Sunday, September 6, 2015

Blister-Be-Gone?

If you have ever gotten a blister, pay close attention!  A few days ago I had two bulging blisters on the tops of my toes.  While working on this blog, singing the praises of lavender it occurred to me that I had read that lavender could treat blisters. So I gave it a try. 

I put a drop of lavender on my finger and spread it over the two blisters.  I did this two more times in the next hour and 15 minutes or so.  After about an hour and a half from my initial application of lavender, I felt the blister loose its fluid without breaking the skin.  I used a napkin to absorb the moisture and finish draining my blister.  I then reapplied lavender.

The next day I could barely tell that there had been a blister there.  My skin did not break and basically just began to reattach itself to the flesh below it.  I experienced zero discomfort when I put shoes on that same morning.  This is the only time I have ever used lavender on a blister (this is all new to me) so I am very curious to see if it will help me prevent blister problem spots.

In the past I would get a blister while running and it would tear or I would have to pop it.  The spot would be sore for a long time and would become a blister breeding ground.  I would get blisters over and over again in the same spot because my skin would be so weak. 


But will this work on feet that are running often? (I was not able to try this because I am supposed to rest my knee).  What about blisters from burns or blisters that have already popped?  To find out, I ordered some lavender for sharing.  This is where I need your help!  I would love it and be eternally grateful to those that are willing to try this out and report back to me.  My goal is to get an accurate picture of lavender as a blister beater in different scenarios.  If you are interested in trying out a bit o’lavender on your blisters (this includes all blister types), let me know and I will try to get some to you right away!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

The Best Year of Your Life


So I am a runner.  A brand new runner.  Not a fast runner, but a runner nonetheless.  And I love it!  Well, I hate it too but mostly I love it.  I am sure all you runners out there know exactly what I am talking about.

My decision to become a runner was really a split second decision; probably because I just did not realize what I was getting into at the time.  The Greater Boston Running Company offered a running group and I thought, “oh! That is just what I need to get back in shape so that I can move on to other great things that require stamina.”  Little did I know that running actually was the great thing that I was getting into shape for.

Needless to say, I joined a running group “to get into shape” thinking I would only be running a 5k but I actually ended up running my first half marathon the day before Max nugget turned 6 months old.  Insert applause here!  Yes, I am proud of myself.  I am proud that I did not wait to start to get my body back.  In a way I am thankful that my pregnancy was such a physically miserable experience because as soon as it became mine again I took every opportunity to give it some nice, healthy, exercise.  I am also thankful to the moon and back to have a husband that has supported me every step of the way (even when I acted like an ogre and looked like the Michelin man).

Max was born last November, just before all of the big blizzards that came through.  I was on maternity leave and we were snowed in a lot.  But I did not let that stop me, I still joined a running group, got a Fitbit, and I looked for lots of other ways to stay active.  I went to the mall and walked loops.  When it snowed and my eyeballs felt like they were going to freeze through I still went to my awesome running group and we all bundled up, put on our headlamps and ran circles around the Derby Street Shoppes.  I even got snowshoes and my mom and I explored Webb Park before anyone else had the chance too.  It was amazing!  It was the best winter of my life.  This past year full of inspiring experiences and people (like Cathy-who-ran-20-miles) has helped me decide that from now on, I am going to do my best to make every year the best year of my life.

Anyway, now I am here to tell you that you can be a runner too! Or a snow-shoer (is that a word?) Or an anythingyouwanttobe-er too!  Just don’t wait.  Take advantage your healthy body when you can.   Make every year the best year of your life.

What are you going to do to make this year the best year of your life? (Comment below!)