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Teal Pumpkin Project

October 15, 2019 By Andrea Andrus Leave a Comment

I came across the Teal Pumpkin Project last year and love their mission. The idea is to make Halloween safer and more inclusive for all trick-or-treaters by having non-food trinkets or toys available with your treats. The teal pumpkins also raise awareness of food allergies. Plus they’re pretty.

Food allergies affect one in 13 children. Researchers estimate that 32 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.6 million children under age 18. That’s one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom. I personally know kids with nut allergies, egg allergies, dairy allergies and Celiac disease.

Teal pumpkins are the new orange
Teal Pumpkin Project

My daughter has life threatening peanut and tree nut allergies. For years we’ve carefully combed through her Halloween candy making sure it’s safe. We take 100% responsibility for her safety, and she’s well equipped to exercise caution around food. That being said, it is very refreshing to find people who understand what we go through on a daily basis, or at least want to learn more about her allergies. A little kindness goes a long way, even if it’s just a sympathetic smile from another mom bringing their kid’s epinephrine to the school office. I could write hundreds of blog posts about our experiences, but I’ll save that for another time.

Ideas for non-food treats

Here are a few ideas from the Teal Pumpkin Project to use as non-food treats on Halloween:

  • Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
  • Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
  • Bubbles
  • Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
  • Mini Slinkies
  • Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
  • Bouncy balls
  • Finger puppets or novelty toys
  • Coins
  • Spider rings
  • Vampire fangs
  • Mini notepads
  • Playing cards
  • Bookmarks
  • Stickers
  • Stencils

These affordable and FUN items can be found at dollar stores, party stores and online. It’s recommended to keep them in a separate bowl from your candy. Kiddos love these fun little surprises that change things up from the traditional candy dropped into their pumpkins (not to mention less sugar)! They don’t need to be limited to just kids with food allergies. FARE (Food Allergy & Research Education), who trademarked the Teal Pumpkin Project, has this sign available to let kids know they can pick either a candy or a prize.

Don’t forget to set a teal pumpkin out on your doorstep to let trick-or-treaters know you have non-food items available.

Read more about the mom who started the Teal Pumpkin Project.

Teal pumpkins represent a safer, happier Halloween
A safer, happier Halloween for all.

Want to get involved?

Visit the Teal Pumpkin Project website here and check out their free resources such as signs, flyers, coloring sheets and more. If you’ve read my bio, you’ll know I’m passionate about nonprofits. I’d love to see some groups and businesses here in Southern Idaho get behind this project. Here are some fun ways to help get the word out on social media.

Filed Under: Events, Nonprofit Tagged With: causes, holidays, nonprofit, Teal Pumpkin Project

Pineapple Pick: Profile on Lynn Crane Portrait

July 12, 2019 By Andrea Andrus

Lynn Crane Portrait examples

BUSINESS NAME: Lynn Crane Portrait
CITY & STATE:  Raft River, ID
BUSINESS OWNER: Lynn Crane
WEBSITE: lynncraneportrait.com

BP: Tell us about your business. 

LCP: I provide a pampering portrait experience that makes women feel valued and beautiful.  The experience includes not only creating the photos, but also a full makeover and luncheon on the session date and a portrait reveal session once the portraits are edited. My goal is to create definitive portraits of my clients – the kind of portraits that will be treasured and displayed for generations.

BP: How and why did you get started?  

LCP: I’ve been a photographer for close to 20 years one way or another, but about 10 years ago a friend of mine was invited to be in the studio audience of a Creative Live taping, and I created an account so I could watch her. I scrolled through the classes and came across one taught by Sue Bryce, a world renowned portrait photographer. I watched the class, fell in love with her work, and joined her education group. She became my mentor and teacher, and I started implementing what I could in my on-location work, since I didn’t have a studio. It wasn’t until I was able to open a studio space that I could fully dive in and create the experience for women that I dreamed of, which I did a little over a year ago. I feel that I’m finally doing exactly what I was meant to do and I absolutely love it!

BP: What sets you apart from your competition?

LCP: I’ve developed a sophisticated, painterly style that women love. Ultimately, though, I think what sets me apart is how I make women feel. I have the tools and knowledge of posing and direction at my disposal so women feel supported, confident, and beautiful. I truly see the beauty in all women, no matter their shape or size, and it’s my privilege to help them see it too.  

