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Digital Overuse Could Be Culprit of Headaches and Eye Strain from Virtual Learning
From e-learning to remote working throughout the pandemic and now with virtual back-to-school, screen time is once again skyrocketing. Digital screens emit high-energy blue light which can negatively impact long-term eye health. Constant near focus on digital screens causes the eyes to become overworked leading to headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, eye strain, and eye fatigue.
According to The Washington Post, “Headaches, anxiety and exhaustion caused by never-ending video meetings are no longer exclusively for adults trying to work from home during the pandemic. Some schools have started the fall semester with remote-learning setups that mimic what a full day of school was like before the coronavirus crisis.”
Viteyes®, a leading global eye health company, offers Viteyes Blue Light Defender Supplements which are formulated with Lutein & Zeaxanthin, the only natural defenses our eyes have against harmful blue light. In addition, Viteyes® Blue Light Defender Plus contains Astareal® Astaxanthin to help relieve overworked tired and strained eyes. These formulas can be taken from ages 12 through adults and are available as capsules and delicious blueberry gummies.
Viteyes® Blue Light Defender™ Gummies and Viteyes® Blue Light Defender™ + (capsules) contain 20 mg of Lutein and 4 mg of Zeaxanthin, the key eye nutrients that help absorb blue light before it reaches the macula. Viteyes® Blue Light Defender™ + also contains Astareal® Astaxanthin, Bilberry, and Vitamin C and is free from common allergens. Viteyes® Blue Light Defender™ Gummies also contain Bilberry, are free from common allergens, Kosher-certified, pectin-based, and vegan.
Dr. Karen Hecht explains why blue light is so harmful to the eyes: https://youtu.be/yFkksnY1kVI
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Reduce Sugars and Calories During Your Family Barbecue Feast
Many people list the Fourth of July as one of their favorite holidays, not only because it’s an American holiday that commemorates the day the United States came into existence, but also because it usually includes grilling and eating wonderful foods in the great outdoors. Quarantine makes us to be at home a lot, a family style barbecue feast doesn’t need to be only in Fourth of July. It can be literally for every weekend. But during our joyful family barbecue time, it’s easy to consume more food … and more calories … than intended.
To help reduce some of the sugar and calories in your barbecue feast, and all your other family dining, SweetLeaf offers a delicious Broccoli Slaw as a side dish that everyone will love and that will be a part of meals all year long.
BROCCOLI SLAW
This easy-to-make and tasty slaw serves 6, and by replacing sugar with SweetLeaf you can save over 64 calories per serving.
Ingredients
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1 12-16 oz. bag shredded broccoli slaw, or 1 large bunch broccoli
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1/4 cup low-fat or nonfat plain yogurt
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1/8 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
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3 Tbsp. cider vinegar
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1 8 oz. can low-sodium, sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and coarsely chopped
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1/2 cup medium red onion, finely diced
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- If using whole broccoli, trim about 3-inches off the stems. Chop the rest into 1/4-inch pieces.
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Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, SteviaClear® Sweet Drops, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add water chestnuts, onion, and broccoli; toss to coat. Chill until serving time.
(Carbs: 7 grams; Sugars: 2 grams; Calories: 53 per serving)
Don’t forget to make “Barbecue style” drinks to pair with your amazing meals!
This cocktail skips the added sugar and lets you enjoy a traditional Cuban highball with a fruity twist.
BLUEBERRY MOJITOS
Ingredients
- 2 large squeezes SweetLeaf® Lemon Lime Water Drops®
- 3 limes
- 1 cup blueberries, frozen
- 20 mint leaves
- 2 cups soda water
- 1 cup ice
- 2 oz. white rum
Directions
- Cut two limes in half and squeeze the juice of each lime into two separate glasses.
- Slice the third lime into thinly sliced wheels and set aside. Add 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 10 mint leaves, 1 large squeeze of Water Drops, and 1 oz. rum to each glass.
- Take a muddler and muddle the ingredients until the blueberries are fully squished. Top with 1/2 cup ice per glass and then pour in the soda water mixture. Garnish with sliced limes and an extra sprig of mint.
Using plant-based SweetLeaf instead of sugar in foods, beverages, and recipes, is a delightfully delicious way to reduce sugar, calories, and carbs in just about everything! Substituting any SweetLeaf product for sugar couldn’t be easier if you use the interactive, online Conversion Calculator, or the printable Conversion Chart.
