Health

Foot Powder? – The Best Deodorizing Foot Powder!

May 8, 2018

Are you looking for the best deodorizing foot and shoe powder? I found myself Googling foot powder a few months ago. My daughter was in Boston dealing with lots of snow, heavy layers of clothing, and several pair of boots, that were great in the cold, but too hot sitting for hours in a lecture hall. I told her to make sure to put some foot powder in her boots so they would stay fresh smelling. (I grew up in the north. I know what can happen to boots over a season.) She asked me what she should buy. Hmmmm -it’s been so long since I bought it, I’m not really sure. The nerd in me decided to do a little research online and see what she should pick up. That’s when I stumbled across Rocket Pure.

foot powder - managedbymom.com — My Daughter’s Winter LL Bean Boots

What caught my attention and made me visit their website was the fact that they use natural ingredients in their deodorizing foot and shoe powder. I consider myself “natural-ish”. I try to use natural ingredients whenever possible, but I buy what works the best. To this point I had always bought foot powder for shoes like Dr. Scholl’s, but I was intrigued. I read the product information. Here is what their website says about the foot powder:

Natural Lemon Deodorizing Foot Powder – Rocket Pure

“Fights foot and shoe odor, freshens feet, sports shoes, and sneakers. Deodorant powder can go directly on feet, or in shoes and socks. Made in the U.S.A. of natural ingredients, no harsh or toxic chemicals, paraben free. Made of cornstarch, bamboo stem powder and essential oils of cedarwood, clary sage and rosemary. Rocket Pure Guarantee: 100% Satisfaction for the Lifetime of the Product, or 100% Refund or Replacement.”

Image from Rocket Pure Website — Photo: Rocket Pure Website

After reading the reviews it seemed lots of people liked the “lemon” scented powder. Lemon scented deodorizing foot and shoe powder? I don’t know. Doesn’t that seems like a strange scent? I decided to send an email to the company asking about the scents they had available and if they had samples. I had a response within hours from the founder of Rocket Pure – Alex. Talk about great customer service!

I explained I wanted to find some foot powder for winter boots, and although their lemon scent had great reviews, I couldn’t imagine it. He said he would be happy to send my daughter a sample of a couple of the scents at school and she could see what she liked. She had the samples within just a few days. He even followed up with me via email that week and asked for my feedback on the product – positive or negative. Okay, I thought, I’m already loving this company. I hope the product is good because I wanted to buy it just because his customer service was so great.

My daughter tried the lemon and cedar scents, one a deodorizing foot and shoe powder and one a spray, for a week. She really liked the lemon scent and said she thought the powder worked better than the spray for her winter boots. I was really grateful that he had sent the samples because it saved me money, and the hassle of returning or exchanging a product she may not have liked.

We purchased the Lemon Foot and Shoe Deoderizing Powder for her in Boston and I decided to try the Eucalyptus Foot and Shoe Deodorizing Powder for my husband’s running shoes here in Atlanta. Both have worked great! I am super happy with their foot powder! The bonus for us is that, since the ingredients are natural, I’m sure we’ll also be using it all summer inside our flats (here is an article you may be interested in if you wear flats) and sandals because it can go directly on our feet, not just get sprinkled into our shoes.

I also bought the Tea Tree and Lemon Grass Natural Hand and Food Balm. I like the clean scent of tea tree oil and the website mentioned it was great on dry heels (which truth be told we all get a bit of in the winter, right?) I honestly haven’t used it on my feet yet, but promise I will try it soon. What I have used it on is my hands, specifically dry areas on the back of my hands, and around my cuticles to keep my nails looking nice. It comes in a convenient little tin, and when you open it you just have to swipe a little of it because it smells so nice and looks so smooth. Its convenient and super moisturizing.

Anyone who reads this blog should know that I only share information here that I’ve personally tested. I do not receive compensation for any of my opinions, and I’m very picky;) Rocket Pure is really a great product. The foot powder works great for northern winter boots, stinky running shoes, and it feels nice on bare feet.

If you haven’t tried Rocket Pure Deodorizing Foot and shoe Powder yet, and you’re a runner, have kids (or a spouse ) who are athletes, or have kids with sweaty little feet (LOL) consider giving it a try. I love that it smells fresh and clean without heavy perfumes and that we are using natural ingredients and not a bunch of chemicals on our skin. I also love that my laundry room, where everybody keeps their smelly shoes, doesn’t smell like a high school locker room anymore – bonus!

Here’s a link to Rocket Pure. If you’re looking for some foot powder give them a try – and let me know what you think!

-Kate

Kate’s Breakfast Cookies

March 19, 2018

Today I want to share my original recipe for Kate’s breakfast cookies.

