This is a fascinating app. It is an app that can monitor your sleep patterns. For 99 cents, it certainly is worth trying. I have used it when stressed, and also when taking a Tylenol PM, and you can really see how those things affect your sleep pattern. You place the app under your pillow, and make sure it stays plugged in so it can monitor and charge throughout the night. You can also set an alarm and the app will determine when you are in your lightest sleep with a 30 minute window to wake you up. It records your sleep graph and saves it for you to refer to.

According to Sleep Cycle:

Sleep Cycle monitors your movement during sleep using the extremely sensitive accelerometer in your iPhone. 

Sleep Cycle then finds the optimal time to wake you up during a 30 minute window that ends at your set alarm time.Look at the screenshots for recommended iPhone placement.As you sleep you go through different phases that range from deep sleep to light sleep. The phase you are in when your alarm clock goes off is a critical factor regarding how tired you will feel when you wake up.Since you move differently in bed during the different phases, Sleep Cycle uses the accelerometer in your iPhone to monitor your movement to determine which sleep phase you are in.Sleep Cycle then wakes you in your lightest sleep phase.Sleep Cycle was developed using proven sleep science and over a year of testing.Sleep Cycle also saves your sleep data and displays a detailed sleep graph and sleep statistics for every night you use it.

This graph shows a normal sleep pattern:

This graph shows a more irregular sleep pattern with a period of being awake or nearly awake at 6 am:

Finally, this graph shows what your sleep pattern would look like under the influence of alcohol:

I would encourage you to purchase this app to see how your sleep patterns vary from night to night.

Have you used this app before or something similar? Leave me a comment and tell me about your experience.

I found this scrumptious recipe on tasty kitchen.com, and had to share. Adds a little something to just a plain old grilled cheese. Don’t get me wrong; I love plain old grilled cheese. This is more like company’s comin’ grilled cheese!

Pesto, Olives & Tomato Grilled Cheese
2 slices of Ciabatta/Bread
1 tablespoon pesto (prepared or your own recipe)
1 tablespoon olives, chopped
2 slices of organic tomato
5 slices fontina cheese
Olive oil spray

1. Plug in/turn on your indoor grill or Panini press.

2. Slice the ciabatta (or your favorite bread) into approximately 1/2-inch slices. Spread the pesto (make your own or use your favorite prepared pesto) all over one slice of the bread.

3. Chop up the olives (or buy them already chopped) and scatter them over the pesto. Lay the tomatoes on top of the olives and finish up the sandwich by placing the cheese over the tomatoes and top with the remaining slices of bread.

4. Spritz one side of the sandwich with olive oil spray, flip carefully and repeat. Place the sandwich on the grill/press and let the magic happen. Allow to cook until the bread gets all crispy and brown and the cheese is gooey. Flip and repeat if not using a Panini press.

If you follow this blog on a regular basis, you know that I cannot stand dry lips. I always have to have some gloss or lipstick or chapstick on my lips. I have posted before about my love of lip balm. And I still use the Fresh Lip Balm and the Canus Lip Balm. But I have added Nivea Lip Care to my repertoire.

The Cherry, Berry Swirl, and Shimmer have a touch of color to them that I really like.

I also have the Milk and Honey and Moisture for just moisture without color.

If you have extremely dry or chapped lips, try the Recovery Medicated Lip Protectant.

I have these all over my house. In my office, on my treadmill, by the couch, by my nightstand. They are like my reading glasses; you can’t go too many steps without locating one. All of the lip balms are about $3 at most drugstores. The only one I really have had a problem finding is the Cherry. And of course it is my favorite. So if you find the Cherry, pick up one, or two, or seven, for me.

If you love vintage, unique, or one of a kind merchandise, you will love shopruche.com.

They have adorable vintage clothing.

One of a kind jewelry.

Great gifts – for yourself or someone else.

Even stuff for the kids and pets.

Be sure and read the “about us” section of the website. I love reading the history of how a business was started. So grab your coffee, or martini, depending on what time you are reading this, and check out this site. You are sure to find something that you cannot live without!