Toasted Toes and Hot Hands: Solutions

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I wasn't arguing with you. I have became quite obsessed with waste after moving to NYC, simply because garbage is on the street where you can see it.
Especially in commercial buildings, perfectly usable furniture, etc. is discarded on a regular basis.

I am diligent about donating to thrift shops and recycling electronics (both quite a pain without a car) but often feel my paltry efforts are useless.

Pam

Oh yes I hear you on this. I grew up in NYC and most of the stuff we had in our apt or on our backs came from other people's discards.
I do draw the line at multiple-use toilet paper, though! (maybe we should go back to dry leaves?)

I am not perfect, far from it. I catch myself not reusing or sometimes buying things with excess packaging, etc....and I try to do better next time. I always consider avoiding buying things with excess or wasteful packaging, especially plastics. Incidentally, I never gave a second thought about any of this when I was younger.

When I first saw those little plastic pouches of hand warmers years ago, I honestly thought they were like the de-humidifying packets I used to buy to keep my musical instruments drier in their cases. Those things you use for weeks and then toss the lot of them in a 200F oven for a few minutes (which quickly removes all the moisture they have sucked up) and they are all ready to reuse again...over and over....cool. When I realized the warming packets were intended for one-time use only, to be then discarded...well I admit that sort of shocked me. I wish you could 'recharge' them somehow! I know about the tin foil trick to squeeze a second use from them, but wishing it could be recharged. Believe me, the idea of using them is tempting to me when my toes get numb.
They remind me too of those chemical 'light sticks' that you snap, use for a few hours, then just throw away, plastic container, enclosed liquid, and all. I frequently see kids playing with them and then tossing them in the garbage.

I do use old bread bags to keep my bike saddle dry in the rain. But my DH bought me some expensive Campy windstopper sock liners for xmas last year which work better for me than plastic bags. I like wool better anyway though, it breathes better, and I wear roomier boots in the winter for hiking, snowshoeing and biking so I can layer several warm pairs of wool socks without them feeling tight or cutting off circulation. Works for me.
I just got some BlackDiamond Guide gloves for this xmas, and I haven't had a chance to put them to a real hard test yet, but they seem pretty bulletproof and DH vouches for them.

[OakLeaf]

I'm with you Bleeck - I'll use those things in a pinch but not on a regular basis.

Battery operated socks are widely available, and you could use NiMH rechargeables in them as easily as alkalines. I don't know how you'd have a wireless power source though... I know that technology is on the horizon for computers, etc., but I don't know how it would work for heating, and anyway I would think that the main power source would have to be LOTS bigger, to the point where there wouldn't be any advantage over the rotating weight on your ankles.

There also used to be socks that came with microwaveable gel pads, just like miniature versions of the regular microwave heating pads. They aren't any bulkier than the disposables. I haven't seen them lately though so I don't know if they're still available.

[RoadRaven]

I do draw the line at multiple-use toilet paper, though! (maybe we should go back to dry leaves?)

LOL... What about reverting to sphagnum moss for "that time of the month". Renewable, biodegrable and totally absorbant!

Nah... maybe I'll just stick with my mooncup.

Now... back to the actual thread topic...

[Natasha]

I have a set of Hotronics heated insoles in my Lake winter boots for cold weather riding. They use rechargable batteries that hook onto your boots/shoes. They are not wireless and the batteries are a bit heavy, but everything is reusable. They have gotten me through a number of Minnesota winters.

[lph]

I carry a couple of those small heating packs with me on most mountain hikes or skiing trips, in case of "emergency", mostly in case my son gets cold hands. He's skinny and takes a while to warm up. I'm not happy with the idea of using them on a regular basis either, but they're great to have in your pocket just in case.

[Becky]

I don't use warmers on a regular basis, but they're essential on those sub-freezing days that I'm wearing steel-toe boots for more than an hour or two. No number of layers, liners, or wool socks can counteract the heat-sucking properties of metal on your toes!

I seriously need to consider some battery-operated heated socks or those insoles that Natasha mentioned....

[Tuckervill]

Back to the TP...when my children were in diapers I didn't use disposable wipes. I purchased a set of specific color wash cloths which I used, washed, and reused. I don't know why we couldn't do something similar for ourselves? Isn't that the idea behind a bidet? (I've never had the opportunity to use one.)

Karen

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm not being argumentative, but I am curious:

- rechargeable batteries
- microwavable gel packs

All these sound like great ideas. But, if the use of these items were indexed (due to energy consumption and manufacturing impact) relative to disposable toasties, where would the fall.

I'm really just trying to keep this one off the toilet paper!

[bmccasland]

LOL... What about reverting to sphagnum moss for "that time of the month". Renewable, biodegrable and totally absorbant!

Only if you live where it grows naturally. If it's harvested and shipped out, then like so many things, it gets overharvested.

I too like my toilet paper, although I have used pages of the Sears catalogue at my Grandmother's out-house, then scooped lime on top.

And back to the topic at hand
Wish there was something "rechargable". I'm all for layers. It is no fun being cold and wet. Warm and dry is good. and I have been known to use instant warm or instant cool stuff in emergencies.