*This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone for this race cars recipe. #RaceDayRelief #CollectiveBias
“Mommy, green means go, red means stop, yellow means slow down and black and white means the race is over!”
While still in preschool, my older daughter told me this while driving in the car with me.
But how did she know what all the different colors meant, including the black and white?
See my brother and their uncle is a huge race cars fan. Therefore, he would often watch race days with us.
But I am not as versed in racing as he is. Still he has tried to impart what he does know when we do watch the race with him.
So like I said, both my girls learned what the different colors of the flags meant at a very early age thanks in part to their uncle.
However I will admit that I have had my issues sitting for the whole length of a race with them. Why? Because I suffer from lower back pain or sciatica at times. How did this start for me? It occurred back in my youth and has only gotten worse over the years. I have thankfully though learned how to live with it. Also, I manage the pain when it does flare up for the most part for race days and more.
[Tweet “Make Race Day Fruit Cars w/ Free #Printable + Sciatic Back Tips #RaceDayRelief #ad”]
But since I deal with my fair share of lower back issues, I am sharing how I have been able to lessen my own lower back aches below now.
5 Tips to Help with Lower Back and Sciatica Pain
1. Make time for routine chiropractor visits.
I fought this at first. But it helps me to see a chiropractor to have normal adjustments in order to not have as much lower back pain as I once did.
2. Use Ice NOT Heat.
Many would think heat as in a heating pad would alleviate lower back aches, but ice is actually a much better option as heat will only make back issues worse in the long run, but ice helps to not only numb a bit, but lessen muscle inflammation.
3. Don’t sit still for too long and keep on moving.
Another thing that has totally helped is to not stay seated or stationary for too long. See movement and making sure to get up every so often to stretch and move helps not have the muscles contract and possibly even spasm. So, making sure to keep on moving really is a big help overall.
4. Workout and use lower back appropriate exercises.
Keeping up with movement, certain exercises that are modified for those with lower back issues also are a huge help to also keep the lower back muscles from not only constricting, but also to help strengthen them over the long run, as well.
5. Use Advil Film-Coated for Pain and Flareups.
But still sometimes pain and flareups are inevitable when you have predisposed lower back problems. During these times, I find that taking an over the counter medication that can be found at my local Walmart, such as Advil Film-Coated, which is a Rapid Release Formula, for this is a huge help and relief for me.
See, because Advil Film-Coated is indeed a Rapid Release Formula, it actually goes to work in minutes
All of the above truly have done wonders for my lower back problems and even have afforded me the opportunity so that I can better enjoy spending quality family time, such as watching race days on TV and even enjoying a fun race day themed snack, too. See, I like to make an easy, healthy, yet fun snack for us with Game Day Fruit Race Cars with Printable Race Color Flags.
Race Cars Fruit with Flags
Ingredients
- Apples
- Seedless grapes
- Rounded toothpicks
Instructions
- Wash and rinse your fruit.
- You will want to make sure to core the apple.
- Cut a small apple into quarters Each apple will make 8 individual apple snacks.
- Push two toothpicks through each flat end of each of the apple wedges.
- Then place four whole grapes through the toothpicks ends.
- Make race day flags with toothpicks and this free printable.
Race Cars Fruit with Flags
Ingredients
- Apples
- Seedless grapes
- Rounded toothpicks
Instructions
- Wash and rinse your fruit.
- You will want to make sure to core the apple.
- Cut a small apple into quarters Each apple will make 8 individual apple snacks.
- Push two toothpicks through each flat end of each of the apple wedges.
- Then place four whole grapes through the toothpicks ends.
- Make race day flags with toothpicks and this free printable.
Nellie says
I have dealt with sciatic pain during pregnancy and it’s no joke!! Thanks for sharing these awesome tips!!
Janine says
Glad to share and I agree sciatica sadly is really no joke at all.
Kathy Radigan says
I have been lucky that I have not had to go through too much back pain, but appreciate the tips!!! And I love the snack, that’s adorable!
