Yippee!

(Now we just need an iPad.)

It’s also available on the iPhone and iPod Touch, in case you aren’t one of the cool people who have an iPad (like my Mom!)

I’m really happy with how it turned out. We’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from the paper version, and it made the transition to electronic pretty seamlessly. For $9.99, it’s the perfect sort of traveling companion to tickle your funny bone and make you think while you’re on the subway or waiting at the doctor’s office. The chapters are short and there are pictures!

Naturally, there will be at least one person who will wonder when it will be available on the Kindle. (One thing at a time, people!) All we can say is…we’re working on it. It’s safe to say that the reality of Soup and our other books going treeless is just a matter of time.

P.S. The normal old-fashioned version of the book is still available at the K&J Lemonade Stand and Amazon.com.

Obviously, it’s probably one of the greatest Christmas presents out there on the market today.

Seriously, they can get downright c r a z y.

Which is why we thought it was a wonderful idea to have such a person (a bride to be, not a crazy person) review our new book, There’s An Adult In My Soup. Enter Becky Speer, aka Becky Mochaface, whose big day is quickly approaching. Would she actually find some value in it, or toss it aside like a wedding DJ with nothing but Chicken Dance CDs?

Fortunately, we passed with flying colors! Here’s an excerpt from her review, awesomely titled, Avoiding the Dreaded Title of Bridezilla by Following the Recipes for the Life of My Dreams:

Since reading this book, I’ve noticed how many times I want to answer “How are you?” with “Busy.” It’s not really an answer. We’re all busy. And it doesn’t even describe how I’m feeling at that particular moment. Now, I take a deep breath and answer with an enthusiastic, “I’m fantastic!” Because I am. There’s so much in my life to be thankful for. And all of them make my life fantastic.

There’s An Adult in My Soup is a great book for reminding you to stop and be in the moment. To enjoy life. And find what will bring you joy.

Plus it’d make a great present for just about anyone for this holiday season.

Whew. That rocks harder than an 80s metal band. We are quite pleased to have passed this test, and couldn’t agree more about her whole “this would make a great present” thing. Brides to be are really smart.

Thanks for the nice review, Becky, and have a awesome wedding day!

Meanwhile, have YOU had a chance to read the book? We want to hear what you thought about it, whether you’re engaged, married, or purple. Write your own review over at Amazon.com and we will be forever grateful!

Apparently, he is also a man of excellent taste.

This becomes obvious when you read his review of our latest book, There’s An Adult In My Soup. Here’s an excerpt:

There are some common elements of Adultitis: chronic busy-ness, stress and a lack of curiosity and imagination. Thankfully, Kim and Jason provide numerous humorous stories, suggestions and examples of people (young and young alike) who are antidotes to this serious condition…and they do it in a fun, humorous manner.

What’s great is their ability to find great lessons from such a wide range of sources: from Erma Bomback to Curious George to Jim Henson to the “ordinary” people they meet in their daily lives.

Okay, I’ll stop sounding like a commercial now. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and invite you to pick it up if you’re feeling “old” or in need of a pick-me-up.

Clearly, we’re thrilled to be getting such positive reaction to this book. Not only would it be very awkward to be posting all sorts of negative reviews on our blog, but it’s a sign that we did something worthwhile with this book.

In this case, we gave people feeling old a little somethin’ somethin’ to coax that inner child out to play.

If you haven’t picked up your own copy of the book yet, you should treat yourself to an early Christmas present. Come to think of it, it also makes a great gift for everyone else on your list, especially since it appeals to people who wouldn’t normally consider themselves “readers.” (It has very short chapters, lots of pictures, and no index!)

One of the troubles with the grown-up world is that it’s jam packed with, well, grown-ups. People who have long since fallen into an ever-deepening self-seriousity. They forget what a rollicking good time looks like. It’s been years since they have let themselves play. Even longer since they have let themselves giggle.

Kim & Jason Kotecki call that sad state Adultitis, and they’re on a mission to help all of us rediscover the childlike joy that life has to offer. Their latest Adultitis antidote is their new book, There’s An Adult In My Soup.

The book, a collection of short essays on bringing a childlike sense of play and wonder into our often too-serious grown-up lives, is perfect as a quick mind-snack. Pick it up, flip it open, and read whatever catches your interest. Each essay is short enough to read as you take a 5-minute break from your workaday world.

Far from being frivolous and silly, overcoming Adultitis can open the door to a potential that we squash when we suppress the flow of childlike fun. It loosens us up, helps us be more creative, and makes it easier to roll with whatever life brings.

