Looking for the Light is a Health and Lifestyle Blog that covers topics such as cooking, DIY projects, fitness, men's and women's health, and much more.
Please stop by, pull up a chair, and read through my archives.
Melinda
If you’re looking to support a local business in Ukraine, Etsy.com has many sellers from Ukraine.
I bought two handmade chair pads made on antique looms. Fortunately, this couple is far from fighting and living in the mountains and lovingly taking care of their sheep.
WovenWoolArt on Etsy is the shop I love. I’m also viewing the clothes made by the couple in Kosiv, Ukraine.
The shipping is high, but you must remember it’s coming from a country at war. It’s a miracle that anyone can find a mail station. She’s also generous with discounts on shipping if you buy more than one item.
I pray the fighting doesn’t wipe them out, they shared their concerns including the need for more weapons from America.
Let’s help the locals make a living during the war, they need all the support possible and the American people can help them.
I was looking for a Brussels Griffon without the high price. There is a small but awesome no-kill shelter nearby, and I had talked to about wanting a Brussels Griffon and it wasn’t long before we met Griffy.
She was living on the streets pregnant, fortunately, an employee at Dallas Animal Control sent her to the shelter in Plano. The day I picked her up, she had just said goodbye to her babies and the foster mother. I know she must have been in shock, losing her babies and leaving her foster care and in a new house.
She took a lot of training, arguing about who’s the boss, and she didn’t want much petting but we now have the calmest dog except when she sees the UPS or any large truck going by the house. Her best buddy is her brother Jett whom you met the other day.
Giffy is a daddy’s girl, he walks her every day and takes both dogs to the park. When she started sleeping by me it was a total shock. I love her so much.
I’ve shown you, my children, show me yours in the comment section.
On Saturday I was looking for items to up my self-care routine and found these beautiful preserved pink roses in a box. They are on my bookcase near my chair, I get to see them all day. Self-care isn’t just a hot bath or foot massage, it can be something that brings you joy.
My husband will buy roses and a card which only lasts so long. I love fresh flowers, the preserved roses are there to enjoy all day.
The flowers are beautiful pink roses and they can last up to 3 years. WOW! They look great in the round black box. These were only $30, I’m worth more than that!
Here are a few products I’m loving with right now. I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list may also give you ideas for a surprise for friends, and family. All products were found on Amazon.
EUDEMON Child Safety Heat-Resistant Oven Door Lock
Oven Front Lock for Kids Easy to Install, Use 3M Adhesive, No Screws or Drill and easy to install. This lock will keep curious children by not allowing them to get burned.
Bath Spout Cover, Children’s Faucet Extender
Covers Baby Bathroom Tub Protects for Kids, Bathtub Spout Cover for Baby Kids Toddlers Protection Accessories Baby Safety During Bathing Time.
12 PCS Furniture Anchors for baby-proofing
Tip Child Safety Cabinet Straps to Help Furniture Secure to Wall Baby Proof Anchoring Kit for Shelf & Dresser to Protect Toddler
Proactiv 3-Step Acne Treatment
Benzoyl Peroxide Face Wash, Repairing Acne Spot Treatment for Face and Body, Exfoliating Toner – 30-Day Complete Acne Skin Care Kit
Mulberry Silk Pillow Cases Standard Size Silk Pillowcase with Zipper
Soft Breathable Smooth Cooling Satin Silk Pillow Covers for Sleeping for Hair and Skin (Lavender,20″X 26″) Silk pillowcases are great gifts. They keep the oil off your face and hair.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Damon Ashworth Psychology.
Damon is back working as a Clinical Psychologist in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia after volunteering as a Mental Health Specialist in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Damon’s new book ‘Deliberately Better Sleep’ is now for sale as a paperback and as an e-book as of February 13th, 2023:
Golf is an incredibly popular sport that offers a variety of benefits for those who choose to play. Not only can golf offer physical fitness and an improved lifestyle, but it also provides the chance to organize a tournament. Have you considered organizing or taking part in a san diego golf tournament, for instance? This is something worth looking into as a great part of the world to enjoy a game of golf.
