Morning Brew - 🔭 Stargazing

Good afternoon, Sidekick readers. Today’s a scorcher. To beat the heat, stay inside (I know, not what you want to hear after a year and half of quarantine), chug H2O, and my best piece of advice? Wait in line at your neighborhood ice cream shop...that scoop of mint chip is worth it. Just speaking from experience. 

— Rachel Cantor 

There’s a sunny side to compassion—practicing kindness—that we’re familiar with. But in a recent TED piece, psychologist Dacher Keltner proposed an alternative: tough compassion. He described it as a way to “step in and, in a good way, guide the person to a different form of behavior.” How I think about it: getting comfortable with being uncomfortable for the greater good. 

Tough compassion, he and other experts said, is useful when “someone in your life does something that’s actively harmful.” Let’s say, for example, a coworker makes a homophobic remark. You want to share why it offended you, without escalating the situation. Here’s the tough compassion approach: 

• Start by saying you value this person. Psychologist Zeno Franco said he then thinks about “how to respond in a way that is not designed to escalate,” but rather illustrates how the remark “impacts me at an emotional level.”
• Use real-world examples. If you feel comfortable sharing how you or others in your life have been negatively impacted by similar comments or situations, do so. 
• Frame it as a win-win. “Show them what life might be like after they change and explain the positives,” said Dian Grier, a licensed clinical social worker. 

Read the full piece for more. 

• On uber hot days (like today), cranking my oven to 400°F for a roast chicken is the last thing I want to do. So I’m turning to this watermelon gazpacho. Just toss your fruits and veggies in a blender to get that watermelon sugar high, with a jalapeño kick. 
• Speaking of staying cool, subscribe to Lorem Ipsum—a newsletter by journalist Margot Boyer-Dry about what’s trending and why. 
• Play Feels—Where’s Waldo? but emoji edition. 
• RSVP to tomorrow’s Retail Brew event with Dave Gilboa, Warby Parker’s cofounder and co-CEO. You’ll get a sneak peek at what’s next for Warby’s brick and mortar shops. 
• Get better answers when you ask better questions with these tips.
• Leave your telescope at home, and consult this ultimate guide to stargazing spots at the best US national parks.

Fourth of July weekend—aka the high noon of summer—is right around the corner. Whether you’re tagging along on your roomie’s beach weekend or driving back home for your dad’s iconic BBQ chicken wings, follow these pro packing TikTokers before you overstuff your tote:  

• Kat Kamalani: Flight attendants like Kat travel for a living, so you know she has a foolproof packing system. Watch to see why she likes to wrap shoes in hair nets. 
• Make Life Simpler: Packing cubes are worth it...as long as you roll instead of fold.
• The Folding Lady: Sophie will help ya nail your folding technique, so you don’t just throw and go. Her account will also keep your clothes wrinkle-free from point A to point B. 

Wait, we can leave the house?

Apparently things are looking up out there—hey, we read this newsletter too. So it seems like in the not-too-distant future we’ll be able to walk outside or maybe even take a trip.

With that in mind, it’s probably time to get things properly secured around the ol’ homestead with SimpliSafe. 

In just 30 minutes, you can get whole home protection 24/7. SimpliSafe protects from intruders, water damage, fire, and more. So whether you’re headed for a walk around the block or running toward the nearest beach, you can be sure your home is in good, professionally monitored hands.

And while you’re out, SimpliSafe lets you monitor things with HD cameras, smart locks, and doorbell cameras. 

So before you safely venture outside again, make sure the house that’s kept you company for the past year is safely secured.

Check out SimpliSafe today.

• A bowl of cereal always hits the spot. Three Wishes tastes just like your childhood favorites (yes, including Cinnamon Toast Crunch). It’s a tad bit healthier (grain-free, made from chickpeas), but a whole lot tastier, IMO. 
• Waffles aren’t reserved for weekend brunches. Evergreen makes quick, better-for-you mini frozen waffles that come in a variety of flavors—for savory, try the zucchini; for sweet, go for the peanut butter and banana. Top ’em with maple syrup and whipped cream, and it’s a breakfast beauty. 
• I didn’t know what to expect when I tried Lil Bucks’s sprouted buckwheat for the first time, but this superfood seed is my new favorite topping for any yogurt, açai, or oatmeal bowl. The real value lies in the protein and fiber, so don’t pile on too much.