Turn me into a tree please

The new post-death trend with health benefits.

IN a nutshell Welcome back to another edition of Wellness Wire! Today's newsletter is all about plants and their healing potential. My father studied horticulture in college and instilled a love of nature in me ever since I was young (coincidentally, today is his 67th birthday!). He always says he believes he was a tree in a past life. Well, a new development (which we'll talk about below) might just allow us to become trees in our next life. At the top of our list are the wellness and environmental benefits of tree burials, followed by: • plant-based, gluten-free ice cream that I love so much • reasons why the chia seed market will sprout by 22% by 2025 • pop quiz: can gardening boost your memory? • more health stories you need Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota December 5, 2022 • 6 min read

what's got us buzzing Are our dead bodies the future of sustainability? When you die, you typically have two options: either your ashes are stored in a vase on a mantel or you become a feast for the worms in your coffin (harsh but true). Now, there's a new option with planetary benefits: becoming a tree. How does it work? Tree burial pods and "living urns" plant your ashes underground, while other services like Transcend bury your actual body. You can even bury your pet! Either way, the remains will eventually grow into a plant. Depending on which service you go with, you can spend $100 or hundreds. And yes, tree burials are legal in all 50 states. If you're looking for a meaningful and values-driven death, tree burials are an Earth-friendly alternative to carbon-positive options like caskets and cremation. "Many people don't know that as a result of traditional burials, 20 million feet of wood, 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluids, 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete, 17,000 tons of copper and bronze, and 64,500 tons of steel are put into the ground each year," says Matthew Kochmann, founder and CEO of Transcend. Not to mention they can cost upward of $15,000. Yikes. "Tree burial sequesters 5.8 times more carbon dioxide than a single cremation emits," he adds, noting this has the potential to offset the harmful effects of climate change. "Humans and animals are dense with nutrients that plants need to grow," adds human decomposition expert Jennifer DeBruyn, PhD. "Transcend's Tree Burial model allows for the recycling of nutrients into our ecosystem." The personal well-being benefits are real, too. Kochmann's team found that the ability to personalize your death experience like this can significantly relieve fears of dying and encourage a more positive approach to living in the present. It can be fun to pick which tree you'd want to be, too! Personally, I'd want to become an oak tree, similar to the one in my parents' front yard that I used to sit under all the time growing up. tl;dr: Give new life to your death by becoming a tree after you die. It gives your loved ones something beautiful to remember you by and can help heal the planet as well. Chime in: Would you want to become a tree after you pass away? If not, why? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com.

great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That's how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been vetted by our editorial team, and we genuinely think it'll make your life better.       KLIMON Dairy-Free Ice Cream As someone with a wheat allergy, a sensitive stomach, and a sweet tooth, I'm pretty sure I've tried most plant-based ice creams on the market. I recently sampled KLIMON's dairy-free, gluten-free flavors for the first time, and I truly can't say enough good things about all of them. Heads up: This review may sound like an ad, but I promise it's not. It's just that good. The consistency? Creamier than most nondairy ice creams out there. The flavor? Rich but not too rich so you can't eat a lot in one sitting. My favorite is either the Creamsicle-like Sunrise Bang or Cherry Bomb, which has chunks of cherries and tastes like cherry soda. Their other flavors — Mint Condition, Morning Brew, and Caramel Brûlée — rule, too. And the best part of all is that this healthier sweet treat didn't give me a wheat rash *or* upset my stomach! Fellow friends with gluten and lactose intolerance, give this frozen dessert a whirl. KLIMON ice cream is available at major retailers like Walmart, ShopRite, and Gelson's. You can also get it sent straight to your door through Instacart. If you try it, please email us to share your thoughts! Shop now

Monday Kick Start What's up with this chia seed boom? Chia seeds have had their moment plenty of times in the past. Most recently, the "internal shower" trend of drinking chia seeds in water to cleanse your body from the inside out circulated its way around the TikTokverse (which is *not* a safe idea, BTW). Now, news suggests that the chia seed market is expected to grow up to 22% by 2025. We know this little seed packs a bunch of health benefits, like a nice dose of antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. But what's behind the forecast of a boom over the next few years? Our resident nutritionist Lisa Valente has thoughts: "Those nutrients are driving the demand," she says, noting that these little seeds pack a powerful punch for your gut, heart, brain, skin, and blood sugar health. "As people eat to manage or prevent certain chronic conditions, they may look to add chia seeds to their diet." Wondering how you can do that? Valente recommends adding them to oatmeal, muffins, or smoothies, or making a chia seed "pudding" with milk, fruit, and a little maple syrup. For more ideas, check out our list of 35 fun ways to eat chia seeds. You heard it here first, friends … and I'm sure this won't be the last you hear from us about chia seeds, either.

Health Hype True or False: Gardening can boost your memory. (Find the answer at the end of this email)

health stories you need What we're reading next Himalayan salt lamp benefits and risks. They look cool, but what can they do for your health? Let's explore the pros and cons of lighting up a salt lamp in your space. Rooting for your favorite team can boost your mental health. The sense of belonging and community sports fans enjoy have a lot to do with it. Go, sports! What to know about sex for women 80 and over. ICYMI: Aging doesn't mean you stop having sex. Here's how to enjoy sex and intimate relationships in your 80s and beyond. 9 old school weightlifting workouts. Want to become the Incredible Bulk? Check out this list of exercises to build bulk, increase strength, and improve tone. 15 best supplements to boost your immune system right now. ICYMI: We're currently in the heat of cold and flu season. Boost your immunity with this list of health supplements.

Health Hype Answer True or False: Gardening can boost your memory. True! Yes, the lovely hobby of taking care of plants can improve your mental health. This checks out in my personal experience, but research shows that gardening-related activities may lead to growth in our brain's memory-related nerves. In addition to boosting your memory, gardening can also combat eco-anxiety and help with addiction recovery. Want to grow your gardening knowledge? Learn more interesting facts about the health perks of caring for plants by clicking here.

Thanks for reading! I'm off to go take care of my houseplants in hopes that will fix my ADHD-related memory issues. We'll be back in your inbox with more interesting health stories on Wednesday. See you then!

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by my snake plant that's thriving after weeks without water.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe © 2022 Healthline Media 1423 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707