It was Halloween day, and Tommy was excitedly running home from school with his arms filled with candy and Halloween treats. His house was at the top of a hill, and although he usually walks home with his brothers, today Tommy was too excited to wait, so he ran home as fast as he could.

When he reached the doorstep he was out of breath and his feet were tired from his over-worn sneakers. “Tommy, why are you panting,” his mother asked.
“I couldn’t wait to go trick-or-treating, so I ran home,” he told her. Tired as he was, Tommy hurriedly put on his ghost outfit and found his trick-or-treat bag. He laced up his old sneakers which had a horrible stench from the run home. “I’m ready,” he announced from the top of the stairs. Tommy’s older brothers Matthew and David sat at the kitchen table eating Halloween cupcakes in their pirate costumes, reviewing the map of the neighborhood their mother had drawn for them.

“Remember to stay within the four streets marked in red, boys” their mother told them as she placed three flashlights on the table.
“We will,” said Matthew, who was the oldest of the three brothers. He held up the map for David and Tommy to see, tracing the trick-or-treat route with his finger covered in orange frosting. “We walk down the hill, past our school, and over to the Miller’s house,” he pointed to the yellow house drawn on the map. “Then, we go right and stop at all the houses on Adams Street until we reach the Backer’s house where we turn right again.” The Backer’s house had a green circle around it.
“What’s the house with the black X across it?” Tommy asked as he pointed to the house around the corner from theirs.
“We can’t go there,” david exclaimed, waving his pirate sword.
“Why? Whose house is it?”
“That’s where the old podiatrist lives,” their mother told them. “I don’t want you boys anywhere near that house, it’s very strange.”
“What’s a podiatrist,” Tommy asked his mother.
“A podiatrist is a doctor who keeps people’s feet healthy. Many years ago he was the town doctor, but one day he locked himself in his big house and never came out again. The mailman said he hears strange noises, and the neighbors have seen smoke coming out of the windows. They think he’s making potions. That house is off limits, you hear me?”
“Yes Mom,” the three boys agreed.

The brothers grabbed their flashlights and headed out the door as the sky grew dark and Halloween night began. They walked down the hill towards their elementary school, Matthew and David leading with Tommy trying to keep up.
“Let’s go, Tommy!”
“My feet hurt! These shoes are too old, they make my feet sore.”
“Alright, let me see.” Matthew knelled down to look at his brother’s shoes. “Oh man! Your feet smell awful!” Mathew fell over on the sidewalk, covering his nose with his shirt.
“It’s not my fault! I always get your old shoes, I never get to wear anything new,” Tommy cried.
“Just keep walking,” David said.

The boys went door-to-door on Adams Street, from the Miller’s house, down to the Backer’s. Their bags were halfway full with candy, the streets were dark with jack-o-lanterns glowing from neighbors’ doorsteps. The three brothers flicked on their flashlights and made their way around the corner.
“Look! That’s where the old podiatrist lives!” Matthew pointed to the dark, wooden house with a metal fence lining the yard, overgrown with plants and weeds. All the lights in the house were out, except for one, shining from the second floor where a faint stream of smoke flowed from an open window.
“The old podiatrist is making his potions up there,” Tommy exclaimed. “Maybe he has something to cure my smelly feet!”
“Mom said not to go there Tommy! You heard her, strange things happen in that house,” Matthew said.
“Gross!” David covered his nose with his pirate’s bandana. “Your feet stink even worse now that we’ve been walking!” Tommy stood outside of the metal gate, summoning up all of his courage as he watched the smoke billow into the October night sky from the lit room.
“I’m tired of having smelly feet,” Tommy protested. “I need to get a cure from the old podiatrist!” Tommy opened the gate with a screech, and walked up to the front door. His brothers waited outside the gate, peering between the metal stakes.

Tommy knocked on the door, “Trick-Or-Treat!” The door creaked open, but there was no answer from inside the dark house. “Hello,” he called. He looked back at his brothers, both of them motioning him to return to the sidewalk, but Tommy knew what he had to do. So he pushed open the door and spotted the large staircase with his flashlight. Tommy was scared of the dark and wanted to reach the light as quickly as possible. After exhaling a deep breath, he ran as fast as he could, up the stairs, down the hallway, and into the lit room.

