Spring 2022 Today's Living Magazine

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4 KINDNESS SHINES
6 LIKE THE SUN
8 TECH SOLUTIONS FOR
SUN-STARVED SPACES
10
16 THE SUN & YOUR HEALTH
18
Hello Sun,

Welcome home

HERE COME THE BENEFITS
OF THE SUN
TAKE A BIG BITE
OF VITAMIN D

kindness

Shines Like the Sun

The Sun continuously radiates energy as our planet rotates. Meanwhile,
here on Earth, we’re not always aware of the kind of energy we’re
personally putting out into the universe. In our hyperconnected
world, where anyone can hide behind an anonymous social media
persona, negativity often takes center stage. Even so, it’s surprisingly
easy to stay positive. In fact, the smallest everyday interactions can
radiate waves of positive energy.

How far you go
in life depends on
your being tender
with the young,
compassionate
with the aged,
sympathetic with
the striving, and
tolerant of the
weak and the
strong. Because
someday in your
life you will have
been all of these.

– George Washington Carver

4

The prescription for making each other’s lives better
isn’t that complicated. Just be kind with your words,
actions and online presence.

Being kind may be simple, but it’s not always easy. The
daily cacophony of negative news and angry rhetoric
can drown out the inner voice trying to tell you that
people are basically good. So call out the goodness
you see in others. Strive for civility in person, online
and, yes, even when talking to tech support. Here are
five low-effort, high-impact ways to show kindness.

1 2 3 4 5

The thought is Instead of Please put Write a letter Call or text
already in your looking down your phone to a loved one your friends or
mind, so go at your phone away when and send it by family to make
ahead and say when people talking with mail. Include sure they got
it: “I like your walk by, smile someone in photos for a home safely
shoes.” and say hello. person. personal touch. after a trip.

Keep your positive vibes ‹ Add a little light to the
flowing after you open dark corners of Yelp
your laptop. Here are and Google reviews.
some ways to let your Take a moment to write
humanity shine online. a rave review when
you’re delighted with a
‹ Consider the extreme product or service.
option of deleting
all social media. Try ‹ Go beyond an emoji.
starting with temporary Write a quick positive
deactivation, removing comment about a post
apps from your phone, you enjoyed.
or cutting ties with
negative contacts if ‹ Send an email to
you’re not ready to someone’s boss after
delete all of it. they’ve done a great
job, or actually respond
‹ Support websites that to a feedback survey
try to promote positive, to give an employee a
engaging interactions. 5-star review.

6

7

&The Sun Vitamin D generously benefits physical
and mental health alike. It can improve
Your Health your immune system function, lower
the risk of heart disease and regulate
Vitamin D puts the “D” in diversified. mood. By helping your body absorb
It’s a true jack of all trades in the calcium and phosphorus, vitamin D also
vitamin sphere. enhances dental and bone health.
Simply being outside gives your body a
shot of vitamin D, but absorption levels
can vary based on pollution, skin color
or lifestyle. If you’re worried that these
factors might be causing a vitamin D
deficiency, discuss any concerns with
your health care provider.

8

To ensure you’re getting a proper dose of Outdoor
vitamin D each day, consider eating more
of these foods that are high in vitamin D: ExercisE

Fish like salmon, catfish, Pros
herring, tuna, and sardines
Egg yolks Working out in natural light boosts
Milk mental health. Exposure to the sun
Yogurt enhances the effects of exercise
Orange juice beyond what you might experience
See recipes on pages 18 and 19. indoors. Being in the sun can lessen
If you’d rather go the supplement route, anger, stress and tension better
be sure your vitamin D includes some than exercising indoors.
vitamin K for effective absorption. Your body constantly adapts to
Another healthy way to boost your vitamin varied outdoor environments,
D level is to shift your indoor workout to allowing you to work harder and
the outdoors. People who exercise in the burn more calories.
fresh air are more likely to stick to their
routine because it feels less like a workout Cons
and more like an enjoyable activity. One
great way to combine exercise with social Spending too much time in the sun
interaction would be to use the money you can damage your skin. You’re also
save on costly gym memberships to get at risk of becoming dehydrated
coffee with a friend after taking a morning when you exercise during the high
walk or run together. afternoon temperatures.
You could also join a local recreation team Loose gravel or rocks and uneven
to play basketball, soccer, pickleball, or terrain or sidewalks can create more
volleyball. The endorphins released from tension on your joints that may
exercise plus the vitamin D from sunlight cause pain or injury.
can leave you glowing from the inside out.

9

Hello Sun,

Welcome home

10

Sunlight lends cadence to our days. Diagonal
stripes of light shining on a bedroom wall or
across a swimming pool in the late afternoon
act like a sundial, silently marking the hours
and minutes of the day. This rhythmical
pattern of light guides our internal clocks,
calendars, schedules, gardens, food supply,
and even human moods.

But when you spend most of your life indoors,
as most Americans do, you can lose touch
with these natural rhythms.

