If you've always wanted to change your eye color, color contact lenses can provide baby blues, gorgeous greens, heavenly hazels - even patterns and designs. All contact lenses that are correcting must have a valid prescription from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Among the many types of contact lenses you can buy are: novelty, colored, crazy, Halloween, special effects, theatrical, costume, scary, glow in the dark, wild eyes, mirrored, black, white, and red.

The sales of contact lenses are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.) Always buy lenses from a reputable company; you can buy discount contact lenses without a prescription, but the company is selling a prescription device as if it were an over-the-counter device, in violation of FTC regulations - that is, selling you lenses without getting a prescription from you.

Extended wear lenses are usually soft contact lenses made of flexible plastics that allow oxygen to pass through to the cornea. There are also a few RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses that are designed and approved for overnight wear. Some doctors prescribe disposables as planned-replacement lenses, which are removed, disinfected, and reused again before being discarded.

It is important for your eyes to rest without lenses, for at least one night following each scheduled removal. You can mark rigid lenses to show which lens is for which eye; they don't rip or tear, which makes them easy to handle. Disposable lenses don't come with instructions for cleaning and disinfecting, but those labeled specifically for planned replacement do.

There are two general types of contact lenses - soft and rigid gas permeable. Rigid gas permeable contact lenses are more durable, resistant to the buildup of deposits and generally give a clearer, crisper vision. Keep in mind contact lenses are often more complicated than they appear to be.

Rigid lenses generally give you a more clear vision. If you live an active lifestyle you can get breatheable lenses that will allow you 30 hours of continuous wear. When buying contacts beware of attempts to substitute a brand that is not the same as the one you want.

Get a feel for how the retailer handles the customer service calls, so you'll be prepared if you have a problem after your order arrives. Wherever you buy, shop for quality and value and don't forget that you want to do what is best for your eye health. And always ask what rebates are available.

You can buy contact lenses from an eye doctor, over the Internet, from an optical store or a warehouse club, etc. When you place your order make sure your lenses are available and not out of stock, because you'll want them right away. Buy your contact lenses from a supplier with name familiarity and know is reliable.

Be careful not to wear lenses any longer than they're prescribed for, nor when sleeping unless you are otherwise directed. Daily-wear lenses are removed each day for cleaning and are a safer choice, provided they aren't worn during sleep. The FDA has approved extended-wear lenses for use up to seven days before they are to be removed for cleaning; but there are risks with use of extended-wear lenses even for one night.

If your eyes become red or irritated, remove the lenses immediately and consult with your eye care doctor. Replace your contacts as recommended by your eye care professional because they wear out as time goes by. And extended-wear rigid lenses can cause unexpected, undesirable, reshaping of the cornea.

If you're planning to buy contact lenses, you should buy the best quality possible, even at a higher price; you don't want to skimp on quality when it comes to your precious eyes. And ordering contact lenses online has never been simpler, with or without, a credit card. If you lead a very active lifestyle, contact lenses can provide you with almost natural vision.

For more information on color contact lenses and where to buy discount contact lenses visit http://www.VisionNurse.com Helen Hecker R.N.'s popular website which offers tips, advice and resources, including information on LASIK eye surgery, sunglasses, eyeglasses and affordable quality contact lenses

¶ 7:00 PM 0 comments

I love to eat, and unfortunately it shows.

Thats why I so desperately wanted to find a diet that didnt take away all of my favorites, but still allowed me to shed some unwanted pounds.

A friend mentioned the South Beach Diet, but I was skeptical. Who ever heard of a diet that lets you eat a good hearty breakfast, two delicious snacks, and even dessert every day? Impossible! Yet, I found it was true.

Yes, Im going to go out on a limb and proclaim that eating on a diet does not have to be bland and monotonous. In fact, Im going to show you exactly how to say goodbye to boring diet foods, and hello to an array of tasty dishes thatll be sure to whet your appetite!

Sure, the first two weeks on South Beach (Phase I of the program), when you basically strip all the carbs, sugars and fats from your eating plan, are tough.

But its worth it. After just 14 days, your body adjusts to a healthier, more glucose stable diet and youll already be looking and feeling 10 times better than before.

And after Phase One, youre free to begin to add the good carbs and a few sugars back into your diet, (within reason, of course).

At first I thought creating satisfying meals from an approved eating list might be boring. Was I ever wrong!

Honestly, South Beach allows such a variety of veggies and meats that its pretty easy to find new and delicious ways to prepare them especially if you love to cook.

Just in case youre skeptical, I thought maybe Id share some of my favorite menu options with you:

Breakfast:

Ive always loved breakfast. Maybe because my grandma (who lived with us when I was growing up), used to make us these large, elaborate and filling breakfasts to help us start the day.

So, Ive always relished the idea of sitting down to a steaming hot plate of pancakes and eggs. Okay, so the pancakes are gone now (you cant have everything), but South Beach still lets me have my eggs (scrambled or in a beautiful omelet dripping in low-fat cheese), with a side of Canadian bacon, a great spinach frittata, or even a tasty veggie quiche. Plus you get to have yogurt, coffee or tea on the side.

Lunch:

At first, when I read the food lists for South Beach, I worried that Id miss my normal sandwich, chips and diet soda midday meal.

Boy was I wrong! Now I indulge in a variety of tasty soups packed with fresh vegetables and lean meats, grilled chicken salads on a bed of romaine and topped with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, or a tasty cobb salad, chicken caesar salad, roasted portabella pizza; poached salmon, or even a unique veggie antipasto.

(Hungry yet?)

Dinner:

Just in case you might be worried that your evening meal on South Beach might offer a few less options -- dont.

With virtually no lean meat or fish prohibited, your choice of entres is nearly limitless.

Some of my all-time favorites include seared tuna made with a spicy marinade and served with grilled vegetables, a delicious merlot-marinated flank steak and salad, broiled lamb chops with mint pesto, and roasted chicken with sliced tomatoes sprinkled with rosemary salt.

And for dessert, I enjoy indulging in custard made of chocolate espresso, lime cheesecake or even a mocha ricotta crme (that tastes just like an Italian cannoli, by the way) or chocolate dipped strawberries.

Now, hows that for eating right?

Like any diet, you cant just eat a bunch of snacks and desserts and still lose weight (Ive tried), but with the South Beach Diet Ive managed to find a way to really enjoy a good variety of foods that leave my body and my taste buds satisfied, without getting bored with the same old things over and over again.

Are you stuck in a South Beach Diet rut? I'm going to come to the rescue. Get more South Beach Diet Menu ideas, and see what kind of South Beach Diet foods you can eat at my extensive dieting blog covering the South Beach Diet Plan and tons more. You'll thank me later!

¶ 6:18 PM 0 comments