Six more weeks of winter, or is it time for spring? Unfortunately your wardrobe for the upcoming weeks is left up to a groundhog to decide. But whether he’ll tell you to upgrade your orthopedic clogs and boots, or shop for new orthopedic sandals and boat shoes, we’ve got you covered.

Time for Spring: 

If the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow he’ll leave his burrow, signaling that winter will soon end. Right now HealthyFeetStore.com has an assortment of orthopedic sandals on sale from last year, with new men’s and women’s spring collections being added each month. Don’t forget to get toenails ready for spring too! Find antifungal and non-toxic nail polishes from brands like Dr.’s Remedy, daniPro, and Priti NYC.

Pictured are the Sebago Docksides Women’s Boat Shoe and Alegria Pesca Sandal Aged Dusk. Both offer orthopedic comfort with a brethable upper design to keep feet dry and comfortable. The Alegria Pesca Sandal on the right is made with an anatomically correct footbed for the perfect fit.

The Sebago Clovehitch II Men’s Boat Shoe is the epitome of authentic nautical style, with healthy features like Dri-Lex Hydrofil mesh panels for breathability, and a removable EVA midsole. The Dunham Monterey Men’s Fisherman Sandal has a casual leather upper and an ABZORB Strobel Board for ultimate shock absorption.

Six More Weeks of Winter:

If the groundhog sees his shadow, he’ll go back into his burrow, and there will be six more weeks of winter. Luckily HealthyFeetStore.com is fully stocked with men’s and women’s fall and winter collections, with great styles in orthopedic women’s and men’s casual shoes, women’s clogs, slip-resistant shoes, and more.

Beginning at the top left is the Softwalk Women’s Clog, Murietta in Black Summer Leopard and the Naot Women’s Mary Jane Sneaker Matai. The Murietta features Softwalk’s eggcrate footbed for superior cushioning and support and a padded collar to hold the foot in place comfortably. The Matai Mary Jane Sneaker has many healthy features including a shock resistant  footbed, deep heel indentation, and an elevated footbed center to relieve pressure in the joints.

Below the women’s shoes is the New Balance 950 Men’s Walking Shoe and the Aetrex Moc Slip-On Men’s Shoe. The 950 is designed with New Balance advanced technologies, such as ABZORB cushioning for shock absorption and a Walking Strike Path which provides stability through the natural gait cycle. The Moc Slip-On Shoe from Aetrex is an awesome casual shoe for wet, winter days with full grain leather or suede upper, and a rubber outsole for traction and to prevent slipping. The detailed stitched-out construction on the upper makes for a sophisticated design.

Our Groundhog Sees a Sale!

Use coupon code groundhog2012 for $20 off your order of $100 or more, plus free shipping! Offer ends 2/3/2012 at midnight!

Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. is all about health. A best-selling author, internationally recognized health guru, and pioneer of integrative medicine, Dr. Weil has created a ‘Weil Lifestyle’ promoting health and wellness. His experience in health and medicine is wide and deep; Harvard graduate, Founder and Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine (AzCIM) at the University of Arizona Healthy Sciences Center in Tucson, and a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health. Dr. Weil maintains a unique approach to health care which encompasses body, mind and spirit. His lifestyle includes waking up without an alarm, daily meditation, working in a stone-walled stable office, and walking a labyrinth garden in southeastern Arizona. Meet the doctor behind the beard.

Dr. Weil has created a lifestyle which emphasizes eat, drink, rest, and reflect, to best make conscious decisions that lead towards healthier living. He enjoys activities that promote health, such as attending to his organic garden, swimming in a lake, or walking the dogs, and believes that a home should be a sanctuary that soothes and heals. His philosophy of healthy aging is well respected, such as eating the right foods to combat age-related conditions like inflamed muscles.

Daily meditation helps to calm the mind and achieve balance. Dr. Weil promotes relaxation techniques that focus on breath to cope with daily stressors. Part of his meditation includes walking a labyrinth of stones, constructed in his backyard. “They are found all over the world,” says Dr. Weil on his website. “A labyrinth isn’t a maze. A maze is designed to confuse you. A labyrinth has one way in, one way out, and lets you see where you are at all times. It’s really a meditation device.”

“Our feet are our body’s connection to the earth.”
- Andrew Weil, M.D.

Exercise is a vital element to health, and Dr. Weil believes that walking is the best form of exercise to adopt. He recognizes that healthy feet are an important part of your mobility and motivation to be active, and for this reason preventing foot pain is vital to health and wellness. Dr. Weil believes in health from head to toe, and so he partnered with Podiatrist & Orthaheel Shoe Designer Dr. Phillip Vasyli to create a footwear line with the motto “Walk. Move. Live”. See new products at HealthyFeetStore.com.