There stood the old podiatrist, his back turned to the door with long white hair, wearing a white coat. The room was filled with boxes stacked on top of each other. The countertops and shelves were covered with sheets of paper and bottles of various sizes. Tommy looked to the pot boiling on a small stove next to the window. The old podiatrist saw a light and turned suddenly to see Tommy in his ghost costume, shining the flashlight straight into the old podiatrist’s eyes. “Turn off that light,” The old man yelled. Tommy did as he was asked, standing silently in the door frame. “Why are you in my house,” the podiatrist demanded.
“Because my feet stink and I need a cure,” Tommy told him in his bravest voice.
“Is that right?”
“Yes, they’re awful. Can you please help me?” The podiatrist looked down at the boy’s old sneakers with unease.
“Do you know how many feet I’ve seen in my profession? Hundreds. Heck, thousands of feet. I never want to see another foot again!”
“Please! Just this once!” Tommy’s eyes begged the podiatrist through the cutouts in his ghost costume. “You’re the only one that can help me find the cure.” The podiatrist hesitated.
“Fine, sit on this table, let me have a look.” Tommy put his flashlight down and jumped up onto the cold metal table. The podiatrist unlaced his shoes and examined them through his glasses. “These shoes are very old. The outsole is completely worn and the odor is absorbed into the fabric.”
“They were my brothers’ shoes, I’m the youngest and have to wear all of their old things,” Tommy told him.
“I see,” the podiatrist turned away and began rummaging through shelves of bottles.
“Why don’t you ever leave this house?” Tommy inquired. “Do you not like feet, or are you afraid of them?”
“Foot conditions are scary!” The podiatrist frantically took a bottle off the shelf and walked back towards the table. “Hammertoe, athlete’s foot, calluses! Cracked heels and toenail fungus! It’s horrific! There are too many feet walking around this town!” He opened the bottle and poured white powder into Tommy’s shoes. “This will cure your scary, smelly feet,” he told him.
“What is it?”
“It’s an antibacterial powder. It will kill the smell and stop it from coming back. Just remember to ask your mom to put it in your shoes every four months, okay? And tell her that you need new shoes with proper arch support.” The doctor dropped the bottle into Tommy’s trick-or-treat bag.
“Okay,” Tommy answered.
“Now go home, I’m sure your mother is worried about you.” Tommy hopped off the table and picked up his flashlight and bag of candy. As he turned to leave, Tommy looked back at the doctor.
“Thank you for the potion. I’m glad my feet don’t smell anymore.”
“You’re welcome” replied the podiatrist with a grunt. “Now I don’t want to see your feet ever again!”

Tommy ran down the stairs and out the gate where his brothers were waiting. “What happened,” Matthew asked as the boys ran home.
“I met the old podiatrist! He wasn’t even scary!”

The boys emptied their trick-or-treat bags on the living room floor, sorting the candy into piles and trading with each other to get their favorites. “What’s this,” their mother asked as she picked up the white bottle from Tommy’s pile. Tommy pulled the lollypop out of his mouth,
“You need to put that in my shoes every four months,” he replied. “Oh yeah, and I need shoes with proper arch support.” His mother gave him a puzzled look and picked up his old sneakers, which no longer smelled.

Socktober is finally here!  We have combined the month of October with our sock inventory to offer a grand promotion where you’ll save a lot of money on healthy socks.

Our 3rd annual Socktober Sale offers up to 50% off socks.  Our inventory includes wide and extra wide socks for big feet, diabetic socks for those with sensitive feet, kids’ socks to keep little feet warm and Aetrex athletic socks with copper sole technology.

Save big this year to keep your feet healthy, warm, and comfortable by taking advantage of our awesome Socktober Sale!

Please note: Cannot be combined with other offers or applied to previous purchases.  Excludes mixed-matched shoes and sales marked as final.

