Monday, December 16, 2019

My First Experience with Induction Cooking--I Love It

This is my first experience with induction cookers, so, cheapskate that I am, I chose this Rosewill unit for about half the price of the other brands, that look like the same product with different names. At any rate, for the low price, I was surprised at the degree of control that can be selected on this: (1) how many watts of cooking power do you want? 300 up to 1800. (2) what temperature would you like to maintain? 150 to 450? (3) How long would you like to cook? and so on. A real surprise was the speed of cooking. We boiled some water as a first test and were amazed to see the bubbles starting up so fast. Then I made some eggs, and almost got back to the bowl too late. We made some spiced cider and the unit kept the standby temp between 200 and 250.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: (1) induction cookers require flat-bottomed pots and pans that are magnet-friendly. To be sure your pot or pan will respond to a magnet, a refrigerator magnet is included in the box to test. (2) NOT ALL STAINLESS STEEL pots and pans are magnet-friendly. I learned this by accident just in the past few months. And, of course, aluminum is not magnetic.  (3) A pot and glass lid are included in the package, making this a deal you can't pass  up.
The unit appears to be well made, including a thermostat-controlled muffin fan (like the fans that cool PCs).

I'd say, if you want to find out what induction cooking is like, take a chance and get one of these.


Saturday, December 7, 2019

What I Found for Eczema, Psoriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Flaky Skin around the Eyes and Ears

*****Disclaimer******Caution*****Read at your own risk*****

The following blog entry does not constitute nor is it intended to be medical advice, a recommended medical procedure, a treatment, prevention, cure, or help for any disease or apparent disease condition, circumstance, symptom, or health event. This blog does not embody or imply any assurance of help or benefit. If  you have a medical issue, get professional medical advice and treatment from a legitimately educated and licensed medical doctor.

For several years, I have been bothered by flaking skin around my ears. I just washed it out each day with a washrag while taking a shower. Then for no apparent reason, the flakiness moved below my ears and then sideways across my eyes and eyebrows. This "attack" grew sore and tender. So bad was it that I went to Urgent Care on a Saturday. The Physician's Assistant gave me a prescription for an antibiotic ointment. I tried to keep it out of my eyes, but since some of the infection / problem was on my eyelids, that was difficult.

When I got in touch with my regular doctor, she gave me a prescription for a steroidal cream. Steroids are definitely to be kept out of  the eyes, since the eyes can become cloudy. I finally went to an ophthalmologist, who gave me yet another prescription for a different steroidal cream. She, like the others, said, "Just  keep it out of your eyes." I was afraid to use it, since some of the gooky buildup was on he lower eyelash area.

However, almost in passing, after we briefly discussed the fact that all that buildup is water soluble, the ophthalmologist mentioned that I might try Johnson's Baby Shampoo to wash my eyelids.

Johnson's Baby Shampoo is my hero. A couple of times a day I run the tap to get warm water, pour a little Johnson's on my fingers, and wash my eye area--lids, brows, tear ducts, etc. There is sometimes some pain caused by the physical rubbing of the lower eyelashes, but there is no sting and no irritation from the shampoo. Then a gentle pat and gentler rub with a dry washrag or face towel and we're done.

Johnson's head-to-toe wash and shampoo is even milder than the straight baby shampoo and works just as well for me.

If you have similar skin issues, ask your doctor if trying Johnson's is a good idea.

Disclaimer: I have not been paid or given any consideration of any kind by Johnson and Johnson, nor as of this writing has anyone from that company even contacted me.