Happy Wednesday my friend,

With gratitude on many people’s minds this week, I’m sharing a few things that brought me joy. A powerful way to rewire your brain toward more peace, a winter “snow puff” that looks almost too magical to be real, and a gentle boost for brighter mornings.

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🐿️ CREATURE FEATURE 🐿️

Shima-enaga, the “Snow Fairy”

Meet the shima-enaga, Hokkaido’s local form of the long-tailed tit. In winter it puffs into a round white fluff with a tiny dot face, flitting through snowy branches in friendly flocks. For photos and a quick intro, see this guide to the “fluffy shima-enaga”.

These birds are nonstop foragers. They pick insects and spider eggs from twigs, then rest in cozy, elastic nests made from moss, lichen, and spider silk. For the broader species picture and range, skim the long-tailed tit overview.

Want to find them? Listen for soft, high contact calls as a flock moves together through parks and mixed woods. Sample recordings on Xeno-canto. The species is listed as Least Concern, but healthy forests keep this little “snow fairy” thriving.

☕️ Purest Coffee Ever — once-a-year window

I drink Purity Coffee because it’s clean, tested, and I feel the difference. If you’ve been curious or need a refill, our ECL community has its best price of the year for a few days.

From Wednesday, November 26 through Monday, December 1, 2025, both new and returning readers get 30% off with complimentary US shipping via my page: Purity Coffee. Use code ECL at checkout.

Purity screens for pesticides and mycotoxins, and the taste is consistently smooth. Stock a few bags for home or holiday presents (whole bean, ground, or pods) and set yourself up for better mornings and smoother energy.

I’m restocking my favorites during this window so I’m covered for the season. If elevating your morning, and lowering your exposure to poison, has been on your mind, this is the time.

They’ve got some new samplers and holiday goodies… so Go HERE to learn MORE.

🍎 NUTRITION 101 🍎

HONOKIOL: A bioactive compound from magnolia bark with calming, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Traditionally used in Eastern medicine, it’s now being studied for its ability to support mood, sleep, and even protect brain cells from oxidative stress.

🌏 DEEP DIVE 🌏

The Science of Gratitude: A Deep Dive

As we approach Thanksgiving (for those of us in the U.S.), I wanted to share a few thoughts that go beyond the holiday itself. Whether you celebrate it or not, this is really about something universal: the transformative power of gratitude in our daily lives.

Creating Daily Gratitude Rituals

As you know, practicing gratitude can be as simple as taking a few minutes each morning to name three things you’re thankful for, or pausing before a meal to appreciate the food and the people around you. This isn’t about any specific religious tradition, but a practice, like meditation or exercise, that anyone can embrace.

The Science Behind Gratitude

Now, let’s get a bit nerdy. There’s fascinating research showing that regular gratitude practices can literally rewire our brains. It helps form new neural pathways that tilt us toward a more positive outlook. Some studies even suggest that a moment of gratitude before eating can calm your nervous system, potentially aiding digestion and helping you absorb nutrients better. We’re essentially training our minds like we’d train a muscle or learn a new instrument. The more we practice, the more natural it becomes.

A Note of Personal Gratitude

I also want to take a moment to express my own gratitude for all 250k of you in the Earth Conscious Life community. Connecting with you whether through weekly emails or those long-distance pen pal conversations means the world to me. In an era often full of doom and gloom, you all inspire me to keep focusing on solutions and on the positive changes happening around the globe.

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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