Sheepskin Slippers

Sheepskin Slippers

Read on to know more about sheepskin, sheepskin slippers and how to choose the right kind of sheepskin products?

What is Sheepskin?
Sheepskin, as the word suggests, is the skin of sheep, lamb or mutton.
The skin of these sheep is very soft, warm and is known to be insulating and static-free. These sheepskins are very comfortable to wear and find many uses such as in rugs, coats, and sheepskin slippers.

How is Sheepskin chosen?
There are more than 100 different types of sheep. Each produces a different kind of skin. Also depending upon the season, the skin has a different amount of wool on it.
In the spring season, lambs and therefore lambskins have soft skin, which has a less amount of wool on it. During the months of July and August the production of wool on the body of the sheep begins to increase and this continues till the end of the year. The sheepskins at the beginning of production are about 1.5 inches to 2 inches thick. The sheepskins during the peak of the wool production period are between 2 inches to 3 inches thick.
During the months of December and January, the skin of these sheep is quite thick with wool and can reach a thickness of up to 3 inches or more.
Once the skin is removed from the sheep, it is dried and cooled naturally and then cured. For the purposes of curing the sheepskin a special kind of dried salt is used which contains bactericides and fungicides. There are two types of treatments given to the sheepskin. They are:
Drum Salting In this procedure the salt and the chemicals are mixed with the skins and they are tumbled together for about 2 hours. Then these skins are stacked on top of each other for about 5 days to let the fluids drain from the skin.
Conveyor Salting In this procedure, the skins are laid out flat on a conveyor belt and salt is showered on them. These skins are then folded and stacked on top of each other. This allows for a deeper penetration of the salt into the sheep skins.

What to look for before buying sheepskin products?

One of the main things to look out for before buying sheepskin products is the seed contamination. Seed contamination is a fault on the surface of the sheepskin which is caused by patches of scar tissue which is left behind on the skin of the sheep after a wound caused by seed burrows has healed. This happens during the life of the sheep and the skin patches caused by seed contamination cannot be removed. This patch may fall off and leave holes in the skin itself. The seed contamination patches can range from 'No Visible Seed' to 'Light' or 'Medium' seed to 'Heavy' and 'Burry' seed.

The next thing to consider during the purchasing of sheepskin is to see for shear scars. These are caused when the skins of the sheep are shorn for wool before they are removed. The scars are left behind during the process of shearing them for wool, and have not been allowed or given time to heal.

Another thing to look for is the weathered tip of the wool. Almost all of the wool of the sheep will be weathered by dirt and weather for the first few millimeters. This has to be cleaned and dyed before the sheepskin is sold.

The more tender the sheepskin the more is the possibility that it has been taken off a sheep suffering from a skin disease or lice infestation.

Also, most genuine wool products should have the international woolmark standard.

How to Choose the Right Sheepskin Slippers?

Sheepskin slippers are known to keep feet dry and allow the feet to 'breathe'. They are also very warm. This allows you to wear them without socks.

Once you know how to choose the right sheepskin or how to look for the right sheepskin type, the next logical step is choosing the right kind of sheepskin slippers.

Before buying the sheepskin slippers, you first need to identify if you are going to be wearing them inside the house or outside. If you intend to wear these sheepskin slippers outside the house, then they must have a flexible, sturdy and non-slip sole.

Ideally, the sheepskin slippers must have certain areas like the heel and the toe area reinforced.

Before buying a pair of sheepskin slippers, check for the quality of the sheepskin first.

Then choose a size that fits you well. If you are a size and a half, then ideally choose the next full size. For example, if you are a 6 and ? then go for a size 7 for these slippers.

Usually, these sheepskin slippers will have removable and replaceable insoles.

How to take care of my sheepskin slippers?
Sheepskin is not waterproof. Therefore it is essential to use your sheepskin slippers with care, especially in the rainy seasons.

To wash your sheepskin slippers, you can use a mild non-biological detergent. Then hand-wash the slippers and place them in a dry area which is away from direct heat and sunlight.

