Typically, couch potatoes are people who spend a lot of time in front of the television. And many people have blamed television and video games as a major reason for the rise in childhood obesity in this country.
But your television can actually serve as a catalyst to help you lose those unwanted pounds AND bring your family closer together.
Don’t believe me? Then you’ve obviously never strapped a white Nintendo Wii controller to your wrist. Mickey DeLorenzo is a regular guy from South Philadelphia who lost weight with his beloved Wii and had fun doing it. In 2006, he began his “Wii Sports Experiment,” in which he simply added 30 minutes of Wii Sports to his day for six straight weeks. Pounds melted away and a media onslaught followed.
We caught up with Mickey for an interview. We asked him about the details of his workout regime, his favorite Nintendo game, and got him to share some tips for people who’d like to try using their Wii to get fit.
Run Time: 20 minutes, 52 seconds | Subscribe with iTunes
The first time Brian Jones saw the holiday classic A Christmas Story, he immediately became a fan. A super fan. After a low period in his life, Brian’s parents decided to try and cheer him up my making him his very own “major award” — a homemade replica of the iconic leg lamp that Ralphie’s father receives in the mail. A new career path emerged, and Brian launched RedRiderLegLamps.com.
The business took off, and a few years into the venture, he had the opportunity to buy and renovate the actual house used in the movie. The A Christmas Story House has become a Cleveland, Ohio tourist destination for fans of all ages.
In our interview with Brian, he recounts the wild story of buying the house on eBay, discusses some of the neatest aspects of the house, reveals some little-known tidbits about the movie’s production, and shares his favorite scene and character from the movie.
If you’re a fan of the movie, or are looking for a nostalgic look back at Christmas Past, you will love this interview, which is interjected with classic soundbytes. We promise you won’t shoot your eye out!
Run Time: 15 minutes, 31 seconds | Subscribe with iTunes
Ryan “Cubby” Culbertson is a Navy guy, father of seven, and Club K&J member. He has routinely delighted us with his creative entries in the Thursday Giveaway. A few months back, I wrote an article outlining some important tips for finding your dream job. Ryan commented on the article with a hearty, “Here, here.”
A little while later, his wife Melynda chimed in to tell us that there was more to the story behind the simple comment.
She shared that Ryan was beginning his dream job. For years, he had served in a mind-numbing job that he found boring and redundant. But he was good at it and it paid the bills. Eventually, Ryan decided to step out and go after something he really wanted to do: become a Navy pilot. Said Melynda, “Actually, he wanted to be Superman, but being a pilot is as close as reality can take him. For the first time since he was a teenager he loves his job. For the first time ever he wakes up excited to go to work.”
We wanted to chat with Ryan to hear more about the story in the hopes that it might serve as inspiration for others who have a steady job but yearn for something more. He shares his struggles and successes, as well as his infectious enthusiasm. He also explains what it feels like to fly and reveals one of the main things his family does to deal with Adultitis.
Run Time: 19 minutes, 34 seconds | Subscribe with iTunes
According to its website, Grace Before Meals is centered on one fundamental concept: the simple act of creating and sharing a meal can strengthen all kinds of relationships. Founded by Fr. Leo Patalinghug in 2003, Grace Before Meals has grown from a simple idea to a worldwide movement, producing a book, blog and even a pilot for a TV show endorsed by PBS.
Research shows that having frequent family dinners can reduce the susceptibility of teens to risks like teen pregnancy, smoking, drug use and depression. And these benefits don’t just apply to traditional families or people with kids. Stronger families foster stronger communities, and that’s the goal we’re striving for–one meal at a time.
We sat down with Fr. Leo to learn more about where his love for cooking came from and what inspired him to start Grace Before Meals. In this candid and humorous interview, Fr. Leo also shares why it’s so important to have regular family dinners and gives advice to people who are having a hard time fitting it into an increasingly busy schedule.
Run Time: 20 minutes, 39 seconds | Subscribe with iTunes
• Visit the website - www.GraceBeforeMeals.com
• Watch the videos - www.GraceBeforeMeals.com/videos.php
• Read the book - Grace Before Meals: Recipes for Family Life
In this episode of the Escape Adulthood Show, brought to you from studio 315 in Madison, Wisconsin, we share 10 awesome tips for spicing up family dinners and making fun memories that will last a lifetime. We also talk about peanuts, share a poem written by a member, and give an update on our effort to crown the All-Time Greatest Childhood Food. Just click “Play” to listen to the show, or you can subscribe to the show with iTunes…
Show Notes…
• Check out Gourmet Mom on-the-Go for even more fun ideas!
• Did you miss our eBook of Gross and Gruesome Halloween Treats? Download it here!
• Don’t forget to vote for your favorites in the All-Time Greatest Childhood Food Tournament!
• Cool Thing: Pick Your Nose Cups
• Show Music: Coyote Sleeps by Ethan Elkind
• Show Length: 30 minutes, 49 seconds
• Shout Outs: Thanks to Jenny for sharing her “Kitty Litter” story, and the Judy for the awesome poem!
• Feedback: What’s your favorite tip for spicing up family dinner? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Add a comment below, e-mail us, or give us a jingle via the exclusive Club K&J Hotline at 608-554-0803.
