lifestyle

How to relieve Planter Fasciitis pain

 in Shoes  tagged birkenstocks / lifestyle by
how to relieve planter fasciitis pain

Panter Fasciitis relief from top left: green balls / sandals with arch support / foot roller kit / hidden arches / over the counter orthotics / arch support compression sleeve /

If you have been following along the past two years, you know I went from a hip injury to planter fasciitis. Ugh. Unfortunately, the planter fasciitis has decided to stay awhile, which means I need to constantly manage my pain and not get too confident that everything is over.

In late April, early May, I went on two quick trips and did a lot of walking. My foot seemed fine, so I left my orthotics at home. Big mistake. It is now June, and my foot is still sore. I need to undo the damage I did from not wearing proper arch support over a month ago. Don’t do what I did. If your doctor gave you orthotics, wear them!

If you have not seen a doctor yet, then you might be wondering what orthotics are. They are specially made shoe inserts you can use inside your sneakers to replace the soles the sneakers came with. The orthotics have been specially made to fit your exact foot, so they are far superior then anything you purchase over the counter. This also means they are quite expensive and if your insurance is like mine, they are not covered. The out-of-pocket expense was well over six hundred dollars for mine.

Before treating any ailment, you should always see a doctor. This post does not replace visiting a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. I am not a medical professional, so what I am about to write is from my experience only and may not be beneficial to you. If you have seen a doctor and know that some of these treatments will help you, then read on!

Orthotics: We just went over orthotics. If your doctor recommended them and they are too expensive, you can try using the over-the-counter inserts. They are a fraction of the price and should provide some relief. Also, if you live near a running shop such as Road Runner Sports in Campbell, they can mold inserts for you to fit your foot; also for a fraction of the cost of orthotics. Just know, medical orthotics are always the best option.

Arch support compression sleeve: This is a magical product! I wear these with flat shoes and when I do barefoot exercises such as Pilates or yoga. I absolutely love these and they are a total game changer. I can exercise pain free when attending barefoot classes! Yoga is great too because there are stretches which help relieve planter fasciitis plain. So that makes these little sleeves even more important. I cannot live without them! Love!

Roller balls: These little lacrosse balls are great for rolling along the tendon to relieve inflammation and pain. Be sure to consult your doctor before using one, and make sure they tell you how to properly use one. I also love this roller ball kit with different types of balls for relieving pain. Again, speak with your doctor before use.

Birkenstocks: These are the most amazing shoes. I have a pair I wear solely as slippers around the house so the soles stay clean. I also have an outdoor pair. These are perfect for days when you want to wear sandals but also need your arch support. I recommend sticking to the suede because they are more comfortable than the leather; although the suede does get dirtier faster. Just a heads-up.

Well, that’s it! You can also ice your foot as directed by your doctor. I find these products help me relieve pain in my daily life, so hopefully they can help you too! Always check with your doctor, just in case you have a serious tear or other injury which is acting like planter fasciitis but is something else.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

Reno recap

 in Travel  tagged lifestyle / reno by

Fountain inside the Eldorado casino in Reno

When was the last time you drove to Reno? For me, it had been almost thirty years! The last time I went to Reno was in high school for a swim meet, so when I heard my daughter’s volleyball tournament would be in Reno, I thought it sounded fun!

The athletes in the tournament were asked to stay at the Silver Legacy, the Eldorado or Circus Circus in Reno. The tournament had blocked rooms and set up special rates for us, so it seemed like a good deal and might be fun too!

I have to admit, staying in a casino with a child is not the greatest thing on the planet. If you want to stay in a casino in Reno, do it on an adult trip, not when you have your kids in tow. I forgot people smoke. Really, I did! In California, smoking has become taboo, so you never smell smoke when you are out and about. We occasionally smell another thing that gets smoked around here, haha, but that is rare. So, it hit me like a brick when we went into the hotel to check in and the place smelled like smoke. My daughter had to smell it all weekend. Thankfully we had a non-smoking room so the room itself was fine. I wish I could say the same for the hallways, elevator, and all public spaces. Yikes!

That being said, there was plenty to do for people like me who don’t gamble or drink. This is good news, because if you are going with kids, there are things to do! Yay! Of course, I would say with kids, try for a regular hotel, not one with a casino.

Circus Circus has a carnival game area which is kid friendly and fun. There is also a simulated golf area as well as plenty of restaurants. Of course, we spent most of our time at the volleyball tournament. That being said, I always love finding good places to eat!

