a compassionate switch to sell only cage-free eggs in all Housing and Dining facilities! This is a time of celebration as chicken can finally flap their wings. HDH now sells eggs which are produced in Wilcox Farms, and certified humane-raised and cage-free. This egg conversion was drawn about by HDH's sustainability goal and customer interest in humanely raised products.

To advertise and celebrate this switch, a few of us EcoNauts went about in a chicken suit, scaring people in the early morning. Check out the photos!

And remember, if you have any ideas of ways to make HDH more sustainable, socially responsible, educational, even cuter, just shoot an email our way and your demand will be taken very seriously!

Best of wishes,

Jessica

jbaltman@ucsd.edu

Budgeting Your Points

As a freshman this is the first time I have ever had budget. I have to weigh my options cheap to expensive, fresh and healthy to delicious and unhealthy. It’s not easy especially when you have a set amount of money. Is that Venti Carmel Machiato at Earls worth it? It tastes good, but I only have so much dining dollars. At first I had no clue how much I had spent or how much I should have, so I started going through all the info that HDH had given me.

In the resident halls you get about $82 to spend per week.

In the apartments you get about $63 to spend per week.

(On the minimum plans).

There is a schedule by week of how much money you should have left. You can check your balance every time they swipe your card; it shows up on the meter they use to ring u

p your purchases. If you don’t see it, then ask.

Don’t forget that if you want those Carmel Machiato’s every day then you can always bump up your dining plan, or have family put Triton Cash or Dining Points on your account!

Here is the schedule:

For bigger pictures use this link:

http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/images/DiningDollarsBudget.pdf

If you have any questions remember to visit:

http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningplan/

Angela =]

RD in da House!

Greetings!

So I've been in contact with Becky McDivitt, our local RD in da House (Registered Dietitian). And she is pretty much one of the most awesome people on staff. She can help any of you with your dietary needs and nutrition, and you can come to her to offer suggestions for various food options.

Here is her website so you can check out her credentials:http://hdh.ucsd.edu/diningservices/nutrition.asp

And here is her email to get in touch with her: rmcdivitt@ucsd.edu

And here is her picture:

Don't gain the freshman 15, work with Becky and you'll be lookin' fine!

As a vegan, I've been working closely with her to try to get more vegan options established at Canyon Vista (my local dining hall). And she gave me some close contacts to offer suggestions to the staff there. At the bottom is a list of names of the management of Canyon Vista Restaurant for all of you who want to offer a helpful hint or even share concern you have and a way to make it better, of course. The staff is there for YOU! To better your college eating experience, and to offer quality food for fuel. Take advantage of it, and take advantage of the wonderful opportunity you have to meet with a dietitian, especially one as cool as Becky.

Speak with a manager on duty to make a special request. At Canyon Vista... Scott Spangler (the senior manager), Mark Azhocar (chef), Nancy Thompson (senior cook), Peter Maxwell (some evenings) or Tom Jones (front of the house manager.)

Shoot me an email if you want the names of staff in other dining halls.

jbaltman@ucsd.edu

Until next time :-) ,

Jessica