HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE--GUEST AUTHOR ANDREA R. COOPER ON MARTIAL ARTS

Andrea R. Cooper has always loved creating characters and stories. She writes romantic suspense, fantasy, paranormal and historical romance. Currently, she has a yellow belt in Karate and a green belt in Muay Thai. Learn more about her and her books at her website and blog.

Ready to Try a New Exercise?

Bored hitting the treadmill or stationary bike and never getting anywhere? I was a few years ago before I discovered an exercise that not only worked cardio, but strength, flexibility, and mental agility.

Martial Arts.

Now don’t run screaming or shaking your head. Hear me out, please.

Martial Arts offer a range of physical and mental fitness that will not be boring. Years ago, my son’s martial arts school opened adult classes. Now, I only had to decide which one, since do to time and money, I could only afford one.

Karate – I’d taken classes before. While I did enjoy the class, there wasn’t much cardio. This would be a good starter class.

Boxing – Men definitely out-number the women here. Not that it’s a bad thing, but I was (and am) married, so I had no interest in combining fighting with flirting.

Jiujutsu – Interesting. But same with boxing. And having to roll around on the ground, sweating with a stranger, not my idea of fun. That’s best left between me and my husband.

Muay Thai – Elements of boxing and karate, including knees and elbows. A more equal ratio of men to women.

So which class did I choose? Muay Thai.

Why?

There were more women in this class. It was high-paced, so definitely cardio intense. Since it focuses on kicks and punchesm I was training both parts of my body instead of just arms as I would have in boxing. Since knees and elbows are used, it would be good to have that knowledge and experience in a fight or dangerous encounter. There are strong women whose Muay Thai background helped them win an MMA title: Gina Carano and Cristiane Justino Venancio.

To me, it’s a well-rounded, whole-body workout.

I gathered my knowledge of fighting into my character Crystal of Stolen Hearts. In order to prove her father’s innocence, she becomes a thief. But her training doesn’t end with picking locks and decoding alarms; she trained in all the martial arts.

Stolen Hearts

Crystal has spent her entire life training to be a thief in order to find evidence against the man who had her parents murdered. In her pursuit of justice she's had to give up her identity, her name, and any chance at love. When Crystal is forced on a blind date with the cop who is investigating her, she plays a dangerous game of hearts that could land her in a prison cell.

Kade is in search of a new life, after losing his partner. He's taken a new job, in a new city, and met a new girl. In order to keep his fresh start, he will have to catch an elusive thief targeting one of the largest corporations in the country. Desperate to forget the failures of his past, Kade has no intention of failing.

But secrets can’t be hidden forever.

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GUEST SAFETY EXPERT K.M. FAWCETT -- "PURSE"ONAL SAFETY

Today we welcome back safety expert K.M. Fawcett with some “purse”onal safety tips. K.M. Fawcett is a Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Isshinryu Karate. She and her husband Scott own the Tenchi Isshinryu Karate Dojo, located in Lebanon, NJ. K.M. is also a certified women’s self-defense instructor with the FLAG (Fight Like a Girl) Program. K.M. writes paranormal romances and loves kick butt heroes and heroines. When not writing novels or teaching karate, you can find her blogging about martial arts and writing action at www.attackingthepage.wordpress.com. -- AP

“Purse”onal Safety

Keep your purse and wallet safe from theft!

Don’t leave your purse or wallet in your car, in your shopping cart or in your coat when using a coat check or a coat rack.  When trying on clothes or testing products, never leave or set down your purse. When dining, keep your purse on your lap or on the ground between your feet.

Avoid carrying large purses, as they are easier to snatch.

Avoid keeping your wallet in your back pocket, especially in crowds.

Keep your purse held tightly against your body with the flap facing toward you.  Keep it zipped closed.  If you can’t close your purse, it’s time to clean it out.

Carry as little cash as possible. If you must carry a large amount of money, be careful not to let others see it.

You may want to carry a diversionary money fold with several singles covered by one larger bill, such as a twenty.  If someone tries to rob you, throw your diversionary money in one direction and run the other way (toward people if possible.)

Feel free to add your own “purse“onal safety tip in the comments section.

Great advice! Thanks so much for joining us today, K.M. So readers, do you have other “purse”onal safety tips you’d like to share? Post a comment this week to be entered into the drawing for a free book from our Book Club Friday guest author.-- AP

GUEST MELINDA LEIGH, SELF-DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR

Today at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers I’d like to introduce you to a special guest, author and self-defense instructor Melinda Leigh. Melinda holds a 2nd degree black belt in Kenpo Karate and studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She's also a founding member of the Liberty States Fiction Writers.  Melinda lives in the NJ suburbs with her husband, two kids, and a whole bunch of animals.  Her romantic suspense fiction has won writing awards across the country.

Melinda hosts Fight Like a Girl Southern NJ, a blog featuring effective and easy to learn self-defense for women. She’s also one of the bloggers at Attacking the Page, a blog about Martial Arts & Writing Action. Melinda, along with fellow bloggers Rayna Vause and Kathy Fawcett, will be stopping by Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers from time to time to offer practical safety tips for women. You can also visit Melinda at her website. -- AP

SAFETY TIP OF THE WEEK: USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Many people rely on trains and buses for transportation.  Unfortunately,  predators of all sorts troll these areas as well.   The following tips can help make your trip a safe one.

When riding on a bus or train, have your ticket or change ready so you do not have to get your wallet out.  Always wait in a well-lit area for your bus or train and wait near other people.  If possible, meet a friend there to wait with you, or even better, travel together.  A lone traveler is always more of a target than a group.  There’s safety in numbers.  If you do end up on the bus or train alone, sit close to the driver.   Don’t fall asleep.  Stay awake and alert at all times.  Don’t get so caught up in texting a friend or reading a book that you fail to notice who gets on and off.  You don’t need to stare to know who is around you and what they are doing.  Sit in an aisle seat so you won’t be blocked in. Keep your belongings on your person, with your purse strap over your shoulder and larger bags between your feet.

When you reach your destination, pay attention to who gets off at your stop.  If you think you are being followed, use the go-to-people principal.  Let the person know you see him and know where he is at all times.  If possible, have someone waiting for you, especially if your stop is isolated or dark.   If you’re going out with friends, make a pact that you will all leave together and make sure no one gets left behind.

Great tips, Melinda. Thanks for sharing, and we'll all look forward to seeing you, Rayna, and Kathy stopping by occasionally with more safety tips. Readers, do you have safety concerns? Let's hear from you. Anyone who posts a comment this week is entered in the drawing for a free book from out guest author on Book Club Friday. -- AP