Cooling off with Maine Warmers

You're suffering in the heat of summer and you wonder why we recommend a Maine Warmer in this heat! If it's frozen, it will help you cool off gently. The whole corn filling doesn’t get as cold as ice cubes because the water content of the dried corn is less than water. It provides a soothing coolness that is perfect for chilling out on a hot summer night.

Store owner of New England Everyday Goods, Jim Therriault, in Peterborough, NH writes,

“I’ve been telling visitors who hover around the MaineWarmers display that they are not just for the microwave. In this hot sticky weather, nothing cools you down like a “frozen” Warmer. Put on in a zip-loc bag a few hours before bedtime and then take it to bed with you up by your pillow. Cools you down for a night of deep sleep.”

View all Maine Warmers products on one page.

Keeping Hydrated

Summer is a time when it is easy to get dehydrated. Water help your body function well. According to the Mayo Clinic, water dissolves minerals and nutrients and delivers them to the whole body via the blood, and blood cells need water to function. Water helps keep your body temperature regulated, keeps your joints lubricated, and flushes wastes out of your system.

If you don’t take in enough water to replace what you lose by sweating during exercise, while working, playing, crying, breathing, vomiting, or from diarrhea, you may feel tired and you may not function as well as you would if you were hydrated.

SpryLiving.com , July 2013, has some recommendations for staying hydrated.

• When you see a water fountain stop and take a drink. 
• Drink water during meals and in between bites. 
• Think of water as a type of vitamin and incorporate it into your routine. 
• Carry a bottle of water with you and sip on it. 
• Drink water while you drive (just keep your eyes on the road as you do).
• Drink before going to the gym, during exercise, and after. 
• Keep a glass or pitcher at your desk, and order water when you are dining out.

If you feel very warm and tired and have not been drinking enough fluids, stop and relax with a glass of Maine Warmer around your neck and enjoy relief from the heat externally while you cool your insides by drinking water. Or enjoy a fun Comforting Creature that has been store in the freezer.

water. Drink it slowly over a few minutes instead of all at once. Wrap a cooled (from the freezer)

Tips for Dealing with Pain

When you are in pain or just have discomfort from exercise, illness, a condition such as arthritis, or an injury, there are some things may help.

Remain as active as possible. Talk with a physical therapist or your physician about the things you can do to remain physically active.

Find a friend and go out for a walk, a cup of coffee, or lunch. Try to talk about things in the news, books you have read, movies you have seen, and inject humor into the conversation. Keep the conversation away from your health or pain.

Eat well. Include lots of fruits and veggies in your diet and go light on the sugar. You don’t have to give up sweets, just limit your intake to one small dessert a day instead of one at each meal.

Find something to do that you enjoy that will help keep your mind off your pain. Create art, play music, go dancing, sew, garden, read a good book -- something you love to do.

Find ways to relax. Make some iced or hot tea with Lavender. The flavor is wonderful and it may help to calm you down when you are feeling anxious. You may find lavender tea in some health food stores. Sometimes it is combined with chamomile tea.

Read more examples Natural Ways to Feel Better, Arthritis Today, March-April 2013, pp 52-54.

Check out this CD called the Art of Living with Chronic Pain, by Andrea Bowen (Pooka Publishing).

Cozy Sheep heat therapy for muscle pain

I found it helpful to hear her narrative about accepting one’s pain and then dealing with it. The exercises also helped me work through my back pain. 

Maine Warmers microwave heating pads help promote relaxation and provide a natural home remedy for minor muscle aches and pains. A Cozy Bear provides soothing warmth and companionship for someone who is feeling a bit under the weather.

Managing at home after surgery

Returning home from having surgery can be challenging but there are a few things to keep in mind to help make the transition easier according to Emily Delzell, (Arthritis Today, March-April 2013, pp. 50-51).

One, prevent pain from becoming overwhelming by taking medications as prescribed. Once pain intensifies it becomes harder to find comfort again.  Managing pain also helps during physical therapy so that you get the most out of the sessions.

