A Blast From The Past - Money Well Spent: In the Pursuit of Health, Calming Quiet, Cozy Warmth & Excellent Dental Care

 

 

#6 on Gretchen Rubin's Ten Tips for Being Happier:  Buy Some Happiness

 

I’ve learned to look for ways to spend money to stay in closer contact with my family and friends; to promote my health; to work more efficiently; to eliminate sources of irritation and marital conflict; to support important causes; and to have enlarging experiences.

-Gretchen Rubin, author & blogger-

 

If you received this post via email, click here to get to the web-version with all the links.

 

Even though I wrote this post three years ago--I'm still happily using every one of these products all the time.  And they're all still performing perfectly, knock on wood - benefitting me daily.  

 

1.  The Lab Rat & I use our VitaMix 5200 at least once a day.

2.  The Philips Sonicare Toothbrush gets used 2-4 times a day.

3.  The Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad is used every night for 5-6 months of the year.

4.  The Acoustic Wireless Stereo Headphones, are only used occasionally, these days--when I'm trying to blog or read & my husband is watching something loud & annoying on TV-- like reruns of the Band of Brothers or Ultimate Fighting.  If you crave quiet--these do the trick.

 

So, why did I decide to repost it, today of all days, when I have at least 10 other topics I want to write about?

Because, this morning I got a call from a good friend, who finally, three years later, took my advice & bought the heated mattress pad I recommended.

 

Susan:  You know that mattress pad you wrote about?

Me:  Yeah, like at least three years ago!

Susan:  Well, I finally bought one.  JC Penney had it on sale--and with free shipping.  We plugged it in yesterday, and Joe & I could not believe it!  Simply, heavenly.  And, it felt so good on my sore back.

Why did I wait so long to buy it? 

And Joe said, "For 20 years I've lived through miserably cold winter nights--now, that's history.  This is absolutely fantastic.  Where did you hear about this?"

Susan:  Our friend, The Healthy Librarian.  Who else?

 

I figured that if a simple heated mattress pad purchase "knocked my friends' socks off"--maybe some of you would appreciate a "kick in the pants" to reconsider some of these products-with-health-or-comfort-benefits. Trust me--I have zero affiliation with any of these companies.

Full Disclosure:  There may be updated models from what I recommended three years ago--so do your due diligence!  This much I do know: the VitaMix 5200, the Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad, & the Philips Sonic Care Toothbrush are all still around.

Just something to think about, in case you want to make a practical holiday purchase that is guaranteed to bring you--or someone you care about:  Health, Calming Quiet, Cozy Warmth & Excellent Dental Care.

BTW:  Over the past 3 years I have heard from many friends & readers who were all delighted with these products.  No complaints yet.

 

 

Revisiting December 20, 2008

Money Well Spent: In the Pursuit of Health, Calming Quiet, Cozy Warmth & Excellent Dental Care

 

Look, I know this is not the time to advocate spending money--but then again--a lot of businesses will be helped greatly if we can loosen up our purse strings a little.

I don't spend money easily.  I don't like excess.  And I don't like to shop--except for food & books.  My parents were young adults during the Great Depression, so their lessons of thrift definitely have rubbed off on me.

But...this year I've purchased a few things that I would describe as MONEY WELL SPENT!

I use them almost everyday, & they've brought me and my husband:

• Good health with little effort
• A quiet home where it's easy to read & think
• A warm cozy bed even with our thermostat set to 58 degrees
• Excellent dental care with germ-free toothbrushes

In Pursuit of Health - The Vita-Mix 5200

• Yes, I know you are all ready to shoot me if I say one more thing about my Vita-Mix & green smoothies--but believe me, I too, was once a skeptic!  And I don't part with money easily.
• We use this blender everyday, and at a hefty $450 I figure that at $1/day for a year & 3  months it's worth it.
• There is no way is the world that I could eat 5 cups of kale, spinach, Swiss chard or spinach; an orange; a kiwi; mixed berries; 5 carrots; an apple; some pomegranate juice & 2 TBS. of ground flax seed in one day.  But I can put it all into this incredible blender, add some water or ice & VOILA--I have a delicious drinkable, portable breakfast & mid-day snack.  You cannot believe the power of this contraption.
• I use it to make salad dressings, to instantly puree vegetable soups, make my own tahini, humus, all-fruit sorbets, and more.
• It cleans in seconds & there are no annoying parts to take apart like in a food processor.
• To read more of my annoying green smoothie discoveries, click here and here