We shall discuss in this article the many advantages of golf, touching on the fitness side and how it helps many live a more fulfilling life. Then we can get more serious and talk about golfing tournaments. These can be run by a golf club, be on a world scale, or simply a friendly one that we organize for family members, friends, or work associates. So, let’s talk more about golf.
Golf is a great way to get in shape and stay active. It’s a low-impact sport that can be done at any time of the day while helping golfers improve their golf swing. What’s more, golf encourages golfers to walk around the course, instead of using motorized golf carts. This helps golfers stay active while experiencing the fresh air and outdoors.
In addition to physical fitness benefits, golf can also help improve golfers’ mental health. The game of golf requires a lot of focus and concentration, which has been shown to reduce stress levels and relieve anxiety. Golfers have reported feeling calmer and more relaxed after golfing.
What Golfers Enjoy About Golf Courses
Golfers can enjoy all these advantages as they learn techniques, practice on courses, and compete with other golfers in tournaments. This comes with the opportunity to stay active while having fun or feeling competitive at the same time.
Furthermore, golf can provide great networking opportunities when organizing or participating in tournaments. Whether you’re looking for some extra exercise or just want a change of pace from your everyday routine, golf has something for everyone. Golf is a sport that encourages a diverse range of ages to its game.
Golf Tournaments
Arranging golf tournaments can be a great way to build relationships within a golfing community. With golf being so popular, there are numerous golf courses one can join. A tournament can also be used as an excellent marketing opportunity to generate media exposure and attract new golfers.
Competitions can be open to all golfers, or members of golf clubs could organize private tournaments. Whichever type you choose to run, it can be a great way to build camaraderie between golfers and also allow golfers from all over the world a chance to compete. It’s important to remember that a tournament takes time and money to organize, so make sure you’re prepared for the task.
If you are winning games, why not see if there is a chance you might be able to turn professional and enter the bigger tournaments on the world stage? Achieving this can be a combination of talent, practice, commitment, opportunity, and a willingness to travel. It helps when we have a supportive team behind us.
Golf is an excellent sport that offers a variety of benefits, including enhanced physical fitness and improved lifestyles. For golfers looking to take their game further, the tournament provides a great platform to get together with competitors locally, nationally, or globally. Golf clubs and courses provide the location for all levels. The sport provides plenty of opportunities for players to stay active while having fun and building life-long relationships with fellow golfers. So what are you waiting for? Get involved today!
We adopted Jet from Operation Kindness, they are so nice and truly take care of animals. There is a large outside area where the dogs can lounge and play, a huge cat room, and the dogs are walked every day.
We didn’t want a baby, but that’s exactly what we did. It was during the pandemic and dogs were being adopted as soon as they came in. After weeks of looking, I fell in love with Jet. Little did I know we would be my shadow.
Short-term loan lenders are one of the options you can go to to resolve your desperate financial problems during COVID-19.
They offer quick cash, easy loan processes, and flexible payment rates for people to take advantage of. As long as payday loans are in demand, payday loan lenders will always be present to provide them. Given that they are more than willing to assist you in times of monetary need, they have simple requests for you to follow.
However, there are some words of warning should you go down this route:
Make sure it is your last option
Loans are risky business, and you should only take one out if you’re confident the repayments can be made. You may have heard rumblings about the Debt to Success System scam, which exposes banks and governments and helps people achieve financial freedom. Look into this first.
Since transacting with lenders online or in physical offices is a form of legal business, supplying personal details is necessary. You must be accurate and honest with the information you supply. Any errors can halt the application process. Moreover, if you are proven to have deliberately been dishonest in your application, it will be declined automatically. Furthermore, if there are overpayments, for example, the company could easily give you a refund if the precise details are provided. Some of the information that payday loan lenders may need from you includes your full name, current address, marital status, and employment. Note that they might ask you for some legal documents to support the details you gave them.
Understand the loan contract
Everything you need to know about the money you have borrowed is stated in a legal contract. Before you sign that very important piece of paper, take the time to analyze the details. Lenders will cooperate with you, as they don’t want to worsen your financial situation. Also, you should ask them all the questions you can think of regarding your loan. If you thoroughly understand the written agreement, you will not be surprised by the actions taken by your loan provider. The breakdown of the repayment amount, the deadline, and the interest rate are some of the important contract aspects that payday lenders online will inform you of.
