šŸ’« Deep sleep, star-nose, dark skies

Wildlife, ecosystems, language, nutrition, sustainable living, and personal recommendations

Happy Wednesday my friend,

Every so often, nature surprises us with a creature so unusual, it challenges our very sense of what’s possible. Enter the star-nosed mole: a pint-sized mammal from North America’s wetlands that looks like it wandered out of a science fiction novel. We’re also covering deep sleep, a Wim Hof breathing exercise you should try, and the importance of dark skies for a healthy connection to the cosmos!

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Wednesday Wisdom

July 16th, 2025
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šŸæļø CREATURE FEATURE šŸæļø

The Star-Nosed Mole

Meet the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata), a small, semi-aquatic mammal from eastern North America’s wetlands. Its signature feature is a star-shaped nose with 22 pink tentacles, each packed with over 25k touch receptors, making it one of the most sensitive noses in the animal kingdom.

This mole is the world’s fastest eater, able to identify and consume prey in just 120 milliseconds. Its tentacles constantly move to locate earthworms, aquatic insects, snails, and small fish—even allowing it to smell underwater by blowing and inhaling air bubbles. Adapted to moist soils near water, the star-nosed mole is an excellent swimmer and remains active year-round, using its unique nose to thrive where few other mammals can compete.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Xylophile: A person who loves wood, often used to describe someone with an interest in woodworking or forest ecology.

šŸŒŽ INTO THEā€¦šŸŒŽ

I always wake before she does and this is what I first see in the morning.

Into the Deep Sleep Cycle

Most of us think of sleep as a passive state—something we simply fall into at the end of the day. But true rest is anything but passive on a biological level. Each night, your body enters a rhythm as precise and vital as the rising and setting of the sun. At the heart of that rhythm is the deep sleep cycle, where the magic of repair and regeneration unfolds. Also called slow-wave sleep, your brain consolidates memories, your muscles rebuild, and your nervous system resets. Deep sleep is nature’s restoration room, and many of us aren’t getting nearly enough of it.

This is the kind of sleep that’s immune to noise, dreams, or movement—the kind where your body temperature drops, your heart rate slows, and your brain waves shift into long, deliberate pulses. It’s also when your glymphatic system kicks in, flushing out toxins and metabolic waste that accumulate throughout the day. Miss this window consistently, and you may notice it in your mood, your focus, and even your immune system. Unfortunately, blue light, stress, EMFs, and overstimulation are robbing us of this critical phase without us even knowing.

The good news? We can align with our circadian rhythm—winding down with the sun, limiting screens before bed, embracing darkness, and grounding our bodies with natural cues. Supportive habits like morning sunlight exposure and magnesium-rich foods can help signal the body that it’s safe to go deep. When we honor the natural design of sleep, we don’t just feel rested—we wake up ready to truly live.

Enjoy Your Sweet Moments Without the Sugar Rollercoaster

If you’re anything like me and love to occasionally indulge in pasta or a cookie, you’re probably aware that too many carbs or sweets can throw your blood sugar out of balance. But what many don’t realize is how powerful berberine can be in helping regulate blood sugar levels naturally.

I always keep Berberine Breakthrough close by, especially when I know I’ll be enjoying a meal rich in carbs or sugar. It’s my go-to for maintaining steady blood sugar, helping me avoid that sluggish crash and the pesky cravings that often follow.

Why I Choose This Berberine Supplement:

  • Clinically proven to support healthy blood sugar and insulin levels, even after carb-heavy meals.

  • Promotes the movement of excess sugar into muscle cells instead of fat cells, aiding muscle growth and sustained energy.

  • Helps curb sugar cravings and prevents the ā€œhangryā€ feeling that can disrupt your day.

  • Loaded with natural antioxidants to fight oxidative stress and support healthy inflammation.

  • Made from 100% natural ingredients and fits seamlessly into any daily routine.

Since I started using it, I’ve felt more balanced, less fatigued, and I no longer experience those intense hunger swings after enjoying something sweet. If you want to savor your favorite treats without the blood sugar ups and downs, I highly recommend trying Berberine Breakthrough. It’s become a daily essential for me, and I’m confident you’ll notice the difference too.

ECL readers can use code ROB10 to support healthy blood sugar HERE.

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šŸŽ NUTRITION 101 šŸŽ

COBALT: Cobalt is a trace mineral essential for human health because it’s a core part of vitamin B12, which your body needs for red blood cell production, nerve function, and energy metabolism. You’ll get enough cobalt simply by eating foods rich in B12, such as meat, fish, dairy, and eggs, making deficiency rare unless your diet lacks these sources.

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šŸ“ ROB’S PICKS šŸ“

  1. Wim Hof: The ā€œWim Hof Method Guided Breathing for Beginnersā€ video is a calming, beginner-friendly introduction to breathwork, offering three rounds of slow-paced deep breathing and progressively longer breath holds, all guided by clear instructions and soothing audio-visual elements—making it an ideal starting point for anyone interested in relaxation, stress reduction, and the proven benefits of the Wim Hof Method.

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šŸ”Ž EARTH CONSCIOUS DEEP DIVE šŸ”

(Preview, full article for ECL Members)

Dark Sky Sanctuaries: Science, Policy & Stargazing Wellness

I live in Montana, where the stars still show up for work each night. Some evenings, I’ll step outside and see the Milky Way stretching across the sky like a river of light. My wife Riana and I often find ourselves whispering in awe, like we’ve been granted a rare backstage pass to the cosmos. And in a way, we have. Because more than 80% of the world’s population can no longer see the Milky Way due to light pollution.

The loss of clarity isn’t just astronomical…it’s ecological, physiological, and deeply spiritual. We weren’t meant to live under a constant glare. Our bodies, like all life, evolved in rhythm with the rising and setting of the sun. So when the night sky disappears, we lose more than beauty, we lose balance.

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