Friday, December 3, 2010

Corn Sak For Your Aching Back

Tomorrow is my brother Mark's birthday.  Last weekend when we were in the mountains, he had driven up with his family, but immediately turned around and drove back home because his back was hurting so badly.  He pulled it a few days prior.  He is still ailing, but better.  I made one of these corn saks to add to his birthday gift.
I had to call his wife Monica to make sure I had not already given him one of these.  A few years ago, I made a bunch of these.  I use mine all the time.  I especially like to heat it in the microwave for a good 5 minutes or so, then go put it at the foot of my bed, under the covers.  Then I take my shower, and when I get into bed, and the foot of the bed is roasty toasty warm.  The bag stays hot for a very long time.  It is filled with whole corn.  The corn does not go bad.  And the bags can be heated over and over again.  I also like to add a bit of dried lavender to the bags for a nice fragrance.  When the bag is heated you can smell the lavender. Mmmm.  But I usually only do that for the ladies.  I used to jog in the early wee hours of the morning, and I would heat the bag and set in the seat of my car on the drive to the park.  Not to mention how nice it is for aching muscles too.
All of the bags I have made in the past I have done out of fabric from my stash or that I purchased just for the particular person I was making it for.  Use a fairly durable cotton fabric for best results.  Flannel is nice too.
But this time, I purchased a package of three Christmas cotton tea towels.  I used one of them for Mark's bag.  I cut off the end to make it the size I wanted, and then used the end piece I had cut off, as a handle for the bag.  I have not done this before, and I LOVED the result.  Then I jotted down this little poem to tuck inside the gift bag so he would know what it was, and what to do with it.
For the corn, go to a feed store and ask for whole corn.  Unfortunately, it only comes in a 50# bag.  But it is only about 10 dollars for this.  After opening the bag, be sure to store the rest in snap lock bins or something with a lid to keep it dry.  I happen to live in an area with lots of horses and animals so the feed stores are nearby.  These make a quick and easy, as well as a practical gift.  Try it.   I hope my brother likes his.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I use mine ALL the time! Weekly! On my back & when I have cramps. He will appreciate this I think! :)

Debbie said...

Oh Kris what a perfectly wonderful idea...I know I'd use one for sure...I just might make up a few of these...now if I just knew where a feed store was around here. Have a good week-end..

Maryrose said...

I love mine...in fact Kristi does too, because she stole it when she was pregnant with Riley...hmmmm I need to get that back. What a great gift, he will love it. Happy Birthday to Mark.

Shann said...

I use mine almost every night for my feet. I never thought to leave it in my bed to warm it up though! I'm going to try that.

- said...

Just fantastic Kris and love the poem. I like the tea towel idea too but like you I do have a fabric stash to pick from. This is especially good because you can make them the size you want. Also, it is a big money saver as they are quite pricey in some of the stores. Thanks again!

Unknown said...

Aren't these snuggie bags just the greatest, whether filled with corn or rice. I made one for my dad a few years back and he swears by it and says it's his favorite gift ever.

I'll try to find my past posting about dyeing for you. It's very theraputic, especially in a snow storm, like predicted here this weekend.


Have a relaxing weekend.
Kate

Genn said...

He'll love it! Hope it helps his back!

Katie said...

That is a good sized sak, bet he will enjoy it.

Cute poem you included!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I'm sure your brother will love this thoughtful gift!

Renée said...

What a loving gift. I love it and does it even smell good when you take it out of the microwave? Cute plaid too!

From the Kitchen said...

I could not do without my corn sack in our midwest winters. Although mine says heat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, I do 5 and stay toasty warm until morning. My friend, who is the curator of an historical museum, gave me mine several years ago. I cant remember the history behind it but her museum gift shop sells them.

Stay warm!

Best,
Bonnie

~Niki~ said...

what a great idea! thank you kris :)

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Kris,
What a great idea!I've got to make one of these. I would use it on a cold night for sure! Regarding you brother's back pain. Something that worked for excruciating pain when my frozen shoulder was really painful was a TENS unit. You can google it and find them on the internet. Mine only cost about $30. It didn't get rid of the pain totally, but it sure made it bearable! They say you have to get a prescription for them, but on many online stores they will process your order without one.