Two, check for signs of infection including redness that worsens instead of feeling better, increased pain around the incision, and/or a fever of 101 or more. Call your physician if you suspect an infection.

Don’t expect to run around like you can conquer the world. Ask your doctor what kind of recuperation period you can expect. Someone who is in their twenties will bounce back faster after surgery than someone in their 60s or 70s. Keep the lines of communication open with your physical therapist and make sure to do the exercises. If you feel pain, don't do them. Discomfort from exertion is normal, but if you feel pain call your physical therapist and find out why.

As the swelling goes down and the muscles start to feel stiff from lack of use, try using a heating pad area before exercising to help with flexibility.. Maine Warmers sells a variety of microwave heating pads that can help relax stiff muscles, increase circulation, and help with range of motion.  Neck Warmers and Back Warmers are versatile and can be used for different body parts.

Simple home aids to help after surgery or injury

There are a few things to have at home that may help you manage simple procedures that, after surgery, seem like monumental tasks.

The National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus, Getting your home ready – knee or hipsurgery, offers many helpful suggestions for aids such as a reacher/grabber to pick up things off the floor or just beyond arm’s length.  Have a sock aid and a long shoe horn. Arthritis Today also recommends elastic shoe laces so that your tie shoes can be easy to slip on and off.

Either a portable toilet or a toilet chair with arms to fit over an existing toilet allows you to use your arms to steady yourself and prevent falls. Have grab bars installed next to the shower (do not use towel holders) and keep non-slip mats in the shower to prevent accidents.

Have a basket on your walker or wheelchair to carry things with you as you go from room to room – portable phone, pad of paper, pencil, tissues, and other essentials. Or wear a fanny pack.

Maine Warmers' Knee Pack -- Freeze and/or microwave

Have an ice pack handy to help reduce swelling. It is recommended that you do not place ice directly on the skin. Wrap it in a towel. Most health professionals recommend cold therapy for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

Simple gel ice packs can be purchased at a pharmacy. MaineWarmers’ Knee Pack is filled with whole corn and offers gentle cold without the harshness of cubes or frozen veggies. The Knee Pack will hold a one-pound bag of frozen peas or corn and has a strap to help keep it in place. Maine Warmers microwave heating pads and gentle ice packs come in a variety of shapes and sizes for backs, necks, hands and feet. Heat stimulates circulation and flexibility once the swelling has gone down.

How to meet your goals post-surgery

Medical professionals will tell you to keep moving after surgery. A physical therapist may be able to help you reach your activity goals. Moving joints and muscles helps keep them flexible and gives you more range of motion. You may not reach the goal you set each day or week, but if you write down a few notes about each session and occasionally look back to see how far you have come, it may encourage you and help motivate you to keep working at it. It takes work and some discomfort to keep on track with the exercises prescribed.

Cozy Gray Cat

When you see a physical therapist ask a lot of questions and have instructions written down so that you understand them. Go over the exercises 2 or 3 times with the therapist so that you are sure you understand how to do them correctly and don't cause more damage.

After the swelling has gone down, you may help keep your joints flexible with a Maine Warmers microwave heating pad. These items are versatile and wrap around necks, knees, hands and feet.  Back Warmers and Neck Warmers as well as Cozy Cats  for get well gifts for someone who has just had surgery. Heat stimulates blood circulation and may help increase flexibility after surgery.

These corn-filled heating pads can also be frozen and used as ice packs that are soft and gentle on the skin

Making Life Easier After Surgery

After joint replacement surgery there are several things you can do that health professionals recommend to help. The Road to Recovery, by Emily Delzell,  (Arthritis Today March-April 2013, p. 48), is an article outlining several things you can do to help minimize the impact of surgery once you return home.  This article is not available online but may be accessed in your local library.

Extra Large Back Warmer

prepare for your return home.

After a number of falls and surgery, my mom has returned home each time to find daily living is a bit more challenging when things are out of reach. We learned some of the things in this article the hard way.

One is to clear the paths through your home of clutter and small rugs that you could possibly trip on. Put dishes in easy to reach areas for your recovery time. If reaching or bending is going to be difficult then arrange the dishes, clothing, and other items you use daily for easy access. Even food in the refrigerator you may want to place on middle shelves.

Even consider your hobbies and the items you may want within easy reach.

Rolling chairs can slip out from under you. Use a sturdy chair that is easy for you to get in and out of. Low chairs and toilet seats may not be manageable during your recovery. Grab bars, a shower bench, and non-skid mats in the shower may be necessary.

Next blog post will be about physical and occupational therapy.  Often times doctors recommend using heat or ice on an injury or on the affected body part. Maine Warmers' microwave heating pads -- Back and Neck Warmers -- are easy to use and bring soothing comfort.

How to relieve stress when you are recovering from surgery or and accident

Maine Warmers cannot fix broken bones, pinched nerves, and torn ligaments caused by summer activities.

They can’t cure arthritis, cancer, or other conditions plus damage done by strokes. But they can bring comfort when you are hurting. Heat helps relax tensed muscles when you are feeling stressed due to injuries and may help you chill out for awhile. Frozen they help reduce swelling in a gentle way, without the harshness of ice cubes.

Comforting Creatures bring a smile along with a sense of well-being when one is feeling under the weather.  So, if you know of a person who is undergoing cancer treatment, recovering from surgery or a stroke, dealing with the effects of arthritis, a heated Sheep microwave heating pad will bring comfort and smiles.  Maine Warmers unique designs include Black Bears, Polar Bears, cats, Dachshunds, penguins, seals, whales, and more.

Mud Season in Maine

"Texting" in Maine sometimes means writing a message in the dirt on the back window of a car or truck. This time of year, in most of Maine, the snow banks wear a film of road dirt, but the snow in the mountains is still white and offers great spring skiing.

It's "Mud Season." The ground is oozy all day and at night it freezes. The sharp westerly wind reminds us to keep our winter coats handy, and I think how hardy those dainty, little crocus must be to poke their faces out of the ground right now.

Taxes are due this month, it's too soon to start the garden, and I know how many workouts it will take before I dare to put on a pair of shorts or a bathing suit.


If you are feeling betwixt, between, and a bit scattered, it may just be the time of year. Try using a Maine Warmer to help you relax and rejuvenate. The warmth from a Cozy Sheep will help put a smile on your face and a little spring into your step. And if you feel like writing to us be sure to call, email, or leave a "Maine Text." We always love to hear from you. Or follow us on Facebook.

Sign up for Maine Warmers' e-Newsletter and be entered into a drawing each month to win a free "Warmer."

Vitamin D deficiency, diet, & daily sunshine

We are faced daily with enough conflicting dietary recommendations from new studies and research to give us indigestion. I've heard recently that baked chips, if they have trans fats, can be worse than the fried. Often a food or supplement that was okay one day is taboo the next.

I keep searching for a scientific study that reports potato chips and onion dip are good for us. Research would probably show that this food is difficult to eat in moderation and has little redeeming nutritional value, no matter how comforting.

One of the dietary issues in the news recently has been the lack of Vitamin D in our bodies. The sun is our best source of this vitamin, and fortified foods such as milk (unless one has an allergy to it) can help boost levels as well. In today's world of indoor jobs and wearing sunscreen to prevent skin damage and skin cancers some people lack sufficient levels of Vitamin D. If you have a job that keeps you indoors and when you do go outside you slather on sun-block, it may be worth a check with your physician to find out if you have a deficiency.

Very few foods contain vitamin D. Cod liver oil has the most; potato chips, zero. Swordfish, salmon, tuna,

Hand Warmers for Winter Warmth

and milk or orange juice fortified with vitamin D provide higher levels. To me, the pill supplement sounds more palatable than taking Cod liver oil. I wonder if there are potato chips fried in Cod liver oil - CLO Chips?

If you need a little comfort this winter and don't want the added calories from leftover holiday snacks, try heating up a Back Warmer and give yourself time to relax. Maine Warmers has a variety of Neck Warmers and Hand Warmers as well.

For more info on Vitamin D deficiency check out this article at the Mayo Clinic.

