In partnership with
RIDDLE OF THE WEEK
Q: What has a heart that doesn’t beat?
(Answer at the bottom!)
🧠 HEALTH: Vitamin D Deficiency: The Winter Risk You Might Overlook
By late February, sunlight exposure is still limited across much of the U.S., and that matters. Vitamin D is produced in the skin through sun exposure, and deficiency is common in older adults—especially during winter months.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), adults over 65 are at higher risk of vitamin D insufficiency due to reduced skin synthesis, less outdoor time, and dietary gaps. Low levels have been associated with decreased bone density, muscle weakness, higher fall risk, and mood changes.
💊 What to Do This Week:
Ask your provider about a 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test.
The recommended dietary allowance for adults 70+ is 800 IU (20 mcg) daily, per NIH guidelines.
Include fortified milk, fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg yolks, and fortified cereals.
Discuss supplementation before starting high doses.
📌 Linda P., 74, from Des Moines, IA: requested testing after persistent winter fatigue. “I assumed it was just the cold. My levels were low. After supplementing under my doctor’s guidance, my energy improved within weeks.”
🔗 Sources:
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D Fact Sheet
National Institute on Aging – Vitamin D and Older Adults
CDC – Falls Among Older Adults
💰 WEALTH: February Financial Reset: A Smart Time to Review and Rebalance
While 2026 is not a leap year, late February still marks a natural checkpoint. Tax season is underway, markets have settled from early January volatility, and many retirees have clearer spending data from the first two months of the year.
Historically, investors use early-year reviews to rebalance portfolios back to target allocations after year-end shifts. The SEC and FINRA both recommend periodic reviews to ensure asset allocation aligns with risk tolerance and retirement income needs.
📈 Action Steps This Week:
Review current asset allocation vs. your target mix.
Check for automatic subscriptions or recurring charges.
Confirm beneficiary designations are up to date.
Evaluate whether Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) strategies are aligned for 2026.
📌 Harold G., 76, from Charlotte, NC: reviews his accounts every February. “I don’t try to time the market. I just make sure my allocation still matches my comfort level. That’s what helps me sleep.”
🔗 Sources:
😂 JOKE OF THE WEEK
Why did the calendar break up with February?
Because it needed more space. 📅😄
Your supplements need a system too.
People who are serious about their health already know: keeping up with your supplements can get complicated.
And you're probably tracking it all in a notes app. Or a spreadsheet. Or just trying to remember.
SuppCo is changing all that. Their dedicated app lets you digitize your cabinet, get expiration reminders, and catch nutrient overlaps you didn't know existed.
Plus, their StackScore calculates the quality and balance of your routine to help you make optimizations.
Your workouts have a system. Your diet has a plan. Your supplements should too. Get your StackScore from SuppCo and see where your stack stands.
❤️ RELATIONSHIPS: Celebrate Black History Through Personal Storytelling
February concludes Black History Month, first recognized federally in 1976. It honors the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black Americans throughout U.S. history.
Research from the American Psychological Association shows that storytelling—especially intergenerational storytelling—strengthens social bonds and supports identity formation in both the speaker and listener.
👂 Try This:
Ask a friend or neighbor about their lived experiences.
Attend a local Black History Month lecture or virtual event.
Visit a museum website such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Record family stories for future generations.
📌 George R., 80, from Atlanta, GA: shared stories of growing up during desegregation with his grandchildren. “They had read about it. Hearing it from me made it real.”
🔗 Sources:
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
Library of Congress – Black History Month
American Psychological Association – Benefits of Storytelling
🎨 HOBBIES: Music & Movement: Try a New Rhythm
Research from the National Institute on Aging and multiple neurology studies suggests that music engagement—whether listening, singing, or dancing—supports cognitive stimulation, mood regulation, and even motor coordination in older adults.
Music activates multiple brain regions simultaneously, including those linked to memory and emotion. Dance-based movement also improves balance and cardiovascular health.
🎷 Try This Week:
Join a beginner line dance or low-impact dance class.
Follow a senior-friendly movement video online.
Create a playlist of jazz, Motown, blues, or big band classics.
Sing along—vocal engagement increases oxygen flow and mood.
📌 Marjorie T., 69, from Detroit, MI: joined a weekly Motown movement class at her community center. “I came for exercise. I stayed for the laughter. I feel sharper and lighter.”
🔗 Sources:
National Institute on Aging – Cognitive Health and Activity
Johns Hopkins Medicine – The Health Benefits of Music
Harvard Health – Dancing and Brain Health
🧘 SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Finish February With Stillness, Not Scarcity
Late winter can create a subtle sense of urgency—taxes, goals, unfinished resolutions. Instead of rushing forward, psychological research shows that intentional reflection improves emotional regulation and resilience.
Mindfulness practices, even brief ones, are linked to reduced stress markers and improved mood in older adults.
🕯️ Practice This Week:
Light a candle in the evening.
Write one sentence per day: “Today, I noticed…”
End the month by naming three things February gave you.
📌 Ruth K., 77, from Santa Fe, NM: journals one sentence nightly. “It keeps me from saying, ‘Nothing happened this month.’ Something always did.”
🔗 Sources:
American Psychological Association – Mindfulness Research
Harvard Health – Benefits of Mindfulness Practices
Mayo Clinic – Stress Management and Reflection
🍲 SEASONAL RECIPE: Savory Cabbage & Kielbasa Skillet
A nutrient-dense winter dish using affordable seasonal ingredients.
Ingredients:
1 small green cabbage, sliced
12 oz kielbasa sausage, sliced
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
Black pepper, paprika to taste
Vegetarian Option: Substitute kielbasa with mushrooms or white beans.
Instructions:
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
Add kielbasa and brown lightly.
Stir in cabbage and seasonings.
Cover and cook 10–12 minutes until tender.
High in fiber, vitamin C, and plant compounds that support immune health.
🇺🇸 HOLIDAY RECOGNITION
Black History Month (Concludes This Week)
Black History Month was federally recognized in 1976 and honors the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in science, politics, culture, military service, and civil rights.
George Rogers Clark Day – February 25 (Indiana Observance)
Observed in Indiana, this day recognizes George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War officer whose campaigns in the Northwest Territory were significant to early U.S. territorial claims.
🧩 RIDDLE ANSWER
🔍 Answer: An artichoke.
Follow us on social media to stay inspired, stay active, and stay connected!
Got questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you! Simply reply to this email or contact us here.