Do not use any kind of fabric conditioner for sheepskin products.

If you want to retain the original shape and quality of the wool, then be sure to use a wire-dog or a rug brush before and after the drying process.

It is important to note that washing in hot water, bleaching, using a biological detergent, storing in a plastic bag, tumble drying the sheepskin slippers in a washing machine or even drying these slippers on a radiator ? all will destroy your sheepskin slippers.

With all these guidelines in mind, it will now become easier for you to choose the right sheepskin slippers for you and to care for them as well.

Natural diets to cure digestive problems

Natural diets to cure digestive problems

A list of natural foods that may aid in curing different digestive problems, including a guide to portion sizes. Learn how to change your diet to restore health.
There are a whole host of digestive problems that plague people today. Everything from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to Yeast Syndrome, intestinal gas to acid reflux force people to pop pills and antacids like they are candy. But most of this may be avoidable by simply changing their diet, particularly to a natural one that avoids foods that can cause these problems (called "trigger foods"). So which natural foods can help cure your IBS, and which ones will set it off? Here is a list of which foods are good and why.
There are several organs that aid in digestion- the large and small intestines, colon and stomach are the obvious ones, but also the mouth! Your teeth and enzymes in your saliva start the digestive process by breaking them down. Good oral health is the first key to avoid harmful bacteria getting into your bowels.

First thing to think about is not only changing what you eat, but HOW. Many diets on the market suggest eating six small meals per day instead of the traditional three squares. This is advisable to help with digestive disorders, as well. It is almost impossible to completely avoid trigger foods, but eating them in small portions such as with a six-a-day meal plan will ensure that there is not enough in the digestive tract to cause any problems. It also keeps your metabolism continuously active, which aids in quicker digestion and better weight maintenance, as well.

Perhaps the most important part of any diet is hydration. Water is key; you should try to consume at least eight glasses per day. Juices are fine, though fruit juices should be consumed in moderation. Too much fruit can act like a natural laxative, which may cause more harm than good, depending on your digestive problem. Vegetable juices are excellent and can supplement any multivitamins you might take daily. Alcohol and carbonated drinks like soda can irritate your stomach, so these must also be limited.

Dairy is an important part of any diet, because dairy products contain lots of calcium, which is important to maintain bone density as you age. But an undiagnosed case of lactose intolerance could be why you have so many problems digesting your meals. You can either go to a doctor or use an at-home test kit to see if this is your problem. If it is, follow your doctor's advice, though they will likely say NOT to cut dairy out. There are many products available that will help you digest dairy if you are intolerant, and this may also cure your overall indigestion as well.

Fiber is highly recommended in any diet due to its heart-healthy properties and its ability to fight colon cancer. But fibers like those in beans and fruits can cause gas while being digested, causing you intestinal bloating, pain and gas. You must still eat these, but do so in small amounts. Following the aforementioned six-a-day meal plan will make doing the smaller portions a breeze.

Starches such as rice, bread and potatoes are a part of most daily diets, unless you are on a low-carb diet. Rice is great for digestion, as it produces little to no gas. Bread and potatoes should be eaten in small amounts, like fiber. If you are indeed on a low-carb plan and wish not to deviate so much, then brown rice is a great alternative to the usual white, as are whole-wheat breads instead of white and sweet potatoes instead of russet, gold or red. These choices digest better, have more fiber and are lower in calories, so the benefits of these dietetic switches are almost endless.

What you use to cook your food can also be problematic. Olive oil is by far the best thing you can cook with. The extra-virgin variety provides the best heart benefits and flavor. If it is perhaps too strong for you, then safflower or canola are good, cheaper alternatives. The reduction in bad cholesterol is reason enough to change, but this simple change will also ease digestion.

These tips require a few changes in your grocery list and a little discipline. But most find that the changes in diet are worth it to avoid things like gas, acid reflux, IBS and others. Of course, this type of plan also improves your overall health, and therefore is still a good idea. No matter what, moderation and hydration are key! Bon appetite!