MModern Wisdom
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24 February 2020

Life Hacks 111 - #145

0Frameworks
12Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Hot Take· 1

Hot Take65:00

How to Get Unlimited Free Internet on Emirates Flights

Johnny reveals a hack to get unlimited free internet on Emirates flights by resetting the Wi-Fi client ID after using the initial 20MB data allowance. This tricks the system into granting another data block.

  • Use initial 20MB data, then reset the client ID in Wi-Fi settings.
  • Allows repeated access to free data during flight.
  • Applies to all Emirates flights using the 'Emirates on air' network.

Change those [client ID numbers] to any other three numbers, and it'll reset.

Johnny · 66:00
#travel-hack#emirates#internet#flight

Explainer· 2

Explainer38:00

Journal the Worst Thing That Happened and Reframe It

Johnny shares a journaling technique: write down the worst thing that happened during the day, then reframe it by identifying why it might be beneficial and what to do differently tomorrow. This builds resilience and continuous improvement.

  • Focuses on negative events to extract learning and growth.
  • Encourages reframing setbacks as opportunities.
  • Promotes problem-solving by planning next-day actions.

Journal one thing that went badly... and then try and flip it.

Johnny · 38:30
#journaling#mental-health#self-improvement#reframing
Explainer47:30

Stick to a Consistent Daily Routine to Regulate Hormones

Johnny explains that maintaining a consistent wake-up time, bedtime, meal times, and workout schedule helps regulate hormones like cortisol and hunger signals. This reduces mental resistance and makes habits easier to maintain.

  • Consistency in timing trains the body to feel hungry and tired at predictable times.
  • Reduces internal conflict caused by fluctuating routines.
  • Improves focus and energy by aligning with natural hormonal rhythms.

You're not fighting hormones. You're not fighting randomly feeling hungry at 10 a.m.

Johnny · 48:00
#routine#hormones#sleep#productivity

Tool· 8

Tool02:00

Replace Milk with Barebells Protein Shake on Cereal

Johnny suggests replacing regular milk with a Barebells white chocolate protein shake when eating cereal, especially granola, to significantly boost protein intake. This simple swap adds 20g of protein per serving and enhances the flavor profile, particularly with granola.

  • Using Barebells protein shake instead of milk adds 20g of protein to cereal.
  • Works especially well with granola for improved taste and macros.
  • Higher cost and calorie count compared to regular milk.

Replace milk on cereal with Barebells white chocolate.

Johnny · 02:00
#nutrition#protein#life-hack#cereal
Tool04:30

Use SodaStream for Appetite Suppression

Johnny recommends using a SodaStream to make sparkling water at home, which helps suppress appetite during fasting or calorie-restricted diets. Carbonated water is more filling than still water, making it easier to manage hunger.

  • Sparkling water from a SodaStream helps suppress appetite.
  • Ideal for those fasting or managing body weight.
  • Flavorings like lemon enhance enjoyment without adding calories.

Having carbonated drinks is great for appetite suppression.

Johnny · 05:00
#hydration#fasting#appetite#sodastream
Tool14:00

Try Chocolate-Flavored Amazing Grass Greens Powder

Johnny recommends the chocolate-flavored Amazing Grass greens powder as a palatable way to consume greens. The cocoa flavor makes it taste good, unlike many other greens powders, and it blends well with chocolate whey.

  • Chocolate flavor masks the typical 'green' taste, making it more enjoyable.
  • Easier to consume regularly compared to unflavored or fruit-flavored versions.
  • Can be mixed with chocolate whey for a seamless blend.

They do a chocolate flavor greens powder that is honestly palatable.

Johnny · 15:00
#supplements#greens-powder#nutrition#chocolate-flavor
Tool21:30

Use Send to Kindle Chrome Extension

Johnny shares a workflow hack: using the 'Send to Kindle' Chrome extension to instantly format and send articles to a Kindle device. This eliminates the need for complex export processes and ensures clean, readable formatting.

  • One-click sending of articles from Chrome to Kindle.
  • Perfect formatting with adjustable font size and metadata editing.
  • Saves long-form content directly to Kindle cloud library.

There is a send to Kindle extension for Chrome... just press one button.

Johnny · 22:30
#productivity#kindle#chrome-extension#workflow
Tool25:30

Try Ben & Jerry’s Moo-phoria for Lower-Calorie Ice Cream

Johnny recommends Ben & Jerry’s Moo-phoria as a satisfying lower-calorie ice cream option. While higher in calories than Halo Top, it offers superior taste and is more filling, making it a better long-term choice for those managing intake.

  • Moo-phoria has around 600–700 calories per tub, higher than Halo Top but more satisfying.
  • Better taste compared to other low-calorie ice creams.
  • Preferred over portioning normal ice cream due to psychological satisfaction.

Moo-phoria is slightly higher [in calories], but way more than proportional increase in taste.

Johnny · 26:00
#ice-cream#low-calorie#nutrition#ben-jerrys
Tool36:00

Use Citymapper for Smarter City Travel

Johnny praises Citymapper as a comprehensive urban navigation app that integrates public transit, biking, walking, and ride-hailing options. It provides real-time routing, offline functionality, and even estimates calories burned per route.

  • Combines transit, walking, biking, and ride options in one interface.
  • Works offline with time-based tracking in tunnels.
  • Estimates calorie expenditure for different travel modes.

It will know when you go underground and tell you when to get off.

Johnny · 37:00
#navigation#citymapper#public-transit#productivity
Tool53:30

Use a Mini Trampoline to Wake Up in the Morning

Johnny shares that he bought a mini trampoline to use first thing in the morning. Bouncing for a few minutes increases blood flow and alertness without high impact, serving as a gentle way to activate the body.

  • Low-impact bouncing gets blood flowing quickly.
  • More effective than burpees or walking for morning wake-up.
  • Easier to commit to than intense exercise routines.

Get on a trampoline bounce. You get off a trampoline. Firstly, it's way harder than you think.

Johnny · 54:00
#morning-routine#exercise#trampoline#energy
Tool69:30

Use an Analog Hourglass for Pomodoro Timing

Johnny and Chris discuss using a physical hourglass instead of digital timers for Pomodoro sessions. The visual and tactile nature of an analog timer reduces digital distractions and enhances focus.

  • Analog hourglass avoids screen-based distractions.
  • Ideal for non-digital tasks requiring deep focus.
  • Aesthetic and functional—doubles as decor.

Having an analog timer is brilliant.

Johnny · 70:00
#productivity#pomodoro#focus#hourglass

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway74:00

Do the Washing Up Immediately After Cooking

Johnny emphasizes the importance of cleaning pots, pans, and utensils right after cooking while they’re still wet. This prevents food from drying and sticking, turning a future 2-minute scrub into a 30-second wipe.

  • Cleaning immediately takes only 30 seconds.
  • Prevents dried-on food that’s harder to remove later.
  • Simple habit that saves time and effort daily.

It's 30 seconds now or 2 minutes tomorrow.

Johnny · 74:30
#cleaning#kitchen#life-hack#efficiency