Vitamin D without sunshine, Douglas fir secret, most dangerous bird

Wildlife, ecosystems, language, nutrition, sustainable living, and personal recommendations

Happy Wednesday my friend,

I’ve been a big believer in red light therapy for years, and my friend Ari Whitten just released the newly revised Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy, and it’s the clearest, most science-grounded “how to actually use this” resource I’ve seen. If you want to cut through the hype and make sure you’re doing it right, click HERE to get the book (he’s also giving away practically every course he ever made!).

To access Deep Dive articles every Wednesday, new videos every Friday, and so much more, upgrade to the ECL Membership.

Divider

Wednesday Wisdom

January 14th, 2026
Divider

🐿️ CREATURE FEATURE 🐿️

🐦 Cassowary

The cassowary looks prehistoric for a reason. This tall, heavy bird wears a helmet, sports a cobalt-and-crimson neck, and carries an inner toe with a dagger claw that can reach about 10–12 cm. Some consider it the “world’s most dangerous bird.” For identification, range, and that serious claw, see the Australian Museum.

Cassowaries are rainforest gardeners. They swallow large fruits whole and move seeds across long distances, helping forests regenerate after storms and floods. Habitat loss, vehicle strikes, and dog attacks are the main threats, so give them space and never feed them. For their role as seed dispersers and other fast facts and safety tips, check the Queensland Department of Environment.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Alpenglow: The rosy, luminous blush that appears on mountains at sunrise or sunset.

6k studies can't be wrong (the "miracle drug")

If you’ve been reading Earth Conscious Life for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about red light therapy more times than you can count. I’m a long-time fan because the research on photobiomodulation keeps stacking up, and the practical upside can be meaningful when you use it correctly.

The challenge is that the market is noisy – lots of hype, questionable devices, and confusing “protocols” that don’t match the science.

That’s why I’m excited about my friend Ari Whitten’s newly revised Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy, co-authored with Dr. Michael Hamblin (retired Harvard professor and one of the most-cited light therapy researchers). It’s built to translate the science into clear, usable guidance.

Inside you’ll find how it works in plain English, what to look for in a device (and what to avoid), and practical dosing guidelines so you’re not guessing.

Divider

🍎 NUTRITION 101 🍎

DIHYDROQUERCETIN (TAXIFOLIN): A rare flavonoid closely related to quercetin (and found in Douglas fir needles), known for its powerful antioxidant activity and ability to neutralize fr*e radicals. It’s being studied for supporting liver protection, healthy circulation, and immune resilience, making it a quiet but impressive compound for whole-body longevity support. Learn more about its applications HERE.

Divider

One Scoop Ahead

AG1 is a daily health drink that supports gut health, helps fill common nutrient gaps, and supports steady energy. One scoop each morning makes it easy to build a habit that actually lasts. Try AG1 today.

🌏 DEEP DIVE 🌏

Light and Circadian Health: Winter Tools for Modern Humans

Living in the northern U.S., I’ve come to really feel the difference winter light makes. The short days aren’t just noticeable, they impact my mood, my sleep, and my motivation. Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of tools to help keep my circadian rhythm on track. From red light therapy to full-spectrum lamps, I’ve built a toolkit that supports me through these darker months.

Let’s dig into why light matters, what the science says, and a few simple ways you can support your own light rhythm…especially in winter.

Why Light Rules the Body Clock

Your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal 24-hour clock. It governs sleep, energy levels, digestion, hormone release, and even mood. The biggest factor that sets this clock? Light.

(We’re even releasing a film about light later this year called Farmacy of Light)

Natural sunlight exposure, especially early in the day, tells the brain it’s time to be alert. Darkness, on the other hand, signals melatonin release and prepares the body for sleep.

But in our modern world, light exposure is anything but natural. We spend too little time outdoors and too much time under artificial lights. And not all light is created equal.

Blue Light, LEDs, and Sleep

We’ve known for a while that blue light – the kind emitted by screens and most LED lights – can be disruptive to our biology. According to Harvard researchers, blue light at night suppresses melatonin twice as long as green light of the same intensity. It can also shift your circadian rhythm by up to three hours.

Energy-efficient LEDs save power, but they also emit a lot of blue light. That’s part of why I’ve chosen to switch my overhead living room lights to red bulbs which I turn on in the evenings. Red light is far less disruptive to sleep cycles, and it creates a warm, calming space at night.

To CONTINUE reading my full list of light balancing tools: Become a member, and receive other exclusive videos, guides, custom meditations, and other ECL community resources.

Upgrade to ECL Membership to read the rest.

Members get access to all Deep Dive articles, weekly solution-focused videos, expert interviews, recipe videos, ebooks, and other subscriber-only content.

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.

...and a healthier planet:

  • • Improve health awareness: Deep Dive articles & recipe videos
  • • Protect ecosystems: expert video tutorials with leaders around the world
  • • Prioritize mental health: custom meditations for relieved stress
  • • Camaraderie: likeminded community (app coming soon!)
  • • Inspiration: members-only ebooks, personal picks, and DIY ideas
  • • Portion goes to support independent films, local food projects, and planting trees

Reply

or to participate.