BP: Tell us a funny story that happened with your business.

LCP: I don’t know that this is particularly funny, but it’s memorable! This happened soon after I opened. While a client was in hair and makeup I thought “Gosh – she’d look stunning in a purple tulle skirt.”.  So I grabbed a dress form and quickly started making a skirt. My studio floor is polished concrete, and at one point I came out of the changing room, took a step, didn’t realize I was on a piece of tulle…and down I went in a cloud of purple. It was less than professional, but certainly lightened the moment! And the client said later, “Now I know why my girls like to dress up as princesses all the time. I want to wear this to do dishes!”. So making the skirt, even with the mishap, was worth the humiliation!

BP: What’s your favorite type of marketing and why?

LCP: My favorite type of marketing is anything that involves developing relationships with people. I like to do public speaking, attend women’s conferences and expos, join and create networking groups, and host events in the studio where women can get together.
(You can also find Lynn on Facebook and Instagram.)

Lynn Crane Portrait logo

BP: What advice do you have for someone looking to start their own business? 

LCP:  Speaking to people who are in creative-type businesses like photography and the arts:  Don’t sell yourself short! We’re passionate about what we do, but as creatives we sometimes tend to be kind of disorganized and run things by the seat of our pants given the chance. You know it’s true! Be sure to be a legitimate business, price accordingly, pay your taxes, give yourself a wage, put money back into your business, and hire someone to take care of the business / record-keeping part of things if necessary. You will be able to make a profit and not burn yourself out, you will be taken more seriously as a business, be able to breathe easier, and enjoy doing what you love longer without burnout.

BP: What else would you like to share?

LCP: Women compare themselves to what they see in the media too much. I always say, though, that the only difference is that most women simply don’t have the luxury of a stylist to get them photo-ready every day. I hope the women who come to me will be able to jump off the comparison trap, and that they’ll look at their images when they’re in their grotty mom-clothes and see that they’re actually pretty darn beautiful, given the chance!

BP: Thank you, Lynn! What an amazing gift you have supporting and building up women. Do you happen to have any pink tulle? Asking for a friend.

Pineapple Pick is a series of business profiles. Read this blog post from Blue Pineapple to learn how to have your business featured.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: business profile, Pineapple Pick, women in business

Pineapple Pick: Profile on Roth and Co.

July 8, 2019 By Andrea Andrus

Handmade bows
Handmade bows, scrunchies and bowties.

BUSINESS NAME: Roth and Co.
CITY & STATE: Rupert, ID
BUSINESS OWNER: Hailey Roth
FACEBOOK: Roth and Co.

BP: Tell us about your business. 

Roth: I sell handmade bows, scrunchies and bowties. 

BP: How and why did you get started? 

Roth: I started sewing bows for my little girl and had so much material left over, so I decided to share! 

BP: What sets you apart from your competition? 

Roth: I keep my prices low and quality high. 

Roth and Co logo


BP: Tell us a funny story that happened with your business. 

Roth: I signed up to be a vendor at an event. One week before the event my sewing machine started having what I thought were major issues. I called a lot of people including my grandma (who has been sewing her whole life) and it turns out it just needed oiled. 

BP: What’s your favorite type of marketing and why? 

Roth: Social media because it’s easy, reaches a lot of people and it’s free! Find me on Facebook and Instagram.

BP: What advice do you have for someone looking to start their own business? 

Roth: Find something you are passionate about and go for it!

BP: Great advice and adorable bows!

Pineapple Pick is a series of business profiles. Read this blog post from Blue Pineapple to learn how to have your business featured.

 Read this blog post from Blue Pineapple to learn how to have your business featured.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: business profile, Pineapple Pick, women in business

Relax & Reset Retreat

June 25, 2019 By Andrea Andrus Leave a Comment

Of all the services Blue Pineapple offers, events are my favorite. Especially planning them from the ground up. I’ve been involved in creating a women’s show, a green expo, a barbeque contest, a pop-culture convention and several other events. I admit there was a bit of a learning curve with some of these shows. For one event, I became a certified barbeque judge with the Kansas City Barbeque Society. For another, I learned the difference between a comic con and a pop-culture convention and rode around in a vintage Batmobile. 

I’m excited to share with you a new event I’m helping to coordinate where I already have first hand knowledge and experience. Here’s a two minute video introducing the Relax & Reset Retreat.