For breakfast, I am a huge fan of Starbucks. The one inside the Eldorado was really good. The service was fabulous, and the coffee was made just right. This might be one of my favorite Starbucks on the planet. Love!

We ate at several restaurants inside the casinos, but I am only going to mention the best ones. We loved our food at Sushi Sake and La Strada.

Sushi Sake is a small sushi restaurant located in the Eldorado by the fountain pictured above. The fish was fresh, and the rolls were delicious. If you love sushi, you will enjoy Sushi Sake in Reno.

La Strada Reno has been mentioned on the Food Network as having the best pasta in the country. As a huge pasta fan with Italian ancestry, I was intrigued. We had to try the place! They are known for their mushroom ravioli, but neither one of us was in a mushroom mood. I enjoyed the Bolognese and my daughter had a pomodoro. The pasta was really good, but when a place is hyped as the best in the country, there is a high bar. I would say this is a great restaurant, but the best? I’m not so sure. . . That being said, next time you go to Reno, definitely eat here! It is quite yummy!

What I packed for Reno:

All in all, we had fun in Reno. If I have to do it again, I will stay in a non-casino hotel and visit the casinos for food. If you are looking for something more low key than Vegas, this could be your next road trip.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

5 favorite restaurants in Saratoga CA

 in Travel  tagged lifestyle / restaurants / saratoga / staycation by
bella saratoga

pictured: Fettuccine Bianco from Bella Saratoga

Saratoga is a bedroom community nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and adjacent to San Jose and Los Gatos. It is filled with families, and mainly home to people who work in the tech industry. The town originated as both a farming community and a destination for San Franciscans to go to in order to escape the city. There used to be springs here, which reminded people of Saratoga Springs in New York; hence the name, Saratoga.

In present day, Saratoga is a flourishing town with a quaint downtown known as the “The Village.” This small area is made up of local shops and restaurants. There are so many good restaurants, which are all family owned. No chains! In writing this post, I feel like I am excluding so many good places to eat, but please know, these are just my five favorite restautants in Saratoga, the other restaurants are also delicious! There are no bad places to eat in town, Saratoga is very fortunate. Love that!

So, next time you are in Saratoga, here are five of my favorite places to eat; of course, all of the restaurants downtown are delicious! Please note, these are in no particular order.

Darla Cafe

Darla Cafe is new restaurant which recently opened in Saratoga. They serve breakfast and lunch. I am in love with how they prepare their potatoes! If you are looking for a good brunch place, check out Darla Cafe!

Mint Leaf Saratoga

Mint Leaf Cuisine is my favorite Thai restaurant. The food there is delicious! All of their appetizers are not only delicious, but they are also presented in an artful manner. This is a feast for both your eyes and your palate. Yum! Bring your appetite to Mint Leaf Cuisine! The pineapple fried rice and the scallops are my favorites.

Bella Saratoga

Bella Saratoga is a delicious Italian restaurant. This is where I like to go for special occasions, such as an anniversary. Everything they make is delicious, but my favorite dish is the Fettucine Bianco. It is to-die-for!

Florentine’s

How in the world do I not have a photo to share? We have been eating at Florentine’s since before we lived in the South Bay. My great aunt loved this restaurant, and we had many family celebrations there for graduations, religious sacraments, birthdays, and more. This is a casual, everyday Italian restaurant and it is a family favorite of my immediate family, as well as my cousins. I am kicking myself for not having a photo! How did that even happen? We eat here frequently! Everything on the menu is amazing. My favorite is the ravioli, and the Bolognese is a big hit too. The triangle shaped, herb bread served while you wait is also a big winner. Yum!

Masu Sushi

Well, you know I love sushi! Masu is my favorite sushi restaurant. The fish is always fresh, and the sushi is always made just right. They have a few outdoor tables here, which are ideal in the spring, summer, and early fall. They even have one large table which is perfect for our family of five. Love that!

Well, there you have it. All of these restaurants are located in downtown Saratoga on Big Basin Way. In addition to these five restaurants, there are plenty of other fabulous places to eat. If you are in the mood for Indian cuisine, Mandala is delicious. If you are looking for an extra special experience, La Fondue or Plumed Horse are classic destinations. La Mere Michelle is also delicious. They offer casual French cuisine; I love how they prepare their carrots, yum!

Thanks for stopping by, Mangia!

XOXO
Cathy