By: Lucy Renfrow, Sustainability Intern

In early November, The Spoke, the on-campus student-led bicycling maintenance and educational training center, collected 548 pounds of used bike inner tubes from the CSU Community, and donated them to Green Guru Gear to be upcycled into new outdoor and lifestyle products.

Upcycling is the process of giving old, used, and unwanted items (aka “by-products”) a new life by transforming them into something “new.” By reusing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, upcycling helps us reduce waste, increase material efficiency, and close the loop within the traditional product life cycle.

Green Guru Gear is a B-Corp certified business based in Boulder, Colorado that aims to empower individuals to have a good conscience while adventuring outdoors by keeping thousands of pounds of old outdoor gear materials out of landfills. To achieve this, old gear like bike inner tubes, climbing ropes, wet-suits, and tents are collected from local shops and communities, after which they are processed and sorted by Green Guru Gear to later be sewn into entirely new adventure gear, such as backpacks, pouches, wallets, and more.

This is not the first time that CSU has worked with Green Guru Gear to create something that aims to affect real change through greener practices; CSU has donated bike inner tubes to Green Guru in the past, which were made into small zipper pouches with special CSU “Rams Reduce, Reuse, UPcycle” tags, which you can purchase for $8 at The Spoke.

To purchase/browse upcycled items and to discover more about Green Guru Gear’s mission, visit their website at https://www.greengurugear.com.

Caffeine…many of us rely on it to wake up in the morning or get through the inevitable afternoon slump. As a student, you’ve probably consumed caffeine to stay up late while cramming for an exam or finishing an essay. Recent studies prove that consuming caffeine in moderation can have health benefits, but too much can lead to adverse effects.

What is caffeine and how does it work?

Caffeine is a drug and natural stimulant that is often found in tea, coffee, and cacao plants. It increases the activity of the central nervous system in the body. Do you remember learning about the lock-and-key model in high school biology? Caffeine takes advantage of it by blocking the key, Adenosine from the lock, A1. Adenosine’s job is to promote muscle relaxation and sleepiness, which causes you to feel tired as the day progresses. When caffeine competes with Adenosine from reaching the A1 receptor, it gives you a jolt of wakefulness.

What are benefits of caffeine?

Studies have proven caffeine to protect against certain diseases and enhance performance. As you would probably guess, caffeine improves alertness, short-term recall, reaction time, and mood. In addition, coffee and tea consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of brain disease such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by 28-60% and heart disease by 16-18%.

What are not-so-good things about caffeine?

The USDA considers a daily intake of 400 mg of caffeine to be safe, which is about 2-4 cups of coffee per day. However, consuming too much can have adverse effects such as nausea, insomnia, jitters, increased heart rate, anxiety, muscle twitching, and dehydration. Knowing your body and how it reacts to caffeine is the most important thing when deciding whether to get that second latte.

Next time you’re trying to get through that late night study session, try eating a healthy snack, get your heart rate elevated by doing some jumping jacks, and drink a large glass of cold water before reaching for the caffeine. It just might be the energy burst you and your body need.

How to Slay Vampire Power in Your Room

We’re more than halfway through the semester, which means that students living on campus for the first time have probably (and finally) settled into residence hall living. But don’t get too comfortable just yet… Something is lurking in your room and draining power, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. That something is vampire power.

Vampire power, or standby power, refers to appliances that use electricity even when they are turned “off,” and continue to use energy and drain power. These appliances are commonly found in residence halls and include computers, game setups, monitors, phone chargers, printers, coffee makers, and other appliances that use an external power supply or batteries. You may not think twice about leaving your lights on when leaving your room “for just a little while” or keeping your phone charger always plugged into the wall; however, this unconscious behavior has repercussions: wasted electricity production and rising electricity bills.

Developing sustainable and energy-efficient living habits now will benefit you (and the planet) for years to come, especially as you transition into off-campus living and take on new bills and responsibilities. A few simple behavior changes can stop this unnecessary use of electricity, and allow us to live in a greener, more energy-productive environment:

1. Unplug appliances when not in use. Phone chargers, power adapters, and other devices that are not in constant use can be unplugged, as these still draw energy even when not connected to an end-use product.
2. Use power strips.  Flipping the “off” switch on a power strip has the same effect as unplugging each device, making it much simpler for you to completely disconnect the power supply.
3. Turn off your monitor and put your computer in sleeping mode. Turn your monitor off when briefly stepping away; at the end of the day, enter your computer into sleeping mode. While shutting your computer and monitor down completely saves the most electricity, today’s computers still use very little power when in sleep mode.
4. Utilize the power management settings on your computer. Low-power mode not only saves energy but also helps your devices run cooler and last longer.
5. Consider your options.  Consider investing in appliances that are more energy efficient and have a lower standby power consumption rate. Use an LED bulb in your desk lamp (LEDs are 90% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs).
6. Turn the lights off when you leave the room. Additionally, try to keep the lights off as much as possible during the day by taking advantage of the daylight.

Is all sugar the same?

There are two different types of sugar found in foods and beverages – natural sugar and added sugar. Natural sugars are naturally occurring, such as in fruit, while added sugars are removed from their original source and added to foods and beverages, such as in sodas and baked goods. Added sugar is metabolized into fat in the body if not eaten in moderation. Most natural sugars also have beneficial nutrients.

Sugary beverages contribute to most of the added sugars we eat in the form of fruit juice, soda, coffee drinks and energy drinks, which contain considerably more than the recommended amount of added sugar. For example, a 12-ounce coke has 39 grams of sugar which is more than the recommended added sugar consumption for a day. Additionally, these beverages don’t provide many other health benefits or beneficial nutrients, so sugary drinks should be consumed rarely or avoided. To avoid added sugars in your drinks, try buying unsweetened beverages and/or sweeten them yourself.

Fun Facts:

• It is recommended to only eat 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day.
• The average American eats 61 pounds of added sugar each year, including 25 pounds of candy. Halloween accounts for at least two pounds of that!
• Cutting back on sugar may help your skin retain its flexibility.
• Drinking a 20-ounce bottle of cola is like eating 16 sugar cubes in one sitting!
• The only taste humans are born craving is sugar!
• People consume 500 extra calories a day from sugar (about 31.25 teaspoons), which is roughly the amount of calories needed to gain a pound a week!

Low sugar recipes:

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/258084/peanut-butter-oat-energy-balls/

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/269221/cinnamon-sugar-microwave-popcorn/

Flu season is coming!

Now is a great time to get your flu shot to protect yourself and others before the seasonal flu arrives in our community.

The flu can spread quickly on a college campus, and those who get sick can miss several days of classes, work, and social engagements. Getting a flu shot is the single best way to prevent, shorten, or reduce the severity of the flu.

Where to get your flu shot:

• You can quickly and conveniently get your flu shot on campus at the CSU Health Network. Appointments are required. Walk-ins are not allowed, but same-day appointments are typically available. See information below for how to make your appointment online or by phone.
• Flu shots also are readily available throughout the community at local pharmacies, grocery stores, and doctors’ offices.

How much does the flu shot cost?

• Flu shots are a covered benefit under most health insurance plans, including the CSU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan. “Covered benefit” means that your health insurance will most likely pay the full cost for you to get your flu shot and there will be no additional cost to you.
• Benefits can vary, depending on your health insurance plan. It’s always a good idea to check with your health insurance carrier in advance to make sure your plan will cover a flu shot at a specific location.

​Make a flu shot appointment at CSU Health Network:

• Online scheduling is available:
  • Log in to the Student Health Portal using your CSU eName and password.
  • Go to “Appt. Scheduling” in the main menu and select “Schedule Appt.”
  • Read the terms and select “Accept the Terms of Service” to proceed.
  • Select “Find Upcoming Flu Vaccine Appointments” button at top of page.
  • Find your preferred date and time and select “Online Schedule Vaccine” in the Provider column.
  • Select “Confirm” to schedule your appointment.
• You also can call (970) 491-7121 to make your appointment.

​Many of the public health practices encouraged for slowing the spread of COVID-19 can also decrease the spread of flu, including mask wearing, distancing yourself from those who are sick, washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes/nose/mouth, covering your cough, and cleaning surfaces that tend to come in contact with people’s hands frequently (door knobs, phones, keyboards, etc.).

Remember that immune-boosting activities such as healthy sleep, healthy eating, and regular exercise can help you stay healthy and recover more quickly from illness.

More information about flu prevention, including how to tell if your symptoms are related to the common cold, flu, or COVID-19, is available on the Health Network website at: https://health.colostate.edu/cold-and-flu-prevention-and-care/

We’re halfway through the first semester, meaning that things are beginning to kick into high gear. As you become tied over with midterms and projects, sometimes healthy eating habits and food choices can slip your mind; however, such a time calls for mindful eating more than ever! Housing & Dining Services always strives to provide resources for students to help them act, be, and feel their best. One such event they host multiple times throughout the year is Environmental Eats, an annual event aimed at promoting sustainable food choices and knowledge about where food originates, and combines this knowledge with the importance of nutrition and mindful eating. Although the two seem unrelated at first, sustainable food systems and healthy, mindful eating have the potential to greatly influence each other, making sustainable foods an attractive choice for students seeking healthier diets.

As we become busier and busier, it’s easy for us to settle for something that’s easy to eat, requires little-to-no preparation time, and feels like it’s filling us up. In reality, though, these food choices often do not provide us with enough nutritional value needed to support our strained, stressed, and heavily-worked student bodies and brains. So how can sustainable food choices help us to feel better and take care of ourselves? For starters, sustainable foods are foods that make less of an impact on the environment while still providing adequate nutrition by promoting processes that allow for the continued accessibility of nutritious food for future generations; sustainable eating, then, is all about choosing foods that are healthful to our environment and our bodies. By deciding to eat sustainably, you’re likely choosing foods that are certified organic or local and fresh which actually satisfy your nutritional needs as a busy college student.

Take a break from your (possibly) monotonous eating routine and join us for the next Environmental Eats event! Come explore sustainable food/diet alternatives, get a taste of some fun and unique dishes typically not served in the dining centers, and learn more about how your small choices can have large impacts on food systems. These events will take place at 5 PM on October 21st, November 18th,  February 24th, and April 21st in the community kitchen in Corbett Hall, outside of The Foundry.

What is protein?

Proteins are in charge of repairing and making new cells so they are often described as the building blocks of our bodies. We commonly know protein as what makes our muscles grow big and strong! This is true, but protein is also a main component in our bones, hair, skin, and nails. Proteins are made up of 22 amino acids and we categorize them by defining which ones our bodies can make by themselves (nonessential amino acids) and which ones we cannot (essential amino acids).

How much protein do I need?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for the average adult is 50-60 grams a day. That is around 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Only extreme athletes and super active people require more-the American College of Sports Medicine recommends 1.2 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for athletes.

Does this sound like a lot of protein? Do not worry! We get bits of protein throughout the day that really add up fast, but it is still important to prioritize protein in many of your snacks/meals!

What are some good sources of protein? Where can I find them?

The type of diet you have can affect what sources of protein you should look for. Whether you eat animal products, or are plant-based, there are lots of options on campus in our dining halls! (You can find the dining hall’s nutrition facts here!)

By Ellen King, Housing and Dining Services Compost Intern

We have compost collection bins at CSU but what are the uses for finished compost? The typical use of compost is as an amendment in your garden or individual pots of plants. This is useful to increase moisture retention in the soil because of the compost’s spongy texture. The compost also enriches the soil, which eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers that can pollute the soil.

While compost can be used in its solid form, it can also be used as a liquid spray to boost plant productivity. Compost tea is a unique method to facilitate good microbial growth in your green space. To make this tea, add molasses to a container of water. Using a porous cloth bag, bundle up some compost, and put the bag into the molasses water. Stir this mixture every day to add air to the system, and then transfer this liquid into a spray bottle and spray it on indoor or outdoor plants to boost their growth and ensure a healthy ecosystem. This method of using compost not only help plants thrive, but also can reduce the carbon footprint of purchasing other fertilizers.

To learn more about our composting facility, visit this website or watch this short video!

If you are having network or connection issues in your residence hall/apartment, please contact the Housing & Dining Technology Services Help Desk. We are happy to assist you, and can only do so if you alert us to any problems you are experiencing.

• Phone: (970) 491-4734
• Submit a ticket:  techsupport.hds.colostate.edu
• Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Unplanned network outages will be shared at techsupport.hds.colostate.edu, and we will email you about planned outages in advance.
• If you’re experiencing issues while on main campus (and not in a residential space like a residence hall or apartment), contact the Library Help Desk at (970) 491-7276 (option 3) or help@colostate.edu.

Wireless/Wired Access

• The csu-eid wireless network is our preferred, primary network and provides the best wireless connection throughout HDS spaces, while csu-guest is a low speed wireless network that provides basic access to guests.
• While the wireless network should meet the needs of residents the majority of the time a wired connection is faster in most locations (excluding International House and UV 1700, where wireless is faster).
• Please do not install your own personal wireless router.  These interfere with the csu-eid wireless network. Exemptions from this policy can be requested from our Help Desk.
• External Internet provider services are not available in residential spaces, other than through cellular hotspot services.

Gaming & special IoT devices

• Gaming consoles or other devices that cannot authenticate to csu-eid can connect to csu-guest and are automatically switched to fast speed network access.
• “Strict-NAT” issues can be resolved by contacting the HDS Technology Services Help Desk.

Main-campus/department access

• Some online resources may require you to connect to CSU’s main campus network, which hall/apartment networks are not a part of. To access these resources, you must use Pulse Secure VPN. As a reminder, connecting to the CSU Pulse VPN gateway requires the use of DUO, which uses 2-factor authentication. Please see http://duo.colostate.edu for more information.
• Access to college/department-specific pages may require special permission when using a hall/apartment network. Please contact the Help Desk if you are having issues accessing these resources from your residential space.
• VPN connections to external companies (ex: for internships or work) are permitted but may need approval by CSU’s Division of IT. Please contact the Help Desk if you need help with these permissions.