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3700 Joseph Siewick Dr., Suite 400 • Fairfax, VA 22033 (703) 620-4300 • EyePlasticMD.com
DECEMBER 2023
LIGHTS, LIGHTS, AND MORE LIGHTS Our House Can Never Be Bright Enough
As the holiday season approaches, the memories of Christmases past flood my mind. If I were to describe the essence of preparing our house for Christmas, it would boil down to one word: lights. The joy that holiday lights bring is the core of our family's holiday tradition. But let’s start from the beginning, back when my two kids, who are now in college, were much younger.
Our families’ fascination with lights continues outdoors as we drive around neighborhoods to view Christmas lights. One home, where their entire house and all their trees and scrubs were totally covered in white lights remains a favorite. When my son first saw it, his reaction to our home lights was, "We’re going to need a lot more Christmas around here." Challenge accepted! Living in Northern Virginia offers us many options to continue our luminary obsession. One local favorite is the Bull Run Festival of Lights, a drive-through display of lights, but remember they charge by the car so stuff yourselves in tight. There’s also WinterFest at Kings Dominion, where the park’s Eiffel Tower turns into a sparkling Christmas tree. Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights in Vienna, Virginia is another gem. It’s a half- mile walking tour in a botanical garden illuminated for the holiday season. One cool feature is a section of their displays where the lights respond to your singing. My son and I couldn’t resist singing, and neither could the crowd around us. The central location of both my family and my brothers’ family allows us to host yearly Christmas get-togethers. However, we were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we’re looking forward to resuming our regular traditions. Northern Virginia is generally the central gathering point for our extended family coming in from Maine, North Carolina, California, Holland, and England. We so enjoy each other’s company and share the love, perfectly lit by the glow of Christmas lights.
Every year, my wife and I engage in a ritualistic debate about our Christmas tree. I favor a towering, “majestic” wide based specimen, while my wife prefers a shorter, thinner tree that would fit more comfortably in our family room. We've never quite seen eye-to-eye on this, but the discussions have become an inseparable part of our Christmas experience. Sadly, we eventually transitioned to an artificial tree due to our family’s mold allergies. But on the bright side, it’s a size that’s reasonably close to what we both love — a win-win! The process of stringing lights, my annual duty, truly brings our tree to life. One memorable year, when my son was very young, I showed him how to throw a tennis ball into the bare Christmas tree. It was fun until my wife reminded me of the potential ornament casualties that would soon follow. She had a point! But it’s the lights that are my true passion. I go overboard, sometimes wrapping as many as 1,800 lights around our tree. The technique I use is to squint at the tree. If I see any gaps, I know where to add more lights. “Whether it’s stringing up the lights, seeing our family, or a combination of both, it's all about brightening the season. And for us, the brighter, the better.”
So, this holiday season, we’re geared to enjoy our traditions, old and new. Whether it’s stringing up the lights, seeing our family, or a combination of both, it's all about brightening the season. And for us, the brighter, the better.
Happy holidays!
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FROM SNOWY VILLAGES TO YEAR-ROUND HOLIDAY CHEER Explore America's Most Magical Christmas Towns
SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA A slice of Denmark right in sunny California, Solvang brings endless holiday cheer, especially with their annual Julefest. Pronounced “Yule-fest,” this month- long festival takes place every December and features picturesque events, including a ballerina-filled tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa, culinary delights, traditional Danish celebrations, and much more! WOODSTOCK, VERMONT During Woodstock’s Wassail Weekend, you’ll find the town in peak Christmas mode, where you can experience parades, horse-drawn carriages, carolers, and the Billings Farm, a local favorite of the season. Stroll down Main Street to witness an idyllic Christmas spot filled with cozy small-town shops and restaurants. NORTH POLE, ALASKA If you ever feel like celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer, we know the perfect destination. North Pole, Alaska, offers Christmas decor and festivities year-round! Here, you can get up close and personal with Santa’s reindeer, meet the man himself, and enjoy the snow that covers the entire town. Be sure to check out their ice sculpture competition, which features artists from all over the world! Ready for the Christmas celebration of your dreams? Start planning your next holiday vacation at any of these destinations, and we promise your dreams will most definitely come true!
