Vitamins Good for the Eyes

Ever since grade school, I 've had very bad vision. As far as I can remember, I wasn't aware at that time that I have blurry vision. I don't know if that was always the case but the only symptom that I can remember that made me go to the doctor were the headaches. Frontal headaches to be exact. I didn't know I have bad vision at that time until the ophthalmologist examined me and said I have 250 visual acuity on both eyes.


So that was bad. Starting with 250 considering my age at that time. I wish I at least started with less than 100 - you know start with those thin, fashionable eyeglasses at least - that silver lining. But no, I didn't! What I got are those thick ones right off the bat.


Now, my vision got from bad to very, very bad -- 650. So I'm always on the lookout on how to improve my vision and how to correct it somehow and not make it worse than it already is.


Aside from my bad eyes, I also have my husband's vitreous hemorrhage to think of. He used to have good eyesight so adjusting to his vision challenges both of us. I'm always on the lookout for food, supplements, or drugs that can help us with our eyesight. At first, I preferred food that I can include in our diet that are high in vitamins. I tried juicing and doing smoothies but that can be expensive and hard to do especially when busy. I have to give time for buying the right food because I can't just buy anything. I have to use the most organic that I can find. So when funds took over as well as time, I have to do the next best thing, supplements. Lately, I find supplements to just be readily available and sometimes comes out even less expensive than buying fresh organic fruits and vegetables.


I did a lot of research before buying any vitamin supplements and everything in here, we have tried. There are some vitamins that can't be produced by the body so you have to either have to include it in your diet or take a supplement. Supplements can either be from plants or animals and you have know which one has better absorption.

BILBERRY

• Also known as bog bilberries, wild blueberries, and whortleberries.
• Bilberry extracts may improve visual acuity and ability to adjust to changing light.
• They also increase retinal pigments that allow the eye to tolerate light.
• Contains naturally-producing chemicals known as anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides are plant pigments that have powerful antioxidant properties. These antioxidants scavenge the body for free radicals, with the intention of helping to prevent or reverse damaged cells.
• The extract contains the highest percentage of anthocyanosides, making it the strongest form of bilberry.

LUTEIN WITH ZEAXANTHIN

• Studies provide evidence that lutein and zeaxanthin may play a role in preventing macular degeneration
• It is believed that lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin in the macula block blue light from reaching the underlying structures in the retina, thereby reducing the risk of light-induced oxidative damage that could lead to macular degeneration (AMD).
• Lutein and zeaxanthin protect your eyes from harmful high-energy light waves like ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Studies suggest that a high level of both in eye tissue is linked with better vision, especially in dim light or where glare is a problem.

OMEGA-3 FISH OIL

• Several studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids may help protect adult eyes from macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. Essential fatty acids also may help proper drainage of intraocular fluid from the eye, decreasing the risk of high eye pressure and glaucoma.
• Experts found that age-related macular problems are rarer in people whose diets are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, including salmon and mackerel, as well as flax seeds and walnuts.

GRAPE FRUIT EXTRACT

• Study found that antioxidants in grape seeds protect cells in the retina, which are responsible for your ability to distinguish colors and to see in low-light conditions.
• Oligomeric proanthocyanins in grape seed extract may help prevent or slow the development of macular degeneration, a condition involving loss of the central field of vision.
• Anthocyanins are a group of compounds in the flavonoid family (flavonoids, isoflavones, etc.) and are what give foods like grapes, red cabbage and berries a blue, red or purple hue.  They are thought to be powerful antioxidants that help damaged cells repair themselves.

BETA-CAROTENE

• Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A.
• Vitamin A, at least when in combination with other antioxidant vitamins, also appears to play a role in decreasing the risk of vision loss from macular degeneration (AMD).
• Vitamin A helps protect the surface of the eye (cornea) essential for good vision.

SPECIFIC FOODS THAT ARE VERY GOOD FOR THE EYES:

AVOCADOES
This fruit is packed with lots of vitamins and one of the most nutritious food given to man. Very good source of vitamin E.

OYSTERS
Oysters are the highest source of zinc.


TIP!
Research say the greener they are, the better. Same goes for yellow, orange and red vegetables.


Whatever we do, vision will degenerate as we age. The only thing we can do about it is to delay it somehow. I can't do anything with my computer use because it is part of my job and the reading because I love it, so I'll try my best to have an intake of these foods to help improve my vision.


If you know any alternative to these, feel free to share! Happy eyes lovin'!

