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Category: Health

5 Things To Consider Before Buying Glasses

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

I never wore glasses. I just started to have problems reading lately and I decided to go to the eye doctor. I learned a lot and thought I would share it with you…. If you’re on the lookout for new glasses and you don’t know where to begin then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’re looking for a new pair or you’re buying your first-ever glasses, you need to be sure you’re buying a high-quality pair that is going to last. Whilst you may be overwhelmed by all of the options at first, there are lots of things you can ask yourself to ensure you’re buying the perfect pair. From setting yourself a budget to choosing where you’re going to buy them, the more you’re thinking about it the easier the decision will be. With that in mind, here are 5 things to consider when buying new glasses: 

– Do You Need To Get Your Eyes Tested? 

One of the first things you need to consider when it comes to buying new glasses is whether or not you need to get your eyes tested first. Although you don’t have to get your eyes tested every time you buy new glasses, it’s definitely something you should consider if you haven’t had them tested in a while. If you’re worried and you need a little bit of encouragement, you can find out what to expect at your next eye test here

– What Is Your Budget?

Another important thing to consider is your budget, as this will determine how much you’re going to be able to spend on your glasses. Whether you have a small budget or a large budget in mind, setting this in advance will make your search much easier. If you’re having an eye test, you need to consider the cost of that too. 

– Where Do You Want To Get Them From?

Once you know what your budget is, you need to think about where you’re going to be getting your glasses from. Whether you’re going into a store or you’re thinking of ordering them online, you need to ensure you’re going somewhere that is trustworthy. For the best places to buy glasses online, you can visit this site here. 

– What Brand Do You Want To Buy? 

Another important thing to consider is the brand of glasses you want to buy. Whether you want store-brand or ray ban glasses, having this in mind before you start shopping will make things much easier. If you don’t know which brands are best, you may want to do a little bit of research. 

– Do You Need Insurance? 

Finally, you need to think about whether or not you’re going to need insurance. Buying glasses can be incredibly expensive and although you will have to pay a monthly fee for your insurance, it’s much better than having to pay for a new pair should something happen to them. As they’re easy to break, having cover should be a priority. 

Are you thinking of buying new glasses soon? What do you need to consider in order to ensure you find the right pair for you? Did we miss anything? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.

Keep Calm and Carry On

I know it is hard but we all need to keep calm and carry on our daily routine. I was texting a friend tonight and said, if this continues, I am going to need some strong meds!!!!!!! I am in shock with what is going on all around us. I think I can help a little. A while ago, I installed the Calm App. It is full of tricks to help you reduce anxiety. But recently, I discovered The Calm book. And, I thought I would give it a try. To get your own copy or for more information….click HERE.

Based on the popular iPhone app, a visually exciting, practical, and playful interactive guide to twenty-first-century meditation that provides simple tools, tricks, and habits to find tranquility and focus, improve creativity and productivity, achieve better mental and physical health, and ultimately transform your life.

Achieving mindfulness doesn’t require a huge lifestyle shift or special training. It’s about mastering simple habits that work with the demands of your busy life. It uses the abilities you’re born with: creativity, spontaneity, and awareness of the world around you. There are no rules to follow or break. Everyone can achieve calm—including you.

In Calm, Michael Acton Smith combines fascinating neurological research, ancient wisdom, and real-life experiences to demystify meditation and show you the many simple ways to be mindful everyday. Crafted to resemble a journal, filled with beautiful and inspiring artwork, and divided into eight life-balancing sections—Nature, Work, Creativity, Children, Travel, Relationships, Food, and Sleep—Calm can help you change your perspective and rediscover the pleasures of the world. Each section blends fascinating research, creative prompts, activities, instructions, and insights that will stimulate your senses and inspire you.

Calm can be used multiple times a day or whenever you need it to find a little peace. Take a walk without a fixed destination, savor a piece of chocolate on the tip of your tongue, plant a seed, doodle aimlessly, turn off your mobile phone for five short minutes. Smile, breathe, and go slowly. Calm your mind—and change your world. – Amazon.com

Never Fear..You Can Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

image: Cleanyourspace.com

The other day I needed bleach, I was out and I like to go over my floor with a drop or two of bleach in the cleaning solution. I have little dogs and I like to keep everything germ free. I have to tell you, bleach is sold out at a lot of places. I texted my friend Betsy about this discovery and she said “there is no Purell either anywhere” WAIT, WHAT!!!!!!! How do these people know to stockpile this stuff and we didn’t? Besty was right….NOT ONE SINGLE BOTTLE OF HAND SANITIZER ANYWHERE!!!! Are we going to be the only ones who get the Virus because we don’t have any HAND SANITIZER? DO NOT WORRY>>>>>>>>>we are going to able to make our own. It’s very easy, everything is readily available and it is very effective…

adapted from Wikihow.com

Gather your ingredients. This sanitizer closely emulates the commercial kind, without all the chemicals and without the bad smell. Hand sanitizer should not replace hand washing; just use it when you really need it. Here’s what you’ll need:

Mix the alcohol and aloe vera gel in the bowl. Pour the ingredients into the bowl and use the spoon to mix them together well. The mixture should be completely smooth.[2]

If you want the solution to be thicker, add another spoonful of aloe vera.

Or thin it out by adding another spoonful of alcohol.

