What would you pack in your bike basket to ensure you have everything you need to create the most magical day?
Melinda
Field Guide by Stampington
Category: Men & Womens Health
How Dogs Can Enrich Your Life
Have you ever wondered why people say dogs are a man’s (and woman’s) best friend? Well, if you’ve ever been around one, you probably get the gist. But if not, let’s jump into the glorious, tail-wagging world of how dogs can seriously upgrade your life game!
Cardio Buddy
Who needs an expensive gym membership or a fancy treadmill collecting dust in the basement? Dogs are the ultimate workout buddies. They’re always ready for a walk or run, rain or shine. And let’s face it, when those big ol’ eyes are pleading for a jaunt around the block, who can resist?
Social Butterfly Boost
Have you ever been on a walk with a dog? You’re basically a local celebrity. People stop to chat, other dog owners give you the nod, and before you know it, you’re in a full-blown conversation about breeds, dog parks, and that cute thing your dog did last Tuesday.
Ultimate Stress Reliever
Had a rough day? Dogs have this magical ability to sense it. A snuggle on the couch, a wagging tail, and the sheer joy they show when you walk through the door can melt away the stresses of the day faster than ice cream on a hot summer’s afternoon.
While not all dogs are guard dogs, most have an innate sense of protection when it comes to their human family. Even the smallest Chihuahua can raise the alarm with their mighty bark!
Boost That Immunity
Dogs are messy, and they’re explorers. While that means occasionally you’ll be questioning what they’re eating off the ground, it also means they’re exposing you to a world of new germs – in a good way! Regular exposure can actually boost your immunity. Who knew Fido was also your personal health guard?
Unconditional Love
Ever tried explaining to a dog that you made a mistake at work or that you forgot to pay a bill? They don’t care. They love you with a kind of purity and loyalty that’s rare in the world. It’s unconditional and unwavering. Talk about a confidence boost!
Laughter Overload
Dogs are downright goofy. From chasing their tails, getting spooked by their reflection, or just the goofy ways they play with toys, they’re a constant source of entertainment and chuckles.
A Purpose and Routine
Dogs thrive on routine, and having one can encourage you to build and maintain a daily rhythm. Morning walks, feeding times, play sessions, and bruising your labradoodle’s hair (did you know labradoodles come in many colors?) – these activities create a structure that can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you’re someone who tends to feel a bit lost without a plan.
Safety First
While not all dogs are guard dogs, most have an innate sense of protection when it comes to their human family. Even the smallest Chihuahua can raise the alarm with their mighty bark!
Learning Patience
While dogs bring joy, they can also test your patience (looking at you, chewed up shoes). But, in these moments, they teach us patience, understanding, and problem-solving. It’s all part of the package and, in the end, makes us better humans.
They Keep You Present
Dogs live in the moment. Whether they’re chasing a ball or just lounging in the sun, they’re all in. And that’s a beautiful lesson for all of us. In a world constantly pulling our attention in a million directions, dogs remind us of the beauty of the here and now.
In short, dogs aren’t just pets; they’re an upgrade to your life. They’re a constant source of fun, joy, and purpose, which is why, if you think you could give one a loving home, you should definitely consider the benefits of having a pampered pooch of your own.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Friday Quote
So glad you stopped by, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
Game Day Sheet Pan Nachos
This is the perfect dish for when friends and family come over to watch the game or celebrate the weekend.
True Comfort by Kristin Cavallari
What you need
2 (5-once) bags of tortilla chips
2 cups Black refined beans
2 pounds shredded Slow-Cooker Chicken taco meat
8 ounces of goats-milk cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup full-fat sour cream
1 cup Simple guacamole
1/2 cup Roasted Salsa
3/4 cup chopped jalapeno (Optional)
How to make
Preheat oven to 375F
On a large baking sheet, spread the chips out evenly. Next, spoon the black beans spread over the chips gently, avoiding breaking the chips as much as possible. Scatter the shredded chicken on top followed by the grated cheese.
Bake the nachos until the cheese starts to melt, 15 minutes.
