The Best New Year's Resolution

Resolve to have more fun. We all work too much. If you are one of those people, I hope you make it your New Year's Resolution to "have more fun." Get outside for hikes or walks, spend time with other people to enjoy a meal, travel a bit, take up a new hobby, enjoy time playing with your children, grandchildren, or whatever activity it is you enjoy -- this year and every one after.

You may discover that to have more fun you need to keep yourself in better shape. When you eat well you'll feel well. When you exercise you'll be in better shape to be physically active and enjoy life more. When we take care of ourselves, life is better. For your sake, don't put it off.

If work keeps you busy, it is important to schedule time off. A Great Big Back Warmer on your back will help you relax and go to sleep just when you need it the most. A Maine Warmers' microwave neck heating pad called Al-the-Gator helps relax muscle where people tend to hold tension the most.

relax tense muscles

Dealing with emergency power outages and keeping warm in winter

When the temperatures are in the teens and single numbers, a power outage can zap the warmth out of a house quickly. An alternative heating source can save the day or cause more harm such as a fire if not installed properly, cleaned periodically, or maintained. Planning is key to a successful back-up heat source for an emergency.

If no alternative heat source is available, i.e. a wood or gas stove, then a gas powered generator can help during a power outage. Having a professional set up a system that is easily turned on may be the best and safest way to go. Setting up a generator improperly may cause electricity to flow into the wires around your house, creating a hazzard for electrical line crews who expect lines to be dead. In spite of the warning, "No line is safe to touch -- EVER," accidents do happen.

On a blowing snowy night when it is hard to warm up -- with electrical power in full force -- it's nice to have a Cozy Cat Warmer to snuggle with. Maine Warmers has a variety of Comforting Creatures to help you through the cold months.

Maine Warmers' Comforting Creatures offer cozy companionship in winter.

Tips on how to survice a Polar Bear Plunge in January

If you decide to help raise funds for Special Olympics or another charity, consider giving the money and saving your body the shock of cold water. If you do take the plunge, plan ahead.

1. Make sure your doctor says you are in good physical condition to participate.
2. Wear shoes.
3. Have someone waiting with a warm towel or blanket for you to wrap up in.
4. Pack a set of dry, warm clothes and plan on a place to change soon after the event.
5. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic and caffeine free fluids before the plunge and afterward, drink something warm.
6. Get out of the water immediately, as hypothermia can set in relatively soon.
7. Have a microwave heating pad or two handy to help warm you.
8. Just make a donation and skip the dip. (my favorite)

Maine Warmers' microwave heating pads -- Cozy Polar Bear  -- makes the perfect gift for a Polar Bear Plunger. Hand Warmer Mittens and Foot Warmers may also help.

How to relieve some of the holiday stress

The holidays bring on all kinds of stress -- it's inescapable. From young children who are excited about presents and goodies, to unpleasant remembrances of the past, difficult sibling relationships, and aging. Here are a few remedies that might help.

Change the focus from oneself to that of helping others. It takes focus but is sure to make everyone feel better -- even though it may not eliminate all of the stress. Make it your goal to make others feel loved and welcome, let go of minor things, and focus on the important issues.

Keep it as simple as possible. Talk with your family or friends about the things they like to do at the holidays, then plan ahead, and be sure to plan to ask for help. In doing that, others feel better for being able to lend a hand and participate in making the holidays fun. Make sure to write you plan down (you can modify it as needed).

Give yourself time to relax. You'll be happier for it. Chill out, read a book, or take a nap.

The best microwave heating pad is from Maine Warmers and relaxes tense muscles. Portable, safe, and easy to use, a Neck Warmer eases neck tension. A Cozy Sheep may be the perfect holiday gift for grandma who could use a little warmth for arthritis.

Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome

Periods of severe vomiting may be due to a condition called Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome or CVS, and sometimes referred to as "stomach migraines." According to the National Institutes for Health, it can be difficult to diagnose. There doesn't seem to be a test to determine the cause of vomiting episodes, but patterns of these incidents and the presence of migraines in family history may be factors that lead to the diagnosis.

The article states that sometimes episodes are triggered by infection, excitement, or stress. Medication to stop vomiting may help reduce the effects of an episode.

If you need to reduce stress, take a half hour to relax with a Maine Warmers' microwave heating pad. Their extra large back warmer, covers the whole back and helps relax tense muscles. Check out their microwave Neck Warmers as well, especially if you hold tension in your neck.

Can a gluten-free diet help reduce the pain of arthritis?

Research shows that a gluten-free diet may reduce inflammation in the body and help ease the symptoms of certain arthritic conditions. We associate a gluten-free diet with Celiac disease, but some people are finding the diet can have a positive effect on some arthritic conditions.

In January, I decided to try a gluten-free diet when I was diagnosed with arthritis in the spine. Even though it meant giving up crusty garlic bread, cake, and a beer with pizza on some Friday nights, the pain was a great motivator. After two months on the diet, I noticed a dramatic improvement -- ninety-five percent of the time I am pain free. When there is pain, it is milder.

For those who are interested here are a few reputable resources that offer some information about gluten-free diets.

1. Mayo Clinic offers a definition of a gluten-free diet.

2. WebMD has an article on how a gluten-free diet may reduce risk of heart disease for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

3. Arthritis Foundation suggests a vegetarian and gluten-free diet may help with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Heat also helps flexibility and stimulates circulation. Maine Warmers' Hand Warmers are especially helpful in relieving stiffness in arthritic hands. Cozy Sheep and a variety of other animal shapes also can be used to warm hands and help relieve the ache of stiff joints in backs, knees, and feet.

