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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
DECEMBER 2025
The Great Eggnog Divide Christmas, Cream, and Controversy
There are many things I absolutely adore about the holidays … and more than a few things I can do without.
and the other half is thinking you want to have at least some eggnog each winter. Me? I’m sure I’ll end up grabbing a quart of it at the store this month, or we’ll make our own. I never need a lot, but I always want to have some each year. I recently found a recipe for homemade eggnog on a website called Tastes Better From Scratch that I wouldn’t mind trying, as it looks like it’s going to be really smooth and pleasant ( see inside! ). That said, I’m sure not everyone I know would want to try it. I can hear it from the detractors now: “That’s too rich,” “Oh, it’s slimy,” “It’s like drinking melted ice cream,” “Ew, it’s just like liquid pudding!” or any other reason they’ll think of not to try it. Of course, there is a small safety risk because most eggnogs contain raw eggs, so their reluctance is somewhat understandable. However, those who can get past that part (and perhaps beef it up a bit with a little bourbon, rum, or brandy) may experience a taste they’ll grow to love this holiday season … and especially on Dec. 24, which is National Eggnog Day! I also just found an eggnog martini recipe that sounds very simple and fun: two parts eggnog, one part vanilla vodka, one part amaretto, shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass rimmed with brown sugar and garnished with ground nutmeg or cinnamon. Sounds like a must to me! Thank you for sticking with me as I took on a heavier topic this month. As we head into the holiday season, whatever it looks like for you, I hope you’re surrounded by moments that make you smile. Embrace what brings you joy, release what drives you crazy, and savor every moment with the people you love.
Surely, I’m not the only one who wonders why in the world we start hearing “Jingle Bells” and other Christmas music more than a month and a half before the holiday. I always think, “Let me get past Thanksgiving first!” And, of course, we can only listen to that Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas Is You” song so many times. I’m one of the few people who isn’t bothered by people who go over the top with lights … well, unless their displays are bright enough to be viewed from space, but I digress. I must admit that I’m not a particularly big fan of the whole office “Secret Santa” thing, where you’re capped out at $10 and it ends with you receiving a candle … again . Then we have the fruitcake. I guess someone somewhere out there likes it, and I’m sure all the constant regifting of it every year will help ensure one finally reaches that person someday. As for gifts people actually want, I’m horrible at getting my shopping done until just a couple of days before Christmas. I’m always left dealing with the parking lots and malls at the last minute. Will this be the year I actually practice forethought? Probably not, but I’ll see how it goes over the next few weeks. Of course, there are plenty of things about the holidays I do enjoy. I always get a chuckle out of people swearing they’re not going to gain weight this season while holding a piece of fudge in their hand. I also like hanging up our years of collected ornaments on the tree, even though I do not care for taking them down and putting them back in all the divided boxes at the end of the holiday season.
And if my words convince you to join Team Eggnog, please let me know.
Here’s another thing I enjoy this time of year: eggnog . Now, I know that statement is controversial. Inevitably, half of you reading this are turned off by the very notion,
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We’ve all been there: lying awake at night, replaying conversations, imagining worst-case scenarios, or obsessing over things we can’t change. Overthinking might feel harmless, but when those thoughts keep circling, they can take a toll on your mood, energy, and overall well-being. So, how do you break the cycle? It starts with noticing what’s happening in your mind. Next time your thoughts go into overdrive, pause and ask yourself: What emotion is fueling this? Maybe it’s worry, guilt, or frustration. Recognizing the source is the first step toward loosening its grip. TURN DOWN THE MENTAL VOLUME. When your brain feels stuck on repeat, try redirecting your energy. Dive into a hobby, work out, learn a new recipe, or volunteer for a cause that matters to you. Shifting focus gives your mind a break and can help you feel more grounded. Breathing exercises also work wonders. Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly, and take slow, steady breaths in and out through your nose. It’s simple, but it signals your body to relax and can help calm racing thoughts in just a few minutes. CHALLENGE YOUR THOUGHTS. Automatic negative thoughts (those instant, gloomy reactions) can trap you in “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios. Write them down, seek a more balanced perspective, and see if you can do anything about them. Taking small, thoughtful actions toward solutions can help quiet the mental noise. And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Talking to a trusted friend or a therapist can give you a fresh outlook on managing those runaway thoughts.
