Wish Your Feet a Happy Holiday

Dec. 18, 2006 — -- Taryn Rose, an orthopedic surgeon and designer of shoe line Taryn Rose International, recently visited "Good Morning America" to dole out tips for keeping feet comfortable throughout the holiday season.

She offered three tips for picking shoes that are festive, fun, and still treat your feet well.

Pick shoes that have a 1- to 3-inch heel. It gives height without putting too much weight on the balls of your feet.

If you just must wear a high heel or stiletto, look for shoes that have padding or a platform. This will help to pad the weight that is going to the balls of your feet.

Try a ballerina flat. This season ballerina flats are all the rage. Find a dressy pair and ditch the heels. You will look stylish and will stay comfortable all night.

Rose also showed off some fun solutions for aching feet.

Menthol food wipes are small enough to fit in your purse. Their ultrapungent formula offers a soothing menthol fix when you're out and about. Get them at dramaqueenstyle.com. For more feet-pleasing products, check out homedics.com and brookstone.com

If you want to really pamper your feet after a long day of shopping, make a lemon-mint foot bath with this recipe.

The mint is a natural refrigerant that works to calm irritated muscle fibers. The astringent lemon can actually brighten your toenails. Take pleasure in sliding your feet over the smooth rocks while inhaling the revitalizing scent of fresh mint leaves and lemon slices.

Lemon-Mint Foot Bath:

1. Cover the bottom of a basin (large enough to house both of your feet) with flat, smooth stones.

2. Fill the basin with lukewarm water.

3. Add three to four drops of peppermint oil for every half-gallon of water. Swirl the water with your hand to distribute the oil evenly.

4. Slice one whole lemon and drop the slices into the water.

5. Grab two handfuls of fresh peppermint or spearmint leaves, gently rub them together to release their natural oils, and add them to the bath.

6. Slide your feet into the basin. Deeply breathe in the lemon-mint aroma while massaging your feet over the slippery stones for at least four minutes.

Standing and walking all day can take their toll on your body.

Soothe away some of your achiness with this European-style, warm chamomile-mustard seed foot bath.

Chamomile is a calming essential oil and can also reduce swelling in sore feet. The warm water and mustard seed create a heating quality that may help to relieve headaches as well as comfort the feet.

Chamomile-Mustard Seed Foot Bath:

1. Fill basin (large enough to comfortably house both of your feet) with comfortably hot water.

2. Add one teaspoon of freshly ground mustard seed for every gallon of warm water.

3. Add three to four drops of chamomile oil for every half-gallon of water.

4. Place a few fresh chamomile flowers in the basin and swirl the water with your hand to blend the mixture.

5. Put your feet in the bath and wrap a thick towel over the basin (to retain the heat). Soak for about 20 minutes.

6. Remove your feet from the foot bath and, with upward strokes, massage them with your favorite lotion infused with a few drops of chamomile oil.