Issuu

Jill Grano

Ask about our partnership program exclusively for elite realtors!

Preferred Partners

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!

ARCHITECT/BUILDER

Rodwin Architecture

Scott Rodwin (303) 413-8556

929 Pearl St. Ste. 250, Boulder, CO 80302 RodwinArch.com

BANK/FINANCE

MidFirst Bank (303) 376-3820 www.midfirst.com

CUSTOM BUILDER

Wood Brothers Homes (303) 717-8207 www.woodbrothershomes.com

FLOORING

Family Carpet One (720) 378-8927 www.familycarpetone longmont.com

HOME BUILDER

Koelbel & Company (303) 758-3500 koelbelco.com

HOME INSPECTION

Greenworks Inspections (855) 223-7599 greenworksinspections.com/ inspection-in-colorado/

Inspections Over Coffee

Bryan Zenner (720) 845-5282 InspectionsOverCoffee.com

Pillar To Post Home Inspectors

- The Rounds Team (303) 772-1997 roundsteam.pillartopost.com

HOME PREPARATION SERVICES

HOMEStretch (720) 404-6485 www.home-stretch.com/ north-denver

MEDICAL SPA

Restor Medical Spa (720) 523-1373 www.restormedicalspa.com

MOVING COMPANY

The Good Move (720) 300-4130 www.thegoodmovellc.com

RADON MITIGATION

Mile High Radon Control (720) 220-4063 www.milehighradoncontrol.com

REAL ESTATE MEDIA

EstateSnap Modern

Real Estate Media (303) 725-7316 www.estatesnap.org

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PAINTER

That 1 Painter Boulder (303) 589-1882 that1painter.com/ boulder-colorado/

TITLE INSURANCE

First American Title Insurance Company (303) 449-8442

4940 Pearl East Circle, Ste 104 Boulder, CO 80301 FirstAmColorado.com

WINDOW CLEANING

Shine (303) 554-9281

shine-windowcleaning.com/ location/boulder/

WINDOW SERVICES

KV Windows (720) 535-9629

kvwindowsinc.com

Mary Kathryn & Henry Wood

Meet The Team

OUR NEW PARTNERS welcome PLEASE

That 1 Painter Boulder

Pete “Pony” Johnson, the local owner of That 1 Painter Boulder is a passionate entrepreneur and community-minded individual in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. His team is dedicated to serving homeowners and businesses in the community. They believe in the power of high-quality painting services to enhance properties’ beauty and value, whether residential or commercial. A well-maintained and visually appealing property creates a positive environment. At That 1 Painter, they take pride in our attention to detail and bringing your dream home to life.

RESTOR Medical Spa

Sisters Dominique and Dr. Flora Waples are the powerhouse duo behind RESTOR Medical Spa, Boulder’s destination for high-end aesthetics and regenerative wellness. Flora, an Ivy League-trained physician, leads the clinical side while Dominique drives expansion and client experience. Together, they’ve created a space where aging becomes optional.

Known for natural, transformative results and concierge-level care, RESTOR helps clients look as good as they feel and feel as good as they look. Together, Dominique and Flora are growing RESTOR one relationship at a time—all while raising their families just a few doors apart in beautiful Colorado.

As the largest privately owned bank in the nation, MidFirst Bank occupies a rare position within the banking industry. This combination of size and private ownership provides our customers with a special brand of banking. We are able to compete effectively with larger banks in terms of products and services while offering customers a community banking experience that reflects pride of ownership. Our brand is evidenced in our outstanding people, award-winning service and competitive products. MidFirst Bank offers a full range of commercial, private banking, trust, personal banking and mortgage banking products and services. We are also a strong supporter of the community, investing in many important charitable and civic organizations.

Pillar To Post Home InspectorsThe Rounds Team

The Rounds Team are Colorado Natives. This family owned and operated business provides valuable information about the condition of a property. They work with you and your clients when they are in the market for a new home. The Rounds Team goal is not just to meet customer expectations but to exceed them. Their experience helps to identify problems that inexperienced home inspectors may miss saving time and money.

