Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Remembering Fathers

My father worked all day, but he came home with a smile on his face.  He had a great sense of humor
Take a walk with your dad on Fathers' Day.
and used it often. He lost the lower part of his leg in WW II in Northern Italy, and as a very young child I thought all men had one leg. As I grew older, I wondered how he maintained such a good attitude about life. I think he felt lucky that he escaped that war with an injury and not loss of life.

He was a chemist and taught me to use a camera and to develop film in our basement, creating a makeshift darkroom. He loved computers and taught me how to use them and the software, plus he gave me all of his hand-me-down computers. If he had learned how to use Photoshop he would have loved it.

There were times that he made me angry, but I never expected him to be perfect. There were times when he forbade me (unfairly) to do things because he was trying to protect me.

The best thing he did was love my mother and stay with her. They had their differences but he was always there.

Once when I was substitute teaching I overheard a second grade student tell his friend in the lunch line, “My mother’s boyfriend made me cry last night.” My heart went out to that child, and I thought how lucky I was that as a child I didn’t have to move in with another family because of divorced parents.

I understand that people divorce and do the best they can for their children, but it is never the same as
Man relaxing his back with a Maine Warmers' microwave whale, extra large Back Warmer
Maine Warmers' Whale Back Warmers
having two parents. When parents think first of themselves and use children to gain control that is the worst. Thank goodness the majority of parents who divorce make their children’s needs a priority.
As Fathers' Day approaches it is good to remember that fathers bring laughter, fun, toys, love, and more often than not, financial support to children. Fathers are important. If you can't afford to give your father a gift then just be there, call, enjoy an outdoor activity with him, and be sure to tell him you love him.


Remember that fathers love the relaxing heat of a MaineWarmers’ microwave heating pad. Check out their web site, Facebook page, and Instagram photos to find out about a 15% off Fathers’ Day coupon.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Tips for new fathers

Becoming a father for the first time is stressful. People are focused so much on mother and baby that a new dad can feel left out. Staying involved with daily care and interaction may help, according to health professionals at the Mayo Clinic in an article entitled “New Dad: Tips toManage Stress.”

Man using and Extra Long Neck Warmer to relax tense muscles while doing some financial planning
Extra Long Neck Warmer
Newborns are a huge responsibility and require a lot of attention. They bring changes in routine and activities and stretch the budget with added medical costs, work leave, and day care.  Sleep deprivation, loss of time with partner, and reduced sexual activity contribute to stress and can result in depression.

Financial planning will help smooth the road, talking with other fathers about how they handled the first year of fatherhood and thinking about the kid of father you want to be will help.

Taking turns caring for the baby, playing with him or her, and spending time with your partner and baby at the same time will help. Know that you will get more sleep as time goes one. Be affectionate and find ways to enjoy the time with your new family.  Your new child and your partner need you. Accept help from trusted family members and friends when they offer. If you find yourself in a depression, seek professional help.

A Maine Warmers Cozy Bunny on flowered sheets
Cozy Bunny Warmer for a crib or bassinet
If you are feeling nervous or tense then going to sleep may be difficult. A Maine Warmers Neck Warmer may help you relax at bedtime. You may also want pre-warm a newborn’s bassinet or crib with a microwave heating pad so when you place the baby down the cold sheets don’t wake him/her. 

Thursday, May 05, 2016

Colic is stressful for parents as well as babies

Colic is not only distressing for a baby but is for the parents as well. I recall walking my second child
Painting by Berthe Morisot, The Cradle, 1872, of a mother watching a sleeping baby in a cradle covered with netting
What mothers want to see
for several hours each day wondering how long it would take for his system to mature so he wouldn’t be in pain and would stop crying. A call to the doctor (that was decades ago) relieved my fears that something was wrong. My baby wasn’t always in pain, just in the afternoons. Being told that babies often outgrow colic in three months wasn’t very settling to me or my husband.

I was nursing and didn’t smoke or drink. I walked him to keep his body upright -- as advised. I tried adjusting my diet but I am not sure that did much good. It seemed like I was doing the right things, but little seemed to help except time. I think it was about a week or two, although it seemed like years, and he began to get over whatever was causing the distress.

