Let's face it. Your feet are the body part farthest from your brain, both physically and more than likely, mentally as well. Most people, with the exception of foot models, probably don't think about their feet until there's a problem. However the age old saying, "Don't fix it if it ain't broken!" does not apply when it comes to caring for your feet. There are 26 bones in the human foot. Third grade math will tell you that's 52 bones in a pair of feet, which is 25% of the 206 bones of the body, not to mention the numerous muscles and tendons affected by all those bones. Wouldn't it make sense to keep them happy? I spoke with Certified Pedorthist Randy Brown to find out how to do just that. I've elaborated below on 5 important foot care steps he's highlighted for us to follow.

1. WASH YOUR FEET!

Keep your feet clean and reduce bacteria with daily washing. Be sure to dry between the toes. Do your feet sweat? You bet! Each human foot has approximately 250,000 sweat glands that produce about 1.2 pints of moisture per day, or almost 2 quarts per week, equaling 25 gallons a year! Some feet give off even more! All this moisture is a great place for bacteria to feed and we all know what that can lead to... stinky feet!
Choosing the right sock with breathability will help combat foot odor and perspiration. Contrary to popular belief, cotton is not the best choice. Cotton, while somewhat breathable is absorbent and will hold the moisture in. Whereas a material such as Coolmax  incorporates fibers that will wick moisture away from your feet allowing for acceleration of evaporation. The right shoe will also help. Tight fitting shoes can compress the small blood vessels near the surface of the foot. This interferes with normal removal of wastes through the blood system and forces waste removal through the pores via excessive perspiration. We'll talk about getting the right fit in step 4.

2. MOISTURIZE!

Apply lotion such as Khepra footbalm to your feet daily, summer and winter! Believe it or not the sweating we just mentioned actually dries out your skin. This can lead to cracking and allow bacteria to enter and cause infection. Do NOT apply lotion between your toes as it can cause excess moisture, which as stated before, is a breeding ground for bacteria. So between your toes it's: wash and dry; do not apply lotion.

3.CLIP IT. AND CLIP IT GOOD!

Keep your toenails trimmed. A toenail is made of a protein called keratin and consists of many different parts vulnerable to troubles. Ingrown toenails are the most common of these problems. To avoid ingrown toenails trim your nail straight across. Do NOT trim by following the curve of your toe on the corners. Keeping your toenails trimmed will also keep your socks from getting holey toes. 

4.WEAR PROPERLY FITTED SHOES!

25-40% of Americans have foot problems. Blisters, Corns, Calluses, Bunions and Bunionettes are all conditions/ailments that can be caused by abnormal and excessive pressure from ill-fitting footwear. As you've probably found, one size does not fit all.  Just because you may wear a size 9 in Clarks does not mean you wear a size 9 in New Balance. Every brand will have different fitting characteristics that have to be considered. In addition no two feet are exactly alike, even if they both belong to one person. What? Really. Typically one foot will be longer than the other or wider or thicker and you always want to accommodate the larger of the two. It is best to have both feet measured and watch for any available fitting characteristics when choosing new brands.  *In addition to properly fitted footwear you want a properly fitting sock. A sock that is too tight can draw your toes up or squeeze everything together causing abnormal pressure in numerous areas. A sock that is too big can wrinkle or bunch up inside of your shoes causing areas of friction and increased pressure. 
*Ensure your Shoes will Fit*

5. DO NOT IGNORE FOOT PAIN!

Persistent foot pain and uncomfortable pressure is not normal. It is not something you should just tolerate. Your feet may ache after a long day of standing or walking but a constant ache or severe pain in any area is not something to brush off or take lightly. If foot pain persists, please consult a certified pedorthist or see your physician for a footcare evaluation. 

Your feet may be at the bottom but a stronger foundation leads to a happier, healthier structure.

Have a particular ped-question? Ask Dr. Shoelutions!
 

