When Mark got sick and his protein intake was strictly limited, I went shopping for scales again. Every serving of meat had to be meticulously weighed, and protein grams counted. It was, literally, a matter of life and death.

Eventually, I got to the point where I could guestimate pretty close to 4 oz. and didn't use the scale as much. But over time, having that scale has allowed us to buy in bulk, and weigh out individual portions for repackaging and freezing. I can't imagine being without a scale now.

Well ... there is one in the bathroom that I could do without.

For lounging in front of the laptop. Or even a run to the store for soda and smokes. Seriously!

I see students from the local nursing program at the corner store all the time. If they can wear that medical scrub top (and comfy pants) out and about - so can I. In this incredible summer heat, scrubs have to be more comfortable than even my jean shorts.

Don't get me wrong, I'd never throw on a lab coat or try to create a "doctor uniform." Although, if you haven't checked out the styles lately, you might be surprised at just how non-medical many lab coats look. I actually could see myself throwing one, just a simple white jacket, over a tank top and jeans for a lunch date or trip to the grocery store.

What I didn't expect to find was scrubs for kids. These are seriously cute and incredibly practical. With their easy-on tops and elastic-waist pants, how great they must be for busy parents.

For adults or kids, I imagine part of the attraction - beyond comfort - is that they wash and dry like a dream. Who needs to stand over an ironing board for hours every week? I own an iron, but that doesn't mean I routinely buy clothes that will ever get to meet it.

BagKing.com ~ From a grass-roots business in 1994, Bag King® has grown to be a leading online retailer. In stock items usually ship the same day and orders over $50 ship Free!

From Messenger Bags and Briefcases to Rolling Luggage and Travel Accessories to Laptop Bags and School Accessories ~ Bag King® has just what you need!

HannaAndersson.com ~ Begun in a garage in 1983, Hanna Andersson offers adorable outfits in butter-soft organic cotton fabrics that are so durable, they let kids be kids.

In more than 20 years, the company has grown from baby and kids clothing to include the entire family; high chairs and BPA-free products; and toys and learning gifts for kids of all ages.

SkinCubed.com ~ Offers 3 simple-to-use products designed to improve skin firmness, smooth texture, even coloring, and reduce wrinkles.

Best of all, Skin Cubed provides a 90-day money-back guarantee. If their products don't meet your standards or perform as promised - return them for a prompt refund, even if the bottles are empty.

Please take a minute to visit our newest Partners-In-Shopping. We think you'll love what they have to offer, as much as we do.

The other big issue is knowing which repair shop can be trusted. When our truck started overheating, we took it to a (supposedly) reputable chain. They replaced the thermostat and charged us plenty.

When the situation didn't improve, we called back. It was only then that we were told that 'old girl' had a blown head gasket. A new thermostat did nothing and they knew it. In fact, this probably made the situation worse, since we continued to drive the truck instead of getting the proper repairs done.

Today, I ran across a repair site that seems different. First, whether you're looking for Houston auto repair services or a tune-up specialist in Evans, Colorado - this is the place to start. RepairPal offers nationwide information and is not owned by or affiliated with any manufacturer, dealership, facility, or parts provider.

Second, they have a huge list of vehicles. So whether you own an Acura Integra or a Dodge Dakota that really needs some mechanic love and attention, you're going to be able to find yours. Fine-tune it down to the engine size, so you know that the estimates are accurate. (Who needs a quote for repairs on a 6-cylinder Dakota, when they own a 4-cylinder?)

Then, we get to the fun part - what work / repairs does your 'baby' need? I was amazed at the available detail. It took me no time at all to zoom in on Head Gasket(s) Replacement. And it doesn't matter where you start - repair, location, or vehicle. The site is that flexible.

My only concern is the rating system. It's a 5-star process, based on consumer reviews. Unfortunately, the few reviews I read sounded suspiciously similar. After 2 or 3 that ended with some version of "my mechanics for life," I started to wonder.

There may be some 'canned' reviews, which does bother me. However, one of the shops listed for our area had a dozen comments, spanning about 11 months, that appear to be from consumers who have used them for many years. I guess it's always a bit of a gamble, but RepairPal still seems like a good place to start.

I had convinced myself that, due to advancing age, my vision had changed for the better. Seriously! I didn't have to hold my reading material against my nose to see it anymore and, even from across the room, I could almost make out faces on the TV. Better, right?!