Well that, and life is just a whole lot more fun when you can shamelessly stomp in puddles without worrying who might be watching.

The fact that this review appeared on his blog at all is pretty humbling. While he agreed to take a look at the book, he noted that he doesn’t like to post negative reviews on his blog. That being said, he warned that if he wasn’t a big fan of the book, he probably just wouldn’t post anything at all. I didn’t see anything from him for a while, so I feared we had whiffed big time.

Fortunately, that was not the case. Clearly, he is a intellectual powerhouse with impeccable taste. You should go read his blog right now, and bring more passion into your life.

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

Just finished chomping on the Kotecki’s latest book There’s An Adult In My Soup and I must say it was quite disappointing. Not one recipe. The pictures were all black and white. The articles made me feel that I’m missing out on something…

*Insert needle on the record scratch sound effect here*

Please ignore the first paragraph. I have to admit there are times my adult self seeps out. But I’ve got that in check now and I can’t wait to share what I thought of Kim and Jason’s cool new book!

I am happiest when I’m out and about speaking on finding the fun. This book was a great read and shares Kim and Jason’s personal reminders that keep their Adultitis in check. Was there anything brand new? Revelations never before revealed? Not really. But what this book has is a top notch collection of reminders to see the little blessings in each day.

I consider this book to be a bible of sorts in that you can read any chapter in any order and take away a message you needed at that moment. I didn’t find this the type of book to read in one take. Rather (and I mean this respectfully) it is a great bathroom book or bed stand read.

I’ll be paraphrasing highlights, not directly quoting, as I am usually going slightly over the speed limit in life. Here, now – my take-aways:

Jason wrote about being on vacation and ignoring email. He thought it would be tough, then easily slipped into dissing the pull of the internet. He said “the sun still rose and set. Are you staying connected or staying distracted?” On the same topic, Kim challenged us to back off of email too! They ask “what if you don’t answer your cell phone while lunching with a friend?” and “Remove that hand-free cell phone from your noggin and just BE in the moment.”

Reminds me of a stand-up comic who told an audience member (whose cell was ringing during his set) “Hey! If you were that important you’d have someone taking calls for you.” I like Kim and Jason’s friendly challenge to let it go. What will it be like when our kids are older!? A cell phone in each ear with a hand held internet device …never communicating face to face. I’m not liking the visual here.

Moving on: Kim brings up families that are too scheduled. Too many after-school sessions to attend. No family time. It’s such a valid point. When is the last time you saw a park full of kids? Why aren’t parents sending kids out to play in the fresh air and meet new neighbor kids? It’s all about videos and web surfing. Come ON! Get outside, get some sun and air and exercise! I know my sons are less sassy when they are good and tired. And forced to use their (gasp) imaginations. I’m such a mean Mom.

Jason says “it’s as if whoever can prove they’re busiest wins.” And they mention you never see a 3-year-old enter a room and declare “I’m just SO busy today!” Being too busy is a choice. I was telling a buddy that I was getting a massage in the afternoon and she looked at me with envy and said “You’re so lucky!” Hmm. I didn’t win the time away – I made an appointment. I answered “Luck didn’t have much to do with it, I chose some time for myself today.” (I love saying that, and need to say it more!)

Jason asks “are you finding a good balance between work, family and alone time?” Well I’d answer with a hearty, “Um. Well. Sometimes.” Case in point, my 13-year-old hops in the van and just ejects my CD out of the player to plug in his own music. I was listening to a keynote speaker and knew it would be a pain to find which track I was on. I sort of had a hissy. I slapped the steering wheel and loudly said “Hey! How am I supposed to find my spot! You can’t just go grabbing CDs without asking!” He grabbed the CD, read the title (Stress Less for Women) and calmly stated “I don’t think this thing is working, Mom.” Ok, so I know what I can work on. Clear. Like crystal.

There’s An Adult In My Soup has given me reminders that I need, and permission to be my playful self and know that I’m not alone on my quest for crazy. Being normal is so limiting.

When Kim wrote about people with bad attitudes (the Eeyores) and then the fun Tigger types – I totally agree. I call the sad sacks Energy Vampires. They suck the energy out of you simply by entering a room. They are predictable in their glum-ness and you have a great urge to take a fake phone call (make sure you hold the phone the right away) or just run from the room. Not always possible, unfortunately. I always look for the sunshine friends and more importantly, I try to be one!

