Microbe Meditation, Crow Skills, Worst Plastic

Happy Friday my friend,

The holidays are upon us, and big festive wreaths seem to be either made of plastic, covered in glitter, or very expensive. At our house, we’ll be foraging and building our own. Join us this season: make your own eco-friendly holiday wreath!

ECL TRIVIA: Which two mammals lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young? (Answer below)

🌎 Planet Health

🦭 WORST OF THE WORST: Scientists studied necropsy reports from 10k sea animals to learn that synthetic rubber, soft plastic bags, and discarded plastic fishing gear are deadliest to animals like marine mammals and sea turtles, and the dose of plastic to be lethal is less than expected. We can make a difference – click here to find your nearest plastic film recycling facility! TIP: Many Target stores accept film plastic recycling right at the front of the store. :)

🐦‍⬛ CROW VENDING MACHINE: In Sweden, wild crows have learned to pick up cigarette butts and drop them into a special machine in exchange for small food rewards. The idea is to clean up litter cheaply since 62% of Sweden’s street trash is cigarettes, though ethical concerns remain. Learn more here.

🥽 MICROPLASTIC TEEN SCIENTIST: How do you tackle microplastics in drinking water? Ask fourteen-year-old innovator Sheyna Patel, who recently built a non-toxic hydrogel that captures 93% of PET microplastics, earning her recognition as a 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalist. Go Sheyna!

🧑‍⚕️ Human Health

🌞 VITAMIN D: Are we sure the “sunshine vitamin” isn’t actual magic? New research suggests vitamin D may lower colorectal cancer risk, slow biological aging by preserving telomeres, and dramatically cut the chance of a second heart attack. Read more here. 

🦠 MICROBIAL MEDITATION: Probiotic company Seed and mindfulness site Open teamed up to convert live gut-microbiome data into sound, creating a first-of-its-kind “microbial sound bath” meditation. Learn about how they created this and their new Second Brain daily mindfulness series here.

☕️ COFFEE SURPRISE: Is coffee bad for your heart rhythm? This groundbreaking randomized trial found that drinking just one cup of caffeinated coffee a day can slash the risk of atrial fibrillation by 39%, flipping decades of medical advice on its head! Best coffee on Earth RIGHT HERE.

My Go-To For Rest And Focus

I don’t do hype. I use BiOptimizers because their formulas actually help me feel and sleep better. If you’ve been curious, this is the one time each year when their whole lineup is at its most accessible, so I’m pointing you to my curated page here: BiOptimizers Favorites.

Two standouts for me: Sleep Breakthrough – a gentle nighttime mix that supports deep, uninterrupted rest without grogginess the next day – and Magnesium Breakthrough, which combines multiple highly absorbable forms for a calm nervous system and steady energy. It’s the magnesium I recommend when people ask what actually works.

If you want to refill or try something new, this is the window when it makes the most sense. Stock up and start 2026 with energy, clarity, and focus.

As always, choose what you’ll truly use and notice in your daily routine.

Photo of the week

Trivia Answer:

Platypus and echidna. These rare monotremes are the only mammals that reproduce by laying eggs, an ancient trait unlike most other mammals.

🎥 EDEN RANCH - REGENERATIVE HOUSING

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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