The Good Move, LLC

Founded by Brian Richards, The Good Move is dedicated to providing top-quality moving services to its community. As a locally owned and fully insured company with 13 years of experience, they bring both expertise and reliability to every move. Whether you’re transitioning from an apartment, relocating an entire household, assisting a senior loved one with downsizing, or facing an urgent, last-minute move, The Good Move is committed to ensuring your experience is smooth, efficient, and stress-free.

Jill Grano’s

FULL-CIRCLE CAREER:

LUXURY LISTINGS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND LASTING IMPACT

BY ELIZABETH MCCABE • PHOTOS BY JON DAVID

Driven. Determined. Dedicated. If you know Boulder real estate, you’ve likely heard the name Jill Grano. Sharp as a tack and fiercely devoted to helping others achieve homeownership, Jill is a game changer in more ways than one. Behind the polished listings and concierge-level service lies a woman whose career is fueled by passion— for people, for equity, and for the community she proudly serves.

A third-generation REALTOR®, Jill grew up immersed in the industry. Her earliest memories include delivering holiday pies alongside her dad, thinking

his colleagues were actual family members. “I thought one of his closest real estate friends was my uncle,” she laughs.

But Jill’s journey didn’t begin with a for-sale sign. After studying political science at The College of William & Mary, she moved to Boulder and threw herself into everything from mountain biking to education. She served as Director of Admissions at the Watershed School, taught government, and helped shape young minds—while also managing properties on the side thanks to a real estate license she’d earned during college.

Then came the kitchen—and the wine. Jill became one of the first managers of The Kitchen Upstairs and pursued sommelier training. “I loved it, but the nights were long, and I had a young son. Getting home at 2 a.m. wasn’t sustainable.” That turning point nudged her back to her roots—into residential real estate. “I already knew the Boulder community so well.” With her connections through Watershed and real estate school, it was a natural fit.

Rising During the Recession

Jill launched her sales career during the 2010 recession. “It was a down market, so I had to stand out. I focused on marketing homes with a white-glove, conciergestyle service.” That commitment paid off. By 2014, her business was booming. Between 2015 and 2019, she became one of Boulder’s top producers, even selling a $10 million property—an unheard-of number at the time.

But Jill’s work wasn’t only about luxury listings. As her career blossomed, so did her deep involvement in affordable housing, particularly Boulder’s mobile

WE DO OUR BEST WORK WHEN WE LOVE WHAT WE DO, AND RIGHT NOW, I TRULY LOVE WHAT I DO.”

home communities. One pivotal moment came when a friend from her son’s school confided in her: a single mom of three, escaping domestic violence, struggling to find stable housing. Jill rallied support and raised nearly $50,000 to purchase a manufactured home for the family. “She changed her life,” Jill recalls. “They finally had stability.”

That act of kindness turned into advocacy. Jill uncovered systemic issues

in manufactured housing—residents unaware they were behind on tax payments, homes auctioned for minor debts, and properties sold without the owners even knowing. Outraged, she took action—buying back homes for women facing eviction, knocking on doors to deliver the news in person, and working with state legislators to overhaul notification laws. Her efforts led to major reforms—including an end to mobile home lien sales in Boulder.

From Listings to Legislature

Jill’s real estate background and political science degree eventually converged. She joined city boards, zoning committees, and housing campaigns— ultimately running for Boulder City Council. She won, with housing reform as her leading issue.

Then came a call from U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse, asking her to lead his district outreach office and manage his housing portfolio. Jill stepped away from real estate and resigned from the City Council to serve, doing deeply important work during a volatile time.

Over the next three years, she navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the Boulder mass shooting—helping small businesses secure emergency loans, supporting constituents through chaos, and witnessing history unfold. “It was intense,” she says. “But Congressman Neguse is one of the best leaders I’ve ever seen. It felt right to give that work everything I had.”

Coming Full Circle

In March 2023, Jill returned to real estate—this time with deeper resolve. “I missed the COVID boom,” she laughs. “But I’ve been here before. I built my business during a downturn, and I’m doing it again.” She goes the extra mile for clients.