Did I say breakfast cookies?

Yes. I. Did.

When my kids were little we always joked about how they wished they could eat cookies for breakfast. I toyed around with recipes I found, or was given, but if they were actually healthy, they never really tasted very good. Or if they tasted good, they were not actually very healthy. The eternal conundrum.

Fast forward a “bunch” of years.

If you read my blog, you know both my kids are now in college (sniff…sniff…I miss you guys!) Last month I sent them each a few dozen shortbread chocolate chip cookies for Valentines Day. A few weeks later I was talking with my son at OU. He said he liked them so much he’d been eating them for breakfast – and had just finished his last two. I literally burst out laughing! Some things never change.

So, I decided maybe it was time to give breakfast cookies another try. There are so many healthy ingredients readily available in the grocery store these days, and I’ve discovered healthier alternatives and new techniques over the years. I created a recipe this past week that I think they – and you – will love! I’m going to send some to the kids at school…and get their brutally honest opinions. The husband gave me a two thumbs up;)

Now…this is not a Toll House chocolate chip cookie. This is a healthier, higher fiber, protein packed treat! And, honestly, I think it tastes awesome (but of course I’m a little biased.) The key to these cookies is the ground oatmeal and the brown sugar. I’ve found a few recipes over the years that use ground oatmeal and only brown sugar seem to allow baked goods to keep their “softness”.

These are super easy to make! The only ingredient that may be difficult to find is the wheat bran. If they don’t have it at your local grocery store make a Whole Foods run – that’s where I get mine. Or get it online – Amazon also sells it.

Grab two of these for breakfast on the go. They’re great with milk, tea or coffee. (I’m eating one right now with a cup of coffee from Rev Roasters – will tell you about them another time.) Or pack a few in a baggie and throw them in your purse or backpack with a water bottle. I packed two of them in my purse for a snack while my friend and I walked around the American Craft Council show last Friday. They were delicious and they kept my hunger at bay.

Because of the oatmeal, wheat bran, cranberries and pecans, this is also a great way to get some much needed fiber into the diets of kiddos (or grown ups) who…shall we say…need a little extra…ummm….help. Let them eat one or two a few days in a row and they should feel better. The best part is they will have no idea that the delicious cookies they ate were what helped.

Please give this recipe a try and let me know how you like them.

Kate

4.5 from 13 reviews

Kate's Breakfast Cookies

Save Print

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

12 mins

Total time

27 mins

I hope you will love these!

Author: Kate Wittschen - managedbymom.com

Serves: 24 cookies

Ingredients

1 Cup Quaker "Old Fashioned Oats" - ground into powder in your food processor
1 Cup Wheat Bran (I use Bob's Red Mill Unprocessed Miller's Wheat Bran)
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1.5 teaspoons of baking powder
1.5 teaspoons of baking soda
½ teaspoon of salt
½ cup of butter ( 1 stick) softened
½ cup of brown sugar firmly packed
2 teaspoons of vanilla
2 Eggs
orange zest from one orange
1 Cup of chopped pecans
½ Cup of dried cranberries (I used the lower sugar ones )
1 Cup of mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Put the 1 cup of Quaker "Old Fashioned Oats" into your food processor and run it for about 3 minutes or until the oatmeal no longer looks like oats, but is a slightly grainy powder - like flour;) Leave it there for now.
Put the ½ cup of softened butter and the 1 cup of brown sugar into a large bowl and mix for several minutes - until light and fluffy.
Add two eggs to this mixture and continue to mix for another one to two minutes.
Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla and mix until well incorporated
In a separate bowl add the ground oatmeal powder from your food processor, then add the wheat bran, the whole wheat flour, the baking soda, baking powder and salt. Use a whisk to mix them all together well.
Add the orange zest to this mixture of dry ingredients and whisk well to distribute.
Add the dry flour mixture to the large bowl containing the butter/sugar/egg mixture and mix well to incorporate. Scrape down the sides if using a stand mixer to make sure you get it uniform.
Add the 1 cup chopped pecans, the ½ cup of dried cranberries and the 1/ cup of mini chocolate chips all at the same time and mix just until incorporated - about 30 seconds.
Put parchment paper on your baking sheet and roll dough into small balls - approximately 1.5- 2 inches in size. Place 12 balls onto the cookie sheet and press down balls with your fingers or the bottom of a floured glass to make 12 flat disks about 3 inches wide;).
Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 12 minutes - just until bottoms of cookies start to look golden...not dark brown please;)
Cool and enjoy with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea! SO YUMMY right out of the oven!
Makes approximately 24 cookies. Leave out what you will eat in a day or two. Put the rest in a zip lock bag, seal and put in the freezer. Take them out when the first batch is gone. Voila! Fresh cookies at your fingertips!

