We’re Number…2?
FOOT FACT:
Did you know that for about 2 out of every 10 people, their 2nd toe exceeds the length of their big toe? Known in the podiatry world as Morton’s toe, however history buffs may know it well as “Greek toe.” That is because in ancient Greece, having a long 2nd toe signified beauty and royalty. Have you checked out Lady Liberty’s feet? She sports a notable long 2nd toe. Oh say can you see!!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Swell No!!
FOOT FACT:
Listen up diabetics and the elderly!! Teeth-chattering cold temps during the winter months can often result in a drop in our activity levels. These factors can contribute to reduced blood circulation (especially in our legs & feet), leading to increased swelling of the ankles & feet. It is always important to maintain a healthy, routine activity level year-round. Cabin fever? Just say NO!!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Sweet Tea Recipe!
With the sweltering heat here in Brooklyn we thought it would be a good time to post our favorite sweet tea recipe.
Peach Mango Iced Tea
4 Lipton Island Mango and Peach tea bags
2 American Classic Charleston Tea, Plantation Peach tea bags
2 Liters of water
1/4c - 1/2c Agave Nectar to taste (Domino or Wholesome Sweetner)
1 mango, lemon and/or 2 peaches sliced
Brew tea, add agave sweetener and let cool. Add tea to a tall glass of ice and enjoy! Garnish with sliced peaches or lemon! You can also freeze the fruit and add to your tea after brewing.
Time Out New York
Hey Y'all,
Check out our feature in Time Out New York! We debut at Hester Street Fair in NYC on Saturday, May 4th!!
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/shopping/cheap-new-york-this-weeks-sales
Where will we pop up next?.....y'all stay tuned!
Don’t forget to LIKE US on facebook AND follow us on twitter!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
NO SWEAT! (PART 2): 4 MORE REMEDIES YOU CAN USE TO FIGHT SWEATY FEET
Sweaty feet STILL got you in a funk?
Here are 4 MORE remedies you can use to fight sweaty feet.
1. Hair today, gone tomorrow! Hair harbors more bacteria than your skin. Removal of the excess hair from your feet helps minimize odor, while causing a drop in sweat production. Chop-chop!
2. Replace insoles every 2-3 months. While insoles contribute to a comfortable fitting shoe, they also absorb much of the excess perspiration from your feet. Over time, your insoles become quite saturated and develop a not-so-pleasant aroma.
3. Put a sock ON it! Cotton socks are a known help for soaking up the sweat. But did you know that merino wool is another fabric to consider? This material is common in athletic wear and is praised for its ability to absorb sweat without feeling wet.
May we also suggest…
4. Botox. Yes, you read right! This anti-aging technique not only work wonders on crow’s feet but can do a number on YOUR feet. The botox is administered via a series of injections where the nerves become paralyzed, stifling excess feet sweating. The price for the procedure can be a bit steep (in the neighborhood of $1000+) AND the effects are only temporary- lasting 6 months to a year.
Don’t forget to LIKE US on facebook!!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
NO SWEAT! (PART 1) : 7 REMEDIES YOU CAN USE TO FIGHT SWEATY FEET
What does the number 250,000 and your feet have in common?
(Cue the theme from jeopardy)……Oh, times up!
That’s the total number of sweat glands found in your feet. On average, these glands can excrete up to half a pint of sweat per day. But for some of us, this quantity may only be a drop in the bucket. Sweating is a normal function to cool the body, but with excess sweat- known as hyperhydrosis- comes a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, and the dreaded stench from smelly feet. Combine other factors such as high physical activity and a warm climate and sweaty feet can REALLY get out of hand (ha!).
Here are 7 remedies you can use to fight sweaty feet.
1. Wearing cotton socks with close-toed shoes is a MUST! Socks act as a barrier to soak up the sweat. Bare feet + sweat + shoes= a STINKY situation! Avoid dark colors (navy blue, black) due to their ability to retain heat. Replace socks AT LEAST once daily. Socks can become saturated with sweat and cause more harm than good (i.e. blisters).
2. Swap shoes. NEVER wear the same shoes in consecutive days. Allow your shoes to air out at least 24 hours each time after they are worn.
3. Dust feet with foot powder. The soles of the feet, between the toes, and inside the shoes are the areas of concern.
4. Soaking your feet in a basin of warm water and Epsom salt deodorizes and draws out toxins that your feet encounter during the day. Repeat this 3 to 4 times per week.
5. Make sure your feet are completely dry AFTER bathing. Pay special attention in between the toes. Moist, warm environments that are tight and enclosed are a recipe for disaster against keeping your feet clean and dry.
6. Watch your diet. That’s right…. spicy food, alcohol, and drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas) can promote increased sweating.
7. Spray the insides of your shoes with Lysol to eliminate bacteria. We all know sweaty feet that reek go hand-in-hand. Use this as a one, two punch with the other remedies mentioned.
What has been your experience? Any other remedies you’ve found to be a “go-to” for sweaty feet?