Well, not so much. The best you could say is -- differently bad. In fact, when I asked the eye doctor about the contacts I've been dying to order he explained, "There wouldn't even be a 30-day lens, in the world, for that left eye." Darned astigmatism!

But, looking on the bright side, I did get a pair of lined bifocals (which everyone is worried I'm going to hate), 6 boxes of contact lenses - per eye, and three years worth of eye exams (including 10% off all purchases) for less than the glasses that are currently falling off my face. I think I love America's Best!

I've been putting off getting new glasses for a very long time, now. The prescription on my contacts is just as old and I can't really see out of either. Add in the fact that my glasses are bent, the earpieces are taped on - and you can see it's time to bite the bullet and head to the eye doctor.

To that end, I have been doing some online pricing. It appears that the 30-day multifocals I have been desperately wanting are not going to happen, unless we suddenly hit the lottery. But the deals out there on eyeglasses are pretty good.

The fact that I am seriously near-sighted, need bifocals, and have an astigmatism in my left eye shouldn't make a difference. Right!? Oh, yeah! It's gonna be expensive.

I can hear the Cha-Ching! already!

Being a mom is not for the faint of heart!

When the new school year is on the horizon that is when I know that the dreaded school clothes shopping trips are drawing near. I love my children, but dragging them through store after store to try on different clothes is no walk in the park. Thankfully, because of the miracle of technology, I can now do the shopping that myself, and my children have grown to hate, at home!

All I have to do is fire up my HughesNet internet, and all my favorite stores are just a click away. I find oldnavy.com is one of my favorite places to land the great bargains I need, and the styles that my children are excited to wear.

When I am looking for shoes, my first stop is shoesontheweb.com. They offer a HUGE selection and great discounts on the most popular name brands. They also offer free shipping and reviews of all of the shoes on their site so I can make an informed decision before I buy. Jcpenney.com is also one of my favorites. Their sizing guides make getting the right items easy, and they offer super bargains on clothes and great deals on free shipping.

So fellow moms unite! Let us say goodbye to in store shopping and embrace our inner cyber shopper!

It was actually a lot simpler than I thought and I was not quite as ignorant as I feared (both good). By general definition, tack is the equipment used on a domesticated horse. This covers saddles, bridles, reins, harnesses, bits, stirrups, and halters.

But that isn't as cut-and-dried as it sounds. There are dressage saddles, show saddles, trail saddles, English saddles, youth saddles, and Western saddles. (And probably some I missed.) Bridles, stirrups, bits, halters, and martingales have similar options. And then there are the items that complete the riding set-up, such as girths, saddle pads and blankets, stirrup leathers and pads ... and ... and ...

And ... all of those options are just to be able to ride a horse. Don't even get me started on what it takes to care for that horse. Yup, my friend is a wonder woman!

In the olden days of my youth, doorbells were hard-wired into the house's electrical system. Something you couldn't do or have done to a rental unit. Well, unless you had a really nice landlord and wanted to leave your chimes when you moved. Not a good solution.

Today, battery-powered units offer more than 10 different tunes, play different sounds or songs for each door, and have sound quality so good you can actually recognize the song. There are even options to add receivers in other rooms. After all, a doorbell isn't much good if you don't hear it.

Granted, I'm not a cigar smoker. But it is a little embarrassing to realize that these Honduran, hand-rolled cigars have been around since 1871. Milder than some brands, they have what's called a sweetened wrapper cap.

Unless I miss my guess, that means flavor. And probably a much better smoke than the little grape things that Frankie used to buy.

Mugs are sturdy, solid, reliable, and big. Trust me - I've done the research. Way back when, I actually had an entire kitchen cabinet dedicated to my addiction. (In those days, it was an affordable habit.) Everyone knew I collected, so any holiday was an occasion to find the silliest or sweetest (thank you, girlfriends!) sentiments on the market.

My favorite mug, hands down, was from the long-distance company where I worked. What made it special was the handle - shaped like a little blue telephone handset. The cutest thing I've seen - or owned - before or since.

(It was not, however, good for reheating! Something in the paint on that adorable handle made molten ceramic when combined with microwaves.)

These days, our mugs are great big, wonderful dollar-store finds - big, round, clear, with concave circles all around so these big, heavy coffee urns don't slip out of your hands. Did I mention they are big?! We have a 12-cup coffeemaker and filling 2 of these mugs puts a serious dent in the contents of the pot. Love it!