Remove the backing sheet, from the oven and spoon the sour cream, guacamole, and salsa over the top.
Sprinkle the jalapeños on last, if using
Serve immediately
Service 6
Enjoy!
Melinda
Have You Heard Of A Shoulder Slap Tear?
My shoulder started hurting but I had pain in many places so didn’t pay attention at first. This went on for at least six months before I saw my (shoulder) Orthopedic Doctor. The pain kept getting worse.
He prescribed six weeks of therapy, two times a day. What he didn’t know was that I did my own therapy for both knee replacements. My (hip & knee) Orthopedic Doctor told me I was a month ahead of the patients that went to therapy. Walking the stairs is the method I used as therapy.
I had no plans to go somewhere twice a day for six weeks. I would not go even once a day. I’m capable of rehabbing myself. He gave me a steroid shot in my shoulder and off I went.
The Cleveland Clinic Explains
SLAP tears happen when you tear the cartilage in the inner part of your shoulder joint. The tears can be caused by injury or overuse and make it painful or difficult for you to move your shoulder and arm. Left untreated, these tears can cause chronic pain, limit how much you can use your arm and shoulder, and lead to more serious shoulder problems.
The L in SLAP refers to your glenoid labrum. Your labrum plays two important roles in keeping your shoulder functioning and pain-free. First, your labrum is a cushion for the top part of your upper arm bone. This cushion helps your upper arm bone stay where it belongs – cradled in your shoulder socket. Second, your labrum is a connection point between your shoulder blade socket and one of your bicep tendons.
Recovering from SLAP tear treatment is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take three to four months for non-surgical treatment to help relieve your pain and improve your functioning. It can take up to a year to fully recover from SLAP tear surgery.
What is interesting is when it was time for my second steroid shot, I didn’t make an appointment because my pain was low and I can live with that.
Melinda
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21717-slap-tear
Blogger Highlight-Vova Zinger’s Photoblog
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 Vova Zinger’s Photoblog.
I’ve decided to highlight the blogs I follow, some I’ve followed for over 10 years.
Vova Zinger’s Photoblog
The world around through my camera’s lens
My name is Vova Zinger, and I’m an amateur photographer. I am an urban guy and I love all the cities where I have lived – the nice very old Ukrainian city of Lviv(where I was born and lived for almost 40 years), reborn after the Recession of 1970s Pittsburgh (where I started my life in the United States), and beautiful charming Boston (where I’m living now). I love these cities and I like to share my love to them with you by making and displaying their pictures of them. This is why you’ll see a lot of city’s images on my blog.
But I also like to travel, to see new places. By traveling I mean not only visiting new cities (because I like them), but going outside to see the wonders of nature. And when I see something beautiful, I can not resist taking pictures.
I look forward to seeing what photo he will show next.
Melinda
Slow-Cooker Banana Bread Oatmeal
The holidays are around the corner so I’ll have more recipes coming your way. By getting everything you need, you can avoid the frenzy at the grocery store.
This recipe is from True Comfort by Kristin Cavallari, all the recipes are free of glutens and refined sugar.
What You Need
2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
4 cups full-fat coconut milk
2 bananas sliced
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pink Himalayan salt
2 TB pure maple syrup
Serves six
How to make
In a slow cooker, combine oats, coconut milk, bananas, and 2 cups of water with the vanilla, cinnamon, and a big pinch of salt. Stir together, and cook on a low setting for 8 hours.
In the morning or when it’s ready to be served, add maple syrup to the oatmeal. Stir to combine and serve warm.
Melinda
DIY Moroccan Sugar Scrub
The scrub is easy to make and it also makes gifts.
You will need
Small Bowl
1 cup granulated sugar
1 TB matcha powder
2 bags of Moroccan mint tea
2 1/2 TB Jojoba oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil
Container you want to use
Chunky yarn
To make
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and the matcha powder.
Cut two bags of Moroccan mint and loose tea into the sugar mix.
Add the jojoba oil, and mix well to distribute.
Add peppermint essential oil, if desired.
Store the container in a dark and cool place.
To package for your gift-giving purpose, wrap a nice rope around the container.
