VIVE Health Review and Giveaway -- Ends 9/23/2016

I haven't posted here in a while -- I injured myself badly about a month ago.  Just moments after leaving my doctor's office, I took a few steps out of his door... and heard a POP! and felt a horrifying crunch as my knee gave way.

I ripped my MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament).  I've never felt anything like it in my life.  Giving birth didn't hurt that much.

I wore a 'soft' knee brace for a few days but it didn't help much.  However, after speaking with the folks at VIVE Health, they very generously sent my their knee brace.  What a difference!

The Vive Universal Knee Brace is the best brace I have ever found.  It's strong and sturdy.  Fully adjustable to fit comfortably and offer maximum support.   My legs are short and round, so the ability to adjust the brace is very important.  I am able to wear the brace over long  jeans and under shorts -- very versatile support.

The brace is an open-patella design which keeps the knee stable and keeps the brace from slipping.   The neoprene is lightweight, breathable and helps cushion the knee to keep it from further injury.

This is a brace that I highly recommend.  I wear it daily and will ALWAYS keep it close.  I know all to well now that once the MCL is damaged, it's easy to re-injure it.  I also know I have another two months (at least) of wearing a brace.  I'm just glad to know that I have a brace I can rely on to protect my knee and keep it stable.

And that, my friends, is just the first issue that's kept my away.  I am experiencing issues with my right (dominant) hand.  The doctor says I may be developing "Trigger Finger".   I already have arthritis in that hand.  So...   Vive Health directed me to their Arthritis Compression Gloves.

Not only are they beautifully crafted, but they really work!  They are snug, but not too tight.  The compression technology acts like a massage: soothes and warms fingers, hands, and wrists.  The gloves also increases blood circulation.

For someone who is at the early stage of finger damage, these gloves make a tremendous difference.  I am having fewer instances of my finger "locking" into a bent position.  I can't tell you what a relief that is to me. 

The open-finger design allows the wearer to perform most tasks without a loss of dexterity.  That's very important to me as I am on the keyboard daily.  There is minimal stitching on the glove as well so no irritation!  

This is such a great pair of compression gloves.  So many different uses for them.  My youngest daughter is ALWAYS cold -- so these will help her stay much warmer this winter.  Happy Husband has requested a pair as he also suffers with arthritis and he works outside.  Warmth and soothing compression will be a blessing for him.

And last, but not least, are the Vive Toe Separators.  When I saw these, I knew they would be beneficial for my eldest daughter.  She was born with Spina Bifida and her toes are bent and inflexible.  

We're hoping that, as she uses the separators, she will gain more flexibility and ease the pain she suffers. As her toes straighten and stretch, her blood circulation will increase.  

The Toe Separators are made of an extra-soft gel for comfort and functionality.  Easy to clean, easy to store, and portable.  

I am very impressed with Vive Health and the many medical products they offer.  Their customer service is helpful, concerned, and genuinely happy to help. 

If you have a need to medical accessories, Vive Health is your one-stop shop.

You may connect with Vive Health on their website and social media pages: Facebook, YouTube, and @vivehealthusa on Twitter.

Vive Health has very generously offered one of my readers a $50 Gift Card! Isn't that fantastic? Your chance to purchase an item that will give aid and comfort to you or a loved one.

Just follow the instructions below for your chance to enter to win.

***Open to USA, 18+ only.  One entry per email / household.  No PO Boxes, please.  Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 23, 2016.***

Entry-Form

#sootheyourknees Infrared Knee Support Sleeve Review

This is the Infrared Knee Support Sleeve that Mike and I have been testing. It's self-warming and helps relieve pain and tension in the joint / ligaments of the knee.

I found the sleeve fit quite well.  It was snug and after a while it did provide some warmth to the entire knee area. It does not get hot, sticky, or itchy.  I like to wear the sleeves when I'm going up and down the stairs and exercising.  Keeps the knees well-supported.

I think two hours is a good time-frame for wearing them. After that your skin needs to breathe.

Compression & Support Sleeve: Tourmaline Far Infrared (FIR) Series 
Whether your purchasing to simply warm your knees during the day, use as a recovery aid from sports related injuries, suppress chronic pain, such as arthritis or osteoarthritis, or to provide that needed compression during sports activities, this sleeve was designed to maximize its use.

What makes this sleeve unique? 
1. Free Range of Motion, Stays Firmly In Place: Designed for maximum comfort, there are no hard edges, instead, the elasticized fabric is ergonomically designed to provide the needed compression and support while keeping the maximum possible comfort.
2. This product is made with activated Black Tourmaline, a naturally occurring semi-precious crystal, containing Boron and complex silicate minerals - known as the "Electric Stone" - as it has been shown to produce a weak electrical charge, which is what enables it to produce and emit Far Infrared Rays (FIR) and Negative Ions. Before the Tourmaline is infused into the fiber it is crushed into powder and altered at the nano-scale to better react with lower temperatures (your own body temperature) to safely emit the Far Infrared Rays.