The cute little cups that came with my new dishes? They're in a drawer ... somewhere.

Counting on the name to mean quality and wearability, I bought the cutest little slip-ons. If memory serves I mentioned that, from the first time I wore them, they rubbed my heels and made them bleed. Even with socks! So, like it or not - cuz the ole tennies are just not cuttin' it for quick on and off - I need new shoes. Again.

I've been looking at, among other options, MBT shoes and am seriously fascinated. They call themselves "the anti-shoe" and offer a unique (well, I've never seen it before) curved sole that is supposed to be like walking barefoot in sand. More natural and healthy for the body.

Although the 'learn to walk a new way to keep from falling over' comment left this klutz a tad apprehensive.

I learned - very quickly - that there are a lot of options when it comes to binoculars. A whole big bunch of options! Depending on what you want to pay, what you want to use them for, and whether you need a camera, wide-angle viewing, or are visiting the opera.

Since what we have has a camera and my mind was spinning with available choices, I decided to start there. And was lucky enough to find something well within my price range. Unfortunately, I started thinking about all those other options and that, although Mark had picked the camera binoculars then, he might prefer something else now.

It just never pays to think and shop. Now, I'm back to square one and have absolutely no idea what to get. {sigh}

First, it's expensive. Although the cost of living hasn't increased - according to our whiz-bang government - food is more and more expensive every time we set foot in the store. $4.00/lb for ground meat that's at least 20% fat is insane in my little corner of the universe.

Second, the quality of the products have gone downhill rapidly in recent years. Try to find a decent bag of potatoes or onions, or green peppers that are bigger than an infant's fist - go ahead! I dare you! And what about that chicken? It may be injected with flavorings and sodium-loaded additives at -- wait for it -- up to 15% of its weight! And it still dares to call itself 'natural!'

Third, once you hunt down enough food to hopefully feed three people for a month and survive the sticker shock long enough to schlub it home - it has to be hauled up the stairs and put away. That 20-pack of chicken pieces, 12-pack of pork chops, and those 5 lb. chubs of ground meat have to be cleaned and rewrapped in convenient, meal-size packages that will fit into the freezer. Produce has to be washed; pantry supplies need to be stowed away.

It's an all day event and the only reward is knowing that - with any luck - you won't have to do it again for 3 or 4 weeks. So, if you see Mark, tell him -- I haven't been here, you don't know where I went, and good luck with that grocery thing. (Me? I'm under the bed and I'm not coming out!)

Paint in good condition, even today, does not require testing and removal as it isn't a health threat. But, if there is any question - before starting any remodeling or renovation projects - a good lead test kit would be a good first step. Testing the soil around an older home or apartment is never a bad idea either, according to the EPA.

Now that I think about it, these kits would probably work on painted toys and other risky items we've been reading about in the news. It isn't just the walls and window sills that could be toxic these days.

eBillme attempts to help by connecting merchants, banks, and shoppers. It's an interesting idea, down to the online coupons and cash-back options. Just order, select eBillme to pay, and you're done. More or less.

To take advantage of online coupons, you have start shopping from eBillme. The list of participating merchants seems extensive, so it shouldn't keep you from finding what you want. And the search function works pretty well.

Now, the fun part. Click on a coupon / offer and eBillme connects to the merchant site. The one I tested popped up a code that had to be used. Be ready to write it down - it doesn't stay there long!

Once you make a selection and start checkout, choose eBillme as the payment method. This is where I ran into some confusion (my fault) - the coupon code didn't work on the merchant site. It had to be entered on the eBillme site.

The merchant I tested then bounced me to an eBillme screen that didn't really do anything. And, no matter what I did, I never made it to a place to finalize my order. A different merchant worked fine, but I wasn't trying to use a coupon on that one. (I thought the first problem was because I was just testing the process, but I'm not sure.)

If you can get the process to work, you should get bounced to eBillme, where you can enter your codes and email information. An invoice will be generated, presented on-screen, then emailed to you for payment. Use your bank's bill-pay system to make payment, which will be forwarded to the merchant, who will ship your order.

My guess? This is not going to happen as quickly as it sounds. Especially the first time. Don't have a bank account? Grab your cash (plus minimum $4.95 processing fee) and head for one of the walk-in payment centers. (We actually have one right across the street!)

These centers appear to take even longer - with a few more steps - between giving up your money and getting your order. Not exactly my first choice. But if you have no other options, it is one way to shop online.

