Make Healthy Fun!

Juiced-Up Desk

2012-01-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

Help your kids get more organized this new year with a little recycling and creativity.

Materials Needed

Juice boxes

Journal

Glue

Old crayons

Scissors

Cording

Crayons

Open Cookie Cutters or knife

Foil

Pan

Pen with removable ink cartridge

Potato peeler

Directions

Rinse juice boxes and let dry.

Journal

Cut fronts and backs from boxes. Glue boxes across journal, overlapping. Glue cording along top and bottom edges. Tie a bow using cording and glue to journal.

Vase

Glue 3 boxes together. Tie 4 bows from cording. Glue bows to fronts of boxes.

Caddy

Glue boxes together. Glue cording around top edge of boxes. Tie a bow from cording. Glue bow to front.

Crayons

Shape foil with sides coming up, forming a bowl. Place in pan. Remove labels from crayons. Break into small pieces in foil. Using low heat, melt crayons. Do not leave unattended while melting. Let cool slightly. Using potato peeler, shave a different color crayon over melted crayons. Let set up slightly. Press cookie cutter into crayon or cut around with knife.

Pen

Remove ink cartridge from pen and insert in straw.

2012-01-01T10:38:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Here's to a healthy year filled with much happiness, creativity and fun!

Joan

2011-12-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

Here's a fabulous way to keep the kids busy while they wait for holiday festivities or any day of the year! And, it's a recycling project too! It uses #6 plastic containers - and things from around your home.

I Shrunk the Plastic

Materials Needed

Cookie cutter, plastic or other plastic item for hanger

Wire or fishing line

#6 clear plastic containers

Plastic decorations: beads, toys, etc

Permanent pens

Scissors

Hole punch, small

Cookie sheet

Oven mitt

Candle

Paperclip

Plastic ring

Glue

1” wide braid

Oven or toaster oven

Directions

Draw design on clear plastic with permanent pens. NOTE: The designs will shrink about 50% of the original size. Cut out. Punch holes in top and bottom. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place clear plastic designs on cookie sheet and place in oven until they lay flat. This will only take a few minutes. Remove from oven using oven mitt. With adult supervision, make holes in plastic decorations by heating paperclip in candle flame. Insert into plastic to make holes. Thread beads, shrink plastic designs, toys, etc. on wire, knotting below item to secure. Make holes around bottom of cookie cutter edge with hot paperclip. Thread decorated wire in hole and knot. Repeat for all wires. Make three evenly spaced holes around top of cookie cutter. Cut three 12” pieces of wire. Insert each wire into a hole and knot. Gather wire at top and tie around plastic ring adding a bead, if desired.

Tin Can Creations

2011-12-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun craft project to keep the kids busy!!! Use items from around your home to make this monsters inexpensively and you can get started right now!

Materials needed

Cans

Magnetic sheet with adhesive backing

Ideas to dress-up your Monsters: toy pieces, nuts, bolts, washers, brackets, colored foam sheets, wiggle eyes, pompoms, chenille stems, wood and plastic rings, beads, scrubbing pads, battery operated flickering candle, cork, chain

Glue

Pencil

Toothpick

Scissors

Directions

Clean cans. Let dry. Cut magnetic sheet to fit piece. Peel paper backing and place magnet on piece. For crazy hair, curl chenille stems around pencil. Poke hole in cork with toothpick, add a dab of glue on end of chenille stem and place in holes or glue chenille stems to a piece of foam cut smaller than top of can.

Veggie Animals

2011-12-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

Keep the kids busy whether it's holiday break, summer time or a Saturday with Veggie Animals! Set up a creation station with all sizes and shapes of veggies and let the imaginations take over!

What You'll Need
Stick Pretzels
Veggies: Mushrooms, Broccoli, Cherry Tomatoes, Carrots, Celery - experiment with your favorite ones
Olives
Knife
Toothpicks
Foil
Low-Cal Dressing for Dipping
Egg Glue - Eggs and Low-Fat Mayonnnaise

How to Make Them!
1. Set out the veggies and have fun connecting them with toothpicks and pretzels. Egg Glue (a mixture of eggs chopped up really small and a little mayonnaise) keep the animals together and adds details.
2. Place the animals in a setting by using broccoli as the grass and tomatoes for flowers.
3. Make a 'water tank' by folding foil in several layers and folding in at the bottom. Place dressing in 'tank' for dipping.

Make Leaves from Bread or Cornstarch???