I've been on my feet a lot lately. I can't help it, this season gets me so excited I can't sit still...like a kid that finished off the rest of her Halloween candy and guzzled a couple of sodas! This morning when I jumped out of bed, ready to start my day, my feet hit the carpet. At least it looked like carpet but my heels were telling me I must have stepped on a couple of bear-traps! How did those get there? I'm not a bear-trapper.. I don't even know a bear-trapper, who does?! So my second thought, of course, was Plantar Fasciitis. Don't worry if you can't pronounce it... or spell it without a foot-term encyclopedia. It was only logical to me because I talk to people like you that may suffer from it every day.

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most commonly treated foot ailments at our pedorthic facilities. Put generically it's heel pain syndrome and if left untreated, plantar fasciitis can become a chronic problem. The good news is that about 90% of patients improve significantly within two months of starting treatment. The better news, for me at least, is that I am best friends with a Pedorthist and she said I'll be better in no time! So cancel the flowers and cards. I am on my way to a speedy recovery with her recommendations of the Ultra Arch Insole and daily stretching using the Step Stretch. For those particularly trying evenings I treat myself to a foot rub with the Medi-Rub Foot Massager.  If you are among the many "stepping on bear traps" in the morning or have a constant aching heel, relief is closer than you think. Click HERE for more information on what you can do about plantar fasciitis.

                   
As of last week I had five games left in the softball season. I finally wised up and got the Bonita Run Crop last Tuesday. We had a double-header on Wednesday and won both games, previously only winning one game out of six. Coincidence? Maybe, but I'm not willing to play this week without it to find out. Softball season is pretty much over but there are plenty of other high impact activities for which you'll need good support. Ladies, do yourself a favor, possibly a favor for the entire team, and try out the New Balance Bonita Run Crop. You will love the comfort of the Lightning Dry material, racer back design, slightly molded cups, adjustable padded hook-and-loop straps, and adjustable bottom band. Just try not to brag on it too much.  Nobody likes a sore winner.

Check out what Self magazine thinks of it in their November issue.                                            

Tired of always meeting the wrong ones? Get the feeling there are no more good fish left in the sea? Than you may be overlooking one very important characteristic. What is your arch type? Does it have too high of expectations from a low-arched shoe? Or is it getting too much pressure from a high-arched shoe? Get to know your inner arch to find a compatible match. Follow the easy steps in the video below and you and your new shoes can be on your way to a successful, lasting relationship.

I had to wear a jacket today! If you live anywhere near deciduous trees you know Fall is here. The signs have become more obvious over the past couple of weeks. Alot of us have had dreams of a "beach life". During the winter and summer months I am jealous of my friends that live in Miami.  They call and leave voicemails while I am at work saying, "Jess! Guess what? We played on the beach all day today!" However in the Fall.. they are jealous of us mid-westerners. The falling leaves and the crisp, refreshing air are simply breathtaking. There is nothing like a morning hike in my 966's. Crunching through the leaves and splashing through creeks, my feet stay dry in the waterproof leather. If you like to hike or just enjoy the Autumn weather and activities, you may want to add some of these styles to your collection. Not only does New Balance know you like to kick it outdoor style, but Merrell, Clarks and Keen have gotten in the al fresco mood. Now it's your turn!

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month think Pink!
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women but it affects men as well. It affects everyone, if not directly than indirectly through family or friends. You will see a lot of pink this month from light crimson hues to pale reddish purple, all shades to stimulate awareness and support in solidarity for a cure. Many also wear pink to remember. I am sure you will be hit this month with all sorts of harsh realities and statistics but I opt instead to concentrate on the progress. Survival rates have jumped almost 2 percent per year since 1990. Foundations, such as Susan G Komen for the Cure and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, that contribute to awareness and support for a treatment, research and a cure, have gained corporate sponsors for funding at a greater level. One of those corporate sponsors is New Balance and their Lace Up for the Cure Collection®. For 19 years New Balance and Susan G Komen for the Cure have been working together to end breast cancer forever. In fact New Balance is the longest running sponsor of the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure series, contributing more than $6 million since 1989.
Read about our experience at the Race in Saint Louis 2008.
This month make your favorite color pink! Support the cause for a cure.
Run Proud in the WR768KM, Official Shoe of the Race for the Cure. Walk tall in the WW845WB. Go for par in pink on the "green" in the women's Golf WG1275PR. All the while knowing that New Balance is donating 15% of the wholesale sales from the Lace Up for the Cure Collection® to Susan G Komen for the Cure. Lace up in any of the styles found here to help.  Already have a Pink Ribbon style or just look pretty in pink? Send us a pic for a future blog to jessica@nbcatalog.com with the subject: "Pretty in Pink".