It may be too late for less spontaneous travelers to start planning a Christmas vacation. But that shouldn’t stop you from planning next year’s holiday journey! The good news is you don’t need to venture to another continent to find a Christmas wonderland. There are countless picture-perfect Christmas towns across the country. Make your next Christmas trip feel like a Hallmark movie at one of these festive towns!
LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON Many have dubbed Leavenworth the most Christmas-centric in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. This Bavarian-style village experiences nearly 96 inches of snowfall every year, and they certainly don’t hold back when it comes to the holidays. The town lights up and decorates almost 21 miles, where you can find reindeer farms, carolers, gingerbread competitions, and Christmas markets. Every step of the way offers an Instagram-worthy photo opportunity!
5 MUST-HAVE TECH GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS 2023
SMART ALARM Give the gift of a good night’s rest and a peaceful morning! Smart alarms have been a popular gadget this year, with features like white noise sound, artificial sunrises, Bluetooth speakers, and gentle morning wake-up calls. For a sleek design, try the Loftie Clock with its all-black look. For a faux sunrise to fill the room, go for Philips HF3670/60 SmartSleep. SELF-CLEANING WATER BOTTLE These days, everyone is carrying around their oversized water bottles. Let your tech-lover be ahead of the curve with a self-cleaning water bottle! These innovative bottles use UV-C LED technology to sanitize the water and the inside of the bottle regularly. The LARQ Bottle PureVis is a popular choice as it also can keep beverages cold for 24 hours.
As Christmas shopping gets increasingly hectic, knowing what to get for the tech lovers in your life can feel impossible. New devices and gadgets hit the market daily, and following tech trends might not be part of your daily routine. Fortunately, 2023 has brought some standout innovations anyone would love to unwrap on Christmas Day. NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES Considered a modern staple, noise-canceling headphones are the perfect gift for a special someone who needs a break from the chaos and a way to focus. You can find a variety of headphones in different price ranges, so staying within your budget is easier. However, if you want to splurge, Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are an excellent choice with crystal clear sound and over 20 hours of battery life.
UV PHONE SANITIZER Did you know your smartphone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat? This year, grab a UV phone sanitizer for yourself and your loved ones that can remove 99.99% of bacteria. The PhoneSoap Pro can clean your phone and other small items with its sleek design. PET CAMERA WITH TREAT DISPENSER Do you know a tech lover who also dreads leaving their furry friend home alone? A pet camera strapped with a nifty treat dispenser might be their favorite gift of 2023! A small surveillance camera allows pet parents to keep an eye on their fur babies, and Petcube's Bites 2 also lets them dispense a small treat to keep their pets happy.
2 EyePlasticMD.com
The Dangers of Eyelid Cancer
Look for These Signs
size. Melanoma is a more dangerous form of eyelid cancer, but is fortunately very rare. Therefore, it is essential to detect all of these forms of cancer in the early stages. RISK FACTORS Risk factors for eyelid cancer include advanced age, fair skin, light-colored eyes, chronic exposure to sunlight, a history of sunburns, genetic skin disorders, and a weakened immune system. WHY EYELID SKIN CANCER IS DANGEROUS The dangers of eyelid skin cancer go beyond mere physical disfigurement. If the cancer metastasizes, it can lead to more severe health issues, including, in extreme cases, death. EARLY DETECTION IS CRUCIAL The skin on the eyelids is thin and sensitive, making it susceptible to rapid cancer growth. Because the symptoms can be subtle, early detection becomes imperative. An ignored lump or bump on your eyelid could escalate into a severe problem. Worrisome
features include: a slowly growing painless lesion, changes in the size or color of an existing mole or growth, ulceration of the eyelid skin, intermittent bleeding or crusting, change in the normal eyelid architecture (such as loss of eyelashes or destruction of the eyelid margin), a pearly translucent growth, telangiectasias (blood vessel enlargement), or irregular pigmentary skin changes, can all represent signs of eyelid malignancy. As such, regular check-ups with a dermatologist or eyelid cancer specialist (oculoplastic surgeon) are vital for timely diagnosis and treatment. TREATMENT OPTIONS Treatment for eyelid cancer may include surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, radiation therapy, and in some cases, chemotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, age of the individual, and the patient's overall health. While eyelid skin cancer may not be the most talked- about form of skin cancer, its repercussions are real. Understanding the risk factors and symptoms can save your vision and, potentially, your life.