 

In Pursuit of Quiet - The Acoustic Research 900 MHz Wireless Stereo Headphones with autotuning - Model AW772

• My husband loves his TV time--especially loud WWII videos, like The Band of Brothers--Seinfeld reruns & anything on SPIKE.  I like to sit in our cozy Library/Den with him, but honestly, the noise is so annoying!
• My sister clued me in to the idea of wireless headphones that allow one to watch TV or listen to  music--have the volume as high one likes--and not disturb anyone else.  She bought a pair of these for my brother-in-law #1 for Father's Day.  He said it was a gift for her, not for him--but Oh Well--that's my sis!
• Back in September I wrote about  My husband's promise:  He's buying wireless headphones to use when he wants to watch TV & I want to read or write. Or vice versa.  Why be mad, distracted, or have to read the same page over & over again when you can buy wireless headphones for your TV?  Viva the silence!
• He bought them--he loves them--and so do I!  I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is to not have a loud TV in the background when I want to read, write or think.  In fact, I can cook in the kitchen while listening to the radio (NPR of course), while hubby is less than 5 feet away in our den watching Seinfeld.  It's AMAZING!
• Another plus--since they are wireless, he can walk into his office, go get a snack, wash some dishes & keep listening to whatever he wants to listen to.
• Only downside:  When he has his headphones on he can't hear me (I guess that's an upside for him) unless I get right next to him & tap him on the shoulder.
• He picked the Acoustic Research brand by going to our small town's electronics store so he could support the local economy & get some expert advice on a reliable model.  Expect to pay between $65-$120 for a good pair--I think.
• I think wireless stereo headphones would also be the perfect solution for anyone who has to share a tiny 1 bedroom or studio apartment with a roommate.

 

In Pursuit of Warmth - The Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad with dual controls

• We set our thermostat to go down to 58 degrees when we go to sleep.  Natural gas prices are sky high. Even with a sheet, a quilt & a down comforter, last winter I had to resort to crawling into a down sleeping bag to get warm enough.  Needless to say, my husband wasn't too happy with this.
• This Fall, I spotted a queen-sized Sunbeam Heated Mattress Pad at Costco for about $75 & thought I'd give it a try.  After all, Costco will gladly accept returns if you are dissatisfied with a product.
• We both LOVE this mattress pad--which I know sounds slightly looney.  It's got a nifty Preheat setting that we set fifteen minutes before crawling into bed, & each of us has preset our preferred temperatures--I'm comfortable with Low, and hubby who doesn't wear PJs likes #3.
• Now we only need a light-weight quilt to stay warm through the night.  No need for the down comforter.  And the house is a cool 58 degrees.  We could probably even go lower!
• There's even an automatic shut-off that turns the pad off, should you forget, after (I think) 10 hours.  And of course it has multiple adjustable temperature settings for both sides.
• Save Energy & Save Money.  Calculating with March 2008 Energy Information Administration forecasting---if you can lower your thermostat 8 degrees, 24 hours a day, 25 weeks a year, you save up to $131 a year.  That's a pretty good dollar return for a $75 investment, not to mention a cozy warm bed!

 

 

In Pursuit of Excellent Dental Health - Philips Sonicare Flexcare 2 Handle Toothbrush All-in-one Sanitizing Charging and Storing Unit

• Full disclosure here.  My husband is a dentist and we've used the original Sonicare model for years.
• This new Flexcare model came out about 6 months ago--and there's no comparison to the older model.
• The pluses:  There is a timed Maxcare mode that keeps that toothbrush oscillating in your mouth for a full 3 minutes.  The average person brushes for less than a minute with an old-fashioned toothbrush.  If you want a quick brush between meals--there's a 1 minute Go-Care setting.
• Ultra-violet light sanitizer is included & it kills up to 99% of E. Coli & streptococcus Mutans, not to mention assorted cold viruses.  Since we all keep our toothbrushes in the bathroom & flush the toilet with the seat up--I think you get the picture.  The sanitizer is a closed-door unit keeping your toothbrush away from any nasties.
• If you travel, the set includes a portable travel charger--a nice convenience.
• My last dental check-up was absolutely the best I have ever had.  My dentist could not believe it.  It was as pretty close to perfect as you can get.  He would not conclude that it's the Flexcare--but I've done nothing else differently.  Again Full Disclosure:  I floss my teeth daily.  I apparently hold my toothbrush at the correct angle (a must do!) & I Only Brush My Teeth Once a Day in the Morning.  I say it's the Sonicare Flexcare  that is giving me excellent dental health.
• This unit is not inexpensive.  I saw it online at Costco for $160.00.  But with new research coming out weekly about the connection between good dental health, inflammation & heart health--I think it's a small price to pay.  It's all about prevention in my book!

OK, Dear Readers!   Please help us spend our money wisely.

If you have a favorite kitchen or household item that you can recommend--as we consider holiday gifts--now's your chance!!

Comments

[JoEllen]

I've fallen in love with the Clarisonic Mia skin cleansing system. Yes, at $100, it's a lot to spend to keep our face clean, but once you use it you will never go back to a washcloth. Much like the difference between a standard toothbrush and the sonic oscillating version. In fact, this little appliance was developed by the same man who invented the sonic toothbrush. The company makes a larger version that is about $100 more for all-over body use, but I like the Mia better because it's easy to hold in my small-ish hand, and I only use it on my face anyway. I have no affiliation with the company. H.L., interestingly, I use all the products you recommended except the headphones. Now I'm going to check those out! Thanks.

[Wendy (Healthy GIrl's Kitchen)]

I have been asking my husband for a heated mattress pad or heated blanket for the last few weeks, so it's so ironic that you mention in today on your blog. I just loathe the feeling of getting into a freezing cold bed at night. Now once our body heat warms up the bed, it's okay, and we do have a thermostat that lowers the heat down to 60 while we sleep. But that first 10 minutes are brutal and it seems totally worth $75 to end my misery.

[Veggie V's Vegan Adventure]

I haven't been able to live without a heated mattress pad for at least 10 years. I love it! When I met my husband, I got him hooked on it too :-) I use mine year round, and a couple of years ago, the controler got zapped by lightening, so I didn't have my heated bed for months! It was seriously terrible. I don't think I slept much until fall rolled around the heated mattress pads hit the store shelves again.

I've also had a Sonicare toothbrush for about as long as the heated mattress pad, and I love that too! It really has made a difference at the dentist. (I just went yesterday, and the hygentists was impressed with my lack of tarter build-up. Go me!)

BTW, I love your blog. I read and enjoy a lot of blogs (my own included - ha!), but I really look forward to yours. It's always so full of info! Maybe it's an a professional thing (academics), but I really appreciate the researches your highlight and references you provide. Thanks for that!

[Sharon]

A wool mattress pad on top of the heated mattress pad takes comfort to an even higher level.
Wool is great year-round too.

[Ellen Mulle']

1.) My sleep-number bed is fantastic! No more back problems. My physician and my "former" physical therapist both recommended it, and now I do, too! (Yoga/strength exercises helps, also.) Best X-mas present we ever bought. Sound sleep is soooo important!! 2.) My wonderful, light-weight down-feather bed comforter is deliciously warm on Albuquerque winter nights. Down seems healthier than electric pads/blankets.
Thanks for your great blog. Holiday blessings!

[Janet]

Does one need to worry about radiation or brain tumors with the wireless? I would like them, but my daughter scared me.

I sooooo want a vitamix!!!!!!!!!

[Michele @VeganFork]

I have a question, why is brushing your teeth only once a day good. I brush twice a day morning and evening? Also I have Braun/Oral B tooth brush and it has made a huge difference with my gums and teeth at dental visits. I like the round brush head on the Oral B. It is time for a new one and I was looking at Costco at the Phillips but the oval brush head made me hesitate. Love all of your blogs as usual xoxo
PLEASE POST CORNED BEEF RECIPE!!!!!

[Health Librarian]

Michele,

Brushing once a day isn't "recommended" per se (more of course is just fine)--it's just what I often brush once-a-day--in the morning. My husband said it was OK--because I'm super-thorough, and I floss daily--which is key. There's something about it taking 24 hours for the bacteria to develop into plaque or something like that--which makes my sometimes 24 hour practice OK.

I'll ask him for the details, & the pro- and con- of oval versus round brush. I haven't a clue.

[Janet Novak]

I can't live without my crock pots-large and small-for making a weekly supply of beans. I've had my big crock pot for at least 15 years. I sort, clean and soak my beans on Saturday night, which takes all of 15 minutes, dump 'em in the crockpot with water on Sunday morning, and let 'em cook all day Sunday as I go about my day. Canned beans? Arrgh! No way! I buy a 25 pound bag of pintos and bolitas fresh from the farm every fall. They are so creamy and delicious! There is just NO comparison between fresh and canned. Plus, no worries from BPA from the cans. I eat beans daily or use them in a recipe, so they never go to waste. Nope...could not live without my crock pots!

[Michele @VeganFork]

Thanks for response on brushing your teeth once a day. I remember that my dentist did say that brushing with out tooth paste was suppose to be just as effective as with tooth paste. Less chemicals. I will wait to hear what your husband says about the pro's and con's of oval vs round brush.

[babs]

Are overnight guests treated to a heated mattress pad too?

[The Healthy Librarian]

Babs--We always ask our guests if they prefer a bed with or without a heated mattress pad. What's your preference? We try to be accomodating.

[Pam Wright]

I've enjoyed reading articles on your site for weeks (arrived via an article in the NYT about sweet potatoes) - fascinating stuff. I'd like to get a Vitamix but when I checked their website, they offer several models.

https://secure.vitamix.com/Compare-Machines.aspx

They also have reconditioned models (48 and 62 ounce): https://secure.vitamix.com/vitamix-reconditioned-machines.aspx

What do you recommend?

[The Healthy Librarian]

Hi Pam,

We have the 5200 basic black regular model & it works well for us. I'd recommend you get the 62 ounce over the 48 ounce (if you get the reconditioned ones)--it's very convenient to make 62 ounces of juice at a time, store it in a Klean Canteen & have enough juice for 2 days.

Or it works well to make a large quantity, if you're sharing your green juice with others in your family.

The big size is also good for pureeing a good quantity of soup. Say good-bye to pureeing in batches. And it doesn't explode like a blender.

Last year we did buy a small-sized container just to make a small quantity of something--like humus, or fruit/banana sorbet---but, you can easily do this in the larger container--it's just a little more work to "dig out" non-liquid contents, that don't pour out.

Glad you hopped on over to my blog via NYT! I'm a huge NYT's fan & need my daily fix.

BTW--Costco often has discounted deals on VitaMixes--mostly you save the shipping. Bed, Bath, & Beyond has a model that you can use a 20% coupon to buy--but it's not the 5200.

You might call the VitaMix customer service # for advice---I have found them very helpful! It's an excellent USA company.

[GMC]

Just saw this post on Dr. Andrew Weil's ezine http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP04275/Are-Heating-Pads-Dangerous.html
Regarding the safety of electric heating pads.

if you could find any other research that shows they are safe, then I'd be more inclined to buy your sunbeam heated mattress pad that you rave about.

[Carol]

I'm almost inclined to buy it whether it's safe or not - it sounds so delicious. We had a warm waterbed for about ten years, many years ago, and I do miss that lovely warmth when I first climb in. I didn't actually know these mattress pads existed, but they sound much less fiddley than my hot water bottle......

[Lynn]

My best household purchase of late is a TRX Suspension Trainer. I highly recommend it for those of you looking for a super effective (and fun) home workout!!

[Betsy]

I just bought a Sonicare (Flexcare Plus) at Amazon the other day. While I was browsing in Bed Bath & Beyond today I noticed they had Sonicares on sale with a notice about a rebate for some Sonicare brushes and brush heads (but even with BBB discount and coupon, they're charging more than I paid for it at Amazon), I did manage to find the rebate form online http://www.ddpks.com/docs/sonicare_rebate_flyer.pdf in case anyone else buys one before the end of this month. I'm still toying with the idea of that latest Robin Robertson book you wrote about a few weeks back. Thanks for the recommendations, HL!

[Sue in Denver]

The purchases that I could not live without and would go into debt to replace if they broke tomorrow:
1. My Vitamix--I've had it for at least 10 years now and LOVE it!
2. My Penquin soda water maker from Williams Sonoma. Sometimes I wonder if I drink TOO much water because of it!
3. My Conair professional-style clothes steamer. I have not ironed in YEARS!
4. Netflix (not a product, but you get the idea!)

[The Healthy Librarian]

Sue, My son & daughter-in-law have a soda water maker & when I visit, I can't get enough of that water. Maybe it's time to lay down some cash.

And the Conair steamer--I always wondered if those things worked. So cool to find out that they do--at least the Conair prof. model. Totally agree about Netflix- and our 2X a month membership is starting to get annoying--time to bump it up.

Thanks for your input!

[dj]

What's your thought on electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electric blankets/pads? When I stayed at a B&B in Riverton, NZ, I was introduced to the hot water bottle. They know cold and damp. I use them to this day. I fill two with hot water and throw them at each end of the bed. When I hit the sack, my bed is nice and toasty. In NZ, shops all around, were selling wool hot water bottle cozies.

I'd love a Vita-Mix, but I can't get over the price. I've had an Oster Blender for decades, but it isn't easy to clean and sometimes it just isn't powerful enough. It does fine for powder shakes with fruit, but is overwhelmed if I try to whip firm tofu for frosting. I like that it has a glass container though. I also have a food processor. I think if they both die, I might replace them with 1 Vita-Mix :-) Have to take a look at Consumer Reports first.

[Jennifer deWit]

I own the Genesis Soda Stream...it's a wonderful investment! One cartridge lasted almost all summer, and with a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon, the replacement cartridge cost me only $10. I just noticed that Costco will be selling them (saw it in their newest monthly magazine).

I'm also looking into heated mattress pads now that you've written about it. Costco sells a low-voltage model online.

[The Healthy Librarian]

I've looked at the research on electric blankets & mattress pads--and it was "mostly" put to rest after extensive research by the EBCLIS (Electromagnetic Fields & Breast Cancer on Long Island Study.) back in 2003.

The big brouhaha on electric blankets occurred in the 1970's-1980's I think.

2 important papers were published by the EBCLIS--which followed a large study group of blanket users & non-users, and their conclusion was that there was no association between breast cancer & electric blanket usage or from its ambient electromagnetic field emissions.

Here are the papers:

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14501265
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12835286

As in anything, there are researchers who argue with the findings & study design--but the authors have presented excellent follow-up reasons why their conclusions still stand, & the study design measured what it was supposed to measure.

Another important point: Since 1990, all new blankets & pads use something called PTC (positive temperature coefficient design), which allows for cancellation of fields & much lower levels of magnetic field emission.

It's the pre-1990 blankets that you should avoid.

This is documented in an EPA paper called, "EMF in Your Envirnoment: Magnetic Field Measurements of Everyday Electrical Devices" 1992. 404-R-92-008

There was one weak observational mention of an association between endometrial cancer & use of electric blankets--but, remember, post-1990 the technology for these blankets changed.

Use of an electric mattress is a personal decision. Certainly, there is info on the internet that casts doubt on many everyday items, & makes them sound risky.

My advice is to look at the literature to make a decision. Will it still be a 100% guaranteed fool-proof decision. Of course not. But, driving a car, skiing, and go outside all have risks.

That said--if I were pregnant, I'd avoid the pads--because of the increased heat.

Last point--mostly, I turn off my pad after about an hour. It's usefulness is in getting into a warm bed, and making it easy to fall asleep.

[The Healthy Librarian]

@Michele@Vegan Fork:

Here's what my husband said about the Oral-B round brush vs the Sonic Care

They work differently. The Oral-B rotates, & many people have a tendency to leave it too long in one place, which can be damaging to the gums---while the Sonic Care vibrates, so that won't happen. He feels the vibration method does a better of promoting gum health, & removing plaque without causing any damage.

That said--he says, if you're getting great reports with your Oral-B, then you're brushing correctly, avoiding the possible damage, & should just continue with what's working for you. No need to switch. Hope that helps.