Last year my hubby and I accepted a Kim and Jason challenge to go out and be daring and wild. We were the smile-makers around town who taped a take out soda cup to the top of the van and acted like it wasn’t there. When people shout or point we just do a shy wave and a smile that says, “Do I know you?” It’s such affordable fun. We take my Mom and the kids out, and even friends have requested a ride. Not sure why they don’t just do it on their own. Guess we’re the sunshine friends!

I appreciate the theme of the new book and, as I said, it’s a great read in small bits so that you can absorb the message meant just for you for that moment. It is closed with quotes from Erma Bombeck that brought sweet tears to my eyes. This ending was a dessert for my soul. Next time I read There’s An Adult In My Soup, I’ll have dessert first !

I am touched by the heart and soul you share with your readers in this book and on your website, Kim and Jason. Lucy picked really cool parents.

And now I must go – I’m planning a pajama happy hour to celebrate my birthday this weekend! Instead of bringing a gift, the challenge to my pals is to buy a gift for someone else and not tell them it was a challenge. We’ll have fun stories to share at the PJ party!

Enjoy the read and find your message.

–Lisa Warsinske

The latest review comes from Tanmay Vora, a cool fellow who shares thoughts on quality, management, improvement, and life on his QAspire Blog. Here’s a snippet of what Tanmay had to say about Soup:

I am currently reading a simple yet amazing book titled “There’s An Adult In My Soup” by Kim and Jason Kotecki. They are on a mission fighting “Adultitis” – typical adult syndromes that infect us as we grow. In that process, we lose our child-like qualities that made us happy and jovial. Our daily conundrums trap us and we forget that life happens to us when we are busy making other things happen. This book is a gentle reminder to remain open, optimistic and child-like to enjoy the simple joys of life.

Any book that relates well with your current circumstances will quickly hit you. So if you are going through a “busyness” syndrome and looking out for more from life, this book will quickly break the ice and become a good guiding friend. Better yet, this book will lead to some self-revelation if you are suffering from adultitis but don’t know about it yet! Jason’s illustrations in the beginning of every chapter makes it more interactive and light-weight.

Thanks to Tanmay for the glowing review, and thanks to everyone who has bought a copy, making it the best-selling book we’ve published this year.*

We don’t want you to feel left out of the whole review process. If you’ve had a chance to read the book, we’d LOVE it if you posted your own review over at Amazon.com. Unless you think it stinks. Don’t make us get Al Gore after you.

*Coincidentally, it is also the only book we’ve published this year.

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

She recently reviewed our new book, There’s An Adult In My Soup and gave away a signed copy on her blog. In the review, she pointed out some of her favorite themes from the book:

“Busy: The New Four-Letter Word,” is about how adults tend to compete over who’s busiest. The problem is, nobody wins in this competition. It’s all lose-lose. Kim officially makes the word “busy” a bad word. As she says, “The funny thing is that everyone has the same amount of time, so if you are ‘busy’ it’s your own fault. The flaw is in you.”

“FTERA. Do You Have It?” Failure To Enjoy Recent Accomplishments is a new malady discovered by Jason’s father where we do not take time “to delight in the little things and maintain perspective.” (See my blog Yay Life! for more on enjoying the little things.)

FTERA is about always wanting or needing the next thing to come along. We can’t be content to be satisfied with what’s already accomplished; we have to constantly be grasping for the next event/activity/project.

“Stress Begets Stress” Kim says, “I happened upon an article talking about the trend of commuters leaving earlier and earlier, while also leaving work later in the day to avoid traffic, only to find themselves pulling twelve- to thirteen-hour days. Adultitis, much?”

“The lesson here is simple. YOU are in charge of your life. If it’s a stressed-out mess, it’s time to stop blaming your circumstances and start moving towards change.”

When you write a book, it’s always neat to hear what aspects of it managed to grab someone. I found it pretty cool that a lot of the themes that struck Lisa were written by Kim, who often downplays her writing skills. I try my best to pooh-pooh that notion (and also try my best to use the term “pooh-pooh” as much as possible). But, as husbands out there know all too well, our opinions seem to weigh less with each passing year. I’ve always believed that Kim’s contribution added a TON of perspective to the book (and this blog), but I’m grateful to have Lisa back me up on that one.