Posthotel in Leavenworth, WA
The Retreat will be held at the Posthotel in Leavenworth, WA
photo: posthotelleavenworth.com

As women we often don’t take time to care for ourselves. Have you heard the trendy phrase “self-care is the new health care”? There’s a lot of truth to that. Taking care of our bodies and managing our stress goes a long way in preventing chronic illness. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way. Learn more about my health journey in this blog post.

The Relax & Reset Retreat will be held September 15 – 17, 2019 at the exquisite Posthotel in Leavenworth, Washington. It’s a very small affair with space for just eight ladies. The Posthotel has an incredible European wellness area with saunas, steam rooms, a swim-out saltwater pool, spas and several places to relax and unwind. They serve breakfast and lunch with fresh, local food. Each attendee will have a private king size balcony room. I visited the Posthotel last year for a day of soaking and lounging around – it was heavenly. There will also be two offsite dinners: a 5-course “Sunday Supper” at Mana Restaurant and another gourmet dinner at the Kingfisher Restaurant at Sleeping Lady Resort. Leavenworth is a beautiful, charming tourist destination – especially in the fall. If you’re from North Central Washington or have visited Leavenworth, you’ll be pleased to know the retreat package at the Posthotel includes underground parking! 

Posthotel pool and sauna
Posthotel pool and spa
photo: posthotelleavenworth.com

The next exciting news I have to share with you is how much you’ll love getting to know Dr. Allegra Hart! She’s hosting this retreat and teaching the classes. Dr. Allegra is a licensed naturopathic physician, owner of Naturae Naturopathic Clinic and Dr. Allegra’s Apothecary in Wenatchee, Washington. She’s also a published author who’s currently working on her second book. As mentioned in the blog post noted above, I’ve been a patient of Dr. Allegra’s for several years. Not only has she helped me regain my health through proper nutrition, she’s helped me balance my hormones, taught me invaluable tools for managing stress and how to keep calm when life throws me those curveballs. 

Dr. Allegra helps her patients get to the root of their health issues. She is one of the most kind, caring and nonjudgmental individuals you’ll ever meet. In pondering about who may be interested in attending the retreat, I decided it comes down to either you’re already actively practicing self-care and embrace the lifestyle, or you want to take better care of your health but don’t know how to get started. All are welcome to attend.

Let’s go ahead and address the elephant in the room. The price of the retreat is $2,495. I know several ladies who just dismiss the opportunity because of the price, but let’s break it down. You get two luxurious nights at the Posthotel (we’re talking 5 stars here) with all of its amenities, all meals, classes on self-care, nutrition, stress management and skincare, plus you’re going home with a goody bag valued over $550. (Trust me when I say these will be some of your new favorite go-to products for health, wellness and skincare.) You get a 90 minute one on one visit with Dr. Allegra. That’s an hour and a half to talk about any and all health concerns. When was the last time you had your doctor’s full attention for more than 10-20 minutes? Plus you’ll receive a written follow up summary with recommendations designed just for you and your health needs. Dr. Allegra is also including her 90 day online coaching program “From Chaos to Calm: Naturally Transform Your Health in 90 Days”, valued at $1,997. Think about it: you attend the retreat, you relax, you dine, you learn lots of new and helpful information that will improve your health and well-being, and then you go home and follow up with 90 days of additional classes to reinforce what you learned at the retreat. These online segments can all be done at your convenience and are yours to keep. These are all tools to seriously transform your health, plus there’s enough time allotted to turn these resources into good, healthy habits for years to come.

Ok, I’ve lost track of the value of this retreat, but it is worth well over $5,000. Plus the value of proactively taking care of your health and wellness. I can’t put a price on that for myself or for anyone else. 

Posthotel spa
Posthotel Wellness Area
photo: posthotelleavenworth.com

What are you struggling with? Do you need to make changes with your health? I used to work long hours, eat lunch at my desk – usually from a drive through, pop ibuprofen to deal with pain and did not exercise. Don’t get me wrong, I tried to do the right thing from time to time, but I didn’t have the knowledge or support I needed to see it through. Nor did I have the energy to implement an exercise program. I remember joining a fitness facility several years ago. I arranged my schedule so I could do a quick workout after work and before picking up my daughter from daycare. I was so fatigued from my lifestyle and from eating foods that drained my energy instead of fueling it, I couldn’t see it through. And I was only in my 30’s! My body started noticeably breaking down in my 40’s and I was miserable. I missed work and important events. I missed my daughter’s piano recital. Take it from me – you don’t have to wait until a health crisis happens or until you’re in so much pain that you’ll try anything out of desperation.

