Monday, February 24, 2014

How to Improve Your Posture

Good posture is simple. It has to do with lifting your rib cage up away from your pelvis which then naturally aligns your spine, shoulders, neck and head. “Keep a neutral spine,” says my exercise teacher, “and the natural curve in you lower spine.” Good posture helps you keep those abdominal muscles tucked in too.

It does not mean being uncomfortable or trying to maintain a contrived stressful position.

Man using extra large microwave back warmer
Extra Large Heating Pad for the Back
Good posture also lessens the stress on joints. According to an article, "The Power of Posture," in Arthritis Today, March-April 2014, (p. 27), good posture affects thinking and may provide an attitude of “power over pain," and ultimately, help you feel better.  The Arthritis Today Web site has some Tips for Good Posture. It may also keep you in better shape to take care of yourself longer as you age.

An examination by a physician may reveal abnormalities in the structure of the back that may prevent good posture. If you have difficulty maintaining good posture it may be worth a visit to a qualified medical professional to find out the cause. A physical therapist may also be a resource for helping establish a healthy posture.
Man relaxing sore back muscles with a Whale Back Warmer from Maine Warmers
Cozy Whale Microwave Back Warmer

If you need to relax tight back muscles from exercising or doing some strenuous activity, try an extra large Back Warmer from Maine Warmers. Even Yoga exercises can cause sore muscles. A Cozy Whale makes a lovely gift of comfort and care for a friend who deals with the joint pain of arthritis. A Snowy Owl Warmer (not pictured here) also provides heat to soothe tense muscles, ease cramps, and relax muscle spasms.
Maine Warmers' Snowy Owl Back Warmer
Snowy Owl Warmer



Monday, February 17, 2014

Emergence of Emergency Medical Technicians

At dinner last night we were talking about a man who collapsed on a street in Portland, Maine on Christmas Eve and how someone stopped to help him until the EMTs arrived. Today the man is back to living a normal life.

We take for granted that when there is a medical emergency an ambulance with trained personnel will be there ASAP to help. They’ll not only transport people to the nearest hospital, but they will perform procedures to help the victim survive while on the way.

It wasn’t until the early 1970's that a need for emergency personnel became an issue in Portland, Maine. A committee was established to look at setting up MEDCU, a new emergency response system designed to help people – not just transport them to the hospital. Before that, people were often transported in the back of a police car, a “Paddy Wagon,” or sometimes in a hearse to the hospital, and help was not administered until they arrived.

Today, EMTs, or Emergency Medical Technicians, are trained to administer IVs, give injections, administer life support, and more. Improved communication systems allow physicians to give directions to EMTs while en-route to the hospital.. The training is rigorous and requires hundreds of hours of education and often state certification.  

Helping people feel better is a great profession. Thankfully there are people who are willing to become EMTs and do this important job.
Man using microwave neck warmer to help relax sore tired muscles
Maine Warmers' Microwave Neck Warmer

At Maine Warmers we provide products that help people feel better. Al-The-Gator brings comforting heat to relax stiff muscles. Cozy Sheep warm beds on cold winter nights and help stimulate circulation when physical activity is limited due to illness or surgery.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Ten Low Cost Ways to Kick Cabin Fever

I wasn’t sure why I felt so out of sorts, but when my husband said, “Let’s go snowshoeing,” it dawned on me that I was spending too much time inside working.

We gathered up our gear and headed outside. As we sweated our way through the snow, I began to feel refreshed and ready to think of other ways of getting out of the house. Here are ten that came to mind.
  1. Call a friend to go for a walk or snowshoe. Go where it is safe from ice and snow – maybe at a school track, the Mall, a beach, or a public park or land trust.
  2.  Go to the library and browse through the magazines you never get to see.
  3.  Visit a museum. Most museums have a time that is free to the public.
  4.   Join a book club.
  5.   Take time to write down your goals – things you want to do or see in the coming year, or five years.  Forget what the costs are, and dream. Remember the song? "You have to have a dream to have it come true." Keep in mind that you can change the plans.
  6.   Then research a trip or trips that you want to take in the summer.
  7.   Finish a project that you have been meaning to complete.
  8.   Start a new project that you have always wanted to do.
  9.   Write a letter to a friend or family member who may be confined to indoors.
  10.   Volunteer at a community event.
As we returned to the car with our snowshoes, collar open and gloves off, I thought, "I don't need a Maine
Woman using microwave hand warmers to keep warm in winter
Maine Warmers' Microwave Hand Warmers
Warmer
to keep me warm." In the evening I would need one to relax the stiff muscles.

