Plano eye doctor warns contact lens wearers to replace their contact lens cases

Change out Contact Lens Cases

Contact lens cases are the perfect environment for bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens to thrive

 

It’s the #1 mistake contact lens wearers make and they don’t even know it,” says Plano eye doctor Albert Pang of Trinity Eye Care.

Contact lens cases are designed to hold the chemical solution that contact lens wearers use nightly to fight germs, clean lenses, and remove irritating protein deposits.

It turns out that these seemingly clean washing machines are the most frequently contaminated items used by contact lens wearers, according to research published in Clinical and Experimental Optometry.1

So instead of cleaning lenses and making them safer to wear, they can, in fact, make contact lens wear more dangerous if not replaced frequently.

How to Minimize Allergens in Your Home

Allergens - Boy Sneezing

Simple Tips to Eliminate Your Children’s “Wheezes and Sneezes” in The Winter

 

Most parents expect the winter months to lessen their children’s allergies because there’s no pollen in the air, but allergies still affect many kids this time of year because of what’s inside your home: cats, dogs, dust mites, mold and more.

Robin Wilson is CEO of Robin Wilson Home, an ambassador to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and has a hypoallergenic bedding line at Bed Bath and Beyond.  She says most parents don’t realize that their home is probably making their kids sick, but there are simple solutions to help eliminate the “wheezes and sneezes.”

How minimize allergens in your home

  • For allergy and asthma sufferers, make sure and use synthetic pillows over feathered ones, and anti-allergen or hypoallergenic pillow cases and covers. Wash your pillow case once a week, your pillow protector at least once a month and wash your pillow at least twice a year. Replace pillows every three years.
  • Don’t use a vinyl shower curtain because it holds mold more easily and off gases. Use a nylon curtain instead. It’s also less expensive.

8 Frugal Tips for Fitness Resolutions

mom doing push ups

If getting fit tops your New Year’s resolutions for 2013, you’re not alone.

According to the 2013 Outlook Survey organized by TD Ameritrade, Inc., 42 percent of Americans are making health-related resolutions this year. That’s compared to 32 percent opting for financial-oriented goals.

After the holidays, the new year always triggers the need to be more active, eat healthier and feel better. But how to get the most from your fitness regime without breaking the bank? Consider these ideas to stay in shape on the cheap.

1. Take Advantage
Gym rats abhor the beginning of the year when well-intentioned newbies crowd their classes and struggle with the equipment. Despite the initial claustrophobia, however, the gym floor inevitably clears within a couple months as fitness goals wane. As a committed newcomer, you should take advantage of New Year’s gym deals, like reduced monthly payments and waived activation fees. Chat with salespeople at several gyms and be sure to ask for a free pass to experience the facility and classes before committing.

How we React to Seasonal Change

Snowflake Lights on Tree

Festivals of Lights: Finding Health in the Darkness

 

by Bethlyn Gerard

December in the Northern Hemisphere has days that grow increasingly shorter. Nights fall earlier. Ever heard the Simon and Garfunkle lyric, ‘hello darkness my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again…’? We are in the darkest time of year. Species react differently to this seasonal change. Birds fly south, bears hibernate, humans often decorate. Several major religions include stories involving light during this darkest of months. A lamp burns without oil for 8 days, a star shining in the East gives guidance, candles and fires (replaced in modern ceremonies by electric lights) teach us to respect the relationship between light and darkness.

The winter solstice marks the day when the amount of daylight is equal to the length of night. Until then, the amount of darkness increases. This year that day is December 21, 2012. After that, the days gradually get longer letting in more light.

6 Tips on How to Stay Healthy for the Holidays

Staying Healthy During the Holidays

How to Encourage Yourself and Others to Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season

By Sonja Kabell, Founding Consultant, Slimming World USA

As the holiday season approaches, keeping you and your family’s health in mind is a gift that is priceless. We do not have to give up our health-related goals like exercise, eating right and taking care of ourselves just because it’s the holidays! Here are some tips and strategies that might see you through the season.

Down Syndrome: Brooke’s Story

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month - Brooke Garbe

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

 

by Mina Frannea

Down Syndrome is a congenital disorder in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. This disorder affects about 1 in every 800 babies born in the United States. In an effort to bring awareness to this condition, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) established the “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” which is traditionally observed in the month of October. The purpose of Down Syndrome Awareness Month is to advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome and to continue to bring awareness for those who are affected by Down Syndrome and their families.

This year, four-year-old Brooke Garbe helped kick off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month as one of 200 people whose photo was selected to appear in the National Buddy Walk Video presented by NDSS in Times Square in New York City. Brooke’s photo (shown above) was selected from over 1,000 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos.

Caterpillar Stickers: Ten Year-Old with Dyslexia Co-Authors New Children’s Book

You’re Invited to the Official Book Launch and Signing Party on November 11th!

 

SPECIAL BOOK SIGNINGS BY SEERAY!
Saturday, November 3rd and 10th from 1:00pm – 2:15pm at
Plano Children’s Theatre
3201 Custer Street, Ste. 706
Plano, TX. 75075

Following a heart-warming story of personal triumph, one Dallas-based ten year-old is delighted to announce the launch of her new children’s book, Caterpillar Stickers. However, unlike most authors, Sierra Rene Flad a.k.a. See Ray faces challenges that make her achievement extra special: she faces the daily struggle of Dyslexia.

When See Ray found reading such a struggle that she developed a fear of school, her parents worked diligently to help her discover of the joys of reading. With new-found confidence and skills far beyond her years, See Ray has co-authored a new children’s book with her Mom, Ruth Flad, that proves anything is possible!

Stop by and meet Sierra and Ruth at the official book launch and signing party for Caterpillar Stickers:  Sunday, November 11th from 1pm – 3pm at Barnes & Noble, Preston Road in Plano.