Nicole Friday

Bruins For the Future

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
146 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

meatless or vegan meal

consumed
UP TO

25

miles

not traveled by car
UP TO

25

miles

traveled by bus
UP TO

0.0

pounds of CO2

have been saved
UP TO

60

minutes

being mindful

Nicole's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Reduce Animal Products

Plant-Rich Diets

I will enjoy 1 meatless or vegan meals each day of the challenge.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn the Truth About Expiration Dates

Reduced Food Waste

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Eat Mindfully

Reduced Food Waste

I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Transportation

Use Public Transit

Public Transit

I will use public transit 4 miles per day and avoid sending up to (___) lbs of CO2 into Earth's atmosphere.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

Nicole Friday 5/03/2025 10:43 PM
Throughout the week, I tried to reduce the amount of meat I consume and implement other alternatives. For instance, I tried to incorporate more tofu, nuts, beans, and additional fruits and vegetables. I found this switch to be great as I diversified the meals I typically ate and focused on types of food I liked. Additionally, I was able to create new recipes by replacing the chicken or salmon with another protein alternative. After doing this for a week, I think I would definitely incorporate more meatless meals and possible try a restaurant focused on meatless meals.

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- Kaia Evulich 5/04/2025 4:42 PM
  Hi Nicole, this is awesome! As a vegetarian, I think that some people may be overwhelmed by the idea of eliminating meat from their diets completely. However, finding simple protein swaps like you did can be a great way to make reducing your meat intake easier. I am glad to hear that you are going to try to incorporate more meatless meals into your diet. I think just staying consistent doing this for one or a few meals a week can add up and make a big impact. Great job!
  
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- Sunayani Katamreddy 5/04/2025 9:35 AM
  - TEAM CAPTAIN
  Inspiring !! It can be a great adventure, and you might discover few more delicious recipes! I'm excited for you.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Mindful eating is healthier for us than eating with distractions. How does your eating experience differ when practicing mindfulness?
Nicole Friday 4/20/2025 7:30 PM
Today, I decided to eat lunch without watching Netflix or scrolling through my phone. I found it way more relaxing as I did not experience the dopamine release associated with scrolling and allowed me to be more reflective in my eating. Also, I found myself to be more mindful with the portion and decided to have a healthier lunch consisting more of vegetables and fruits. Throughout the week, I have been extremely busy and stressed, so having a distraction-free meal did provide a moment of relaxation and let my brain rest for a moment. I would definitely incorporate mindful eating more into my daily routine.

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- CHARLOTTE GAYNER 4/29/2025 10:36 PM
  Hi Nicole! I have had a similar experience with being more mindful while eating. I have noticed that my shoulders feel less tense, I would like to attribute that to the position I am eating in. I try not to scroll on my phone, leaning on one arm like I used to. I am loving the time I am taking to enjoy my food and am loving the effects it has on my body.
  
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- Sasha Gladkikh 4/22/2025 11:58 PM
  That sounds like such a calming reset, Nicole! I’ve noticed that when I step away from screens during meals, I not only feel more relaxed but also more in tune with my surroundings. I start to notice the texture of my food, the background sounds, and even how I’m sitting. Eating begins to feel more like an intentional experience rather than something I just squeeze in between tasks. Lately, I’ve been trying to take my lunch outside whenever I can, even if it's just on a bench or a quiet corner. Being in fresh air helps me slow down and stay present. Especially during stressful weeks, those small pauses feel like meaningful acts of self-care. Your post was a great reminder of how grounding mindful eating can be.
  
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Nicole Friday 4/13/2025 11:10 PM
I recently have started volunteering at Cedar Sinai this quarter. Normally, I take the the bus to Cedars and then take an Uber back after my shift. However, I decided to to commit to taking the bus to and from Cedars weekly without using an Uber. This weekend I was able to commit to this plan, which I truly enjoyed taking the time to admire the various places during the bus ride. Also, it provided me extra time to relax and get a head start on completing my assignments for the week. Overall, I like this new change and excited to continue doing it weekly.

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- Aanchal Kasargod 4/24/2025 7:11 PM
  Hey Nicole!
  Great job on committing to taking this bus to your shift! I think it's really admirable of you to do that, especially considering that public transport can be a bit tricky in LA. I also volunteer at a hospital in Santa Monica, and your post has inspired me to try taking the bus to my next shift, instead of driving.
  
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- Joe Fermo 4/20/2025 3:29 PM
  First off, I want to begin by saying congratulations on starting your volunteer service at Cedars Sinai. I've been volunteering through their TCAB program since October and I must say it is one of the most rewarding jobs their is. I too have tried to minimize my carbon foot print by carpooling with other UCLA students to my shift on Friday. I applaud you for taking the bus since this action has a overall greater magnitude of impact that minimizes your carbon foot print.
  
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Nicole Friday 4/06/2025 8:20 PM
Hello! My name is Nicole. I’m here because I want to educate myself more about the climate crisis and ways to incorporate small changes into my daily life. Sometimes, I find it difficult to find effective and sustainable ways to implement in my everyday life. Therefore, joining a community with like-minded individuals can provide me with new insights and reduce any anxiety. With the new effects of climate change, I want to learn more ways to advocate and reduce the pre-existing climate crisis before it becomes irreversible. In the future, I hope to still see the beautiful landscapes and thriving biodiversity, as I like doing activities related to nature (i.e., going to the beach, hiking, visiting gardens, etc.)

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