*NOTE – this post contains affiliate links, and the item being reviewed was gifted to me for review purposes. It is being raffled off in the Migraine Survival Kit Giveaway with other fabulous products!
Anyone who knows me knows that I have, and use, a LOT of hot/cold packs. I use them cold from the freezer for migraines and injuries, and hot for Irritable Bowel Syndrome flare-ups, back pain, and shoulder/neck pain. I have Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, and Arthritis, as well as a shoulder injury, neck injury, and knee problems, and I also get a lot of migraines.
I used to make my own hot packs out of regular flame-retardant flannel and wheat berries, and bought a few to see if they were better than mine, but when I found the Comfy Comfy Canada cold/hot packs, I knew I’d found my solution.
The first major difference between this cold/hot pack and the others I’ve tried is the soft Minky fabric. Minky is a thicker fabric, and it feels like butter. It’s ultra-soft, and the extra thickness allows you to heat the pack up a little hotter than flannel packs, as the fabric acts as a buffer between the heat and your skin. This also means the pack stays hot longer. When it feels cooler, I flip it over to the flannel side and the thinner fabric allows more heat to come through. While I do have a Serger (Minky is thick, so difficult to sew on a standard machine) it’s really not worth it to me to go buy 4 spools of the same colored thread and go through the process of threading and setting up the serger just for a few hot packs. Minky also isn’t cheap, so at the low price that they offer these hot packs at, I don’t have to figure out how much Minky to buy and sew it – the price is definitely worth the purchase vs. making it myself.
Another difference between this, and other hot packs, is the length and width. This hot pack is so much longer, and wider, than traditional hot packs that it’s very, very versatile. Wrapped around my neck, it also provides heat over my shoulders, and being so wide, it covers more of my shoulders than the skinnier packs sold in drug stores.
It’s also much lighter-weight, being filled with Flax seeds rather than other fillers, and stays warmer longer. The size really comes into play for me when I have the severe stomach pain that goes along with IBS flare-ups, as I can double it up to fit on my tummy, adding more weight to help confuse pain signals. Staying doubled-up also means that it will retain its heat longer (especially if under blankets), which means fewer trips to the microwave to reheat it. It seems to stay warm for about 45 minutes, but when I fold it like this, then turn it around and fold it so that the paisley flannel side is facing out, I find that it’s still hot on the inside, extending the length of time it stays hot! I’ve literally gone to bed with it under the blankets at night, and woken up and it still feels somewhat warm (could be from body heat and heat trapped under blankets, but it’s a nice bonus to have in the bed on cold nights!). I also use it to wrap around my feet to warm them up! It’s the only hot pack that would ever properly wrap because of its extra-long size!
We’ve talked about hot, now let’s talk about cold. I get so many migraines each month it’s hard to keep track. All I know is I go through a LOT of 
Like what you see? If you order before November 30th, Comfy Comfy Canada has offered a discount of 15% by typing in the code TESSAG15 at checkout! They also have buckwheat pillows, meditation pillows and more, as well as a square version of this hot/cold pack, and several different patterns! If you haven’t already registered to win this one, subscribe to my blog, and click the link for several chances to win the Migraine Survival Kit Giveaway. To order this or other products made by Comfy Comfy Canada, click here.
An Eton FRX5BT All purpose weather alert radio with bluetooth – this handy little device has lights, a flashlight, a USB port to charge electronics with, can be charged via wall plug, solar panels, or hand crank (for 15-20 minutes of radio play). It can also run on triple-A batteries, or run off an already-charged device like your computer. It gets AM/FM/S.A.M.E. and NOAA radio stations to keep you up to date. This model is water resistant and can handle being dropped.*note: I get a small percentage of sales from Amazon if you order this product by clicking on the image here.
straw’ with collapsible bottle, and water purifying tabs, & 2 bottles of water (I only have one of the ‘straws’ as they last a really long time, and I have a few of the bottles, one for each kid and one for me – but I believe you can use your own collapsible bags. *note: I get a small percentage of sales from Amazon if you order this product by clicking on the image here.
As you perform this exercise, you need to be conscious of two things. First, make sure the small of your back stays as flat on your mat as possible. Secondly, in order to help you achieve this, turn your head to the opposite side as your knees. Get into position with your knees facing one way – hold that position for 30 seconds, breathing slowly. Then, keeping your lower back and shoulders on the mat, slowly rotate to the other side, and hold it for another 30 seconds. If you are just starting to stretch/exercise, 2 repetitions (2 on each side) is more than enough! If you feel a stretch in your hip or outer leg, that’s fine; extend your legs a little more if it’s uncomfortable. None of these positions should cause discomfort, only a stretching sensation.
For this one, you will be standing with your back against the wall. Your two main points of focus will be keeping your lower back relaxed, and keeping your shoulder blades together. Your elbows should be at shoulder height to begin, then slowly raise them, keeping a slight bend in your elbows, and then lower to the start position. It is very important to listen to your body as you do this one – again, these positions should not be uncomfortable or painful; you should simply feel the stretch. If you feel a cramping sensation as you do this, don’t raise your arms as high, or stop altogether. As always, use a 1-2-3 count moving your arms up, hold them up for a 3-count, then lower. If you’re just starting out, try doing this at least once, or twice. Otherwise, you can go up to 12 repetitions, as long as it does not hurt.
Whispers in the Trees 