Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Celebrate New Year's in a Colorful Way!!!


Confetti Hot Dogs

Celebrate New Years with these healthy, colorful hot dogs!

What You’ll Need

  • Turkey or Chicken Hot Dogs
  • Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
  • Food Coloring
  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven
  • Plate
  • Paintbrush or Something to Apply Dots

How To Make It!

1. Open package of crescent rolls. For each hot dog, use one crescent roll.

2. Roll a crescent roll between your hands or on work surface into a snake about ¼” wide.

3. Wrap around hot dog leaving space between. Place on baking sheet with the ends of the crescent facing down.

4. Place a drop of each color of food coloring on a plate.

5. Dip the non-bristle end of a paintbrush into one color of food coloring. Dot food coloring on crescent roll wrapped around hot dog. Dip paintbrush in food coloring and dot on again. Clean brush after changing each color.

6. Cook following instructions on crescent roll package.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Target Bag Kite



Plastic Bag Kite

The plastic shopping bags are piling up - oh, what to do? Grab a plastic bag, some straws, glue and make a high-flying kite.

What You’ll Need

  • Plastic Bag
  • String
  • 2 Straws
  • Heavy-duty Glue
  • Scissors
  • Permanent Marker
  • Ruler

How To Make It!

  1. Print kite patterns and enlarge to desired size. Place plastic bag over patterns. Trace patterns with permanent marker. You can make the kite larger, but this is a fun size to get you started.
  2. Cut shapes from one layer of bag.
  3. Cut three strips 18” x 1/2” for tails.
  4. Place straw down center of main kite piece. Cut extra straw that goes over edge of kite. Glue straw in place. Place other straw coming out from center straw. Cut to edge of kite. Repeat on other side. Glue straw pieces on the sides.
  5. Glue smaller kite piece to center of kite over center straw. Let dry.
  6. Glue string to end of small piece on kite.
  7. Glue the tails onto the bottom edge of kite. Let dry.
These and other kids' craft ideas are in Make Healthy Fun! book featuring over 120 projects for happy, healthy kids. Check it out at www.lulu.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

New Thanksgiving Tradition


It's Time Capsule

OK, so you're looking for a fun project for the entire family. Here's the perfect craft project that involves EVERYONE!!!
Time travels so fast – capture a bit of the moment with things from today.

What You’ll Need

  • Capsule - Plastic Container with a Tight Fitting Lid if You’re Going to Bury it in the Dirt or Tin, Plastic, Wood or Cardboard if You’re Not
  • Glue That’s Waterproof if You’re Going to Bury Your Capsule
  • Zip Top Plastic Bags

Ideas for Things to Put in Your Time Capsule

Photo, drawing, comic strip, event ticket, today’s newspaper, toy, coin from the current year, predictions, photo of your family or friends, something that represents YOU! Be sure to include the date the capsule was buried. Have everyone contribute something.

How To Make It!

  1. Place your items in zip top bags before placing in capsule.
  2. If you aren’t going to bury your container, decorate the outside with permanent markers or by gluing things on.

Place your capsule in a warm, dry place or if burying, seal with waterproof glue and let dry. Dig a hole, place the capsule in the hole and let each person take a turn placing dirt over the container. Decide when you’ll open your capsule, maybe next Thanksgiving!!!

More fun family and kids' craft projects are available in the book Make Healthy Fun! available at www.lulu.com/product/paperback/make-healthy-fun/6233554

Wednesday, November 3, 2010




Are you looking for a special family gift idea? How about taking all of your family's favorite recipes and creating a one-of-a-kind cookbook? It's super simple and oooooh, so special!!!

Cook-It-Up Family Style Cookbook

What You'll Need
  • Notebook with Clear Front Pocket
  • Family Photo
  • Background - Print Graphics on Computer or Use Construction Paper and Stickers or Have a Member of Your Family Draw a Picture
  • Stick Glue
  • Scissors
  • Computer with Printer
How to Make It!

1. Print family photo, title of cookbook and background page.
2. Cut cookbook title and family photo desired size and shape. Glue to background paper with stick glue.
3. Slip in front pocket of notebook.

