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  • Blood Pressure Monitor

    This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

    I have gotten to the point where I have to monitor my blood pressure each day. Last month I went to ER scared that I might be having a stroke. My blood pressure had been high at an earlier doctor’s appointment. Later that evening after dinner, I started to get a bad headache. Sometimes I get a headache if my sugar gets a bit high. Checking my sugar it was in the normal range. I had a wrist blood pressure monitor that said my pressure was 189/94. My tongue started getting numb and I was also becoming nauseated. I had my husband take me to the hospital.

    Arriving at the hospital, the triage nurse tested me for all the signs of a stroke. Making sure I was alert, could grab her hand, could talk without slurring. My blood pressure had come down by the time it was tested again. After the ER doctor thoroughly examined me, I was sent home, and diagnosed with a hypertension episode. Some symptoms of a hypertension episode include headache, shortness of breath, altered mental status, chest pain, changes in vision, decreased urine output, and vomiting. I was told that I needed to start monitoring my blood pressure daily and make an appointment with the blood pressure clinic.

    This was all very scary for me, as I have always had low blood pressure due to my sickle cell anemia. Several times at the doctor my pressure was higher than normal. This made me buy a wrist blood pressure monitor and occasionally check my pressure. It was always in the normal range under 130. Each time at the doctors office I was in the 140. I expressed to them that I did not understand the big difference in the pressure readings. They explained to me that I should be using an arm cuff monitor that is much more accurate that a wrist monitor. They recommended an Omron Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor. This is the monitor I purchased.

    I now keep track of my blood pressure daily. I have been diagnosed with proteinuria due to diabetes. This is what is causing my hypertension. I have also had to start on Losartan. I am hoping to get off of that with additional exercise and changes to my diet.

    If you are using a wrist monitor, consider using an arm cuff if your results differ greatly from your doctors office results. My results had a difference of 20 points.

    I have also been reading that beets and beet juice help to lower blood pressure. Here are some items to try!

    Thank you for reading.

  • Mega Link

    I have been working affiliate marketing for a few months now. Recently I came across the OLSP Academy, it provides information and training about affiliate marketing.

    OLSP is free to join. If you wish to start with them as an affiliate marketer you will need to make an initial purchase. They have 2 main links you can select from to promote. Of course you can promote both if you wish. These links are $7.00 each and that is a once in a lifetime fee.

    One link is the Mega Link. With this link you are able to promote 7 income streams within the OLSP Academy. With the purchase of the Mega Link, you will have access to the Comment Dominator Pro, which pays you for making comments on Facebook posts. Commissions are .25 a comment, but they do add up.

    There is also a Magic Link you can promote. This link leads to promoting and using email marketing. The Magic Link is also $7.00 to purchase. The Mega Link and Magic link both pay 100% commission of $7.00.

    There are several additional programs that can be purchased. The prices range from $27.00 to $297.00 and those commissions range from 10% to 20%.

    Within the academy you will find training on how to promote your link on social media. There is a Facebook 101 course, and Traffic Challenges.There are also ongoing live trainings and replays available.

    You can see more info here, enter your best email. I have also joined Wealthy Affiliate, see how my first week is going.

    This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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  • Elevating Audio Experience: The Apple AirPods Pro 2

    Pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2

    My husband just bought a pair of these Apple AirPods Pro 2 pods, and he loves them. He says “ they have excellent sound”, and he also loves the spatial audio feature. They also have a seamless handoff. They can go from his IPhone to IPad to laptop to desktop without a hitch.

    In the ever-evolving landscape of audio technology, Apple continues to set the bar high with its innovative products. The Apple AirPods Pro 2, the latest addition to the AirPods lineup, promises an elevated audio experience, advanced features, and enhanced comfort. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into this comprehensive review to find out.

    Design and Comfort

    One of the most notable features of the AirPods Pro 2 is their sleek and ergonomic design. Building upon the success of their predecessors, these earbuds boast a refined and compact form factor that fits snugly in the ear. The inclusion of customizable ear tips ensures a secure and comfortable fit for a wide range of users, making them ideal for extended listening sessions or active lifestyles.

    Audio Quality

    When it comes to audio performance, the AirPods Pro 2 truly shine. Equipped with Apple’s custom-designed H1 chip and adaptive EQ technology, these earbuds deliver immersive sound with crisp highs, rich mids, and deep bass. Whether you’re listening to your favorite music, podcasts, or making calls, the audio quality is consistently impressive, providing a truly immersive listening experience.

    Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

    One of the standout features of the AirPods Pro 2 is their active noise cancellation capability. With advanced algorithms and microphones, these earbuds effectively block out external noise, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in your music or podcasts. Whether you’re commuting in a noisy environment or working in a bustling coffee shop, ANC ensures a quiet and distraction-free listening experience.

    Transparency Mode

    In addition to ANC, the AirPods Pro 2 also offer Transparency Mode, which allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while wearing the earbuds. By using external microphones to amplify ambient sound, Transparency Mode ensures that you can hear important announcements, conversations, or traffic noise without removing the earbuds—a convenient feature for staying connected to the world around you.

    Battery Life and Connectivity

    The AirPods Pro 2 offer impressive battery life, providing up to five hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC or Transparency Mode enabled. With the included wireless charging case, you can enjoy up to 24 hours of total listening time, ensuring that your music stays with you throughout the day. Furthermore, seamless connectivity with Apple devices via Bluetooth 5.0 makes pairing and switching between devices effortless, enhancing the overall user experience.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 deliver on their promise of an elevated audio experience, advanced features, and enhanced comfort. With their sleek design, immersive sound quality, active noise cancellation, and convenient connectivity, these earbuds are a worthy investment for music lovers, podcast enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a premium audio solution. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home, the AirPods Pro 2 elevate your listening experience to new heights.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

  • Empowerment and Enlightenment: 10 Daily Devotions for Women

    In the whirlwind of modern life, carving out moments of tranquility and spiritual connection is essential for women’s well-being and empowerment. Daily devotions serve as a grounding practice, offering solace, guidance, and inspiration amidst the chaos. Whether you’re seeking strength, clarity, or simply a moment of peace, incorporating these ten daily devotions into your routine can help foster a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.

    1. Morning Meditation: Begin your day with a few moments of quiet reflection. Sit in stillness, focus on your breath, and set your intentions for the day ahead. Visualize yourself accomplishing your goals with grace and resilience.
    2. Gratitude Journaling: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by keeping a journal dedicated to listing things you’re thankful for each day. Whether it’s a warm cup of coffee, a supportive friend, or a beautiful sunset, acknowledging the blessings in your life can shift your perspective and invite more abundance.
    3. Scripture Reading: Spend time immersing yourself in sacred texts or spiritual literature that resonates with you. Whether it’s the Bible, the Quran, or the teachings of Buddha, find passages that speak to your soul and offer wisdom for navigating life’s challenges.
    4. Affirmations: Create affirmations that uplift and empower you. Repeat phrases such as “I am worthy,” “I am capable,” and “I trust in the divine plan for my life” to reinforce positive beliefs and cultivate self-confidence.
    5. Mindful Movement: Incorporate gentle movement practices like yoga or tai chi into your daily routine to connect with your body and quiet your mind. Focus on each breath and movement, allowing yourself to be fully present in the moment.
    6. Acts of Kindness: Commit to performing one act of kindness each day, whether it’s reaching out to a friend in need, volunteering in your community, or simply offering a smile to a stranger. Acts of kindness not only benefit others but also nourish your own soul.
    7. Nature Walks: Take time to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Go for a walk in the park, hike in the mountains, or simply sit in your backyard and observe the wonders of the natural world. Nature has a way of grounding us and reminding us of our interconnectedness with all living beings.
    8. Prayer: Set aside moments throughout the day to connect with the divine through prayer. Whether you pray silently, recite traditional prayers, or speak from the heart, expressing your hopes, fears, and gratitude to a higher power can provide comfort and guidance.
    9. Creative Expression: Engage in activities that allow you to express your creativity and connect with your innermost self. Whether it’s painting, writing, dancing, or playing music, find outlets that bring you joy and allow you to express your unique essence.
    10. Evening Reflection: Before bed, take time to reflect on the events of the day. Acknowledge your triumphs and challenges, express gratitude for the lessons learned, and release any tension or worry. Settle into a state of peace and trust that tomorrow is a new day filled with endless possibilities.

    Each morning as I rise I pray, read my daily scripture from You Version Bible app, then I pick up my favorite daily devotional! I also have my prayer journal where I can note and reflect on the highlights of the week. This has space to also write prayer requests, what you are thankful for, and your answered prayer.