Are Your Cute Flats Causing Your Knee Pain? 2018

February 13, 2018

Are your cute flats causing your knee pain? Flat shoes don’t cause problems. High heels cause problems. Right? Not so fast.

We’ve known for years that high heels can be the cause of pain by putting additional stress on your knees and the muscles surrounding them. They can also be the culprits of unexplained hip pain and put your back out of alignment. But did you know the same can be true for flats?!

If you have poorly defined arches, or flat feet, your ankles likely pronate a little or a lot. Pronating means your foot and ankle roll inward, and without a supportive shoe it can cause your ankle and knee to be thrown out of alignment which can result in pain and soreness in your ankle and knees. This can and does lead to hip and lower back pain – not to mention Advil and Tylenol. How do I know this? Experience my friends.

Over time pronation can result in inflammation of the anterior and posterior tibial tendons in your ankles and feet and can cause damage to the bones, ligaments and tendons in your feet. According to podiatrist Phillip Vasyli in this article published in Shape Magazine ,”Excess pronation is a condition that affects 75 percent of the population and has been related to many conditions, such as heel pain (otherwise known as plantar fasciitis), knee pain, and even lower-back pain”.

The problem with flats is that they usually have very little if any support. Think flip flops, ballet flats, even sandals and loafers. Most have a thin sole, which don’t provide any shock absorption. Even if there is some type of liner inside the shoe, it doesn’t have adequate arch support. They’re so easy to put on and comfortable around your feet, you think they must be good for you, but without any structure to stabilize your footbed problems can arise.

A good shoe that supports your foot will have a decent sole thickness, meaning you won’t feel the ground you’re walking on. They will also have some type of formed footbed including arch support to keep your foot and ankle from pronating, and possibly a slight depression where your heel hits, to cup your heel, and keep your foot aligned.

If you already have foot, ankle, knee, hip or lower back pain, ditch the flip flops and make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. Earlier is better. Don’t wait until you can’t bend your knee to see someone. The doctor will examine your feet and ankles. They’ll analyze the way you walk. Some even video tape your gait and can show you how your feet and ankles move when you walk. They should do a full exam and possibly take x-rays. If they recommend orthotics as a solution to your pain problems, there are usually options you can purchase though their office, but check the prices and shop around. It’s often cheaper to get ankle and knee braces, or orthotics, outside of the office, on amazon or at a good shoe store.

If you love wearing flats like I do, you have a couple of options. You can bite the bullet and go shopping for a pair of cute flats that have support built into them already. Below are some links to a few places to help you start your search for supportive flats. You may have to do some footwork (pun intended) to find a “cute” pair that have the support you need. They aren’t all as fashion forward as we’d like, but you can easily find a pair at one of these sites to wear with casual outfits that will ease your pain.

Another option is to buy the shoes you like and separately purchase an orthotic insert to put into them. Sneakers and athletic shoes are fairly easy to fit with inserts. My orthopedist recommended a brand called Super Feet Insoles which you can buy at most good shoe stores or online. They come in several colors indicating several different support structures. They are priced between $44.95 and $59.95.

I’ve found it difficult to put a full size insert into some shoes. But recently I found a great option for a pair of flats I already owned. My local New Balance store offers a “Fashion Orthotic Insert” and you can buy it in store. For some reason it isn’t on their website yet, but if you ask at a store the product number is NB100. I researched it and it is actually made by a company called Aetrex Worldwide Inc. You can buy it here on Amazon. (It just won’t say New Balance.) One pair of these inserts will run you about $45. They are light, fit easily into my flats, and have adhesive dots on the bottoms to make them stay in place. So far they are working out well for me.

We already do a lot of things proactively to take care of our health. We eat right, exercise, and take vitamins. We also need to take proactive measures when it comes to our feet. If we keep them in good shape they’ll be able to take us wherever we want to go for many years to come.

Be well:) And please share if you find a shoe insert that has helped you relieve your knee pain. I’d love to hear about it!

Kate

Don’t ring in 2018 with the flu!

January 10, 2018

So… you probably guessed by the title. I rang in 2018 with the flu. Not exactly the night I had planned;)

But, there are two ways to look at this my friends.

# 1. How depressing! I can’t believe this is how I started 2018!

#2. I’m SO glad I got that over with! 2018 only gets better from here!

I am choosing #2. 2018 is going to be a GREAT YEAR!!

While my body still feels exhausted, my mind has started moving again, and it’s been asking “How did you get the flu when nobody in the family had it?”

