The Hampton Toe Post Sandals from Orthaheel, recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil, are more than just foot cover, they’re true support for serious foot health. Find out for yourself if you’re one of 3 lucky EcoSalon readers to win a pair!

Five months into my pregnancy, my feet and ankles swelled to the size of rabbits. I had been traveling and it was hot and humid. Swollen ankles and feet are just par for the course in most pregnancies, too, my midwife told me.

The swelling abated after a few days and I was back to my daily 5-mile hike. But even though the swelling had subsided, I was now experiencing a whole lot of foot pain I hadn’t felt before. It was as if all that swelling had wreaked some havoc on my poor, expanding feet. Walking barefoot was almost unbearable.

Luckily, I had a pair of Hampton Toe Post Sandals, recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil, that the company had sent me to try (I did not pay for the product and my opinions on the shoes are 100 percent my own). I’ve been a flip-flop lover for years, ever since I decided that most shoes were more akin to toe prisons than they were any meaningful indicator of style. I’d worn down several pairs of Havaiana’s over the years, quite content with their performance. But when I slipped my feet into the Hampton Toe Post Sandals, it was a totally different experience.

For one, they are much more form-fitted to the shape of my foot. Most flip-flops are totally flat. I have really high arches and they need support. Second, the soles are really buoyant and cushiony. It feels a little bit like walking on air. The recessed heel promotes a more natural step, which feels really right, especially now that my center of gravity is off due to my ever-expanding belly. I also love the quality of the toe straps. Most flops are made of a strip of plastic that can irritate the skin. The Hampton Toe Post Sandal is soft canvas and less prone to breaking off from the base (which is how I’ve lost many flip flops. RIP). These are flip flop sandals I’m not afraid to wear out of the house, either. They’re substantial in their support whereas other flip flops only felt appropriate in the house or at the beach. These are my go-to sandals for the summer.

It’s really no surprise the sandals are so comfy. Designed by leading Australian podiatrist, Phillip Vasyli, and recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil, the biomechanical orthotic footbed of the Hampton Toe Post Sandal supports feet and helps realign the lower legs, reducing over-pronation and associated aches and pains. And at just $66.99, you’re not only getting a great pair of sandals for the summer, you’re getting incredible support that feels fantastic.

Want to win a pair? All you have to do is sign up for the EcoSalon newsletter! We’ll select 3 winners at random to win a pair. [Note: the sandals are available in whole sizes. If you are between sizes, it’s recommended to order down to the next smallest whole size (i.e. someone who wears a size 8.5 should order an 8).]

Enter here by June 30^th for your chance to win!

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

The post Giveaway! Win a Pair of Hampton Toe Post Sandals from Orthaheel Recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil appeared first on EcoSalon.

How do I love thee? Let me count the watts!

And so it goes when betrothed to a well-meaning eco sentinel, a man on a mission to recognize the dangers and combat the plagues of global warming.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m very committed to a greener lifestyle. I write for EcoSalon (Exhibit A) and turn off the tap when brushing my teeth (Exhibit B). I recycle, compost, carpool and use bath towels at least twice before washing. I rest my case.

Still,  I never figured the “other woman” in my marriage would be our beloved Mother Earth, a demanding temptress in constant need of love and attention.

Image: E.L. Bradley

Here’s a  list of  the ups and downs of my low energy/high drama, marital life – one  fraught with the challenges of not just getting along with a spouse but also saving a beleaguered planet.

Pro: I have learned everything I ever wanted to know about sustainable living, including never wearing  flip-flops when I leave the house because you can’t outrun a tsunami in these poolside-only shoes.

Con: Vigorous beach walks are often disrupted by his loud, pedantic diatribes on the dangers of the sea level rising due to melting ice and the heating and expansion of the ocean. “This will all be under water, soon enough,” he observes. Sometimes a gal  just wants to talk about the pretty day or how many calories she’s burning.

Image: Cutco

Pro: It can be quite romantic preparing and eating dinner together in the dark.

Con: It’s tricky wielding sharp Cutco blades to chop organic vegetables assisted only by the flick of a BIC® . I have a tendency to turn the lights back on to see better and that can cause some friction in the relationship.

Image: Edressme

Pro: There is tons of space in the closet and dresser for my stylish dresses, tops, swimsuits, lingerie, shorts, shoe troves and workout clothes.

Con: His one purchase in five years, a cruelty-free patchwork vest from Haight Street, is embarrassing at black-tie events. I know, I know, I should be less conventional, but I do miss the Brooks Brothers-clad Ken Doll I married. Give him back, earth lady! Ken was the best prop a stylish girl ever had.

Pro: All this frugal living has greatly lowered the utility bills.

Con: My living room is the Tundra. “Hey, it’s summer in the City, honey,” I complain, teeth chattering, frost accumulating on my bob. He jokes, “You aren’t cold, you’re just dying.” Very funny, Ken. Toss another blanket on your Barbie, mate, while we await those solar panels.

Pro: Fuel-efficient bike riding has greatly aided my summer weight loss program. Where did my big butt go? Anyone seen it? Anyone seen a big Jewish tush?

Con: The uphill battle of saving energy is murder. His legs are iron.  That’s why he can climb the Alps of San Francisco saddled with a backpack of groceries without a huff or a puff. Damn him!

Image: Wiki

Pro: I’m not tied to one of those superficial yuppies who talks about money and deals at dinner parties, has a wandering eye or sports tacky pinkie rings on our jaunts to Vegas.

Con: I never get Yurman jewelry from Neiman’s on my birthday; flights to the Four Seasons in Mexico are replaced by short getaways to rustic cabins at Costanoa; we have to walk to the Avenue for dinner or take the train downtown (sometimes scary) even though my legs are sore from biking. His old, 8-cylinder Mercedes remains lifeless in the garage. He refuses to sell it ’cause someone else will drive the gas hog.

Pro: Eco sentinals  are virile, sexy real men – like Jack Sparrow and Paul Watson. They give great massages, build toasty fires and have that fresh, Tom’s Toothpaste breath.

Con: You are on board as first mate every day of your life whether you like it or not. Once they get their hooks in you, their whale wars are your whale wars. Hence, a simple walk at the beach, trek through a forest or hour of CNN will never be the same again.

Main image: CarbonNYC

The post The Pros & Cons of Being Married to an Eco Man appeared first on EcoSalon.