Must-Have Things When Going to the Philippines



Traveling to another country can be a hit or miss. Majority of the time you'll enjoy and love it, but there are rare cases that it ends up a disaster. I suggest making a checklist when traveling especially when going to another country. Forgetting something when you're traveling locally or domestic is okay but when going international and you forget things, that can really be a whole another level of pain in the butt-butt!

I will not include in this list the most obvious essentials one must not forget: Passport, wallets, and travel documents and the likes. Of course.

Okay, here goes..

INSECT SPRAY/LOTIONS/REPELLANTS

First order of business, this bad boy here is a must. This is a tropical country. People love to stay and live in a country where there's a variety of beaches to choose from, bodies of water left and right; unfortunately, insects love it here too. Insect and/or bug spray, lotion, repellants, in whatever form, even those bracelet and patches ones. Whatever works for you, just bring it. Now, there are lots of insect spray brands people can just buy but one can have a problem with a certain brand.  People tend to forget this a lot when making suggestions on what to bring, and you can never have too much of this.

SLING BAGS

Pickpockets can attack anywhere, so if you must bring your money and documents anywhere, better to put it where you can see it all the time. If you don't fancy this type of bag, a sturdy backpack will do, just be extra cautious in public places. 

COINS

Lot of coins. Small bills too. This can be useful when paying public transportations or buying food.

 This can save you a lot of time.

MEDICINES

Drugs for emergencies. Anti-allergy drugs being the most important. During vacation, sometimes you don't know what's in your food, there's no way of avoiding all the time and that can really be a bummer. Pills for motion sickness, diarrhea, headache, toothache, and even fever, make sure you have them available all the time, especially when it strikes you in the middle of the night.

FLIP-FLOPS

Either summer time or rainy season, flip-flops is the most practical foot wear to go around.

UNIVERSAL ADAPTER

Philippines use 220 volts.

DEODORANTS/ANTI-PERSPIRANTS

Bring the most effective brand you can find. Hot and humid.. that's the weather in the Philippines.

POCKET TISSUE/WET TISSUE

Not all public rest rooms have tissue papers. Sometimes they do have but still limited supply. 

EAR PLUGS

Unless you're staying in a high-end hotel, it's good to have this available.  You know, for roosters at very early in the morning and videoke/karaoke sessions of neighbors at night. 

SMALL FLASHLIGHTS

If you have that in your phone, then you're good.

GOOD TO KNOW TIPS:

Clothing

• Sarong that can serve as shawl and cover-ups.
• Clothes that are light colored and light weight.
• Light jackets for buses with aircon and breezy nights.  

Gadgets

• Power banks and extra batteries. There are some areas where power outages are rampant so make sure they are always full.

Personal Hygiene

• Just FYI, you can rarely - like next to nothing - see tampons for sale. So if sanitary napkin is not your thing, bring your own tampons.
• Better to just buy local shampoo/conditioner because they're designed for hair exposed to humidity. 
• Sunscreen. Lots of it and the highest protection you can have. Remember, tropical.

General

• People don't use maps. Ask for directions.
• Don't display your valuables and don't leave them unattended.
• Filipinos are generally good in English. Just speak a little slower. Keep in mind English is just the second or third language. Most of the time, they can understand but shy to speak.

Remember these small random things plus the essentials and you'll be good to go. Have these handy with you and you can save so much money and precious time.

How To Get Around Kalibo Aklan

Kalibo, officially the Municipality of Kalibo, is a municipality and the provincial capital of the province of Aklan in the Western Visayas (Region VI) of the Philippines. The population was 80,605 at the 2015 census.


It's that time again when a lot of tourists come because of Ati-Atihan Festival. So, this is a basic guide on how to go around Kalibo. Basic being the operative word, so don't expect maps.


Transportation


There are 2 airports in Aklan, one is the Kalibo International Airport and the one in Caticlan, which to this date I believe is still for domestic flights only. Jeepneys and buses here are for long distances, like Iloilo, Manila, Caticlan to those who are traveling to and from Boracay, but within the Kalibo area, tricycle is the most common form of public transportation, which can carry 8 to 9 passengers. Lately, I have been seeing some taxis too but since Kalibo is just a small town, tricycles are the way to go. To date, minimum fare every 4 km is PHP 7.50.


Malls/Restaurants


Big malls in Kalibo are just Gaisano and City Mall. They're the biggest in the area but they're actually not that big compared to other huge malls in the other parts of the Philippines. They're okay, enough for decent grocery shopping, some clothing and shoe shops, appliances, school supplies etc. There are small restaurants here and there, but foods are just mainly fast foods. If you're looking for authentic or home-cooked meals, go outside of Kalibo and ask the locals or the drivers. They know the bomb digs places to eat.


