Good Morning! 🌞 

We know—Mondays can be a bit of a mixed bag. The weekend glow is fading, the inbox is doing the most, and the coffee somehow never brews fast enough. But here we are, showing up, one deep breath and one to-do at a time.

This week’s edition is here to ease you in gently. A little inspiration, a dash of perspective, and a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

So settle in, sip something warm, and let’s take this Monday on—one step, one story, one small win at a time. ☕️ 

Health Science

Avocados Aid Fetal Immunity

A new study out of Finland suggests that eating avocados during pregnancy may significantly reduce the risk of food allergies in infants. Researchers tracked 2,272 mother-infant pairs and found that babies born to mothers who consumed fresh avocado during pregnancy had 44% lower odds of developing food allergies by their first birthday. Published in Pediatric Research, this is the first study to link avocado intake in pregnancy with reduced allergy risk in babies.

The researchers used dietary questionnaires from the first and third trimesters to categorize mothers as avocado consumers or non-consumers. When the babies turned 12 months, outcomes like food allergies, eczema, wheezing, and rhinitis were assessed. After accounting for variables like maternal age, smoking, alcohol use, breastfeeding, and overall diet quality, the difference in food allergy rates remained significant—2.4% among avocado consumers versus 4.2% among non-consumers. Other allergic outcomes showed no meaningful differences.

While the findings can’t prove causation, they highlight a possible link between avocado intake and early immune development. Avocado consumers in the study also tended to have other positive health behaviors, such as lower BMI, longer breastfeeding duration, and fewer caesarean deliveries. “Based on these findings, it’s encouraging to know that eating avocados may provide even more value to maternal and children’s health,” said study author Dr. Sari Hantunen. Already known for their heart-healthy fats and gut-friendly nutrients, avocados may offer additional benefits worth exploring further.

Good News

12-Year-Old Baking Master

Braxton Harst began baking at just 12 years old with no formal training—only a passion sparked by YouTube videos and online recipes. What started with a simple cake mix has grown into a small business: Braxton now makes custom cakes for birthdays, graduations, and celebrations across Toledo, Ohio, charging between $30 and $100. He’s currently saving up to attend a baking camp in New York City this summer, taking another step toward his dream of becoming a professional baker.

“He’s doing such an excellent job,” said his mother, Lisa Harst. “I’m so proud of him.” A year ago, Braxton woke up early one Saturday to test a YouTube Shorts recipe. Hours later, he unveiled a rainbow cake that stunned both him and his family. “He just started seeing things online he wanted to make and kept asking—and I was, like, ‘Sure, go for it!’” Lisa recalled. “One Saturday morning I woke up to the sound of the mixer and he was in the kitchen saying ‘I saw a recipe on YouTube Shorts and just wanted to try it!’” Since then, he’s baked nonstop, calling the kitchen his “happy place.”

Braxton’s talent caught the attention of Betty Crocker, who sent him baking supplies, and he’ll soon decorate a cake live on-air. At home, his mom has had to reorganize the kitchen to make space for his growing collection of pans and tools. “We didn’t even own a stand mixer when he started,” Lisa said. “Now, I’ve had to rearrange our kitchen just to fit all his baking supplies and pans!” Braxton plans to attend culinary school and one day launch his own bakery and baking brand. Check out his work—including a pink-and-gold graduation cake and a custom Pokémon creation—on Instagram: instagram.com/braxton_bakes.

World News

240-Feet Long Vine

A rare combination of perfect timing and ideal weather has transformed Britain’s longest wisteria vine into a breathtaking cascade of periwinkle blue, violet, and mauve. Spanning 240 feet along a garden wall and reaching 15 feet high, the Chinese wisteria sinensis at Wickham Place Farm in Witham, Essex, has become a local marvel. Its caretaker, 68-year-old Judith Wilson, has spent over three decades shaping and maintaining the vine, investing around 60 hours a year into pruning. “I look at it and think ‘Wow’. It still takes my breath away,” she said.

Wilson began cultivating the vine in 1993, replacing ivy on the wall after moving to the farm. “The wisteria looks better than ever, more so this superb year with few frosts,” she told Southwest News Service. “Everybody without exception is saying what a fabulous year for wisterias because of the sunshine. It has brought them on a treat.” While late frosts in past years often damaged the blooms, this season’s mild conditions allowed the vine to reach its full potential—now believed to be the longest wisteria in Britain.

Maintaining the massive plant takes dedication, but Wilson insists wisterias are “relatively easy” to care for, requiring heavy pruning in winter and lighter trimming in midsummer. She owns five large wisteria plants in total, and until 2015, opened her garden every Friday to raise money for a local hospice. “Vine sounds too gentle—they are trees,” she laughed. “The bases are more than 24 inches across. They are all probably at their best. The sun over the coming weekend will fade them and cause the flowers to drop.”

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Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I don’t speak, but I fix what you say. I’m not a magician, yet I make marks go away. I’m soft but strong, I’m small but precise— One little swipe, and your error’s on ice. What am I? — an eraser! James Godfrey got this correct first! ☀️ 

The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured