Hot Baggies

This post may seem a bit odd, but I have been racking my brain trying to think of stuff to post. This is a "hot baggie" (or whatever you want to call it). It is a piece of flannel filled with either regular rice or corn feed (the kind used to feed chickens).

Here's what you do: Put it in the microwave for about 1:30 to 2:00, and it will get nice and hot. Then you can snuggle under a blanket or put it under your covers for a toasty warm bed when you go to sleep. I am posting this, knowing it may not be the most frugal thing out there, but perhaps it could save a little (and it's cozy anyway). The instructions to make one are down below.

1) You could use it in your beds at night and then turn the thermostat down more while you are sleeping. They stay hot for quite a few hours when they are kept under blankets. Really, they do.

2) You do not have a need for an electric blanket, so you can save money by not using that (if you use one). Besides, it is safer because you won't have a risk of fire. Also, hot baggies can be used by people who are on oxygen, and electric blankets cannot, (so while this is not a frugal tip)- it may apply to your situation if you are oxygen and cold all the time.

3) NOTE: If you have babies or toddlers, I would not turn the thermostat down and use this in your bed instead. They don't stay under the covers like everyone else does, and they can't spread out a blanket if they are cold. So, I'm going to have to wait a few years for that one.

4) You can give a couple to your neighbors as a gift at Christmastime, with a cute poem or saying. Cheap, non-fattening, and doesn't promote tooth decay. Gotta love that.

Here's the poem I gave out when I did this for neighbor gifts in 2004. I wrote the poem, so no violations of copyrights or anything. You may use it if you like.

'Tis the season for hustle and bustle
Which gives a good reason to ease a sore muscle.
The miracle contents of this sack
Will please and soothe your aching back.

Just heat by microwave two minutes on high
And then for one hour kiss sore muscles good-bye!
Or take it along when you go see the lights
To keep out the chill of Jack Frost’s cold bite.

Store a sack in your freezer where it’s out of your way
And when your head is throbbing at the end of the day
You’ll be amazed at how it can relieve your stress
When you have a splitting headache & just aren’t your best.

I hope this Christmas season fills your heart
And your New Year gets off to a wonderful start.
I treasure your friendship at this Christmastime
And send warmest of wishes to your house from mine!

5) They can also be kept in the freezer and used for headaches, etc. but they don't stay as cold or cold as long as a store-bought ice pack does.

6) They have a lot of other uses, including relieving stomach cramps, sore muscles, children's "I'm feeling sick" complaints (sometimes), and they can travel in a stroller under blankets to keep your kiddos warm while you go see the Christmas lights, or for a walk. I'm sure you can think of other uses.

Here's how you make one: You cut a rectangle of flannel. Whatever size you want, really. Mine are about 9.5" x 6" finished. Fold in half right sides together, sew up the 2 sides, leaving one end open. Turn right side out. Press and turn under the raw edges of the unfinished edge. Fill with rice or chicken feed. Sew opening shut. Viola! You're done. (Note: You don't have to use flannel, but it works the best.)

You can purchase corn feed/chicken feed at a local farmer's store, like IFA (Intermountain Farmers' Association). It comes in a 50 lb. bag for about $5. Not bad. If you don't want to make a lot of them and don't want a 50 lb bag of chicken feed lying around, then split it with someone or just use regular plain old rice from the grocery store. That's it. Pretty simple. If you experiment with some other filling, let us know if it works!

One more thing.... the bags made with chicken feed kind of smell faintly like burned popcorn at first. Once the moisture in the corn is cooked out by your microwave as you use the bags a few times, the smell will go away. It's not offensive, but if you are super sensitive to smells, you may want to just use rice. They don't smell.