Hospitals


In case of emergencies, there are a lot of hospitals in the Kalibo area. One is the public hospital. Just say Provincial Hospital to the driver and they know where to take you. For private ones, there's St. Gabriel, St. Jude, and Mission Hospital. Generally, they have all kinds of healthcare services available, except for one -- neurosurgery. Yep, no neurosurgeon. So you can hurt any part of your body, just not the head.


Police Station


When you need police assistance, again, just inform the driver where you need to go. At this point, the driver is your BFF.


Language


Dialect is Aklanon, but locals speak fairly good Tagalog as well as English.


Is there anything specific you want to know? Just message below or better, blend in with the locals - they're the secret keepers. Lels!


Enjoy!

Envelope System Wallet

Did you ever experience having budgeting money problems?  Okay, maybe the real question is -- who didn't?!


I'm no financial expert, but I know and believe money trouble is just mismanagement.  It's truly just that. I believe no matter how small a person's income is, that person can manage to survive without having loans - may it be personal loans to family and friends or those payday loans just to be able to make it until the next payout. It happens to almost everybody even to those who have high incomes, so you're not alone.


Before I saw this on the Dave Ramsey Show, I was quite familiar with this method already. The envelope system wallet.  Putting your money in different compartments and labeling them according to your needs. There are many ways to do this aside from the envelope though as others do not want their wallets to be bulky. You can use clips or simply just use the compartments of the wallet as the separator. There are also shops online selling wallets with a lot of compartments and I'm sure even in the mall you can find one. It's doesn't matter where you get it or if it's the legit kind of wallet. For this to work, discipline to control the urge is the key. Planning too.

To do this: Plan what categories/compartments you would like. Food for groceries, utilities, gas or work expenses, fun or extra for miscellaneous expenses. Only you can decide for that, whatever categories you think would work for you personally. 


They have these wallets online like in Amazon or Etsy. If you're on a tight budget, simply just make one, the most important thing is the principle behind this method anyway.

Natural Way To Heal Head Injury

First, let me tell you the background story.


B, my husband, got into a motor vehicular accident. As a result of this, he got a fracture on his head and eyes, which scared me to death up until now when I remember it. At that time, I was working on auto-pilot. Maybe it was the paramedical person in me that I didn't panic aside from my faith, which made a huge difference and a great help in times like this.


Fast forward to us going home after 5 days in the ICU and in total 10 days of hospitalization. When we got home, of course, he is still so dizzy and still vomits. He cannot do anything aside from sitting for a few minutes. With that amount of injury people asks, and sometimes we still wonder, why the doctor discharged him from the hospital. Her basic reasoning was he can rest better at home. I truly appreciated this, I hope all doctors are like this, not only thinking of the money they can get from the patients but truly what's best for them.


When we were finally home, he still got these bruises on the face, head, neck, ears, practically all over considering that it was just how many days after the accident. A lot of people were telling us to use this plant, LAMPUNAYA, to put on his head. This is how it looks like:

I did research on this and I found out it is really for bruises. It helps the bruises heal easier. I am a science person but I also know medicines, at least the majority of them, were from plants. We tried this and after a few weeks, we started to notice a difference in the bruises. So it is true! We can honestly say that have we not tried this, healing will take more time.

This is how we did it. Take a few leaves and put in a clean bowl or any container. Wash it thoroughly as there may be dusts, dirt, cobwebs, insects, etc. After, press to take out the juice of the leaves or cut it with your hands or fingers or whatever way you can as long as you can get the juice out  of the leaves. Then put the liquid you can extract wherever part of the body you want to put it and massage it there until it is absorbed by the skin. Older people who know a lot about herbals said to just avoid the eyes as it is not safe for the eyes. Avoid it at all cost!

Research about it if you're doubtful, but I tell you this leaf really helped a lot in the recovery. In this particular case, recovery will take months, but just after a few weeks of putting it weekly, the patient already felt dramatic improvement in regard to the dizziness and bruises. I saw this first-hand. I just wish we had the liberty to apply this daily, but it is quite difficult as we cannot find this just anywhere. It is not as common as guava leaves or any other plants.

Old school, yes, but this is a practical, very effective, inexpensive, and fairly safe way to help with head injuries or any injuries for that matter, even a mild case of hitting an arm accidentally or getting a bump. If you have this in your area, give it a try and see the wonder of nature. I sure did and I wished I knew about it sooner.