The Mayo Clinic has an article on the symptoms, causes, risk factors, tests, support, some tips, and home remedies.  I did a lot of rocking and singing but didn’t know that gentle heat on a baby’s tummy may help relieve symptoms.

A Maine Warmer, microwaved for 30 seconds and placed on the tummy, provides gentle heat. A pair
of Palm Packs are small enough for a baby -- or use Maine Ice (pictured at the right) which can be heated. All of Maine Warmers products can be microwaved for heat or frozen for gentle cold therapy. And they all have washable covers.


A bonus! Place it in the baby’s crib to pre-warm the sheets and prevent the baby from waking. As the baby grows, he or she will appreciate some of the cute animal designs.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Should you consider breast reduction surgery?

If your breasts cause back or neck pain, if bra straps cut into your skin or cause permanent creasing in your shoulders, if you have rashes or irritation under the breasts, if you find exercise difficult, if you have difficulty sleeping due to discomfort, or if you have trouble finding a bra or clothing that fit then you may consider breast reduction surgery.

Says Dr. Andrew Ordon, “Breast Reduction surgery is one of the most gratifying plastic surgery procedures that I perform. It’s a true balance of reconstructive and cosmetic work that improves a persons’ health and appearance.” Healthy Living Made Simple magazine, April/May 2016 p. 25 HLMS.com

Breast reduction surgery has some risks, and it is best to talk with a highly regarded breast surgeon or plastic surgeon before you make the decision on whether or not to have the procedure. Visit the Mayo Clinic to read about some of the risks associated with the surgery. Also in this article are things to consider if you decide to have the procedure including how to prepare and what to expect during recovery.

Maine Warmers Maine Ice pack is blue, flannel, filled with whole corn and has a washable cover
gentle on the skin
After surgery you may experience swelling and need to use cold therapy to keep it in check. When feeling discomfort the thoughts of using harsh ice may not be appealing. Maine Warmers offers gentle cold therapy with corn-filled flannel packs called Maine Ice (it's Wicked Nice) that bring cool, soothing relief to sensitive areas. All of Maine Warmers are washable and can be microwaved and used for heat therapy. They are soft on the skin and conform to your body.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Thoughts on losing weight

As soon as I decide to lose weight I get somewhat depressed and actually gain weight. So, instead of trying to lose weight, I may be better off trying to be healthy by eating well, exercising, and maintaining an active social environment.

There is a mindset that goes with losing weight that is one of self-empowerment. Feeling empowered, mindful, and confident that you can achieve your goals helps.

If you like to walk, hike, swim, kayak, ski and bike, you may find that physical activity increases your appetite, and you eat more. Although you might be in better shape, you may not lose weight. When exercising, fat turns to muscle which weighs more than fat, so you might see a weight gain at first.
raw veggies arranged on a white plate with ranch dip in a yellow pepper
Going to a gym and exercising daily helps my mental attitude, whether I lose weigh or not. I think when one is feeling well mentally then life is better all around.

One tried and true method of losing weight is to keep track of all the foods you eat everyday and cut back by eliminating some of the foods that have little nutritional value and are loaded with sugar, salt, and fat. Seeing a nutritionist may be another way to shed a few extra pounds, but chances are high that he/she will have you keep a food diary.  It also takes time, energy, and dollar. When it comes to your health, seeking a nutritionist help seems like a very good investment.

Having a positive support group that won't put you down for trying and sometimes failing is vital. That's why Weight Watchers is so successful -- because they offer support. It's important to talk with the people you live with and those who are close to you about keeping positive. Have a conversation with them that lets them know you need them to support you and how you need their support. Try to laugh a lot and maintain a sense of humor.

By all means, when you go to a grocery store put your blinders on! Every aisle is filled with temptation.

Maintaining good health is complicated, but is achievable if you first put your mind to it.

A Maine Warmer can help with relaxation when craving comfort and relaxation. It has no calories and lasts for years.

oman relaxing with a Maine Warmers Panda Bear
Woman relaxing with a Maine Warmers Panda Bear

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

A few tips to help reduce weight

Jodi Helmer, in an article in Arthritis Today (March/April 2016), offers a few suggestion, based on recent research, to help tip the scales to lower numbers.


