The best thing that I have found for keeping my lips moisturized, is the Original Vaseline Jelly. The label says that it is pure 100% petroleum jelly.
I have used a variety of other lip moisturizing treatments and balms, which were name brand, but I have had the best long term results with the original Vaseline.
I usually apply it after brushing my teeth. So for the most part, that is once in the morning, and again at night.
The nice thing about Vaseline, is that it's not just for lips. It can be applied to rough elbows, heels, etc., and also to squeaky door hinges!
As for applying the Vaseline to my lips or anything else, I use a clean Q-tip for each application. Just one dip per end of the cotton swab; that way the Vaseline stays clean for future applications.
Need cotton swabs? These cotton swabs are organic, which is a plus in my book. Amazon didn't permit me to use a link for the Q-tips brand, but you are welcome to search for that brand, or whatever brand you might like, once on Amazon.
The above text links go to Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I earn income for qualifying purchases made from the above links.
Thank you.
Cheryl Paton
Photo is by Cheryl Paton, including my cat Tori checking out the rebounder.
I have had a couple of mini trampolines, over the years. On the first one, the mesh wore out. When I replaced the first one, I was both surprised and impressed with my second one.
This newer model had more bounce to it. The stretchy fabric has more give to it than what my old mini trampoline had. It was a basic model for around $50.
And then, I got busy with doing other things, and it sat in the basement, awaiting for my return. Well you know what, after I switched to a plant based diet, I got more energy, and also had some extra time, so I got my trampoline out and bought it up to my living room to make it more convenient to use. It was a welcome and fun activity. So much so, that I decided to upgrade to one with more bounce and give to it. I was looking for one with bungee type cords over the metal springs. I liked that there wouldn't be squeaks to it.
I did some research and decided on the JumpSport 350 rebounder. It was within the weight limits for my husband and I, and had a great amount of repetitions that it could handle for its lifetime.
It had added bounce that I wanted, which feels like more fun to me. It is also quieter than the ones with the metal springs that I had before. The legs feel very solid and sturdy.
I had watched videos where people not only jumped on it, but kicked as well. So far my favorite exercises to do on it is to stand and bounce on it, and to just jog in place. Sometimes I also add arm exercises that coordinate with the jumps, and steps.
I like that this a fun way to get extra steps in and I don't have to drive somewhere. I also don't have to think about what the weather is doing.
I found this one online on Amazon. (That is where the above link goes.) The rebounder was delivered rather quickly, and was so much easier to put together than the old models I had. I did not have to stretch metal coils to attach the fabric to the frame. All I needed to do was to attach the legs.
The other main difference is that this one sets a couple of inches higher, and also has a wider area to jump on. That also feels good.
Cheryl Paton
The above text links go to Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I earn income for qualifying purchases made from the above links.
I had purchased a new Leslie Sansone Walk DVD. This DVD refers to the Hits as in Party Songs, and also HIIT as in High Intensity Interval Training.
One major difference with this walking DVD by Sansone, is that it gives you the choice of just walking to the music, or listening to Leslie too.
I kind of like listening to Leslie's banter and instructions, so I do listen to her talking as well.
The other major difference is the HIIT, because you build up to the higher intensity moves, but only stay there for a short while before bringing your heart rate back down. Then you exercise (walk) to the lower intensity a while before going back up to the higher heart rate routines. This is done throughout all three miles, instead of having certain miles that are higher intensity than other miles.
I like this pattern myself, and find it easier to walk the three miles than in the other Sansone DVDs I've used.
The one that I bought is the Party Songs version.
In joy.
Cheryl Paton
The above text links go to Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, Cheryl Paton receives income from qualifying purchases made through these links.
I had purchased the Neskla Pedometer, and am impressed with what I have seen.
I used to have a non-battery powered pedometer, and it left quite a bit to be desired. The latest pedometers are battery powered and are more accurate, in my opinion.
Pros:
This Neskla Pedometer is on Amazon; it gives a cumulative reading for the steps taken, until you press and hold the reset button to zero it out. When it is reset, it will start again at zero and begin counting once it notices movement.
The unit remains on in sleep mode in between uses. It will start counting once it notices movement, and will display the steps taken once you have taken around 10-13 steps. The initial 10-13 steps are added in with the cumulative count. I reset my pedometer at the start of each new day, or when I take it off at the end of the day.
It comes with a removable clip, and also a lanyard if you want to wear it around your neck. It can also be carried in a purse, and still detect movement.