2011-10-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

Incredible Dough Leaves

Materials Needed:

Aleene’s® Original Tacky Glue

Bread, 1 Slice White or Cornstarch
Plastic Cup
Craft Stick
Small Plastic Bag
Measuring Spoon
Acrylic Paint for Leaves
Paintbrush or Paper Towel
Rolling Pin - Optional
Wax Paper
Leaf

Instructions for Bread Dough:

1. Remove crust and discard.
2. Tear bread into small pieces, placing in cup.
3. Add 2 tablespoons Tacky Glue.
4. Mix with craft stick until coarse ball forms.
5. Place ball into plastic bag. Knead until smooth and pliable.

Instructions for Cornstarch Dough:
1. Place 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part glue in plastic bag. Close bag.
2. Mush until completely mixed. Add more cornstarch if it's too sticky or add more glue if it's too stiff.

Instructions to Make Leaves:

Place wax paper on work surface. Flatten dough to slightly larger than leaf with your hands or using rolling pin.
Press leaf into dough with veins on dough. Remove by pulling it straight up. If desired, cut around edges with a knife. Let dry.
Squeeze out a small puddle of paint on wax paper. Paint with brush or dabbing on with paper towel.

Create beautiful roses, sculptures, kid’s crafts and more with this Incredible Bread Dough. Make any size amount of dough using the ratio of one slice of bread to 2 tablespoons Tacky Glue. Check out more amazing ways to use this dough in the Make Healthy Fun! book, ebook or video.

Fall Leaves

2011-10-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

Head out for a walk and gather up fabulous colorful leaves for decorating an unusual part of your home (or office). Glue or tape the leaves to ribbon and hang from your ceiling for a Thanksgiving celebration! Thumbtacks work great for anchoring the ribbon to the ceiling or add them to your ceiling fan for a fantastic look! Check out the Make Healthy Fun! book, ebook or video for more recipes and ideas to keep kids busy and healthy.

Happy Healthy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

Hello my pretties!

I have on my jack-o-lantern socks, ghost earrings and an orange blouse. Let the fun begin!

Play-Doh's Halloween Treat without the Sweet

2011-10-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

I love Play-Doh's Treat without the Sweet idea!!! Way to go!

Reality TV and Self Image in Girls

2011-10-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Girl Scouts of America released a press release regarding reality tv and tween and teen girls..

As reality TV has become staple entertainment for young people and adults alike, tween and teen girls who regularly view reality TV accept and expect a higher level of drama, aggression, and bullying in their own lives, and measure their worth primarily by their physical appearance, according to Real to Me: Girls and Reality TV, a national survey released today by the Girl Scout Research Institute.
Check out the entire press release at: http://dnorville.com/article.php?id=214

Photo Scavenger Hunt

2011-10-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

Bundle up the kids, grab a couple of disposable cameras and head out on a scavenger hunt! It's a great activity to get the entire family out and moving. For the younger kids, be sure to have supervision for each child.

Make up a list of items the kids need to find. Have them photograph the item when they find it and keep going for a specific amount of time and then everyone meet back up to see who found the most items on the list.

Make it extra fun by rolling up the list like a pirate's map, attach stickers and tie on raffia.

Don't forget about prizes for whoever photographs the most items on the list!

Download or print the photos and see what exciting shots they got! Enlarge the special photos for holiday gifts.

Have fun!

Garden Fresh Sugar Snap Peas

2011-10-04T08:48:00.000-07:00

Fresh from my garden, sugar snap peas. Not only are the plants beautiful with their tendrils and delicate looking flowers, the peas are mighty tasty. They grow quickly too - perfect to keep a child's attention during the growing season!!! Time to go plant more!

Home Grown Sugar Snap Peas

2011-09-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

Talk about FRESH - I just picked my first sugar snap pea from my garden and ate it right there! Can't wait for more to come on - I have been planting them off and on so hopefully I'll have them for months. Going to go plant some more seeds.

Sugar Snap Peas

2011-09-28T08:30:00.001-07:00

I have sugar snap peas just about ready in my garden. Who has the hummus? How else do you use sugar snap peas?

Green Beans and Trader Joe's

2011-09-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have a new recipe for green beans...I have to admit in years past big chunks of bacon were always in the pan to add flavor to green beans but not now! Enter Trader Joe's Balsamic Vinegar. I steamed / boiled my green beans then about the last five minutes I added some balsamic vinegar and let it reduce - so very yummy and light on calories.

My sugar snap peas are blooming and I can't wait for the pods to form and chow-down with some hummus.

It's Apple Time!

2011-09-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Gather up the kids and head out to your local apple orchards or if you live in the city, head to the grocery store for some crisp, yummy apples!

I visited a local apple 'area' near San Luis Obispo called See Canyon and The Avila Valley Barn - two of my favorite places for apples and goodies.

Gopher Glen, an apple farm in See Canyon, boasts 62 different varieties of apples. I have gone there for years and years! You HAVE to try the apple cider!

Here are the two varieties I got - had one with my breakfast along with a glass of apple cider.

