Gee, Ivan... I just use a heating pad for toe and leg cramps. Of course THAT doesn't remind me of my grandma's cooking <grin>, but it IS pretty effective for relieving the cramping. BTW... my Grandma Belle made THEE yummiest egg custard, with nutmeg sprinkled over the top. Mmmmmmmmm... <eyes closed and beatific smile on face> Barb Mallut "Lil_Honey" on the PD Chat [log in to unmask] ---------- From: PARKINSN: Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network on behalf of Ivan M Suzman Sent: Saturday, January 25, 1997 9:10 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Socks with Rice I know, I know, socks with rice?? What does THAT have to do with PD? Well, I am one of those people who, know matter how smart I think I am, gets outsmarted by Parkinson's more than I'd like to admit. About a year ago, I somehow"stumbled upon" an amazingly simple solution for: - toes that curl under - soles of your feet that suddenly tighten up and have killer pain - cramps in my calves at night - tummy muscles that give me that "washboard" look that bodybuilders would kill for - and all kinds of other aches and pains. All you need to do is get a thick sock (like the ones that lost their partner to a dryer that somehow ate the other sock), a nice supply of uncooked rice to pour into the sock, and once you knot the ankle end, a microwave oven. Now, I don't promise this recipe works--but try it, you'll LOVE it. Take your rice (I prefer Uncle Ben's long-grain--it reminds me of growing up in my grandmother's house, when she baked rice pudding for us all to dive into after a hard day at school), fill up your sock, and knot the top of it, Microwave your sock on high for about 1 minute. Or, as a variation, try two socks at a time, for 1:40. Remove from microwave, and place on or up against the affected area. Works like magic almost every time. After just a minute or two, PRESTO! The toes uncurl, the legs or tummy feel SO much better. Anyone want to start a special "socks with rice" cookbook? Try it--you'll be glad you did!! Ivan Suzman, 47/10, Portland , Maine, land of lighthouses