Simply rub on rough skin or anywhere that needs exfoliation.
Have fun making for yourself or giving a gift for the holidays.
Keep your eyes open for more DIY projects and recipes.
Melinda
What’s Your Mood Today?
Friday Quote
So glad you stopped by, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
Do You Know What A VNS Device Is?
My Bipolar Disorder was difficult to manage with medication alone. My Psychiatrist told me about a device that was waiting for FDA approval.
In 2005 the VNS device was approved by the FDA and my doctor had all the information ready to send to my insurance company.
The first time insurance denied the device. Here’s how I got insurance to approve. I wrote a letter explaining what my life was like and how it controls my life and in time the possibility of suicide.
A VNS device looks much like a pacemaker with two leads that attach to your vagus nerves, sending signals to the brain to relieve your depression.
The surgery doesn’t take long, but getting used to the device turned on takes a while.
When you are talking the device makes your voice sound weird but only when the device is sending signals to the brain.
When I had my surgery, no one had seen one implanted which meant the Gallery was full of other doctors. My doctor got to see my boobs, that had to settle in.
After you have healed the device is turned on at a low level so you get used to the feeling of the device working. Then we turned up the level until we found what we thought was the right setting.
I kept it on for years but finally admitted it wasn’t working and had it turned off.
The only pain involved is initial surgery.
I thought this device would change my life but it didn’t work out that way.
This is the notes I made on 12/30/05.
Received a letter today from the insurance company, they approved.
I can’t wait to call my Psychiatrist to tell him the news and to get my surgery date rolling.
2005 has been a rough year but this news is my beacon of hope.
The greatest news all year.
Unfortunately, I was in the percentage of people that the device didn’t work.
I am waiting to hear about new treatments but nothing new for my mental illness.
Melinda
My Heart Issues Took Two Years To Solve
I kept a journal during my heart journey and below are snippets from the notes taken.
Background
I spent two years with my Cardiologist and had no answers. I contacted the Mayo Clinic and they accepted me.
I spent a week having test after test and they did a heart catheter to see what my heart was thinking. I was awake while they performed the catheter, you can’t move during the procedure and of course, I got nausea and the tech gave me a pen with spearmint to stop the nausea. It worked fast. I keep one around for when I need it.
My official diagnosis is Supra Ventricular Tachycardia, small vessel disease, and the artery that keeps the flow of fresh blood back into the heart doesn’t work every time because the flap to let in the blood enter is lazy which means it doesn’t open fast enough to get a full amount of oxygenated blood.
My first event
I was looking at the tomatoes at the back of the yard and suddenly this strange feeling came over me. I don’t know why but I jumped in the pool and stayed under the waterfall. Then I started to feel some pain and started to hyperventilate. By this time my husband is outside trying to coax me out of the pool but won’t budge. I asked him to bring me a Xanax, it took two before I would get out of the pool.
My heart was the last thing that crossed my mind. Shortly after it was clear that it was my heart. My heart arrhythmia won’t kill you but you feel like you’re having a heart attack.
My first full-blown event was like having a heart attack, and your mind says go to the hospital but you know it will be over by the time you get there. One night I started to feel a sharp pain in the chest area, and my blood pressure was high which made me think they were connected. The typical magic number is over Pulse over 100. Unfortunately for me, I can feel an event coming on at 85. This confused my doctor because 100 is the norm. I never said I was normal.
I might have an event every day or go days in between. One day I was cleaning the tub and a full event happened, the chest pain was severe and I was home alone. My husband was grocery shopping when I called and asked him to come home. I remained crawled up on the floor. There were several occasions I had to call him home.
My cardiologist was clueless. I did two different Holter monitoring tests and still had no idea what was happening. This is when I called the Mayo Clinic, and after a week of tests, they had a diagnosis. You can only stay with any doctor so long when you don’t have any answers. The Mayo started me on Nitro, what a life savior.
Snippets From Journal Notes
My hands are swollen this morning along with my ankles. I feel like my upper body is swollen.
Both legs have red dots and I’m shaking. My husband looked at my legs and said yes they were swollen.