Skin cancer is a widely acknowledged health risk, particularly for individuals with fair skin or those who spend extended periods of time in the sun. An often-overlooked hotspot for the development of skin cancer is the eyelid. Given its delicate skin and a lifetime exposure to ultraviolet rays, the eyelid is susceptible to various forms of skin cancer. Let's delve into the important details about eyelid skin cancer. TYPES OF EYELID SKIN CANCER Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer to affect the eyelid and is felt to be caused from ultraviolet damage to the skin. BCC grows slowly but can cause substantial local invasion if not treated early. Squamous cell carcinoma is a more aggressive type of skin cancer and is also associated with chronic ultraviolet damage to the skin. Sebaceous carcinoma originates in the oil glands and can grow undetected until it is substantial in
TASTY HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
INGREDIENTS
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10 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
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4 large eggs, separated 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream
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4 tbsp butter
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium heatproof bowl, add chocolate and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and blended, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick. Then gradually add melted chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. 3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. 4. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold egg whites and then cream into the chocolate mixture. 5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill for 3 hours or until set.
“Each day brings new opportunities, allowing you to constantly live with love — be there for others — bring a little light into someone’s day. Be grateful and live each day to the fullest.” –Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart Be grateful and live each day to the fullest.” –Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
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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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A Blindingly Fun Christmas Tradition
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Discover the Most Enchanting Christmas Towns in the US
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Give the Gift of Innovation This Christmas
Eyelid Cancer Is a Serious Condition
Tasty Holiday Chocolate Mousse
How Ketchup Transformed From Cure to Condiment
THE UNBELIEVABLE HISTORY OF KETCHUP FROM MIRACLE CURE TO TASTY DELIGHT
Ketchup, the popular tasty and tangy condiment found on tables and in refrigerators worldwide, has a surprising and somewhat peculiar history. In the 1830s, it was not just a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs; it was actually sold as medicine — yes, medicine! A UNIQUE ORIGIN Ketchup’s roots can be traced back to Asia, where it was called ke-tsiap (Xiamen), a sauce made from fermented fish sauce. It made its way to Europe in the 17th century, but it looked and tasted different from the ketchup we know today, as it included ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, and oysters — no tomatoes.
claimed his tomato extract had incredible healing properties and promoted it as a cure for a wide range of ailments, including diarrhea, indigestion, jaundice, and rheumatism. During this time, tomatoes were still relatively new in American cuisine, and many people were skeptical about their edibility and safety. In fact, some believed tomatoes were poisonous, but Dr. Bennett aimed to market them as a safe and healthy miracle ingredient. His tomato preparation was a precursor to modern ketchup. THE TRANSITION TO THE TABLE Over time, the medicinal claims surrounding tomato-based ketchup faded, and people
By the late 19th century, ketchup had become a staple in American households, and companies like Heinz began mass-producing it. Today, it’s tough to imagine ketchup as anything other than a delicious topping for our favorite foods, and while tomatoes do contain antioxidants and vitamin C, we know ketchup won’t cure a sickness. However, its transformation from fish sauce to tomato medicine to a beloved topping is a remarkable twist in culinary history!
THE MEDICINAL CLAIM AND TOMATO CONNECTION
began enjoying its taste. A tomato- based ketchup started to appear in cookbooks as an ingredient in recipes and was commonly paired with eggs, meat, and fish.
In the 1830s, an Ohio physician named Dr. John Cook Bennett began marketing a tomato-based concoction as a medicinal elixir. Dr. Bennett
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