Head out into fall and enjoy a good crunch!

Make Healthy Fun!

2011-09-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Just finished sending some Make Healthy Fun! projects and healthy winter 'activity' ideas to a writer for a national magazine article...

Make Healthy Fun! Workshop

2011-08-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

What an awesome workshop at the Morro Bay Library! I was under-the-weather so I recruited some helpers I knew would do a great job and I hear they did!!! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Nicki, my bro, David and 9-year-old nephew, Brandon who made a fun morning for kids and adult alike making marbles (all you need is some cornstarch or white bread, glue and paint) and creating a container garden complete with beans seeds to get the kids going on growing their very own garden.

Take Them With You Masterpieces

2011-08-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Don't file away those great drawings your child creates, scan them into your computer, print them on Wilton T-shirt Transfers, iron them on and in a few short seconds you have a unique way to 'display' and preserve a masterpiece.

My nephew, Brandon, was here this summer and created some great drawings. School starts for him this week so I created one-of-a-kind t-shirts for his first week of school. Remember those days? New clothes, new shoes, even new underwear...

Stores are having amazing sales on t-shirts right now, grab a few, stop at your local fabric or craft store for some t-shirt transfers and be ready for school!

BTW - if you've used iron-on transfers years ago, try them again - they've improved DRASTICALLY!!!

Joan

Make Healthy Fun! Workshop

2011-07-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Come join the fun!

Make Healthy Fun! Meets The Central Coast

2011-07-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

Join me for outrageous creative fun for the entire family.

It's free!!!

Get Kids to Exercise This Summer

2011-06-23T12:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a new way to step it up this summer in a rewarding way. GeoPalz come in a variety of themes so pick the perfect one for your child, clip it on, and turn them loose to walk, walk, walk this summer. The GeoPalz track their steps and the child wins prizes! Check them out at www.geoplaz.com

JUST RELEASED!!!

2011-05-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

http://makehealthyfun.blogspot.com/p/shopping.html

Make Healthy Fun! Video

I am so excited to announce the just released Make Healthy Fun! Video featuring my entertaining and GOOFY nephew, Bman! It's 52 minutes long filled with exciting craft projects and recipes! Yes, I'm living in exclamation points because I'm super excited about the video!!!!

Join Bman and me, in exploring ten fun craft projects and recipes to get the entire family to exercise, eat healthy and unplug. The projects are quick and easy are made with items from around your home or inexpensive items from the craft or grocery store. Each project includes a detailed list of what you’ll need and easy to follow how-to steps.

Projects include:

· Friendly Monster & Egg Alien – a yummy egg and tortilla roll up that’s transformed into a cute monster & a BONUS Egg Alien

· How to Make a Garden in Any Container – grab any container and let’s get growing

· Dough Marbles – combine cornstarch (or bread) and glue to mix up a recipe for hours of family fun

· Confetti Hot Dogs - colorful and delicious way to get kids to eat healthy

· Jumpin’ Bubble Wrap Shirt - part exercise, part creativity

· Bubble Cards – a mix of chemistry and crafting for exciting results

· Garden Tools – tissue or napkins transform ordinary into something a gardener will dig

· Veggie Animals & Other Veggie Things – build edible critters for your munching pleasure

· Bubbilicious Bubbles – make giant bubble with straws and string

· Celery Rose – stamp on anything with celery!

Length: 52 minutes including hilarious bloopers you won’t want to miss!

Check out our new SHOPPING page at the top of this page. It's super easy to order and we'll get them right out to you!

S2H STEP

2011-05-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

S2H STEP

Is this too good to be true? Walk and get reward...

Is walking your thing? The S2H STEP will reward you with cool products for every 10,000 steps that you walk! Check out their website at http://s2h.com/step

Progress...

2011-02-23T09:42:00.001-08:00

What are you having for dinner?

Strive for progress, not perfection. –Unknown

Make Valentine's Day Extra Special

2011-02-03T18:25:00.000-08:00

Add a touch of fun to your meals in just a couple of minutes. Cut a heart shape from craft foam or a plastic lid. Place it on applesauce, yogurt, toast, etc. and sprinkle on some cinnamon or a little powdered sugar and dig in!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T19:30:00.001-08:00

Wishing you a healthy, adventurous, fun, exciting and fulfilling 2011. Happy New Year!!!

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

2010-12-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

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.

Target Bag Kite

2010-12-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

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!

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.
Cut shapes from one layer of bag.
Cut three strips 18” x 1/2” for tails.
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.
Glue smaller kite piece to center of kite over center straw. Let dry.
Glue string to end of small piece on kite.
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

New Thanksgiving Tradition

2010-11-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

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!

Place your items in zip top bags before placing in capsule.
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

2010-11-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Make Healthy Fun! DVD

2010-08-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

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

What a day!

