WHY WOMEN ARE MORE PRONE TO VISION PROBLEMS THAN MEN BY ANNETTE BROOKS Did you know women are more susceptible to certain eye diseases and have a higher overall risk of losing their sight than men? According to the National Eye Institute, two out of every three people living with blindness or vision problems are women. Designating April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, Prevent Blindness (PreventBlindness.org) aims to educate women on eye health and highlight the importance of early detection and treatment. EYE HEALTH AND PREGNANCY Pregnancy causes several physiologic changes in the bo ..read more

SAVE MONEY AND TIME WITHA TRAVEL AGENT BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT As my sister and I picked up our rental car, the clerk couldn’t get over our low rate. “Wow, this is a great price! Do you work for Enterprise?” Nope, we just know an amazing travel agent. Shannon not only found great rates on our flight, car rental, tours, and accommodations, but she also made wonderful recommendations for things to do and see during our trip. For years, I was under the misconception that using a travel agent (also known as a travel advisor) costs more. But I’ve found the opposite to be true. Travel agents can ..read more

Make Unused Rooms Functional Again BY AUDREY SELLERS Do you have a spare room at your house that you’re tired of using as a dumping ground for odds and ends? Maybe your teen has flown the nest, or you’ve moved into a bigger home with more living space. Whatever your situation, if you have an unused room, you can make it functional and beautiful for your family. Read on for some ideas to make the most of your space and enhance your home’s environment. MAKE A GUEST BEDROOM Wouldn’t it be nice to have a designated room ready to go for overnight guests or family members visiting for the summer ..read more

Turn Kitchen Food Scraps into Soil Nutrients in Hours BY ANNETTE BROOKS Composting is eco-friendly and better for the environment than dumping food scraps and organic materials into a landfill that produces methane. Despite the benefits, not everyone can compost. Your HOA may not permit compost piles or bins, you may not have a good spot on your lot for composting, or perhaps you worry that compost might smell or attract unwelcome wild animals. While some towns have implemented municipal composting programs where food-based garbage is kept separate from regular garbage and recycling and taken ..read more

A DIVE INTO POPULAR FLOORING OPTIONS As we enter a new season, it’s time to explore popular flooring options that promise to elevate your spaces with charm and refinement. From timeless classics to innovative newcomers, these flooring choices are making waves in the realms of style and comfort. LUXURIOUS HARDWOOD Nothing exudes eternal elegance quite like hardwood flooring. A perennial favorite, hardwood floors are the epitome of sophistication and add a touch of warmth to any room. Whether you opt for the rich tones of oak, the classic beauty of maple, or the exotic allure of teak, hardwoo ..read more

SERVICES TO ENHANCE YOUR APPEARANCE BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT A medical spa is a bit of a hybrid. Take the pampering nature and calming environment of a day spa and add the specialist knowledge and expertise of a medical clinic, and you’ve got a medical spa. Usually referred to as a medi-spa or medspa, it offers the indulgence of treatments like facials and massages together with a certified and licensed staff — overseen by a licensed healthcare professional — and the latest aesthetic technology and training for non-invasive treatments and procedures to rejuvenate the skin and body and leave ..read more

BARIATRIC SURGERY OPTIONS, WHAT TO EXPECT, AND ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT The first thing to understand about bariatric or weight-loss surgery is that it’s only part of a lifetime weight-management plan. But for many, it’s an absolute game changer after years of trying — and failing — to permanently lose weight. There are several wonderful options available, and perhaps one that fits you, your health, and your lifestyle. A consultation with an experienced bariatric surgeon can be the first step in a new life for you and those you love. Bariatric surgery has been around ..read more

EIGHT GREAT REASONS TO CONSIDER PORCELAIN VENEERS BY ANNETTE BROOKS It’s natural to feel like hiding your smile when you’re self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth. Some of us go so far as to try not to smile openly at all. I know because I used to do this. Finally, I invested in porcelain veneers — thin, custom-made, tooth-colored porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. The results were life-changing, boosting my self-confidence and positively changing how others perceived me. And here’s something that may surprise you. With proper care, I’ve had ..read more

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY BY GIVING OLD DENIM A NEW PURPOSE SEASONS COME AND GO, AND THE FASHIONS THAT ARRIVE WITH THEM. However, some traditions never change. Cotton and denim are considered consistent components that are central to our wardrobes. Denim’s durability makes it a staple in everyone’s closet that always stays in style. A significant benefit of cotton and denim apparel is the sustainability of the materials, which can be recycled and reworked for a circular life of the fabric. At the height of fast fashion, consumers’ interest in pre-loved and thrifted items is increasing, as are bran ..read more

A JOURNEY FROM SELF-ABSORPTION TO SELF-FORGETFULNESS BY MIKE MAZYCK “You’re the most selfish person I have ever met,” said Tiffany, once or twice a week, for about the first 10 years of our marriage. She wasn’t the only one. My sister in Christ who worked for me uttered very similar words of encour- agement around that same season... “Mike, you’re the most self-absorbed person I’ve ever known.” Well, at least they both considered me to be unique! Thankfully, many years later, I now joke with them about these statements. I hope – and believe – they would both say I have made a little progress ..read more