For listings, she covers the first 30 days of staging, pays for cleaning, coordinates contractors,

and manages every detail. She builds custom websites, utilizes social media marketing, and hosts thoughtfully curated open houses. “I want my clients to feel completely taken care of.”

Since returning to real estate, Jill has seen exponential growth. Much of that success, Jill says, is thanks to her brokerage, milehimodern.

“Milehimodern is phenomenal. You get the power and presence of a large company with the heart and ownership of a local one— and that meant a lot to me.”

Beyond Transactions

But Jill’s impact goes far beyond transactions. A lifelong advocate for affordable housing, she serves on the Board of the Boulder Housing Authority.

She also co-hosts a monthly radio show titled “Who Owns Boulder?” This awardwinning show explores homeownership trends and their impact on the city. But that’s not all! This change-maker is also involved in housing initiatives like “Yes in God’s Backyard”, which empowers churches to leverage their land for affordable housing. And in her business, a portion of every sale goes to a nonprofit of her client’s choosing.

Jill is a member and sponsor of Rocky Mountain Equality and Justice, supporting the LGBTQ+ community through events and initiatives.

Outside of work, family is everything. She and her ex-husband co-parent their two sons—Ryder, 20, a student at Santa Barbara City College who aspires to be a science teacher, and Treker, 11, who will be starting at Centennial soon.

She also shares life with her partner Natalie, who formerly served as the Director of Transportation for the City of Boulder. “It’s kind of fun,” Jill smiles. “I’m housing, she’s transportation. We nerd out over infrastructure. When we travel, we look at how cities are designed— how much of the road is for pedestrians, how much for cars. If we could design a city, it would be equitable and beautiful.”

Together, Jill and Natalie have a blended family of five kids. To relax, Jil enjoys traveling, biking, and one unique hobby.

“During COVID, I got into microelectronics,” she says. “I taught myself basic coding and started making electronic toys and gifts using Arduino

microchips. One of my favorites is an open-circuit energy box—you hold hands with someone, touch the sensors, and it lights up. I’ve even gold-leafed them as memorial pieces. It’s weird, but I love it.”

In every facet of her life—from real estate to advocacy, family to futuristic hobbies—Jill is exactly where she’s meant to be.

“We do our best work when we love what we do,” she reflects. “And right now, I truly love what I do.”

Jill Adler Grano

303-945-0601

jill@jillgrano.com www.jillgrano.com

FROM ROCK CLIMBING TO REAL ESTATE,

Henry Wood Mary Kathryn

&

ARE SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

BY ELIZABETH MCCABE

PHOTOS BY JON DAVID

One of our very first dates was climbing in the mountains of North Carolina. I had never attempted a multi-pitch climb before but I said, “Why not?” That two-hour trip turned into four, and we topped out with headlamps on and big grins. That’s kind of our pattern—just say yes, and figure it out as we go.”

— Mary Kathryn Wood

Adventurers. Educators. Entrepreneurs. Parents. Partners. Now, real estate pros.

Meet Mary Kathryn and Henry Wood— two Broker Associates at WK Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado—who prove that taking the scenic (and sometimes vertical) route in life can lead to the most rewarding destinations.

“Real estate is not for the faint of heart,” points out Henry. “It has its highs and lows—just like climbing.”

For Mary Kathryn and Henry, their love story began somewhere high above the ground. On one of their first dates, the couple tackled a multi-pitch climb in the mountains of North Carolina. “It was late in the afternoon and I had never attempted a multi-pitch climb before but said, “Why not?” Henry led the pitches and I followed him, awkwardly removing the gear he had placed and confronting a fear of heights in the process. What was supposed to be a twohour climb turned into four—and ended

in the dark, with headlamps on. “That’s the pattern for us,” she laughs. “We just figure it out.”

Now happily married for 19 years, Mary Kathryn and Henry are thriving in real estate, blending their two unique paths into one.

Roots in the South, Dreams Out West

Mary Kathryn’s trail to Colorado was carved well before she met Henry. Born and raised in North Carolina and a UNCChapel Hill Tarheel, she says, “I always wanted to be out West—it was in my blood from the moment I went camping for the first time in high school.” She moved to Boulder in 2001 for graduate school, earning a Master’s degree in education and a teaching license. Summers were spent leading teen trips through Moondance Adventures across Alaska, Washington State, and Colorado. “I just had an incredible time being outside, working with teenagers, and exploring the beauty of our country,” she says. “It locked me into Colorado and that lifestyle.”