2010-08-12T15:45:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-12T08:14:00.001-07:00

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

Peaches!!!

2010-08-06T12:15:00.001-07:00

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???

Healthy Fondue!!!

2010-07-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

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!

FAIR FOOD!!!

2010-07-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

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

Tip for the Day

2010-07-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

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.

Takin' in slow....

2010-07-08T18:37:00.001-07:00

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

National Pickle Week May 15-24

2010-05-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

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)

2010-05-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

Fun Time Boxes

2010-05-06T13:30:00.000-07:00

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.

Free Shipping

2010-04-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

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

Day of the Mushroom

2010-04-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Free National Park Admission

2010-04-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

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/

April 22 Earth Day

2010-04-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

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

Confetti Hot Dogs

2010-04-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

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

It's the Little Things!!!

2010-04-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

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

Salad Garden Gift Idea

2010-03-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2010-02-28T09:23:00.001-08:00

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!

Yummy & Healthy Valentine BBQ Pizza

2010-02-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-11T09:55:00.000-08:00

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!

Mrs. Obama's Child Obesity Initiative

2010-02-09T12:04:00.001-08:00

I so applaud the First Lady's Initiative!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-02-09-1Afirstlady09_CV_N.htm

Mental Fitness

2010-02-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

I LOVE THIS!!!

2010-02-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

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

Craft Acadamy at the Craft and Hobby Association

2010-01-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

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!

Craft SuperShow, Oh my!!!!

2010-01-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

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.

Craft and Hobby Assocation Craft SuperShow

2010-01-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

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!

5 Living Healthy Tips

2010-01-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

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

Blog Talk Radio Girlfriendology Interview New Date

2010-01-12T12:09:00.001-08:00

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.

Girlfriendology Interview Change

2010-01-09T08:28:00.002-08:00

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

2010-01-09T08:28:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-08T08:11:00.001-08:00

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!!!

2010-01-04T08:40:00.001-08:00

2009-12-24T07:49:00.000-08:00

Edible Christmas Tree Centerpiece with Vegetables

2009-12-17T15:11:00.000-08:00

OK, I just had to make this after talking about it!!! I have a dinner party to go to tonight and I put this together. It's pretty simple, a pot, veggies, skewers and a Styrofoam cone.

1. Place the cone in the pot.
2. Add veggies to the skewers and stick them in until the cone is covered!

2009-12-15T13:30:00.000-08:00

How to Make a Bubble Wrap Stomp Shirt Video

Check out this cool video of How to Make a Bubble Wrap Stomp Shirt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgzYssy-DdM

Craft for Health

2009-12-14T07:49:00.001-08:00

Creativity to the Obesity Rescue

I'm so excited!!!! An article I wrote entitled Creativity to the Obesity Rescue is featured on http://www.craftforhealth.com/ Their philosophy is that Crafting is the Secret Weapon. . .. . .in helping people improve their health, feel better and make something they feel good about. At Craft For Health, design & craft expert Kathy Peterson and Nurse Practitioner & RN Barb Dehn, The Craft Practitioners, join forces to share empowering anecdotes, inspiring stories and crafty tips about the therapeutic benefits of crafting.

Thank you Kathy and Barb for spreading the important words of how Crafting IS the Secret Weapon.

Want to make the Yummy Monster Roll-Up!? Check out the video below and make an Egg Alien, too!!!
Joan

How to Make a Yummy Monster & Egg Alien

2009-12-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Yummy Friendly Monster Roll-Up and Egg Alien Video

My six-year-old nephew, B Man and I made this video showing great ideas to get kids to eat eggs. The video features how to make a Friendly Monster Roll-Up made with eggs, a spinach tortilla, green olives and a mushroom. The Egg Alien is so cute! You just have see for yourself! Both projects are also great for parties.

Christmas Tree Fruit Topiary

2009-12-10T17:12:00.001-08:00

Edible Christmas Tree Centerpiece

Here's a way to serve healthy food and have a beautiful centerpiece, all in one!!! Try it with veggies too!!!

What You'll Need
Fruit cut into small pieces
Skewers
Foam cone
Kitchen Scissors to cut skewers in half

~ Cut skewers in half with kitchen scissors.
~ Place the fruit pieces on the skewers, leaving about 1" on each end - one will be for a handle to pull the fruit out of the cone and to hang on to when you're eating it and the other you'll stick into the cone.
~ Stick the skewer in the cone.

~ Repeat until the tree is full.
~ Place fruit on a toothpick and insert into the top.

Craft & Hobby Association Craft SuperShow

2009-12-06T19:31:00.001-08:00

Disneyland and CRAFTING!!!!