Dr. Weil Balance II- Women’s Walking Shoes

Want a pair of shoes your feet will love? Dr. Weil Balance II Women’s Walking Shoes are stylish and orthopedic, with an upper made of full grain leather and premium suede, a breathable design with waves of perforated holes and a padded tongue & collar for cushioning. This sporty walking shoe is designed by a podiatrist to reduce foot fatigue, excessive pronation, and discomfort. The Balance II is a great shoe for women with plantar fasciitis pain, back pain, heel pain, and arch pain. The footbed is also removable to insert your own custom orthotics. Dr. Weil footwear is the product of the collaborative efforts of Dr. Weil and Orthaheel shoe designer & podiatrist Dr. Phillip Vasyli. Dr. Weil donates all of his after-tax profits from royalties of Orthaheel sales to the Weil Foundation, a not-for-profit- organization which strives to support integrative medicine in training, education, and research. This shoe collection features the orthopedic comfort of Orthaheel combined with special features of interest to Dr. Weil for the ultimate walking shoe, whether you’re on your feet running errands or strolling through a labyrinth.

Features of the Balance II Women’s Walking Shoe:

• AMS (Aided  Motion System™) technology: The 1st Ray Flexor Zone™ enhances gait and forefoot mobility

• The Tri-Planar Motion Control™ footbed encourages the alignment of lower limbs, which in turn improves balance, posture and stability

• Footbed is made with EVA

• Outsole has traction and is made with recycled materials

Dr. Weil Passage- Women’s Slip-On Moccasin Shoes

This sporty moccasin is unique in both style and comfort, a great shoe to match with casual outfits. The Dr. Weil Passage Slip-On Moccasin is designed by a podiatrist with healthy features your feet will love. This sharp, modern design features hand-sewn stitching above the toe box on a full-grain leather and premium nubuck/suede upper. The top of the foot has a labyrinth design, inspired by Dr. Weil’s walking labyrinth garden in southeastern Arizona. The collar and around the ankle have extra padding for added comfort, and the flexible outsole is designed with a multi-density heel cavity for soft, comfortable steps. The Passage Slip-On Moccasin Shoe helps you to maintain a healthy lifestyle from your feet, up!

Features of the Balance II Women’s Walking Shoe:

• AMS (Aided Motion System™) technology: The 1st Ray Flexor Zone™ is designed to enhance gait and mobility in the forefoot

• The Tri-Planar Motion Control™ footbed helps align lower limbs and control excessive pronation

• Footbed is made with EVA

• Footbed is removable for custom orthotics

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A timeless design, a style that launched a million shoes- the Mary Jane shoe is widely popular and can be found in a wide range of fashions. However, unlike many iconic fashion pieces, the Mary Jane design wasn’t first sketched in a studio, rather it was drawn in a comic strip.

The Mary Jane shoe, with the trademark single strap across the top of the foot, was introduced in 1902 when the comic strip Buster Brown was first published in the New York Herald. The comic followed young, wealthy kids growing up and evoking mischief in New York City. Mary Jane was the sister of the delinquent lead character, Buster Brown. The upper class kids donned beautiful clothing in the comics which appeared in newspapers across the country. Both Buster and Mary Jane wore Victorian-styled shoes in the comic which were brought to life as ‘Mary Janes’ when Brown Shoe Co. bought the rights to the Buster Brown name in 1904.

“I’m sorry I was bad, I promise never to do that again, I’ll be a good boy from now on”
–Buster Brown

Brown Shoe Co. developed the brand into a clothing line and performance act that traveled the country. Actors, many of whom were midgets, played the famous comic strip characters and wore costumes that depicted the clothes in the Buster Brown comic strip. Buster Brown made appearances at local shoe stores in nearly 300 communities a year, from 1904 until the late 1930’s. Kids across the country turned out to see Buster Brown, Mary Jane, and Tige the dog brought to life, meanwhile the Mary Jane shoe by Brown Shoe Co flew off the shelves.

Since the days of Buster Brown, the Mary Jane shoe with the classic single strap across the top of the foot has transformed through the decades, from school-girl to punk rock, from heels to flats- but it all started with a comic strip.

Find your Mary Jane style at HealthyFeetStore.com from brands Alegria, Naot, Aravon, Durea, Softwalk, Finn Comfort and more.

