Weekly Intention
Reuse

In recognition of Plastic Free July, a global movement encouraging individuals to become part of the plastic waste solution, your intention this week is to reuse. Humans produce about 400 million tons of plastic waste every year — so much that scientists have dubbed a new marine microbial habitat the “plastisphere.” But it’s not too late to start making a difference and help reduce the number of single-use plastics that are produced, used, and disposed of annually. Check out this list of alternatives to your usual food, household, and hygiene products, and feel good about doing your part to make our planet a better place.

Recent Discoveries

READ

Fiona and Jane

Jean Chen Ho

This novel, named one of Time and Vulture’s best books of 2022, follows two Asian American women — Fiona and Jane — who grow up in Southern California. After meeting in elementary school, the duo navigate teenage heartbreak, cross-country moves, relationships, betrayals, reunions, and everything in between, sometimes together and sometimes apart. At its core a story about the power of friendship, consider giving this one to a friend after you devour it.

WATCH

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

Focus Features/HBO Max

Anthony Bourdain was a force. A sardonic writer and spirited chef, he commanded global attention with his first memoir in 2000, and by his passing in 2018, he’d become an icon of culinary exploration. Roadrunner was dubbed an “essential watch” when it was released in theaters last year, and now it’s available to stream on HBO Max, preferably as you indulge in a homemade meal.

LISTEN

“The Best Summer Songs of All Time”

Rolling Stone

Whether you’re in need of some beats for your upcoming road trip or a day at the beach with friends, Rolling Stone has you covered with their 50-song summer playlist. This comprehensive collection of tunes boasts a mix of hits from soulful crooners of the ’50s and ’60s, old-school hip-hop stars, Top 40 pop artists, and more — so everyone at the pool party can break it down to one of their favorites.

Things We Love

Freecycle.org

If you’re like us, you’ve fully embraced your local Buy Nothing project on Facebook. But have you heard of Freecycle.org? This nonprofit, focused on reducing waste, comprises over 5,000 communities across the U.S., wherein members can gift and lend clothes, art, electronics, and more — all for free. (Photo Credit: Arina P Habich / Shutterstock)

Blueland Clean Essentials Kit

Every cleaning product Blueland offers comes in refillable packaging, so running out doesn’t mean throwing out. We’re always trying to minimize our carbon footprints, and we appreciate when a company makes it “easy to be eco,” as Blueland’s mission statement promises.

Washed Ashore Jewelry

Washed Ashore jewelry is elegant, hip, and purpose-driven. To support the company’s sustainability goals, the beachy pieces are made from recycled gold and silver, and post-consumer gemstones are sourced from vintage jewelry. (Photo Credit: Washed Ashore)

Oldcastle Planter Wall Blocks

Have you been wanting to nurture your green thumb and grow some veggies? With these cool, interlocking, Lego-like blocks, you can create a raised garden bed anywhere you like in the yard. Make the space extra custom by painting the blocks before stacking and connecting them to wooden boards. Then add soil, and voila!

*Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.

Video of the Week

It’s hard to outdo Elvis Presley when it comes to silky, soul-stirring vocals, but Kacey Musgraves delivers with her modern take on the King’s 1961 hit “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Set to scenes from Baz Luhrmann’s new Elvis biopic, the video can be enjoyed visually or simply with your ears as you sway eyes-closed around your living room. (Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / Kacey Musgraves)

Hear Her Sing

Inspiring Story

My bike (aka the only way I got around town when I lived in San Francisco) got stolen, and a man I had never met gave me his really nice bike because he didn’t ride anymore due to back pain. The only catch was I had to pay it forward. I gave it to a friend when her bike was stolen. As far as I know, that bike has been given to at least three other people; I lost track of it after that. That man totally changed everything and made an awful situation into an amazing and positive one.

Brett J.
@woolymammothmeager/Instagram

Have you witnessed something inspiring? Click here to submit a story.

Challenge

Upcycle Something You Would Have Thrown Away

In tandem with this week’s intention to reuse, challenge yourself to create something crafty with (or find another use for) an object you would have otherwise tossed in the trash. We love the idea of turning a distressed window pane into a message board and transforming an old colander into a hanging planter.

Quote Of The Day

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

– William Shakespeare

Positively newsworthy.

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