The world’s record for the fastest time to make a pair of shoes dates back to 1894. The Dizer Shoe Mfg. Co. of Weymouth, Mass,. which owned a shoe factory and an adjacent tannery, was challenged to make a pair of shoes – raw materials to finished product – in less than three hours.
In the presence of politicians, reporters and other “official” observers, the tanner converted a raw kangaroo skin to finished leather in a leather-making record of tow hour and 40 minutes. The leather was immediately cut and processed through the shoe making sequence. The finished shoe emerged on one hour and 12 minutes. Total time, raw skin to finished shoe: three hours, 52 minutes – a record still unmatched.
While this has nothing to do with shoes or feet – a great summer time beverage is just as important as both of those subjects. I love to bake, cook and entertain and thought this would be at least as, if not more, fun to share as any tip on shoes or feet. So, hearkening back to my southern roots I’m sharing my grandmother’s Mint Julep recipe. Enjoy!!
The Perfect Mint Julep
- 40 fresh, small spearmint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
- 3 oz. plus 3 cups bourbon whiskey, preferably Maker’s Mark
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Confectioners sugar
- For mint extract, place mint leaves in a small bowl with 3 oz. of bourbon. Let soak for 15 minutes. Using the back of a spoon press the mint leaves repeatedly until all the mint is extracted from the leaves. Remove leaves and set aside.
- For simple syrup, in a small saucepan bring distilled water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add granulated sugar and stir constantly until it completely dissolves. Let cool to room temperature.
- For juleps, combine 3 cups of bourbon, 1 cup syrup and mint extract. Place mixture in a air-tight container and refrigerate until flavors marry, about 24 hours.
- To serve, fill each glass (I use my parents highball glasses from the 1950’s) halfway with shaved ice. Insert a sprig of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1 inch over the rim of the glass. Insert a straw cut to 1 inch above the ice (this step is optional). When frost forms on the surface of the glass, pour mint julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar.
I guarantee you will love this drink and your foot woes will simply disappear. You’ll wonder what took you so long to give one a try.
Over its 7000 year history, the footwear industry has woven many myths. Unfortunately, shoe people and public alike have become victim of these untruths. It’s time to crack the walls of shoe mythology and separate reality from illusion. Over the next weeks we will share many myths and the real facts with you.
Here is a modest beginning:
MYTH: Sensible shoes will prevent foot ills.
FACT: So called sensible shoes have all the built in design and construction faults of non-sensible shoes.
Corns are areas of thickened skin about the size of corn kernels & are caused by excess pressure on one point of the foot. They typically form on top of or between toes & often result from wearing shoes that are too tight. Soften the corn with oil & then sanding it with a pumice stone can be beneficial.
Calluses are areas of dead skin typically larger than a corn & usually form on the sole of your foot & tell you where you’re experiencing the greatest pressure. Solution: use oils on calluses & then sand them daily to prevent them from getting too thick.
Bunions are painful enlargements or bony protrusions at the base of your big toe. They may be inherited, but can also be caused by shoes that are too narrow across the front. The long-term solution is to buy shoes with sufficiently large toe boxes.
Hammertoes can be caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes if, for example, the second toe is longer that the big toe & is forced into a too-small toe box.
No advice can guarantee an end to foot troubles. But by following these suggestions as well as the ones in previous tips, you’ll increase the chances that the next time you step out, you’ll have a smile on your face.
Problems in this area go by the name metatarsalgia. Causes range from damaged nerves to simply wearing shoes that are too tight in the toe box or too high in the heel. Switch to flat shoes that have a wider toe box. To relieve pain, place a pad just behind the weight-bearing ball of the foot. If you can’t stop wearing high heels altogether, limit them to special occasions.
Toenail infections often start with a blow to the nail. The nail separates slightly from the nail bed & creates an area where a fungal infection can get started. Solution: keep the nail cut & filed down as much as is practical. Your doctor can prescribe medications that attack the progress of a nail infection.
Ingrown toenails are another common problem with are largely preventable & caused by improper trimming. Don’t use a fingernail clipper – it isn’t long enough for the toes & leaves a sharp point on the nail. The nail may then pierce the skin & grow inward. Buy a large toenail clipper.