    Incorporating these ten daily devotions into your life can help you cultivate a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and inner peace. By nurturing your spiritual well-being, you empower yourself to navigate life’s journey with grace, resilience, and joy. Remember, the most important aspect of daily devotions is consistency and intentionality. So, embrace these practices wholeheartedly and watch as they transform your life from the inside out.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

  • My New Hearing Aids

    I am overjoyed to have picked up my hearing aids yesterday. At my appointment the technician completed the programming of the hearing aids to my specifications. He showed me how to insert them and then remove them, and also how to clean them. I am happy that with Costco, I can drop the hearing aids off to have them professionally cleaned while I shop.

    My hearing aids are the Philips Hearlink 9040 mnr TR. It has only been a day but so far I am very happy with them! Buying them from Costco they were $1549.99. There is no tax included. I actually have a trial period of six months, and a great warranty. I can get a refund if I decide they don’t work for me.

    Leaving the Hearing Center in Costco and roaming around to shop was like being in a whole different world with the hearing aids on. I can hear much clearer. I am thrilled to be able to have conversations and hear every word that is said. As I am hearing better, I speak with a lower voice. I don’t feel I have to speak in a louder voice anymore. I also like that they are nearly invisible. They are not like the hearing aids of 10 – 20 years ago.

    HearingTracker has been generally bullish about Costco hearing aids and its services, as this mass merchandiser provides a lower-cost option for consumers, offering high-quality hearing aids with professional dispensing services. All Costco prescription hearing aids include a standard 3-year warranty covering any repairs that may be required, including replacement of your hearing aid if necessary. They also come with a 2-year loss-and-damage warranty, with no deductible cost, to replace up to one hearing aid per ear during the warranty period. These warranties are as good, if not better, than those offered by most name-brand hearing aid makers and dispensing networks. Finally, Costco’s generous 180-day trial period is the longest we’ve seen in the industry.” Excerpt taken from Hearing Tracker

    The hearing aids are Bluetooth enabled so I’m able to connect to my iphone. I can answer calls, and stream music and videos. I also connect to my ipad. The Hearlink 2 app allows me to control the volume of the hearing aids and switch between the 2 programs that are set for me. I have the “general” setting and the “speech in noise” program. The speech in noise is similar to noise reduction, allowing you to focus on those conversations in noisy places. I was at my grandson’s basketball game, and I could hear my daughter calling my name very clearly, will all the noise in the background.

    All in all, I am very happy that I made the decision to get the hearing aids. I feel so much better being able to feel more included in conversations with my family and friends. I’m due for an appointment at the Costco hearing center. I will provide them with feedback as to how my first couple of weeks are going while wearing the hearing aids.

    Do any of you wear hearing aids. Let me know your experience with them!

    Thank you for reading!!

  • Energy and Sleep Patches!!

    The new Energy and Focus patches and Sleep patches are available for purchase!! Patches seem to be the new thing in health and wellness. I have seen patches for just about everything from motion sickness, immunity, energy, focus, stress relief and many other conditions.

    LiveGood has an Energy and Focus patch. This patch focuses on “helping to provide healthy energy, positive mood, increased focus, and support greater overall performance, all while helping to combat fatigue to help you conquer the day!” The patches include vitamin, minerals, and botanicals.

    I actually tried the patch one morning after staying up entirely too late for me. Waking up very tired from not enough sleep, I applied the patch. After about 30 minutes, I did notice that I felt less fatigued. I was amazed!! 

    Disclaimer: I am more fatigued than the average person due to sickle cell anemia and diabetes. I did not feel a burst of energy but noticed that I gradually felt more alert and less fatigue.

    Sleep Patches work very well for me. I do not have to use them often, but when I do, I know that I will have a full night of sleep. I usually toss and turn throughout the night. I bought the sleep patches for my son. There were a few nights that I had the tossing and turning previously. I decided to try a sleep patch. I have to admit that I am hesitant to take anything to help me sleep. After applying the patch, in about 20 minutes I was out. I woke up feeling refreshed, not groggy or drugged.

    LiveGood Sleep and LiveGood Energy and Focus patches have both worked for me. You can give them a try all.

    Buy patches at full retail price Here

    Become a member and checkout those patches Here

    Check out the LiveGood opportunity

    All products have a 90 full money back guarantee!!

  • LiveGood Methylene Blue

    LiveGood has added several new products.

