Times Like These

Hello Everyone,

I wasn't sure that I'd be writing about what's going on around the world right now, but I've been checking in with family and friend far and wide, and wanted to check in with all of you out there too because we need to come together in times like these. I pray that all of you are well, and doing all you can to stay safe and healthy. Social and physical distancing is not easy, but it's so incredibly important. Please follow the recommendations and do your part to flatten the curve.

In the meantime, for the sake of my own sanity, I'm trying to keep things going as normal as possible. I haven't posted any new shopping deals in a while, so that's what I did today. As always, check the sidebars to see what's new.

While I was sorting through some promotional offers, I came across protective masks. I was honestly stunned to see them; but, now that I have, I thought it was important to share. I know masks are in high demand and difficult to find, so if you or anyone you know is looking for personal protective equipment (PPE), below are some options for you to look into and/or pass along.

Please note that it is up to you to do your research regarding the following items. As far a I can see, they are FDA approved, but only you can look out for your own best interests.

$18.99 - 5PCS KN95 Masks with Breathing Valve Elastic Earloop 4 layer Protection for Dust Spit Splash PM2.5
Promo Code: N/A | Expires: March 31, 2020

Buy 2 Get Free Shipping - Only $32.5 For 1 Pack of 10PCS High-closed KN95 Masks
Promo Code: 20KN95 | Expires: April 17, 2020

$46 - FDA-approved 50pcs Masks - Dustproof Anti-bacteria Disposable Protection
Promo Code: MASKS | Expires: May 10, 2020

$34 - Get 10PCS High-closed KN95 Masks - Dustproof Professional Protection for Slit Splash PM2.5 Comfortable Elastic Earloop
Promo Code: 10KN95 | Expires: May 17, 2020

$16 - Get 5pcs 4-layer KN95 Face Mask with Elastic Ear Loop
Promo Code: 5KN95 | Expires: May 17, 2020

$41 - Get FDA-approved 50 Pcs Disposable Breathing Masks
Promo Code: RGCODE9 | Expires: June 30, 2020

$11.49 - 10PCS Disposable Face Masks Elastic Earloop - Dustproof Anti bacteria Spit Splash Protection for Health Care
Promo Code: N/A | Expires: While quantities last

Disposable Isolation Face Mask with FDA and CE Certification Surgical Masks 20pcs
Promo Code: N/A | Expires: While quantities last

$7.21 - Safety Disposable NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) Gloves Personal Protective Equipment
Promo Code: N/A | Expires: While quantities last


Look out for each other. Help where you can. Keep in touch.

Stay healthy. Stay safe. Stay positive.


💗 Eddy

Get a Free E-Book of Superfood Breakfast Recipes!

Hey All,

From now through September 19th, Abe's Market and Ksenia from the Breakfast Criminals blog are offering a FREE e-book of Superfood breakfast recipes.

The e-book contains 10 yummy recipes that are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan-friendly. You'll find easy ways to get more out of your breakfast by using nutrient-packed superfoods like blueberries, quinoa, almonds, oatmeal and more. Smoothies, puddings, pancakes... so many delicious breakfast ideas await!

If you download the e-book, you'll also get a promo code to save 15% off your next order from now through September 30th.





Bon appétit!

Until next time,

Eddy

The NutriBullet

I’ve come across a little gem that I need to share with you guys. It’s called the NutriBullet. If you’ve heard of the Magic Bullet, the NutriBullet is made by the same people, but it’s much more powerful. For someone who’s never bought anything seen on an infomercial, I really love this thing. I ordered it online straight from the official site and it arrived in three days, no problems.

The infomercial makes claims about getting healthy, curing ailments, and how it will start to work in one day, but that’s marketing for you. Personally, I started noticing a difference in the way I was feeling after two weeks of using it. I’m no longer bloated all the time, my skins looks much better, and I’ve lost a little weight.

Now I’m not making any claims that the NutriBullet should be a weight loss tool or anything like that, but I love that I can just throw fruits and/or vegetables in there and not lose any of the nutrient rich fiber content. It’s wicked because it doesn’t work like a blender or juicer; it actually pulverizes what you put in it, so everything becomes liquid. I've been using it for about a month now and I'm thoroughly enjoying all of the awesome juices, smoothies and soups that you can whip up in less than five minutes.

I was thinking I might post recipes every once and a while, so stay tuned for those. If any of you happen to own a NutriBullet, I’d love to know what you’re making with it.

JB

On the Mend

For 3 months I’ve left all of you hanging in blog oblivion without a single bit of information, but today it’s time for catch up with JB.

If you read my post OMG, I’m a Mess! – Part Four, then you might remember me telling you that I was going to need surgery. Well, after a bunch of rescheduling, I finally went under the knife and I’m feeling much better. The physiotherapy is tough, but its part of the recovery process and it’s going to be a while before my arm is 100% again, if at all. I definitely can’t go back to doing the same kind of work anymore because it’s the overuse, the repetitive motion day in and day out, that caused the problem to begin with.