Henry hails from Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Georgia State University before serving in the Army. After the military, he spent nearly a decade with North Carolina Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming, teaching mountaineering, climbing, and horsepacking. In 2002, he returned to Atlanta to assist with the outdoor education program at The Westminster Schools—and that’s when fate stepped in.

The founder of Moondance, a mutual friend, introduced him to Mary Kathryn, who had recently moved to Atlanta to support Moondance full time. “I heard there was this cute girl in town, and I had to meet her,” Henry says with a grin. They began dating in April 2004. That summer, when a co-leader broke his ankle while bouldering, Henry—fully qualified—stepped in. “We were living in a tent for five weeks, backpacking through Olympic National Park and summiting Rainier with a group of teenagers. It was a big launch into our relationship,” says Mary Kathryn.

A year later, they moved back to Boulder together.

Building a Life in Boulder

In 2005, the couple laid down roots in Boulder. Mary Kathryn landed a teaching job at Summit Middle School, while Henry worked in the outdoor industry in risk management. They welcomed three children in under three years, creating what Mary Kathryn calls “a house full of babies.” (They affectionately call themselves the “Woodpile.”)

During that time, Henry made a bold career leap. “Craft beer was starting to crank,” he says. “I was invited to join Matt Cutter and Dany Page to start Upslope Brewing Company and run sales and marketing. Seventeen years later, it’s still a successful regional craft brewery,” he shares. “We became a home staple and expanded into the whole Rocky Mountain West. It was a wild ride.”

However, in early 2024, Henry stepped away from the beer industry to explore

new passions—well-being, endurance sports, and ultimately, real estate.

Mary Kathryn had stepped away from teaching when their second child was born but returned when the youngest turned three. “We had a 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old,” she says, smiling. She taught

high school for a decade at Peak to Peak Charter School and loved working with teenagers. “I had the great privilege of being part of two schools that were top of their game in everything,” she says.

In spring 2023, she decided to close the teaching chapter. “I’d maxed out what I

could offer a school and didn’t want to pursue administration.” The answer? Real estate.

The Leap into Real Estate

With a lifelong connection to education, Mary Kathryn found that the skills she honed in the classroom translated beautifully to real estate. “My clients are sophisticated, intelligent, and welleducated—but the real estate process can be overwhelming and confusing,” she explains. “I love being able to break it up into manageable pieces and help them stay on track with deadlines and understand their choices.”

Seeing her thrive in this new career inspired Henry to follow suit. “I grew up in real estate. My dad was in it for 50 years,” he shares. He earned his license last summer and officially joined Mary Kathryn at WK Real Estate in the

fall. “It’s been a great start—we’ve had amazing clients on both the buying and selling sides.”

“We’re a team,” says Mary Kathryn. Their strengths are complementary— whether one is out showing properties in Boulder County while the other is at a lacrosse game, they have each other’s backs. “The double coverage is a great asset to our clients,” adds Henry.

They share a desk at WK Real Estate’s Boulder office, but most of their work happens in their car, on the phone, or at the kitchen table. “It’s not your traditional 8-to-6 job,” says Mary Kathryn. “But it’s been a lovely surprise to come together in this way.”

When not working, they are committed to the community. Mary Kathryn continues to stay involved in education,

serving on the board at Summit Middle School and staying connected to Peak to Peak. In fact, she chaperoned a recent student sea kayaking trip to Baja, blending her love of travel and teaching.

She’s also on the board of Thorne Nature Experience, a nonprofit focused on outdoor education for kids. “Helping kids connect with nature is something we care deeply about,” she shares.

Henry has served on the Visit Boulder board and continues to stay active in the Boulder outdoor community. He is currently studying to become a certified health and well-being coach through the Anthropedia Foundation in St. Louis.