    Methylene Blue is one. Here is the description from the Livegood website. Please read it below

    Methylene Blue Nootropic – Dissolving Strips

    “Our brains are the single most important organ in our body.  Even if everything else is working perfectly, without healthy brain function, we literally can’t even do simple day to day tasks and activities.

    When we’re young, our brains are sharp, we have mental clarity, strong memory, creative problem-solving ability, and healthy mitochondrial energy levels.

    Mitochondria are the energy producing centers of our brain cells…the powerhouse of our cells.

    But as we age, those mitochondrial energy levels decline, and so does our attention, our memory and our mental clarity and agility. In other words, our brain starts degenerating.  This normally starts between ages of 30 and 40, however, as we are a product of the food we eat, our lifestyle habits and our environment can also affect how early or late our brain starts to degenerate.

    That’s why everyone needs to improve their mitochondrial health, whether you’re looking to focus and perform better at work or school, striving to learn new things, or just want to maintain the health and performance of your brain!

    And that’s why we created LiveGood Methylene Blue Nootropic Dissolving Strips.

    A Nootropic is something that can improve our mental skills like memory, mood and longevity.

    And Methylene blue is extremely unique in its ability to increase the amount of oxygen that is delivered to our brain cells which improves the energy producing factories in those cells; our mitochondria!

    Methylene Blue is widely known as a super-charger for your biology at the cellular level because of its profound effect on mitochondria and energy production.  In fact, it’s so beneficial to our bodies, that it’s been used around the world for almost 200 years, AND is recognized by the World Health Organization on the list of Essential Medicines.

    Yet, it’s still one of the best kept secrets in wellness…until NOW!”

    More Information

    Full information can be found on here

    Do you want to make money or save money?

    Taking my Methylene Blue and taking in the sun!

    LiveGood has added several other products as well. Come see our full line of amazing wellness products! Here are just a few!

    Thank you for reading!

    It’s so popular!!As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

  • I’m Getting Hearing AIDS

    Well, it’s been a while that I have been knowing that my left ear has some hearing loss. My right ear has some hearing loss as well, but not as much as the left ear.

    For the last maybe three years I have noticed slight changes in my hearing, especially in the left ear. Imagine you are in a restaurant and your neighbor is speaking and you can’t make out what they are saying. O you are at the movie theatre and you don’t distinguish some of the words being said. How about in a crowded room, standing in front of someone and trying to read their lips, and straining to hear them. I would be sitting next to someone and would have a hard time hearing and understanding what they were saying.

    Last year my hearing started to really get worse. I could not hear my family at times when they were speaking to me. I felt as though everyone was speaking softly and mumbling. I hated having to ask them to repeat what they had said, or ask what did you say? I told them that I was having a hard time hearing everything they said, and could they talk towards me, so I could hear better. Nothing changed much. They said I was turning the tv up too loud. I wasn’t hearing some that would be speaking in church, but noticed that people in the back could hear very well. People would talk to me and I have no idea what some of them said, especially in noisy places. I tried reading lips. Finally, I decided I had to do something. 

    Hearing aids had been approved to be sold over the counter. So, the first placed i looked was on Amazon of all places. There were many many to choose from. Some were not even hearing aids, but hearing enhancers. How was I to know what to really look for. I had to do my research on the internet to learn about hearing aids. There was still so much information to try and sift through. Then I decided that I should first find out how my hearing is really doing, and have a hearing test. 

    I started with getting information from my health care provider. I have Kaiser. They have a Kaiser Hearing Center, which was miles from me. I read all the info they had available on the hearing center’s website. They even provided a link to an otc hearing aid they recommend. It’s the Jabra Enhance Plus. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Jabra’s website has an online test you can take. I did not schedule an appointment with Kaiser. I actually made an appointment for a hearing test with Costco. I’m a Costco member so the test is free. I would suggest starting with your medical provider if you are in need of hearing aids.

    I had a baseline hearing test. The test took about 20 to 30 minutes. I was given the test by a Hearing Instrument specialist. He reviewed my test with me and gave me a recommendation on a hearing aid. I found out that I have moderate hearing loss in both ears, with the left ear just above being severe. There is no obligation to purchase a hearing aid with Costco. They gave me my test results, and the price on the recommended hearing aid, if I was interested in purchasing.