Haven’t purchased your KidZerts Children’s Arch Support Insoles Yet? Shop now!

How to Enter:

1. Show how your kid is a KidZerts kid in a short, original video
2. Include “KidZerts” in video name
3. Please follow YouTube Community Guidelines and publish video on YouTube.com, Vimeo.com, or other video sharing community
4. Email  Jenna@healthyfeetstore.com a link to your video along with your full name, mailing address, and email address
5. Follow the contest on facebook.com/healthyfeetstore and twitter.com/gethealthyfeet

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.

Good news!  HealthyFeetStore.com has extended their Back to School coupon: FREE SHIPPING on all kids’ shoes!

Just be sure to enter coupon code backtoschool2011 at checkout.  Coupon is good through August 31, 2011.

Healthy Little Feet at School

Well kids, it’s been a long summer break and your free days of playing outdoors are numbered.  Yep, that’s right: Back to School Sales are sprouting everywhere, which means parents and children get to do their yearly dance at shopping malls to seek and find the best sales and bargains around.  Unfortunately, shopping for school essentials can cause headaches and be challenging for both parents and children; but at least when it comes to kids’ shoes and foot care products, parents can easily shop online.  This could lead to a more fun and easier way to shop.  So parents, before you start planning your next shopping trip, just remember that HealthyFeetStore.com has your back.  We’ve added various new styles of kids’ athletic shoes from New Balance and Brooks; plus, we still carry a wonderful selection of children’s foot care products; we’ve even added healthy nail polish for kids so that little girls can show off their toes to friends.

Remember parents, when it comes to the health of your children’s feet, it’s always a good idea to shop for athletic shoes for kids.  Typically, athletic shoes are designed with all the essential features needed for comfort and support; and we all know that kids can be extremely active in both the classroom and on the playground.

Features to look for in children’s athletic shoes:

• Breathable uppers made with leather, mesh or synthetic materials.  Sometimes, designs incorporate all of these materials, but the key thing is breathability, because active kids can produce a lot of sweat, which could lead to smelly feet and possible fungal infections that can cause Athlete’s Foot.  The more shoes breathe the better chances of keeping little feet dry.

• Unique closures made with hook and loop straps or bungee-like designs can make putting on shoes a whole lot easier.  Parents or kids won’t have to worry about tying laces or untying knots – could make going to school quicker and more efficient.

• Cushioned midsoles for added comfort and shock absorption.  Since kids usually jump, skip and run to their destinations, midsole designs that are shock absorbent can reduce impact on hard surfaces, such as on pavement.  Cushioned shoes can improve comfort and minimize foot pain and foot fatigue, making kids happier at school and home.

• Arch support and heel stabilization are designs that can improve foot functionality to help children improve their posture and gait cycle.  Arch support and heel stabilization can minimize excessive pronation and help kids with flat feet gain overall body alignment to reduce strain and pressure in joints and muscles.

• Kids’ shoes with removable insoles allow parents to replace them with custom orthotics or arch support inserts.  A lot of kids’ shoes come with poorly designed insoles, so it’s always a good idea to replace them with better made ones that offer arch support and stability at the heel.

• Non-marking outsoles that are durable can prolong the lifespan of shoes all while keeping floors clean and free of scuffs – moms and teachers will definitely appreciate scuff-free floors.

• Wide sizes are available for kids.  Yes, kids can have wide feet too so instead of ordering one size up (which really means you’re ordering a longer size – the width won’t change much in size), order an actual wide size.  It’s also recommended to have your kids’ feet measured before each new pair since kids are constantly growing.

For our new selection of athletic shoes for kids, please visit our New Balance Kids Shoes and Brooks Kids Shoes pages.  For other styles such as sandals, boots and pediatric shoes, visit our main Kids Shoes page.

We also carry a great selection of children’s foot care products and kids’ arch support insoles to improve the comfort and health of your children’s feet.

HealthyFeetStore.com had another record-breaking year in 2010 with even more orders processed than the previous year.  According to our statistics, the items listed below were our top 5 selling foot care products in 2010.