What Does This Mean?
a. The Tourmaline gives the product an antibacterial activity.
b. The FIR, while invisible to the naked eye, elevates the knee temperature without making you feel hot.
c. The FIR promotes the repair of tissues and the regeneration of cells, aiding in the reduction of inflammation and pain.
d. The Product gives you the comfort and support you need, while providing a bonus therapeutic property to the knee.

Mike likes to use the sleeves after he gets home from work.  He puts a lot of stress on his knees and this definitely helps.  He does a lot of squatting and climbing all day -- the support he gets from the sleeves is a blessing.

You may purchase the Infrared Knee Support Sleeve on amazon.com

DISCLOSURE:
I received a set of Infrared Knee Support Sleeves for the purpose of this review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed herein are my own and based on my own use of and experience with the item.

Athena's Elements Review and #Giveaway, ends TONIGHT!

HURRY! ENDS TONIGHT!

My Nanie taught me to crochet when I was a little girl -- about 4 years old.  I made chain after chain after chain.  From there, we moved on to Granny Squares.

Sadly, after a time, the "new" wore off for me and I didn't pick up a hook again for a very long time.

Nanie, however, found great solace in her hooks and yarn and created beautiful hats (for me and my cousins in Florida), afghans, ponchos, doilys, and antimacassars.   I have several afghans and her old hooks.

She had terrible arthritis -- how her fingers and hands must've hurt as she spent hours crocheting.

I wish she had been able to use the wonderful new hooks that I have now.  From Athena's Elements come these beautiful, ergonomic Crochet Hooks.

Aren't they lovely? Nine of then are enveloped in an ergonomically correct, non-slip, silicone grip. It's non-slip feature helps you hold the hook easily but still control the tension of your stitches.

The sizes range from 2mm (smaller than a US Size B) up to 6mm (J).  Also included, but not with the silicone grip, is a size 6.5mm (K), which is perfect for rugs, large bags, etc.

Each of the hooks is engraved with it's size for easy identification and each hook has a different coloured handle.  I love this feature.  Right now, I am using the dark purple hook for a piece I'm crocheting.  I don't have to worry that I've picked up the wrong needle.

Athena's Elements offers two fantastic carrying cases:

This is the smart little Wrap Organizer.  It measures 6 1/2 by 3 inches. Compact and lightweight, you can tuck it into your purse or needlework bag and take it with you anywhere. (Addendum: before you take crochet hooks on to an airplane, check to be sure that it's allowed with carry-on luggage.)

Each hook has it's own protective slot and there is a clear plastic cover that folds down over the hooks to keep them safe in place. Just roll the case and secure with the velcro tab and you are on your way!

Above is the larger Deluxe Ergonomic Crochet Kit .  This kit has it all! It comes with the same nine crochet hooks as the smaller case, but in addition contains: scissors, measuring tape, plastic needles (for attaching),
two aluminum pins, Knitting Needle Gauge & Ruler, Row Counter and Case Organizer.

I love this case. The colour is a beautiful, bright rose pink. It's a hard case, made of PU Leather.  Sturdy construction will ensure a long life for this case and it's contents. The mesh bag holding the other items is removable for easy access when you're stitching.

Aren't they beautiful? When the hooks are this lovely, who can resist?

I kept the larger case for myself -- It went right into my stitching bag!  But my Mom has the smaller wrap case.

My Mom loves to crochet, but has terrible pain in her hands and fingers from arthritis.  I gave a set to her and she loves them.  She's told me that she can crochet for a couple of hours with these hooks without getting hand cramps.



Mom is impressed!

So am I!  It's such a relief to hold a crochet hook that isn't so narrow that your cramps just thinking about it.

I am also impressed by the depth of the hook and the rounded tip (no more splitting the yarn). There are no burrs or sharp edges.  The size array is lovely -- a hook for every project! This case hold everything a crocheter will ever need.



You can purchase these amazing hooks and cases on amazon.com!

The wonderful folks at Athena's Elements have very generously offered THREE of my readers a chance to own a set of hooks and a case for their own!

Just follow the entry instructions below for your chance to enter to win.

Open to USA, 18+, No PO Boxes. All entries are verified. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. on June 25, 2015. Three winners will be chosen:  One winner will receive the DELUXE Kit and two winners will receive the fabric wrap case.

DISCLOSURE:
I received a Deluxe and Wrap kit from Athena's Elements to facilitate this review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions are my own and based on my own use of and experience with the items.

Entry-Form