WHEN ‘WHAT IF’ WON’T QUIT Hit Pause When Your Brain Won’t Stop Talking
FACE FORWARD Fresh Features, Fast Fixes
“I’m usually very shy and modest about making any kind of vanity improvements, especially to my face, but I suppose I’m still vain enough at 75 to care about how I look. One day, I was talking with a friend who mentioned that he had his eyes done to have a younger appearance. His eyes looked great, and I wouldn’t have noticed that he had work done had he not told me. After I asked him who performed the procedure, he told me about Dr. Scott at Eye Plastic Associates. “Dr. Scott performed the same surgery on my eyes earlier this year. His procedure was so precise that you’d never be able to tell I had anything done. Now, my eyes look refreshed, and my upper eyelids are no longer droopy. “I’m a very meticulous person, and the smallest detail matters to me. I’ve had my share of doctors over the years, and Dr. Scott is among the most thorough. He’s the perfect balance of professionalism, courtesy, bedside manner, excellence, and attention.
spotted a little globule sitting in the sill of my eye. I immediately feared the possibility of cancer. It was around 9:30 at night, and I left a message for Dr. Scott. I didn’t expect him to call me back so quickly, but he did so shortly after 10 that evening. He said that my eye was overreacting during the healing process and that the globule was nothing to worry about. When I saw him in his office the following afternoon, he gave me something to prevent the globule from recurring. “I’m very pleased with Dr. Scott and the results of his work. The recovery went smoothly. Within two weeks, I was looking pretty good; within three or four weeks, I looked like my old self, just slightly younger. “Sometimes, you go to a doctor and sit waiting for 45 minutes until someone gets you, takes you to another room, and makes you wait another 20 minutes. That’s not the way it is with Eye Plastic Associates. Within about five minutes, you’re taken to the room, and Dr. Scott sees you within another five minutes. He truly is top of the line.”
–Anonymous
“I’ll give you a clear example of what I mean. This past summer, I was sitting at home when I felt something funny in my left eye. I looked in there and
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10 Things to Know Benign Eyelid Tumors:
8. TREATMENT IS USUALLY SIMPLE AND SAFE. Benign eyelid lesions can often be removed in the office under local anesthesia, with minimal discomfort. 9. RECURRENCE IS UNCOMMON BUT POSSIBLE. Some benign lesions can regrow, particularly if a portion remains after removal. Follow-ups ensure complete healing and detection of any recurrence. 10. REGULAR SKIN CHECKS MATTER. Regular skin checks are more important than most people realize. The thin, exposed eyelid skin can develop new lesions quickly, and routine visits with your eye doctor help ensure early detection. WHEN TO BE CONCERNED If a tumor starts growing into your eyelashes or you begin losing eyelashes, that’s concerning, even if the tumor is benign. It may disrupt the lid margin to the point of distortion. Intermittent bleeding or crusting is also a cause of concern. Although many people believe that malignant tumors are painful, they rarely are. If a tumor has a brown color that is not uniform throughout, it could be a sign of a potential melanoma.
• • • • • • • • •
Epidermal (inclusion) cyst
Cyst of Moll or Zeiss
Hidrocystoma Nevus (mole) Xanthelasma
Molluscum contagiosum
Verruca vulgaris (common wart) Sebaceous gland hyperplasia Chalazion (meibomian cyst)
Many patients and doctors call me “the eyelid tumor guy.” I see hundreds of patients with lumps, bumps, or growths on their eyelids annually. Based on my expertise, here are 10 things you should know about eyelid growths (tumors). 1. MOST EYELID GROWTHS ARE BENIGN. The majority of eyelid lumps and bumps are noncancerous. However, an eye specialist should examine any new or changing lesion.
