🖨️ 3d skin, ferments, and 40 year meditation

Happy Friday my friend,

This coming Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day! How will you and your family pledge, mobilize, contribute, or take action to protect our one, beautiful planet? The official Earth Day website is a great resource to learn more about ways to get involved in your local community this week.

ECL TRIVIA: Which tree is known as the “tree of life” in many cultures due to its wide range of uses? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🐇 NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS: There may be a new sustainable, ethical alternative to testing cosmetics on animals, with 3D-printed human skin imitations using layered hydrogels and living cells. Scientists say these mimic the natural structure of human skin while still assessing toxicity and absorption. The hydrogels provide ideal conditions for cell growth, while the process avoids toxic chemicals. Read all about this technology here.

✈️ FLORIDA SKIES: The Florida Senate passed SB 56, banning geoengineering and weather modification activities. The bill prohibits “the injection, release, or dispersion of any means of a chemical, chemical compound, substance, or apparatus into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting the climate,” with violations considered third-degree felonies and $100k fines. “People have a right to know what is happening. There’s a lot we don’t know in this field of science and people are rightfully concerned,” said the Senate president.

♻️ COMPOST CONSULTANT: A state composting mandate for businesses in Massachusetts is made simpler with hands-on support from food waste reduction consultants, like Heather Billings. She helps businesses like restaurants implement practical solutions for reducing food waste with signage and small compost bins, while connecting them to compost haulers. If you’re passionate about reducing food waste, there may be more states to follow. Click here to learn about this “compost consultant” approach. 

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

🍺 EIGHT DRINKS A WEEK: A couple glasses of wine or beer a few nights a week can add up to more than most people assume. In new research describing “heavy drinking” as 8 or more drinks per week, heavy drinkers had 133% higher risk of vascular brain lesions, tau tangles linked to Alzheimer’s including cognitive decline and reduced brain mass, and “died an average of 13 years earlier than those who never drank.” Read more about this study here.

🌿 FIBER AND FERMENTATION: This new research says ditching a modern Western diet for a traditional African one can reduce inflammation and boost immunity, and while we’re all bio-individual, research has confirmed swapping processed foods for plant-based meals positively impacts metabolic health. Even a short-term switch can lead to lasting benefits, highlighting the power of “heritage” diets in preventing chronic diseases. What types of fiber-rich and fermented foods could you introduce into your diet this week? 

🧘‍♀️ LONG TERM MEDITATORS: Meditation is more than short term relaxation and centering. A study in Biomolecules found that after 40 years of Transcendental Meditation practice, these participants had lower levels of stress-related gene expression and hair cortisol, plus better cognitive function, and the “reduced cortisol-to-cortisone ratio in meditators suggests they have more adaptive reserve, more resilience, contributing to overall health and longevity."

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Photo of the week

Trivia Answer:

The Moringa tree. Often called the “miracle tree,” moringa is fast-growing, drought-resistant, and its leaves are packed with nutrients. It's used for food, medicine, and even water purification.

🎥 What is Permaculture? with André Soares

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...and a healthier planet:

• • Improve health awareness: Deep Dive articles & recipe videos
• • Protect ecosystems: expert video tutorials with leaders around the world
• • Prioritize mental health: custom meditations for relieved stress
• • Camaraderie: likeminded community (app coming soon!)
• • Inspiration: members-only ebooks, personal picks, and DIY ideas
• • Portion goes to support independent films, local food projects, and planting trees