Dr.’s Remedy Enriched, Antifungal, Non-Toxic Nail Polish
We have been fortunate to receive many positive reviews about this product – it seems that our customers can not get enough of this safe, non-toxic nail polish.  Dr.’s Remedy Non-Toxic Nail Polish was developed by two board certified podiatrists: Dr. Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel.  This product contains a slew of ingredients that are healthy for nails such as tea tree oil and garlic bulb extract, a pair of all-natural antifungal and antibacterial ingredients, wheat protein, and vitamin C and E to strengthen nail enamel.  But what really separates this nail polish product from other conventional nail polishes is the fact that it does NOT contain Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP (Dibutylphthalate) – 3 toxins that are linked to cancer, liver damage and birth defects.

Pedag Bambini – Children’s Arch Supports
The 3/4 length of this children’s arch support insole is a big reason why this product is always one of our top sellers.  The Pedag Bambini is semi firm rubber insole that is slightly shaped to help support the arch and heel of the foot.  The top cover is made with genuine leather, which is supple to the touch, giving it a natural and comfortable feel.  An adhesive stick pad under the heel helps to keep the insole in place so that it doesn’t slide around.  Pedag Bambini Children’s Arch Supports are also APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) approved.

KidZerts Children’s Arch Support Insoles
This is the first children’s wear-moldable insole in the market.  KidZerts Children’s Arch Support Insoles were developed because it was fairly evident that the insoles that came in new children’s shoes were poorly made with no structure, which could actually harm children’s feet.  The answer was to create a children’s insole with exceptional arch support and an established heel cup to help align the body, and at the same time, be wear-moldable, which means that over time the insole will conform to the naturally shape of the foot.  These insoles also have an antibacterial top cover that eliminates smelly feet by killing more than 650 different types of bacteria.  By placing KidZert’s Children’s Arch Support Insoles in your kid’s shoes, you will help reduce foot fatigue, arch pain, ankle pain and pain from flat feet.

Arch Angels Kid’s Arch Support Insoles
This item is another favorite among parents seeking arch support insoles for their kids.  Arch Angels Kid’s Arch Support Insoles are not only constructed with non-toxic materials, but also will decrease foot fatigue in children by providing the necessary arch support and heel stabilization to optimize foot functionality.  These insoles are also ideal for children with flat feet because they will help encourage proper weight distribution across the bottom of the feet, minimizing discomfort and improving support.  By wearing Arch Angels Kid’s Arch Supports, children will be playing and running around the way they are supposed to – pain-free and comfortable.

Turf Toe Full Steel Insole
Have you ever jammed your big toe or over extended it to the point where you experienced pain at the base of the toe?  If so, you probably could have prevented that by wearing Turf Toe Full Steel Insoles.  These insoles are made with laser cut spring steel and have a padded, cushioning top.  Not only will these insoles help prevent Turf Toe from occurring, but also help stabilize the foot to reduce discomfort from ball of foot pain and foot arthritis.  Turf Toe Full Steel Insoles are made for men and women; plus, they are ideal for wearers who seek a rigid, shock absorbing footbed.

Be sure to look for our future blog post that will include HealthyFeetStore.com’s Top 5 Footwear Products of 2010.

We find them scattered on the floor, thrown in drawers, in the dog’s mouth and we always seem to lose one in the wash. We wear, tear and abuse them … but these little tubes of fabric are more important than we think.

Socks play a vital role in foot comfort and health. Yes, they obviously protect your feet from rubbing against the inside of your shoes and they keep your feet warm – but you can find high-quality socks with so many other purposes!

Read below to find out which orthopedic socks are best suited for you:

Active: Whether you’re an avid exerciser, a busy parent or someone who walks/bikes to work, you need moisture-wicking socks to decrease perspiration build-up. Too much moisture trapped inside socks can cause foot odor or Athlete’s Foot. Aetrex Copper socks use Copper Sole Technology ™ (copper ions infused in the yarn fibers) to remove 99.9% of fungi, bacteria and odor from socks. These Aetrex orthopedic socks are also designed with extra cushioning, flat seams and a spandex integration so that the socks hug your feet. Aetrex copper socks are available in low cut, ankle and crew cut styles, as well as with binding or non-binding ankle tops for the perfect fit.