There are either/or selections, nice-but-not-critical applications, and very important functional considerations. In my quest for answers, DVR for DIRECTV got me started by explaining receiver options. Basically, there are two types of service: HD (high definition) and SD (standard definition). Since we have an HDTV, SD service doesn't sound like our best choice.

The specs, not counting image/sound quality differences, are fairly similar. HD-DVR seems to have more bells and whistles, which may be a ploy to grab viewers. Or may simply reflect consumer preferences for HD. Either way, HD receivers will record SD; the reverse is not true.

Another variable, which DVR for Time Warner Cable highlighted, is the ability to compensate for schedule changes. Some DVR systems will find and record programmed shows - in their entirety - even if they change days, times, or run longer than expected. Given network predilection for moving shows around, that could be an invaluable function.

And for sports fans, it may be a gotta-have-this option. Just imagine: you've avoided result broadcasts all day, waiting to sit back, relax, and enjoy that game or race. You get down to the wire - 2 minute warning / white-flag lap - only to find that your recording has been Heidi-bowled ^[1]. It's one thing when the network makes a bone-head broadcast decision. Quite another to inadvertently run out of recording time or memory.

Which leads me to a last, important component: storage capacity. I learned from the stats on DVR for Dish Network, that not all systems are the same. Some have much smaller hard drives, severely limiting how many programs can be recorded before viewing becomes mandatory. Like an enormous VHS tape or DVD, when you're out of room - you're out of programs.

This limitation is even more obvious where HD is concerned. High-definition files are larger than standard-definition and that estimated eighty hours of stored programming drops very quickly to thirty, or less. Unless viewers record today, watch tonight, and delete immediately - size of the hard drive moves to the top of the list.

So, for us, I'm thinking that storage is the decision, followed by HD over SD. Since we follow (or attempt to follow) a few shows that move around a lot, it might be nice to have some of the bells and whistles that eliminate neurotically memorizing the TV schedule, as well.

Quick Afghan 001

Similar to one of our Banded Afghan Styles, this Quick Afghan is crocheted in wide stripes, using three yarn colors.

The Primary color is used throughout the Afghan, combining with the Secondary color in the larger sections and with the Accent / Third color for narrower bands at the top, middle, and bottom.

One of the design hurdles we had to address was the Primary Color option. After much deliberation, and several less workable ideas, we decided to offer black and white as the - for lack of a better phrase - canvas on which the design will build.

Whether light or dark, we believe that all of our other yarn options will work extremely well with these base colors. Personally, I think this is going to become one of our most popular styles.

There are so many possibilities ~ whether combining tints and shades from the same color family (as in the pictures) or pulling contrasting colors, such as purple and yellow, or orange and blue. What about bright green and red with white for Christmas? or gold and orange with black for fall / Halloween?

See?! Almost endless possibilities!

Because the patterns were more time-consuming in our Block Afghans, the larger sizes took nearly 4 weeks to complete. This Quick Afghan should take about three. We're anticipating, and hoping, that delivery will actually be closer to only 2 weeks for most of the sizes.

I know that, in the middle of sweltering summer heat, the last thing anyone thinks about are warm, snuggly Afghans. But that is one of the reasons we're not as busy from April to September. Once the weather cools, the orders increase and, though rare, processing delays and order backlogs are always possible.

Order today and beat the crowd.

To start with, I can't use the same floor lamp everywhere; though I did try, desperately. Next to the television, we need diffused lighting to brighten the room, but not blind everyone. Between the recliners, task lighting would be better - for reading, using the laptop, and crocheting, but not really to light the whole room because it would create a reflection in the TV. (Our issue with Harry Potter.)

Then, we have the desk. Mark really needs something that lights up the keyboard, but doesn't get in his way or create a glare on the monitor or shine back in his eyes. Ideally, a desk lamp that clips or clamps to the top shelf and has a movable arm that he can pull down or push out of the way.

No single style is going to do all of these things and, since we rent, we can't exactly rewire and mount fixtures on the walls. My best hope, at this point, is three different lamps in bronze or brass (personal preferences) with shades that are similar enough to complement each other and not look like we just threw something in the room. Oddly, not as difficult as I imagined.

Or that there was an anti-microbial version? It should have been obvious - what else would medical labs and pharmaceutical companies use? Or, in theory, the food industry. Anywhere, I suppose with a stringent need for maintaining sanitary conditions.

