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

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!

1. Having two small frogs in the house are ideal for emerging readers who often feel more comfortable reading aloud to a pet.
2. Nurturing a pet is an excellent way for kids to “parent play”—to practice being caregivers.
3. Feeding and caring for a pet encourages childhood responsibility.
4. Children with pets display improved impulse control, social skills, and self-esteem.
5. 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.

Betabrand’s Catstooth Pants break norms, records. 

SAN FRANCISCO, September 14 —  Dogs’ dominion over houndstooth is finally over, just the latest in an endless series of Internet victories claimed by cats.

Popular pattern ‘irrevocably sullied’ by felines, says American Kennel Club.

Close inspection reveals a subtle difference in the houndstooth pattern that graces Betabrand’s latest Dress Pant Yoga Pants. According to company founder Chris Lindland, “Catstooth is the fastest-selling new style of Dress Pant Yoga Pants we’ve ever seen, proof positive that felines fuel the Internet.”

Confused canine community asks, ‘Are we not your best friends?’

After any product becomes a hit, Betabrand quickly polls its fanbase on related design ideas. The company rapidly released a matching Catstooth Blazer, a skinny style, and launched a design project for dog lovers who feel left out.

Howls of ‘bait-and-switch!’ echo throughout dogdom.

As this print’s popularity grows, the company will continue to crowdsource new Catstooth prototypes, with concept skirts and shirts now queueing up in the pipeline. Says Lindland, “If companies are seeking a revenue catalyst during the quarantine, look no further than cats.”

‘Cats have crossed a line in the litter,” says anonymous Goldendoodle.

###

About Betabrand:

San Francisco-based Betabrand gives consumers a voice in design, inviting them directly into clothing’s creative process.  From a product’s first sketch to the last pixel,  Betabrand’s fans decide what’s next.

Sharks. Humpback whales. Underwater wildlife. Guests will get an up-close-and-personal look at these mysterious creatures with the “Undersea Explorer Virtual Reality Theater,” an all-new attraction from Immotion. The newest addition to Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, this immersive experience center features state-of-the-art, motion platform VR technology transporting guests to the ocean’s depths.

These experiences, created by Immotion’s Emmy® Award-winning documentary team, presents live-action educational and adventurous content guided by marine biologists and wildlife experts. With a mission to support marine conservation through the creation of engaging events, “Undersea Explorer” features cutting-edge technology syncing 360-degree stereoscopic VR with dynamic motion seating for the ultimate below-the-sea adventure.

As part of the “Undersea Explorer” exhibition, attendees can explore various experiences including:

• “Shark Dive” – “Swim” with marine biologist Matthew Smukall and Shark Whisperer Mike Dornellas as they dive among tiger sharks and hammerheads. The dive features the world’s first VR POV Shark Cam from a camera mounted on a shark’s dorsal fin!
• “Swimming with Humpbacks” – Follow marine biologist/cameraman Jeff Hester as he sets out to learn about the behavior of mother humpback whales and their calves. Track a newborn and its mom undersea and see how the behavior of the mother evolves as the calf matures.
• Take a “Jawsome” selfie in the hyper-realistic shark cage, learn about the amazing anatomy of the humpback whale, track the real-time movement of sharks around the world and learn the secrets of the humpback whale songs – all activities guests can experience in the virtual undersea adventure pre-show area.

“At a time when getting out of the house feels like a luxury, it’s a thrill to open our doors and let the public experience ‘Undersea Explorer,’” said Rod Findley, Group Commercial Director of Immotion. “We’ve created a safe, educational and adventurous way to explore underwater wildlife and hope that guests become passionate about oceanic conservation through this unique VR experience.”

Health & Safety

• The “Undersea Explorer” pre-show activities and lobby abide by the six-foot physical distancing protocols.
• Theater seats are cleaned and the VR goggles are sanitized in a UV light machine after each viewing.
• Hand-sanitizing stations are available throughout the venue.
• For more information about MGM Resorts’ Health & Safety Plan, please visit mgmresorts.com.

“Undersea Explorer” is included in the admission to Shark Reef Aquarium which is open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. To manage capacity limits and provide for physical distancing, Shark Reef Aquarium has timed ticket entry. Tickets can be purchased online and information on pricing is available here. Advance reservations are recommended. Must be 5 years or older to experience the “Undersea Explorer Virtual Reality Theater.”

To learn more, visit https://immotion.co.uk, and follow Immotion on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

ABOUT IMMOTION
Immotion Group is the global leader in immersive educational entertainment. By combining educational VR experiences with state-of-the-art motion-platform technology, Immotion gives zoos, aquariums, museums and science centers, a fresh new attraction that excites and engages visitors of all ages. All immersive solutions come fully themed and require no upfront CAPEX. Scalable from 4 seats to a 40+ seat VR theater complete with an immersive interactive pre-show area, Immotion’s cinematic experiences transport guests to worlds beyond their imagination. Creating all content from its Los Angeles and UK studios, the Immotion team is committed to providing its partners with the best experiences on the market today — 100% guided by scientists/ conservation experts and directed by Emmy Award-winning directors. Immotion is taking immersive educational entertainment to the next level.

ABOUT MANDALAY BAY
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Mandalay Bay Events Center, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center combine to make Mandalay Bay a distinctive Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas.  Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll free at (877) 632-7800 or find us on Facebook and Twitter.