Several places are uncomfortable to move, they feel crunchy.
My lungs sound clear and not coughing.
My lower legs feel cold
I was breathing so hard that my stomach muscles hurt.
Seemed like it took forever to slow my breathing down.
This is the longest event I’ve had.
I was already in general pain in the chest but by the time I lay down the pain had increased and stabbing pain started.
If I didn’t know better I would go to the hospital.
I could not see the start of my toes.
I left a message with admin for my doctor but didn’t call back. That was probably the last straw.
When I lay down the pain begins.
I had to buy a shower chair because it takes so much energy to shower.
This is my blood pressure and pulse on my worst day. It lasted from 4:43 pm to 10:21 pm. Below is an example of feeling heart pain and you’ll notice that not one reading is my pulse over 100.
4:43 127/77 Pulse 95
4:49 117/69 Pulse 92
4:55 114/67 Pulse 86
5:08 145/88 Pulse 89
5:33 138/92 Pulse 80
5:46 127/65 Pulse 82
10:21 131/78 Pulse 88
You will notice my pulse is under 100.
I’m happy to say events happen rarely now.
Take care including your heart.
Melinda
Just Pondering
What is one good thing you have today that you didn’t have a year ago?
Melinda
Field Guide by Stampington
I’m Agoraphobic
My agoraphobia started a year or two before the pandemic. It was frustrating but my therapist helped on the journey. It started with intrusive thoughts that people were chasing me in their car and planning to hurt me by driving me off the road. These thoughts lasted for a long time. These are not dreams, they came during the day.
It’s possible the trigger was set off by me driving to a doctor I had seen for 15 years and got lost with no cell phone, I had left it at home. It was very stressful because I didn’t know the area well and had problems getting back to the freeway. Is this connected, I don’t know.
Then ongoing dreams that centered around my car started. I couldn’t find the right key, I rented a car and when I looked for it I didn’t know how to find the car. I was carrying a huge keychain full of keys and I couldn’t find the right key and different dreams continued. The dreams came often in the beginning. The latest thought is someone is following me after going to the bank.
I thought it might be Agoraphobia but thought it was someone who could not leave the house. When I started reading about Agoraphobia, I was shocked by the different types. I found my symptoms listed and now have an answer.
One treatment option is EMDR Sessions. It works for many people but some doctors do not recommend it for people with Bipolar Disorder. It doesn’t matter, I’m not having 20 treatments to see if it works. Life is too short.
For now, I only drive within a 3-4-mile radius of the house which makes me less independent. I don’t focus on Agoraphobia, it’s when I make plans to leave the house that the feelings kick in and dictate what I do next.
Melinda
Blogger Highlight-MS Hazy Brain
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 MS Hazy Brain.
MSHAZYBRAIN
Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia
All about me, my name is Lynn Rose. I am a mother of two, being a mother is my greatest role. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2020, after over 9 years of the doctors saying it’s all in my head. I should have been diagnosed in 2012 when I was extremely sick and admitted in the hospital. I had all the tests in 2012 MRIs, spinal tap, and blood and still made me feel I was crazy. I got really sick again at the end of 2018 and started going to the doctors again.
She’s a great resource, be sure and stop by her blog.
Melinda
What’s Your Mood Today?
How Can I Have A Low Number Of Email Followers Yet The Email Section Shows Over 307 Views On A Post
This is a question I asked WordPress and walked away empty-handed. I need someone who can explain how the Email numbers are so much higher than the number under Stats.
Do I add the numbers together to find the total number of views that day?
I’m thrilled to see the numbers under Emails. I need to know where all these extra views are coming from and how to apply them to my stats for the day.
If you understand the second number under emails applies to the daily number, PLEASE HELP ME :)
Melinda
Friday Quote
So glad you stopped by And hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
What’s Your Mood Today?
Do You Know A Person With Bipolar Disorder? This Is My Personal Experience
If you care for someone with Bipolar Disorder, know the basics about the illness and side effects. You’ll learn as you go. It’s important that you don’t keep asking how they’re doing; that will stress them out. You will have to up your game to catch the nuances of body language and conversations.