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

You may remember Lance from our collaboration on the Laugh Flash we did in Madison a few months back. It was fun to answer his creative questions, and I love the fact that he added his own commentary in response to our answers. Here’s a sample from the interview:

Lance: A fun day as a family – tell me what that might consist of.
Jason: Hmm. Very low key, that’s for sure. Lounging around. Being goofy. Good food. A nice walk by the lake or a visit to the zoo. The elaborate and more expensive experiences are great, but I quite like the simple fun that can be had doing everyday things. Most people are living life too fast to notice some of the Cracker Jack prizes hidden right under their nose.
Kim: Jason hit it on the head. People think of us as the adventurous type and in many ways we are, but we sure love to be lazy together as a family. I’d add to his list- movies, a drive to get Dairy Queen, and some homemade cheesy beer and brat soup- hey, we DO live in Wisconsin!

Lance: Deep down, what makes you uniquely “you”? Kim? Jason?
Jason: Deep down, I think I am as curious and creative as ever. That’s the little boy in me shining through. I have a great sense of wonder about things, about people, and about God. I hate structure and I hate rules, but I love to learn.
Kim: Deep down, I am a spunky little five-year-old girl that refuses to grow-up into a grumpy ‘ol adult. I like wearing mismatched clothes. I hate making the bed and doing the dishes. I’ll eat three rows of brownies if no one is looking. I’m just looking to have as much fun as possible while I’m here. I think this life is a gift and I’m not going to waste what I’ve been given.

Lance also had some neat things to say about There’s An Adult In My Soup:

I’m currently reading this book, and it’s great! And one thing I really love are the short chapters (it fits my attention span well!). More than that, though, I think it’s really a great “idea generator”. You two share real-life examples of living Adultitis-free, and those are examples that spur thoughts in me of how I can be more kid-like myself. And that right there is the real “meat” in that soup!

Thanks to Lance for the kind words and the fun conversation. Hop on over to read the full interview and get a chance to win a copy of the book. Of course, if that fails, we’ve got a copy with your name on it at The Lemonade Stand.

I still loved the book. I flagged it with about 30 post-its. I intend to read it again, and to give it to other people to read. Because, for me, this book is a reminder to try to be a happier, more optimistic, person. To be more childlike (as opposed to childish). To notice the small joys as they pass by. To strive for balance.

There’s An Adult in My Soup is like a series of pep talks from that unquenchable friend – the one who always makes you smile, even when your cynical side things that it’s more complicated than that. I’m happy to have read it. I hope that some of you will want to read it, too.

Jen even included some of her favorite passages in her review. By the way, if you think children’s books are just for kids, think again. Many adults read them as an enjoyable way to escape adulthood. Plus, it’s a far better thing to do before bed than watching the news. Ick. Check out Jen’s blog for something that might suit your fancy.

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

But in a positive sort of way.

While many self-help gurus espouse the power of positive thinking, they actually sell their students short if they stop there. One of my big criticisms of the smash hit The Secret is that it doesn’t really paint a complete picture. Positive thinking and the law of attraction are great tools, but they can only get you so far. Real life is not all sunshine and rainbows, and expecting it to be that way just because we wish it were is naive and unproductive.

Craig’s take — which I think is as common sensical as it is provocative — is that negativity is a part of life. We can choose to become victims of it or use it as a tool. Here’s an example:

Why wear seatbelts? Positive thinking tells us that we’ll be fine if we just have a good attitude. Negative thinking allows us to look at the dangers of driving and to do something about it. Airbags, seatbelts and speed limits are all negative-based things that are good for us.

As much as I wish Adultitis wasn’t a real problem, it is. There’s no magic bullet or snappy affirmation that makes it disappear. It takes a concerted effort every day to maintain a childlike outlook on life. That’s why Kim and I write on this blog and speak to audiences and send out newsletters: because we all need a little help in the daily battle against Adultitis. If there was a special pill to solve the problem we’d make it easier on ourselves and just sell that.

Fortunately, although the daily nature of the fight makes it more challenging, it also makes it more fun.

Go check out what Craig has to say and read an exclusive excerpt from There’s An Adult In My Soup. Oh, and while you’re there, you can find out how to win a free copy for yourself or a friend. (But be warned: wishing that you’ll win it won’t be as effective as actually following the simple directions Craig outlines.)

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

Here’s what he had to say about our newest book, There’s An Adult In My Soup:

Every little story is their little book is funny, touching and freeing. No matter how playful you think you might be, each story brings you insights into yet another dimension of playfulness. No matter how important or responsible or hard-pressed you are, Kim and Jason show you that it’s still OK to play. You can object to their depiction of what it means to be “adult.” You can argue about their definition of maturity. But you can’t deny that Kim and Jason are genuine Defenders of the Playful.

