by Jill Schuman |
June 21, 2016
|
We recently spoke with Nicole Hayward, a podiatrist and founder of the blog Life After Heels. Nicole writes about her love of fitness, helpful tips on keeping your feet healthy, and her everyday life as a working mom. Nicole is also a new convert to the wonders of eNZees Foot Soother. See what she has to say:
Jill: What originally attracted you to podiatry?
Nicole: Since I was young, I always wanted to be a doctor. I thought it was so noble to be able to help people who were in pain. I also have always loved to walk, in college I used to walk to clear my mind. It was in college that I decided I wanted to become a podiatrist and help people walk pain free.
Jill: What inspired you to start Life After Heels?
Nicole: I started Life After Heels because I felt like I need an outlet and another way to help people (well honestly women). My goal is to help women feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Jill: Why is it so important people take care of their feet?
Nicole: I tell my patients all the time our feet are like the foundation to a house. If your house doesn't have a sound and stable foundation, then the house itself will always have problems.
Jill: How do you combine your love of fitness with podiatry?
Nicole: That is a good question and to be honest I am still trying to figure that out. I have been toying with the idea of maybe trying to create a fitness class that helps to strengthen and stabilize the foot, but I still in the concept stage.
Jill: What do you think is so compelling about using the eNZees Foot Soother lambswool for foot care?
Nicole: I love that it is all natural and so simple. I think what really drew me to it was that it is preventive. I love how it stops a blister from occurring, and that it allows people to continue to exercise pain free.
Tagged:
all-natural blister prevention,
blister prevention,
how to have healthy feet,
how to take care of your feet,
Interview with a podiatrist,
Life After Heels blog,
Nicole Hayward,
podiatry blog
by Margaret Hedderman |
May 11, 2016
|
View of the Upheaval Valley from the top of the Syncline Loop Trail
“Desert Season” will soon be winding down – at least until Fall – in Southeastern Utah. If you’re looking for a good way to pack in the miles and views, check out the 8-mile Syncline Loop in Canyonlands National Park. My boyfriend Rory and I recently spent 5-hours hiking this strenuous circuit around the Upheaval Dome.
It’s best to walk the trail in a clockwise direction, descending into Upheaval Canyon. We plunged downward, nearly 2,000 ft., in the first two miles. Sandstone spires and sheer red walls towered overhead as we continued into the deep canyon.
There is little to no shade on the trail and, depending on the weather, little to no water. Be sure to wear a lot of sunscreen, wear a hat, pack your eNZees to prevent blisters, and carry at least 2-3 litres of water.
After three-something miles, the trail splits. If your legs have the energy, you can tack on an additional 3-miles to your hike and explore the inside of the Upheaval Crater. We were in a rush to drive back to Durango, so Rory and I followed the main trail up a steep slope and continued a gradual ascent to the rim. This last half of the trail required frequent scrambling and brief exposure over the canyon below.
As I mentioned earlier, the Syncline Loop is strenuous and definitely not for beginning hikers. In the brochure the ranger gave us there is a brief notation warning hikers that the majority of all search and rescues in the Island in the Sky district occur on the Syncline Loop.
Ravens croaked and cackled overhead as we stomped back to our truck, hot, dusty and sweaty. We found a picnic table at the trailhead, cracked open a couple of microbrews, and cooked up a can of chili on our stove as we watched the myriad of travellers explore this National Park.
Tagged:
blister prevention,
hikes in canyonlands,
hiking in canyonlands national park,
hot-spots on feet,
island in the sky syncline loop,
syncline loop in canyonlands national park
by Jill Schuman |
May 05, 2016
|
The following is Part 3 of three-part blog series about the Routeburn Track in New Zealand. Click here to read the first.
After taking in one final look at the dramatic landscape around the Routeburn Falls, we started our last day's trek through a mixed beech forest to the alpine pastures. It was there that we heard the endless songs and calls of the local song bird, the Kaka.
This was our last day so we took it slow as to take in all the sights and sounds possible. We hiked along the Routeburn River and witnessed some large avalanche slides - the most in our entire 3-week trip.
The Routeburn River was flowing heavily and we stopped to watch a group of very adventuresome folks Canyoning* down the river, all geared up with super heavy helmets, guide lines. It looked down right unnerving to me!
(*Canyoneering, called canyoning in other parts of the world, is the adventurous act of traveling through steep and narrow canyons using a variety of techniques that can include walking, climbing, scrambling, jumping, repelling, wading, or swimming. Canyoneers usually differentiate between technical and nontechnical canyoneering. Where nontechnical canyoneering generally refers to simple canyon hiking, technical canyoneering requires specialized equipment and techniques to complete the climb safely.)
After watching the group for a bit, I found myself grateful for not agreeing to try this a week prior when we had an opportunity to participate.
We concluded our amazing and life altering trek at the end of Day 3. It was truly a life changing experience and one that provided me with such enthusiasm to explore, observe and appreciate the glorious world we live in and how one never knows what is around the corner both literally and metaphorically.
Tagged:
blister prevention,
great walks new zealand,
hiking the routeburn track new zealand,
how to hike the routeburn track,
routeburn new zealand,
routeburn queenstown new zealand,
tramping the routeburn track
by Jill Schuman |
April 29, 2016
|
Yesterday I had the honor and privilege to participate in the Tice's Corner ATHLETA Spring Fashion Show, premiering its new line of girl's apparel as well as the new season of activity wear for women.
This same store at Tice's Corner, NJ was honored nationally by ATHLETA Corporate for their work with Durga International; a non-profit working to stop human trafficking internationally.
ATHLETA has been an amazing supporter of eNZees Foot Soother for a year now. They include eNZees in their schwag bags and do all they can to educate their customers about our all-natural method of preventing hot-spots and blisters.
The adult models excluding me, were all coaches of various women's teams and teenage girls including dance groups. eNZees Foot Soother was a perfect compliment to all the teams!
We at eNZees Foot Soother want to thank ATHLETA for all their support and ongoing interest and for their amazing contributions to the Durga Foundation.
Tagged:
ATHLETA Durga Foundation,
ATHLETA Spring Fashion Show,
ATHLETA Tice's Corner,
blister prevention,
Durga Foundation,
hot-spots on feet
by Margaret Hedderman |
October 16, 2015
|
Hiking is never easy on your feet. Hiking 1,800-miles across New Zealand is down right brutal, which is why my Dad and I carried eNZees Foot Soother throughout our entire 5-month Te Araroa thru-hike last year.
Te Araroa crosses every type of terrain imaginable – dense rainforests, steep and rugged mountains, and dangerous braided rivers. Though this trail passes through one of the most beautiful places on earth, it was one of the most challenging “hikes” I’ve ever attempted. I couldn't afford to have foot issues!
Anytime we felt a hot-spot coming on, Dad and I would stop and either wrap eNZees around our toes or apply to our heels. In such rough and uncompromising terrain, we miraculously had very few blisters. Well, not miraculously. We were using eNZees after all!
Tagged:
blister prevention,
eNZees,
enzees foot soother,
hiking,
hiking wool,
new zealand,
New Zealand hiking,
Te Araroa,
te araroa thru-hike,
thru-hike new zealand
