In need of some sun!

Yes it’s starting to get a little warmer, but where is the sun? I am craving some much needed Green Space time where I can sit out, relax and enjoy the heat of the sun’s rays. It has been a rough winter and my body is so confused!...tomorrow’s April 1st and I’m still walking around campus in my North Face. We have truly been sun deprived and thus Vitamin D deprived. Our body has the ability to produce Vitamin D when we’re exposed to the sun (and NO girls...going tanning does not count!) However, in the absence of sun we must find another way to make sure we're getting our fair share of Vitamin D. I’m sure you’re already aware that Vitamin D is one of nature’s greatest gifts, but did you know it’s a huge contributor to maintaining a good mood? Yes, it’s true. Being deficient in Vitamin D actually causes us to become moody and/or depressed. So don’t be quick to judge others based on their mood… just blame it on the weather =)


Why is Vitamin D so important? First off, it’s a natural nutrient that supports absorption of calcium & phosphors which leads to stronger bones, promotes healthy cell growth and contributes to a strong immune system. So, we need to help our bodies get out of this winter slump by treating ourselves to the Vitamin D we expect this time of year. We can’t simply wait for the sun to come out, because who knows when that’s going to happen. Good news – there’s an alternative...FOOD. Focus on eating foods that contain high Vitamin D content such as milk, eggs and salmon. One cup of Vitamin D fortified milk contains roughly 1/4 of the suggested daily consumption amount for adults. However, while milk is fortified with vitamin D, other dairy products made from milk (cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc.) are generally not. If you’re not a huge fan of eggs, milk or salmon, no problem! Check out this link: http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000102000000000000000.html
It provides 18 lists of a variety of foods to eat, all based on 200 calorie servings, that contain ample Vitamin D. Make sure you get the dose you need by eating foods you love so that you can stay happy and healthy until the sun comes out.

Have a good one!