Martha has a great article in January Living (page 124) about the importance of probiotics. I take one every day and dose the family with them on occasion.

I started taking probiotics after a bout of diverticulosis several years ago.  I’ve tried some of the special yogurts you can buy, but am happiest with the bottle I buy at the health food store. It’s really important to buy live acidophilus from the refrigerated section, not the freeze dried kind.

Not to be too graphic, but I have found that probiotics eliminate yeast infection problems as well as regulate digestion.

I think there are some people who don’t need them, but there are those of us who benefit from them greatly.

Dental Health

What did you think of the segment on Martha’s show about dental health? We have Oral-B toothbrushes similar to that (I think they are last year’s model) and it has made a big difference with some dental issues people in this house have had.

Martha has a great article in January Living (page 124) about the importance of probiotics. I take one every day and dose the family with them on occasion. I started taking probiotics after a bout of diverticulosis several years ago.  I’ve tried some of the special yogurts you can buy, but am happiest with the … Read more →

Martha has a great article in January Living (page 124) about the importance of probiotics. I take one every day and dose the family with them on occasion.

I started taking probiotics after a bout of diverticulosis several years ago.  I’ve tried some of the special yogurts you can buy, but am happiest with the bottle I buy at the health food store. It’s really important to buy live acidophilus from the refrigerated section, not the freeze dried kind.

Not to be too graphic, but I have found that probiotics eliminate yeast infection problems as well as regulate digestion.

I think there are some people who don’t need them, but there are those of us who benefit from them greatly.

Dental Health

What did you think of the segment on Martha’s show about dental health? We have Oral-B toothbrushes similar to that (I think they are last year’s model) and it has made a big difference with some dental issues people in this house have had.

Martha has a great article in January Living (page 124) about the importance of probiotics. I take one every day and dose the family with them on occasion. I started taking probiotics after a bout of diverticulosis several years ago.  I’ve tried some of the special yogurts you can buy, but am happiest with the … Read more →

If you’ve watched the Martha Stewart Show this month, you know she’s promoting her Body & Soul Challenge. Living magazine also has a section in it with the 10 important components Martha includes in her daily life.

I have some thoughts about this. First of all, I’ve tried over and over again to sign up for the Body & Soul Challenge emails, but I have not gotten a single one. I get all my other Martha emails with no problem and there is no filter that is catching them. So that’s annoying.

My second gripe with the challenge is that it seems very scattershot. There doesn’t seem to be a cohesive plan somewhere. Each day there is a short little thing on the wholeliving.com site about that day’s focus, but none of this comes off to me as a “challenge”. I guess I was expecting a checklist or something more interactive. I don’t feel like there is an overall plan to follow or daily challenges to meet. Martha makes reference to the challenge on the show, but again, that’s not very cohesive either. I’m feeling a bit frustrated with it all.

That being said, I did very much like the piece in the magazine (pp. 17-20 in January Living). This was something that fit with my life. In fact, just about every single point in it is something that is important to me as well (although that gross looking green juice for #6 is not something I’m interested in!). I too walk for exercise and lift weights. I drink lots of water, work on skin and hair care, make time to relax and keep a very organized calendar. I don’t have a home gym like Martha does, however.

Since I can’t seem to get any real inspiration or guidance from Martha’s Body & Soul challenge, I’m kind of fashioning my own. I’m stepping up the amount of exercise and trying really hard to cut back on calories. We’re eating more fish and veggies. I’m also trying to eat protein in the mornings. I find that if I have a hard boiled egg with breakfast, I don’t get hungry for hours, whereas if I just have cereal, I’m starving by 10 am.

I would love to know if any of you have been able to get the emails for the challenge and if so, what you think of them.

If you’ve watched the Martha Stewart Show this month, you know she’s promoting her Body & Soul Challenge. Living magazine also has a section in it with the 10 important components Martha includes in her daily life. I have some thoughts about this. First of all, I’ve tried over and over again to sign up … Read more →

Like the rest of the world, I’m working on being healthier in the new year, so when Martha made the Soba Soup with Spinach (also in Jan Every Day Food) on Monday, I was excited to try it. I’ve had soba noodles before and they’re good. This soup looked easy.