I’m turning 50 this year. You have no idea how hard that is for me to publish. But I’ve decided to own it! I’m eating better than I ever have in my life. My skin is clearer than it’s been since I was a kid. I still have ongoing struggles from years of neglecting my health, but I now have the tools and support I need to live a longer and healthier life. And if I can inspire or help you to make the changes you need, then bring on the big 5-0. I’m ready! One of the reasons why I started Blue Pineapple is to allow myself time to build a lifestyle and career that works for me.

If you can relate to anything I mentioned in this post, the Relax & Reset Retreat is probably a good fit for you. Feel free to ask me questions. I can be reached at andrea@bluepineapple.media or by cell / text at 509-387-0929. I’m serious – I’d love to chat with you. You can also reach out to Dr. Allegra at info@naturaeclinic.com or call the clinic at 509-663-5048.

I don’t usually share such personal details about myself, especially on a business blog. But if I can help you by sharing some of my story and insight, then it’s worth it. If you’re an open minded woman who could use some scheduled downtime and some new tools to improve your health, then you should consider attending this ultimate self-care getaway. The best way to take care of your family and those around you is to take care of yourself. When you have enough energy and strength to handle everything we busy women have going on, you’re a greater support to those you care about.

Here’s a link to the information and registration page. Registration closes August 5 or when the retreat is sold out, whichever comes first. If you’re interested in attending, but don’t live in North Central Washington, you can fly into Sea-Tac and drive over to Leavenworth on Hwy 2. It’s one of the most beautiful drives in the country and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with Leavenworth.

I’ll see you at the retreat!

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: events, health, retreat, women in business

Pineapple Pick: Profile on Craig Franklin Photography

June 18, 2019 By Andrea Andrus

Senior photo
Now booking senior photo sessions.

BUSINESS NAME: Craig Franklin Photography
CITY & STATE: Wenatchee, WA
BUSINESS OWNER: Craig Franklin
WEBSITE: cfranklinphotography.com

BP: Tell us about your business.

CFP: I’ve been a professional photographer for over 25 years. The majority of my business is sports and dance studio photography. I also enjoy doing senior portraits, weddings and family sessions.

BP: How and why did you get started?

CFP: My step-dad was a photographer so I grew up loving photography. When I had the opportunity to join Parsons Photography over 25 years ago, I jumped at the chance to make a living doing what I love! A few years ago, I decided to start my own photography business with my wife.

BP: What sets you apart from your competition?

CFP: I have a unique perspective to offer clients and many years of experience.  Instead of taking multiple photos of the same subject and then editing to find the perfect one, I can usually capture the perfect photo with one or two shots.

Craig Franklin Photography


BP: Tell us a funny story that happened with your business.

CFP: While I was photographing a wedding at Ohme Gardens, a little lizard got inside the bride’s dress while we were taking photos. It was quite comical!

BP: What’s your favorite type of marketing and why?

CFP: Instagram and Facebook, because they’re easy and free.

BP: What advice do you have for someone looking to start their own business?

CFP: Find something you love and make money doing it!

Pineapple Pick is a series of business profiles. Read this blog post from Blue Pineapple to learn how to have your business featured.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: business profile, Pineapple Pick

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Recent Posts

  • Teal Pumpkin Project
  • Pineapple Pick: Profile on Lynn Crane Portrait
  • Pineapple Pick: Profile on Roth and Co.
  • Relax & Reset Retreat
  • Pineapple Pick: Profile on Craig Franklin Photography

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Andrea Andrus, Owner
Blue Pineapple LLC

Email: andrea@bluepineapple.media
Cell / text 509-387-0929

Recent Posts

Teal Pumpkin Project

The Teal Pumpkin Project promotes a safer and more inclusive Halloween by encouraging non-food trinkets or toys to be available for trick-or-treaters.

Pineapple Pick: Profile on Lynn Crane Portrait

Lynn Crane Portrait provides a pampering portrait experience that makes women feel valued and beautiful.

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