Copy or type-up your favorite recipes and decorate these pages too!
For more fun family and kids' crafts check out the Make Healthy Fun! book with over 120 craft projects and recipes on lulu.com or click on the Make Healthy Fun! book cover to the right.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Make Healthy Fun! DVD


I have been editing the Make Healthy Fun! DVD and it's ready to go stick in my DVD player to see how it looks - I'm kind of scared...but I love watching my nephew, Brandon - he's so funny!!! The bloopers are hilarious!

Getting in Shape Could Improve Test Scores



Check out this article from Ladies' Home Journal (Sept 2010) that getting in shape could improve your kids' test scores.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

What a day!


I had my annual physical today and from there let the day unfold - this was pure luxury for me and I'm thinking that in the years to come, I want to set aside the day to do it again. It was a treat and gift to myself - not only the physical exam but the day...

Have I mentioned I LOVE my doctor??? I was very ill back in May and my regular doctor wasn't available to see me, so I was given the option to see another one in the practice and I am soooo glad I decided to see him. He makes you feel like you really matter (and not rushed!)

After my appointment, I decided to visit a fabric store I had recently seen advertised - I used to be a quilter and made custom shirts for years for my family but sewing just hasn't been a part of my life for a while now. I slowly went up and down the aisles with no projects in mind. It was a nice treat to see the colors, textures and themes.

From the fabric store I decided it was time to treat myself to breakfast and treat myself I did. I went to Apple Farm and indulged in Banana Pecan Pancakes and they were delightful - I savored and enjoyed every single bite!

My next adventure took me to Pier 1. I get their emails and I have say that when I got the latest one I really perked up seeing the mini serving dishes they offer - they call them 'tastings'. I'm a believer in moderation, so I do have desserts, but these adorable little bowls, dishes and plates are perfect to serve small amounts, yet you feel extra special. They are so popular they didn't have the ones I wanted, so I had to order them. I was already formulating a party in my mind...

The day was still young, so I decided it was the day to take my Make Healthy Fun! book to my local bookstore. The ladies were so delightful and encouraging. I sold a couple of books and have signed up to do a book signing / make it and take it September 25th at the Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay!!!

This day has reminded me to enjoy food (in moderation - I did get the short stack of pancakes), step outside of my comfort level and see where it will take me and to mark my calendar next year to make Physical Day a Me Day!

Joan

Annual Check-Up Time

Hi,

It's my annual check-up time - doctor, eyes and in a couple of weeks it's dental. I usually like to do it around my birthday (so I remember to do them every year) but I was sick then, so it's time to check-in with my doctor's and make sure everything's going along smoothly. It's amazing what can happen in a year - I kept seeing baby pictures at my eye doctor's office and then it hit me - in the year that I hadn't seen her, she'd had a baby!!! Wow!

Here's to good health,
Joan

Friday, August 6, 2010

Peaches!!!


I'm sitting here trying to get some work done and I keep smelling PEACHES!!! A friend drove through the Central Valley of California this week and dropped off some wonderful looking (and smelling) peaches.

Have you had your fruit and veggies today???

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Healthy Fondue!!!


Fondue gone healthy!!!

Fondue is so fun! Kids love it! Adults love it! Everyone gets to choose their own item to 'dunk', spears it with the fondue fork, plunges it into the fondue pot and seconds later you're eating a cooked tiny morsel of yum!

Here's the healthy twist - No longer do you have to cook meats in oil, try broth!!! My friend, Denise, introduced me to the idea this weekend when we had a complete fondue meal. Instead of heating oil to cook your meats you heat broth seasoned with garlic, onions, veggies...it's quite delish! We added a salad for a very healthy, fun and yummy meal!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

FAIR FOOD!!!

It's time to head to the fair, but check out the Weight Watcher's points and calories of these popular 'treats'!


Fried Snickers (5 oz.): 444 calories and 29 grams (g) fat
Fried Twinkie (2 oz.): 420 calories/34 g fat
Funnel cake (1): 760 calories/44 g fat
Cotton candy: 171 calories/0 fat
Fried cheesecake (6 oz.): 655 calories/47 g fat
Foot-long hot dog and bun: 470 calories/26 g fat
Giant turkey leg: 1,136 calories/54 g fat

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tip for the Day

I did a big no-no today! I went grocery shopping hungry!!! But, I was VERY proud of myself because when I got home and wanted to eat EVERYTHING I'd bought, instead, I set out some carrots, grape tomatoes and hummus. After I'd put everything away that needed refrigerated, I sat down with my yummies and ate them. A little planning can help overcome the 'gotta have everything!' syndrome when you're hungry.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Takin' in slow....