Janine says
Happy to hear you haven’t had too much back pain, but still happy to share both the tips and the snack recipe with you, too!! π
Kathy Radigan says
That is adorable!!!!! Love the tips for back pain too, thanks!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, thanks Kathy and glad I could share some back relieving tips here, too as well <3
Meredith says
These race day cars are SUCH a cute idea! Pinned to do with my kiddos π
Janine says
Aw, thanks for pinning and hope you try soon for your kiddos, too!! π
Kristen Miller Hewitt says
sooooo cute! you are too creative! And yes advil rocks!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, thanks Kristen and I completely agree about Advil, too!! π
Seana Turner says
I feel your pain with lower back issues. Advil is definitely a “friend” around here. A woman I do yoga with has had a lot of luck doing daily exercises this year, and I think stretching does help relieve pain. Cute cars!!
Janine says
Thanks Seana and I have yoga literally on my list of things to try soon to indeed help and thank you for the reminder!! π
Sarah Honey says
So cute! I have to make this with my son!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thanks Sarah and hope you can make for your son, too soon now!! π
Amy Desrosiers says
This is such a cute little snack idea! I am so glad that Advil is helping to relieve your pain. I often suffer from lower back pain myself but Advil does work! #client
Janine says
Aw, thanks Amy and so sorry you too suffer from lower back pain as I know first hand how painful this can be, but glad Advil does help you, too.
Kristen says
Adorbs fruit cars! And yes Advil helps SO much! little tip, pineapple or lemon juice keeps the apples from browning! Pinning!
Janine says
Thanks Kristen and appreciate the tip, too!!
William Holland says
Great tips on the back. I had a back operation in 1990 and the pain prior to that operation was crippling…so all of you….TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK!!!
Happy Monday Janine!
Janine says
I didn’t realize you had suffered, too Bill and glad that surgery did help. I have heard a bit about surgery and hope it doesn’t come to that for me, but if it ever does may pick your brain still. Thanks always and Happy Monday once again to you, too!!
Tova Levy says
Perfect!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, thanks Tova π
Echo says
Those little race car snacks are so cute! Great tips on back pain as well, Janine!
Janine says
Thanks Echo on both fronts and wishI didn’t need to share the back ache tips, but after all the time I have dealt with it glad I could at least pay it forward!
Alison Tedford says
I tweeted this one! So great!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, thank you so much for tweeting!!!
catherine gacad says
i’m a huge fan of advil. always seems to make me feel better if ever i have a headache or cramps. definitely my pain reliever of choice.
Janine says
Mine totally too, Catherine!! π
Tamara says
This is impressive! We made those pool noodle racetracks and I wanted a good printable for flags but couldn’t find one! Ah, if I could have time traveled.
I’m seriously impressed with your handiwork here. Des would LOVE these snacks.
Janine says
Aw, thank you and you know how much I loved your pool noodle racetracks. So coming from you I am honored!! π
Aunt Gloria says
I have had sciatica and it’s not fun! Fortunately, I didn’t get it again but I do have lower back issues. So, yes, the chiropractor and yoga are in my life for the long haul. Your suggestions are very helpful….thanks. And Advil helps when all else fails. I love the race cars….Uncle Michael is great! Hope to see you before you leave for Disney and I go off to Rochester. xxoo
Janine says
I know you do understand back issues, too and have also experienced this, too. Thanks for reading, sharing and also hope to see you soon, too now!! xoxo
Anonymous says
Hope to see you Sunday.
Janine says
See you then π
Jen says
Your cars are so very cute! I love the printable! Making it all seems Jen proof and super simple. Those are my favorite kind of baking activities. Your tips are spot on as well, #3 if not adhered to, will do be me in EVERY time. Luckily Advil always comes to the rescue just when I need it.
Janine says
Aw, Jen I am with you simple baking activities and you are so right #3 is crucial not to do here either. Thanks also for sharing for me, too!! π
Chris Carter says
I often struggle with back pain, and these are really great tips Janine! Sitting at my computer definitely is the culprit, but I am swimming more and it helps!
Getting up and walking around the house and stretching when I’m working at my desk helps too. π
Janine says
Swimming is a great way to help and so sorry you too have back issues though, Chris.
Allie says
This may be one way I can get my son to eat a healthy snack! Hunter is a rabid NASCAR fan and I know way more about the sport than I ever thought I would. But I also can’t sit through a whole race. Torture (and not cause of my back). I always tell them to call me when there’s 10 laps left!
