Gift Ideas…Rice packs
You may wonder what this has to do with preparedness but I have recently been focusing my research and writing on a pandemic. This week I was asked by a son what to do for aches since he had the flu and I thought about rice packs. They would be so valuable for anyone suffering from a pandemic flu or just a migraine headache. If you are not familiar with a rice pack, it is a flannel sleeve with a cotton sleeve inside, filled with rice. You place it in a microwave for 1 1/2 minutes to 3 minutes and then use it as you would a heating pad. The moisture from the rice grains makes the heat penetrate into the muscles and it feels so…good. To make rice pack:
Cut a strip of flannel 6 inches x 42 inches
Cut a strip of cotton 6 inches x 42 inches
Sew a 1/4 inch seam down the long sides of the flannel sleeve. Turn over the opened end and hem. Sew a 1/4 seam down each of the long sides of the cotton fabric. Fill 2/3 full with white rice. Turn over the open edge and sew closed. Slip the cotton sleeve filled with the rice into the flannel sleeve. Place in microwave to warm and enjoy!
Great idea. My sister made some of these recently for a friend with cancer. Her friend has tumors growing on her scalp that were so painful, but these rice bags (small ones) were very soothing. My sister-in-law made a large one that has a pocket for your feet. She gave it to my dad for Christmas one year. He is a dairy farmer in No. Utah and the cold in the winter makes his feet just ache. Now he’ll come in from the barn, throw the bag in the microwave, and then snuggle down in his chair with his feet warm and toasty. Much better than slippers.
What a great idea! That sounds really good to me. Thanks for sharing.
I just tried the crisp with some apples I was planning to can and I just had to have something apple. It was the best!
Julie, Thanks for the idea of the foot warmer. I have a mother who could use that! Also, I use a rice pack that I made in a pinch by filling a sock….less sewing…gotta love it!
Did I miss an apple crisp recipe? I will have to go back. That sounds yummy on Halloween night!
Great idea for foot pillow! I’m looking for slipper directions with rice pack warmers. Can anyone help me please.