Issue Nº 503

Tuesday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Creating your own home compost

• The groundbreaking first hydrogen ferry

• Renew and restore your mental wellness

• A recipe for natural candles

Did You Know?

The US throws away enough plastic bottles in a week to circle the earth ____ times.

Turn Trash Into Treasure With Home Composting

Rather than send your food waste to a landfill, why not compost it at home and give your garden a boost? With all of the incredible nutrients compost contains, your flowers will bloom like never before.

Here’s how to get started with home composting:

1. Choose a Suitable Spot

Your compost will thrive best in a sunny spot in your garden on bare soil. Make sure it’s easy to access when it’s time to add more to the pile.

2. Dos and Don’ts 

The food waste you’ll want to add to your pile includes vegetables and fruits, eggshells, and coffee grounds - but avoid cooked meat or fish and dairy products. You can also add packaging and other waste made from organic material, like junk mail or toilet roll tubes, as well as garden waste. Aim for a 50/50 mix of brown and green materials.

3. Wait, Wait, and Wait Some More

You’ll have to be patient when you’re first starting your at-home compost - good things take time. It’ll be ready to use in about nine to twelve months, but for now, keep topping it up, and give it a stir every once in a while.

4. Reap the Rewards

When your compost starts to resemble soil and gives off an earthy scent, it’s ready to use! Using a spade or trowel, spread it around your vegetable patches and the base of your plants for some serious enrichment.

First Hydrogen Ferry Sets Sail

The world’s first commercial hydrogen ferry, the MV Sea Change, recently opened to the public in San Francisco. It’s both emission-free and free-free, as those who hop on board don’t need to pay a penny.

The ferry represents a huge step forward for the shipping industry, which is responsible for 3% of global emissions. Instead of belching out greenhouse gasses, this ferry only emits water vapor - a win for the environment and local air quality.

Renew and Restore Your Mental Wellness This Fall with BetterHelp

Do you ever feel like your mind is on a hamster wheel of negativity? Worry, self-doubt, and harsh inner criticism can hold you back from experiencing life to the fullest. You're not alone. Millions of people struggle with negative thought patterns, but there is a way to break free. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist from a network of 32,000, skilled in helping clients identify and change unhelpful thinking styles. Through personalized therapy, you can learn to silence your inner critic, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and finally experience the peace of mind you deserve. Take their free 5-minute assessment and get matched with a therapist who understands your unique challenges. Start talking anytime, anywhere, with phone, video, or text options. Plus, get $250 off your first three months of therapy and a risk-free experience with their money-back guarantee.

Find Your Perfect Therapist

All-Natural Homemade Candles Recipe

The twinkling lights and enchanting smells of candles add a sense of coziness and atmosphere to your home whenever they’re lit. But most store-bought candles are made from synthetic fragrances, which as well as being unsustainable - due to being made from oil - can be harmful to your health.

Here’s a recipe for natural homemade candles, so you can relax and enjoy the vibes without worrying about what you might be emitting.

What you’ll need

• Wicks and wick sustainer tabs

• Beeswax pellets or block

• Essential oil

• Jars

• Clothespins

• A candle-making pitcher

Instructions

1. Feed the wick into the wick sustainer tab and place it at the bottom of the jar. Hold it in place with a clothespin.

2. Heat the beeswax in the candle-making pitcher until it’s all melted.

3. Stir in a tablespoon of your chosen essential oil. Then, pour almost all of the wax into the jars - take care to leave some behind.

4. Wait for the wax to harden, then pour in the remaining wax anywhere it’s sunk around the wick.

5. Make sure the wax has solidified, and trim the wicks.

Your candles are now ready to go! You can either keep them for yourself or give them away to friends and family - they make a great sustainable gift.

Today’s featured sunset comes all the way from Greece, and it’s nothing short of breathtaking. The colors blend seamlessly into the horizon, creating a serene moment that invites you to pause and take it all in.

A big thank you to one of our thoughtful Canopy readers for sharing this view. We’re so glad to be able to share a little piece of their travels. Hopefully, it helps to bring some calm and beauty to your day.

Image courtesy of The Canopy reader.

Final Thoughts

Take BetterHelp’s quick and confidential assessment today to find the perfect therapist for you! Plus, save $250 on your first three months of therapy.

• 🌎 Did You Know Answer: The US throws away enough plastic bottles in a week to circle the earth 5 times.

• 🌅 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 in next Tuesday’s newsletter!