Different types of Bipolar Disorder.
There are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
Bipolar I disorder is defined by manic episodes that last for at least 7 days (nearly every day for most of the day) or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate medical care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible. Experiencing four or more episodes of mania or depression within 1 year is called “rapid cycling.”
Bipolar II disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. The hypomanic episodes are less severe than the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder.
Cyclothymic disorder (also called cyclothymia) is defined by recurring hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not intense enough or do not last long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes.
Until the doctor gets the medication balanced, you might have to take a medication for a month or longer to see if it works; if not, the doctor tries another. Changes in medication will continue until the Psychiatrist finds the right mix of medication. I went through many drugs in the beginning because I’m treatment-resistant, which means many medications do not work on me. It’s important to note that over time, medication can stop working, and the Psychiatrist has to find another medication. I’m currently taking a cocktail of 6 different medications.
In the 32 years since I was diagnosed, I’ve experienced rapid cycling, mixed features, hypomania, and depression. The most difficult for me to manage is rapid cycling. One minute you feel great, and 15 minutes later depressed. This is a very unstable time. Make sure you let your Psychiatrist know about your rapid cycling.
If possible, find a Psychopharmacologist over a Psychiatrist if you can find one. The difference is that a Psychopharmacologist spends extra years of education focusing on how medication and the brain work. It can be difficult to find one.
I thought my doctor didn’t like me for a long time. Over time, I learned how to talk to him, and now he’s like family. You don’t have to like your doctor if they listen and share details about the drugs and answers to your questions, and you trust them, keep them as your doctor.
Personal Experience
The backstory starts with the DEA, which is limiting the amount of medication each pharmacy receives each month. This is an experience I have been dealing with for the past year. This month, my pharmacy only had 25 pills, and I had to wait 3 weeks for a refill because they had not received a shipment. Pharmacies are NOT making these rules. Get to know your pharmacist; they may be able to help you through this crisis. Don’t take your anger out on the Pharmacy. Until the DEA backs off, this problem will continue.
Here’s one of the challenges I face. One medication is what I call my anchor medication. This past month, it took 3 weeks to get my medication in stock. In those 3 weeks without the medication, it is no longer in your system. After going three weeks without the medication, my body has to start over. So far, I have not been able to see if it works because I can’t take the medication long enough to work.
My new Psychiatrist is cutting my Xanax to 3 per day, not the 4 per day that I have been taking for so long. The bottom line is I’m in withdrawal as my body adjusts to only 3 a day. You stack that on top of the problems with refills; it’s frustrating. This means my anxiety is higher during certain hours when I don’t take my Xanax. It’s a very addictive medication, and one of the worst withdrawals I’ve been through.
It’s important to have someone that you can reach out to if you need help.
This happened two evenings ago due to my anxiety being very high. To better communicate, you can say certain words to help them understand where you are at and when you are falling into depression or higher than a kite.
I was so truly happy, and I haven’t been happy in so long. I was soaking in every moment because my mood could change. Feeling joy in my heart felt so good, and I didn’t want it to end.
My husband said I was jacked up, and I said I knew. The key word here is I KNOW. For me, that means I know and am keeping tabs on your mood. If it’s a problem after that, I’ll let you know.
I went upstairs to get ready for bed, and when he came into the room, I continued the conversation in a combative way. I was jacked and angry, raising my voice much higher and even pointing my finger at him. I could not believe what was coming out of my mouth and my behavior. In the last 22 years, we’ve had a handful of fights.
We have established words to use when my mood changes and is concerning. When he tells me I’m jacked up, the keyword is I KNOW, which means I’m keeping an eye on it. When I’m feeling suicidal, I let him know. This is how we communicate about my Bipolar Disorder when he observes a behavior change.
If you are newly diagnosed, be patient. When you start the journey, it can be rough and frustrating.