Add the essential oil. Add it one drop at a time, stirring as you go. After about 8 drops, smell the mixture to see whether you like the scent. If it seems strong enough, stop there. If you like a stronger scent, add a few more drops.[3]

Lavender, clove, cinnamon and peppermint essential oils have the added benefit of providing additional antiseptic properties to the mixture.

If you don’t like these scents, it’s fine to use whatever scent you enjoy. Lemon, grapefruit and passion fruit all work well.


Funnel the mixture into the container.
 Place the funnel over the mouth of the container and pour the hand sanitizer in. Fill it up, then screw on the lid until you’re ready to use it.[4]

Your Virus Questions Answered

A couple of days ago, I asked my readers on Instagram to send me their questions about the outbreak. I sent it to my GP team at Columbia Presbyterian here in NYC and got all the answers for you….

Will wearing a face mask prevent us from getting the virus?

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including the virus. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it or if you are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

I received a package from China. Could I get sick from touching the box or the item that I ordered?

There is still a lot that is unknown about the newly emerged virus and how it spreads. In general, because of poor survivability of these viruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Viruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission associated with imported goods and there have not been any cases in the United States associated with imported goods.

Is handwashing enough?

In addition to handwashing you should:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

In regards to Handwashing:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Should we be buying anything to have on hand in case it gets bad?

If an outbreak occurs, people may be asked to stay home to slow the spread of illness. It’s advisable to think through what you need to have in the house if that happened.

Think about what you need on hand if you have to stay home for a couple of weeks, especially food and medications. However, there is no urgency in stocking up. If you’re at the store and you’re shopping, you can buy a couple of extra items just in case.

Can we travel domestically? And what should we do to take precautions on a plane?

Yes, you can travel domestically. Doctors say if you wash frequently and use disinfectant wipes on a plane, you improve your chances of staying germ-free. Airline AC systems use HEPA filters to filter out almost all airborne germs and particles before the air comes out of your ceiling vent. The air coming out of your vent is cleaner than the air around your seat. You should leave the vent on during your flight.

Should we be really nervous?

The risk remains low in the US. People should live their lives normally and go about their normal activities. Most importantly don’t panic; this isn’t a crisis yet.

What symptoms should we look out for?

Symptoms include fever and cough or difficulty breathing, and people can incubate the virus for as long as 14 days before showing symptoms. 

Lastly for up to the minute information please check the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) website.

Let’s Talk Diets

Fad diets have popped up all over the internet and media thanks to their promises of helping you lose weight quickly and easily. While there is certainly truth to many of these fad diets, it’s important to remember one crucial fact that everyone seems to forget; these companies are motivated by money.
Perhaps it’s a rather cynical take on the weight loss industry, but when you consider that it’s a growing market worth over $72.2 billion US dollars, it’s hard to imagine that people are motivated purely by good will or a passion to help people lose weight.
The dangers of a fad diet
Fad diets tend to offer some short-term results. For instance, cutting out carbs or going on a keto diet tends to offer fantastic weight loss results, but these are only short-term results that introduce some very real long-term dangers. Short-term in this case isn’t only a few months either–it’s several years.
Many people put back on the weight they lose after a couple of years because those diets simply aren’t sustainable. What’s needed is a healthy diet that provides all of the nutrition you need while also working on becoming more active so that your heart has a chance to work out. More exercise combined with a healthy diet and portion control is arguably the best long-term solution for stable weight loss.
Below, we’ve included an infographic that covers some of the dangers of fad diets and why you should avoid trying one for an extended period of time.

Regain Your Shape!!!!

There are so many shapewear companies out there..I feel like Spanx really took over the market with their products.  Over the years, I bought lots of Spanx.  And after Gwyneth wore 2 to the Oscars, many friends, myself included started doing the same!!!!! But Spanx never really worked for me… I don’t like the material and I really don’t like the fit..BUT I love shapewear and I definitely need it, especially for certain dresses/outfits.  I came across a company, Shapellx Best Shapewear!!! on Instagram, you know one of those “click here” to buy ads and I immediately purchased one of their products and I love it.. It does not roll down, it lays flat under all materials and it is not clingy (I always thought the Spanx material was too clingy).  The product that I purchased really does slim down your entire body.  It’s incredible.   On the site, you will see that everything is mostly HIGH compression, which means it really sucks you in!!!!!  They also have a list where you can choose your “control” area. I find the site very easy to use!!!




Ultimately, I decided to write a post about shapewear because I did get a few questions about which style to buy and how to choose which piece is right for you.  Basically, it is best to stick to your regular size, so that the garment fits just right (Here is their sizing help chart…sooo helpful).  If you want to minimize your thighs get a pair of footless tights or biker short style.  For smooth lines around the torso, get something with a high waist or a waist trainer for women and for all-over shaping (my favorite!!!!!) choose a bodysuit or these thong shapewear bodysuits!!!






So are you ready to nip and tuck your body?  Here are links to some of their best sellers!!!


Here are the Shapellx best shapewear pieces


I have also been asked about waist and body trimmers, where you train your body to get smaller by wearing these a few hours a day!!!! I have never tried any of these, but sign me up!!!!



Shapellx also has a full line of flattering leggings and workout 
clothes!!!


This is the shaper that I bought and it’s really really good!!!


And lastly the the sooo popular thong shapewear bodysuits!!!!