Speaking of work, I’ve now been off for 5 months, which is a really long time for someone who’s always worked, but it’s made me realize that I don’t like my place of employment. It’s not that I don’t like my job (well, except the caking making part, I really don’t like it), I just don’t like the working environment. It’s just not a happy place. So, combined with the fact that I can’t do the same labour intensive work anymore, anyway -- I’m looking for a new career. I have no idea what I’m going to do, but I do know that I will not continue to bust my a** for a company that doesn’t care about its employees.

You see, after everything that I’ve been through these last few months, I know that I’ve done myself a huge disservice by not taking care of myself. We work for a living, but if we’re killing ourselves to get the job done, we’re not living, we’re dying. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to be doing pretty damn great when I actually reach retirement. I want to enjoy the years I have left, instead of being so broken down physically and mentally (not to mention emotionally and spiritually) that I can hardly function.

So, for anyone who understands where I’m coming from and is just as scared and totally overwhelmed as I am at the idea of making a change for the better, let’s feel the fear and do it anyway.

Who’s with me?

JB

In Pursuit of Happiness

I know its been a few weeks between posts. Eddy's been super busy and I've been super dizzy, so we are just now able to sit down together and update you guys on what happened after my visit with the clinic doctor.

Since my diagnosis went so very well (uh, not!), I thought I'd get the h*ll out of dodge. I took ten days off work and went to spend time with the Russian thinking that the change of scenery would make me feel better.

Well, three days into my splendid vacation I was sucked full force into the world of dizzy and having a h*ll of a time trying to find my way out. The Russian started pumping me full of herbal remedies straight from her grandmother's old book of family recipes. The stuff tasted like sh*t, but I think some of it actually worked a little bit. I certainly appreciated her care and attention. At least she wasn't using Google!

Anyway, seeing as the Russian was not on vacation, I spent most of those ten days off by myself and did a lot of thinking about my life. Actually, thinking is all I've been doing pretty much for months now -- thinking about where I'm at, what I'm doing, what I want, etc, etc -- and I've realized that I don't really know where I want to be or what I want to be doing. I know I hate my job, which is hard for me to even admit, but I admit it. I thought it was my manager because I just don't get along with her, but this really is a case of "it's me, not you" -- or, I guess it's me, not her.

Anyway, I think you know what I mean. Bottom line, my free time spent spinning all the livelong day has made me take a good hard look at myself, and the question that's been nagging at me is this:

How do I get to a place that makes sense for me and is actually real, versus just imagined in my mind?

My job is not going to define me, nor is what I own or the people I surround myself with. And, no matter how many excuses I come up with, the only person impeding on my growth is me. I cannot blame my mother, sister, boss, God or anyone or anything else. If I want to be happy, I need to start making choices that make me happy and not everyone else. I need to follow through on everything that I want to do, no excuses, and to take my health more seriously. This is the only way I will ever reach that place where my SELF can be fulfilled.

Are you guys feelin' me? Not literally because that would be weird, but you get where I am coming from, people?

I'd appreciate your feedback.

Over and out,

JB

Hello, hello. I'm at a place called Vertigo.

If only I were in a club having a couple of drinks and listening to blaring music. At least I could go home knowing that the way I was feeling could be cured with some Tylenol and sleep.

Anyway....

I was thinking that I should probably go back to the beginning of how I started out on the path of being diagnosed with my condition, so I'm going tell you guys about my visit to the local clinic. It's a really special story, and you know that I don't mean that in a good way.

It all started back in January, I woke up one day feeling a little dizzy, but I didn't think much of it because I'm always exhausted. When four days passed and I was still dizzy, I thought maybe I was coming down with something. Since my family doctor was away on vacation at the time, I went to the local clinic to get checked out. The clinic doctor asked me various questions and concluded that I had a head cold. Seeing as I've had head colds before, I wasn't really convinced, so I asked her why I felt so dizzy. She then told me she'd like to try a few tests.

Clinic Doctor: I'd like you to stand up and touch your finger to your nose, alternating with your left and right hand.

Me: (trying, but failing miserably) I can't.

CD: Alright, quickly turn your entire body left then right.

Me: (trying, but failing miserably... again) I can't.

CD: Okay, just turn your head quickly to the left then right.

Me: (seriously, woman!) No, I'm too dizzy.

CD: Alright, have a seat and compose yourself. I'm going to consult with another doctor. Be right back.

Me: (gee, that's reassuring...) Sure, I'll be here.

Out of the room she went. When she came back about 15 minutes later, she told me that she wanted to rule out an ear infection, and then proceeded to shine a light in my ears.

CD: Hmm...

Me: (hmm??) What do you see?

CD: (now flashing her little light in my eyes and just about blinding me with it) Well...

Me: (bloody h*ll!!!) Whoa!!

CD: (clicking off the light) Oh, I'm sorry, I should have told you it was bright.

Me: (sh*t, you think?) Uh huh...

CD: Well, it's not an ear infection. Sit tight. I'll be right back.

Me: (what? again?) Okay.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock....

CD: (reentering the room a few minutes later) Let's try another test.

Me: (oh, f**k me, no!!) What now?