Janine says
Allie, I am more a 10 laps left girl, too. But hope you can try this for Hunter and let me know how it works for you, if you can!! π
T.A. Woods says
You’re so creative! How do you do it?
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, thanks T.A. Woods and I just love trying new things. Sometimes they work out and those are the times that make it all worth it, I suppose π
Sheila qualls says
I’m no stranger to lower back pain. Your tips are right on.
Janine says
Thanks Sheila, but so sorry to hear you, too have had lower back pain issues as I know first hand how painful it can truly be.
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
I had no idea that heat made back pain worse in the long run. Ooops! Noted! I always default to heat (it’s just so much more soothing than ice)!
Cute little racecar snacks!
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
Janine says
Aw, thanks Jennifer and I didn’t know about heat until a few years back, but it is true and can’t even begin to describe ell you how much better ice does help when all else fails though. Have a great night, too now xoxo
Amanda || Growing Up Madison says
I LOVE THIS!!! Well I don’t love the part about you suffering from back pain because I know it oh too well. My back has been acting up the past 2 days and while Advil doesn’t really work for my back pain, your tips are on point. However what I do really love are those fruit race cars. Madison and I are going to make them!
Janine says
Glad you are going to make these for Madison and so sorry about your back, too!!
Bev says
What cute snacks!
Last week I had bad lower back pain for a few days, I think it stems from picking up Eve. I need to do a better job about squatting down to picking her up rather than just bending over.
Janine says
Thanks Bev and I know I have to be careful the way I bend, too. At the knees is usually optimal when back issues are involved from what I have found, as well.
Ducks n a Row says
Janine, you are so right about getting up and moving once in a while. Those of us who make a living sitting at a computer know that it can be hours before we do stand up…that can be a big mistake. My brother bought stand-up desks for all the designers in his office for that very reason. One guy only sits at lunchtime. He stands the rest of the day. I get up and walk around. When I am blogging from my home (which is much of my week) sometimes I will blog at my kitchen counter so that I can stand instead of sitting. Haven’t figured out how to WALK and blog but when I do I will tell you how it goes LOL!
Sinea β₯
BTW… I just took an Advil! I had been sitting too long π
Janine says
I love the idea of standing while on the computer and I do that myself from time-to-time, too. But you are right and I wish I could figure out how to walk and blog at the same time, as well!!! π
Krista says
Really cute idea!
Janine says
Thanks so much Krista!! π
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty! I hope to see you next week. Pinned and Yummed. Please visit #OverTheMoon on Sunday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings for more sharing fun! Don’t forget to Comment your link #’s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured!
Janine says
Thanks Marilyn and have a wonderful weekend now!!! π
April says
Oh boy, can I relate to this. I can’t sit through anything. My family took a cross-country road trip, and I couldn’t even go because of all the car-riding. And for years I thought it was sciatica, but after several MRIs and rounds of physical therapy, it turned out to be all the muscles, tendons and bursa surrounding my hip joints and one at my knee joints, as well as the IT band that runs from you hip to your knee. So the lower back pain was actually my hip, and the leg pain was not a nerve thing, it was a ligament, which is great because Advil and muscle relaxers and exercise help a ton.
Janine says
April, I am so sorry you have had to deal with this type of pain, as well and wouldn’t have thought that the hip and knee joints could mimic this kind of pain, but after reading your comment does make sense. I appreciate you sharing your story here and gave me a bit of food for thought to be quite honest.
Leslie says
So sorry to hear you have to deal with sciatica. I had a small amount of it while I was pregnant with T., and it’s no fun. Those little racecar grapes are adorable. I know a couple boys would like them.
Janine says
Aw, thanks Leslie and I truly wish I didn’t suffer with sciatica, but glad I could share so ways here to help for those who also do. Also, happy to share these race cars with you, too!! π
Katherines Corner says
Oh sweetie I am sorry to learn about your siaticca, I have it too, I know how awful it can be. Gentle hugs and these fruit cars are so cute! My grandsons will want to make them. pinned my friend xo
Janine says
Aw, so sorry to hear you too suffer from sciatica as I do know just how painful it can be. Also, thanks for the pin though here, too!! π