Welcome to Now Trending. Here’s what’s new in the world of natural health!
Stick-on wellness: hype or hope
If you’ve spotted people sporting tiny stickers on their arms at the gym or in the checkout line, you’re not imagining things—wearable wellness patches are the latest health hack.
Athletes use them after endurance training for muscle recovery, while wellness enthusiasts appreciate their on-the-go convenience. These patches offer a steady release of ingredients like caffeine for energy, B vitamins for metabolism, magnesium for muscle relief, or melatonin for sleep—delivering a consistent dose over hours. The ingredients absorb through your skin and into your bloodstream, skipping your digestive system (a big win if supplements upset your stomach).
While research is still catching up to the trend, wearable wellness patches are an exciting innovation in self-care. Some small, fat-soluble molecules (like nicotine, estradiol, and certain painkillers) pass the skin barrier easily; whereas, larger or water-soluble nutrients (think B12, magnesium, and iron) may not be easily absorbed.
For now, you can think of these patches as a fun experiment—an easy, mess-free option that lets you personalize your self-care on the go.
The unsung power of hemp hearts
Hemp hearts (the soft, hulled insides of hemp seeds) are officially having a moment. Packed with plant-based protein (about 10 grams per three tablespoons), heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium and iron, they’re quickly becoming the MVP of plant-based eating.
Wondering how to get your fix? Hemp hearts come in a variety of forms—from alt-milks and protein powders to snack bars, crackers, granola, nondairy yogurts, and frozen snacks. They’re celebrated for helping lower cholesterol, reducing blood pressure, supporting heart health, and decreasing inflammation. Thanks to their protein and healthy fats, they also help you feel full longer—making them a secret weapon for weight management.
And if sprinkling them on your salad feels a little basic, try blending them into dressings, baking them into muffins, or stirring them into overnight oats. However you integrate them, don’t miss out on this tiny superfood with a huge impact!
Eco-packaging’s secret (it’s mushrooms!)
Step aside, Styrofoam—there’s an eco-hero in town, and it’s made entirely out of mushrooms. Mycelium packaging uses the root systems of fungi, grown in molds to create lightweight, compostable alternatives to traditional packing materials.
Unlike “compostable” plastics (which often need special facilities for composting), mycelium breaks down in your backyard compost within weeks, leaving no microplastics behind. It’s grown using agricultural waste, making it low-impact (using fewer resources and creating less pollution) from the start.
Mycelium packaging is a win for both planetary and human health, cutting down on toxins and landfill waste, while bringing us closer to circular living—where materials are reused or safely returned to the earth instead of becoming garbage.
Saving the planet might be as simple as clicking “add to cart.” Knowing your next online-shopping or meal-kit delivery isn’t trashing the planet is one thing you can feel really good about.
Find your zen with at-home forest bathing
Wish you could escape into the woods every time your phone pings? Enter at-home forest bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku.
Brands are bottling the restorative effects of nature with essential oils such as pine, cypress, and cedar; lush plant walls; and sound machines that deliver birdsong, babbling brooks, and rustling leaves straight to your living room.
Here’s why it works: research shows that even simulated nature can lower cortisol, reduce blood pressure, and help your brain unplug from the daily digital noise. These nature-inspired tools tap into your senses and help your body relax.
Creating your own retreat is easy—add a few houseplants, crack a window, queue up a playlist of gentle forest sounds, and let the outside in. These simple rituals can transform your home into a true sanctuary. And beyond your own personal zen, every plant and eco-friendly touch is a little win for the planet, too.
This article was originally published in the January 2026 issue of delicious living magazine.