It's been a rough six weeks for me. I had a staph infection that only got me out of bed to head to the emergency and to my follow-up doctor's appointments every day or two. It's one of those wake-up calls - don't ignore a bump that keeps getting bigger and bigger.

That brings me to today - I'm healthy and getting back to exercising. I started out a little too vigorously so now I'm having to pull back a little. Lesson learned...get back to exercising little by little after an illness even though your head is telling you full steam ahead...

Here's to good health...

Joan

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

National Pickle Week May 15-24

It's National Pickle Week

According to The Calorie Count (http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-pickles-cucumber-dill-i11937), a cup of pickles only has 17 calories! So eat up, just watch the sodium content.

Here's a little pickle history to share with your friends and family this week:

May 15-24 is designated as International Pickle Week, although the days add up to 10 instead of a traditional week. International Pickle Week was first celebrated in 1948. Pickles themselves date back so far that no one can say for certain when they first appeared. The estimate for the origin of vinegar-altered cucumbers dates back more than 4,000 years. The fact that Pickle Week is an international celebration may be due to the variety of cultures that endorse the tasty treat. From the days of Cleopatra to now, the pickle has been a treat for the ages.

Thomas Jefferson, one of our Founding Fathers, not only drafted the Declaration of Independence, he was inspired by pickles as well. "On a hot day in Virginia, I know nothing more comforting than a fine spiced pickle, brought up trout-like from the sparkling depths of the aromatic jar below the stairs of Aunt Sally's cellar." George Washington joined Jefferson as a pickle devotee, and so did John Adams and Dolly Madison.

In colonial America, homemakers were expected to "put down" pickles in stone crocks and "put up" pickles and relishes in glass jars. The pickle patch was important to comfortable living. Each generation of pioneers treasured pickles because they were the only green, juicy vegetable treat that could be used throughout the year. In 1659, Dutch farmers grew cucumbers in what is now Brooklyn. The cucumbers were sold to dealers who cured them in barrels and sold them on the street.

Some pickle trivia: In 2030 B.C., cucumbers from India were brought to the ancient Middle East, where they were preserved to be eaten later as pickles. Cleopatra gave credit to pickles for a portion of her beauty. Julius Caesar and Napoleon both thought pickles added vigor, so they shared them with their armies. Cucumbers were brought to the new world by Christopher Columbus. Queen Elizabeth liked pickles. The famous feast of King John included pickles. And in 1820 a Frenchman, Nicholas Appert, was the first to pack pickles in jars for commercial sale. (from www.DeseretNews.com)

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Fun Time Boxes



Fun Time Boxes
Designs and Instructions by Joan Martin Fee

The kids are saying, "I'm bored, there's nothing to do!" Now you'll have the perfect answer whenever it's time for some boredom busters!

What You'll Need:
  • Ruler
  • Tissue box
  • Felt - your choice of colors
  • Glue
  • Dimensional fabric paint
  • Paper and pen or pencil
  • Scissors

How To Make It:
1. Measure around the box and cut felt to that size. Measure and cut a piece of felt for the top, cutting out the center. Glue felt to box. Let dry.
2. Cut decorative designs from felt and glue to box.
3. Apply fabric paint to box spelling out words and adding accents to your box. Let dry.
4. Have family members write activities on slips of paper and place in box.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Free Shipping


Order Make Healthy Fun! (or any of our other books) on Lulu.com and receive free shipping - offer expires 5/1/10

Friday, April 16, 2010

Day of the Mushroom

Friday, April 16th, is Day of the Mushroom. Today's the day to experiment. Add a few mushrooms to your meal prep - sprinkle some in a salad, saute them using a no-stick cooking spray in your pan or do the ultimate if you're a real shroom fan - grow your own!!!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Free National Park Admission

Get out! National parks to hold fee-free week

The National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at all of its 392 parks for a week starting Saturday (April 17, 2010) as part of its annual National Park Week celebration.