Adventure Defines Them

That sense of adventure—the willingness to say yes and figure it out later—still defines them. Whether it’s reaching a summit or closing a deal, the sense of satisfaction is still strong. And doing it together? That’s priceless.

Mary Kathryn and Henry Wood are going to continue exploring, connecting, and creating community—one home at a time. They couldn’t ask for more.

Mary Kathryn

MKWood@WKRE.com

303- 859- 2766

Henry Wood

HWood@wkre.com

307-264-8006

woodresidential.wkre.com

Boulder Symphony Music Academy offers private music lessons in south Boulder for all instruments-including voice, piano, drums, and guitar for students of all ages!

Now is your opportunity to begin your musical journey with musicians from the Boulder Symphony1 Our teachers are the best in the front range, including degrees from the University of Colorado, Juilliard, Cleveland Institute of Music, and many others.

Best in Show

563 ARAPAHOE AVENUE BOULDER

A Victorian Sanctuary on Boulder Creek

Sunset Splendor with Flatiron Majesty

Bathed in the amber hues of a Boulder sunset, the Victorian at 563 Arapahoe Ave stands as a timeless retreat, its elegant facade framed by the towering Flatirons. This four-bedroom, fivebathroom haven, spanning 4,382 square feet, earned the coveted Best in Show at the Hearth & Stone Luxury Tour, a nod from discerning real estate

professionals. Impeccably staged by 2212 Design, it beckons those captivated by Boulder’s blend of natural splendor and cultural vibrancy, poised to shine when the Sundance Film Festival arrives in 2027, drawing over 30,000 visitors.

Terraced Serenity by the Creek

The backyard unfolds in verdant terraces, descending to the gentle ripple of Boulder Creek along the property’s northern edge. Outdoor Craftsman Landscaping has woven a tapestry of emerald lawns, mature trees, and artful stonework, crafting an oasis for summer soirees or tranquil evenings. For those who savor Boulder’s warm months before seeking winter’s milder climes, this space promises solace, with the added allure of rental potential during Sundance’s bustling season.

Luminous Open Elegance

The main floor embraces an open design, where two walls of windows invite summer’s light while leafy surrounds ensure privacy. A formal living and dining area, accented by a refined built-in buffet, flows seamlessly into a family room, its reimagined fireplace casting a warm glow. This airy expanse is a canvas for gatherings, from intimate dinners to festivalinspired celebrations.

Culinary Artistry

The kitchen is a study in sophistication, its blue and white cabinetry and quartz countertops harmonizing with a generous island ideal for both preparation and conviviality. Premium stainless appliances—a six-burner gas range, expansive refrigerator,

dishwasher, and microwave—anchor the space, complemented by a butler pantry and charming breakfast nook. It’s a haven for epicurean pursuits.

Primary Suite, Creek’s Lullaby

Ascend to the primary suite, perched above the creek’s northern whisper, where summer nights hum with nature’s melody. A spacious walk-in closet, linen storage, and a spa-inspired bathroom— complete with soaking tub, steam shower, and double vanity—create a serene enclave. One of four bedrooms, it offers respite for any season.

Flatiron Vistas in Repose

At the home’s front, a secondary primary suite captures sweeping Flatiron views, its ensuite bathroom a sleek retreat with freshly redesigned

tiles and elevated fixtures. Well positioned windows usher in morning’s first light, crafting a sanctuary for residents or Sundance guests envisioning a lasting connection to Boulder’s allure.

Harmonious Shared Spaces

Two additional bedrooms share a third bathroom and a conveniently placed upstairs laundry, each space adorned with designer finesse. Recent updates— designer light fixtures, wall paper, paint, and meticulously redesigned bathrooms—lend the home a just-built freshness, ready to welcome those drawn to Boulder’s dynamic lifestyle.

A Stairwell of Craft

The stairwell, an exquisite fusion of custom ironwork and rich wood,

weaves through every level like a sculptural ode to Boulder’s creative ethos. Its artistry elevates the home’s historic charm, bridging past and present with effortless grace.

Versatile Lower Retreat

The lower level balances function and flair: a mudroom connects an oversized two-car garage to a media lounge, equipped with a wet bar and desk nook. A 3/4 bathroom and ample storage complete this adaptable space, ideal for remote work, leisure, or hosting festival visitors with ease.

