Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

Burke Williams has been a favorite of mine for many years and during the pandemic they are striving to provide their fine products with use instruction online. Below is one of my favorites, a skin buffer that is gentle and effective. Check their website for their full selection at www.burkewilliamsspa.com.

For people who cannot afford expensive spa products but have sensitive skin I recommend Neutrogena products. They offer a full affordable line that is quite good, especially with all the mask wearing, which can be drying and sometimes cause allergic reactions. They have a hydrating serum that is quite wonderful and the anti-wrinkle daily moisturizer is excellent. They also offer a body lotion that moisturizes and protects full body quite well. These products are available at most stores including Target or online. www.neutrogena.com.

Juice Beauty products are also sensitive skin friendly, are a bit more expensive, but include a line of very pure face and neck care products to keep keep you looking healthy and relaxed during these challenging times. I've used the Nutrient Moisturizer and anti-oxident mask, which is refreshing and wonderful. Their face wash liquid is easy to use and makes the skin feel so clean and soft. Available at Whole Foods Market and online www.juicebeauty.com.

I am not an advocate for sleeping pills, especially for seniors, but I do recommend Naturol Melatonin 3 mg products which have helped me sleep during the pandemic. I found these products to help me sleep when I'm traveling and writing. They have no questionable symtoms and do the job. However, you should ask your doctor if they are right for you.

With arthritis in my neck and spine, plus recovery from a severe head injury I experienced on a writing assignment near Loreto Mexico, I have had real problems finding comfort during sleep, but recently at Bed, Bath & Beyond I found the Angel Sleeper Pillow that was designed for side or black sleepers and I'm delighted with it. The pillow comes in standard, queen or king, with a washable cover, is copper infused, odor resistant, has adaptive memory foam and has been a God send to me in finding a comfortable sleep position, especially duing the coronavirus 2020 pandemic. Bed, Bath and Beyond or www.angelsleeper.com.

I've begun meditating as a result of the pandemic, but to my delight it is helping me stay relaxed, sleep better, and be present during these challenging times. I do one hour of meditation 3 to 4 times a week lead by a local person named Sudama Mark Kennedy on Face Book who has years of experience and plays musical instruments that help me focus. Deepak Chopra is doing a meditation series, as are many others. If you are interested look online for a session that appeals to you. There are also apps like CALM that can help with relaxation and tapes to listen to that help. I also have purchased a Ukulele and I am taking online lessons. It keeps me present and is fun. Being present is the deal here. The fear and anxiety of our government state as well as the coronavirus 2020 is huge and needs to be dealt with by each of us daily to recover and stay well.

Catholic Mass and so many religious services and ministries are being offered on TV and online. Daily prayer is paramount in keeping faith and overcoming fear. Check the TV schedules for one that is right for you, as well as online opportunities to feel inspired. Many

Walking in your neighborhood for a specific time daily is important to good health, exercising with experts online or having a stationary bike to ride can be paramount to maintaining good health and relaxation as well as your weight. Being home makes it too easy to eat to much and pack on the pounds. I take photos on my walks and put them up on social networks.

Wishing you good luck with your healthy home spa regimen. We can make it through this together and don't lose faith or hope....be proactive to survive!

2 heads of romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
½ cup spinach, washed
½ cup of coconut water
1 whole banana
1 pear, cored
1 apple, cored
1 whole lemon, rind peeled
1-2 stalks celery (optional)
2 tablespoons almond butter (optional)

Place the coconut water, lemon, banana, pear, apple, spinach, and celery (if using) in the blender first. Then add in the almond butter and as much romaine lettuce as you can until your blender is almost full.