The couch potato: If you love sleeping in or the first thing you do when you get home is plop on the sofa, then you need to continue to find ways to be comfortable. Acorn Slipper Socks, which are designed to fit men or women, easily slip on like normal socks, but have a tough suede outsole that equates to a gentle house shoe. Don’t worry about putting your feet up on the sofa or coffee table while wearing Acorn Slipper Socks! Available in Cotton Twist or Ragg Wool uppers, these slipper socks keep you warm and cozy, letting you lounge around comfortably without wearing-down your other socks.

Proactive: It’s easier to prevent than to treat. Proactive people see potential consequences and do what’s possible to avoid future problems. If you are like this, then chances are that you are passionate about your health or Mother Earth. Something that all proactive women must have are Happy Feet Foot Alignment Socks, because they keep feet healthy, which can prevent future foot conditions. Happy Feet Socks have soft toe dividers to spread and straighten the toes, improving your gait and relieving pain. These foot alignment socks are colorful, fun accessories that you need before it’s too late.

The outside warrior: Every warrior needs armor. Thorlos durable and cushioning socks are perfect for the man and women who spend lots of time outdoors. Whether you’re outside in cold weather to hunt, fish, do yard work or shovel snow, Thorlos Hunting Socks for extreme cold weather are designed with a wool blend that will keep feet warm. Moderate cushioning is available at the instep, ankle, shin and arch, while thick cushioning comforts the more sensitive heel and ball of foot areas. Thorlos Light Hiking Socks, available for men and women, are constructed with the same cushioning, as well as a ventilation panel to keep feet dry and cool. Don’t let your feet suffer from being too cold or too hot – it’ll only slow you down.

The survivor/supporter: There’s a survivor and supporter in all of us. Everyone’s lives have been touched by cancer in one way or another, and it’s important to show your support for the hope of a cure and a brighter tomorrow. Wear New Balance Challenge Lace Up for the Cure socks to show your support or raise awareness about Breast Cancer. These socks have elastic in the arch area to reduce sock movement, a deep heel pocket for a stable fit, moisture wicking-upper fibers and a flat link stitched toe seam for extra softness. For each item sold, 15% of the proceeds is donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity. Thorlos Everday Walker Socks are casual mini crew socks that will keep feet dry and cushioned. Thorlos donates $1 to cancer research for every pair sold.

The professional: When you have a nice job, you have to look the part. Don’t get caught wearing casual socks with your dress shoes and don’t waste your hard-earned money on poor-quality, uncomfortable dress socks. Take your foot health and comfort as seriously as you take your job. Aetrex infuses its Copper technology into their dress socks for men and women. The Copper Sole Technology™ (copper ions infused in the yarn fibers) removes 99.9% of fungi, bacteria and odor, which keeps feet clean and fresh. Extra cushioning and a flat seam construction ensure these are the most comfortable dress socks you’ve ever worn.

The hard worker: You may have a rough, rugged job, but you’re not too tough with an injured foot. If you work in a factory, warehouse or construction site, you need a sturdy pair of steel toed boots to protect your sensitive toes from serious injuries. To pair with the steel toed boots you should be wearing, Thorlos makes a Safety Steel Toe Sock just for you. These socks are designed to wick moisture while you’re working hard and to provide moderate cushioning to prevent foot fatigue, blisters and calluses. Thick cushioning over the toes offers protection against hard toe plates in work boots.

The holiday traveler: Traveling around the holidays can be exciting and it can be stressful, but you should take extra precautions to ensure you have the healthiest and happiest time during your trip. Compression stockings can be worn by men and women of every age for circulatory aid while flying or sitting for long periods of time, such as in an airport, bus, car or train. These compression stockings keep the blood flowing back to the heart to reduce the chance of swelling in the ankles, otherwise known as pooling. Pooling can be painful, embarrassing and can make fitting into socks and shoes difficult. Activa has many different types of moderate compression stockings, which would be beneficial for travelers, as well as firm compression stockings, which are used for medical reasons.