Boulder’s Sundance Moment

As Boulder prepares for Sundance 2027, an influx of over 30,000 visitors will strain lodging, with local regulations favoring owner-occupied rentals. This

home, steps from festival venues, offers space for 7–10 guests, blending summer serenity with winter rental prospects. Enhanced by the owners’ thoughtful upgrades—landscaping, bathroom redesigns, and a revitalized fireplace—it stands move-in ready. Realtors seeking clients for this creek-side jewel are invited to connect with the listing agent to explore the Sundance effect and envision ideal buyers, from year-round residents to seasonal sojourners, in a spirit of shared discovery.

Kiki Kidder 303-817-6100

Boulder, Colorado kiki.kidder@compass.com www.kikikidder.com www.compass.com/agents/kiki-kidder

The ‘Light’ Side Of Health

Since we are well into summer and experiencing more daylight and sun exposure, I decided to continue research on the benefits of sunlight. Mostly, because in my experience I find many are ‘afraid’ of the sun. Before going out they are lathering on some form of SPF, which means they are not getting any benefits of being outdoors.

How is it possible that sunlight, the most powerful nutrient in our solar system, can also be so dangerous?

While it may be true that sunburns and skin cancer are real threats and that SPF is essential, there are also positive effects of moderate sun exposure. The sun is much more than its potential pitfalls and can do plenty of good things — soaking up some sunlight can do wonders for the body, mind, and spirit.

Herodotus, the father of heliotherapy (a medical therapy involving exposure to sunlight) wrote that “exposure to the sun is highly necessary in persons whose health needs restoring …”

The therapeutic uses of sunlight have been known in many cultures for thousands of years. The first direct reference in modern scientific literature regarding the influence of sunlight on humans is found in the book, Macrobiotics written in 1796 by Hufeland. He wrote: “…the human being becomes pale, flabby and apathetic as a result of being deprived of daylight, finally losing his vital energy” as shown in persons held in dungeons. Isn’t that what we do in modern times? Our lifestyle and work are mostly indoors. As Tom Hanks says in the movie Joe vs. the Volcano, “These florescent lights are sucking the life out of me!”

Nobel Prize winner and discoverer of Vitamin C, Albert Szent-Gyorgi says, “all the energy which we take into our bodies is derived from the sun.”

Sun therapy was very popular in Europe from the early 20th century. It was called ‘heliotherapy’ after Helios, the Greek god of the sun. During this time high levels of natural light was encouraged in hospitals by some enlightened individuals including Florence Nightingale, who was known as ‘The Lady of the Lamp’ because of the way she cared for the sick and wounded using sunlight and fresh air.

Another famous practitioner of sun therapy was a medical doctor named Auguste Rollier, who was the director of a sun-therapy clinic in the Swiss Alps. He attributed the therapeutic action of the sun to its invisible ultraviolet rays and got incredible results at his clinic.

Tuberculosis was one of the main diseases treated by sunshine, and many were completely cured. But one doctor found that the sun did not help when the patients wore sunglasses, which blocked the healing ultraviolet light. Other conditions helped by the sun therapy included colitis, anemia, gout, cystitis, arteriosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, acne, herpes, lupus, sciatica, and asthma.

Like malnutrition, mal illumination causes deficiencies by depriving us of the sun’s vital ‘energetic nutrient’ wavelengths which enter the body through the eyes and skin. Sunlight striking the skin manufactures natural vitamin D while light entering the eyes regulates vital circadian rhythms that control appetite, energy, mood, sleep, libido, and other body-mind functions.

Mal-illumination is about limiting our daily intake of full-spectrum daylight and supplementing it with too much artificial limited-spectrum indoor light, especially blue light at night, and by shielding ourselves from the sun with such things as tinted windows, windshields, sunglasses, and suntan lotions.

Dr. John Ott, the father of full-spectrum light technology observed and discovered that sunlight and other types of radiation have a powerful effect on plants, animals, and humans. Since that time biomedical science has filled in many of the gaps in our knowledge about sunlight.