For those who cannot be active, there are Hand Warmers and FootWarmers to help stimulate circulation and keep them warm. 

Friday, February 14, 2014

The Best Gift for Valentines' Day

Yesterday, a woman I met recently at the gym, asked me if I would like to go snowshoeing, walking, or doing some outside winter activity with her.  She lives near me and wrote her phone number on a sticky note and asked if I would call her. Of course, I said yes.

As I drove home, I remembered that wonderfully warm feeling as a child, when in elementary school, somebody passed me a note that said, “Will you be my friend?” or said, “Can you play today?”

If you want to make someone feel good on Valentines’ Day, pass a note that conveys your friendship, or spend time with them -- laugh, joke, reminisce, or read together. Let them know you enjoy their company. 

Woman using Polar Bear microwave heating pad on abdomen
Polar Bear Hand and Body Warmer
If you want to give a gift of comfort, without calories, give a Cozy Polar Bear or Sheep microwave warmer. Many stores throughout the US sell Maine Warmers' Comforting Creatures.
  

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Two Natural Foods to Help Reduce Inflammation

I read recently about two foods that are anti-inflammatory -- Salmon and Ginger. Used regularly, or taken as supplements (check with your physician first),  they may help ease the pain of arthritis. Check out the ARTHRITIS TODAY article, Nature-Made & Science Approved, in the Sept/Oct 2013 issue. BTW --finely chopped ginger tastes great in a veggie stir-fry.

Scientists are discovering how diet impacts our health, and changing what we eat can improve how we feel. There is no doubt in my mind that when we eat natural foods and skip the manufactured ones, we feel better.

After going on a gluten-free diet to reduce inflammation to ease the pain of arthritis I was able to live without the discomfort I had been experiencing.  A close friend adapted a gluten-free diet to deal with Colitis and experienced positive results, going from taking 16 pills a day and feeling miserable at times to zero pills and feeling great.

If the joints in your arthritic hands are sore and you need some relief, try a pair of reusable hand warmer mittens from Maine Warmers. Also, their Palm Packs and their Cozy Sheep (one of several Comforting Creatures) offer soothing warmth for cold hands or feet.

Sometimes people with arthritis need to use cold therapy to reduce swelling and pain. These microwave heating pads can be frozen and used for gentle ice -- not harsh like ice cubes.

Sunday, February 02, 2014

Panda Bears in the Smithsonian

 I happened to read an article in The Smithsonian, Jan 2014, issue last week while in the dentist’s waiting room, about Panda Bears. The author, Susan Orlean, referred to them as “magical animals” and mentioned a YouTube  video called “Wang Dajun babysitting thePanda” or “Wang and the Panda.” 

These videos are fun to watch, as are those of the new Panda baby, Bao Bao,  at the National Zoo.  The author of this article said the Panda is a “unami of animals” which can be translated from the Japanese as "a pleasant savory taste.” I don’t think Ms. Orlean was talking about the Panda on a dinner plate.

Pandas Bears are intriguing and unique. The Webcam at the National Zoo is viewed regularly. I used to peek at the Webcam at the San Diego Zoo at 8 AM on the East Coast which is 5 AM on the West Coast. The Pandas are active at that time. I am not sure why it was so intriguing, but I loved watching these unique animals.

woman relaxing with a Maine Warmers Panda Bear microwave body warmer
Maine Warmers Panda Bear Body Warmer
If you Google the two places you will probably come up with a link to the WebCam and will get to see these amazing creatures. Or view their photos and videos.

If you want to enjoy cuddling with a Panda, the safest one is Maine Warmers’ Panda Bear. It’s portable and safe. Enjoy it as a bed warmer or hand warmer. Just microwave it for a minute and a half and enjoy soothing warmth.