What could be more fun??? The Craft and Hobby Association is holding a Craft SuperShow in Anaheim (just a block from Disneyland!) where everyone is invited to come experience crafting through fun workshops at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Make Healthy Fun! crew will be there to help you make creative projects to get your family to exercise, eat healthy, and unplug without them knowing it. Fun projects include a 'Purse'onal Garden where you learn to sponge paint and plant a garden in a purse. Make cool marbles from cornstarch and glue for hours of fun and raid your kitchen cupboards to create amazing bubble cards. Everything's included in the workshop, so you just show up, make fun projects and take them home!

Crafting with Necco Wafers All Natural

2009-11-19T19:59:00.000-08:00

Necco Wafers Get a Little Crafty!!!

Let's talk healthy turkey! I love Necco Wafers (even more so since they went all natural) and I love to craft - put those two together and what do you get? Fun, healthy, creative projects for the holidays!

There are two ways to 'glue' these projects together - one you just dip them in water or for a sturdier end result, try the Edible Glue Recipe.

Water Glue

All you do is dip the end of the wafer in water and place on another wafer. The wafers stay a little shiny after they dry.

Edible Glue Recipe

Grind up a few wafers in a food processor or mash in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Add a drop of warm water at a time and mix until you have a stiff mixture. To use, add a dab of the glue to a wafer and place on next wafer.

Necco Wafer Turkey

What You Need

Necco Wafers All Natural

Paper

Pen
Wax paper

How to Make It

1.Place child's hand on paper with fingers spread wide. Trace around child's hand.

2. Place wax paper over paper.

3. Using either the Water Glue or Edible Glue, slightly overlap wafers, following hand tracing. Continue overlapping the wafers until hand is completely covered. Place in warm, dry area to dry.

Necco Wafer Christmas Tree

What You Need
Necco Wafers All Natural

Wax paper

How To Make It
1. Place wax paper on work surface.

2. Using either the Water Glue or Edible Glue, make a row using five wafers for the bottom layer.

3. Using photo as a guide, continue adding layers of wafers ending with one at the top and add one at the bottom for trunk. Let dry in a warm, dry place.

Necco Wafer Candy Cane

What You Need

Necco Wafers All Natural

Wax paper

Ribbon

How to Make It

1. Place wax paper on work surface.

2. Layer wafers in a candy cane shape, using the Water Glue or Edible Glue.

3. Let dry in a warm, dry place.

4. Carefully tie ribbon into bow around candy cane or attach with a dab of the edible glue.

Yum!!! We Sampled the New All Natural Necco Wafers

2009-11-19T17:35:00.000-08:00

Necco Wafers All Natural

I was so excited to receive samples of the new Necco Wafers All Natural and they were fabulous!!! I handed them out at a party last weekend to adults and kids and got 100% thumbs up - they taste great - hard to believe they're all natural!!! Check them out at your local store and don't tell the kids they're healthy! Of course, I have to try creating something crafty with the Necco Wafers, so check back to see the projects!!!

2009-11-18T19:39:00.001-08:00

I was at a Weight Watcher's meeting today where we were discussing the average calories in a Thanksgiving dinner - can you believe it's a whopping 5,000!!!!!? And, it would take a 30 mile walk to burn it off!!!! Check out this easy way to estimate the calories in your Thanksgiving meal and how long you'd have to walk to use up the calories.

http://walking.about.com/library/cal/blthanksgivingcalories.htm

2009-11-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

Little Joan

This picture was taken many, many, many years ago, but, it brings to mind that exercise can be added in every day and it can be fun!

Enjoy your day!

2009-11-01T10:19:00.000-08:00

Gen X, Gen Y and now Generation XL?
from The Fresno Bee - by Diane Stafford McClatchy Newspaper

Every generation gets a label: "The Greatest," "The Baby Boom," "Gen X," "Gen Y."

So the youngest Americans might want to hire a public relations expert. Or a personal trainer.
Generation XL - as in Extra Large - is in the running to become an appellation for those born since the the early 1990s.

In some communities, up to one-third of today's children and teens are overweight. That's double the percentage of fat kids in the early 1970s.

Health experts agree that today's youths sit in front of TV and computer screens too much and eat too much junk food.

In short, the generation is in danger of being branded with a derogatory label. Books, newspaper articles and TV shows have begun using it.

According to lexicographers, the earliest reference to "Generation XL" was a prescient comment from a sportswriter in 1995.

Writing about baseball, Bob Molinaro of The Virginian-Pilot made the waggish comment that "if researchers are correct that people in their 20s today - the so-called Generation X - are heavier and less physically active than people in that age group five to 10 years ago, that would make them Generation XL, wouldn't it?"

