Filed under: EVENTS!, HEALTH!, Non-Profit of the Month
During the month of November, Eye Spy Optical will be collecting non-perishable, unexpired food items! Drop off your donation and receive a $25 discount on a pair of glasses!!!
One of Chicago’s largest and longest-operating food pantries, Lakeview Pantry’s mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty in our community by providing food to fill the basic need of hungry people; increasing the independence of our clients through self-help initiatives and other innovative programs; and raising awareness of hunger and poverty and working towards solutions to eliminate them.
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1 in 9 people on the North Side suffers from food insecurity.
With 3 food distribution programs that deliver more than 1.6 million pounds of food to our neighbors each year and social services that help clients achieve independence, Lakeview Pantry aims to end hunger for good. Join us to be part of the solution.
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How Can You Help:
There is a greater need for the following items:
- Canned Tuna, Chicken, and Beef
- Cereal and Oatmeal
- Ramen and Rice
- Microwavable Mac & Cheese and Soup
- Toiletries- Full and Sample Sizes
All non-perishable, unexpired food items are appreciated!
Consider donating modest sizes. For example; several 24oz cans are preferable to one 64oz can, easier to carry home.
For more information, please visit them online and follow them on Facebook.
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, HEALTH!, KIDS!
Three Cheers for Lake, our Customer of the Week!
Lake’s mom brought her in for an eye exam with our amazing Eye Doctor. Lake was a teensy bit nervous, but our doctor is great with kids and made it really fun and easy. Lake found out that she was going to need glasses she couldn’t have been more thrilled! As it turns out, she was hoping that she would need them – she LOVES glasses
The Optical Oracle helped her try on kids frames until she found just the right one – a red metal frame that fit like a dream and made her feel like a million bucks!
We LOVE it when kids get excited about their glasses and as you can see, Lake is beaming!
Let’s learn a little more about Lake!
- What is her favorite color? Aqua
- If she could be any animal, what would she be and why? Reindeer so I can fly (Here are 11 things you might not know about Reindeer!)
- What is her favorite thing to do in the summer time? Surf on vacation
- What is her favorite activity or subject at school? Reading
- How many siblings does she have? An older brother and younger brother
- If she were in a talent show, what would her talent be? Play guitar and dancing
It is almost time for Chicagoland kids to head back to school and all kids entering school for the first time are required to get their eyes examined by an eye doctor. Our docs are low key and make it painless – your kids don’t even need to know their letters or numbers! So visit our website to schedule your little one’s appointment.
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Filed under: EVENTS!, HEALTH!, Non-Profit of the Month, Theo
Each month we donate a portion of sales at one of our events to a local non-profit organization that we admire. This month we are working with Peterson Garden Project and will be donating 3% of our sales from the Theo Trunk Show on June 4th!
In 2010, LaManda Joy started her first organic community garden in a vacant lot on Peterson Ave – a lot that in the 1940’s had been one of the many Victory Gardens that flourished throughout Chicago at the time. Since then, Peterson Garden Project has flourished and there are now community gardens all over Chicago, but what is even more important to LaManda is that her organization has taught hundreds of new gardeners how to grow nutritious food in their own neighborhoods.
Peterson Garden Project’s mission is to recruit, educate and inspire a new generation of gardeners who want to gain control of their food supply, grow their own produce organically, and make urban gardening the norm-not the exception.
“Learning together in the garden, and kitchen, does much more than put fresh, nutritious food on the table. It helps build stronger communities, connect us to cultural heritage, improve public health and create a more sustainable, resilient city.”
Peterson Garden Project isn’t just about gardening:
- Their community cooking school that offers classes and workshops about variety of ethnic cuisines and food cultures which draws upon the diverse backgrounds of the project’s membership. Check out their calendar for upcoming classes like Demystifying Masala: The Secret to Indian Spice Blends on June 2.
- Grow2Give is their volunteer-run program that provides local food pantries and other organizations with donated produce grown in the gardens.
- Senior/Senior, Kids in the Kitchen and Fresh Fridays are free programs geared at educating kids and seniors alike about nutrition and the joys of cooking.
Get Involved!
Go to a tea party! Peterson Garden Project is hosting a Mad Tea Party/fundraiser on June 12 at their Vedgewater Garden. Put on your finest or zaniest tea party attire and help keep the project going!
Get your hands dirty! There are still plots available at some of their community gardens, so sign up, attend an orientation meeting and grow some delicious organic veggies of your own.
Try on some new specs! Come to our Theo Trunk Show on June 4th and pick up a beautiful new pair of glasses – 3% our sales will be donated to Peterson Garden Project!
Peterson Garden Project continues to grow and there are plenty of ways to get involved – take a look at their Website, Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all of the latest gardening news!
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Filed under: HEALTH!, Non-Profit of the Month
Each month we donate a portion of sales at one of our events to a local non-profit organization. This month we are excited to be working with Mane in Heaven.