Gather up your family and friends and go check out America - for free!!!

Check out the National Park Service website for details http://www.nps.gov/npweek/

Monday, April 12, 2010

April 22 Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree

Check out the rewards from planting a tree

~ Get exercise when you plant it, each time you water it and it's a natural jungle gym when it gets bigger
~ Plant a fruit tree and it's not only shade but provides yummy fresh fruit
~ Commemorate a special event
~ If you become a member of the Arbor Day Foundation (arborday.org) you get 10 free trees to plant in your yard

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Confetti Hot Dogs


Here's another great idea from the Make Healthy Fun book, so easy, so fun!!!

It's the Little Things!!!


Buy some fun socks to brighten your day! They make exercise a little more colorful...

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Salad Garden Gift Idea




We celebrated my nephew B-Man's birthday this last weekend. I called his mom last week and asked what she thought he might like for his birthday gift. She had the phone on speaker and I heard him in the background say 'a bag of salad'. That's my very unique nephew! I took that idea a step further and created a more lasting gift. I bought him all of the makings for his very own salad garden. I put together a 'kit' with a pot, potting soil, lettuce plants and a watering can - all for less than $15. You would have thought I gave the kid a million dollars!!! Oh, I almost forgot. When I was at my local nursery, they had these adorable metal red ants - I had to get one to include in B-Man's present because I'm his aunt. Love you, B-Man.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Spring is here!!! (at least on the West Coast)


Gardening has always been a part of my life. I grew up on a 40-acre farm in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley seeing grapes drying in the hot sun on their way to becoming raisins, picking the best-ever apricots from a tree that grew along a canal bank and trying to keep from falling into the water, watering crops like alfalfa and walnuts...always having fresh fruit and vegetables for meals.

So, no matter where I have lived, be it an apartment in San Diego in my 20's to here on the Central Coast of California with it's challenging clay soil, I have had a garden. I love it when seed catalogs come in the mail. I can look at them for hours, put them down and a few days later look again envisioning my garden in all its glory. I ordered a dwarf blueberry and cherry from Gurneys a few months ago and they just arrived, budding in all their beauty. We have had so much rain this year, I'll need to keep them watered and give them a daily dose of sunshine until the soil dries up a bit before I can plant them outside.

The dwarf blueberry with what looks like flowers. Can it be?

Here's how they arrived, already budding!!!

Whether you head out to a garden shop or shop on-line, it's time to Spring into action and plant a garden or even one plant. I haven't had the chance to chat yet with Dr. Earth, Milo Shammas, but I love a quote on his website that I totally agree with - "I personally believe the best thing you can ever grow is a gardener." Love it!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Yummy & Healthy Valentine BBQ Pizza





Yummy BBQ Pizza

Pizza on a grill, but of course, it makes a nice crispy crust and lets you get lots of fresh air!

What You’ll Need
English Muffins
Pizza Sauce
Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese
Spoon
Heart Cookie Cutter
BBQ
Tongs
Your Favorite Toppings!

How To Make It!
1. Start the bbq.
2. Place the cookie cutter on the English muffin and press down.
3. Spread pizza sauce on English muffin with the back of a spoon.
4. Sprinkle on cheese and add your favorite topping.
5. Place on bbq. Keep an eye on your pizza and remove from bbq with tongs when cheese is melted.

Calorie Calculator

I LOVE olives!!! I remember when I was a kid, my dad had a friend who made his own olives and thankfully our family received large jars for years!!! And, there were my younger days of sticking olives on my fingers at holiday celebrations!!! I can still picture Little Joan wiggling her black-tipped fingers for all to see.

I subscribe to CalOlive.org where they tempt me with beautiful pictures of olives and amazing recipes, but they also have a Health Section (and a Kid Section) with wonderful ideas from Cold Busters to Slimming Down Deliciously!

Check out the Calorie Calculator on the site too - Have you ever wondered how many calories you burn playing ball? Staring at the tube? Catching a few zzzzs? Taking a swim? Well, wonder no longer. With this fun and easy calculator you can measure calories burned for every form of activity and some things you never thought counted! Use it to calculate your entire day's activities, or simply measure them one-by-one.
http://calolive.org/health/calorie-calculator/index.aspx

I'm off to the store to buy some olives...yum!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Monday, February 1, 2010


I found this article very informative. Take the same way you run a business and apply it to your health.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Craft Acadamy at the Craft and Hobby Association







It was so fun being part of Craft Academy at the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show in Anaheim! The participants made airplanes - regular looking and a special butterfly airplane. Super simple, super fun and it will get the kids outside to get some exercise!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Craft SuperShow, Oh my!!!!