Don’t obsess over your new diagnosis; learn the basics of your illness and symptoms for now. The most important thing I can say is to only read about your illness or symptoms of Bipolar Disorder from trustworthy websites. When you read anything else, you risk getting the wrong information. It’s critical to read a respected source. Right now is not the time to read the wrong information. On my website, there is a pull-down menu called Organizations That Can Help. There, you can find resources under Mental Illness. In the beginning, you may feel overloaded; remember this is a long journey.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
Melinda
The Best Way To Find New Pain Doctor
As many of you know there are doctors including Pain Doctors who are spooked by the DEA crack down on all opiate use. I recently looked to see who I would make an appointment with and found several doctors but when I checked out their websites several made it clear they don’t write scripts for pain medication.
Here’s the approach I take with all new doctors
Ask my doctors if they know anyone for a referral.
I would search in your area, and write down six doctors, this is a good start.
Check out their website and make sure it doesn’t look cheap. You want the best doctor you can find so if the website doesn’t look like a professional designed the page, I would push them to the bottom of the list. Pain doctors make tons of money so it would make sense to have a great website.
Search several different ways to find information on the doctor, like reviews. See if you can find out where they to school.
I’m not certain about this, go to the state Medical Board and see if you can check that their licenses are current.
Be sure to take the doctor’s name off your list if they’re not what you are looking for.
Calling to make an appointment
Do not say anything about needing pain meds. Some questions are filler so that you don’t sound like a drug seeker.
Call and ask services they offer. If the front desk is too busy, ask to speak to the manager or someone who can spend time answering your questions.
Ask the person you’re talking to what type of services they offer.
They may mention pain medication, then you’re on your way. If they don’t say anything about pain medication here’s when I ask about medication support if needed. This makes the conversation smooth.
Be sure to get the name of who are talking to and once you decide on a doctor, make sure you make friends with the manager in case you need support in the future.
Remember that many pain doctors know each other and they can also look to see the prescriptions you filled lately.
This may be over the top for some but I would visit every office of a doctor that may become your doctor. You can learn so much by looking at the office. I would stop in like you know nothing, you just stopped by to see what brochures they have to give you more information about the practice.
You will likely have to provide a urine sample each time you come in. My old doctor let me go on every third visit because I was a long-term client. If you use Delta 8 & Delta 9 gummies there is a good chance it will show up in the urine sample. Be sure to tell the doctor or front desk that you take the gummies before the urine test.
Pain doctors are in high demand because of the number of doctors who no longer write prescriptions. Once you decide on a doctor, remember they don’t need your business. This means you need to keep every appointment unless true emergency. Many have policies in place that if you cancel XX times they will basically fire you.
Start your conversation with the doctor talking about your symptoms. That way, again you don’t want to look like a drug seeker.
By doing all the work upfront it will save time in the future by trying several doctors before finding the right one for you.
Melinda
Upgrades to Your Car That Are Worth the Investment
So you’ve just bought a new car, sorted out all of your insurance, and you’re finally ready to just sit down, drive your car, and enjoy your new purchase. Perhaps you use it to drive the kids to school, or maybe it’s for your own commutes to and from work. Whatever the deal in your household is, it’s a nice feeling to finally get all of the financial twaddles out of the way so that you can actually use the thing.
But wait a moment! What if we told you that you could spend even more money on your brand-new car? Look, we know it’s not the thing you want to hear after already spending money on a fresh new set of wheels, but we’d say that many of these upgrades are actually worth the money! So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most meaningful upgrades for your car that are worth the money.
A new set of wheels (literally)
No, not a new car! You’ve already spent your hard-earned cash on one, so we wouldn’t suggest buying another! Instead, you should look into getting a literal new set of wheels. Tires are probably one of the most important components of any vehicle because it’s the thing that touches the road. If these aren’t in good condition, then don’t be surprised when you start swerving uncontrollably during wet weather!
Be it huge mud bogger tires or just a fresh set of wheels, get something new that suits your needs. This is especially important if you’re buying a used car because the tires could already be pretty worn out after lots of usage. Getting a fresh pair will help with traction and will ensure a long-lasting vehicle.
Tinting your windows for style and functionality
Tinted windows may seem like something you do only if you want to make your car look fancy (or gaudy, depending on what color you pick!) but they actually serve functional purposes–to provide protection and privacy!
