Daily Tip: Dec 18, 2007 
A great alternative to cranking up your home’s radiator is making small, heated bean bags. Simply fill a clean sock with uncooked rice or beans and heat it up in the microwave. You can use them in bed, on the sofa while reading, or directly on your body to relieve an ache or pain. Commercial versions are also available in stores.
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Put on some clothes, too! Fleece is lightweight, yet warm. A scarf and good socks help a lot, too.
Posted by: myearth | December 18, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Put some spice in the sock with the rice or beans and it will smell better, though you might just be hungry all the time while using it...
Posted by: Dean | December 18, 2007 at 09:24 AM
I have a small homemade pillow full of field corn. It can be heated in the microwave or stuck in the freezer, depending on my needs. If you make one, don't use popcorn! Field corn is what they sell at feed stores for deer and other critters.
Also, I think wool socks are best, sometimes over a lighter pair of socks.
Posted by: SandyP. | December 18, 2007 at 09:28 AM
As a Massage Thereapist I'm coninously recommending flax seed compresses..they also hold heat for about 20 minutes..it's amazing how a body can go from too chilled to feeling much more warmed up and energetic if the muscles are not cold.
Also they are good for headaches and some folks use cherry pits in pillows as well.. It's a good way to reuse what otherwise was seen as "garbage".. nothing in nature is garbage..we need to learn that way.
hot stones warmed up in water can be nice to put your feet on.. provided you are careful with temperatures not being excessive.
Nature will always take care of us if we take care of what is Natural.
Posted by: Ann | December 18, 2007 at 09:41 AM
You can also add scent to the rice. I have added dried lavendar to my rice bag and it smells great when I heat it up in the microwave. You can also add essential oil to the rice before you stuff the bag or the sock. I use lumberjack socks and just tie the top in a knot. Be careful when you heat it up. Only heat on 80% power and check to make sure it isn't too hot. Never put on bare skin.
Posted by: Angela | December 18, 2007 at 09:42 AM
I have a 'rice sock' that I've been using for about 3 years now. I mostly use it for menstrual cramps- but I've used for other body aches too. And in the car on cold mornings too.
Posted by: Lerin | December 18, 2007 at 10:05 AM
If mice can get into your house (mine was built in 1832) keep your bean bag in a safe place! I lost some slippers-with-beans to invaders.
Posted by: Ruth Busch | December 18, 2007 at 11:25 AM
so - uh - what if you don't have a microwave? any ideas?
Posted by: annab | December 18, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Put it on a radiator, if you have one! Oven, maybe?
Posted by: ccsoleil | December 18, 2007 at 01:02 PM
If you don't have a microwave (and hopefully most of you do NOT!), a hot water bottle works wonderfully! Nice to go to sleep with one by your feet and another on your belly or chest.
Posted by: Julia | December 18, 2007 at 01:40 PM
why are we wasting energy by turning on the microwave for heat?? a sweater, blanket, or any other article of clothing works fine.
Posted by: mo | December 18, 2007 at 02:37 PM
A sweater, fleece etc does not work fine if you have to take clothes out to a laundrymat by bus. Clothes are heavy to carry. Filling up a sock with rice etc seems to be more about therapy for pain rather keeping warm in general. "cranking up the microwave" is about using electricity for a minute or two which is not an excessive amount or energy.
Posted by: Gloria | December 18, 2007 at 03:43 PM
I love these, I have made a couple, one with eucalyptus & flax for when I am congested. One with lavendar to help promote sleep. Good when taken from the freezer, for cooling a hot flash for those of us "of a certain stage" of life.
Posted by: Joni | December 18, 2007 at 07:23 PM
I have been using these warm bean/grain bags for neck aches for years. Certainly it's not an economical heater-that's what clothes are for! The eucalyptus/flax sounds good!
a hot water bottle takes energy to heat(my hot water tank is set low) & works fine in bed, but won't stay in place if one is moving about.
Posted by: lizziekay | December 18, 2007 at 07:48 PM
I have been using these warm bean/grain bags for neck aches for years. Certainly it's not an economical heater-that's what clothes are for! The eucalyptus/flax sounds good!
a hot water bottle takes energy to heat(my hot water tank is set low) & works fine in bed, but won't stay in place if one is moving about.
Posted by: lizziekay | December 18, 2007 at 07:49 PM