Inviting the outdoors into our homes can
reawaken this connection. Indoor/outdoor
living space provides the enjoyment of
nature’s daily light show in comfortable
surroundings, unbothered by mosquitoes
or precipitation. Whether you’re working,
reading, resting, or socializing, you can
experience sunsets, songbirds, garden
aromas, and soft breezes from the comfort of
your cozy space.

Homeowners have made outdoor living space
a higher priority after spending so much time
indoors over the past couple of years. The
American Institute of Architects cited the
interest in outdoor spaces as a top trend in
its 2021 report. Demand for outdoor living
space shot up from 61% to 70% last year
alone. In fact, outdoor living and working
spaces are two of this year’s top five home
buyer preferences, according to a National
Association of Home Builders survey.

11

Imagine

Many new homes feature a covered porch FOUR-SEASON SUNROOMS
or deck with a fireplace, heated flooring,
built-in grill, or outdoor kitchen. A custom- Attached and accessible from inside
designed indoor/outdoor living space can your house, four-season sunrooms
be a spectacular addition to your home, but are built on a concrete foundation.
it can also be an expensive renovation. If you They usually include half walls to
already have a patio or porch, try starting accommodate heaters and electrical
with some upgrades that suit your budget, outlets. Double-pane windows,
climate and personality. You can enhance the insulation and HVAC connections
look and feel of this living space with new keep these transitional living spaces
furniture, pillows and lighting. comfortable year-round.

If you’re looking to add square footage at THREE-SEASON SUNROOMS
an affordable price, consider a prefabricated
indoor/outdoor room addition. Designed Since they aren’t connected to
and manufactured off-site, these kits typically your HVAC system, three-season
arrive at your home in flat cartons. You may sunrooms are better suited for
be able to find a contractor to build one of milder climates. Be realistic about
these rooms through the manufacturer. how much you may use this space
in uncomfortable weather.
Whether you go custom or prefab, you have
lots of freedom to tailor the indoor/outdoor SCREENED PORCHES
space you want to create.
Open, breezy screened porches
allow you to enjoy insect-free fresh
air in temperate weather at a fraction
of the cost of an enclosed sunroom.

ATTACHED GREENHOUSES

A greenhouse attached to your
home provides plants with space
designed to optimize humidity,
temperature and light. This small
living space also allows you to enjoy
your plants while soaking up the
warmth of the sunlight streaming
through the glass.

12

One of your first considerations will be deciding where you want your
indoor/outdoor living space to be. Does the back of your house receive
a good amount of sunlight for at least part of the day? Or, is there one
side of your house that would be a better spot? Here are some general
guidelines about sunroom and porch orientation based on your lot and
personal preferences.

NORTH

Shade lovers and people who live
in warmer climates may prefer a
northern orientation. Facing north
may allow the option of forgoing
window treatments or HVAC.

SOUTH

A southern orientation is perfect
for residents of cooler climates.
But if summers in your area tend
to become uncomfortably warm,
consider adding an HVAC system.

EAST

Early risers who enjoy the morning
sun will like an eastern orientation.
Additionally, you’ll have shade during
the warmest hours of the afternoon.

WEST

Fans of evening sunsets who don’t
mind adding shades to avoid glare
and reduce temperatures will enjoy
a western orientation.

13

Choose

Take your time to decide who will build your
indoor/outdoor living space. Here are some tips
on hiring the best contractor for your project.

‹ Ask your friends and family members to
recommend a contractor they’ve used.

‹ Get at least three contractors’ bids.
‹ Take your time to do your homework and

compare bids.
‹ Ask about the sustainability of the products

and building materials that will be used.
‹ View examples of their work either in

person or through video and photos.
‹ Ask to visit projects under construction

so you can see what materials and
components they’re using.
‹ Get a detailed, written scope of the work.
‹ Make sure your structure complies with
local zoning laws, meets HOA restrictions
and stays within your property lines.
‹ Find out how your contractor plans to
protect the space in difficult weather
conditions like rain or high winds.

14

Here are some ways to maximize
the number of months you’ll be
able to hang out in your new space.
‹ Add operative skylights to

open whenever the room gets
too warm.
‹ Be sure windows that open are
located to allow for optimum
cross ventilation.
‹ Install ceiling fans to improve
air circulation. Choose models
with forward and reverse
speeds for seasonal use.
‹ Choose window treatments that
can be easily raised and lowered
as needed throughout the day.

Man’s heart away from
nature becomes hard.

– Chief Luther Standing Bear

15

here come

the Benefits of

the sun

Shedding Lighton the Connection Between Sunlight, Food and Health

Some familiar songs, best-selling books, its size. With powerful rays sparking
countless poems, and quiet daily gratitude the growth of fruit, vegetables and
all pay homage to that wonderfully radiant grains, sunlight infuses our food with
star known as the sun. A fiery ball of gas nutritional goodness. The sun also fuels
approximately 93 million miles from earth, photosynthesis, which produces glucose,
the sun is the largest object in our solar oxygen and water – all necessary for
system. Its warmth is contagious, and its growth. Without a doubt, there is an
energy is essential. amazing connection between the sun’s
power to fortify the food we eat and the
GlowingGrowth energy we get from consuming that
The sun’s functions are as massive as healthy food.

