10 ‘Eye’ Song Titles, Tips That Could Help Slow Down Cataract Growth, Vision Humor, & Tuesday4
Howdy-hi, folks! As I said on Sunday, today might be a conglomerate of bloggy memes rolled into one post. I’d rather go this route then sweep everything under the rug for a week. If I may, might I suggest to you to start the playlist for some background music while you read through my post? 😉
A couple of weeks ago, I had my bi-annual eye exam. My script did change as expected but what I didn’t count on the slight concern in Dr. M’s words that my cataracts have gotten bigger. They are still small but he said the change was noticeable and he wants me back in the office in 6-months for a visual field exam. He said there’s no immediate worries, but he indicated that perhaps this could be part of my vision change and cataract surgeries are done frequently on people in my age range. This prompted me to learn of ways to slow the progression down and so I want to share with you these tips that could help slow down cataract growth.
Some basics things to incorporate into your life include wearing sunglasses and a wide brim hat outdoors to protect your eyes from harmful UV light. I’ll admit the chances are slim that I’ll put a wide brim hat on while taking walks in the mountains but I do put on a ball cap which is better than nothing. Another thing that helps is reducing glare on your eyes from your computer monitor. On my mobile devices and on my computer I enabled the NightShift feature which makes the screen light amber eliminating harsh blue light to my eyes. I should turn the brightness down a wee bit but I think that causes too much strain on my eyes at this point. Something I definitely want to work on is getting in the habit to practice the 20-20-20 method where every 20-minutes you look away at an object that’s 20-feet away for 20-seconds. I plan to set my timer on my iPad in 20-minute intervals until it becomes second nature. Exercise at least 150 minutes each week anything from moderate exercise to vigorous walking. The article I read didn’t address all the why. Its focus was primarily to maintain a healthy weight as cataracts are strongly related to diabetes. That’s definitely something I do not want any part of!
On the diet side to protecting the health of your eyes against cataract development or in my case to slow down, if you’re not eating a well balanced diet or taking supplements then consider making the necessary adjustments to include two important nutrients found eggs and green leafy veggies, lutein and zeaxanthin (at least 6mg per day). Food sources: kale, spinach collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, beet greens, radicchio, summer and winter squash. The last two have me stumped a bit. I think we all short change ourselves where vegetables are concerned but I love spinach so this is very doable and eggs – yum!
We have always been big on supplements. Vitamin C is one that we take daily and while we get additional C in other citrus juices I was surprised when I read that to notice the benefits derived from C supplements would take 10-years blew my mind. The daily recommendation is only 90mg for men and 75mg for women. Just to give you an idea, a glass of orange juice offers 90% of your daily recommended. Other fruits and veggies plentiful in Vitamin C include: cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapes, lychees, squash, broccoli guava, red and green peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes and tomato juice, strawberries, kiwi, brussel sprouts, and get this potatoes!
Foods that are good to combat UV damage are those rich in vitamin E like vegetable oils. Sunflower, safflower, and wheat germ were specifically mentioned in my digging. It would be interesting to know if other oils are equally helpful. Spinach, nuts especially almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, peanut butter, collard greens, avocados, mango, hazelnuts, Swiss chard (a beet variety), and fish oil high in omega-3 fatty acids has proven to reduce cataract growth.
These steps are easy to follow…well, exercise probably is the single most difficult thing for most of us to get on the ball to doing. It all comes down to common sense exercise, good diet, and proper weight. I believe our over-all well-being plays an essential part of how fast or slow cataracts show up. Where ever you are age-wise, it’s not too soon or too late to work these measures in. 😉
How about some giggles and grins?
1. They say the kitchen is the heart of the home…tell us about YOUR kitchen. What is your favorite part of your kitchen? The dishwasher…yes, definitely the dishwasher is my favorite part of my kitchen. For most of the years I was raising our children, I didn’t have an automatic dishwasher. When the kids got bigger they alternated that chore but still I had to do them on occasion and in the cooler months my hands really paid for it. Not to mention it was difficult to stay on top of the constant mound of dirty dishes, glasses, and cookware. A dishwasher can’t do everything but it sure does help to free up my time and protects my hands.