If you don’t really like the idea of people looking at you in your car, then window tinting is a good solution. Similarly, if you hate having the sun glare in your eyes, then window tinting will be a great investment to make. You can even get window tints that protect you from UV rays while also lowering the interior temperature of your car. For people who need to drive a lot in hot conditions, this is a no-brainer!
Safety features that can give you peace of mind
Don’t start wasting money on your car on useless things that you don’t need, like fancy paintwork or sports features like a new spoiler. Instead, get something that could literally save lives! This could be something like a blind spot monitor, lane-keeping assist features, or even automatic braking. These are typically features that come with new cars, but you could get these in existing cars as well.
In short, anything that improves your safety is a good idea!
This a collaborative post.
Melinda
What’s Your Mood Today?
Today is a great day! I’ve accomplished more in the past week than most of the year.
Melinda
Choosing Joy By Guest Blogger Water for Camels
She imparts her knowledge to help others. I like this post, it hit me in a good way.
Melinda
How To Research What Charities To Donate To, Make Sure You Know Where The Money Goes
I donate to several charities a year and it feels so good knowing I’m helping others to live their best life. Below are the charities I’m committed to. Below I spell out how I chose a charity.
NAMI Texas is part of NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
We work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities we serve. Our programs support entrepreneurs around the world, creating lasting change from the ground up.
It begins with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help project participants build a business, and ultimately to gain access to supply chains and markets.
Operation Kindness is a pioneer in Texas for assisting animals in need of veterinary care, companionship, and most of all, a home. We operate a lifesaving animal shelter in Carrollton, TX.
In addition to pet adoptions and lifesaving medical care, our programs provide foster care for vulnerable animals, resources for pet parents, affordable veterinary services for community pets, a pet food pantry, and volunteer opportunities.
Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas Inc.
The goal of our organization is to help alleviate the problem of homelessness among our veterans and their families by assisting with transitional and permanent housing.
Independent – the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Charity Navigator
The first step when choosing what charities to support is to go to Charity Navigator. Once on the site type in the charity name and check to see that they are legally 501 certified. That means the company has been given a legal charity status.
Eliminate any charities that are not legally 501 certified and at least four-star rated. If they are not legally 501 certified, don’t waste your money.
Then look at their expenses to see if the percentage of the money is actually spent on services. If a charity spends more on its overhead, your dollars do not get to the people you want to support. My rule of thumb is the charity must spend at least 75% of the money on actual services and a small percentage on overhead. If a charity has a low percentage, they are keeping more of the money.
I would also look at their website for more information.
It sounds like a big job but it it comes together fast and it’s your hard-earned money that you are giving.
I’ll give you an example. There is a charity my granny always gave money to and I donated one time long ago, I get a plea for money every week and it’s near impossible to have them take you off the list. Once I found out about Charity Navigator I looked at this charity profile and found that only 25% of the money was actually going to the executives.
If you have any questions please reach out to me. I don’t have all the answers but will try to help you navigate.
For some reason (WP) the paragraphs look correctly spaced but when I preview the post it looks like they are not separated
Melinda
World Mental Health Awareness Day 10th
Every day is an Awareness Day for me because I have to focus on my Mental Health before I feel overloaded and stressed out.
When discussing Mental Health and self-care it could be as simple as reducing stress, getting regular sleep, and putting the electronics away an hour before bedtime. It works for me, or take a nice bath with essential oils to create a nice aroma. There are so many ways we can keep our Mental Health in check. One of the most important tasks every day is to take your medication as prescribed.
Self Care Tips
When life gets busy it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. But practicing self-care can have great benefits for your mental health.
Don’t feel guilty about taking time to care for yourself. It’s not selfish to make your health a priority. You will be better able to help others when you are your healthiest.
How to practice self-care is different for each person and can be different from day to day. An act of self-care for one person could actually be triggering for someone else, such as visiting with family. The important part is to find a balance of activities that work for you.
Here are some ideas on ways to get started, and don’t forget that you can also combine these activities. For example, eating your favorite dessert at the park or going to the beach and reading with a friend.