The new mom: So you have your new bundle of joy … then suddenly your world is busy, tiring and constantly focused on what’s best for the baby. Rock-a-Thigh Baby Thigh-High socks benefit both the parents and babies. These thigh-high socks keep legs warm while in strollers and carriers, eases the diaper changing process and protects the sensitive knees from hard surfaces or rug burns. Extra traction from the no-skid grips can prevent slipping and the cuffs are soft yet secure, so they will stay in place. Adorable upper patterns, such as pirate symbols and monkeys, make these socks appealing to boys and girls. Keep their little feet and legs comfy in Rock-a-Thigh Baby Socks.

Sensitive feet: People with medical conditions or super sensitive feet have to pay extra attention to their feet. Diabetic socks are designed to soothe and accommodate various foot problems, so they are highly recommended. If you are a diabetic, our Jobst SensiFoot diabetic socks, available in crew and knee lengths, contain an antibacterial and anti-fungal finish to reduce the risk of infection. The socks have extra padding and mild compression to prevent bunching, but the non-constricting weave of fibers will not interfere with circulation. Also, there is a smooth toe seam on all diabetic socks. KB Designs Extra Wide Medical Socks are perfect for people who have extra wide feet, hard-to-fit calves or are suffering from edema (swelling). If you have a medical condition, wearing poor-quality socks or the incorrect type of socks can have negative consequences on our health, so please consult a trusted physician about what types of socks are best for you.

Online shopping has become such a normal way to shop that we at HealthyFeetStore.com are doing our best to provide you as much information as possible about the products we offer.  One great way to do this is by posting our customers reviews.  As an online shopper, there are two things I do before purchasing an item.  First, I read the content and features about the item and second (the most important for me), I read through the reviews that other customers have written about the item.  In my experience, customers seldom lie when writing their reviews.  I can’t think of a time that I didn’t agree with what other customers have written.

So to help you kick-start your holiday shopping, we decided to post some examples of our customer reviews below.  To read more reviews of other fantastic items, please visit our top rated products page.

KidZerts Children’s Arch Support Insoles

Cloud Nine Cascade Booty Women’s Sheepskin  Slipper

PG Lite Alegria Mary Jane Plum Patent

The Story of Flat-Feetenstein: How Arch Support Saved His Feet on Halloween Night

It was a dark and gloomy night.  Prominent shadows filled the landscape as bat wings fluttered in the night sky.  Thunder and lightning echoed in the distance and rain began falling on Dr. Frankenstein’s castle, which stood at the top of the highest hill in Ingolstadt, Germany.  A storm was at its infant state producing wind that had a mind of its own – it aggressively blew its way past Dr. Frankenstein’s open window causing havoc in his medical lab.  Notes and paperwork scattered everywhere as Dr. Frankenstein slammed his window shut.

“Oh that cursed wind! But that’s good news my young son.  Wind means the weather is in our favor.”

Dr. Frankenstein was talking to his recent experiment that was lying on the medical table.  A vast array of wires and metal objects protruded from the subject – they were connected to a series of metal conductors that were weaved up to the tallest point of the roof.  In an instant, thunder and lightning cracked overhead and Dr. Frankenstein’s glee was ever prominent.

“It’s time my young son.  Your birth is just one lever pull away!”

Just then, Dr. Frankenstein took hold of a large metal lever and pulled on it until his machine turned on, producing flashing lights and energy wave-like sounds.  The function of Dr. Frankenstein’s machine was to capture lightning from the top of the roof and route it through the wires, right into the body of the experiment that lied on the medical table.  Lightning would bring life to his experiment.  As the machine grew louder, one powerful lightning rod speared its way into Dr. Frankenstein’s machine.  All of a sudden, the machined turned off, and the body on the medical table began to move.

“IT’S ALIVE!!!  IT’S ALIVE!!!”

