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Sunday • January 21, 2024
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Artist Sergey Jivetin’s store of supplies looks different than most others’ in his field: In lieu of brushes and paint, he relies on carving tools and a microscope to create his masterpieces. Since 2016, Jiventin has been engraving intricate, minuscule images on seeds and beans and gifting them to strangers. The project was born from the idea that people often have deeply personal ties to plants — his work is a way of representing those ties and highlighting the importance of preserving the natural world. “There is a necessity to what I’m doing,” he told Atlas Obscura. “It encourages people to plant these seeds and to be in a space where they see growing things.” Check out his incredible creations.
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| The Benefits of Morning Exercise — And 5 Workouts You Can Try Today |
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GrapeImages/ iStock
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There are few things that can make as positive an impact on your health as exercise. Physical movement has been shown to boost brain function, reduce the risk of disease, improve mental health, alleviate chronic pain, and more. But is there an ideal time to work out?
At the end of the day (pun partially intended), most experts agree that getting regular exercise at any time is better than getting none. That said, a body of research does point to the potential benefits of moving your body first thing in the morning.
One recent study determined that participants who performed moderate-to-vigorous exercise between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. had lower body mass indexes than those who did so midday or in the evening, while another found that morning workouts reduced blood pressure.
There can be psychological benefits to starting early as well. “You’ve gotten it out of the way and you’ve got the whole day ahead of you and you can check that off your list,” exercise psychologist Jack Raglin told Today. Feeling motivated? Click the link below for five types of morning workouts you can do bright and early at home (or anywhere, really) — no equipment required.
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| Warm Up This Winter With Freshly Baked Bread |
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Need something to warm your soul amid winter’s chill? Us too. That’s why we want to introduce you to Wildgrain. They deliver bake-from-frozen artisanal sourdough, fresh pasta, and exquisite pastries from small bakeries nationwide directly to your door, no thawing needed.
Enjoy free delivery, tailor your box frequency, customize your selection, and discover delightful add-ons — like fudge brownies and seasonal treats — that will help get you through the colder months. Bonus: Nice News readers can enjoy free croissants with every box when you sign up today. |
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Culture
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| MLK’s Granddaughter Writes “Love Letter” to Grandparents in Debut Children’s Book |
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Win McNamee/Getty Images
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On the cover of 15-year-old Yolanda Renee King’s debut children’s book, We Dream a World, is an illustration of herself holding a framed picture of her grandparents: Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. What follows is a tribute to her family and words of inspiration for a more peaceful, loving, and equal world.
In a CBS Mornings interview, Yolanda — MLK’s only grandchild — explained that although she never met her grandparents, it hasn’t stopped her from wanting to carry on their legacy and, specifically, highlight Coretta as a leader in her own right. “People really forget about how much of a role she played,” she said, adding: “She was the one who actually got my grandfather involved in the movement.”
Yolanda’s book was released on Jan. 2, nearly two weeks ahead of MLK Day. “I’m excited to share this love letter in his honor,” she said in a statement. “This book lets every child rediscover my grandparents’ dream.”
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Environment
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| “Alaska Cabins Project” Is Making the Wilderness More Accessible for Adventurers |
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National Forest Foundation
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Alaska is the largest state in the U.S. (more than twice the size of Texas), comprising over 586,000 square miles of land. There’s undoubtedly a lot to see, yet much of the beauty is either hard to reach or intimidating to explore for the average adventurer.
A hut-to-hut hiking initiative is seeking to change that by sprinkling more cabins throughout the Chugach and Tongass National Forests, thus making it easier for tourists and locals to immerse themselves in Alaskan wilderness. The Alaska Cabins Project, a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation, will repair 10 existing huts and add 25 more, providing vital infrastructure and safe lodging for adventurers of all kinds.
Many of the new buildings will be less than a mile from roads or parking areas for easy weekend getaways. Others will be part of the Alaska Long Trail, a proposed 500-mile trail system similar to the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. “They’re amazing,” Patrick Shannon, the National Forest Foundation’s Pacific Northwest and Alaska director, told Smithsonian Magazine of the cabins.
“We’ve been trying to select sites that are unique,” added James King, the Forest Service’s Alaska region director of recreation, land, and minerals. “Many of them are at the edge of a lake, ocean, or river, or on a ridge with beautiful views.”
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Acts of Kindness
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An Heiress Is Donating Her $27M Fortune and Letting the Public Decide Where It Goes
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Monika Skolimowska/picture alliance via Getty Images
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A 31-year-old Austrian heiress and activist is giving away over $27 million of the fortune she inherited from her grandmother, and she’s asking her fellow citizens to decide how to redistribute the wealth.
“I have inherited a fortune, and therefore power, without having done anything for it,” Marlene Engelhorn said, per The Times in the U.K., adding: “Meanwhile, many people in full-time jobs were struggling to make ends meet and paying tax on every euro they earned from their labor.”
Earlier this month, 10,000 randomly-selected Austrians ages 16 and over began receiving invitations to apply for the Good Council for Redistribution. Those interested can complete a short survey, and a research institute will narrow down the applicants, ultimately selecting 50 members from diverse backgrounds to join.
From there, the decision on how and where to distribute the money will be entirely up to them — they can donate it locally or internationally and to as few or as many institutions as they desire. “It’s not the inheritance that should ensure that I’m doing well in life, but the way I contribute to society and the fact that we look after each other in society,” said Engelhorn.
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Recent Discoveries
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The power of creativity to improve mental health is well established, and in this beautifully illustrated book, artist Rukmini Poddar encourages readers to embrace their creative sides in order to explore and understand their emotions. Part journal, part self-help guide, it’s full of useful drawing exercises for beginners and experts alike, promoting self-reflection and self-expression at the same time.
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There are plenty of reality shows about finding love, but Love on the Spectrum stands out — not only because its stars are neurodivergent, but because it possesses a warmth and hopefulness that makes you truly root for the cast. Now, season two of the U.S. version, a spinoff of the Australian series, is back, featuring familiar faces and new ones, all on a journey to form meaningful relationships.
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Hosted by actor-comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas, this hilarious podcast breaks down movies that are so awful they beg the question: “How did this get made?” The trio often welcomes guests on the show — like Conan O’Brien, who helped unpack the 1993 film Look Who’s Talking Now — and their analyses are so funny they’ll (almost) have you wanting to watch the movies.
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Things We Love
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Japanese-Style Cast Iron Teapot
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This stunning stovetop teapot is as practical as it is pretty. While the dazzling diamond design is undeniably eye-catching, the pot’s cast iron material makes it a durable, heavy-duty addition to your kitchen. It includes a removable, stainless steel infuser and with three different sizes and six gorgeous colors to choose from, it’s the perfect gift for any tea lover.
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Yomp Barkin’ Bone
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Yomp is all about keeping pets healthy and happy — and the brand’s new Barkin’ Bone is a reflection of those values. Made with a plant-based material and packed with beef flavor, it’s tough enough for serious chewers and safer than real bones, so your pup can enjoy it without the risk of splinters or sharp edges. As a bonus, Nice News readers can use code NICEPUP25 to take 25% off.
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Body Restore Shower Bombs
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These shower bombs couldn’t be easier to use: Simply drop one in the shower before getting in, and you’ll transform your bathroom into a fragrant home spa. They’re made with natural essential oils, and you can choose from an array of aromatherapy options to address your self-care goals, like eucalyptus for relief, lavender for calm, and citrus for boosting energy.
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*Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
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Quote of the Day
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“Life feeds anyone who is open to taste its food, wonder, and glee — its immediacy.”
- Anne Lamott
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