Take a look at our latest Employee Shoe Review of Naot Footwear.  In this video review, our own Melissa Kumler talks about how Naot’s healthy features and chic appeal helped her stay comfortable and stylish during her recent trip to Italy.

p.w. minor has been manufacturing shoes for over 140 years. It all began with brothers Peter Wycoff Minor and Abraham Vorhees: their goal was to produce footwear of the highest quality; so together with 20 shoe makers, Minor Brothers Boots and Shoes was opened in 1867 using the latest materials and techniques of the time.  Today, p.w. minor is still lead by the Minor family; and although the materials and technologies have changed to meet the needs of modern customers, the untiring commitment of the Minor family remains the same in providing high-quality footwear with designs to accommodate both style and foot health.  p.w. minor has a long history of not only producing the right shoes for the right type of feet, but also designing shoes for the right type of fit: p.w. minor shoes are made with feet in mind – they come in several sizes and widths from women’s sizes 5 – 13 in widths N (2A) – 3W (4E), to men’s sizes 7 – 15 in widths N (B) – 3W (5E).

p.w. minor shoes can help prevent various foot problems from occurring since most unhealthy shoes with poor designs can be responsible for causing bunions, hammertoes, metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis.  By wearing p.w. minor shoes, you can minimize the chances of experiencing these conditions; and at the same time, those who suffer from arthritis and diabetes can wear p.w. minor shoes to alleviate discomfort – some p.w. minors shoes are even A5500 coded as diabetic footwear.  So how is this done?  Why are p.w. minor shoes perfect for foot health – it’s because they’re designed with pedorthic features to optimize the fit.  p.w. minor shoes come with a deep toe box design, extra depth and removable insoles to accommodate custom orthotics.  Their upper designs include a slew of comfortable materials from high-quality leather to stretchable fabric; and they even come with hook and loop closures.  Their midsole and outsole designs offer cushioning comfort, stable support, and long-lasting durability; all of which enhance the gait cycle and the lifespan of the shoes.  You can’t go wrong wearing p.w. minor shoes because they offer a perfect fit every time.

p.w. minor shoes come in various styles that include athletic shoes, boots, casual shoes, and dress shoes. To find the latest styles available, please visit our p.w. minor shoes page.

Naot shoes are stylish, sophisticated, and sometimes even down right sexy- so how can they be comfortable and healthy? The secret is in the footbed. Naot designs unique footbeds made of a natural latex and cork combination that conforms to the foot with wear for a perfect fit. The footbed has a latex sponge layer for extra padding, and many of Naot’s footbeds are also wrapped in soft suede for added comfort.

What first started out as a small kibbutz factory in Israel strictly producing work boots, Naot now designs a diverse line of healthy footwear, including clogs, boots, Mary Janes, dress shoes, and sandals for men and women. Every Naot shoe is handmade and is constructed with the natural latex & cork footbed. This year they released a beautiful fall collection including contrasting leather designs with ornamental accents and stitch detailing; unique, fashionable boots and clogs that will add personal style to your shoe collection.

Naot’s Avant-Garde Collection features heels that are both comfortable and stylish. The footbed is wrapped in pampering suede, with a 2” heel height. New styles this year include the Naot Attitude and Culture- heels that speak for themselves.

This fall new boots and clogs were added to the Eden Collection, featuring shoes with a 2.5” heel height. The Modesto Women’s Boot is a mid-calf leather boot with a scrunch. This boot has a heel cup for stability and of course, Naot’s comfortable footbed.

On the men’s side, Pilot Men’s Boot is a suede boot with a padded tongue and heel cup for comfort. This boot has a 1.75” TPR sole and a metal shank for stability. With hand-sewn stroble construction this boot is strong and extremely comfortable. Another new men’s shoe is the Bruno, a clog made with buffalo leather upper and Naot’s footbed wrapped in suede. The instep and heel are padded for extra comfort with inside gore for adjustability. The 1.5” polyurethane sole is lightweight and durable. Both shoes are attractive and will keep feet comfortable, even more so with wear.

Be sure to see all of the new Naot styles at HealthyFeetStore.com. Not only is Naot footwear a fashionable addition to your shoe collection- it’s a healthy one. Feel the comfort of a Naot footbed for yourself this fall.

Naot footbeds have these features:

-Hallux support, which prevents feet from slipping forward
-Elevated footbed center to reduce pressure in the joints of the central part of the foot
-Arch support
-Deel Heel Indentation
-Latex sponge layer for added cushioning
-Shock Absorbent
-Footbed is designed for flexibility and durability
-Every Naot shoe is handmade

Kids Have Wide Feet Too!