Microwave heating pads are safe. There isn't any worry of them overheating, as with electric heating pads, so they can be taken to bed and may even help you fall asleep.

Check out Maine Warmers' Gluten-Free Recipes on their blog. They publish a newsletter once a month with a gluten-free recipe, coupon, and a monthly give-a-way for subscribers.

How to help kids with growing pains

Children who complain that their legs hurt may be suffering from growing pains. If there doesn't seem to be any outward appearance of injury or ill feeling -- no rash, bruises, bumps, or swelling -- it could be muscle pain. Children often run and play hard and may not associate physical activity with the pain they are experiencing.

The Mayo Clinic web site article on growing pains goes into more specifics about growing pains and what to look for. It is important to understand and acknowledge that the child's feelings of pain are real. Several recommendations for home remedies and treatments are included in the article.

If  you know a child who is experiencing growing pains you might provide a heating pad to help them through this temporary period of discomfort. Heat will relax sore tight muscles, help circulation and flexibility. Maine Warmers' microwave heating pads are easy, safe, washable, and reusable. Children might especially enjoy the Al-the-Gator Body Warmer or Cozy Penguin heating pads.

Comforting Creatures for Kids

Finding Relief from Colitis

The NIH (National Institutes of Health) and the Mayo Clinic Web sites say there are a few different types of colitis and the symptoms can be controlled, most of the time, with medication and diet. Drinking lots of water is critical to replace lost fluids due to the frequent passing of loose stools. Avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen is important as is staying on the medication. Out of control, some types of colitis can cause cancer. Finding and following good medical advice should help keep the condition in check.

There is no cure for colitis. Stress seems to make the condition worse, so medical professionals recommend finding healthy ways to manage stressful situations.

Since this blog was first published, a friend of mine who has suffered with colitis found a holistic physician in NYC and with his help has modified her diet. The result is that she went from taking sixteen pills a day and feeling lousy to taking zero pills and feeling great. She adopted a gluten-free diet, thus reducing inflammation, now avoids dairy and specific foods that cause inflammation, and takes probiotics.

She also told me she uses a heating pad to help relieve abdominal cramps if she has a flare up.

If you need a heating pad or ice pack to help relax and reduce the stress of dealing with colitis or to help with abdominal cramps check out Maine Warmers' microwave heating pads and gentle ice packs.

If you know of someone dealing with colitis, you might want to give them Maine Warmers Comforting Creature and mention that Maine Warmers has a lot of gluten-free recipes on their blog.

Resources for Staying Healthy and Saving Lives as Well as Money

Keep Me Well that allows Mainers to assess their own health. It offers encouragement for good health habits and warnings for areas that need improvement or watching.

The Maine Center for Disease Control offers a lot of information on conditions and diseases, such a Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, heart, lung, and many more. They also have info on environmental health such as Radon, Carbon Monoxide, and Red Tide.

Workplace health is also important and HealthyMaine Partnerships offers a toolkit to help employers make sure the workplace environment is safe and healthy for workers.

Taking responsibility for one's health is important and easier than repairing the damage done by poor health habits like smoking, over-eating, drinking excessive amount of alcohol, among other things.

This blog is about healthy living, and Maine Warmers' e-Newsletter offers information and products for better health and well-being. Those who subscribe to the email newsletter are entered into a drawing once a month for a free Maine Warmers Cozy Sheep or one of their other Comforting Creatures which are microwave heating pads that can be frozen and used as gentle ice packs.

How to Warm Cold Feet in the Middle of the Night

Going back to bed with cold feet does not help one go back to sleep easily. If you get up during the night in the winter, when floors are chilly, your feet may be cold when you slip back under the covers.

A sure fired way to warm feet is to use a pair of microwave foot warmers or a foot warmer pad from Maine Warmers. Not only will it warm your feet but the heat will relax you and help you return to

Microwave Foot Warmers

sleep.

Maine Warmers sells Foot Warmers and Foot Warmer Pads. They can help make cold feet feel warm and comfortable in a matter of minutes.

Microwave Foot Warmer Pad

Microwave Heating Pads are safe for those on oxygen

A microwave heating pad can be used safely next to someone on oxygen because there aren't any heating elements or electrical connections. They are safe and convenient. People who are on oxygen are not allowed to use electric heating pads or electric blankets because a spark could cause an explosion.

Just when a person needs to relax the most is when he or she is under stress from health issues. This is the

time heat therapy can help a person relax.

Maine Warmers' microwave heating pads come in some whimsical animal designs -- Cozy Cat, Dachshund

Neck Warmer, and others -- offering cozy warm companionship for someone who is dealing with serious health issues. No feeding, walking, cat or dog hair, or vet bills.

Heat Therapy for Fibromyalgia

If you suffer or know someone who suffers from Fibromyalgia, a chronic illness that causes immense physical pain and debilitating fatigue, heat therapy may help. For more information on Fibromyalgia and heat therapy at the Mayo Clinic.They recommend reducing stress, getting plenty of sleep, exercise, maintaining a healthy schedule and not overdoing, and enjoying life.They also recommend acupuncture, massage therapy, and tai chi.

Heat will also help relax muscles and may help you fall asleep. Heat therapy is a pain management concept dating back to 400 B.C. and may be worth a try.

Maine Warmers’ microwaveable heating pads provide convenient heat therapy and will help reduce pain by

Extra Large Whale Back Warmer

relaxing stiff muscles, promoting flexibility, easing tender points, relieving tension headaches, reducing stress, and promoting sleep. Check out their Extra Large Whale Back Warmers and Extra Long Alligator Neck Warmers for comforting companionship at bedtime.