Sunday Brunch Round-up | Jan 17-23rd
This week’s feast for your senses.
READ
I’m really blown away by Sahar Arbab’s personal essay, “I am an Environmental Educator + You Can Find Me Indoors.” In the environmentalist space, there is often a heavy emphasis on animals, lands, and oceans and little to be said about people (aside from how your individual actions contribute to climate change). Environmental justice centers people in the context of environmental conversations, and as Sahar points out, you don’t have to go into the “wilderness” to explore or care about your relationship to the environment and nature.
“I’m an environmental educator and an environmentalist and I believe in putting people first. I believe that we must prioritize the health and quality of life of people above anything else. In fact, there’s an abundance of evidence that suggests when people are living in healthy communities and social justice is a priority, environmental issues are much easier to act on…
The traditional narratives that we frequent in environmental education place an emphasis on individual consumerist actions over social justice and collective action—placing an unfair burden on students. Many of these same young people lack clean drinking water, breathable air, and walkable greenspaces. Yet, instead of advocating for their health, we tell them that if they don’t recycle, they are responsible for climate change issues. If they use a plastic straw, they are responsible for the toxicity in the bellies of fish. These narratives are more concerned with waste in the oceans than with the industries that are emitting toxic pollutants into communities to produce those same products.”
WATCH
If you need a strangely addicting show to watch, check out Bling Empire on Netflix. The experiences of hyper-rich people are so far removed from my reality that at times it feels utterly surreal. Seriously entertaining and seriously full of bling.
LISTEN
Need some more bubble bath, incense, chill evening kinda vibey music? I’ve got you. Check out Wax Tailor’s Que Sera.
SMELL
I received a delicious smelling gift box from Lush for Christmas and I cannot get enough of the Scrubee body butter exfoliating bar. I’ve heard about bar lotion for a while and the concept honestly never appealed to me, but this is making me a convert! I store it in a recycled candle jar with a lid and swipe it on right after my shower for supple, tasty smelling skin.
TASTE
If you live in NYC, I’d strongly recommend the Ultimate Chinatown Food Tour! Even though I’ve previously lived in NYC for 5 years, there are so many parts of the city that I have not explored thoroughly. In the quest for new, safely distanced outdoor activities, a food tour in Chinatown seemed like the perfect option. Scott is so friendly and you eat so much delicious food! Plus, he shares the name of all of the places you’ve visited so that you can return at your leisure! Give it a try if you live in NYC or if you’re planning to visit once it is safe to travel.
in joy,
