Good Morning,

Winter Foot Care

Winter is the time when our feet are always covered up. Sweaty feet,
cold feet, uncomfortable boots, shoes that don't fit, manmade boots
and materials, so, take your shoes off. Sit back and work on those
two feet and make them beautiful!

Now, more than ever, is the time to take care of those tootsies!
Bones form the basic structure of our feet. There are 26 bones in
each foot alone. Here are some good general tips for all feet:

* Wash your feet daily. Rinse off all soap and dry thoroughly,
especially between toes.

* Trim nails straight across, and not too short. Don't cut out or dig
at corners.

* Do not trim, shave, or use over-the-counter medicines to dissolve
corns or calluses

* Wear clean socks or stockings, changed daily. Don't wear any that
are too short or too tight.

* Wear shoes that fit.

* Wear shoes made of leather or canvas - not synthetics.

* Switch shoes from day to day.

* Use foot powder.

* See your doctor if severe problems persist.

* Get a manicure --Set aside twenty dollars or so to get a manicure
AND pedicure. It is so worth it!

* Scrub those feet --Make sure you are exfoliating the tops, sides,
and bottoms of your feet at least twice a week in the shower.

* Foot refresher --After soaking feet in warm water, massage feet
with a mixture of 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1
tablespoon crushed dried peppermint. Remove with a warm, damp
washcloth.

* Hangnails --Pierce a 400 IU-vitamin E capsule and massage a drop
into hangnail to soften and speed healing.

* For nails that are nourished from the inside out --Try
supplementing your already healthy eating plan with MSM. This natural
sulfur source from the sea speeds the growth of your hair and nails.

* Exfoliate your feet! --Use a loofah sponge to exfoliate tops, sides
and bottom of your feet. Remember to scrub all of your toes too.

* After drying with a fluffy towel, apply your favorite moisturizer
generously and then put on a thick (warm from the dryer) pair of
socks on for a pampered feeling.

* Give your nails a break --Take off your acrylic nails and let your
fingertips breathe. It will take a while for them to recover, but it
is a healthier (and less expensive) way to maintain your nails.

* Bath Trim! --After showing or bathing, trim your toenails and
smooth any rough edges with a file.

* Use a pumice stones on calluses and make it a habit to use a foot
file on the bottom of your feet and heals at least once a week. This
will keep your feet ready for any sandal at any time.

* Natural nail file --Use a popsicle stick to file your natural
nails.

* To help your nail polish glide on --Dip a cotton ball in a facial
astringent to remove any excess oil on your nails. Your polish will
go on much smoother.

* Foot calluses --Always use a pumice stone. Do not use razors or
other cutters.


Seasonal Healing is one of the best ways to remind ourselves that it
is time to evaluate our health. Our moods and bodies change as the
seasons change. See more on seasonal healing:

http://www.peacefulmind.com/seasonal.htm


Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
Peacefulmind.com
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit