5/20/24: Dark skies, saving a lagoon, science of daydreams

Your Monday Motivation of inspiration, recipes, superfoods, and tips for mind, body, and spirit...

Author

Rob Herring
May 20, 2024

Happy Monday my friend,

🌌 I mentioned the Northern Lights last week (📷 photo below of me seeing it!), and it reminded me about the importance of darkness. Bright lights outside your home at night come at a cost. Check out this resource from the organization DarkSky International that I hope you share with your community (sent to me from our own ECL reader - Anne H!).

Monday Motivation

🌊 BE THE CHANGE: She grew up swimming in the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe…and when she grew older, decided to save it. Read about Teresa Vicente and her grassroots work protecting this beautiful body of water near Murcia, Spain from mining, pollution, and other harmful degradation—efforts that won her the Goldman Environmental Prize, or “Green Nobel.” just this year.

🍸 RECIPE OF THE WEEK: No need to sacrifice staying healthy (or sobriety) for a fun drink from time to time. Try this Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini Mocktail, a teetotaler’s version of the popular fad beverage that puts more pep in your step (and if you don’t want as much “pep”…swap that espresso for some high-quality decaf like Purity!)

🍝 SUPERFOOD SPOTLIGHT: The term ‘superfood’ may be a bit overused these days, but the intention towards nutrient density is nothing to be upset about. With that in mind, learn about these tasty superfood pasta sauces making their way to Whole Foods or other grocers near you: incorporating fresh and healthy ingredients like garlic, lemon, cashews, and much more. Yes: all superfoods in their own right!

🧠 MIND: Has your mind ever wandered off into fantasy for a few minutes… or maybe hours? Have you experienced “highway hypnosis” or lost time? Most importantly: is this a sign of something bad, and should you be concerned? Read about what mental health professionals call “dissociation”: plus, how much is normal, when it can be healthy, and when too much dissociation in your routine is not good for you, or may be a sign of disorder.

🧑‍🚀 BODY: Have you ever wondered… how astronauts keep physically fit? Especially before heading off into space? Read about this “out-there” exercise some space travelers do to both prepare for and protect against the unique effects of zero gravity— and more wild is that it’s called “horizontal running.” How could it possibly help you on the moon…or in a spacecraft? You’ll have to find out…

🧘 SPIRIT: If you’ve taken a DNA test like many others, you might have been shocked to learn you had Neanderthal ancestry. In a recent Netflix documentary, filmmakers pose the question: were our Neanderthal relatives spiritual, or religious, just like ancient humans were? Read more about it— or go watch this fascinating documentary about our ancient non-human ancestors. What they found might amaze you!

To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.

Reba McEntire

It was true magic.

To a healing future,

Rob