SweetLeaf products are available online at Shop.SweetLeaf.com, or at your favorite health food stores, natural groceries, supermarkets, and online retailers.
About WISDOM NATURAL BRANDS®, maker of SweetLeaf Sweeteners
Wisdom Natural Brands®, based in Gilbert, Ariz., has been the leading stevia expert and industry pioneer with its plant-based SweetLeaf® Sweeteners brand for 38 years. SweetLeaf is the only stevia brand winning 36 awards for taste and innovation.
weetLeaf Organic Monk Fruit is a 1:1 sugar replacement and available in granular, squeezable, and liquid drops, totalling 18 products. SweetLeaf Sweeteners have zero calories, no sugars, a non-glycemic response, and no artificial ingredients. SweetLeaf Stevia is sold in boxes containing 35 or 70 packets and shaker jars (organic or natural) for easy home use. SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops® add flavor without calories, no sugars, or artificial sweeteners to foods, beverages, and recipes. Organic Sweet Drops are available in three popular flavors: English Toffee, Vanilla Crème, and SteviaClear®. SweetLeaf Stevia Water Drops® add delicious flavor to still or sparkling water.
New Better than Sugar!® powdered and granular, natural and organic, is a sugar replacement measuring cup-for-cup like sugar—without any of the calories or carbs and no sugar.
SweetLeaf Sugar-Free Stevia Syrup, in three popular flavors, brings the incredible sweetness of stevia and monk fruit, with only 70 calories per serving. Wisdom introduced herbal blends made from Yerba Maté through its Wisdom of the Ancients® brand, one of the most respected herbal lines in the natural industry. Wisdom of the Ancients herbal blends are available in bags and loose leaves and come in a variety of beneficial flavors. And new no-sugar, zero-calorie Yerba Maté Energy Shots, available in regular and orange flavors, provide energy with 200 nutrients and 100% naturally occurring caffeine.
SweetLeaf Sweeteners and Wisdom of the Ancients’ products are available at: Shop.SweetLeaf.com, health food stores, natural groceries, supermarkets, and online retailers.
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Signs you’re taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel
For some, driving is something that we do almost automatically. We get in, do the necessary checks, signal and then pull away. We’re familiar with the roads, the local speed limits and how to get to where we’re going. It’s all part of the process.
But are you one of those drivers who could be taking unnecessary risks? You might not even realize you’re doing it. When we have plenty of driving experience, some drivers tend to relax a little too much behind the wheel and could potentially be putting themselves and others at risk of a car accident – if you’ve been in a car crash caused by a dangerous driver, you can find a Fort Worth car accident lawyer by clicking this link.
So, what makes you a driver that takes unnecessary risks? Read on to find out.
Using your phone behind the wheel
Just skipping a song on your playlist, checking a notification or trying to reply to an IM on your smartphone whilst behind the wheel is classed as an unnecessary risk. If you’re using your phone, you’re not paying attention to the road ahead and you’re putting yourself and others in danger. You may only be glancing down for a second, but that’s a whole second with your hand off the wheel and within that second conditions on the road can change.
You’re not looking after your vehicle
When was the last time you checked your oil levels? Or pumped up your tires? General wear and tear will take it’s toll your vehicle and failing to keep your car properly maintained is pretty irresponsible and dangerous. If your brakes aren’t working correctly, then how will you stop in time when the traffic you’re following suddenly comes to a standstill? Or if your headlights aren’t working and visibility is suddenly decreased, you’re taking more unnecessary risks behind the wheel.
Learn the basics of keeping your vehicle maintained and do some basic checks before you set off anywhere. That way there’ll be no nasty surprises on the road.
You break the speed limit
When we picture someone breaking the speed limit, it’s easy to imagine a high-speed chase and someone traveling at over 100mph. In truth, even the most serious accidents and devastating injuries can occur when one risk-taker is traveling slightly over the speed limit. A reduced stopping distance, a lack of control on the vehicle, failing to take the weather conditions into consideration and less time to react are all lethal consequences of breaking the speed limit.
You tailgate
Tailgating isn’t always a form of aggression, if the driver behind you is too close to your fender then you’re likely to move closer to the car in front. Whatever the circumstances, tailgating is still considered an unnecessary driving risk and you’re more likely to damage the car ahead if they suddenly brake.