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
SOLE SEARCHING: 8 Tips to Finding Your Perfect Pair of Athletic Shoes (Tip #5)
www.mymarilee.com
Tip #5 The Long and the Short of it…
All feet are NOT created equal...even our own two feet we use everyday. It is NOT uncommon to find one foot to be longer than the other. Actually, it is quite normal. Studies show that 60% of individuals have different sized feet. That’s why it is imperative to measure your feet each time you set out to purchase a pair of shoes.
But one thing to ALWAYS remember is to have your feet measured while standing up. Our feet expand when they bear weight, taking into account the width of our foot within shoes. If you are among the majority, you should aim to buy shoes that fit the larger foot (if a half to a full size difference). If greater than a full shoe size difference, you may need to where mismatch sizes to accommodate the increased difference (FYI a shoe size is roughly 1/3 of an inch).
Also, make sure that there is a thumb-width distance from the end of your longest toe (USUALLY the big toe, but the 2nd toe for some) to the edge of the toe box within the shoe. Wiggling of the toes should be able to be done with ease.
Don’t forget to LIKE US on facebook!!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
SOLE SEARCHING: 8 Tips to Finding Your Perfect Pair of Athletic Shoes (Tip #4)
www.liftforlife.com
Tip #4 Rubber Meets the Road
When on that mission to find the right shoes, you should definitely come armed with a pair of well-worn sneaks. Much like the tires on a car, the soles on our shoes become worn from prolonged usage and pounding of the pavement. In fact, the pattern in which the rubber on the bottom of our shoes becomes worn can indicate the way in which we walk (better known in the podiatry world as our gait pattern). If you have the good fortune of finding an experienced, knowledgeable sales clerk, they will likely be able to analyze your wear pattern to help find the perfect shoes for you!
However if you are not so fortunate, you can examine your own pair of shoes to identify your gait pattern. If you are considered an underpronator, you have a tendency to supinate-during heel strike, midstance, and propulsion- causing you soles to be excessively worn at the lateral forefoot and heel. Overpronators heel strike on the lateral heel when walking, but OVERpronate with midstance and propulsion (hence the name) causing more wear on the medial forefoot. Normal pronators supinate with heel strike, but gradually progress to pronation with midstance and propulsion causing a uniform wear of the sole of the heel and forefoot.
Other items to keep in your arsenal of shoe shopping are a pair of socks. That’s right!...but not just any pair of socks….they should be socks that you will likely wear when donning your shoes of choice. The idea is to treat those pair of shoes as if you already own them, making sure that they fit comfortably for normal day-to-day use.
AGAIN, think hand-in-glove relationship!
Don’t forget to LIKE US on facebook!!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Infographic Series - 3 Steps to Healthier Feet
Last month we talked about the steps to healthier feet. Here's a cute visual and easy way to remember in 3 steps! Just click on the infographic for a larger view. We'll be posting more of these in the coming weeks so make sure to follow us on Twitter!
It’s Easy as 1, 2, 3:Essential Vitamins for Fit, Healthy Feet (Part 2)
…and now back to class. It’s time to learn the rest of your ABC’s of healthy feet!
Vitamin D[Ergocalciferol(vitamin D2),Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)]
Benefits: Calcium gets most of the credit for the development of strong healthy bones, but it’s vitamin D- specifically D3- that allows our bodies to absorb and utilize calcium. In terms of the feet, stress fractures and overuse injuries can be minimized with this vitamin in our dietary arsenal.
Source: Sunlight, fortified dairy products, eggs, salmon, mackerel, vitamin supplement
Attention: Athletes, runners, dancers, children, postmenopausal women, elderly, diabetics
Oh by the way: Wearing sunscreen can prevent absorption of vitamin D from sunlight. However, going without sunscreen can be damaging to the skin against the sun’s harmful rays (Skin cancer…I think NOT). Therefore, a sound diet may be the best approach to receive your supply of vitamin D. Fat-soluble.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Benefits: Gimme an E! This wonderful nutrient functions to do away with those pesky free radicals. Together with vitamins A & C, your feet maintain healthy skin, preventing invasion of fungus, viruses, and bacteria!
Source: Almonds, leafy green vegetables, olive oil, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, vitamin supplement
Attention: Diabetics, beach-goers
Oh by the way: Studies have shown that vitamin E contributes to fighting heart disease and plaque formation in arteries, although results are not conclusive. Fat-soluble.
Vitamin K (Phytonadione)
Benefits: Known for blood clot formation, vitamin K fights excessive bleeding from punctures and other open wounds. Walking barefoot?...Think twice!... Shoeless feet are highly prone to stepping on foreign objects- rocks, glass, nails, and twigs, among others. Vitamin K is also capable of strengthening bones.
Source: Spinach, turnip greens, cabbage, broccoli, kale
Attention: Burn victims, diabetics, beach-goers, athletes, postmenopausal women
Oh by the way: People- with a history of heart disease or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) - who take blood thinners (such as Coumadin [Warfarin] or even aspirin) may be advised by their physician to minimize their intake of vitamin K, to prevent formation of blood clots in the bloodstream. Fat-soluble.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