The term didn't gain traction until the dot-com explosion. In the Y2K frenzy, Silicon Valley denizens, then twentysomething computer whiz kids, started talking about the new version of the "freshman 15," the weight gain traditionally associated with dorm food.They started calling themselves Gen XL for the "programmer 20" pounds they added at their 24-7 desk jobs.

By 2003, Generation XL had migrated down to the younger set, spawning hand-wringing about the growing "obesity epidemic."

It wasn't unfounded concern. Fat children are more likely to become fat adults, and more likely to have health problems and drive up health care costs.

In 2007, Joseph Mercola and Ben Lerner, two doctors, teamed up to write "Generation XL: Raising Healthy, Intelligent Kids in a High-Tech, Junk-Food World." The title placed the fat blame where it belongs.

Paul Ehrmann, a physician and founder of the Children's Health Initiative Program, a nonprofit, community-based program to encourage healthy habits, followed this year with "Generation XL: The Childhood Obesity Pandemic."

Demographers haven't decided on a definitive end birth date for Generation Y. It's not exactly clear when the youngest generation began, and what to call it remains up in the air.

Some had expected the next population group to be dubbed Gen Z, a natural progression from X and Y. But the Xbox kids - whose most active body parts are their thumbs - have redirected that thought.

Now, pundits are suggesting the youngest generation is "a terrible thing to waist."

Others are prompting that Generation XL could become Generation Excel - if they'd just go outside and play.

Neccos go all-natural

2009-11-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

Iconic Necco wafers go all-natural

Published online on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009
By BOB SALSBERG - Associated Press Writer

BOSTON -- All-natural may be all the rage in the food world, but will candy lovers have a sweet tooth for beet juice and purple cabbage?

Necco sure hopes so. The 162-year-old Massachusetts company is taking its venerable Necco Wafers all-natural, making them the largest mass-produced candy line in the U.S. to shed artificial flavoring and colors.

Necco, short for New England Confectionary Co., cranks out about 4 billion of the roughly quarter-sized wafers each year, packaging them in large rolls (36 wafers) and junior rolls (nine wafers). Beet juice, purple cabbage, cocoa powder and turmeric - a spice often used in curries - are some of the natural ingredients in the new wafers, which will be phased in at retail stores before and after Halloween.

"Kids aren't going to go 'Yippee! It's all natural!' but they might say to their parents ... 'Look, it's all natural, it's right on the package!"' said Steve Almond, author of "Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America," and a self-professed fan of Necco wafers.
The change, a big one for an iconic sweet that has changed little since its creation in 1847, was driven by the trend toward all-natural products, said Jackie Hague, the company's vice president for marketing. She said prices will stay the same and consumers will notice little difference in taste, while the natural colors will give the candy a more muted, pastel appearance.

One thing will be missing, however. "We lost green," she said. Green, one of eight original wafer colors, was too hard to duplicate in the all-natural process. It seems the lime flavor could be reproduced naturally, but the color lacked consistency so it was scrapped. That leaves seven flavors/colors: orange; lemon (yellow); clove (pink); cinnamon (white); wintergreen (purple); licorice (gray); and chocolate, which now will come in variations of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and mocha.

Biting into the new treats reveals no obvious taste of the purple cabbage, beet juice or other natural flavorings. As always, the hard, sugary discs are smooth with a slightly chalky texture, and very sweet.

All-natural products mostly have been the domain of smaller, more specialized candy makers, though Fairfield, Calif.-based Jelly Belly Candy Co. has introduced an all-natural line of jelly beans, including grape, peach, lemon and plum flavors.

Bernard Pacyniak, editor of "Candy Industry," a trade publication that covers the confectionary industry, called the all-natural wafer "a smart move by Necco." "It's taking advantage of consumer needs and demands," he said.

The move to all-natural also could help the company "reinvigorate" the brand at a time when there's a slight resurgence in demand for nostalgic products, he said.

Necco said the switch is not in response to any dropoff in sales. The company reported wafer sales of more than $9.2 million in 2008, an 8 percent increase from the prior year, though sales have been relatively flat in convenience stores and supermarkets, Hague said.

The changeover will result in slightly higher costs for raw materials for Necco, but no additional manufacturing costs, she said, and it will not affect the shelf life of the candy.

The company won't say if the move to all-natural might eventually extend to other product lines, including Valentine's Day favorite Sweethearts and Clark bars.

What to do with all the leftover Halloween candy...

2009-11-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

Halloween Candy Fairy

I heard on the radio recently how a local radio personality deals with Halloween candy in his home.

After his son goes trick or treating, he gets to pick a certain number of pieces of candy. The remaining candy goes out on the porch for the Halloween Fairy. The Halloween Fairy takes the candy, leaving a gift for the child. The Halloween Fairy takes the candy to work and leaves it for his / her co-workers to enjoy.

Healthy Halloween Ideas That Work for All Parties too!