CD: I'd like you to stand up with your back facing me and then fall back into my arms.

Me: (EXCUSE ME????) You want me to what??

CD: Don't worry. You'll be fine.

Me: (yeah, right, you just about blinded me a few minutes ago) No, I'm sorry, I'm too dizzy.

CD: I'll catch you. Trust me.

Me: (uh, nope) I can't do this.

CD: Please, we have to do this test.

Me: (sigh) Alright.

CD: Thank you.

Me: (turning around and 3-2-1...) OH MY GOD, I'm going to throw up!!

CD: (catching me) You really are dizzy.

Me: (no sh*t, Sherlock) Yes, that's what I've been telling you.

CD: (guiding me to a chair) Here, sit down.

Me: (nothing, just trying not to puke)

CD: Okay, I'm going to look up what I think you have.

Me: (you're going to look up what you think I have? ) Uh, sure... (wtf???)

She then proceeded to sit down at the computer in the exam room and started searching Google. This isn't really happening, I kept thinking to myself as she clicked and scrolled away while I sneaked a peek over her shoulder to see what on earth she was searching for. When I heard the printer go off a few minutes later, I sat back in the chair and waited to hear what she had to say.

CD: (getting up and handing me the printed sheets) This is probably what you have. It's called BPPV.

Me: (probably??? BPPV?? huh???) So, what do I do to make it go away?

CD: I want you to read the information, and then do the exercises on these pages a few times a day for the next week.

Me: One week? That's it?

CD: Yes, and then you should be fine.


I "probably" have BPPV, but I "should be fine" in a week?

~ sigh ~

Clearly, I was going to need another opinion.

- JB

OMG, I'm a Mess! - Part Four

I know, I know, where the h*ll have I been for 3 months??

I am so sorry, people, I didn't plan to be away so long, but I've been having some issues.

Do you guys remember my Lickity Split, Banana Slip? Well, it's coming back to haunt me, and haunt me baaaaaaaaaaaad!!!!!!

For months now, I have been spinning. I am so dizzy that not even dizzy describes how dizzy I am. According to my doctors (yes, doctors, plural), the spinning is a result of my fall.

I am so f-ing mad because I can't do f**k all. I can't work because I might take another fall at any given moment. I can't go anywhere without my Mother, the EV, because I might take a fall at any given moment. I am a prisoner, pretty much, in my own home. I can't even type this post. Eddy is typing while I dictate.

I am a freakin' mess, people!!!!!!!!!

~ sigh ~

So, what is causing the spinning, exactly? It's bilateral BPPV combined with Meniere's disease. I'm so f-ed, you have no idea, people.

~ sigh ~

So, what's a girl to do? Well, I'm seeing a physiotherapist who specializes in my condition. She told me that because my condition is bilateral (i.e. in both ears), it's very complicated to treat. The damage that's been done is irreversible. All she can do is help me relieve the symptoms so that I can go about living life as normal as possible.

Yup, so that's why I've been MIB (missing in blogging) all this time. I am now going so totally stir crazy that I have to write, and, with Eddy's help, that's what I will be doing.

Oh, did I mention, I have to have surgery for yet another issue that is messing up my life? Oh,yeah, it's true, but I'll have to fill you in on that the next time. For now, I have to stop. Too dizzy to think any more.

Over and out,
JB

One Massage, Two Massages.... Oh, Yeah!

I would like to say that it has been a sh*t kicker of a week, and I'm so happy it's over & the weekend is finally here. The only thing is that it will all start up again on Monday, and if I could run and hide, I would, trust me on this, but I like to deal with things right away. So, I will polish my helmet, and get ready for what the new week has in store for me.

So, as I was saying, this past week was rough. I mean, it really beat me up, and I ended up going for a massage twice. If I hadn't, I think I probably would have ripped someone's head off. Stress is a bad thing, and if you can remove it completely from your life, I recommend you do so ASAP. I try my best not to let it get to me, and if I feel any coming on, I just do something about it right away. This is why I told everyone at work that I had some things to deal with at my lawyers office on Friday, when what I was really doing was sneaking off for another massage. I don't like to lie, but this was for my mental and physical welling being, so I had to make an exception. After all, if I don't take care of myself, who will?

Thank goodness I have AC (I've mentioned her in a previous post). She is a force to be reckoned with, and I am so grateful to call her a friend. After I leave her massage table, I always feel like a new person. In fact, I feel amazing. AC is not just my massage therapist, she's my guide, and I really needed her guidance to deal with all the chaos surrounding me. The only catch is that even when I'm feeling great, everything and everyone around me is falling apart. The balance is so uneven, I can't control it, nor do I want to. So, I go see AC to get me back on track and balanced again. I can only hope that I bring to her life what she brings to mine. If I don't, I feel like she is being short changed because I feel really blessed to have her in my life.

If I had to recommend anything to anyone, take care of yourself. Go for a massage once a week, do yoga or pilates, go for a swim, get a manicure, a pedicure, a facial, a new outfit.... Do something that makes you feel good because taking care of yourself, getting healthy and staying healthy, makes a world of difference.

JB