Oh - my aching dogies!

By the end of the day I am SO ready to sit down and kick off my shoes.

We work our feet harder than any other part of our body. They carry our weight through everything we do, often confined in shoes they only want to escape from. Especially in the heat of summer, when we spend a lot of time outdoors in sandals or flip-flops, they can get dry, callused, and cracked - making them even more sore. It's important not to neglect our poor dogies, happy feet make for a happy person!

Keeping feet healthy and in good condition is easy. First of all, there are simple daily stretches you can do to maintain flexibility and circulation in both feet and ankles.
Pick a time when you have a minute or two and sit in a comfortable chair. Remove your shoes and, simultaneously with both feet, perform the following moves holding each position at least five seconds:
• Point your toes, extending them as far as you can.
• Bend your feet up, pointing toes toward your head.
• Rotate feet at the ankles slowly making circles to the right, then to the left, repeating at least three times in each direction.
• Drop a hand or bath towel, crumpled, on the floor in front of you. Grip the towel with the toes of both feet at the same time, at least one foot (12 inches)apart and lift until your legs are straight out in front of you. Hold for ten seconds, then drop the towel. Repeat 10 times.

Massaging your feet at the end of the day brings up your spirits, helps you relax, and feels oooohhh sooo good.
Proponents of acupuncture and reflexology believe that areas in your feet connect to all parts of your body. Pressure points are stimulated to relieve stress and ailments elsewhere, so a good foot rub could help with other sore spots as well.

Pampering feet with a regular pedicure keeps them smooth and supple, healthy and beautiful. Including massage as part of a pedicure will give you the best of both: Relaxed, refreshed, beautiful feet!

You don't need a spa to get the best treatment, here is a perfectly simple natural pedicure you can do to yourself or a friend (It makes a very special gift):

Start by washing feet, then prepare a soothing foot soak in a tub large enough to easily accommodate both feet.

Use water that is comfortably hot. For added benefits, add a few drops of essential oil to the soak, epsom salts, or a tea made from herbs placed in a muslin bag and infused in the tub of water (see herb chart below for a few suggestions).

Relax and, when feet have softened, use a nail brush to clean cuticles & nails followed by scrubbing all over with a mildly abrasive cleansing cloth, loofa, or ayate to remove dry skin. You can even use the bag of herbs as a washing cloth.

If needed, a pumice stone, terra cotta foot stone, or pedicure file will gently remove rough spots and calluses on soles and heels.

Dry feet thoroughly and trim nails and gently push back cuticles, as needed, then rinse and dry again.

Now massage deeply, paying particular attention to the instep, toes, & ball of foot. To leave feet in top condition use massage oil based on vegetable oil with essential oils (as noted in chart below) or use Simmons Cocoa Butter Creme.

Follow up with Simmons Duck Butter™, as part of the pedicure and other times as needed, rubbing it on dry heels and other problem spots to rejuvenate the skin and protect them from further damage.
If you paint your toenails, do it now, giving 2 coats for luster and adding a topcoat of clear polish, if you like, for extra shine. Make sure to relax and give ample drying time before putting on your shoes and resuming your day.
You can get foot care tools and Cocoa Butter Creme and Duck Butter™ at SimmonsNaturals.com.
Happy feet make for a happy you!

Herbs for foot care:
Chamomile - A, C, 1
Clary Sage - B, C, D, 5
Eucalyptus - B, C, D, 1, 2
Geranium - B, C, D, 2, 4
Peppermint - A, B, C, D, 1,2
Spearmint - A, B, C, D, 1, 2
Rosemary - A, B, C, D, 1, 4, 5
Thyme - B, C, 1, 3


Key:
A - Herb
B - Essential Oil

Use in:
C - Foot Soak
D - Massage oil

Properties:
1 - Deodorizing
2 - Antiseptic
3 - Antibacterial
4 - Antifungal
5 - Relieves stress, soreness

More easy exercises you can do while standing:
• Walk on your tip toes for 30 seconds, relax, and then from a flat footed stance, roll your feet out so you are standing on the outside edges of your feet. Hold this posture for fifteen seconds. Repeat this sequence 5 times.
This will help relieve aching arches.
• Place feet about one foot (12 inches) apart and squat down so you are resting on your toes. If needed, hold on to a chair or other steady furniture to steady yourself. Slowly roll back so you are resting on your feet, then slowly roll back up onto your toes. Repeat this as many times as you comfortably can, working up to 10 repetitions.
This will stretch and exercise your entire lower body as well as your feet, improving balance and flexibility while it strengthens and conditions the muscles.
Overall, walking is the best exercise for feet. It stretches, strengthens and improves circulation. Try to walk 4-5 times weekly for ½ hour or more.