1/26/24: Foraging, sleep masks, and the garden system I use

Planet Health

• 💨 U.S. AIR POLLUTION: Nature Communications recently published a study from Columbia University revealing that air pollution emissions in the U.S. have decreased since the 1970 Clean Air Act, but benefits are unevenly distributed. Socioeconomic and racial disparities in reductions are prominent, particularly in energy and agricultural sectors. “Policies specifically targeting reductions in overburdened populations could support more just reductions in air pollution and reduce disparities in air pollution exposure,” lead author Yanelli Nunez explained.

• 🎥 BRAZILIAN FILM: 60 Indigenous female filmmakers in Brazil are part of a new collective, with cameras in hand. Called "Rede Katahirine," which means constellation, "the network aims to use its cameras as tools to fight for the preservation of Indigenous territories and memory." The project's founder says "there was also much sentiment that [Indigenous people] were losing important parts of their culture. It needed to be documented in order to not be lost, and the way to dialogue and communicate within society is in your own voice."

• ♻️ APPLIANCE RECYCLING: Reuse charities "enable low-income groups to sustainably source essential household appliances" like refrigerators and washing machines. It keeps functioning goods out of landfills, and provides these tools to those who need them. Now, the Appliance Recycling Group, announced it will continue to partner with the Reuse Network, with £100k of useable appliances!

   

Human Health

• 🌿 WILD DIETS: What happens when you live on "wild foraged" food for 1-3 months? The Wildbiome Project, based in Scotland, "measured the impact on blood sugar, BMI and gut health" of its participants. Obese participants lost on average 16% of their body weight, one man reversed his diabetes, and others had marked improvements in their gut health and microbiome. Foraging expert Monica Wilde says "wild foods are often more nutritionally dense than farmed ones, which are bred for size rather than nutritional value."

• 😴 SLEEP MASKS: Are you sleeping in a dark enough room? Research shows that elevated heart rate, insulin resistance increase, and even "higher rates of obesity, diabetes and hypertension" in adults is associated with viewing nighttime light exposure. Researchers say the solution is to simply wear an eye mask when you sleep to block the light at night, which "could improve daytime performance, related to slow-wave sleep." Lights out, sweet dreams!

• ☀️ MENTAL "SUNSHINE" DAY: A new bill introduced in Florida "emphasizes the impact of mental and physical health problems in every aspect of society," and proposes an annual day for college students "to reflect on their well-being and engage in mental health-related campus activities that focus on improving their success and quality of life," calling it: Sunshine Day. According to the bill, depression, anxiety, and "pressure for success" are among the increasing issues of college-aged youth.

   

The easiest way to compost

This is my 5th year owning a Garden Tower, and I cannot recommend it enough.

After seeing tons of new growing gadgets… this is still my overall #1 pick for home gardens, small-scale growing, and is the easiest way to grow in soil…and also to compost.

No other system puts so much growing space in such a tiny footprint (50 plants in 2 square feet), while also being moveable (I’ve moved it to 3 homes), and having the easiest compost system built right in!

Whether it’s growing season right now in your region, or you want to be prepared for spring, ready to thrive…the Garden Tower has impressed everyone who sees it in action.

It saves water, rotates for simplified maintenance, and grows 50 plants in a 2-foot wide space. It’s on my back deck right now 🌱

I personally inspired multiple family and friends to get one and it became the centerpiece of their home garden too.

Right now, the Garden Tower is USD $120 off the usual price!

BUT EVEN BETTER – use this code ‘NTG601’ at the end of checkout and it pulls ANOTHER $60 off.

Go HERE now to learn more and set yourself up for GROWING. <<

(To be clear, that’s $180 lower than normal, so now is the time to get it).

Creature Feature

• 🐙 OCTOPUS SPECIES: You may remember a story a few months ago about the octopus nursery discovered a mile and a half under the ocean off the Costa Rican coast. Now, researchers reveal that deep-sea hydrothermal vent discovery uncovered four new species of octopus! “Through hard work, our team discovered new hydrothermal springs offshore Costa Rica and confirmed that they host nurseries of deep-sea octopus and unique biodiversity,” oceanographer Beth Orcutt said.

Nutrition 101

•  🌱 MORINGA: Moringa, a lesser-known superfood, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Derived from the moringa tree, its leaves contain essential nutrients like A, C, and E, along with anti-inflammatory, oxidative reductive, and cholesterol-lowering properties. Smoothies made with moringa powder, teas, and topical oils are all ways to benefit from moringa.

   

Last poll’s results

Have you read a physical book this month?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes (84.5%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Haven't made the time. (15.5%)