Comforting Heat for Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that impacts connective tissues in the body and can cause hardening of the skin. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, symptoms range from mild to severe, depending upon the individual and the type – localized or systemic. The milder form, localized, impacts the skin and muscles. Systemic may affect the skin and internal organs. The cause is not known, and there is no cure, but there are treatments that may help.

A woman who has a form of this disease and called to place an order alerted me to the fact that on the Scleroderma Foundation Web site there is a page called “Products that benefit,” offering resources for heating pads. The Foundation does not endorse any of the companies listed but I noticed several offer hand warmers to help deal with the symptoms.

Cozy Sheep microwave heating pad
for soothing relief from Scleroderma

Maine Warmers® heating pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from Back Warmers and Neck warmers, Hand Warmers, and unique animal designs that can be micro-waved for heat or frozen for gentle cold. They make great gifts for those with Scleroderma. All of Maine Warmers® products have removable covers for easy laundering. Products may be purchase online or in stores that are listed on the Maine Warmers Web site.

13 tips to keeping warm while keeping the thermostat turned down.

With home heating oil and gas prices at record highs, you may want to keep your thermostat turned back toward 60 degrees but not suffer from the cold in the process of saving on your heating cost

Maine Warmers' Hand Warmer Mittens

1.  Dress in several thin layers. The air space between the layers also helps keep you warm.
2.   Look for silk or thin polyester long underwear – especially the tops. They can be worn under turtlenecks, blouses, and dresses.
3. Tights and leggings are fashionable. They can be worn under dresses, skirts, or pants for added warmth.
4. A vest will help keep your core warm and a scarf to wrap around your neck will help keep the heat in.
5.  Wear warm socks and shoes that do not fit tightly. When blood flow is restricted toes may feel cold. Shoes that cover your foot completely will help as well.
6.  Wear gloves without the fingers inside, and put on warm mittens or gloves before going outside.
7. Wear a hat. We lose a lot of body heat through our heads.
8. Stay well hydrated, drink warm liquids, and eat nutritious foods.
9.  Keep active to promote good circulation.
10. Going for a walk outside in the winter?  If it’s windy wear a shell either under or over your coat to help break the wind. Also, a light pair of wind pants will slip on over your slacks or blue jeans.
11. Slip a pair of Palm Packs (small reusable hand warmers) inside a pair of large fleecy mittens or your

    

    Palm Packs are small reusable hand warmers

    coat pockets to help keep your hands warm.
12. Put a Maine Warmer or two in your bed to take the chill off cold bed sheets before turning in at night. The warmth may also help you relax and go to sleep.
13. When you sit down to read or watch TV heat up a pair of Hand Warmers  or Neck Warmer and hold it on your lap or tuck it behind your back.

Coffee withdrawal and joint pain

A few years ago, I was standing in the checkout line at a hospital coffee shop when I overheard the conversation of two physicians in front of me. Of course I listened in. One of them said, "I love coffee but I always feel like I need to have something with it." On his tray next to the coffee sat a blueberry muffin.

I wanted to chime in that I agreed, but kept mum. The chemistry of coffee does cry out for a sweet accompaniment -- like chocolate or peanut butter -- something to neutralize the acidic element. Tea doesn't seem to have the same effect.

Coffee has no calories, until we add sugar and cream. It has no food value, although recent studies suggest it has some cancer preventing benefits. Surely, the caffeine in a cup of java perks us up in the morning, and to many of us that first sip tastes like heaven.

I recently decided to cut out my second mug of mid-morning coffee and go for a glass of water and a healthier snack like yogurt or fruit. I feel better and seem to have more energy during the day, although I found caffeine withdrawal headaches were uncomfortable for a day or two after the change.

According to Wikipedia caffeine withdrawal can cause "irritability, inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia, and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints..."

If you want cut back on coffee, a gradual reduction would probably reduce some of the difficult symptoms. Using heating pad a may help with irritability or joint pain. Unique and whimsical Cozy Sheep and Bears, or Dachshund Neck Warmer, all microwave heating pads from Maine Warmers, are fun to curl up with on a cold autumn or winter day. Enjoy a cup of coffee with or without the snack, read a book, and relax with the comforting warmth of a Maine Warmer.