This unit comes with a long life battery that is good for up to a year.
Cons:
The one con about this unit, is it doesn't count swaying movements, i.e. side to side. So when I am dancing, it will count marching type steps, but not the hip sways that go from side to side. I would like it to count those movements too, as I am moving, so it should count. Anyway, other than that, I like it pretty well. Sometimes I just add some extra steps in for my daily count for the sways!
After I started walking on a more regular basis, I decided to keep a log. Here is a chart I came up with. This monthly walking chart is found in my CherylsArt store on Zazzle.
There are daily columns for number of steps taken, distance, calories burned, and also one for location. I thought it would also be nice to see if there was a difference in calories burned with a change of terrain, if you are keeping track of that. The column headings can also be customized; you can keep track number of water bottles drank in a day, protein intake for the day, etc.
I'd be interested to know your feedback on the chart design.
Thank you.
Cheryl Paton
On one of my visits to the optometrist, many years ago, the doctor had said that next visit, he thought I should get bifocals. I thought, no way.
I started searching for natural ways to improve my vision. I read books, purchased kits, did eye exercises, and I was on my journey back to better vision naturally.
I have gradually been improving my vision over the years and have used various techniques. So far, the easiest one that I have used is the wearing of pinhole glasses. It's easy, because I just have to put them on. And they provided results. I also went without glasses as much as possible. At first, it was just in restaurants, where I could see a fuzzy person sitting across the table from me; and at home where could more easily see and know what was around me.
That is no longer an issue. I can read store names across the mall, easily and clearly see the people sitting across from me in restaurants, and also at other nearby tables.
I usually wear the pinhole glasses when watching TV. They especially come in handy in not only make the characters more distinct, they immediately improve my ability to read any text, which is especially great for watching shows like, Wheel of Fortune.
The pinhole glasses can take some getting use to. When wearing them, I usually had to adjust my head position and or eye position to see a more clearer picture, especially at first. Overall, I found the adjusting my head well worth it.
You can find pinhole glasses online on Amazon: Pinhole glasses.
Another technique that I usually do is moving my eyes in a wide circular motion, both clockwise and then counter clockwise. It's especially easy to do this while wearing the pinhole glasses, as I just follow around the rim of the frame with my eyes, a few times in each direction, thereby getting in some extra eye exercises while wearing the glasses.
I see much more clearly now than when I first started. Before starting natural vision exercises, one eye was rated as 20/600 and the other 20/650. On last exam, I could see better than 20/200 on a combined measurement without any glasses at all.
In addition to wearing pinhole glasses, I also incorporate eye exercises throughout my day. I drew some diagrams of the eye exercises that I do, like the circling of the eyes in each direction. A relaxing technique for your eyes, is to rub your palms together, and place them over your eyes. You can check these techniques and others out on posters at my CherylsArt store on Zazzle.
Before you go, think of the lyrics - I can see clearly now, and decide to notice the things that you do see clearly.
Cheryl Paton
Yes, people are improving their vision through eye exercises.
One thing that has helped me is to look beyond my clear seeing zone, and then to notice what I do see; and to do that from time to time throughout the day. If you want to give it a try, look ahead and notice what is the most clear item that you can see. Then look a bit beyond that item, or closer to you if you are wanting to adjust your vision the other way. Then just notice what you do see. It doesn't have to be clear. Just notice. Do you see the general outline of something, perhaps space in between the letters or space in between the lines if you are looking at text. Then note in your mind what it is that you see. Part of this re-training of your eyes is also re-training your mind that you do see things.
Another thing I've done is to rotate my eyes around in large circles, first in one direction, and then in the other. Take a look at the photo at the top of the page to get the idea. It's as if you are drawing a big circle with your eyes, going from right to left, and then from left to right.
Eyes need to relax as well as exercise, and not just when one is sleeping. Before doing this exercise however, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly first. Then rub your cleaned palms together a few times to generate some warmth, and then place your cupped palms over your closed eyes for several seconds or more. There is no pressure to use here, in fact, there should be enough space to blink or open your eyelids if you want. Eyes can appreciate this extra relaxation.
I made a chart that illustrates various exercises that I have done to improve my vision. You can find the chart at my CherylsArt store on Zazzle.com. If you have any questions, you can ask them below.
Here's to seeing better, naturally.
Check out another option for vision exercises using pinhole glasses on this blog: Pinhole Glasses for Improving Vision.
Cheryl Paton