Avoid late payments
Failure to settle your loan punctually could cause additional fees. To avoid this, all you have to do is make your payments on time. If you have difficulties in making a specific amount, you can always talk to your loan provider. Just be reminded that every transaction you make with your payday loan provider is being documented and may affect your credit score.
Be vigilant in responding to these simple requests lenders ask of you. Be honest with them, follow the contract, and pay on time, and you can be sure of a hassle-free lending process for you and your loan provider.
In this fast-paced social media world, finding the time to look within or back in time can be difficult. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Every medication, vitamin, and supplement has side effects. Some people think that if you can buy it over the counter for you or your children there is nothing to worry about, Wrong! Everything has side effects.
Prescription medications come with a detailed warning but do you read them? You should know what side effects to look for in the short term that may pass, what is urgent, when to go to the hospital or to call the doctor, and what the long-term effects are.
I’ve been taking anti-psychotics for years, at least 30 years for my Bipolar Disorder. One of the long-term side effects of anti-psychotics is called Tardive Dyskinesia which is a serious side effect that can disrupt your entire life.
I started having symptoms a couple of months ago but didn’t think anything about my medications. I thought I knew what Tardive Dyskinesia looked like. You’ve seen the commercials, the person’s hands shake and they drop items or they have jerky motions.
My symptoms reached a point where they were consuming me so I called my doctor. He had me stop one of my medications because it was causing the symptoms I was having. Constantly brushing my teeth with my tongue, and chewing on the side of my mouth, it started to hurt.
When that didn’t work I did some research on Tardive Dyskinesia and discovered that it isn’t always a jerky and uncontrollable motion I called my doctor back to see if he thought it was Tardive. Sure enough, I have an early diagnosis and after stopping my anti-psychotic medication we are hopeful the symptoms will go away.
The big issue is this may not go away even after stopping the medication and my depression will return once I’m off the medication. The good ole catch 22. So I have to wait 450 hours for the medication to get out of the bloodstream, and then it takes longer to be released from the brain. He said we may still be dealing with this in August.
By August my depression may return with a fury and the big question is can I go back on anti-psychotics again and if not what will take its place. They are the backbone of my medications.
You must read all the prescribing instructions when taking medication but you have to read over and over when you take long-term meds because the long-term effects are at the bottom of the prescribing information and we forget. I thought I knew about Tardive Dyskinesia after taking the type of drug for 30 years but I didn’t equate what was happening to me as an early warning.
We’ll have to wait and see what happens on both fronts. It could get hairy in the coming months. My husband is fully aware of the diagnosis and what can happen next. We wait.
Don’t stop taking your medication! Call your doctor and discuss your concerns.
Your mental health matters, make sure to treat it with great importance daily. Your life and lifestyle can depend on it.
Please say a prayer for me, whatever your religion, please light a candle or say a prayer, I need it.
Have you heard of Tardive Dyskinesia? If you take anti-psychiotic medication you can get this life-changing side-effect at any time. Tardive Dyskinesia is a serious side effect of taking anti-psychotic medication.
I have a process when taking a new medication, I have to get information from the manufacturer with an emphasis on side effects and when to call the doctor or go to the hospital.
When your Psychiatrist or any doctor talks to you about any medication, make the doctor discuss the side effects before you leave the office, which is their job, at least get a valid site to check each medication. I’m not a doctor and this is not medical advice.
Before using the medication, I go to the drug manufacturer’s site to see the Prescribing Information and review all the side effects. Also, make sure what drugs can’t be used together. This is extremely important, the outcome of taking medication with one that doesn’t play nice is asking for trouble.
You may want to read the results of Clinical Trials to see how many dropped out of the Trial, why they dropped out, and all the side effects including the serious side effects, sometimes called Adverse Events.
“The movement disorders include akathisia, dystonia, buccolingual stereotypy, myoclonus, chorea, tics, and other abnormal involuntary movements, which are commonly caused by the long-term use of typical antipsychotics.”