When it comes to fun and playfulness, Bernie knows his stuff. Thanks, Bernie, for the wonderful honor and for doing your part to eradicate Adultitis from the world!

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

[Although in some respects, our speaking gigs serve that purpose. By the way, if you live near Green Bay, WI, Minneapolis, MN, Rochester, NY, or anywhere in New Jersey, we’re gonna be in your neck of the woods in the next month or so. Contact us to get details if you’re interested in attending one of our live programs.]

But I digress.

Traditional book tours are all well and good, but this new-fangled thing called the Internet has made possible things known as blog tours. The cool thing about them is that bloggers get some neato content for their blog, we get to keep our adventures through airport security lines to a minimum, and our book gets to reach a whole new audience of really cool people.

If you are a blogger and would like to get involved, here’s how:

If you’re willing to write a review, conduct an interview with us (by phone or email), or create a video about There’s An Adult In My Soup that you’ll share on your blog, we’ll send you two FREE signed books — one to keep and one to give away or auction off on Ebay for a fraction of the cover price. Plus, we’ll also throw in a limited edition soup can which we offered during the pre-order phase and are no longer available.

We’re limiting this offer to the first 13 bloggers who respond.

If you think the book stinks, no pressure to write a falsely glowing review. But we’re pretty proud of it and think you’ll enjoy it, too. It contains a bunch of short essays about how to stress less, have more fun, and pretty much keep the adult out of your soup. Plus it has pictures! Here’s what one early reader had to say:

“I have been reading through your book and can only add to the voices of the others.  It is AWESOME, and I say that with all of the background of (1) an adult with adultitis and (2) a person with a bachelor’s in Fiction Writing.  The writing is awesome, the construction is so well put together, it just flows from one chapter to the next.  What can I say?  You’ve really knocked it out of the park on this one, and I REALLY hope you know what a gem you have here, because this book isn’t your one in a million — it’s your once in a lifetime.” –Sherrill Thayer, New Glarus, WI

If you want in, just email me at jason@kimandjason.com and we’ll iron out the details.

Not a blogger? You can download a free sample here or buy a fresh copy for yourself right here. Thanks!

Share Your Thoughts…
What do you think about this week’s prescription? We’d love to hear from you — and might even feature you in an upcoming show (we’ve even been known to give out prizes as well!) Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ’em to eashow@kimandjason.com
A video used to be embedded here but the service that it was hosted on has shut down.| Subscribe with iTunes | Download (66 MB)

News

• Live anywhere near Madison, Wisconsin? Join us for an Escape Event down at the Capitol Square during the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 22. The event is called “Laugh Flash” and we’re going to spend 15 minutes laughing. Meet us at 10:45 in front of the Veteran’s Museum — bring your friends! Learn more.
• Save the date for Thursday, September 3rd at 8:00 p.m. CST. Tune in to watch our first LIVE show and chat with us about your biggest life balance challenges!

Linkety Links

• Pre-order your copy of There’s An Adult In My Soup
• Like the Adult In My Soup trailer? Watch it again!
• Our viewer of the week was Akemi. Stop by her website Yes-To-Me.com for a shot of inspiration.

(Download 5.0 MB) | Visit www.adultinmysoup.com

Share Your Thoughts…
What do you think about this week’s prescription? We’d love to hear from you — and might even feature you in an upcoming show (we’ve even been known to give out prizes as well!) Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ’em to eashow@kimandjason.com
A video used to be embedded here but the service that it was hosted on has shut down.| Subscribe with iTunes | Download (68 MB)

News

• Save the date for Thursday, September 3rd at 8:00 p.m. CST. Tune in to watch our first LIVE show!
• Share your best birthday memory in the comments section for a chance to win the big prize we talked about during the show.

Linkety Links

• Pre-order your copy of There’s An Adult In My Soup
• Check out the nifty Adult In My Soup souvenir can you can only get when you pre-order the book.

When I was a kid, my soup was just right,
Yummy and tasty, a veritable delight.

Two cups of dreams and a full pint of play,
A pinch of curiosity for the perfect bouquet.

Passion and wonder and faith it had too,
I’d dare you to taste a happier stew!

But when I got older, my soup it did turn,
Enough to warrant a cause for concern.

It’s gunky and goopy and lacking in fun,
It’s not nearly as tasty as when I’d begun.

It’s bland and it’s bitter and tastes just like poop,
The problem is clearly the adult in my soup!

* * * * * * * * * * * *