Ok. First confession – I did not get the flu shot.

I know. Next year. I promise! If you haven’t gotten the flu yet it’s not too late to get your flu shot. You might want to consider running to your doctor’s office or your local Walgreens or CVS. Unfortunately the CDC is estimating this year’s vaccine is only about 10-30% effective, but that’s still far more helpful than my 0%.

I am usually very good about taking care of myself. I go to bed at a decent time, eat well and am very active (although I admit not a regular exerciser) and I wash my hands often. Certainly always before meals and when I get home from anywhere;)

However, the overwhelming schedule we all carry during the holiday season puts us at greater risk for infection. Not to mention…

There are extra people living in our homes – kids (some with runny noses), parents, visiting friends (also with runny noses. LOL)
We have more meals to prepare so more trips to the grocery store – to touch that pristine cart handle (ugh!).
Marathon shopping trips, at indoor malls and stores (packed with people coughing and sneezing) to get all our holiday gifts for friends and family.
Late night wrapping. I mean late…like early morning…you were there;)
Lots of work and family parties, with lots of new people to meet.
Shaking hands and hugging people who’ve traveled across the country (not to mention kids who may just have come home from a colleges with over 20,000 students – each.)
The list goes on…

It’s easy for Moms to forget about themselves at the holidays. We’re so focused on getting everything done that sometimes we don’t remember the last time we had five minutes for the ladies room!

A few days before the flu hit I was running errands. I’ll admit, I was probably a little too caffeinated (Starbucks Pike’s Peak) to have been thinking clearly when I picked up those hard candies at the drug store. Um…drug store…sick people…walk in clinics…hmmm. I unwrapped several pieces over a few hours and popped them into my mouth with my bare hands without even thinking about all the things I had touched – door handles, credit card screens and hanging pens, shopping carts…more…yuck.

So, its been 7 days since I first jumped aboard the flu train. What started as a scratchy throat and a dry cough ended up including a lovely fever which left me feeling like I had been hit by a bus, for 48 hours, whenever the Tylenol Cold and Flu wore off. (On a positive note -I did learn that you can take 2 TBSP of that delightful elixir every 4 hours, and not every 6, as I originally thought, but I digress.)

Now that I’m on the mend, and the experience is still fresh in my mind I thought it was a great time to write a post to remind myself, my kids, and anybody else out there willing to read this, about some of the things we can do every day, to at least try to avoid flu germs!

Wash your hands before every meal – AND – before eating anything that requires you to touch it before you put it in your mouth – candy, gum, your retainer?
Wash your hands every time you come back to the house from school or errands. Even if you didn’t physically get out of the car – that steering wheel picks up a lot. (Have you wiped yours down lately? It’s worth five seconds.)
Keep a small container of hand sanitizer in your purse or car for the times you can’t wash your hands.
Get 8 hours of sleep if at all possible – even through the holidays. Seems we all get sick a little more quickly when we are run down.
Take an Emergen-c packet with 1000 milligrams of Vitamin C once a week or when you feel a cold coming on. Both my kids swear by it and keep a stash in their dorm rooms.
Don’t forget to eat fruits and vegetables even when you’re busy. Some of us will admit to a quick stop at a McDonalds or Chick-Fil-A drive through when we are pressed for time. How about stopping at Chipotle for a veggie burrito bowl? Or a Panera for soup and salad instead? There are fast/faster food options that will give you a vitamin packed punch.
Make some kind of soup with a chicken broth base during the busiest weeks of the holiday season – and after! Chicken broth has been shown to shorten colds, even if doctors’ don’t understand exactly why. The family might love a nice warm bowl of soup served with fresh french bread and cheese! Yum!
Keep small packets of kleenex tissues in your purse along with some hand wipes. Use them to open doors, especially if the person that touched that handle before you wiped their runny nose with their hand first. (I got that tip from a nurse.)
Consider taking a multivitamin during the holidays, or when you know you’re not taking care of yourself the way you should. It’s not a perfect solution, but it can be helpful.
It goes without saying…wipe down all surfaces in your house if you’ve had the flu. Some of the areas we forget – light switches, TV remote controls, door handles, toilet handles, faucet handles. Give everyone else a fighting chance to skip this party.

I will say, there’s nothing like feeling miserable with the flu, to make you appreciate feeling well on a normal day! I think I studied that in college. Isn’t that “The Shadow Effect”? My professor would be so impressed!

As we enter 2018 I’m feeling very grateful for my health, and for the health of my family and friends. I am EXCITED for 2018! We are blessed to be here, and I believe opportunities are all around us if we take the time to look for them.

I am toasting to your health today with some Tazo green tea! Stay well friends!

Kate