Black Bear microwave heating pad for the shoulder

Dachshund Neck Heating Pad

I don't crave that sweet snack that seemed so desirable with a cup of coffee, but I must confess that I still love to hear what people talk about in checkout lines and sometimes join the conversation.

Protecting your gums may help protect your joints if you have arthritis

There is an interesting piece in Arthritis Today (Sept-Oct 2012) about a link between periodontal disease and joints -- especially artificial joints.

Taking care of your teeth, brushing frequently, flossing, visiting the dentist regularly are not only good for your teeth, but according to the article, recent studies show these activities may help your joints.

A diet with limited amounts of sugar, several helpings of fruit and veggies, healthy proteins, and high fiber grains help. Keeping active with arthritis is often recommended by researchers and writers who contribute to this informational magazine.

If you experience joint pain due to arthritis, you might find heat helps soothe the joint muscles, increasing flexibility and circulation. Maine Warmers' Back Warmers and Neck Warmers offer soothing relief.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Maine Warmers' Panda Bear

This Panda Bear loves the gardens in Boothbay, Maine, over 250 acres of paths that wind in and around formal gardens and stone architecture. Ponds, fountains, bridges, and other wooden structures showcase and support huge varieties of plants. A children’s garden provides a lovely place to play and even a spot to stop and read books.

If you take your children to this garden, be sure to talk with them about the importance of plants in our lives – from clothing, to the food we eat, medications we take, and the air we breathe. My grandson said that everything we make comes from plants, although we do make many things from minerals – abundant in the ground.

Be sure to take the walk along Back River and stop at the gazebo for a breather along the way.

Cecil, Maine Warmers' Harbor Seal, enjoying a dip in the pool

Maine Warmers' Harbor Seal, was so happy to take a break in the mediation pool, to the delight of two happy children who also wanted to jump into the water on this warm spring day. I wonder if they know that Cecil, the seal, can be frozen and used to cool off on a sweltering hot summer day.

We were all happy when the shuttle bus came along and provided a ride to our car. When we arrived home I put my tired feet on top of a microwave heating pad and relaxed in a cool breeze blowing across the deck and a frosty glass of ice-tea.

How to plan dinner for a guest on a gluten-free diet

You don't have to worry about planning a meal for someone who is on a gluten-free diet. Just think "meat, fish, and veggies" -- no prepared foods.

Avoid cans of  soup, anything with soy sauce, wheat flour or thickeners other than corn starch. If you have burgers, fries, and a salad you can easily accommodate the diet -- just omit the roll to make it gluten-free. You can even add a slice of cheddar cheese on top. Fire up the grill and cook it over a flame for extra flavor.

Bake some potatoes and some white fish (haddock is yummy) with a slight spread of melted butter, a sprinkle of lemon juice and garlic powder. Add a fresh green salad with Italian dressing -- no croutons. Green peas  sauteed with onions mushrooms in butter are simple and good.

Don' try to be fancy. A dessert of sliced bananas with a rum sauce topping with whipped cream and sliced toasted almonds are lovely. To make the rum sauce, dissolve a cup of brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of cream (or butter) over heat and stir until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of rum and let cool.

Maine Warmers offers other gluten-free recipes on their Snippets Blog. Some people with arthritis have found that by reducing gluten in the body, inflammation is reduced, thus easing pain. Maine Warmers microwave heating pads offer relief and aid for improved flexibility for those with arthritis. Their Neck Warmers and Back Warmers offer soothing warmth.

Microwave Hand Warmers for Health Professionals

Are you a physician, a physical therapist, a massage therapist, with cold hands? Most patients appreciate a warm touch. People are often anxious when they visit a health professional and cold hands on the body may cause more anxiety.

Are you a breast surgeon? Touching the breasts with cold hands – no thank you. Are you a chiropractor? Touching the skin with cold hands – no thank you.

A pair of hand warmers can warm your hands before your appointment with your customer. A warm touch is soothing and may help to give your patient a better sense that you care about their feelings.

A pair of microwave hand warmers from Maine Warmers are easy and quick to use. Slip your hands into them for a few minutes and enjoy the warmth. Then enjoy a more comforting relationship with your patient.

Yin Yoga Helps Flexibility

Yin Yoga may help improve flexibility by targeting tendons and ligaments in the joints and spine. In this type of yoga practice, poses are held for extended periods of time -- about 3 to 5 minutes. Muscles are not engaged.

I have noticed tightness in my shins and ankles that is very stressful in a few of the poses. Cramping of those muscles often occurs hours after I have stopped the practice. The use of a heating pad helps relax the muscles and improves flexibility. Continuing the practice, being careful to not overdo,  has helped me bring more flexibility into those muscles and connective tissues.

I started doing Yin Yoga in the fall of 2011 and find it is amazingly relaxing, in spite of some discomfort -- not pain -- while holding poses. It keeps me in the moment and challenges me to stay focused on the breaths I take. It has given me more flexibility -- something I seem to be losing as I age.

For a description of Yin Yoga and its origins see the article in Wikipedia.

For a heating pad that is portable and safe, check out Maine Warmers’ large variety of microwave heat packs to help improve flexibility. The Full Back Warmer covers a large area and can be helpful for all kinds of cramps or stiffness. Their Whale Warmer is unique and whimsical – a great gift for a yogie -- and it covers a large area of the back or even the legs. All of these products have removable, washable covers for easy laundering. They are filled with whole corn and do not have any added perfumes.

Better Sleep Through Better Habits

Sleeplessness is aggravating and can cause health problems. Dr. Mehmet Oz, A NEW BEDTIME STORY, in an article in Parade Magazine, (Jan. 22, 2012), explains how lack of sleep can affect your health and well-being. He makes several recommendations to help you get the rest you need through a 4 week plan. The following is a synopsis of his article and some great ideas to help you manage your health.

                                              

In your bedroom, keep the lights off including the TV. Even an alarm clock may cast a disturbing light. The mattress may need to be replaced if it is old and contains dust mites that make you sneeze. And the temperature in your room should be cool to help slow down your body’s metabolism.

Avoid going to bed hungry, limit your alcohol intake before bed, and even wear socks (helps keep you core cooler).

Establish a routine of going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. Exercise will also help promote sleep, as long as it is done a few hours before bed – not just before you plan to turn in. Checking email can be stimulating as well – not an activity to help you chill out.

A massage and a warmth bath can help you relax before sleep. Dr. Oz recommends using your shower massager to help you relax before bed. It can help with restless leg syndrome and cramps.

If he knew about Maine Warmers’ Full Back Warmer I am sure he would have suggested it. This microwave heating pad is quick and easy when taking a bath takes too much time. Heat relaxes muscles, helping you wind down and ease tension at the end of the day. It also helps release cramped muscles. Check out the Whale Back Warmer -- a fun way to feel better.

Preparing for a visit to the physician

Be prepared to answer your physician’s questions like some of the following.

When did you first experience the pain or discomfort?

Be prepared to describe the pain, its location, and frequency of occurrence.

What makes the symptoms worse?

What makes them better, if anything?

Write down questions to ask a physician when you experience pain or discomfort. Remember to have a written record of medications you are on, including vitamins and supplements. Here are a few suggestions of questions you might ask.

What might be causing the symptoms or pain?

Do I need tests?

What is the best treatment?

Are there alternative treatments?

If you have other health issues how can you best manage both of these?

Are there restrictions with this course of action?

Will I need to see a specialist and will my insurance cover it?

Are there other information resources available?

Take along a personal medical journal to fill out. Many physicians today will give you a print out of your visit. Keep them in a file so you can look back on them.

Take a look at the Mayo Clinic Web site for more information on your condition.

Check out Maine Warmers' Neck Warmers and Back Warmers to help ease minor aches and pains. Heat is one of the oldest natural home remedies for aches and pains.

Microwave heating pads are natural home remedies for aches and pains.