2009-10-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

Check out these great ideas from Clemson University for a healthy Halloween but are great for parties of all kinds.

Halloween is a festive day that kids enjoy, because they get dressed up and get treats.

Enjoy the holiday with your kids, but carefully plan what you will do at your house to assure that healthy eating habits are practiced. This can be challenging, since the goal of most children is to get as much Halloween candy as possible for their own private stash.

Help kids enjoy Halloween without overindulging. If you and your family eat sensibly all year, then kids know how to make wise decisions when they are tempted to overindulge with unhealthy foods.

Don't send your children trick-or-treating on an empty stomach. Make sure they eat a good healthy meal beforehand to reduce the urge to snack.

Trick-or-treat bags that children carry should be appropriate to their size. Older kids can carry larger bags, but not as large as a shopping bag or plastic garbage bag.

Limit the houses your children can visit to a two or three block radius. That way the treats will most likely come from neighbors and friends, and the moderate amount of treats will be manageable.

Instruct children to wait until they get home to eat any of their goodies so that you can inspect them first. Let them keep only treats that are wrapped commercially. Inspect and throw away any commercially wrapped treats with signs of tampering- tears in wrappers, tiny pinholes, unusual appearance or discoloration.

You don't have to pass out high calorie candy to trick-or-treaters at your house this year. Give them a variety of fun, non-candy alternatives to promote health rather than encourage unhealthy choices.

Healthy Trick-or-Treat Alternatives
Childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, doubling over the past 30 years. Eating in moderation and becoming more physically active could reduce obesity rates in children.

When trick or treaters ring your doorbell, what will you give them? Try nutritious, tasty foods and non-food options, including items that get children up and moving to use the extra calories they consume.

Make Halloween a healthier and more inclusive holiday for children and adolescents with diabetes and other health-related dietary restrictions by offering non-sugar treats.

Healthy Food Treats: Think outside the box when choosing treats for trick-or-treaters or party-goers. The calories in all those bite-size Halloween treats add up quickly. Four "bite size" chocolate bars contain approximately 320 calories, 25 jelly beans have 140 calories, and 20 pieces of candy corn add up to 100 calories.

There are other treats that are lower in fat and sugar but may provide vitamins, minerals and fiber. The possibilities for healthy food treats are endless. Set a good example for your own children and the neighborhood kids by passing out healthy treats like these instead of giving them candy.

cereal bars
snack packets of dried fruit, baked pretzels, nut and seeds (e.g. peanuts*, unsalted almonds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds)
trail mix
packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut* butter filling
animal crackers
gold fish crackers
graham crackers
Cracker jacks
100 calorie packs of various products
beef or turkey jerky
single serve boxes of ready-to-eat cereal
raisins and chocolate covered raisins
fig cookies
sugar-free gum or hard candy
gummy candies made with real juice
mini boxes of raisins
individual juice drinks (100% juice)
snack pack pudding
Jello with fruit
applesauce
bean dip
single-serve packets of low-fat microwave popcorn
sugar-free hot chocolate or apple cider packets
*Be careful of peanut allergies.

Fresh fruits (e.g. apples, bananas and oranges) are very nutritious treats, but they are no longer safe options. Remember that individually wrapped items are best.

If you choose candy for treats, look for those that are lower in fat and sugar. Choose bite-size candy bars based on the least amount of fat and calories per serving. Better choices are: 3 Musketeers; 100 Grand Bar; Butterfinger; Milky Way; Raisinets; Starburst and York Peppermint Patties. In addition, consider healthier dark chocolate versions.

Non-food Treats: Children also will enjoy non-food treats** like the items typically given in birthday goodie bags.

small toys and pocket-sized games
glow sticks
costume jewelry (plastic rings, necklaces and bracelets)
funny Halloween glasses
false teeth
miniature magnifying glasses
tiny decks of cards
small stuffed animals
pencils
pencil toppers and fancy erasers
markers
stickers, including reflective safety stickers
rub-on or stick-on temporary tattoos
bookmarks
crayons
coloring tablets
paint brushes
pages from coloring books
children's magazines or comic books
bottles of bubbles
coins (pennies, nickels, dimes)
fake money
whistles
toothbrushes
used books
coupons from a yogurt store or juice bar
**Some treats fit all ages, but small items should be limited to kids over age three.