All well and good, but don't they just wear off? Well, actually, some of these coatings last 7 years, up to 15 years ~ depending on cleaning methods. Amazing.

The main difference is that reputable sites offer a biography - with credentials - of the dermatologist. They also tend to be more than one page of 'cookie-cutter' reviews and links to affiliated product order forms. Lastly, authentic, medically-supported websites don't seem to offer the same three or four products that can be found on dozens of other sites.

It isn't necessarily easy to find the 'good' sites. But it is worth the effort. Trust me.

New Quick Afghan 001

Our newest style is called the Quick Afghan because, well ... it is. Crocheted with 2 strands of yarn (and a really big crochet hook), these Afghans come together far quicker than many of our other sytles. This, virtually, cuts the time from order to shipping by one-third!

Quick Afghan 001 is similar to one of our Banded Afghan Styles. Made up of three colors, the Main and Accent Colors are worked together in the larger sections. The Main and Third colors combine for the narrower bands at the top, middle, and bottom.

New Quick Afghan 002

Quick Afghan 002 is a much simpler design - two colors, worked together throughout. It's a bit like a custom, you-design-it variegated yarn. (The image doesn't do justice to these colors - an amazing deep magenta and black.)

In fact, I made a larger version for my daughter and son-in-law (in purple and cream) as a wedding gift. Not to mention, a shawl and a couple of hats and scarves that I designed using double strands. Who knows? They may show up as new products, one of these days, as well.

Currently, we're working on pricing and shipping schedules for these new styles. But look for them to be available for order before the end of the month.

Frankly, that makes me a little nervous. The average supplement is an unregulated crap-shoot, filled with ingredients that may be beneficial, possibly aren't, and could be (at the extreme end) dangerous. But prenatal vitamins effect two lives - for better or worse.

A pregnant woman has very specific needs, to ensure proper development of her baby and supporting her own system. Knowing what amounts of which vitamins and minerals are medically recommended makes getting the right supplement much easier. I don't know if there is much variance from product to product, but I certainly would prefer a checklist for comparison, if I were doing the shopping.

Guidelines exist and are fairly easy to find. Personally, I'd trust my doctor over the average this-is-what-you-should-buy website. At the very least, advice from a medical source (Cleveland Clinic, WebMD, and Mayo Clinic come to mind) - with no financial interest in a particular brand - is a good starting point.

With auto insurance, one has to consider deductibles as part of the overall cost. Sure, the monthly premiums may be impressive - until you have a claim. Coming up with several hundred dollars, or more, may make getting back on the road almost impossible.

What about homeowner's / renter's coverage? If, heaven forbid, you experience a loss, are you covered for the replacement cost of your valuables? How does one determine what that should be?

A good agent asks these questions and offers guidance that ensures their customers can live with their decisions. If they don't ask, perhaps it's time to reconsider the relationship. Or at least explore your options.

Don't purchase, unless you:

Oh, wait - there's only one consistent recommendation: rely on reviews! My problem with that is the questionable quality and tendency to simply reuse a manufacturer's hype. The only information the consumer receives is what the maker wants them to know - in order to encourage sales.

In all fairness, there are sites that write their own content. Some even seem to look at the products before they comment. A definite improvement over cookie-cutter, affiliate-driven, give-us-your-money websites.

However, as it is virtually impossible (or at least cost prohibitive) to access clinical trial results and professional articles, product information is still mostly 'borrowed' from company sites and other reviewers. At least the more honest provide valuable help, such as 'outing' auto-ship and you-open-it-you-bought-it product return scams.

They don't discuss that many creams, designed to fight wrinkles, contain ingredients that should not be used near the eyes. If you look at the caveat, don't-do-this, and we-recommend-against-this messages - which are not always easy to find - you'll see that the sites telling you to buy 'this' are not operating in anyone's best interest.

Virtually all of the sites that pop up in a search don't admit that. They simply want you to buy their affiliate's products. It takes investigation into ingredients to find out what's safe. And since the government doesn't require full disclosure, it is not an easy job.

He'd post a link to a page of rugs and ask me to pick three, or four, that I would buy. Now I'm not trying to pat myself on the back here (okay, maybe a little, because it seriously surprised me). With the exception of one or two, I consistently chose the same ones that he had either already ordered or was going to order for the store.

Approaching something in that way - Would I offer it to my customers? And if I did, would it sell? - tends to alter one's shopping perspective. Especially for someone who's criteria usually boils down to "Oooh! Pretty!