Build a Healthy Foundation
Get enough sleep and do your best to keep a consistent sleep schedule
Eat a balanced diet and include fruits and vegetables
Remember to drink enough water
Avoid triggers
Take breaks from your computer, phone, or social media
Learn to say no: it’s okay to say no if you don’t want or aren’t able to do something at the moment. Taking on too many commitments can put extra pressure on yourself and cause more stress.
Many people think they don’t have time for self-care, especially men. Your body gives you what you put into taking care of. Men tend to be the worst at self-care or even the idea. Taking a break to get fresh air for 10 minutes is self-care. Your body will give you back what you put into taking care of yourself.
Melinda
References:
https://ibpf.org/articles/50-ways-to-start-practicing-self-care/
Blogger Highlight-Mental Health Struggles
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 Mental Health Struggles.
Hello! I am a 33-year-old woman speaking out about mental health & daily struggles to help me process things a little better.
I love how frank she is, so refreshing. Be sure to stop by.
Melinda
What’s Your Mood Today?
The Astonishing Mental Health Benefits Of Gardening
Have you ever noticed that some of the happiest people you know are massively into gardening? The reasons for this are simple: gardening is one of the best things you can do to boost your mental health.
But why is this? Why do people who spend time in their gardens seem to have healthier inner lives than everyone else? It is a little mysterious.
The reason, it seems, comes down to the ways that our bodies react when we’re working outdoors. Naturally, we’re inclined to spend time in the sunlight, observing the world around us, and trying to get to grips with it. It’s not just about the physical activity of gardening and so-called feel-good hormones. There’s also a sense that you’re really profoundly connecting with nature. It feels very different from spending an evening in front of Netflix.
So what benefits do people who garden regularly report? Check them out below.
A Sense Of Accomplishment
Having a sense of accomplishment and control over your environment is an addictive feeling. The more you experience it, the more you want it.
Gardens are chaotic systems. Over time, they devolve into an all-against-all survival of the fittest. And it can be a challenge to bring them under control. That, however, is part of the joy of the process. It’s nice to feel like you can tame nature – at least on a small patch of land – and get some genuine satisfaction from the process.
An Increase In Creativity
We don’t tend to think of being creative as a health benefit, but it is a vital sign that we are in a good place. Creativity is a mental state that recruits practically every area of the brain. But it can only happen if we are in a positive frame of mind. If you’re using mental resources worrying about something, it’s hard to develop new ideas. Gardening helps to direct your focus on the outside world instead of your internal thoughts, allowing you room for creativity where you would have struggled before.
Improved Mood
Would you like to improve your mood? Well, according to data collected by Plant Life Balance, gardening can help. According to their research, around 58 percent of people experience improvements in how they feel when they spend time in the garden.
Feeling More Connected To Others
We typically see gardening as an individual pursuit. Interestingly, a large segment of people who do it feel more connected to the broader community. Part of this has to do with the fact that some gardening tasks are communal. For example, Lineage Tree Care points out that gardening involves tree trimming and storm clean-up that affect the whole community. If you visit their website, you can see examples of what they mean. Things like overhanging trees can affect both the property owner and their neighbors.
Feeling More Connected To Nature
Finally, a large number of people say that gardening makes them feel more connected to nature – something that tends to enhance overall well-being considerably.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Let’s Celebrate Columbus Day 10th
It’s hard to imagine what life was like for those who had to take dangerous ship rides and find shelter and a place to grow food. They had little to work with and in reality, paved the way for America’s growth.
The first Columbus Day celebration took place in 1792 when New York’s Columbian Order—better known as Tammany Hall—held an event to commemorate the historic landing’s 300th anniversary. Taking pride in Columbus’ birthplace and faith, Italian and Catholic communities in various parts of the country began organizing annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor.
In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage with patriotic festivities, writing, “On that day let the people, so far as possible, cease from toil and devote themselves to such exercises as may best express honor to the discoverer and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life.”
We owe our lives to the settlers because of Christopher Columbus.
Melinda
References:
lookingforthelight.blog 