It was just as easy to make as it appeared on tv. I chopped ginger, scallions, garlic and mushrooms and cooked them with oil and salt. Once the mushrooms were soft, I added broth and water. Then I added noodles and cooked till done and then the spinach, soy sauce and lime at the end. Very, very simple and very, very tasty. I really liked this soup a lot. It takes very hearty even though there is no meat in it. It was very filling.I will definitely make this again. I served it for dinner with some strawberries, some seared tuna and a few slices of bread. It was more filling than expected though, so the bread was unnecessary.

I had some for lunch today. The broth had turned a darker color overnight, but it was just as good if not better today. This one’s a winner.

I have to put a comment in here about the other part of Monday’s show. It was great that Martha demo’ed that new exercise machine, but who can afford that? Then she had the facial expert on and kept touting how she was going to share three of her own facial recipes. Well, in my book, telling me to drink acai juice and chlorophyll do not count as facial recipes! Only the second recipe was for an actual facial and I have NO idea where you are supposed to buy dried clay to put in it! The whole segment was a huge disappointment to me.

Like the rest of the world, I’m working on being healthier in the new year, so when Martha made the Soba Soup with Spinach (also in Jan Every Day Food) on Monday, I was excited to try it. I’ve had soba noodles before and they’re good. This soup looked easy. It was just as easy … Read more →

What Kind of Dreamer Are You?

Martha’s got a new quiz (dontcha love a good quiz? I adore them!) that will help you determine what kind of dreamer you are and therefore what kind of business you would best be suited to start. My results came back saying I am an altruistic dreamer and should look into starting a nonprofit. Not sure that fits me. I tend to like profit – silly me. The other choices were creative dreamer or motivational dreamer. I think I am more of a creative dreamer, however I have organizational skills and oomph that propel me forward, so I don’t just sit and stare at the stars, thinking what if. What kind of dreamer are you? Do you agree with Martha’s assessment?

What Kind of a Giver Are You?

The Christmas Workshop has this quiz. I thought this one would be fun since I adore gift giving. The quiz told me I am a Big-Time Baker. Well, that’s true, but the other choices were A Handy Crafter (not me) or a Personalized Purchaser. I think the last one fits me best. I do bake some gifts, but mostly I love the hunt of finding just the right gift for someone. I actually enjoy giving gifts better than getting them. There’s too much pressure when someone gives me a gift! If I don’t like it, I have to pretend realistically that I do and I have no patience for people who buy bad gifts.

What Kind of Dreamer Are You? Martha’s got a new quiz (dontcha love a good quiz? I adore them!) that will help you determine what kind of dreamer you are and therefore what kind of business you would best be suited to start. My results came back saying I am an altruistic dreamer and should … Read more →

It is time to dish, girls and boys. Have you watched this show? If you haven’t, here’s the deal. Martha created and produces this show for the Fine Living network. It’s a half hour show with Martha’s daughter, Alexis, and her friend, Jennifer Koppelman Hutt, the same gal that does the Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer Sirius radio show with her. Alexis and Jennifer sit around and watch segments of old Martha shows. Sometimes they attempt to craft along with the craft segments. The gist of the show is that they are talking while watching it – like you might do with a friend at home.

Some people hate this show and some people love it (which are you? Post a comment and tell me). Alexis is pretty open about her sex life (and the fact that she sleeps around a lot). Alexis also makes fun of her mother and sometimes can be kind of harsh. Both of them have said rude things about the guests in the Martha clips.

I think I’ve seen every episode of this (Mr. MarthaAndMe leaves the room when I watch it- he can’t stand it) and wanted to weigh in. I see how some people are offended by it, but mostly I find it funny. They are witty and snarky and sarcastic, just as I am with my friends. They don’t act like Martha is some goddess who is above criticism.

Here’s the other thing about the show that I totally get. Alexis has a mother who is successful, confident, sometimes pushy, and sets high expectations. I do too. So I totally understand Alexis. First of all, when you grow up with a mother who is all of those things, it can really do a number on you. Then when you try to make it as an adult and have to realize you may never match that success, it is even harder. The third component is that Alexis works for her mom, and I do some work for mine as well. You want to be a part of the success, but at the same time you feel like a complete and utter loser to have to work for your mom and it makes you a tad resentful to have to deal with her demands and expectations as an adult. So, I understand the psychology of Alexis. This is her way of working through some of the aggression and resentment she experiences towards Martha (just call me Dr. MarthaAndMe).