Mane In Heaven is a wonderful organization of volunteer workers that was founded in February 2012 by Mane in Heaven President Jodie Diegel with the mission to provide “therapeutic benefits to disabled and able-bodied children and adults through animal-assisted activity and therapy visits with miniature horses leading to improved outcomes of physical, mental and emotional well-being.”
Mane in Heaven ponies travel to Chicago-land area nursing homes, hospitals, retirement homes, schools and anywhere else therapy ponies might bring some joy and relief. It is no secret that therapy animals have been helping those in need for many years now, and we can’t think of another animal we’d like to meet quite as much as these adorable little beasts.
Pet Partners, the pioneer of animal-assisted therapy believes that therapy pet visit benefits include: Empathy, Outward Focus, Acceptance, Entertainment, Socialization, Mental Stimulation, Physical Contact, Physiological Benefits and more.
Want to support the ponies?
Come to our March Madness Makeover Party on March 19th from 12-4pm at Eye Spy Optical and complete your makeover with a new pair of fabulous specs – we will be donating a percentage of our sales from the day! You can also take a look at their website and and like their facebook page to keep up with their latest news, for opportunities to meet the ponies, and to find out how you can volunteer your time.
It is undeniable…these volunteers and ponies bring smiles to many faces – I bet you are smiling right now!
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Filed under: EVENTS!, FASHION!, HEALTH!
Join us on Saturday, March 19th from 12-4pm!
I don’t know about you, but we are all getting more than a bit antsy in our pantsies for some Spring around here. And what’s better than a new look to start off the spring right?
This year we are really excited to have so many great people joining us for our day of fun. We have invited 2 make-up artists (one more traditional and one more avant-garde), an accessory designer, a skin care guru, and a manicurist to join us for our party!!
Makeup!
Ursula came highly recommended by our very own Specs Wrangler, Patsy. They worked together when Patsy needed a makeup artist for her senior thesis fashion shoot. She’ll be doing FREE mini-makeovers and giving makeup tips.
Sky Cubacub can decorate your face with rad makeup designs & decorate your body with her amazing handmade accessories!
Nails!!
Jenny from Noktivo Salon will be painting your nails with beautiful nail polishes that are good for you & the planet!
Skin Care!
And Dr. Jan Iwata will help you make your skin lovely for Spring with her new line of natural skin care products: Radiant Beauty Orangics!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a party without some delectable treats to nibble and beverages to sip.
Bring your friends and shake off that last bit of winter while having some fun and trying a new look – you might even find a fabulous and funky new pair of glasses that completes your fabulous spring makeover:-)
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, HEALTH!, KIDS!
Our Customer of the Week is a kid who knows a thing or two about sunglasses. Raise your juice boxes for Will!!!!
Will is an energetic little guy who loves to be outside so his parents picked up a pair of Julbo Looping sunglasses for him a couple of years ago. He loved them so much that when he grew out of them, it was time to come back and pick up something new. He has grown so much since his last pair that he ended up going home with a cool blue pair of Julbo Bubbles sunnies and we think he looks amazing!
Julbo makes great sunglasses for babies and kids. They are durable and comfortable and we LOVE the bright colors! They also will protect against UV rays, which is ULTRA important in kids since their eyes are still developing and need some extra protecting.
Will is excited to be just like his dad and tags along to give his opinion on Curt’s picks. He just might be an optician in training!
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Filed under: EVENTS!, HEALTH!
Dr. LaBrosse is excited to introduce an important new technology to her practice at Eye Spy: Quantifeye!
This device directly measures the integrity of your macular pigment.
Macular pigment is in the back of your eye, acting like “internal sunglasses” to protect and enhance your central vision.
- Do you have trouble night driving or problems with glare?
- Do you have light sensitivity?
- Family history of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?
- Risk factors for developing AMD (fair skin, history of smoking, cardiovascular disease, poor diet, over 50 years old?)
If your answer is yes, or you are just curious about whether your visual performance can be improved, you need this test! Macular pigment is the only modifiable risk factor for AMD.
We are having a FREE screening event on Saturday, October 25th. Dr. LaBrosse will be present to discuss the test and answer any of your questions about your eye health. We will also have plenty of dark chocolate and Pinot Noir on-hand, since both contain ingredients that are beneficial to eye health. Join us!!
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Filed under: HEALTH!, KIDS!
We love them so much, that we even have a couple ourselves:-) Our eye doctor has two girls…and the Queen of Specs has two girls!! But don’t worry, we like boys at Eye Spy also…as long as they are well-behaved!?!
Dr. LaBrosse and her two clones!
The Queen of Specs’ family, as drawn by Beatrice.