• The average American generates approximately 4.4 lbs/day, 56 tons/year of trash;
• Almost 1/3 of that trash is packaging;
  
  
• Nearly 900 Million trees are harvested annually to feed paper and pulp mills;
• Americans:
  • Consume 1/3 (33%) of the Earth's timber and paper:
  • Total less than 1/20 (< 5%) of the world's population;
• Paper and paper products comprise 37.5% of American waste;

Of those 900,000,000 trees felled each year, it appears that most are acquired through clearcutting in the Southern United States for processing by International Paper (IP), the largest paper manufacturer in the US and the world. With blatant disregard, wetlands are drained, endangered forests are logged, and natural woodlands are replaced with tree farms. Nurseries do not support indigenous life or replace lost ecosystems.

Many fast-food companies and large chains (Starbucks, McDonald's, Random House, WalMart), understand their responsibility and have begun instituting sustainable paper usage policies and programs. Others, like KFC and Yum! Brands, continue to drag their feet, showing no desire to increase use of PCR (post-consumer recycled) packaging or reduce packaging or use products from sustainably managed forests.

International Paper has a large presence in the United States and the world and could, should they choose, adopt production strategies that would make them a leader in sustainable paper manufacturing. They could set the standard for all others to follow. So far, they have chosen to set the standard that should be avoided - at all costs.

The companies that continue to support IP by purchasing its paper products - and overpackaging their own goods - are as culpable as the manufacturer in the destruction of forest ecosystems. Trees and the air that they clean are not an infinite resource. Even replanting, as IP does (plantation-style), is insufficient to maintain fragile biomes and endemic species of flora and fauna.

It is time to address these issues at the sources - with petitions, letters, and consumer dollars. The links in this post offer a great starting point to make your voice heard. Please join me in saying: "Until I see you green, you're not seeing my 'green'."

Since I barely recall having or attending a baby shower, I was amused to find that there are still silly games and favors. Most seemed like fun. Some suggestions were more practical than others: creating scrapbook pages or redeemable coupons sounded like great activities. The creativity behind some of the ideas for couples showers that I ran across was actually inspiring.

Do most people still hold the shower before the baby's birth? or are they waiting? Waiting always made more sense to me. That way the baby doesn't spend the first six months of his/her life dressed in the somewhat limited range of non-gender-specific items on the market.

Although, frankly, the baby doesn't care. And Mom and Dad are going to be too bleary-eyed from lack of sleep to even notice what color sleeper they just pulled out of the dresser. So, maybe before-or-after isn't that important, after all.

From the sublime: tote bags made of recycled materials; to the simple: magnetic peel-and-stick blanks that hold business cards. This is just heaven. I have always including a little surprise in every package I ship. Now I have even more creative options.

I've thought about key chains and magnets before, as they are small and quick to make. However, since I use them constantly, tote bags are much more exciting to me. Eliminating plastic bag pile-up while using bags from recycled material is perhaps the best idea, so far.

Now, to design a new one-, maybe two-color logo, enlarge to something near humongous, buy a silk-screen machine, and get some blank bags. Oh, yes. I'm in big trouble!

RA treatment is not simple and is not the same as treatment for Osteoarthritis (OA). A class of drugs called DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) are effective at reducing RA symptoms - just like aspirin and other anti-inflammatories. But, where pain medications stop, DMARDs start; working to slow or stop joint damage.

These prescription medications are not available online. And the treatments / supplements found online are - at best - not effective. For example, studies have failed to prove that glucosamine offers any improvement in joint pain or function. Yet, glucosamine-containing supplements and products continue to be, for lack of a better term, pushed at online consumers.

Worse? Many items on these websites are not even designed to treat RA. But, that doesn't stop supplier affiliates. If a condition is even slightly arthritis-related, they publish their 'recommendation' and tout their product.

Then, there are the mystery pills.

As usual, these are the items that may be the most dangerous. One that I looked at contains a number of ingredients, usually found in homeopathic treatments. They are joint-specific and natural, and may offer relief at very specific dosage amounts. However, they are also quite possibly toxic at high levels and should not be used indiscriminately.

No arthritis medications / treatments should be taken arbitrarily. Even anti-inflammatories can have serious side-effects. Bottom line?

Leave arthritis treatment to the professionals.