Finally, aggressive driving
Blasting the horn, rude hand gestures and choice words. Just some of the ways we express our frustrations on the road. Unfortunately, engaging in aggressive acts like these is another unnecessary driving risk. Frustrated and angry drivers are more likely to be distracted and make mistakes behind the wheel if they’re irritated. Try to keep calm behind the wheel and never engage with an aggressive driver.
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While Pets Suffer Separation Anxiety as Their Humans Return to Work, a New Pet Safety Product Helps Humans Resolve Their Own Anxieties
thePetmosphere.com, an online source for unique pet items, has launched a new petsafety product that brings to life ‘In Case of Emergency’ planning for pets, just in time to help pet parents anxiously returning to the workplace.
As people emerge from lockdown and return to work, many find their pets at home suffering from classic separation anxiety. While pets sulk as their humans return to work, pet parents also experience their own anxieties over pets left home alone. The Pet Parent Alert Kit has been launched just in time to help them manage these anxieties.
When a pet parent leaves a pet at home to go to work (or run an errand, go to dinner, etc.), they assume their return will be timely. But what if it isn’t? What if suddenly they couldn’t return home due to an accident or emergency? Without a proper plan in place, pets that rely on them could be abruptly left without care.
While an emergency interrupting our daily routine seems improbable, vehicle accident statistics from Progressive Insurance seem to indicate otherwise:
- 52 percent occur within 5 miles of a person’s home
- 77 percent occur within 15 miles of a person’s home
A car accident that sends a pet parent to the hospital in an incapacitated state could result in pets at home going without care for an indefinite period of time. Having an emergency plan in place ahead of an emergency, via The PetParent Alert Kit, alleviates concern for such a situation.
“As a veterinarian, I find that pet owners consider their beloved animals to be members of the family. Their critters are loyal and adored companions. Caring for our wonderful creatures is a top priority. But what happens to them if we are in an accident or have a health crisis that lands us in the hospital? The Pet Parent Alert Kit offers peace of mind to animal lovers by providing notification to medical staff, law enforcement or emergency response teams that your animal needs care. I highly recommend this simple-to-use kit that contains everything you need to make sure your fur babies get the vital care they need when you can’t be there.” – Hannah Smith, DVM (DACT candidate), Gainesville, FL
The kit is comprised of several components, including key ring tags and brightly colored wearables that alert first responders to the existence of pets at home, directing them to emergency contact information stored in the wallet.The ICE contact can be notified of the situation immediately and can take over a pet’s care quickly. Pets never need to miss a next meal, vital medication or a reassuring hug from a human caretaker.
The kit also provides a ‘Please Rescue My Pets’ home window sticker for fire/flood emergencies. It notifies firemen or other responders that pets are in the home and need to be found and rescued before leaving the site. This is especially important to have visible during hurricane season on the coast and fire season in the west.
Two versions of the kit are available and priced from $19.95 to $24.95, including shipping. More kit detail is available here: https://thepetmosphere.com/
collections/frontpage/ products/pet-parent-alert-kit- single 
About thePetmosphere.com
thePetmosphere.com is an online source for uniquely designed and carefully curated pet products. Its mission is to create an evolving world of goodness for pets and their humans, focused on pet safety, wellness and comfort. https://thepetmosphere.com
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How Weather Can Affect Your Driving
The weather can never seem to make up its mind. One minute you have glorious sunshine, the next it’s cold and raining. This is not too much of a problem if you are at home with nowhere to go, unless of course, you left washing out.
When you need to drive, or are already out, changing weather conditions may mean that you need to adapt your driving style to remain safe and in control. This can be especially important on higher speed roads or those which may be deemed locally as speed trap roads. While you can make your driving safer, you can never truly guarantee that others will follow suit, meaning you will need to be especially vigilant to the behaviour of other road users who may be driving erratically. In these instances, accidents are much more likely – for more info speak to a car accident lawyer from Oakland.
Rain
Rainy weather can cause many problems with your driving. Heavy rain may make it difficult for you to see the road ahead or any hazards. Hydroplaning, where the car skids and slides over the water’s surface, may also occur. It is important to check that you have sufficient tire tread depth before any journey, not only to meet legal requirements but also to help your tires find more traction on the road.
