Rice Sock

Here is a super simple idea that will bring you and your family comfort and joy. (Well, I can't guarantee the joy, but there will definitely be comfort!)

Take a sock, fill it with white, uncooked rice, and tie a knot to close the end. You can throw this in the microwave and heat and you will have a warm, comforting heat source that conforms to your body. This works great for growing pains, earaches, sinus pain, sore muscles, etc. You can also chill it in the freezer to relieve bumps and bruises. We use ours all the time. It's great to tuck into bed with a child on a cold winter's night.

The details: use a sock with a fine weave or the grains will leak through. Don't heat too long in the mircowave or it can become too hot. Just experiment - our sock with a cup of rice takes about 35 seconds on high.