A NEW INTERVIEW ~ PLUS: “Stillness, Patience and Quiet Consideration” in a New Year ✨
In our first Weekend Digest of 2026, we explore the healing power of the outdoors, a fresh approach to avoiding burnout, nonalcoholic twists on old favorites, and a refreshing conversation around aging that we found shifted our perspective in all the right ways. Plus ~ a sprinkling of the latest news so we all start of the New Year ... SmartHER.
“Even in the coldest, darkest season ... winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration.”
Princess Catherine marked her 44th birthday by sharing the final installment of her Mother Nature video series, offering personal reflections on how time outdoors supported her own healing journey and helped her “discover what it means to be alive”. She isn't alone. A growing body of research shows that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, support better sleep, and more. This reminds us to throw on our favorite work-out companion of the moment and head outside this weekend.
Credit: The Prince and Princess of Wales
BRAND NEW INTERVIEW: This conversation with Dr. Mindy Pelz felt life-changing ... hopeful ... and important for a New Year, for anyone at any age! I hope you feel the same!
🎧 Listen on podcasting platforms everywhere including Apple & Spotify.
In this SmartHER Conversation, Jenna speaks with New York Times bestselling author Dr. Mindy Pelz about her brand new book Age Like a Girl - a powerful reframe of aging, hormones, and women’s health. Dr. Mindy explains the science behind why midlife can feel disorienting and how it actually rewires your brain for leadership. They discuss menopause, hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, shifting neurochemistry, deeper relationships, and why storytelling plays a vital role in mental health.
🗣️ Your Conversation Starters:
💉 17 to 11: The new number of CDC-recommended vaccinations for childhood diseases (just a note - some of the vaccinations include a series of shots). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says this change allows for “more flexibility and choice” for families, while the American Academy of Pediatrics calls it “dangerous and unnecessary.”
🧠 Satisficing: A new way to avoid mental burnout? One psychologist makes the case for choosing what’s “good enough” over what’s perfect.
📱 Dr. ChatGPT: A new report reveals that about 40 million people turn to ChatGPT for health-related information — about 5% of all messages sent to the AI tool.
🥂 Pass the Bubbly — N/A: Dry January may feel easier than ever as the nonalcoholic beverage industry surges. Analysts project roughly $4 billion in growth over the next 3 years. Meanwhile, a nostalgic favorite returns — sans booze. P.S. Did you catch Jenna’s reflections on 100 days without alcohol?
🍔 Protein, Please: Some fast-food restaurants add protein-packed, "better-for-you" options to their menus as health trends shape demand.
🥩 How Much? According to the new Dietary Guidelines released this week by HHS, we need about 1.2 – 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (1 kg = 2.2 lbs.). But we find this explanation from Caitlin Murray of @bigtimeadulting much more helpful ... 👇🏽😂
Credit: Caitlin Murray (@bigtimeadulting)
🥇 Winter Olympics: More than 3,500 athletes from around the world will head to Italy in less than a month for the Winter Games — here are a few Team USA hopefuls.
🐶 Robotic Fido: Designers have created a unique companion for seniors with dementia, modeled after a therapy dog. Meet Jennie. The price may raise some eyebrows — but Jennie can raise hers, too, among other abilities.
🏡 Downsizing: A Washington Post columnist makes the case that smaller houses may lead to greater happiness. Did you know? According to U.S. Census data, the average American single-family home has grown 900 square feet since the 1960s.
🎙️ This Week From Jenna:
Seizing “Ghost Ships” and A Venezuelan Vacation Island of Note ... 👇🏽
WATCH ABOVE OR BY CLICKING HERE. You can also listen on podcasting platforms everywhere (Apple, Spotify).
🎙️ SCOOP (approx. 41 minutes) Welcome to 2026: Top News Stories for Curious Minds. Watch or Listen. (SCOOP Insiders can attend this live broadcast once a week and get their news questions answered; they also receive the special video report EXCLUSIVELY delivered to their inbox along with a "cheat sheet" for the week ahead — learn more HERE).
🎙️ Podcast (approx. 15 minutes): A Voice From Inside Venezuela On A History-Making Day. Watch or Listen.
🙌🏽 What We Found SmartHER This Week:
AG1: A SmartHER Experiment
You’ve likely seen this popular greens drink everywhere, promoted by influencers and health experts alike (we’re looking at you, Huberman Lab 😉). So when AG1 reached out to SmartHER News, we decided to turn it into an experiment.
For January, one of our SmartHER team members is on a special assignment: try AG1 for one month and report back with her honest take. Want to try it alongside her and share your findings as well? AG1 is offering 26% off your first month with code HEALTHY26.
We're taking all our health inspo from Fiona and Tucker of the Cincinnati Zoo, who don't seem to mind their daily dose of greens:
Credit: Cincinnati Zoo
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”
On this day 250 years ago, Thomas Paine published Common Sense. In his own words, Paine used “simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense” to help build widespread support across the colonies for the Revolutionary cause. The New York Times describes more about the man behind what it calls "The 18th Century Viral Hit."
And that's The Weekend Digest!
❤️,
Jenna and the SHN Team
P.S. While traveling over the holidays, I encountered colder weather than expected and I had only packed long sweat pants 🙈! In a pinch, I found these STRETCHY on trend jeans and recently ordered another color ... for $35. Had to share!
Daily news, interviews, our latest podcasts and more at www.SmartHERNews.com.
