Today your Good News Gals are excited to share with you, the wild (but true) tale of a young soviet doctor.

26-year-old Dr. Leonid Ivanovich Rogozov was chosen to be the only doctor on the 6th Soviet Antarctic Expedition. During months of darkness, completely cut off from civilization Dr. Leonid had to make a decision of life or death.

Assisted by a meteorologist, a mechanic (and the station director as a backup) he had to perform surgery to remove his own appendix!

Only after returning on a 36-day boat ride (yikes) did Leonid have the opportunity to defend his dissertation and formally become a surgeon.

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Morgan and Emily share their joy over families coming together and sharing the mutual love of a passed family member and Hydroponic grow supply stores for green summery vibes

·     If you are in the Twin Cities (MN) check out: Eco Gardens Supply Indoor Gardening and Hydroponics. 

This week, thanks to a happy accident, Morgan, and Emily have a theme! The nuggets are all about supporting the food and beverage industry!

Nuggets:

·     The Daily Grind Cafe located in downtown Stillwater, MN. Owners Tim and Megan Palm have lovingly cultivated a culture of the community over the shop’s 28-year history. Since the pandemic began, anonymous donors have given $100 to start the day in a pay-it-forward system. They are now at over 250 continuous days! This is a small gift of kindness to people when people need it most

·     Chef & Host of Diners, Drive-in’s and Dives, Guy Fieri has shared his belief that restaurants are the heart and soul of their community. Knowing the struggles of the food and beverage industry during the pandemic he decided to step up! In a collaboration with corporate sponsors, they were able to raise 21.5 million between March and August to support restaurants and restaurant workers.

·     A Dairy Queen in Brainerd, MN experienced a 900 car pay it forward chain! This spanned 2.5 days and $10,000 in sales. Bringing what was most needed to business and consumer alike!

·     Chef David Chang won on the game show: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? His winnings went to the Southern Smoke Foundation. This organization provides relief to those in the food and beverage industry. Since the pandemic began they have distributed over 4million dollars to folks nationwide!

The Good News gals talk EMILY’S list while our Emily is vibin’ and learning to combat the feeling of burnout. Join us as we explore creative, joyful, and fun ways to reconnect with people in your community during this period of isolation.

Morgan’s love of bok choy has rubbed off on Emily. Bok Choy recipes for the win (this one is even vegan)!

 Emily recommends the TV show Alien Worlds. In her words, it is “like a nature documentary for worlds that could potentially exist on other planets.”

 Check out the new plant video on our Patreon! It just happens to be the happiest place on the internet!

Dive into the Good News Nuggets this week:

• On November 24th Scotland became the first country to provide free access to menstrual products. In 2018 they were the first to offer free period products in their schools, colleges, and universities. Scottish Parliament unanimously approved the Period Products Bill, and we are all about it! The 24 million pounds to cover this program is a tiny sliver in comparison to the UK military defense budget for Scotland is 1.7 billion pounds.
• A gay penguin couple in a Berlin zoo was given a chick of their own to hatch and raise. This story is only improved by the fact that this practice has been seen in zoos across the globe! **Fun fact: Cows form best friendships and really defined social hierarchies! #cowgangs
• An app designed to allow restaurants, bakeries, hotels, and other food services to sell their leftovers for reduced prices instead of throwing the food away. The goal is to reduce food waste and fight food insecurity.
• United States (Boston & NYC): Food for All (find it in the Apple App Store and Google Play). Go to their website to recommend the program expand to your city! You will also find a list of BIPOC food justice leaders and restaurants to follow/support!
• Europe (the UK, much of Scandinavia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, and the Iberian Peninsula): Too Good To Go
• Canada: Flash Food
• Australia: Y Waste
• South Africa: JustNow!

• 37-year-old Jahmal Cole is the CEO and founder of My Block, My Hood, My City. This Chicago based non-profit operates with the motto: Taking care of people, no matter what.  In the most segregated city in the country, Jamal works hard to create experience-based opportunities for teens to expand their view of the world beyond their neighborhood.
• To combat the common issue of isolation this organization places a heavy focus on exposure through shrive and education. From exposure come shifts in perspective and an influx of opportunity.
• Currently, the group is focused on the Be A Part of the Light initiative. Their volunteers decorate houses of neighbors because houses with beautiful lights and decorations shouldn’t be limited to suburbs and able-bodied folks.
• Check out Jahmal’s most recent book: What’s Something Simple I Can Do That Will Have A Positive Impact on My Block? 

• The New Zealand police have added a hijab to their official uniform. The work for approval began in late 2018 in response to a request from police staff who had visited secondary schools. Zina Ali who requested the addition and helped with the design is the first officer to wear a hijab on duty. After the...