Using Wind for Good

Alternative energy sources. We hear it discussed all the time, and most of the time, we tune it out. How could we, as college students, really do much about it anyway, right?

Alternative fuels, solar energy, hybrid cars... it all seems far from what we can really do to make a difference in our world today.

JMU, however, decided to rise up (literally) and build a wind turbine on East Campus earlier this month to incorporate alternative energy sources into the university.

Photo by Rachel Dawson

This wind turbine can be seen from basically anywhere on campus, and it honestly took me by surprise when I first saw it. My first thought was, "Wow, what the heck! When did that get there?!" but I was quickly impressed by it and glad that JMU is doing something to create alternative energy on our campus.

Photo by Rachel Dawson

The turbine is going to create power for our university using solar panels that were installed this week.  This means more natural energy straight from the environment and less energy from non-renewable resources.

I've always hated Harrisonburg's wild winds, but now I'm seriously glad we have them and even more glad we're using them for energy instead of just hating them for messing up our hair and blowing away our napkins and papers.

Photo by Rachel Dawson

The sky is literally the limit when it comes to saving our environment by using renewable resources, and as the student body of JMU, let's support what our awesome university is doing and encourage even more environmentally friendly progress.

And don't complain when the wind blows you away...it's creating energy and that's awesome. Embrace it.

At the Peak of Perfection

We've been told since we were little to eat our fruits and vegetables. We got dessert if we did (and if you had super awesome parents), and everyone was happy, especially your stomach.

Now that we're older and wiser, we not only need to eat our fruits and vegetables, but we really need to take it to the next level. Eating produce is awesome. It's delicious. (At least this veggie loving girl thinks so...) But really, we can do our planet a huge favor by eating in-season and local produce.

By eating what's already naturally growing around us, we save the earth and keep sustainable processes working efficiently and in an eco-friendly way.

Okay, so "sustainable processes" isn't inspiring you to run to the local farmer's market?

Here are even more reasons why you should (REALLY) make the change.

1. Your food will taste a heck of a lot better. Crops that aren't in their natural environments at the natural time of year won't ripen the same, have the same flavor, or just be the same fruit or veggie you really want to eat. Save your tastebuds. They'll thank you later.

2. You'll feel like a million bucks. Eating food that tastes ripe and delicious and naturally grown? Trust me, you'll just feel... better.


3. You'll save some major bucks. It's supply and demand, people. For those of you not economically talented, that basically means that when crops are growing the organic way, there's plenty of them to go around, so they're cheaper. You get better food, and you save money. Serious win-win.

4. You'll help the environment in an easy but powerful way. That's all there is to it.

What more reasons could you need?!

So check out this map, find your state, and find the best produce for whatever month of the year it is. It's really that easy.

(p.s. If you live in Virginia and you're reading this now, in the month of April, asparagus and spinach are at their peak. Enjoy those greens!)