  1.  Out of sight, out of mind. Keep unhealthy snacks in the cupboard or out of sight.
  2.   Keep healthy snacks like fruit within easy reach. Bananas and washed apples are easy to grab when you are in a hurry.
  3. This article also suggests putting small appliances away – like toasters.
  4. The less unhealthy snacks you have the less you will be tempted to eat. Buy smaller batches of snacks – not bulk.

All of these make sense to me, and I would like to add one more suggestion of my own. Sometimes

Woman relaxing with White Sheep microwave heating pad on her back in bed
White Sheep microwave body warmer for relaxation
we think we must have something sweet when all we really want is to relax. When you feel a sugar craving, try taking a few deep breaths and let the air out slowly each time. My husband and I used to remind each other of this when one of us was craving dessert.

Give yourself time to think about healthy choices and how good they will make you feel. Instead of baking cookies, grab and apple, or a cup of herbal mint tea, relax with a book and a microwave heating pad on your back. You’ll feel great!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Maine Mystique

What is the Maine Mystique?
According to Dictionary.com “mystique” means : an aura of mystery, power, and awe that surrounds a person or thing.


I think the mystery surrounding Maine is that people manage to survive through cold winters in an economy that is perpetually depressed. You might wonder why people live in remote places where decent paying jobs are as scarce as four lane highways.  Mostly it is the natural beauty of Maine that offers more than monetary appeal and holds people in awe.

A physician in New Jersey asked me once if we had hospitals in Maine! Others occasionally ask if we have indoor bathrooms. Yes, to both, although some of the latter still exist. The focus of most Mainers is not only on the basics of shelter, heat, and food, but on ways to play in this environment. Without enjoyment, there wouldn’t be any point in living here.

Southern Maine, often considered part of Massachusetts, offers beautiful un-crowded, sandy beaches, coastal marshlands, estuaries, and islands. There is little evidence of poverty and the expensive coastal real estate will make your jaw drop. Go inland a few miles and things change. You’ll find lovely rolling hills and rock-framed lakes and rivers. The real estate is more affordable than along the coast, and you’ll find more modest homes. Go North and you’ll see a mix of real estate, a few places with unadorned basic homes, gray, unpainted clapboards, sagging roofs, and yards full of rusted out autos and debris – different type of jaw drop.

The mountains and northern scrublands provide hiking, snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting opportunities. Paper companies changed the landscape of northern Maine beginning with the Industrial Revolution. The need for pulp to make paper caused rivers to be dammed, creating more lakes. Log runs left lots of driftwood along the banks of lakes and rivers, and inspired competitions to see who could stand on a floating log in the water the longest. A web of dirt roads used to haul logs out of the forests now provide access to the public and replaced the log drives. The paper industry is all but gone from Maine, leaving thousands to find other ways to make a living or move away.

Most of those who leave Maine are high school graduates who, naturally, want to see what the rest of the world is like. Living in Maine is not for everyone, which is why Maine’s population is about 1.3 million.  Given the size of the state, that is 16.65 acres per person.

To survive in Maine, people depend on family, friends, and strangers. There is an unpretentious camaraderie among people in Maine. Fashion is whatever you want it to be. Often warm clothing comes from the Goodwill or from hand-me-downs, and mud boots can be worn to a formal wedding if the weather calls for them.

Maine folks are as much a piece of its mystique as its beautiful landscapes. There is, unfortunately, among Mainers an unhealthy skepticism of “people from away.”  Even though many people from out of state have settled in Maine, locals wonder if these newcomers will survive, take their jobs, make changes, fit in, or exploit the land and people. Sometimes Mainers, unfortunately, remain aloof to “outsiders.” But don’t be fooled, Mainers are the first in line to help a stranger when trouble knocks on the door.


Most people living in Maine are hard working and seek a life that respects family, friends, and environment. There is a power among the people who struggle to live here that is stronger than the Nor’easters that hit our shores or the Northwest winds that blanket us with Arctic air masses. Mainers are tough and confront the harsh weather and economy by creating events like the potato blossom festival, pie and paddle (with a pie warden), lobster boat races, dump parade, giant pumpkin festival, boat building competitions, and more. The sign that greets people as they cross over our border is, “Maine, The way life should be.”

Betsy Hanscom is the owner of Maine Warmers and designs microwave heating pads which are
sold online and in gift stores through out the US.