It's the final day of the Craft and Hobby Association Craft SuperShow and I hadn't anticipated 'walking the floor' as we call it in the business, I was just going by to pick up my badge for the start of the trade show tomorrow. Well, I'm super glad I went today. It goes back to my saying of 'you NEVER know!'

I did get my badge, but decided to take a peek back on the showroom floor just in time for a presentation by Deborah Norville - yes, the former Today Show host. She taught a new way to cast-on when you start a knitting project - I even held her needle while she was demonstrating. VERY nice person and I loved her stories. I can't wait to get my hands on some needles and some yarn!

My roommate is off to a business dinner and I'm going to rest-up for the big day tomorrow when I get to see even more old friends and find out what the new and hot products are that will show up in stores near you soon.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Craft and Hobby Assocation Craft SuperShow

I'm in Anaheim just down the street from Disneyland and the Craft and Hobby Association Craft SuperShow is underway!!! It was so fun to teach young and old alike to make airplanes by recycling foam trays (like you get at the grocery store with meat on it or from fast food). We made butterfly airplanes and regular ol' airplanes and decorated them with stickers!!! Great fun!

Monday, January 18, 2010

5 Living Healthy Tips


5 Healthy Living Tips

Whether you're five or ninety-five these tips work for everyone to have a healthy life.

MOVE!!!

Think back to caveman days. Our bodies are meant to move, not sit in front of a computer or TV screen, so get up and go!

When you just can't drag yourself off the couch, set a timer for five minutes! Five minutes is five minutes and it's a baby step to making something BIG happen!

Look for Opportunities to Sneak in Exercise

Do push-ups against the kitchen counter
Do stretches with a broom
Exaggerate everyday movement

Do Something New

I try to live by the saying "When was the last time you did something for the first time?"
Have you tried Zumba, the latest dance / exercise craze?
Try a new healthy recipe
Try a new vegetable
Look for a new hobby

NO GUILT!!!

If you crave that dessert - have it, enjoy it and savor it
Get right back to your healthy eating plan
Do a little more exercise

Creative Ways to Be Healthy
Think old-school...
Toss around a foam ball during tv commercials
Make food fun!
Play charades
Do chores to upbeat music
Make a kite from a shopping bag and straws
Make planes from foam meat trays

For more creative ways to be healthy, check out the Make Healthy Fun books at http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fStoreID=2188713

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Blog Talk Radio Girlfriendology Interview New Date

Bummer, no Girlfriendology Blog Talk Radio interview today due to technical difficulties. We're rescheduled for January 29th at 2:00 EST and I'm sure I'll have even more inspiration to share after I'm back from the Craft & Hobby Association Craft SuperShow and trade show next week.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Girlfriendology Interview Change

Girlfriendology Blog Talk Radio Interview
Tuesday, January 12th
2:00 EST
11:00 PST
Go to the website below or call in at (347) 426-3761
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/girlfriendology
Girlfriendology Blog Talk Radio Interview
Tuesday, January 12th
2:00 EST
11:00 PST
Go to the website below or call in at (347) 426-3761
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/girlfriendology

Friday, January 8, 2010

Girlfriendology Blog Talk Radio Interview

Girlfriend's Guide to Health and Fitness for the Family

Do you need some ideas on how to get your family to exercise, eat healthy and unplug??? Tune-in to my interview Monday, January 11th on Girlfriendology's Blog Talk Radio show and I'll let you in on what I like to call 'Stealth Health'. Make Healthy Fun! is all about using creative projects and recipes to get your family to be healthy without them knowing it - it'll be your little secret weapon!!!

Girlfriendology Blog Talk Radio Interview
Monday, January 11th
2:00 EST
11:00 PSTGo to the website below or call in at (347) 426-3761
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/girlfriendology
Stop by, listen in and ask me some questions!!!

Monday, January 4, 2010