    I went home and researched the hearing aid. I watched Youtube videos. I decided that I would go with the aid that was recommended to me. It has a lot of features that liked and thought would be helpful. I love that it is Bluetooth enabled. I can use it with my IPhone and IPad. It will work with Bluetooth tv’s. There is also a TeleCoil that works at some theaters. I went back to Costco to order the hearing aid. I will pick it up next week and have a basic training. I am looking forward to picking it up and having my hearing back.

    In a few days I will be starting this new journey. The hearing aid I will be getting is the Philips. I will be back to share updates of my new experiences.

    Thanks for reading!!

  • Mexican Riviera Cruise

    All right now!! My husband and I just got back from our 7 day Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera!! Let me tell you that we enjoyed every last minute😁

    We sailed out of Long Beach, Ca on the 🛳️ Carnival Panorama. Th Queen Mary is docked right across the lot from the Panorama.

    The Panorama is a fairly new ship around 4 years old. It carried about 4000 passengers and crew. It is a larger ship so it really didn’t seem too crowded. There were many activities happening on sea days, such as bingo, trivia, deck parties and games, comedy shows, contests and lounge areas to relax.

    Panorama has so many dining options from included to additional fee restaurants. Of course there are the main dining rooms and the buffet, along with Guys burgers, deli, pizza, BlueIguana Cantina, and several paid options. Once onboard the Carnival Hub app will have all information for you.

    We left Long Beach on Saturday around 4:30 in the afternoon. Then we had 2 sea days! This gave us plenty of time to explore the ship and take in some of the shows and other activities. There was plenty to keep us busy. We even had movies on the lido deck.
    The weather was beautiful and sunny around 80 degrees. On Tuesday we arrived in Puerto Vallarta. It was extremely hot there at 100 degrees. The city was very beautiful. The port is right across the street from a mall. It was actually odd to see 2 ships in port right across from the mall. There is also a Walmart and Sam’s club across the way! We went shopping in one of the tourist areas.

    Next stop is Mazatlan!! Another hot day in Mazatlan!! We did a group tour of the city with City Tours pulmonia! Check them out on Facebook and message them for quotes. We had a six hour tour which included a number of tourist sites, lunch at a restaurant ( your additional expense) and then free time at a resort and shopping area! We enjoyed zipping from each area in our golf cart like ride. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and took pics of us at the different areas. They made sure we were back to port in plenty of time.

    On to Cabo San Lucas!! The prettiest bluest water I have ever seen was in Cabo San Lucas!! Another scorching day we enjoyed. Cabo is a tender port. It took about 10 minutes from the ship. The ride was real smooth. I couldn’t stop gazing at the beautiful water!! Our time in Cabo was short, so we shopped in the port tourist area.

    Time to head home. We get to enjoy one more sea day before we arrive back in Long Beach. The weather changed as we were heading away from Mexico. It got cooler and skies were grey. There were still awesome activities going on.

    All and all, we had an awesome time. The food was great, we loved everything we ate. I especially loved having my omelette made to order at the omelette station each morning. Our room was kept clean by our steward Antonio. I have no complaints, and can’t wait to cruise again!!

    Thanks for reading!!

  • Factor 4

    It has been out of stock for a while now. I am so excited that it is now available to purchase!!

    What is Factor 4?

    “Chronic Inflammatory Diseases are the Number 1 cause of sickness and death in the world! In fact, more than 50% of ALL deaths can be attributed to inflammation related diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes,
    arthritis, kidney and liver diseases, and more. LiveGood’s Factor 4 is the first and only supplement formulated with 4 of the world’s most powerful ingredients; Fish oil, Turmeric, Coenzyme Q10, and Garlic, to help you reach
    optimal health.”

    * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or
    prevent any disease
    *

    I have been using Factor 4 due to knee and joint pain. At one time I had been using a glucosamine chondroitin product recommended by my doctor. I used that product for months, and I admit that it did work to help my knee pain. Pain would be relieved as long as I continued the product. The only problem I had was the cost of the product. I was truly amazed when I tried the Factor 4!! It worked on my knees as well as the other product. I also helps with the diabetic brain fog I sometimes have. I love also that it’s more affordable for me.

    Don’t take my word for it, you can try it for yourself!! LiveGood has a 90 day return policy, bottom of jar, no questions asked. There is nothing to lose if it doesn’t work for you!!

    Purchase retail or Become a member for $9.99 monthly. Members save up to 75% off retail prices.

    Thanks for reading!!