Happy Friday {{first name | my friend}},

Did you know every calendar year has at least one Friday the 13th, and a maximum of three? Here’s 13 more fun facts about Friday the 13th! 🔮

ECL TRIVIA: What is the powder made from fossilized algae shells that is sometimes used for natural pest control and filtration? (Answer below)

🦩 INTERCONNECTED NATURE: What can a sprouting bean teach us about a flamingo? Photographer Andrew Zuckerman features THESE side-by-side “unrelated” pairings from the natural world, like seeds and birds to jellyfish and crystals, revealing to the observer just how closely linked we really are.

🌱 THE FUTURE: Across the world, children in schools in these 5 countries are learning to restore vegetation, build green spaces, plant native species with local elders, and cultivate resilient foods in high altitudes.

💧 DRINK THE SEA: This toolbox sized device turns ocean water into drinking water, developed by former SpaceX engineers. The startup’s CEO says “developing nations have essentially been priced out of this technology,” which inspired their team to make it simpler and under 800 bucks per unit.

💡 FLUORESCENT LIGHTING: Do you spend a lot of your day under fluorescent lights? In a new study showed living under fluorescent office lighting leads to weaker daily rhythms, increases in blood sugar towards the diabetic range, and less active sperm than those living under daylight-like lighting.

🤖 AI CHATBOTS: By age 13, nearly 75% of kids have used chatbots, and many use AI for companionship or when they’re stressed or anxious. “Kids who do have worse mental health are seeking out AI to help them,” psychologist Kayla Anderson says. “But that AI use may be exacerbating those mental health challenges instead of helping.” Listen to the 3-minute story.

🏋🏻‍♀️ FOUR MINUTES A DAY: Can just 4 minutes a day help preserve independence as we age? This recent Penn State study found even the briefest daily strength training improved balance, leg strength, and mobility for adults 65+ in just 12 weeks. "Exercise is the key to freedom," the lead researcher says.

By November in Montana, the garden’s pretty much done for the year. I love that you can still grow something fresh in your kitchen with a little counter space in just a few days.

The Sprouting Company makes a countertop sprouter with a wide glass jar, a stainless steel filter, and a stand that holds the jar at an angle so it can drain between rinses. I love that the sprouts only touch glass and stainless steel. A batch usually takes three to five days, depending on the seed.

And then you’re chomping on the most nutrient dense foods on Earth.

Broccoli is a good place to start, and mung bean sprouts are great in a stir-fry. The starter kits come with a sprouter and seeds, so you can choose what you’d like to grow first.

Their best rate of the year is happening right now for Black Friday.

Find your first sprouting kit

What is the powder made from fossilized algae shells that is sometimes used for natural pest control and filtration?

Answer: Diatomaceous earth. It absorbs oils from insect exoskeletons, causing the insects to dry out.

To a healing future,

— Rob