Kids’ feet come in all shapes and sizes so when it comes time to purchase a new pair of kids’ shoes, parents need to be aware that it’s extremely important to have your children’s feet measured. Why – because your children may have wide feet.  Unfortunately, brick-and-mortar stores don’t typically carry wide sizes in kids, so they tend to steer parents in the wrong direction by recommending that they purchase one size up, which means longer shoes (the width won’t change much). This is wrong. Kids with wide feet should wear shoes in wide sizes because it’s imperative for the health of their feet; especially since shoes can play an important role in the development of growing feet. By wearing right sized shoes children could avoid painful, unhealthy foot conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, arch pain, calluses, and ball of foot pain – just to name of few.

So parents, please be mindful about the size of your children’s feet before purchasing new shoes. Below is a list of things to remember.

• Have your kid’s feet measured at least every 6 months, especially before purchasing a new pair of shoes.

• Don’t have your kids wear shoes that are one size up to accommodate their wide feet. If you do, the shoes will just be longer, the width won’t change much. And make sure to shop where wide sizes are offered. Online stores like HealthyFeetStore.com carry a great selection of wide children’s shoes.

• Sometimes children’s feet grow narrow, even though they start off wide. Remember, kids are constantly growing and their feet are always changing as they mature.

• Socks can play an important role since their designs vary from thick to thin materials. If shoes are tight, try having your kids wear thinner socks; but, if your kids are already accustomed to wearing thicker socks, you might have to keep that into consideration when selecting what size to go with.

• An Extra Wide (X-Wide) kid’s shoe is only ¼” wider than a normal Wide (W).

• If you’re unsure on what type of shoes to get for your kids, please see a foot health professional for assistance.

It’s GIVEAWAY time again! We want to send you back to school with beautiful toes so we’re giving away three daniPro Non-Toxic, Antifungal Nail Polishes – A base coat, a top coat and a color of your choice. Details on how to participate are listed below. Winner will be announced Friday, August 19th. To learn more about daniPro, read our recent blog post daniPro Antifungal Nail Polishes.

What you win:

daniPro Antifungal Nail Polish: 1 bottle color of your choice, 1 bottle of Clear Base and 1 bottle of Clear Top Cover.

Giveaway dates:

Contest runs Tuesday through Thursday, August 16th – August 18th. Winner will be announced Friday, August 19th.

How to enter:

1. Visit the daniPro Antifungal Nail Polish on HealthyFeetStore.com and “Like” the product
2. Scroll through the colors & pick your favorite
3. Post a comment on this blog letting us know that you performed step #1 and tell us which color is your favorite

Find us on Twitter: @GetHealthyFeet

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We like healthy feet and healthy toenails too! HealthyFeetStore.com is giving away Priti NYC Nail Polish: Non-Toxic and Natural. If you “Like” Priti NYC Non-Toxic, Natural Nail Polish on our website you will be entered to win one free color of your choice plus a 2-in-1 clear basecoat/top coat. Priti NYC Natural Nail Polish not only makes nails beautiful, but also keeps them safe and healthy. “Like” Priti NYC at HealthyFeetStore.com and tell us which color you would like to win by commenting on this blog. Winner will be announced Monday Aug 1st, 2011.

What you win:

Priti NYC Non Toxic, Natural Nail Polish, 1 bottle color of your choice, 1 bottle 2-in-1 clear basecoat/topcoat

Giveaway dates:

Contest runs Thursday and Friday, July 28 & 29th
Winner will be announced Monday August 1st

How to enter:

1. Visit the PritiNYC Nail Polish page on HealthyFeetStore.com and “Like” the product
2. Scroll through the colors & pick your favorite
3. Post a comment on this blog letting us know that you performed step #1 and tell us which color is your favorite

Find us on Twitter: @GetHealthyFeet

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healthyfeetstore

The Propet Cronus is one comfortable orthopedic shoe.  Its design incorporates various features to maximize comfort and adjustability.  As one of HealthyFeetStore.com’s most adjustable shoes, the Propet Cronus can easily accommodate various foot conditions such as swollen feet (edema), hammertoes, and bunions.  Unfortunately, many shoes do not allow room for such conditions; but not the Cronus, because the upper material is made out of stretchable, neoprene material.

What separates the Cronus from other shoes in the market is its unique closure design that consists of two adjustable hook and loop straps located in key areas of the upper.  One strap adjusts at the heel while the other strap adjusts over the instep and has a unique wide design – both straps allow for easy on/off and enough room for the most challenging fit, even for those who may have bandages or dressings on one foot.  The Propet Cronus is also A5500 Medicare coded as diabetic footwear, has a removable insole to accommodate diabetic insoles, custom orthotics or cushioning gel inserts, and is extremely lightweight, making it one step better than a woundcare shoe.

Overall, if you need a comfortable orthopedic shoe that’s completely adjustable and stretchable, the Propet Cronus is the right fit for you.  The Propet Cronus is available in men’s and women’s sizes and wide widths.