Probably because Alexis and I have this in common, I totally live for the little gems on the show where Alexis reveals things about Martha – such as they never had cupcakes at their house, Martha made Alexis sell vegetables at the end of the driveway, Alexis had an antique quilt on her bed as a child that she wasn’t allowed to sit on, and Martha’s impatience when things are not done right.

How does Martha feel about all this? Unless she comments, we’ll never know, however the fact that she created the show indicates maybe she’s cool with it. I also think Martha is savvy enough to realize this show introduces her to several new audience groups – younger women, and women who know they aren’t Martha and have no chance to ever be Martha and enjoy seeing someone laugh about that.

Some other thoughts on this show:

– Why do they always have snacks out if they never eat them?

– I don’t like how Jennifer never has her shoes on. I totally get that you kick them off when you’re hanging out with a pal, but even so, she’s on tv. I just would never take my shoes off on tv.

– Alexis totally has Martha’s craft gene. Whenever they do a craft, Alexis whizzes through it while Jennifer makes a mess. Who knew crafting was genetic?

– Alexis is more like Martha than she knows. She sometimes displays a high level of Martha-type snobbery/impatience/White Witch behavior and an unwillingness to understand how other people do things.

What are your thoughts on this show?

It is time to dish, girls and boys. Have you watched this show? If you haven’t, here’s the deal. Martha created and produces this show for the Fine Living network. It’s a half hour show with Martha’s daughter, Alexis, and her friend, Jennifer Koppelman Hutt, the same gal that does the Whatever with Alexis and … Read more →

In the November issue of Living, there’s a piece about Plimoth Plantation, fitting in, of course, with the Thanksgiving theme of the issue. I don’t know if Martha herself has ever been there, but can’t you just picture her mulling around, picking up tips on how to thatch a roof or suggesting to an enacter that she add some thyme to her stew? (As a side note, didn’t you love the show about Mexico yesterday? I really enjoyed it, although I couldn’t help thinking it was a nice way for Martha to write off her vacation!)

We vacationed on Cape Cod the summer of ’07 and made a stop at Plimoth Plantation (Plymouth is where the Cape connects to the mainland). Whoo-hoo – something in this issue I have actual experience with other than cooking a turkey!

PP welcomes you - MOO

So here’s my personal scoop on PP. Honestly, Williamsburg is much, much better. Obv (as my teenager would say), it’s not the same time period, but if you want living history, Williamsburg is just so much better.It feels more real and it’s much, much bigger. The enacters are much more into it and are doing really complicated trade work.

PP has a huge visitor’s center with films and dining halls. Check out this photo of the cow carrying the Mayflower. what’s the deal with that? This is what greets you. I didn’t get it at all. The actual village did not thrill us to death. The Wampanoag area was pretty sparse – not much there to see and not too many “residents” to talk with. Another thing to keep in mind – there is a very, very long walk in to the visitor’s center, then the Wampanoag village, and then the settler’s village. And it is seriously hot there in the summer. Bring water and wear sneakers.

The actual village itself is built on a hill. The houses are small (again – obv)

PP on a Hill

which makes it hard to squeeze in with other visitors. We didn’t find the “residents” to be nearly as in character as those at Williamsburg and there weren’t as many crafts and trades to observe in action.

Thatched roof for real

You do get to see real thatched roofs and what kinds of gardens were grown. There is some livestock around as well.

I think it’s worth a stop to understand what the settler’s village actually felt like and how they really lived. Dirt floors and open fireplaces are not a lot of fun. And it’s damn cold in the winter.

We’ve made a point in our travels to take our kids to places that will give

Chicken anyone? My son almost got one

them a real perspective on history. The Jefferson Memorial might be grand, but walking through Thomas Jefferson’s house and the room where he wrote and where he died has a lot more meaning. Even though PP is only a reenactment (and not even on the actual location), it was still an important way to understand the beginning of this country.

Let me say this though – the gift shop was pretty darn good (Mr. MarthaandMe just about had a heart attack over all I bought – always a sign of good shopping). Overall – a good thing? Yup – two thumbs up!

In the November issue of Living, there’s a piece about Plimoth Plantation, fitting in, of course, with the Thanksgiving theme of the issue. I don’t know if Martha herself has ever been there, but can’t you just picture her mulling around, picking up tips on how to thatch a roof or suggesting to an enacter that she … Read more →

One of the things I admire about Martha is she seems to live a life that is balanced. She has a ginormous career, yet she has time to cook and decorate and do things that give her pleasure. So I was interested when I read “Simple Steps to Better Your Balance” in the November issue’s Healthy Living section.  We all know Martha’s into yoga (I’m not), but this is a new take on finding balance in your own body.