2. If money were no object, what would be your “dream kitchen”? My dream kitchen wouldn’t work in our current home but if money isn’t an object then I’d certainly would not only have a dream kitchen but my dream home. That being said, what would be my dream kitchen. Perhaps something along the lines of this one below. There would be some changes even to this but I like the general layout with the huge eating island (also a great area for food prep – rolling out pizza dough, cutting cookies, building a cake, …), huge stove, built in oven, and the sink which is barely visible in the lower left corner appears to be near a window.
3. Tell us about a favorite memory from your kitchen, or from a kitchen in your past, perhaps your mother’s kitchen or your grandma’s kitchen? Some of my fondest memories of my mother’s kitchen are the scents from holiday cooking. She would bake the Thanksgiving turkey overnight periodically basting the bird with the aroma of sage lingering in the air all night long. My bedroom was just off the kitchen. The crack of light streaming through the open door and the clanging of pots and pans didn’t disturb my rest. In fact, it somehow lulled me into a peaceful slumber as I found comfort in those sounds and scents.
4. If you could invite anyone in the world (either past or present) to come visit with you in your kitchen, who would it be, and why? Honestly, I can’t think of one particular person. If I had my dream house with my dream kitchen then my kitchen would have an open invitation to my family and dear friends. The why is probably obvious to you and that is there’s nothing like sharing a cup of coffee a slice of pie or piece of cake or home-baked cookie while you enjoy the warm company of those you love.
Let’s build a playlist together! Leave your #1 ‘EYE’ song title in comments and if I use it, then I’ll give you credit for the contribution. In times past I’ve joined Stacy’s Tuesday Random Thoughts and Sandee’s Happy Tuesday. I’m trying to figure how I want to add these back into my blogging routine and while I may not participate, I plan to visit these lovely ladies today. I hope you’ll grab your coffee and follow my lead.
I apologize for the lengthy post. Don’t worry if you couldn’t read everything or that you just skipped to the segments that only interested you. That’s fine. I’ll be back tomorrow for my next edition of Wild Wednesdays, the party where just about anything goes! X💋X💋, Cathy
14 Comments
mevely317(aka Mevely317)
Hey, Cathy … I found mother’s recipe with little trouble, and put it out on my blog today. To the best of my memory, they had a distinct aniseed flavor. Thank you again for asking, and have a great new week!
Kirstin
DIshwasher for the win!! Love the photo of your dream kitchen. Yes, to holiday smells. I love walking into my MIL’s home and smelling turkey baking.
susan4sw
That is a beautiful dream kitchen and I agree, if money is no object, I would go for a dream home. But back to reality! 🙂
Kathe W.
So far no cataracts for me! Thanks for the tips!
-Eugi ☕️
I had cataract surgery done on one eye about 3 years ago! Best thing I ever did.
We live in an apartment and while I like everything about the apartment, the kitchen leaves a lot to be desired. The appliances they furnish are old and don’t even look nice. We bought our own refrig about 4 years ago. The management won’t replace anything unless it it beyond repair. Well, after having their staff attempt to fix their refrig many times and it still didn’t work, we gave up. We grew tired of our food freezing no matter how the temp was set. Rock on!
Brian
Eye think you did a good job on the tunes! I had my eyes done 2 years ago, our Mom just had her first one done today!
messymimi's meanderings
Some days i can’t see myself doing much, either, then i get up and go to work. Ah, well, then i get to come home and read and enjoy your blog, and it makes me smile!
15andmeowing
That is a nice kitchen. I don’t even have a dishwasher. I have read that cod liver oil can help break up cataracts, but it is messy to put in your eyes. XO
Sandee
I’ve had both eyes done and I can’t tell you how easy this surgery is. No pain, just lots of eye drops to do for weeks. So worth it. I’m seeing better than I’ve seen in years.
Love the playlist. Some great songs.
Love all the funnies.
I love that kitchen. Beautiful. I’ll post my kitchen in a couple of weeks of our makeover.
Thank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. Love and hugs. ♥
mevely317 (Myra)
“Through the Eyes of Love” perhaps?
Great dream kitchen, Cathy — I love your response to #4. A couple of years ago our dishwasher sprung a slow leak — unnoticed until it flowed under the cabinetry and began lifting the flooring in the den. I couldn’t kick it to the curb fast enough. My hubby wants another, but with just the two of us I don’t see the point.
Oh, you asked about the Springerle. I’ve never made it, but will try and find my mother’s recipe.