In this episode of the Escape Adulthood Show, brought to you from studio 315 in Madison, Wisconsin, we list our Top 10 Food-Related Adultitis Hospitals. We also discuss doormats, a “no-stress school” in California, and a tournament we’re hosting designed to crown the All-Time Greatest Childhood Food. Just click “Play” to listen to the show, or you can subscribe to the show with iTunes…
Show Notes…
• No Stress School is a Tough Sell (The Mercury News)
• Top 10 Links
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Cereality
- P.B. Loco
- Krispy Kreme
- Crumbs
- Maid Rite
- Texas Roadhouse
- Dave & Busters
- Dylan’s Candy Bar
- Hard Rock Cafe
• How will you look when you’re old? Try out Careerbuilder.com’s Age-O-Matic.
• Cool Thing: Doormats
• Show Music: Coyote Sleeps by Ethan Elkind
• Show Length: 36 minutes, 48 seconds
• Shout Outs: A big welcome to all the new members from Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin!
• Feedback: What do you think of the “no-stress school concept?” What’s your favorite food-related Adultitis hospital? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Add a comment below, e-mail us, or give us a jingle via the exclusive Club K&J Hotline at 608-554-0803.
Judy (right) and Melanie prepare for their drive on the wonderfully curvy Pacific Coast Highway 1
In this episode of the Escape Adulthood Show, brought to you from studio 315 in Madison, Wisconsin, we talk about adults who are ruining Halloween, how the economy is affecting things, and a restaurant that is serving snake on its holiday menu. We also read some fun and funny Halloween memories submitted by Club K&J members. Just click “Play” to listen to the show, or you can subscribe to the show with iTunes…
Show Notes…
• Snake on Menu for Halloween (The Sun)
• Halloween Sales Reportedly Up (CBS59.com)
• Let Kids Enjoy Halloween (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
• Halloween is Best Left to the Kids (TulsaWorld.com)
• Cool Thing: BBQ Sword
• Show Music: Coyote Sleeps by Ethan Elkind
• Show Length: 38 minutes, 32 seconds
• Shout Outs: A big thank you to everyone who shared their Halloween memories!
• Feedback: Do you think adults are ruining Halloween? Would you eat a snake? What’s your favorte Halloween candy? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Add a comment below, e-mail us, or give us a jingle via the exclusive Club K&J Hotline at 608-554-0803.
In this episode of the Escape Adulthood Show, brought to you from studio 315 in Madison, Wisconsin, we interview Toby Sells, who runs his own creature makeup effects shop and makes creatures and gore effects for film and television. We also talk about the World Series, baby showers, and embarrassing teenagers. Just click “Play” to listen to the show, or you can subscribe to the show with iTunes…
Show Notes…
• Check out some of Toby’s gruesome creations on his MySpace page.
• Visit dicksmithmake-up.com to learn more about Dick Smith’s work (he’s the guy responsible for the make-up done on the Exorcist) and get info on his highly recommended make-up course.
• Cool Thing: 500 XL Earbud Speakers
• Show Music: Coyote Sleeps by Ethan Elkind
• Show Length: 51 minutes, 24 seconds
• Shout Outs: A big welcome to all the new members from Milwaukee, WI, Pulaski, WI, and Lifeline Wisconsin.
• Feedback: What’s your favorite scary movie? What did you think of our interview with Toby? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Add a comment below, e-mail us, or give us a jingle via the exclusive Club K&J Hotline at 608-554-0803.
In this episode of the Escape Adulthood Show, brought to you from studio 315 in Madison, Wisconsin, we talk about llamas (again), the hidden danger of sour candy, our latest trip to Boston, and share 6 easy but awesome Halloween costume ideas. Just click “Play” to listen to the show, or you can subscribe to the show with iTunes…
Show Notes…
• Halloween Horror: California Dental Hygienists Issue Warning About the Dangers of Sour Candy (MarketWatch.com)
• Check out these sites for more cool homemade costume ideas: costumeideazone.com and www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com
• Me and My Llama: Here it is…the nostalgic and possibly disturbing video Kim remembered from Sesame Street.
• Cool Thing: Candy Corn Soapsicle
• Show Music: Coyote Sleeps by Ethan Elkind
• Show Length: 28 minutes, 24 seconds
• Shout Outs: A big welcome to all the new members from Greeley, CO, Jamestown, ND, and Belchertown, MA
• Feedback: What do you think about the terrors of sour candy? Do you have any fun homemade Halloween costume ideas? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Add a comment below, e-mail us, or give us a jingle via the exclusive Club K&J Hotline at 608-554-0803.
In this episode, brought to you from studio 303 in Greeley, Colorado, we talk about the secret to living to 112, yearbook pictures, Jason’s first trip to Fenway Park, and share 6 tips to make your workplace more fun. Just click “Play” to listen to the show, or you can subscribe to the show with iTunes…
Show Notes…
• The Secret to Long Life (Happynews.com)
• Take Your Job and Shove It (Jason’s first installment of Cereal Box Chronicles.)
• Yearbook Yourself: Find out what your yearbook picture might have looked like had you graduated in a variety of different decades (Thanks for the link, Steven!)
• Member Profile: Learn more about one of our newest members, Rachel Wester from Tilly, Alberta, Canada.
• Cool Thing: Wall Gumball Machine
• Show Music: Coyote Sleeps by Ethan Elkind
• Show Length: 34 minutes, 4 seconds
• Shout Outs: Thanks to the Pinto family for the baby care package. And a big welcome to all the new members from Baxter and our new friends from New Hampshire, California, and Baraboo, Wisconsin!
• Feedback: Do you remember the llama song? Do you prefer middle or corner brownies? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Add a comment below, e-mail us, or give us a jingle via the exclusive Club K&J Hotline at 608-554-0803.