The article suggests you test yourself to see if your body is balanced. It says to stand one leg, with the other bent at a 45 degree angle, and your arms folded on your chest for 45 seconds. I felt a bit silly trying this, but it wasn’t hard at all. The key for me was to find a focal point (even saying that makes me remember Lamaze class). Once I had something to look at it, it became a lot easier to hold still. Once you’ve mastered that, the article suggests bending sideways and hopping. Touching the raised leg to the ground is another variation. I didn’t find any of that hard. Who knew I was so very balanced?

The next challenge is walking heel to toe in a straight line. There’s nothing like practicing for a sobriety test. This was easy too. No problems. If you can accomplish all of these tasks, the piece suggests doing them with your eyes closed. Whoa! Much harder! Nearly impossible actually.

The rest of the article was about organizing your home to prevent falls – which all felt a little geriatric to me. What’s the age demographic for this mag? It’s got to be in the 30s or 40s. I totally didn’t get why this was in the mag. Maybe Martha is worrying about her own aging! If she’s worried, maybe she should read my book, which actually deals with some of these concerns!

One of the things I admire about Martha is she seems to live a life that is balanced. She has a ginormous career, yet she has time to cook and decorate and do things that give her pleasure. So I was interested when I read “Simple Steps to Better Your Balance” in the November issue’s … Read more →

Then I went to the grocery store to buy the ingredients to make the Butterscotch-Pecan Cake, also from the November issue. Budget buster!! $40 just for ingredients, not including basics like flour, baking powder, baking sodea, salt, corn syrup, etc. I could probably buy 2 of these cakes at a bakery for this price. It’s totally insane.  I am sure this cake is going to be divine – it had better be considering I had to buy two pounds of butter and 4 8 oz blocks of cream cheese and a pint of heavy cream. Yowza! No wonder Martha is looking a little chunkier than her old self these days.

Percy and Merlin – our dogs

The other night on Martha (I can only get her show on the Fine Living Network at night) she had an interesting segment on dog training. For someone so organized and precise, Martha really lets these dogs walk all over her. She described how they get into fights over her attention and how she sent one of them to a week-long dog therapist (if only we all had that kind of cash). Yet she still cannot control them.

I have to say I loved this peek into the inner chaos of Martha’s life. She’s just like any woman her age who babies her pets and lets them run her life. She’s a total softie when it comes to those dogs.

We have two golden retrievers who though certainly not well-trained do not get into fights with each other. I have to say I don’t much care for Martha’s French Bulldogs, but then I am and always have been a golden retriever person.

Isaac Mizrahi crafting with Martha was hysterical. I love it when things go wrong and Martha must make the best of it. Isaac is quite the character and has no fear of Martha. Did you see this episode? What did you think?

 I’m not even a week into the Martha life and it’s already hugely expensive. Today I went to Michael’s to buy supplies. I bought supplies to make 3 crafts from the November issue of Living. Two little ones and one big one. I spent $22. I didn’t know Martha has a whole line of craft … Read more →

In my quest for all things Martha (which is now constantly on my mind), I sought out two Halloween festivities over the weekend that are definitely something Martha would approve of.

Dogs hitting the pavement

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia has dog trick or treating the week before Halloween. What a sight! Dogs of every kind in every imaginable type of costume were on the streets. The dogs didn’t seem to be too excited about the costumes but they were happy to get the treats.

The whole town turns into Martha for this event, with pet owners brainstorming terrific costumes. We saw a bumble bee, a race car, witches, an inmate, clowns, a cowboy and many more.

Sponsor a scarecrow

Also in the spirit of the season, we saw this amazing display in Middleton, Maryland. The town attaches scarecrows to signposts throughout the main section of town. Businesses can sponsor a scarecrow. Each business gets to select the design and the name of the business is pinned to the scarecrow’s chest. Very festive! Martha would definitely approve.

In my quest for all things Martha (which is now constantly on my mind), I sought out two Halloween festivities over the weekend that are definitely something Martha would approve of. Old Town Alexandria, Virginia has dog trick or treating the week before Halloween. What a sight! Dogs of every kind in every imaginable type … Read more →