Dr. John Ott in “ Health and Light “ says: “Mal-illumination is to light as malnutrition is to food.”

“We have finally learned that light is a nutrient much like food, and like food, the wrong kind can make us ill and the right kind can help keep us well.”

There are hundreds of medical studies done about the health benefits of ultraviolet light from the sun, yet we continue to hear that it is hazardous to our health. For thousands of years humans have evolved under sunlight which contains ultraviolet radiation. Now science has determined that ALL UV light is harmful. Dr. Ott is the first to agree that too much UV light is bad, but he says: “we need a basic amount to support life and maintain a healthy immune system. All wavelengths of sunlight are beneficial.”

A ’basic amount’ is like an analogy of giving too much oxygen at birth can

blind a baby, but we can’t say oxygen is hazardous to our health and we should live without it. Or- if you put your hand in the furnace you are going to get burned. But it doesn’t mean to avoid heat completely. In other words, too much of anything is usually not beneficial – but a ‘basic amount’ could b life altering!

Light is a nutrient just like a vitamin or mineral. Trace amounts of ultraviolet radiation are important to health just as trace amount of vital nutrients. This is the problem people are experiencing when spending too much time indoors under artificial lighting.

Since the beginning of human history people have lived, worked, and played outdoors during the light of day, active and vibrant, absorbing the full spectrum of light energy photons from the sky. An average of 10 hours each day, 70 hours weekly, was common for eons. But in less than two hundred years, we have become ‘cave dwellers’ living and working indoors.

We who live in developed nations, do not spend enough time in natural, fullspectrum sunlight that our genes are programmed to respond to. Natural light enhances immunity while too much

time indoors under limited-spectrum light tends to compromise immunity.

“Being in ‘biological darkness’ due to reduced time in natural light, profoundly affects every body system.” Dr. John Ott

Every metabolic process, every enzyme reaction, muscular movements, the digestion of food, and the burning of fat are all biological processes that are augmented by sunlight energy. A reduction of ‘natural light energy’ causes a slowdown in these processes that leads to decreased metabolism, reduced burning of fat, reduced vitality, and compromised immunity.

“ We can now say emphatically that the function of our entire metabolism is dependent on light.” Dr. Fritz Albert Popp, International Institute of Biophysics.

“One-third of the energy your body consumes comes from the food you eat. Most of the energy your body needs to maintain systemic equilibrium comes from environmental infrared light.” Dr. Alexander Wunsch, MD, Ph.D., Photobiology Expert.

Having said this, I want to mention Dr. Zane Kime’s words in “Sunlight Could Save Your Life”: “Unless one has a proper diet, sunlight has an ill effect on the skin”. He refers to the high fat American diet where we do not get an abundance of vegetables, whole grains, and fresh fruits.

“Dove non va il sole, va il medico” or “Where the sun does not go, the doctor does”. This saying was coined during the early days of Imperial Rome, when solar architecture, sun worship and sunlight therapy went hand in hand.

While exposure to the sun may have risks, many of us may be compromising our health because we are deprived of it. The aim of this article is to highlight the positive aspects of moderate sunlight and the benefits to our health. Much remains unknown about the action of the sun on the body. However, the causes of degenerative diseases in our western world are far from clear. Could it be that sunlight deficiency could play a greater role in the causes of these diseases?

Sadly, good hygiene has overlooked the need for daily “light hygiene” required to nourish and regulate brain chemistry and circadian rhythms that control mood, appetite, energy, sleep, libido and so much more. Ideally, everyone should properly regulate their daily exposure to natural sunlight, managing the time spent inside and outside to naturally enhance immunity and reduce the risk of disease. I ask you to do your own research as you proceed with these ideas. Remember the words at the Temple of Apollo: “All things in moderation…Know thyself”.

References: https://solshine.org/pages/mal-illumination https://www.motherearthnews. com/sustainable-living/nature-andenvironment/john-ott-zm0z86zhun/ https://scienceoflight.org/history/ https://solshine.org/collections/frontpage Hobday, Ph.D, Richard; “The Healing Sun” Liberman, Ph.D., Jacob; “Light: Medicine of the Future”