    Everyone's buzzing about it and many companies are implementing processes and products to conform for a "greener" future.  We recycle here at Brown's and have many products that have eco-friendly materials incorporated, such as Cocona and Bamboo. My newest pair of WR1224's have a Cocona Phantom liner and yes, Cocona is made from coconut shells into a material that is naturally soft, breathable and odor-resistant. The hip eco-sartorial El Naturalista is another line to slip you comfortably into eco-consciousness. Learn about the El Naturalista eco-policy.

   There may be more ballyhoo about going "green" lately but the idea started a long time ago. I was introduced to the concept in the 80's. I had a teacher in junior high school that was educating us on the "footsteps" we were leaving and introducing different ways we could help the environment. This began my desire to "Re-duce, Re-use, Re-cycle."  To this day I have separate containers for everything from aluminum to plastic. And that is where the snare is...plastic. It had crossed my mind when buying a pack of gum at a convenience store or one item at a grocery store and they automatically put it in a plastic bag.  That is such a waste. I don't need a bag to carry an item that fits in my hand! I've done a lot of research lately, stimulated by the arrival of our new sustainable bags, and found some disturbing information on where those plastic bags end up. I also found some cities and countries taking steps to improve the plastic situation for future generations. I've compiled some of that information in a short video embedded below. Or to find out more go to any of the websites accredited at the end of the video. Get your sustainable bags today! And join me in saying to the plastic-pushing economy, "No thanks. I have my own."

These past couple weeks I've introduced you to some of our newcomers. We have a few more: Keen, Klogs, and Merrell.
First I want you to meet Klogs®USA.  I could write a book on the comfort and features of Klogs but I will stick to a couple highlights and leave it to you to experience the rest.

• Klogs protect feet , legs, and back during long hours of standing. Heavily cushioned and super supportive to keep the pressure off of the high stress areas.
• Klogs outshine industry tests to provide superior slip resistance. Tested by the "James machine" recognized by the US Postal Service.
  

Click on the banner below to find a favorite of your own.

And now we're back to a couple favorites.
For the 4-1-1 on what Keen and Merrell are all about GO OUTSIDE or read the introductory blog from April, 2008.
For the Fall styles keep on scrolling down.

KEEN

         
Women's Barcelona Women's Palermo Women's Timberline

       
Men's Portsmouth Men's Richmond Men's Winterport Boot

To shop more Keens click on the banner below.

"Their name expresses a different way of thinking and acting. Being a "Naturalista" implies a respect for a rich and deep philosophy that places its trust in life, and on principle, attributes all things to nature."

I have been anxiously awaiting this gorgeously "green" product line! There are some great styles plus I have a clear conscience knowing El Naturalista is environmentally respectful! They use the least harmful materials for the production of their shoes. With the styles we carry, a trendy bag and a pack of delicious tea are included in the box, a gift from El Naturalista. I brought several styles to my department for the staff to try on and they are "naturally" hooked. In fact the shoes haven't made it back to the shelf because I believe their next destination is the city park.. on our feet.  Check out one of my favorite features, the Frog shock system.

Become El Naturalista and enjoy the tea!    
        

I am most excited about the new Men's Clarks. "Nice Shoes!" is what my friend John is hearing when he sports his Clarks Torch 86168.  He's not used to people taking notice but guess what John, it's hard not to in a Clark. 

A few other take notice styles include:

Un.Coil 85022                         Zarkon 78848                       Cedar-C 78913 for the outdoorsman.