The Daily Valet. - 3/2/22, Wednesday

✔️ How Worried Should We Be?

Tuesday, March 2nd Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Let the record show, I’m still very much pro-comfort food.

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

↦ Thousands of you entered our Rolex giveaway. A big thanks to all who helped spread the word and congrats to Mr. Keith Smith who won the watch.

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Today’s Big Story

Putin’s Nuclear Threats

Moscow’s nuclear order is concerning, but Biden says Americans shouldn’t worry

Facing stronger-than-expected resistance from Ukrainians, Russia is also seeing intensified isolation from much of the rest of the world.

But Putin’s rhetoric has also intensified to include direct reference to his vast nuclear stockpile, placing the country on its highest state of alert. And while it seems wildly unlikely that the current conflict will descend into a nuclear crisis, some experts are worried.

Making the prospect of nuclear war—even if improbable—a part of the international calculus in a conflict like this is still unnerving, especially for generations that have never experienced this particular apocalyptic fear.

President Biden’s reply when asked whether Americans should be worried about a nuclear war with Russia was a forceful “no.” But Putin’s announcement isn’t why we should worry, says one Cold War historian. She fears that Russia’s invasion, regardless of its outcome, will lead to a new era of immense hostility with Moscow.

“Putin has had a pretty bad-news week,” one a senior scholar tells NPR. “And the best way to push those headlines down a little bit is a nuclear threat.” Of course, to threaten nukes costs him nothing. But to actually use them, that will cost him everything.

The challenge for President Biden, according to the Axios, is to provide Putin with an off-ramp to avoid even more destruction and devastation. How a cornered, humiliated Putin will respond—and whether de-escalation is even possible—is what’s keeping national-security leaders up at night.

↦ Meanwhile: Ukrainian solidarity was front and center at President Biden’s State of the Union last night.

Why Do We Stress Eat?

Science now has some answers (and a few solutions)

For many of us, eating is a reliable and effective coping mechanism for stress. The reason it feels like it works is that when you feel stress and tension, your body releases hormones like cortisol, which often trigger food cravings and hunger.

“The gut is our second brain,” an integrative nutritionist tells the Huffington Post. “Some of the brain's neurotransmitters, aka happy chemicals, are manufactured in the gut―90% of serotonin, for example is produced in the gut, which means there's a direct correlation between mental health, well-being, digestion and food cravings.”

This is why many of us returned to nostalgic junk food or cooking more decadent meals that remind us of happier times during the pandemic. Similarly, when people believe age-related weight gain is inevitable, they tend to turn to comfort food, turning that belief into reality, according to a new report in the International Journal of Environmental Research.

But just knowing that stress and hunger are connected can be extremely helpful, the doctors said. Being aware of hunger that arises as a result of stress can help curb cravings and lead you to make smarter nutritional choices. For instance, keep nutrient-rich foods around the house to snack on. Sunflower seeds, walnuts, fruit and dark chocolate are some that nutritionists say will reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels and encouraging relaxation.

↦ Stress Belly: Belly fat is the only tissue that expands in response to stress. We spoke to experts to get their advice on how to tighten up and lose the excess weight.

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Craft Beer Could Get More Expensive

Because most independent brewers rely on one major can manufacturer

On Tuesday, a leading beverage can manufacturer raised its minimum orders five-fold, which could financially hurt craft beer brewers. The minimum order is now, roughly, a million cans ... up from 200,000.

There are many ripple effects from the pandemic. Habits changed. Supply chains were, and are, still severely debilitated. Many breweries had to start packaging their beers because taps were closed alongside restaurants and bars.

These are some of the reasons the manufacturer Ball Corp. is citing, along with inflation, for the new directive. According to InsideHook, Ball will also no longer store pallets of cans for the small brewers. And while the company is helping smaller brewers connect with other distributors, but those brokers take a cut, which will also increase prices.

Another thing adding to costs? Ball used to provide preprinted cans. There's concern that brewers may now just have to order blank cans and apply their own shrink sleeves or labels, which will no doubt boost the price of the final beer.

↦ FYI: There is a scientific reason why beer isn't sold in plastic bottles like soda.

The Porsche of the Future

The 911 is likely going hybrid in 2024

It doesn't really feel like it's been all that long since Porsche introduced the 992-generation 911. But according to Gear Patrol, we're now three years into what is typically a seven-year run for a Porsche 911 generation.

That means a mid-cycle refresh should be arriving soon—potentially next year, for the 2024 model. And while most car geeks have told me not to expect too much of a departure, there's still plenty to get excited about.

Of course, visually a 911 will always look like a 911. Tweaks to the styling will be mild, with a recently-spotted prototype revealing a new front fascia design sporting larger intakes with vertical flaps that are likely active.

Unlike other manufacturers, Porsche has not committed to going 100% electric. But we will soon get the first 911 electric hybrid. It won't be a full plug-in, instead, it will be a more traditional hybrid engine. But according to CarScoops, the 2024 911 hybrid is shaping up to be the anti-Prius, complete with a sport exhaust system and some serious kick.

↦ FYI: Porsche is working on a synthetic low-carbon fuel that would make combustion engines as clean as EVs.

In Other News

↦ Biden Tells Americans ‘Now Is the Hour’ for the U.S. to Save Democracy

↦ No Deal: What We Know and Don’t Know As MLB Delays Opening Day

↦ The Age of Everything Culture Is Here

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

High-tech grooming

Toxic positivity

The happiest cities in America

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