Watch HealthyFeetStore.com’s Isha Garcia talk about how Spira Odyssey women’s shoes have helped her gain cushioning comfort during her workouts. Plus, learn about Spira’s WaveSpring® technology and how it’s revolutionized the footwear industry.

In this review, HealthyFeetStore.com’s Christopher Ramirez talks about how the technology in Brooks Shoes has made walking and working out a lot more comfortable.

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.

The air is getting colder as the fall season begins, which is all the more reason to observe your mobility and make a point to walk throughout the day- Happy Step-tember!  One of the easiest ways to increase your daily activity is to add steps. That’s right, move those feet! Walking will not only increase blood circulation and improve health, adding steps to your day gets you out of the house, out of your car, and better connected with your community. Although much of our day may require driving or sitting in front of a computer screen, there are ways to incorporate walking into your daily routine.

Simple strategies to put more steps in your day:

• Remain standing: Stand and pace during down-time, while waiting for your kid to get out of class, the pharmacist to call your name, whenever!
• Walk to the store if you’re only purchasing an arm’s full
• Don’t wait, walk: Arrive early? Need to kill time? Take a stroll around the block instead of sitting in the car
• Get up and walk to your coworker’s desk instead of sending an email
• Park & Walk: Forgo the spot directly in front of the store doors and don’t circle the parking lot looking for the ‘perfect’ slot. Instead, find parking further down the row that allows for a quick walk.
• Ride & Walk: If you take the bus or train, get off on the stop just before yours.
• Make it a habit: Get in the routine of going for a walk after dinner with friends or family.
• Add steps while catching up with a friend: Walk while talking on the phone or suggest a stroll instead of lounging on the couch.
• Drifting off in the afternoon when you’re supposed to be focused on that report? Take a 10 minute power walk to clear your mind and relieve stress.

Be sure to check out AmericanOnTheMove.org for articles and tips on how to maintain an active lifestyle by eating healthy, getting active, managing weight and moving to green.

Also see last week’s blog post to learn how America Walks is helping communities improve conditions for walking, by increasing street safety and developing neighborhoods that are friendly to walkers.

September may be the month to raise awareness for healthy aging, but Healthy Aging® is also a year-round, national effort that promotes the positive facets of aging and inspires adults over the age of 50 to improve their fitness throughout all aspects of their lives: physical, mental, social, and financial. Healthy Aging® recognizes this combination as the most powerful way to maintain health through a lifetime.

Exercise:

-To begin, aim for 10,000 steps/day
-Realize long-term goals and work towards them incrementally
-Recognize areas that have room for improvement
-Don’t do too much too quickly
-Vary your exercise, meet with a friend and exercise together
-Use common sense in your diet, view food as your fuel
-Celebrate your successes! Reward yourself when you reach milestones
See Healthy Aging for full articles

Social Wellness:

Remember lecturing your kids on the importance of putting their schoolwork before their social life? Turns out maintaining a healthy social life can be as important as diet and exercise as you age. Carrying an active social life can slow the rate of memory decline. On healthyaging.net Lisa Berkman, chair of the Department of Society, Human Development and Health said,

“Social participation and integration have profound effects on health and well being of people during their lifetimes. We know from previous studies that people with many social ties have lower mortality rates. We now have mounting evidence that strong social networks can help to prevent declines in memory. As our society ages and has more and more older people, it will be important to promote their engagement in social and community life to maintain their well being.”

So volunteer, plan a trip and stay at an elderly hostel, or try online dating!

Mental Health:

Acquiring new skills and sharpening old ones can help retain memory with aging. By learning another language you can lower your risk of developing memory problems. Also, simply staying in the moment and appreciate feeling good in the present can improve mental health and happiness. Downsizing and simplifying your way of living can reduce stress and lead you to take stock of what’s going on in your head and heart.

Financial Fitness:

-Protect yourself for the future against outliving assets or the rising cost of healthcare later in life
-Learn how to buy life insurance if you have a serious health condition
-Reduce your spending on gas
-Use this Online Retirement Estimator to help plan for the future

Remember that healthy living can last a lifetime! Get out there and exercise fitness in every aspect of your life: physical, mental, social, and financial. Start this September for Healthy Aging Month and never look back! Visit Healthy Aging® for resources

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.

Diabetics, are you aware that New Balance has a vast array of styles that are SADMERC/PDAC approved and A5500 coded as diabetic footwear?  If not, then today is your lucky day because as you read on you’ll discover that New Balance has combined their technical features with their sporty upper designs, making their diabetic walking shoes comfortable, functional and more stylish than many diabetic shoes on the market.  Unfortunately, diabetic shoes aren’t the most fashionable since their designs tend to focus more on features rather than on looks.  But let’s not forget, diabetic shoes should be made with features to improve diabetic foot health – it’s not all about style; but it is nice when brands, like New Balance, offer diabetics trendier options to choose from, and options with technically advanced shoe features.

Please note: HealthyFeetStore.com provides the A5500 code on their product pages as assurance that you are receiving the same quality shoe as your doctor dispensed.  HealthyFeetStore.com is unable to bill your insurance.

Most New Balance diabetic shoes have these notable features:

• Uppers made with leather or synthetic materials that are breathable to help keep moisture at bay, minimizing chances of experiencing fungal infections.

• Hook and loop straps for adjustability and easy on/off.

• LIGHTNING DRY® liner also keeps feet dry.

• Wide toe box design for wiggling toes – also helps accommodate swollen feet.

• Padded collar improves comfort around the ankle.

• Removable insole can be replaced with diabetic insoles, custom orthotics or arch supports.

• ABZORB® in the forefoot provides shock absorption against impact, while ABZORB® SBS provides 5 – 10% more cushioning at the heel than regular ABZORB®.

• Polyurethane cushioned midsole for soft, comfortable steps.

• TPU Walking Strike Path® technology helps stabilize and guide the foot through a more natural gait cycle.

• ROLLBAR® consists of a TPU lateral/medial post design for exceptional motion control to reduce excessive pronation and supination.

• Durable rubber outsole for longer wear.

• Wide sizes up to men’s 16 6E (XX-Wide) or women’s 13 4E (XX-Wide).

Some New Balance Diabetic Walking Shoes to Consider:

Merchant note: The New Balance 811 has been replaced with the 812.  It has a sleeker design with the same functionality of the 811.  The New Balance 812 also comes with a premium foam insert that can be replaced with custom orthotics or diabetic insoles.

For more options: Aravon and Dunham are New Balance brands that also carry stylish diabetic shoes with the same technical features.

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.

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.

HealthyFeetStore.com is introducing their first Employee Shoe Review video. In this review, Jenna Goldberg talks about Sole Casual Flips. See how the features of this sandal, such as the wear-moldable footbed and deep heel cup, improve comfort and foot health.