I've decided to try out a gadget called an allergy reliever. It didn't cost a great deal from a pharmacy website but it promises to reduce a great deal of the symptoms of my allergies such as sneezing, itchy nose, congestion etc.
Used it for only the second time just now and unfortunately the first thing I did upon removing the 2 nasal probes was sneeze! However, I'm hardly expecting great results after only 2 3 minute sessions.
I'll update as I use it more and see if I've managed to lessen my daily dose of antihistamines at all!
Musings of a 30 something, kinda geeky, TV addict scientist. Oh and I have a dog who makes the odd guest appearance!
Monday, 28 June 2010
Friday, 25 June 2010
Laser Surgery
Had my pre op tests on Monday. It was an intense range of scans and opthalmic tests carried out over 3 1/2 hours at the London Vision Clinic on Harley Street.
The scans were all fine, not a problem with any of them. There was about 8 in total measuring all different factors such as eye pressure (the puffer test machine that is usually used for glaucoma), prescription, retinal function etc.
The drops that the optometrist put in my eyes in order to carry out the tests for corneal thickness and to measure the size of my pupil were strange to say the least. The anesthetic drops (yellow in colour) made my eyes feel as though they were drunk when the rest of me wasn't! The pupil dilation drops (clear) just made my vision blurry which is something I'm very used to having such bad eyesight anyway!
Tests showed an above average pupil size (hence the cow eyes!) and an above average cornea thickness. Corneal thickness is a plus whereas pupil size is a slight negative. However nothing was discovered that could contraindicate me for surgery, yay!
I do have some slight scarring on both my corneas however, in the lower right (left eye) and lower left (right eye) quadrants. They have sent me away with some artificial tears and eye ointment to use at night in the hope that it has just been caused by my contact lens wear or dryness. Fingers crossed that they're working. I am using the drops countless times a day!
Meeting Professor Dan Reinstein on Monday. He is my surgeon so I'll update then on my progress.
The scans were all fine, not a problem with any of them. There was about 8 in total measuring all different factors such as eye pressure (the puffer test machine that is usually used for glaucoma), prescription, retinal function etc.
The drops that the optometrist put in my eyes in order to carry out the tests for corneal thickness and to measure the size of my pupil were strange to say the least. The anesthetic drops (yellow in colour) made my eyes feel as though they were drunk when the rest of me wasn't! The pupil dilation drops (clear) just made my vision blurry which is something I'm very used to having such bad eyesight anyway!
Tests showed an above average pupil size (hence the cow eyes!) and an above average cornea thickness. Corneal thickness is a plus whereas pupil size is a slight negative. However nothing was discovered that could contraindicate me for surgery, yay!
I do have some slight scarring on both my corneas however, in the lower right (left eye) and lower left (right eye) quadrants. They have sent me away with some artificial tears and eye ointment to use at night in the hope that it has just been caused by my contact lens wear or dryness. Fingers crossed that they're working. I am using the drops countless times a day!
Meeting Professor Dan Reinstein on Monday. He is my surgeon so I'll update then on my progress.
One of the best desserts... EVER!
This is one of the best dessert recipes I have ever come across. The dessert is totally sinful and calorific but tastes absolutely devine!
Tarte de Natas - Portuguese Fresh Cream Cake
1lt Fresh cream, chilled
1 can sweetened condescend milk
10 sheets gelatin
1 Tbsp vanilla
200g Chocolate digestive cookies
2 Tbsps unsweetened cacao powder or 3oz melted dark chocolate
2 Tbsps unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsps fine sugar
Crust
Crush the cookies in food processor until they are fine and crumbly, add cacao power, melted butter, 1/2 the vanilla and sugar. In a medium bowl, blend together by hand until the mixture binds together if you put pressure on it. It should be just a tiny bit moist, not wet or sticky, if you squeeze some in your hand and it doesn’t just try to bind together its too dry and you can add a little bit more butter. If its sticky add a few more cookie crumbs. The cream filling will soften the crust so better on the dry than wet side. Once the mixture is ready, press into the bottom of a spring form pan, the same you would use for a cheesecake. Pat the mixture firmly into the bottom to coat the base and come up just above the lip of the bottom seam that joins bottom and side of pan. Then refrigerate until filling is ready. * Note: You can replace the cacao power with 3oz melted dark chocolate, but if you do, you can omit the butter.
Gelatin mixture
In a small sauce pan, pour 1/4 quantity of cream. On low heat gently warm cream in sauce pan, then add gelatin and mix until completely dissolved, turn off heat and set aside to cool slightly and until rest of filling is ready. *Note: Gelatin comes in a variety of forms and strengths in different countries, 10 sheets here equals to about 18 grams, in North America this might equal about 2 of the knorr gelatin envelopes. Good rule of thumb is to check a regional no bake cheesecake recipe, and adjust to similar quantities, to be safe add a little extra as cream tends to need a bit more.
Filling
In large bowl pour remaining cream, sweetened condensed milk and rest of vanilla. Beat cream mixture until incorporated, then add cooled but not set gelatin mixture. Beat until just slightly fluffy and pour into chilled and prepared spring form pan. Cover and place in coldest part of refrigerator overnight.
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