Cathy Kennedy
Myra,
Thanks for the return visit. I love having a dishwasher even just for the two of us. My hands don’t do well being in water all the time, especially when the weather is colder and dryer. Other than the Springerle cookies I tried making was the first ones ever for either of us, so I have nothing to compare it to to know what or if I did something wrong. I was so disappointed that my Springerle cookie molds that I bought didn’t leave a very good impression after letting the cookie dough air dry for more than a day before baking. Anyway, what does a good Springerle cookie come close to tasting like? I love the cookie molds which are handcrafted in Germany and it would be awesome to find a good cookie recipe to use the molds with to make beautiful, tasty Christmas cookies. Don’t go out of your way to find the recipe but if you come across it and think of it then I’d love to see it. Have a great afternoon!
songbird1329
My boyfriend just had cataract surgery on one eye and will shortly have surgery on his other eye. He was worried, of course, but it’s really not a difficult or painful procedure. If your doctor eventually recommends it, you should do it.
Jodi
Your dream kitchen photo, is gorgeous!!! Happy Tuesday!
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Happy TTT, dear friend! I hope you and DH had a nice weekend.
I enjoyed your block of songs with “eye” titles. My faves from your list include “Bette Davis Eyes,” a memorable, and I would say iconic video on MTV and on the station where I worked in the 80s. At the time of the vid’s release, the shots of the dancers slapping each other’s faces and smacking the floor on the beat raised “eyebrows” (my eye-word contribution to the theme). I get goose bums whenever I start listening to “Eye Of The Tiger,” because it was used as the primary “anchor song” for the “firewalk” feature at the culmination of our week-long NLP “Discover the Magic” seminar programs. Can you imagine 100+ people of all ages, from kids to an old woman of 90, marching across the lawn of a resort in the darkness in their bare feet, approaching a glowing, blazing hot 20 foot long fire pit, and boldly walking across the burning wood coals from one end to the other while that song was playing in the background? It was powerful. I’ll always remember taking part in that metaphorical experience. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” was a huge hit and is one of my 4 Seasons favorites. “These Eyes” is a great song on the soundtrack of my college years. Most boomers could name that tune and most of these others in 2 seconds flat. Jennifer & Patrick, the male and female leads in Dirty Dancing, certainly generated chemistry on the screen, even though the back story claims they didn’t like each other very much. “Eyes Without A Face” is another iconic song and MTV video. The veejay who hosted a “Headbanger’s Ball” style late night hard rock & heavy metal show on our station played that one heavily. “Green-Eyed Lady” is another top favorite. Whenever I hear it, it takes me back to a specific moment in the late summer of 1970 when I stood on the rooftop of a hotel in Myrtle Beach, SC, and looked out across the sea as that Sugarloaf song played. I had a sense that I was looking into my future. Life was good, if only for that moment.
I’m sorry to learn that you have new concerns about the growth of cataracts. Mrs. Shady and I already had cataract surgery performed on one eye each, leading to significant improvement in our vision. I appreciated reading your common sense tips to prevent the rapid development of cataracts. Eye strain is a major concern when you spend hours a day in front of your screen. That first meme sums it up nicely. I have CAAC burned onto my retinas. (LOL) I too have made use of the dark background mode. I like the meme showing a “drive-through” eye exam office. Great one with the B&W penguins and snowy environment.
I love your answer about the convenience of having a dishwasher. In the late 80s when I started dating Mrs. Shady #2, she rented a house that didn’t have a dishwasher. She would cook me wonderful and very elaborate meals whenever I visited, but the downside was the clean-up afterward. She uses a multitude of pots, pans serving dishes and utensils in preparing meals, and it always took us an hour or more to clear the table and hand wash and dry the dishes.
I also like your concept of a dream kitchen. The kitchen is the most important room of the house to Mrs. S and she requires lots of counter space and space to move about. She’d like the one you showed.
Yessum, the scents and sounds coming from the kitchen are comforting. They let you know you are “home.” With the holidays approaching, our homes will be permeated by the aroma of pies, cookies and other baked goods, turkeys and all sorts of goodies.
On your “eye” song submission request, you already used many of my favorites that I have either already posted or will be posting at Shady’s Place. I suppose I could add Hall & Oates “Private Eyes” as my contribution.
I love the lady in the final meme “I can’t see myself doing much.” Is that another self-portrait using a mirror image? Have a happy Tuesday, dear friend Cathy. I’ll see you tamale for Wild and Almost Wordless Wednesday!