We spent a lot of time checking his pulse and blood pressure, so the VA furnished a home monitoring unit. Unlike the Wristech blood pressure monitor, which I found online today, the monitor we have goes around the upper arm. It needs to be positioned just right to get an accurate reading.

Under normal circumstances, not a problem. We still use it regularly without any difficulty. But, when you're dealing with a patient who is suffering from balance problems and is almost completely unable to follow directions, simpler is better. Much, much better

Being able to slide a unit over his wrist, hit start, and be done - that would have been a life-saver.

In order of listing, newest first:

• Olde Westport Spice ~ Recall ~ Garden Harvest Special Blend Seasoning ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• PepsiCo Inc. ~ Recall ~ Quaker Snack Mix Baked Cheddar ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• Ventura Foods, LLC ~ Recall ~ Seven Varieties of Its Dean's® Dip Products ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• Publix ~ Recall ~ Four (4) Seasoning Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• The Proctor & Gamble Company ~ Recall ~ Two Flavors of Pringles® ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• Nutritional Resources ~ Recall ~ Healthwise Cream of Mushroom Soup ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• * Herr Foods Inc. ~ Recall ~ 'Herr's Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt Flavored' Kettle Style Potato Chips
• Dutch Valley Food Distributors, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Black Pepper and Products from Mincing Overseas Spice Company ~ Possible Salmonella
• GNS Foods, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Snack Mixes from National Pretzel Co. ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• Nature's Variety ~ Expanded Recall ~ All Raw Frozen Chicken Diets for Dogs and Cats ~ Possible Salmonella
• National Pretzel Co. ~ Recall ~ Honey Mustard Onion Seasoned Pretzels ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• Estrella Family Creamery ~ Recall ~ Old Apple Tree Tomme Cheese ~ Possible Listeria monocytogenes
• * Ed Roller, Inc. ~ Recall ~ Wegmans 9oz 'Food You Feel Good About® Medium Seafood Sauce ~ Undeclared Soy and Anchovies
• Mincing Overseas Spice Company ~ Recall ~ Black Pepper Lots 3258 and 3309 ~ Possible Salmonella
• Fresh Food Concepts ~ Recall ~ Spinach Dips ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• McCormick & Company ~ Recall ~ Dip and Stuffing Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• Creative Contract Packaging Corporation ~ Recall ~ HERB-OX® Bouillon Products ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)
• Concord Foods ~ Recall ~ Seasonings Mixes ~ Possible Salmonella at Basic Food Flavors (Supplier)

Please visit the above links for complete contacts, product information, recommendations, and return details.

* Some FDA links were not functioning at the time of posting. Specific health risk information may be incomplete.

As the name explains, the membrane filters the air going into, and the air coming out of, the pillow. And this is no ordinary filter. The Micrenza bio-filter has the filtering equivalency of an N95-rated surgical mask; the type used in situations where TB exposure protection is required.

If that weren't enough, the pillow fabric is treated with an EPA-registered - permanent - antimicrobial. Definitely above and beyond the average pillow or pillow protector. And certainly more health benefits than a monthly trip through the washer.

Another benefit of these allergy pillows? No trips through the washer. Simply spot clean with a damp cloth and allow to air dry.

Trust me, I have washed pillows, more than once, in hot water with a little bleach. I have also cleaned feathers and fiberfill out of my washing machine! Egads! What a pain in the neck!

Since Mark is also sensitive to bleach, this is not a perfect solution, either. We use anti-allergen carpet shampoo every month and have ionizing air filters in every room. I think it's time to address the quality of the air we breathe while we sleep.

And, to be perfectly honest, I would be very happy to wake up without sinus congestion and headaches.

Ah, yes! The Super Foods pill! I remember Lipovox!

It does everything but wash the dishes and scrub the floors. Yet, who came up with this magic pill?! How do you track down the original? That's the fun part.

If you search "I worked with one of the largest Nutraceautical company's in the world and had them find the HIGHEST Concentrates of All 10 Super Foods." you will find no less than 121 sites sharing this story - complete with the typographical errors. There is one 'official' site, but who knows. Half of them look like copies of each other.

The bottom line?! There is no scientific proof that this pill does anything - except empty your wallet. Although, chances are - if you consumed a sufficient quantity of these 'Super Foods' - you would probably notice a benefit. But does this pill provide it?

If you've actually tried Lipovox - please leave your comments below. (Note: Moderators reserve the right to expose spurious claims.)