Since I have experienced low Vitamin D myself, I have done some research.

So I decided to share what I have learned with you!

Vitamin D – What It Is and Why You Need It

Your body can not survive without Vitamin D. Vitamin D promotes cell growth, immune function, and it reduces inflammation, and along with calcium, it is important for your bones.

Your immune system is directly affected by low Vitamin D.

Low Vitamin D equals low immune system.

That fact is extremely important to know concerning the virus we are dealing with right now.

Some signs of low Vitamin D are

• fatigue
• you get sick all the time, or have repeated infections
• poor wound healing
• bone pain
• muscle pain
• hair loss
• depression

Now obviously, those signs can come from numerous things.

So it’s important to go see your doctor about your symptoms.

Vitamin D is the only nutrient that your body can make when it is exposed to the sun. Pretty cool, huh?

It can take as little as 15-20 minutes a day of sun, exposing your arms, legs, abdomen, and back. You will need at least double that if you are exposing only your arms and legs. Which brings you to an amount of time that is next to impossible to achieve during the winter in the majority of the United States.

You may get enough vitamin D from your diet and the sun during the summer. In the winter, however, many people need to take a supplement.

Good sources of Vitamin D include:

• salmon
• tuna, and other wild caught fish
• beef or calf liver
• egg yolks
• dairy products – milk, cheese, yogurt, etc.

To name a few.

Doctors don’t always order a Vitamin D test when you are having lab work done. You may have to ask.

You can get too much Vitamin D.  And too much can lead to health problems.

You can’t get too much by eating foods with Vitamin D and from the sun.

You can get too much from taking supplements.

That’s why it’s important to get your vitamin D level checked regularly.

I have experienced low vitamin D myself. I know how awful it can make you feel. If you are trying to eat right and take care of yourself, but still feel bad and have some or all of the symptoms listed above, check with your doctor!

*This is a sponsored post.

I take my vision for granted.

Admit it, you do to.

From the time we open our eyes in the morning until we close our eyes at night, we don’t even think about what an amazing gift our vision is. We take it for granted that we will always be able to see. Looking at ourselves in the mirror in the morning. Driving our cars. Seeing how yummy our food looks. Watching tv or a sports game. Looking at the stars in the sky at night.

I have been blessed to be able to watch my tiny newborn babies grow into awesome adults. And the many, many memory making moments in between. My daughter is expecting my first grandchild this summer. I can hardly wait to lay my eyes on that sweet little bundle of joy!

We take the ability to see all those marvelous sights for granted.   Until something happens to our vision.

Do You Take Your Vision for Granted?

Think about it for a moment. What if you lost your sight? What if you couldn’t see your spouse, your kids, or your grandkids? I know I would be heartbroken to lose my vision and not be able to see my grandbaby.

Every year nearly 10 million Americans go blind due to Age-related Macular Degeneration. Age-related Macular Degeneration is an eye disease that causes the loss of central vision. AMD causes degeneration of light sensitive cells in the central portion of the retina which enables us to perceive fine visual detail.

There’s a man in my town that has been legally blind (not from AMD) for over 50 years. Thanks to new technology, he was recently able to see his wife, kids, and grandkids for the first time ever. What a miraculous gift!

If you, or someone you love, have Age-related Macular Degeneration, there is help for you, too!

The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a non-profit organization, has been funding research on cures for blindness, specifically AMD, since 1971. Thanks to their research, there are new treatments to stop, and in some cases even reverse, retinal disease.  Medical technology is repairing vision and helping people to see again! This is great news for people over 55 and their families.

Want more information about AMD, symptoms, causes, treatments? How about an invaluable list of 14 questions to ask your eye doctor? I have never seen a list like this for the eye doctor before! For all that, an at home test to see if you have AMD, and more, download this Guide to Age-related Macular Degeneration PDF packet.

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I was compensated for this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” My opinions are my own.

Did you know that up to 80% of your body weight is water?

Are You Drinking Enough Water?

Not drinking enough water has been associated with many complications and diseases. There have been a couple of studies that show that drinking more water can reduce the chances of getting some diseases. (Source for both those statements)

There are many consequences on a daily basis from not drinking enough water that you may not realize. Foggy thinking, daytime fatigue, lethargy, headaches, nausea, and constipation.

Benefits of Drinking Enough Water Every Day

• helps to lose weight
• healthy skin
• fights infection
• rids the body of toxins
• healthy heart
• helps to prevent joint pain & arthritis
• boosts energy
• prevents constipation
• reduces risk of cancer
• improves productivity

How Much Water Should You Drink

How much water you need to drink every day depends on many factors. Age, body size, weather conditions, activity levels. The old recommendation of 8 – 8 oz glasses a day may not be enough for you.

For the last few months I have been reading that you should drink half you body weight in ounces of water daily. That is what I try to do.

The best way to judge if you are drinking enough water is by your urine. Urine should be light yellow to clear. If your urine is darker, you are not drinking enough water.

Ways to Drink More Water

• drink a glass of water upon waking
• use a straw
• use a pretty or thermal water bottle
• set an alarm every hour
• add fruit or cucumber slices to your water
• drink 1 cup before every meal
• use a water tracking app on your phone

Drinking enough water is vitally important to you health. It is so worth the effort to monitor your, and your family’s, water intake to ensure their health.

Now go get a drink of water!

The other day I was visiting someone at their house. They had other company as well. I saw one of these women pick up their child by one arm. I was surprised. I have very rarely seen someone pick up their child by one arm. I can’t even remember the last time I saw someone do this.

Picking a child up by one arm is painful for the child. It can lead to bruising, dislocation of the wrist, elbow or shoulder.

Even if the child doesn’t experience a dislocated joint, they could suffer pulled muscles, tendons, and ligaments. All of which are painful for the child.

Did I say something to this woman? No, I did not. Because I didn’t know her. If I saw someone I know pick up a child like this, I would tell them. I do not recommend telling a complete stranger how to take care of their child. In this day and age, telling a parent what to do with their child does not always end well. You will have to judge your situation for yourself.

This child that I saw was 3-4 years old. Except age doesn’t matter. Size doesn’t matter. A child should always be picked up using two hands.

Never by one arm.  Please don’t do this to your child.