<![CDATA[Welcome to the Puppet Treehouse Home Base! - Blog]]>Thu, 24 May 2012 21:32:00 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[WebSpider's Jukebox: You Can't Stop the Beat!]]>Mon, 21 May 2012 11:09:53 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/05/webspiders-jukebox-you-cant-stop-the-beat.htmlWhat are some other ways to BEAT STRESS?  Three great ways to stay on top of stress:
    *** EAT HEALTHY -- balanced meals with a focus on fruits & veggies is key!
    *** DRINK LOTS OF WATER -- sodas & coffee dehydrate you and complicate your metabolic processes
    *** EXERCISE -- find time to get active!  One of MY favorite activities is to DANCE!  You don't have to be a pro (I'm definitely NOT), just find time to blast music and SHAKE IT!  Join my friends from the Tony-award winning "Hairspray!" in that song that never fails to get all my legs jumping: "YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT!"
]]><![CDATA[WebSpider's Jukebox: I Wanna Be Like You-hoo-hoo!]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 11:03:14 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/05/webspiders-jukebox-i-wanna-be-like-you-hoo-hoo.htmlContinuing our series in recognition of National Mental Health Awareness month, we're listening to songs that turn our frowns upside down when life gets stressful. Sometimes, when I feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and wish I was someone else - like Willow, with her floppy optimism or Rocky - who's really just unflappable!  Ever feel like that?  Well, here's a song for you :)  -- WebSpider
]]><![CDATA[WebSpider's Jukebox: I Feel Good!]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 10:56:43 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/05/webspiders-jukebox-i-feel-good.htmlPart II of our Songs to De-stress series - why, James Brown's "I Feel Good," of course!  What are some of YOUR favorites?
]]><![CDATA[WebSpider's Jukebox: Don't Stop Me Now]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 06:30:23 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/05/webspiders-jukebox-national-mental-health-awareness-month.html
Howdy all!
It has been a BUSY month at the Treehouse, and in honor of National Mental Health Awareness month, we decided to focus our blog this month on stress relief and ways to go from glum to havin' fun!

Everyone struggles to balance all the demands of life, & we all find ways to "keep on truckin' through"...
                       what are some of YOUR favorite ways to stay happy and focused?

For me, I loveloveLOVE to listen to music!  It usually picks me up when I'm crawlin' on the floor and gets me up and spinnin' my web in NO time.  So let's have fun -- we will have some guests playing "DJ" this month to add their OWN favorite songs & music videos to the WebSpider Jukebox series (put YOURS in the comments/email and we'll post it!), but for now, this one *always* gets my legs jumpin'!  So here ya go, "Don't Stop Me Now," by Queen :D                 --- Love, WebSpider
]]><![CDATA[Good Food for a Good Mood!]]>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:31:04 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/03/good-food-for-a-good-mood.htmlIt’s National Nutrition Month and Stef's got a story to share :o)

Even though no kid wants to utter the words, “My mom was right,” in this case, I am proud to say it. Every time I reach for the salt, I can hear my mother asking “Did you even taste it?” So, now, I think of that every time I go for the salt.

The CDC says 9 out of 10 people eat more sodium than recommended. Too much sodium can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, stroke, stomach cancer, and more. And for what? A little flavor? Add some fresh parsley, rosemary, cilantro, lemon juice…the world is full of flavorful herbs and fruits! Use them. Your heart will thank you for it.

A few tips:

    -   When at a restaurant, remove the salt shaker from the table (you may not even miss it)
    -   When using beans or veggies from a can, rinse them well (it washes off unnecessary salt)
    -   Keep an herb garden and snatch some leaves to boost the flavor of your meal

Our friends at eatright.org have a ton more info for you about National Nutrition Month and staying healthy all-year round!

Happy Munching :D

]]><![CDATA[And a Wonderful World Puppetry Day to YOU!]]>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:18:21 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/03/and-a-wonderful-world-puppetry-day-to-you.html    Our workshop is a-buzzing
    While the puppets are de-fuzzing,
    Fabric's flying through the air,
    And googly eyes are everywhere!
    We simply cannot hold it in --
    As we tap dance while we grin --
    Jumping up and jumping down
    Singing as we run through town!
    Won't you join us as we play?
    Celebrate World Puppetry Day!

Hugs & Snugs from Judy, Zelda, Stef, and all the Puppet Treehouse Fam!

  Every Day, by Judy Greengold
]]><![CDATA[Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! ]]>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:26:59 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/03/happy-birthday-dr-seuss.htmlOur hats are off today to celebrate someone whose art and wisdom has inspired us (and so many others!)  Let's take a moment to enjoy one of Dr. Seuss' "secret arts" and, in my humble opinion, one of his most important & beautiful msgs:
Picture
     A Prayer for a Child
          From here on earth,
          From my small place
          I ask of You
          Way out in space:
          Please tell all men
          In every land
          What You and I
          Both understand . . .

          Please tell all men
          That Peace is Good.
          That’s all
          That need be understood
          In every world
          In Your great sky.

          (We understand.
          Both You and I.)
]]><![CDATA[A Message from Baby Puppets: Congenital Heart Defects]]>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:55:54 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/02/a-message-from-baby-puppets-congenital-heart-defects.htmlHi everyone! We've had a lot of fun this month talking about heart health and listening to the heart-happy songs from WebSpider's Jukebox. But I'd like to take a moment to talk about something more serious - congenital heart defects.

A congenital heart defect exists at birth. It is not heart disease, but an abnormality or defect - often the heart or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth. Usually these defects originate in the very early weeks of pregnancy, when the heart is first forming. Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect - approximately 35,000 infants per year are born with heart defects in the U.S. If the heart is not pumping enough blood for circulation, fluid builds up in the heart and lungs, and can cause further damage, including congestive heart failure. Look out for symptoms like rapid heartbeats, trouble breathing, problems when feeding, low weight gain, or swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around the eyes. Consult your physician if you think your child might have a congenital heart defect, and consult closely for treatment options.

Remember: Technology is improving every day. So, don’t give up and don’t be shy. Ask your doctor about any concerns you may have about yourself or your child.

Check out this site for even more info on this issue: www.Marchofdimes.com

]]><![CDATA[Heart Factoids]]>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:49:53 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/02/heart-factoids.htmlPicture
The Puppet Treehouse's newest addition, Intern Stef, has some heart-happy facts for everyone!

*In less than a minute, your heart is able to pump blood to every cell in your body.

*The human heart is about the size of a fist.

*During an average lifetime, the human heart will beat more than 2.5 billion times.

*The heart weighs less than one pound (roughly the same as two apples).
*The first open heart surgery was performed by Dr. Daniel Hall Williams in 1893.

*The human heart beats roughly 35 million times a year.

*Your rib cage protects your heart.

*The "thump-thump" of a heartbeat is the sound made by the four valves of the heart closing.

*Prolonged lack of sleep can cause irregular jumping heartbeats called premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

*Squeeze a tennis ball tightly. That's how hard the beating heart works to pump blood.
]]><![CDATA[WebSpider's Jukebox: Raining in My Heart]]>Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:44:04 -0800http://www.puppettreehouse.com/1/post/2012/02/webspiders-jukebox-raining-in-my-heart.htmlBuddy Holly makes everything better. Even a Buddy Holly Impersonator makes things better.

Note: If you detect actual precipitation in your heart, aorta, or related arteries, seek medical attention immediately.

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