4. SUN EXPOSURE AND AGE PLAY A ROLE. Cumulative UV light exposure and aging skin increase the chance of developing eyelid growths over time. 5. BENIGN DOESN’T MEAN HARMLESS. Even noncancerous lesions can cause irritation, interfere with eyelid function, or obstruct vision, especially if near the lash line. 6. DIAGNOSIS OFTEN REQUIRES EXPERT EVALUATION. Oculoplastic surgeons are trained to distinguish benign from malignant lesions and determine whether removal or biopsy is appropriate. 7. A BIOPSY MAY BE RECOMMENDED. When there is any uncertainty in appearance, rapid growth, loss of lashes, bleeding, or irregular borders, a small tissue sample can confirm the diagnosis.
2. APPEARANCE CAN VARY WIDELY. Benign tumors may appear as skin-colored,
pigmented, or slightly translucent bumps. Some may have a stalk, while others are flat or dome-shaped.
3. COMMON BENIGN TYPES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: • Papilloma • Seborrheic keratosis
If you have any concerns about any eyelid growths/ tumors, feel free to come see the “Eyelid Tumor Guy”.
Homemade Eggnog
INGREDIENTS • 6 egg yolks • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 cup heavy whipping cream • 2 cups milk • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
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1 pinch salt
1/4 tsp vanilla extract Cinnamon and whipped cream, for garnish
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DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and creamy. Set aside. 2. In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add a spoonful of the milk mixture to the egg mixture. Whisk vigorously and repeat, one spoonful at a time. 4. When most of the milk is whisked in, add the egg mixture to the saucepan. 5. Whisk until the liquid thickens slightly or reaches 160 F. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. 6. Pour the eggnog into a glass container and cover. Refrigerate. 7. When the eggnog has thickened, pour it into glasses, garnish, and enjoy!
George Washington had his own eggnog recipe, heavy on the rum, brandy, and whiskey.
Inspired by TastesBetterFromScratch.com
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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
Inside This Issue
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Holiday Hot Takes
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Overthinking Overload? Try These Mind‑Clearing Tips
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Subtle Lifts, Stunning Results
Tips From ‘The Eyelid Tumor Guy’
Homemade Eggnog
Disguised Devices of WWII
The Secret Tools of War Freedom in a Deck of Cards
James Bond gets the movie credit, but real spies in World War II were pulling tricks long before 007 hit the screen. Their work wasn’t flashy; it was desperate. The British intelligence agency MI9 and later the American MIS-X program were tasked with helping Allied soldiers escape Nazi prisons or avoid capture. That meant turning everyday objects into tools. Take the button compass. It looked like part of a soldier’s uniform, nothing more. But inside sat a tiny magnetic needle. Line it up on a string, and suddenly you knew which way was north. Hairbrushes carried folded maps or money. Monopoly boards weren’t just for killing time; they came with real bills mixed in, and if you saw a red dot on “Free Parking,” chances were good there was more than a game in the box.
away the top layer of a card to uncover silk escape maps. Cigarette packs from the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company carried radio parts. Gillette even made razor blades that acted like a compass if you balanced them on a stick. What’s remarkable is that the companies involved never asked for recognition or payment. Gillette, R.J. Reynolds, and the Playing Card Company volunteered and helped. And the gadgets kept coming. Radios hidden in suitcases. Hollow heels in boots with maps tucked inside. Even Ping-Pong paddles had secret compartments. Guards saw these items and didn’t give them a second thought. That was the point. Most of the devices were destroyed when the war ended. But enough stories survived to give us a glimpse. Clever doesn’t even begin to cover it. For many prisoners, a deck of cards or a shaving kit wasn’t just a distraction. It was a shot at freedom.
A few companies, including the U.S. Playing Card Company, also did their part. Soldiers could peel
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