Treats to Promote Activity: Encourage kids to be more physically active by giving small, inexpensive toys to get them up and moving.

a bouncy ball
a jump rope
sidewalk chalk for drawing a hopscotch or foursquare game
a beanbag for hacky sack
a plastic or foam flier

Reviewed and adapted for use by Janis G. Hunter, HGIC Nutrition Specialist, and Katherine L. Cason, Professor, State Program Leader for Food Safety and Nutrition

Small Changes to Reduce Childhood Obesity

2009-10-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

First Lady Calls for Small Changes to Reduce Childhood Obesity

In a recent address to employees at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), First Lady Michelle Obama urged parents to make small changes to improve their children’s health and reduce the risk of obesity, Chicago Breaking News reports. Obama was introduced by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who called her the “country’s leading advocate for health and wellness.” In her address, the first lady tackled practical, day-to-day challenges many Americans face when it comes to good nutrition “such as long work hours, dirty or unsafe neighborhood playgrounds, a lack of healthy food options [and] unhealthy take-out food.”

During her speech, the first lady admitted that as recently as two years ago, she had “too often” relied on drive-thru restaurants to feed her daughters until receiving a wake-up call from her children’s pediatrician. The first lady recommended small changes, such as adding more fruits and vegetables to meals and reducing consumption of sugary drinks by switching to water.

Obama, who called childhood obesity a “major public health threat right now,” also encouraged parents to urge their kids to be more active, even in front of the television, and to do more cooking at home. The first lady also urged the crowd to consider medical experts’ warnings that “for the first time in the history of our nation, the next generation may be on track to having a shorter lifespan than this generation, and their parents” (Skiba, Chicago Breaking News, 10/13/09; CBS News, 10/13/09).

HANDS on Health

2009-10-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

I am very excited about an upcoming event at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I have been there for the planning from the beginning and it's so great to see how it's all come together. Come enjoy music, food, receive free health screenings and so much more!

On October 30 and 31, 2009, the First Annual HANDS on Health event invites the entire community to join together for two days of festivities featuring health in an interactive, fun and entertaining atmosphere.

This regional event is expected to bring together more than 5,000 participants over the course of the symposium's two days.

Friday’s events will showcase national and local research that expands our understanding of health for an audience of educators, medical professionals, students and scientists.

Saturday's events will focus on individual, family, and community health featuring games, workshops, educational booths, music, food and activities.

Participants can expect to taste new recipes, watch cooking demonstrations, check their blood pressure, get screened for risk factors and more.

Healthy Halloween Treat Bags

2009-10-22T15:33:00.001-07:00

Healthy Treat Bags

Fill these cute bags with healthy popcorn and add a couple low-cal items for a special treat.

What You'll Need

Quick Drying White Glue

Scissors

12" x 9" Felt Pieces: green, purple, black, brown, orange

Ruler

Pencil

Paper to trace patterns

3D Paint - brown, green, black, lavender, gold glitter

Straight pins

Paper clips

How to Make It

1. For front and back of bag, cut a piece of felt in half lengthwise. For sides of bag, cut a 1-1/2" x 12" piece. Cut piece into two 1-1/2" x 6" pieces. For handle, cut a 3/4" x 12" piece.

2. Squeeze glue along long edges and along one short edge of one side piece. Place side piece to inside edge of one side of front and back piece, working excess around corners. Trim excess at corners. Repeat for opposite side of bag. Use paper clips to hold in place until dry.

3. For handle, glue ends of 3/4" x 12" piece inside sides of bag. Let dry.

4. Print patterns below. Cut out. Pin to desired color felt. Cut around edges. Glue shape to bag.

5. For cat, paint dots for eyes using gold glitter, triangle nose using black and whiskers using lavender 3D paints. Let dry.

6. For bat, paint dots for eyes using green 3D paint. Paint a row of four large dots along upper edge of bag for pumpkins, using orange 3D paint. Let dry. Paint pumpkin faces and stems, using brown. Let dry.

Smoothies

2009-10-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

Want More Fruit? Get Out the Blender.
Check out smoothie recipes from the New York Times. Yummy!

I love there suggestion about bananas - you know those bananas that have gotten a little too ripe and the kids won't eat? Try this idea...When your bananas begin to ripen and soften too much, peel, cut in chunks, and freeze in small resealable bags. Use in smoothies, and you won't need ice.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/health/nutrition/18recipehealth.html?_r=1

First Post of Make Healthy Fun!

2009-10-06T19:35:00.000-07:00

Make Healthy Fun!

Hi there,

This is my first blog post for Make Healthy Fun! and I am very excited!!!

My goal is to help families to have healthy lives by moving, eating healthy and unplugging with simple creative projects. My background is in the craft industry, I love kids, I've had a weight problem since I was a child so I know how those feelings can negatively effect someone and follow them throughout their lives.

I want to make healthy changes in the World and I invite you and your family to join me on the journey to healthier lives.

Please sign up for our newsletter and / or our blog for fun and creative ideas for the entire family! I welcome your comments and questions, we're all in this together!

Joan Martin Fee

Make Healthy Fun!

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Smoothies

First Post of Make Healthy Fun!