Dr. Frankenstein quickly removed the wires from his experiment and what stood up was the body of a little boy who appeared to be made from a variety of body parts.  He was a cute boy who looked relatively normal with the exception of two glaring things that stood out amongst all of his body parts – his feet were extremely big and flat.  Dr. Frankenstein helped his new son get off the table.

“How do you feel my young son,”  Dr. Frankenstein asked.
“I feel great,”  the little boy said.

The little boy stood up and started to walk.  Unfortunately, he began to wince in pain after each step.  Since he had big flat feet, his body control was abnormal and his posture was off.  Dr. Frankenstein immediately noticed that there was a problem.

“Oh my young son – it appears that you’re over pronating.  I can see how your lower limbs are not properly aligned.  Do you feel pain,”  Dr. Frankenstein asked.

“Yes I do.  I feel a lot of pain in my back, hips, knees, ankles and especially here,”  the little boy answered.

The young boy pointed to the medial area of his feet where he had no arches because of his flat feet.”

“Oh no, no, this will not do.  Halloween is only a few days away and if we’re going to go trick-or-treating, you’ll need something to alleviate your discomfort.  We can’t go walking around half the night while you’re in pain because of your flat feet.  I must do something about this.  I must create a new foot care product for flat feet,”  Dr. Frankenstein exclaimed.

For the next few days Dr. Frankenstein worked on various experiments to help his son walk.  He first constructed footwear that mimicked the anatomical shape of a foot.  He made sure that there was a roomy toe box, a firm heel counter and proper support along the medial side of the foot.  He named these orthopedic shoes.  Then he created a foot care product that would help his young son gain healthy feet.  He made a pair of kid’s arch support insoles that had indented heel cups and were wear-modable, which means they would conform to each individual foot to provide and optimal fit.  These children’s arch support insoles could be placed in the kid’s shoes that he made for his son.  The insoles would correct his son’s posture and provide arch support and heel stabilization so that his son could walk pain-free without excessive pronation.

On the night of Halloween, Flat-Feetenstein trick-or-treated all night long without feeling any discomfort in his feet.  Because of the orthopedic shoes and arch support insoles his dad invented, Flat-Feetenstein was able to walk in comfort without experiencing aching, painful feet – but, he did get a stomach ache the following day after eating all of the candy he collected on Halloween night.

Those little feet are sensitive and vulnerable – keep them warm, comfortable and protected with healthy slippers. Our Old Friend Sheepskin Slippers have 100% genuine sheepskin that is super soft to the touch. It will keep feet warm but will also wick moisture. Surprise your little ones with these soothing slippers!

Old Friend Kids Slippers have the following comfort and health features:

• Soft suede leather upper
• Full lined with super soft, genuine sheepskin
• Double leather construction makes the slipper sturdy
• Roomy toe box
• Shock-absorbing footbed with extra cushion in the midsole (footbed is non-removable)
• Skid resistant and durable TPR rubber outsole

Dates of Giveaway:  Today, October 12 through Thursday, October 14, 2010

To Be A Winner: Your shipping address must be in the United States or an APO/FPO shipping address. One winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be announced on Friday, October 15. If the winner does not claim his/her prize within 7 days, a new winner will be selected.

What You Could Win: Any single pair of Old Friend Sheepskin Kids Slippers - you tell us which pair. The slippers are for both boys and girls.

How to Enter:

If you have Twitter, tweet to us (@GetHealthyFeet) and tell us which pair of Old Friend Kids Slippers you’d like to win – you MUST include a link to the page!

OR

If you don’t have Twitter, comment this blog post and tell us what Old Friend Kids Slipper style you’d like to win for your child/relative!

Extra Entries:

(Please leave a different comment for each extra entry)

2 entries – Comment this blog post and tell us another product on our web site that you would like to have

1 entry – Follow us on Twitter (@GetHealthyFeet)

1 entry – RT about our contest on Twitter

1 entry – Like our Facebook Fan Page

1 entry – Write about this giveaway with a link to this blog post on your Facebook wall

Good luck!

We will announce and contact the winner on Friday, October 15.