Friday

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

• Why sustainable chocolate is important

• How to create a morning routine

• Our favorite Valentine’s Day finds

• Eco-friendly flower swaps

True or False?

Making just one long-lasting lifestyle change is better than trying to do everything at once.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Why Sustainable Chocolate Is Important

Chocolate is one of those Valentine’s Day staples that feels harmless: grab a box, share a treat, move on. But behind chocolate is a bigger story. Producing just over two pounds of chocolate can create around 42 pounds of carbon emissions, mostly from forest clearing, heavy chemical use, and long supply chains tied to cocoa farming.

That doesn’t mean chocolate is off the table. It just means how it’s made and how we buy it matters. Cocoa grown through sustainable methods like agroforestry helps protect forests, keep soil healthy, and support small farmers, all while producing high-quality chocolate.

A few simple swaps can help:

• Look for certifications like Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade

• Choose brands that share where their cocoa comes from

• Skip chocolates made with palm oil when possible

• Buy better quality

• Support local or small-batch chocolatiers using responsibly sourced cocoa

This Valentine’s Day, choosing chocolate with care is an easy way to turn a familiar gift into something a little more meaningful for people, forests, and the planet.

How to Create a Morning Routine

A mindful morning doesn’t need cold plunges or complicated routines. In fact, the most sustainable ones usually start the night before. A simple 10–15 minute “reset” can make mornings noticeably easier: load the dishwasher, set out coffee or tea, refill water bottles, and choose clothes ahead of time. These small steps remove friction before the day even begins.

In the morning, delay phone use just slightly: even five minutes helps. Try placing the phone face-down, turning on Do Not Disturb overnight, or checking messages only after you’ve done one grounding task, like making coffee or opening the curtains.

Mindfulness can also live in habits you already have. Sitting down for your first sip of coffee instead of drinking it while standing. Letting sunlight in before turning on lights. Playing the same song while getting ready.

Most importantly, let mornings match your current season. Calm doesn’t have to mean quiet, and mindful doesn’t have to mean slow. A good morning supports real life, not an ideal version of it.

Our Favorite Valentine’s Day Finds

For Valentine’s Day, oftentimes the most thoughtful gifts are the ones that support how your loved ones live day to day. Here are our favorite well-made, intentional Valentine's Day finds:

• 💚 Paleovalley – A nourishing gift for anyone focused on wellness. Their 100% Grass Fed Bone Broth Protein is slow-simmered, collagen-rich, and easy to add to coffee, smoothies, or a cozy mug. Get 15% off.

• 🍳 HexClad – Cookware made for people who love to cook at home. These hybrid pans are dishwasher safe, PFAS-free, and built to last—no scratching, no constant replacing. Explore HexClad’s cooking sets.

• 🥤 Beast Blender – The newly released stainless steel mini blender that makes mornings easier. The Mini 600 Stainless Steel blends frozen fruit and ice fast, keeps smoothies colder longer, and features a blend-and-go design made without plastic. Browse the Blended in Steel™ Collection.

• 📸 Chatbooks – A meaningful gift made from real moments. Turn photos from a phone into beautiful Classic Photo Books in just a few steps. Get 20% off with code LOVE20.

• 💝 MetaGlow™ by Zend Wellness – This collagen supplement supports skin appearance, appetite balance, metabolism, and mental well-being, all in one daily scoop.* Odorless and tasteless, it blends easily into coffee, tea, smoothies, or oatmeal. Shop MetaGlow™ Collagen here.

Shop the full Revel Valentine’s Gift Guide here.

Thank you to our Valentine’s Gift Guide for sponsoring The Canopy.

Eco-Friendly Flower Swaps

Flowers are a classic Valentine’s gift, but they can come with a heavy footprint, from plastic wrapping to out-of-season growing and long shipping routes. The good news: a few small swaps can make your bouquet feel just as meaningful, without the environmental hangover.

Dried flowers are one easy option. They last for months (or years), don’t require constant water, and can be reused as home décor. If fresh flowers are the goal, look for paper or cardboard packaging instead of cellophane, and ask florists how blooms are wrapped and delivered.

Seasonality matters, too. Flower subscriptions or mixed seasonal bouquets reduce pressure on growers during peak holidays. When local flowers aren’t available (like roses in February), Fairtrade-certified options help ensure better labor and environmental standards.

For something even longer-lasting, consider a potted plant. Peace lilies, herbs, or flowering plants can keep growing long after Valentine’s Day ends.

Sustainable flowers aren’t about perfection. They’re about choosing blooms that show care for people, growers, and the planet.

Quick Picks:

From heartfelt décor to planet-friendly gestures, here are today’s trending eco-finds:

• 🌹 Our favorite Valentine’s picks

• 💌 DIY Valentine’s Day decor that’s cute and sustainable

• 🌍 Simple ways to show the Planet some love

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: True. Focused, consistent action tends to be more sustainable long-term.

🌅 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!