16

HealthKissed by the Sun AskYourself
Every time you consume food grown What are your plans to make the
by the sun or expose yourself to its most of the extended sunlight we
light, you’re nourishing your body and enjoy in the spring and summer
keeping yourself healthy in multiple months? How will you convert that
ways. Here are five brilliant health extra energy into activities and
benefits from the sun. memories? What new recipes will
you try with the abundance of fresh
1 Sunlight exposure causes the body fruits and vegetables available?
to produce Vitamin D, which plays
a significant role in bone health and The results of a study
immune system strength. from the International
Journal of Epidemiology
2Sunlight triggers the release of demonstrate that those
serotonin, the body’s natural mood who consumed between
booster. 9 to 17 nutritious foods
a day had a 42% lower
3Sunshine regulates your circadian mortality rate compared
rhythm, so the body knows when it’s to those who ate fewer
time to be active and when it’s time healthy food items.
to sleep.
17
4Sun-soaked fruits, vegetables and
grains are packed with essential
vitamins and minerals.

5Sunlight has been found to help
spur nerve cell growth in the part of
the brain responsible for forming,
organizing and storing memories.

Take a Big Bite

of Vitamin D

Most people know that human skin absorbs rays from the sun, which our
bodies convert into vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine” vitamin. But did
you know that some common foods we eat are also a source of vitamin D?

For breakfast, vitamin D-fortified products like soy milk and Greek yogurt are
good options. Not enough time for a healthy breakfast? No worries! You can
grab an egg salad sandwich because the yolks contain vitamin D. Fish on your
dinner plate, such as salmon, catfish, sardines, or mackerel, are all sources of
vitamin D as well as healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Chocolate
smoothie bowl

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS
4 oz. silken Combine tofu,
ice cubes,
tofu, drained yogurt, soy milk,
¾ cup ice cubes syrup, cinnamon,
2 Tbsp. plain vanilla, and pinch
of salt in blender.
Greek yogurt Blend until
2 Tbsp. choco- smooth.

late soy milk Chop baking
2 tsp. maple bar into chunks.
Pour smoothie
syrup into a bowl and
¼ tsp. cinnamon top with banana
¼ tsp. vanilla slices, chocolate
chunks, raw
Toppings almonds, and
2 oz. bittersweet chia seeds.

chocolate Serves 1
baking bar
½ banana, sliced
¼ cup chopped
raw almonds
Chia seeds

18

Spicy Egg Salad
Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS
6 hard-cooked eggs, In a large bowl, combine
eggs with your choice of
chilled and chopped optional add-ins.
¼ cup light mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. plain Greek yogurt In a small bowl, mix
1 tsp. curry powder mayonnaise, Greek yogurt,
¼ tsp. ground cumin curry powder, cumin, and
Dash cayenne pepper cayenne.
Salt and cracked black
Add mayonnaise mixture to
pepper to taste egg mixture and gently stir
Bibb or butter lettuce until well combined. Season
4 bagels, halved with salt and pepper. Place
lettuce leaves on bagels
Optional Add-ins and top with egg salad.
¼ cup frozen peas, thawed
¼ cup chopped red onions Serves 4
¼ cup sliced raisins
2 Tbsp. chopped cashews

Lemon-Garlic Salmon
With Asparagus

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS juice over the top.
Preheat oven Drizzle with oil,
6 (6 oz.) salmon broiler to high and season with
fillets, skin removed and set rack to salt and pepper.
second highest
2 Tbsp. minced garlic shelf. Line baking Broil for 8-10
1½ Tbsp. freshly pan with foil. minutes or until
salmon is cooked
chopped dill Place salmon on through. Serve
3 bunches asparagus, baking pan. Rub salmon with
each fillet with asparagus. Garnish
ends trimmed garlic and dill with lemon slices
½ cup freshly squeezed to coat evenly. and dill.
Arrange asparagus
lemon juice around salmon Serves 6
1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil and pour lemon
1 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. black pepper
Lemon slices, for

garnish
Dill, for garnish

Dear Client Name, PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
Warm, sunny days draw us outdoors to
hang out with our favorite people. We PAID
don’t realize how much we’ve missed THE PERSONAL
them until we’re together again. The MARKETING CO.
sun reinvigorates us from the outside
in, reconnecting us with loved ones, Company Name
ourselves and nature. Address
City, ST ZIP
In this issue, you’ll explore how sunlight
permeates nearly all aspects of our lives. CLIENT NAME
ADDRESS
Thank you for your business CITY, ST ZIP
and your trust. Until we work
together again, the referrals S9827781855S
of your family and friends
are always appreciated.

Agent Name

© TPMC This material is for information only and not intended to be used in place of professional advice. Any trademarks used
here are the property of their respective owners. TPMC expressly disclaims liability for any product or service mentioned in
this magazine. If your property is currently for sale, this is not a solicitation. Equal Housing Opportunity.