How To Make a Microwavable Heat Pack

I have baby fever. I have it bad. Really bad.

I promised myself that before we could start trying for our third child, I would get in shape. I put on 40 lbs when I was pregnant with my 1st, M. I got pregnant with P, our 2nd, just 6 short months after M was born. Six months is not a lot of time to drop 40 lbs, even if you are not caring for a newborn.

P will be 2 in October. I have a lot of excuses as to why I am still carrying all the baby weight…. I will not bore you with them.

I will however share a secret with you.

My key to weight loss.

Yeah, diet and exercise work. Burn more calories than you take in and all that jazz. But for me, the key to weight loss is the reward. The first jean size I dropped, I got a haircut. A real one. Not a 15 buck walk-in haircut, a real, make an appointment, get a scalp massage while you get your hair washed haircut.

My rewards lately have been scaled back a bit. We are on a budget and are doing some remodels (posts on that later) so money is tight. So now, I have a much more frugal reward. And let me tell you, it is almost as satisfying as a fancy haircut. My reward? You ask. I tell.

Homemade Heat Packs

This heat pack is a warm (obviously!), comforting, fragrant muscle relaxer and this is how you make one:

Shopping List:

Rice (not instant rice) I bought this bag of 25lbs of rice at Sams Club for under $20. You will not need this much for one… but if you plan on making lots, then this is the way to go!

1/4 yard flannel

• adjust the size to whatever you want. 1/4 yard is the biggest I have made. It fits me perfect, covering my entire lower back
• I have seen others use cotton, but I like flannel best. It is softer and holds the heat in longer.
• feel free to play with the shape a bit too. With the 1/4 yard of flannel, you would have enough to make a crescent-shaped neck heat packet.

Peppermint tea bags

This is one of my favorite gifts to make for people. It is fast, cheap and people love it.

How To:

take your 1/4 yard of flannel and fold it in half – right sides together.

• For all you beginner sewers, right sides together is sewer slang for folding the fabric so the pretty pattern side is facing in.

Sew around the two long sides and halfway down the short side, leaving just enough open on the short side so you can pour rice into the bag. Do this twice.

Turn it inside out.

Stitch two parallel lines down the middle. This is optional but suggested. I like doing this because it helps keep the rice in place and from it shifting all over. The last thing you want when you finally get to put your feet up, turn your favorite guilty pleasure reality TV show on,  and get the heat pack in place is for the rice to slide all to one side. You won’t even heat people. Take the time. Make the two parallel lines.

Fill with rice.

Open tea bags.

Sprinkle in the peppermint tea leaves. I like 1-2 bags, depending on the size of the heat pack.

Sew the rice opening closed. Twice.

Admire your work.

Put the pack in the microwave…yes, I do a lot of microwaving.

Heat on high for 3 minutes to start. Heat it longer…if you can take it!

Put up your feet, click on the TV, and position your pack on sore muscles from your long workout. Breathe in the soothing peppermint. Feel your muscles relax and whisper a friendly thank you to, me, Meg.

Oh and a side note. If you live someplace cold as I do, they make great hand warmers. Make two 4in X 4in squares. Stick them in your kiddos coat pockets, and they can have warm hands while they walk to school or wait for the bus!

Amy @ Mom Spark

Founder of Mom Spark – a lifestyle blog for moms.