During wet weather, it is a good idea to slow down your speed considerably, as stopping distances will increase on wet surfaces. You may also want to keep an eye on traffic via the internet or radio, to help you plan the best route.
Snow
Depending on where you live, you might use snow chains or winter tires. These can help your vehicle move when there has been heavy snowfall. Like with rain, heavy snow and sleet can also affect your ability to see while driving. If the level of snowfall is too much, you may also want to consider postponing your journey until the weather clears up a little, if possible.
Sun
You might think that sunny, bright weather is optimum for driving. While this will give you a good road condition, it can cause other problems. Glare from the sun can limit your vision, which can be dangerous on busy or winding roads. If the sun follows a period of rain, you may also have difficulty seeing caused by the reflection of the sun on the water on the surface of the road. Using your sun visor can help somewhat.
Considering the weather when planning a journey is an important part of maintaining safety. Changing conditions can cause problems for yourself and other drivers. You are always better off driving slower and more cautiously than attempting to speed towards your destination. At times, cancelling your journey entirely is the best choice if going out is not essential.
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Froggy’s Lair Introduces Kids To Nature And Nurture With Captivating Biosphere
We have been learning about frogs and singing the 5 little speckled frogs when our friends at Froggy’s Lair sent us their African Dwarf Frog kit! It comes with the sand, gravel, tank, LED light, bamboo plant, frog food and 2 froggies! They are low maintenance and only eats 4 pellets twice a week and water changes suggested at every 3 months. More interesting than goldfish and not much work! A perfect fun beginner pet or gift for a friend.
I did some quick research before receiving them and many frog owners say that they love nooks and places to ‘hide’ so I put a little plastic toy cup inside and they both immediately when into the ‘tunnel’ to hang out and play. It is very relaxing to watch them and a ‘relief’ each morning to see them still alive. They do something funny which is just floating without moving and then suddenly swim quickly. Niko saw them swimming to the top for air and he said UP UP!
Pet adoptions have soared this year as families seek comfort and calm with a non-human companion. Pandemic puppies, cats and even frogs, are a marvelous addition to the household. Froggy’s Lair BioSphere ($69.95) introduces African Dwarf Frogs to children who quickly discover how to nurture these aquatic creatures in a one-gallon tank. It’s the perfect STEM project for youngsters “attending” school from the kitchen table.
Edutaining toy store chain Learning Express recently named Froggy’s Lair as its Science Toy of the Year. Their Top 5 reasons make this low maintenance BioSphere the perfect supplement to the new school year!
- Having two small frogs in the house are ideal for emerging readers who often feel more comfortable reading aloud to a pet.
- Nurturing a pet is an excellent way for kids to “parent play”—to practice being caregivers.
- Feeding and caring for a pet encourages childhood responsibility.
- Children with pets display improved impulse control, social skills, and self-esteem.
- And lastly, sharing the love and care of a family pet forges an additional common bond among siblings.
“These amazing, nostalgic critters are great as a child’s first pet,” explains Ryp Walters, owner of Froggy’s Lair. “They only need to be fed twice a week and come with a year’s supply of food.” Additionally, “our frogs are sustainably and responsibly raised right here, locally, in the United States.
In addition to the two frogs, the “lair” comes with a living bamboo stalk, bioactive sand, decorative gravel plus several rocks for the tiny frogs to hop or play hide and seek. Each Froggy’s Lair tank cleans and conditions itself with very little care. Together, all elements work in harmony to create a completely filter-free BioSphere habitat.
A BioSphere is a self-regulating ecosystem studied by both scientists and animal-lovers. Using the BioSphere, kids will learn about how an aquatic Nitrogen Cycle system works, which is a STEM concept. The bioactive sand (located under the colorful gravel) acts as a biological filter by converting waste and excess food to nutrients. The enclosed bamboo stalk consumes the nutrients (which discourages algae growth) in addition to acting as a natural aerator (which provides essential oxygen). Check out this video that explains the science behind how the BioSphere habitat works.
ABOUT FROGGY’S LAIR
Our commitment is to provide our customers with products that bring us closer to nature, connect us with the outdoors, foster personal engagement with one another, and encourage adventure and knowledge. We want our family and yours to be able to share the same enthusiasm, curiosity, and appreciation that we had as kids – in
a responsible and affordable manner. We continue to develop new products with this vision and, hopefully, get dirty from time to time doing so. For more information, visit www.FroggysLair.com.
