Why You Need To Walk 10,000 Steps Per Day
Spring time is around the corner (good riddance polar vortex). That means getting out, enjoying the warm sunshine, and most of all...BEING ACTIVE! Don't just take our word for it, check out this video, courtesy of MSN Video.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
Dude Looks like A Lady!...or Does He?
Dude (Louis XIV)
Ladies
FOOT FACT:
High heels have long been a staple of style for women, but did you know that high heel shoes were originally designed to be worn by men? In fact, the heel of the shoe helped secure men’s feet in stirrups while riding horses. High heel shoes also served as a status of privilege. Those who did not have to perform manual labor or walk very far often sported their “elevated kicks” as a symbol of their high social class. As high heels continued to grow in popularity, they would become a unisex trend, until they were abandoned by men and solely worn by women.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
No Pain, No Reign
FOOT FACT:
FOOT BINDING was an ancient Chinese custom among women that dates back to the 10th century. The practice began as a ritual among Chinese royalty but would later become widespread as a status symbol among wealthy women who wished to become married. The idea was that women who had their feet bound endured the painful process, because they had the privilege of not having to work.
Poor women were not considered worthy of the ritual, because they needed their feet to remain normal to work to care for their families. Foot binding would remain a common practice in Chinese culture until the 19th century, where Western culture would influence its removal from society.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Nail Salons? You Better Think Twice!
We here at Southern Hospitality recommend that you take a personal natural approach to show your puppies some love. Check out this video from ABC’s 20/20 and see why putting your feet in the wrong hands can spell danger for your dogs! Well, guess what they say is true.......if you want something done right, you just may have to do it yourself!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Sole to Soul
FOOT FACT:
Hey fellas! Wanna know if your romantic ways are knocking her socks off? Well, you may need to look no further than her feet! A woman’s foot movements may serve as the true window to her emotions. According to UK psychologist Geoffrey Beattie, a woman who is attracted to you has a tendency to move her feet away from her body standing/sitting in a more open-stance. But a woman sitting cross-legged with her feet tucked under her body could spell doom for those seeking romance.
Beattie says, “People can mask smiles, or mask what they are doing with their eyes, but feet are actually a bit easier to read because people don't know what they are doing with them. “
Ladies do you agree?
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
At Last
FOOT FACT:
Born in Suriname (to parents of Surinamese and Dutch descent), Jan Ernst Matzeliger developed his passion for machinery at a young age, while working with his father in factories. Upon immigrating to the United States at age 19, Matzeliger learned English and eventually settled in Massachusetts. There, Matzeliger began working for a cobbler and developed an interest in making shoes. Noticing that all the shoes were made by hand, Metzeliger sought out to find a more efficient approach to making shoes. The African-American inventor would go on to create his patented shoe last machine in 1883.
Matzeliger’s invention would revolutionize the shoe industry. Prior to Matzeliger’s invention, cobblers would manually attach the “upper” to the sole of each shoe individually- with the use of a wooden or metal shoe last- making up to 50 shoes per day. With the shoe last machine, up to 700 shoes could be made each day. Try THAT on for size!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Turf War
FOOT FACT:
The Seattle Seahawks get set to battle the Denver Broncos at Super bowl XLVIII. But, that may not be the only nemesis that these two teams may be squaring off against this Sunday. Turf toe is a common condition that has slowed the play- and even ended the careers- of many football players. Its name stems from the synthetic “turf” that is commonly played-on by many athletes (most notably, football players). The injury occurs when the player’s cleat becomes firmly planted into the turf as their big toe joint becomes hyperextended (Seen below).
(Figure 1)
As a result, the big toe joint becomes sprained, causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, joint capsule, and bones surrounding the joint.
(Figure 2)
Players often complain of tenderness and swelling around the joint and serious pain with range of motion.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Here's the Kicker
The Super Bowl is this Sunday and to help y’all get revved up for the big game, this week we at Southern Hospitality will feature interesting facts related to the great game of football.
FOOT FACT:
On November 8, 1970 New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey set the NFL record by boosting a 63 yard game-winning field goal to defeat the Detroit Lions. But here’s the kicker, he performed this great feat with only HALF a foot. That’s right! He was born with half a right foot, but was able to play pro-football for 11 seasons. His remarkable accomplishment established a record that would stand for 43 years -although there were 3 players who would tie the record during that time. The record was recently overcome by Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater with a 64 yard kick against the Tennessee Titans on December 8, 2013 (with a WHOLE foot...jus sayin lol).
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Frost BITES!
FOOT FACT:
9 out of 10 cases of frostbite in adults occur in the hands & feet (feet being the most common). Prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures can halt blood flow to your extremities, depriving them of oxygen, leading to nerve and tissue damage. Warning signs include: numbness, red to bluish-grey discoloration of the affected area, and “waxy” skin appearance. Skin that is not properly protected from subzero temperatures and intense windchills can fall victim to frostbite in just 10 minutes! It is a good idea to always bundle up with the proper attire to protect yourself before battling the elements. And remember…NO COTTON SOCKS!!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Feel the Burn
FOOT FACT:
You may be thinking to yourself that pain is pain….right?...wrong!
A burning pain in the legs & feet could signal nerve damage (neuropathy). Damaged nerves send constant misfired signals to your brain triggering burning sensations of pain. Diabetes is the most common culprit… but alcoholism, Vitamin B12 deficiency and heavy metal poisoning are some other causes that can hold your feet to the fire.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
