Timely nuggets of information and ideas we want to share with you.

“The ocean represents 99% of all livable space on our planet, yet only 2% is strongly protected. No ocean, no life.”

Preservation Play raises money for Project Zero, an organization whose goal is to protect a global network of ocean sanctuaries to try and save the oceans from the devastating effects of the climate crisis. How can you help? Engage in Preservation Play by watching their soothing and relaxing videos of the ocean. Not hard duty! The more their videos are watched, the more money gets donated to Project Zero by its advertisers. These music and ocean sounds are great background for studying, getting to sleep or meditating. Of course, Project Zero would also appreciate any size financial donation, but for now, please start with the soothing videos. They’re wonderful!

In 2020, new governmental guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration made it easier to find hidden sugars in our food. Starting in 2020 every large food company must list “added sugars” on its Nutrition Facts label. The difference between Total Sugars and Added Sugars on the new labels is that Total Sugars include sugars naturally present in the food or beverage such as sugars in milk or fruit. Added Sugars include sugars that are added during the processing of foods (such as sucrose or dextrose), table and baking sugars, sugars from syrups and honey, and sugars from concentrated fruit or vegetable juices. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting calories from added sugars to less than 10% of total calories per day. For more information, click here.

Momofuku cares about what’s in our pantries. To their existing products, which include Chili Crunch, they’ve added toasted sesame oil, soy sauce and tamari. The oil is cold-pressed, and the soy sauce and the gluten-free tamari are steeped in kombu, to give them complexity and umami. I can’t wait to try them.

Momofuku sesame oil, tamari and soy sauce are $30 for three eight-ounce bottles; tamari and soy sauce, $12 each or $20 for the two; sesame oil, $25 for two, shop.momofuku.com.

I have journalers in my family. Perfect pens for journaling are not easy to find and journalers can be very picky. I recently read about these pens that journalers are loving. The ink glides out easily and smoothly, and the colors are deep and rich. They are Uni-ball Vision Elite BLX Infusion Rollerball Pens, bold point. I like to use bold, interesting colors when I write thank you notes or letters, so I’m going to give them a try. $12.48 for 5 assorted colors.

Here’s what else we wrote about this week;