Which parts of the body does Tardive Dsykensia affect?
If your Tardive Dyskinesia is in your mouth, I encourage you to get a mouth guard from the dentist to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Unfortunately, once you get Tardive Dyskinesia you can’t take anti-psychotics anymore. If you experience any side effects such as involuntary movements. Call your doctor immediately. They may need to tweak the medication protocol to keep you balanced.
There are currently two medications for Tardive Dyskinesia, Astuda and Ingrezza. I took Ingrezza for months but the side effects were too much. I’m not willing to go through that again.
Would you like me to write about Prescribing Information?
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Midwest Mary.
My works are backed by a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology, decades of professional writing, and credible research. I’m an award-winning author of twelve books, newspaper articles, magazines, and marketing materials. I write with you in mind presenting topics of need and interest in a warm, conversational style covering a variety of topics, especially ones of personal experience including travel, nature, poetry, spirituality, caregiving, and grieving.
She’s a great writer, I know you’ll love her blog.
Keep your entire family well year-round with the elixir. Kristin said this elixir seems to keep her immune system running at its best. This is so easy to make.
Recipe from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort.
Ingredients
Juice of 1 lemon
1 1/4 inch thick slice of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. raw honey
How To Make
In a small saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of water with the lemon juice, ginger, cayenne, and honey.
Warm the mixture over medium heat, whisking until it combines and reaches your desired temperature.
Recipe from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort
Reishi is a mushroom that has many health benefits including boosting the immune system and fighting fatigue. The He Shou Wu powder is an herbal remedy used to promote healthy aging.
Ingredients
1 cup almond milk
3/4 tsp. reishi powder
1/2 tsp. He Shou Wu powder
1 tsp. raw cacao powder
1 tsp. virgin coconut oil
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 or 2 shots of brewed espresso
Pinch of Himalayan salt
How To Make
In a small saucepan, whisk the almond milk with the reishi, He Shou, and cacao powders.
Stir in the coconut oil, cinnamon, maple syrup, vanilla, espresso, and salt.
Place the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the latte simmers, 5 minutes.
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Here are a few products I’m loving with right now. I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list may also give you ideas for a surprise for friends or family, All products were found on Amazon. They make my life so simple!
Pruning Your Eyebrows
It’s common for men to get their brows trimmed if there out of control. You can do it yourself if you have a good eye.
We grill every weekend and this basket will allow me to cook more veggies. You can cook almost anything and it will cut down on the mess.
Men need self-care, everyone needs self-care, it’s a small amount of time for you to relax and destress. I think men run when they hear self-care as it’s only for women. Self-care may look different for men but it’s just as important.
Sometimes I find myself reflecting on my younger days, when I had a thriving career with a start-up company and making 6 figures. I was living high on the hog, as they say, I took several vacations a year, wore designer clothes, and had a nice selection of expensive jewelry.
Every once in a while I see that person in me but she’s really gone. My life changed significantly after being diagnosed with Lyme Disease, most weeks I didn’t even get out of bed, taking my IV Antibiotic Therapy bedside.
The contrast to who I am today is the total opposite of my working years. I no longer wear business clothes, or make-up, make sales calls, and no longer have the remains from that time. I don’t need them. I sold all of my jewelry including my Rolex and tried to peacefully move forward.
I’ve had some valuable lessons, some came with age, and others from lessons learned. When I was younger and riding high, I thought the good times would never end. I also placed value on items, which is no way to live. After I stripped away all the money and the finer things it could buy, I realized that it was not what I needed to make me happy. I’ve learned the value of saving money.
Today happiness is simple, it is focused on my husband retiring while taking care of my medical needs. Lately, I’ve been spending the majority of the day in bed due to pain and fatigue. A great day is when I’m up, clear-headed, and enjoying my family.
Do I miss myself from the past? Sure I do at times but would not trade it for who I am today?
I’m centered, know who I am, confident in my choices, and accept this is life with a chronic illness.
How do you reconcile your past life before chronic illness?
Looking for the Light 