Sunday Brunch Round-up | Jul 19-25th
This week’s feast for your senses.
READ
Are you wondering when the heck the end of this COVID-19 pandemic is in sight? Then it’s imperative you find a sustainable way to engage in conservation and preservation efforts. This is a sobering read but it reinforces the connection between how we treat the Earth and how our lives are impacted: How Climate Change Is Contributing to Skyrocketing Rates of Infectious Disease.
“Over the past few decades, the number of emerging infectious diseases that spread to people — especially coronaviruses and other respiratory illnesses believed to have come from bats and birds — has skyrocketed. A new emerging disease surfaces five times a year. One study estimates that more than 3,200 strains of coronaviruses already exist among bats, awaiting an opportunity to jump to people.
The diseases may have always been there, buried deep in wild and remote places out of reach of people. But until now, the planet’s natural defense systems were better at fighting them off.”
Speaking of the pandemic (what else do we talk about it seems??), the New York Times has a great article on how important boundary setting remains. There’s Still a Pandemic Happening. It’s OK Not to Please Everyone.
““When we get honest about the ‘why’ behind our actions, it becomes clear how unhealthy it is,” said Natalie Lue, an author, podcaster and founder of Baggage Reclaim, a self-help blog. Ms. Lue, who calls herself a recovering people-pleaser, said the “why” could be “because we’re trying to control how others perceive us, we’re hoping to get something in return, or because we feel afraid, obliged and guilty.””
Even though your social media feed may contain fewer posts on the importance of anti-racism, the work continues. This week, a number of big environmental groups continued to do that work publicly, and hopefully privately, as they’ve addressed some of the ways in which white supremacy has played into their past and is perpetuated by some of their cultures in the present. Be sure to give Darryl Fears and Steven Mufson’s piece in the Washington Post a read: Liberal, progressive — and racist? The Sierra Club faces its white-supremacist history.
“Andrés Jimenez, the incoming executive director, said it was indicative of the minority talent drain. “Retention is a problem and upward mobility is not strong” at big green groups, he said. “A person of color comes in as a legislative assistant or staff assistant and there is no way up for them.”
Tyson’s letter also made its way to Brune. “I found her letter to be heartbreaking and familiar.” And that has to change, he said. “What’s clear is that there’s no going back to the Sierra Club we have been. What’s needed is fundamental transformation, not reform.””
WATCH
Still looking for ways to reduce your plastic this month (and beyond)? Christine is a leading blogger and writer on sustainable living and she has a video with more tips: How to reduce plastic on a budget.
LISTEN
At some point in our lives, we’ve heard romantic relationships described as hard work. In the middle of a pandemic and truly unpredictable year, whether you’ve got a quarantine bae or have been in a longterm relationship, this podcast with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford in conversation with Dr. Lexx Brown-James seems very timely! Give it a listen: Session 164: Do Relationships Have to Be Hard Work?
SMELL
I’ve been suffering from recurrent bouts of insomnia for the last several years, but I’ve finally narrowed in on some techniques that seem to help me get consistent sleep. One tip? Putting a bit of lavender oil on the soles of your feet and then put on socks when you get into bed. Although I skip adding socks this trick still seems to work. I’ve even used it with an insomnia blend I purchased on Etsy and I noticed that I spend a lot less time between closing my eyes and actually falling asleep! If you give it a try, I’d love to know if it works for you as well.
TASTE
Did you know that according to a 2018 study, oat milk has lower emissions, land use, and water use in comparison to dairy, rice, soy, and almond milk? I really love oat milk because I find it to be creamier than other non-dairy milks and it’s so perfect in coffee drinks! I’ve been wanting to make my own and I recently discovered that sliminess is apparently a big problem that can occur with at-home versions. I came across a blog post from The Banana Diaries on How to make Oat Milk (that’s NOT slimy! Finally!). If you try it, let me know! As soon as I get a nut milk bag I’m going to try it myself and I would love to know if you’ve identified other tips to pass along!
in joy,