Illinois law states that all children entering public schools for the first time (kindergarten or otherwise) are required to have an eye examination by an eye doctor. As luck would have it, Eye Spy is a great place to bring your little human for his or her eye exam! We are super-friendly and very low key, so we keep exam jitters minimal. We also have a waiting room that looks like your grandma’s living room, complete with movies…just in case *someone* needs a little distraction.
Dr. LaBrosse has lots of experience examining children of all ages from a few months old to 99 years old! Your child does not have to know letters or even speak at all to obtain very useful information about their eyesight. Dr. LaBrosse uses many different non-invasive techniques to determine what the eye can see, how they work together, and how healthy they are. Eye drops are not necessarily needed for good results, so there is no need to worry if your little one is squeamish. The goal is to make the exam fun so your child responds to the best of his or her ability and wants to come back!
Dr. LaBrosse has convenient evening and Saturday appointments available for busy families, so make your appointment today! Come on…just do it!
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Filed under: HEALTH!
A frequent complaint Dr. LaBrosse hears, particularly in the summer, is sensitivity to bright light. Most people will say bright sun causes them discomfort, particularly if their eyes are blue. Sensitivity in other situations, such as ambient lighting in stores or your office, is not normal.
Symptoms include excessive tearing of the eyes, pain around the eyes, and the desire to wear sunglasses indoors. There could be many explanations for this, but a commonly overlooked reason is a deficiency of lutein and zeaxanthin in your diet. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the pigment of your eye that helps capture stray light rays and prevents them from activating too many cells on your retina.
These nutrients are found in high concentrations in green leafy vegetables, as well as yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables. Kale has the highest concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin amongst the green leafy group, followed by collard greens and spinach. Orange peppers contain high amounts of zeaxanthin in particular.
If you know you don’t eat these foods regularly, the first step is to start working them into the diet several times per week. If you know that this just won’t fit in with your lifestyle or diet, supplementation may be necessary. Most supplements you find over the counter do not contain enough lutein or zeaxanthin to treat a condition such as light sensitivity (photophobia). If dietary changes aren’t doing the trick, it might be time for professional help…see your eye doctor (hint, hint)!
Here is a great recipe from food.com that incorporates both kale and peppers:
Spicy Kale with Sauteed Red Peppers
2 bunches kale
1/2 cup leek, chopped
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced (or extruded through garlic press)
1 1/2 large red bell peppers, cut into short strips
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt
white pepper
Directions:
- Wash kale. Pull greens away from the stalks, discarding stalks. Shred by hand into small pieces.
- Place kale in steamer basket, and steam until tender (approximately 10 minutes). Remove immediately from heat.
- Heat olive oil in heavy pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add onions and leeks. Saute until onions are translucent and leeks begin to brown. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, saute for 1-2 more minutes. Add bell pepper slices, and saute until tender (approximately 4-5 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Add kale to pan, and toss ingredients together thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot or room temperature
Check out the local farmers’ markets for organic produce. Did you know that there are over 70 farmers markets in Chicago?? Here is a list of the Chicago markets. Our favs on the north side are: Lincoln Square, Glenwood & Logan Square. If you are short on time, join a local CSA for a box of goodies that you pick up once a week with a different assortment of veggies each week! We like Montalbano Farms and Angelic Organics, but there are a ton in the Chicago area. Happy cooking!
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Filed under: Gentle Monster, HEALTH!
Now that nice weather is here, many of us have pulled out the sunscreen and sunglasses. The dangers of ultraviolet (UV) exposure are widely known, but current research shows that even blue visible light can cause biological damage, particularly in the eye. Blue light sources include sunlight as well as computers, TVs, lights, cell phones, and tablets.
Below are Dr. LaBrosse’s recommendations to protect your eyes:
Physical protections include using sunglasses and wide brimmed hats outdoors. Your prescription “indoor” lenses may also be protected with a clear UV block or an anti-glare coating that blocks blue light for heavy computer users.
(Gentle Monster frames along with a wide-brimmed hat always look good!)
Chemical protections are sunblocks and sunscreen. Many facial moisturizers can be found that include SPF. These are perfectly fine to use on your eyelids as well (just steer clear of the lash margin). Amazingly, there are very few eye creams that have SPF, but Dr. LaBrosse has found some that she can recommend.
Nutrients are important in providing the eye the building blocks to maintain its own natural sun protection. Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high concentrations in the macula (the area of the eye responsible for color vision and 20/20 vision). These pigments protect the eye from UV/blue light exposure, and high concentrations in the eye are protective against macular degeneration. Green leafy vegetables (especially kale) and yellow/orange fruits and vegetables provide lutein and zeaxanthin. If you have a family history of macular degeneration or just plain don’t like to eat your veggies, Dr. LaBrosse recommends vitamin supplementation. Her favorite product is EyePromise by Zeavision, available at EyeSpy or at zeavision.com.
Start enjoying the summer, local farmer’s markets….and use these tips to protect your eyes from blue light:-)
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