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🌳 How to stay connected to nature
Wednesday 5/20: Sponsored by WNET - Strawberries, walking outside, 5 item reset
Wednesday
“Every individual matters. Every action counts.”
Jane Goodall
In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:
A new invention doubles strawberry shelf life
How walking outside connects us to the world
The 5-item reset for a peaceful night
True or False?
Using your dishwasher is usually more water-efficient than washing by hand.
Scroll to the bottom for the answer.
A New Invention Doubles Strawberry Shelf Life
You know the drill: you buy fresh strawberries, blink, and half of them are covered in mold. But scientists in Brazil may have found a simple, natural way to change that.
They created a thin, edible coating that helps strawberries stay fresher for longer, without changing the taste. The coating is made from pomegranate peels and squid shells (really!) and helps slow down how fast the fruit loses moisture and grows mold.
In tests, strawberries with the coating stayed good for up to eight days, compared to just four for regular ones. The film is safe to eat, doesn’t affect flavor or texture, and might work on other fruits too.
The best part? It’s made from food scraps and only costs about two cents per fruit. That’s a tiny price to pay for fewer soggy strawberries, and less food waste overall.
With up to 50% of produce wasted globally each year, this kind of smart science could be one way to help us throw away less and enjoy our food a little more.
How Walking Outside Connects Us to the World
If your days feel nonstop, it might be worth setting aside just 20 minutes to step outside and walk. Not for exercise or errands, just to move, breathe, and notice the world around you. It’s one of the simplest ways to reconnect with yourself and with nature.
Morning walks in particular can feel surprisingly peaceful. The air is cooler, the streets quieter, and every day scents (like wood smoke, fresh laundry, or damp earth0 suddenly stand out. These small moments of presence often get lost in the daily rush.
Walking is also known to lower stress and lift your mood. Some people say their best ideas arrive mid-stride, not at their desk. That’s no coincidence. Walking activates the body’s natural calming response and can gently spark creativity.
It’s also an easy win for the planet. Replacing even a short drive with a walk helps cut down on emissions and adds a little more fresh air to your day.
Whether you're in a quiet neighborhood or a busy city, walking has a way of slowing life down just enough to make it feel more your own.
Stay Connected To The Natural World
For more than 45 years, NATURE has brought the beauty and wonder of the natural world into your home. But we're much more than a weekly series on PBS. The NATURE website is full of animal news, behind-the-scenes exclusives, digital short-film series, and even an award-winning podcast.
Subscribe to the weekly NATURE newsletter to learn about the latest full episodes, animal videos, conservation news, educational resources and much more.
Thank you to NATURE for sponsoring The Canopy.
The 5-Item Reset for a Peaceful Night
Some nights, it’s not the big things that keep your mind busy. It’s the little unfinished tasks. The “5-item wind-down” rule offers a simple way to ease that feeling. Before bed, you put away just five things. That’s it. It might be a mug on your nightstand, a sweater on a chair, or your keys. It’s a small action, but it helps signal to your brain that the day is coming to a close.
What makes this habit so effective is how manageable it is. Instead of tackling everything at once, you focus on just a few items, which can reduce visual clutter and help your space feel calmer. Over time, this small ritual becomes a cue. Your body starts to recognize it as the transition from doing to resting.
There’s also something comforting about ending the day with a small win. You’re not aiming for a perfectly clean space, just a slightly more settled one. And when you wake up, that quiet sense of order can make the morning feel a little easier, too.
Quick Picks:
From soft spring moments to little travel wins, here are today’s cozy picks:
Reflections:
🌎 True or False: True! Modern dishwashers use as little as 3 gallons per cycle, while handwashing can use up to 27 gallons.
🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!