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5 Warning Signs You’re Low in Vitamin D—And How to Fix It Naturally

Over 1 billion people worldwide are low in vitamin D; most have no idea. This “sunshine vitamin” does far more than just support bone health. It’s a hormone-like powerhouse tied to immunity, energy, mood, and even cancer prevention. Yet deficiency is extremely common, especially in winter, for those with darker skin or those who spend most of their time indoors.

Here are five key signs your body may be crying out for more vitamin D:

  1. Fatigue that won’t quit
    Dragging through your days? Vitamin D helps convert food into energy. Without enough, you may feel constantly tired—even after a full night’s sleep.
  2. Aches in your bones or muscles
    Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. When levels are low, you may feel bone, joint, or muscle pain, sometimes mistaken for fibromyalgia or arthritis.
  3. Hair thinning or hair loss
    Vitamin D plays a role in the hair growth cycle. Deficiency can lead to slower growth or shedding, and has even been linked to alopecia.
  4. Frequent illness
    Are you always catching colds? Vitamin D is critical for immune defense. If your levels are low, your body may struggle to fight off infections.
  5. Low mood or anxiety
    Low vitamin D has been linked to depression, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder. If you’re feeling unusually blue, this may be a factor.

How to Get More Vitamin D

Sunlight: Aim for 15–20 minutes of direct sunlight daily on bare skin (without sunscreen).
Food sources: Include fatty fish (like salmon, sardines, tuna), egg yolks, liver, and vitamin D-fortified foods like dairy and plant milks.
Supplement smart: Vitamin D3 is better absorbed than D2. Look for D3 paired with K2 for proper calcium regulation. Daily intake should be around 600–800 IU, but talk to your doctor if you suspect a deficiency.

Pro tip: The only way to know for sure? Ask your doctor for a blood test. Don’t guess—test!

Save Wetlands by Eating Nutria, Says U.S. Fish and Wildlife

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging Americans to help control invasive nutria by adding them to their menus. As part of National Invasive Species Week (Feb 24-28), officials highlight how these rodents, native to South America, have caused significant damage to U.S. wetlands. Originally brought to Louisiana in the 1930s for the fur trade, nutria escaped into the wild and rapidly multiplied. 

A single nutria can weigh up to 20 pounds and consume its body weight in vegetation daily, leading to the destruction of nearly 90,000 acres of coastal wetlands annually before control efforts began.

Thanks to hunting incentives, such as $6-per-tail bounties, the damage has dropped to about 5,500 acres per year. However, nutria populations continue to expand along the Atlantic Coast and into California.

While eating rodents may sound unusual, nutria meat is lean, mild, and similar to rabbit. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, including nutria gumbo, tacos, and even smoked or grilled. 

Older cookbooks feature dishes like “nutria-bacon rolls” and “macaroni-nutria casserole.” As with all wild game, it’s important to cook it thoroughly to avoid contamination.

If nutria isn’t your thing, National Invasive Species Week also highlights other eco-friendly options, such as invasive carp, feral hogs, and even green iguanas. Yummy!

7 Things To Do With Your Christmas Tree Besides Tossing it Out

With the Christmas season over and the new year bursting forth, it is time to figure out what to do with that now not-so-beautiful Christmas tree that is shedding needles all over your floor. If you have been accustomed to dragging your dead tree to the curb and waiting for the trash pick up, why not try something different this year that is environmentally friendly and creative? Here are some ideas.

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Create a Cool Water Feature For Any Size Space

A water feature provides a soothing, pretty element to your backyard. It may attract wildlife too. There are many reasons to have a backyard water garden, but it is not necessarily an easy undertaking. A big pond with a waterfall will be expensive and complicated, while a small fountain or natural pond can be constructed by a beginner. Choose your water feature based on how much time, effort, and money you are willing to put into it.

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