Mamavation Monday – Alternative Healing with Dr. Kathy Gruver

June 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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You might notice a few changes around Mamavation right now – we’re working to simplify the experience of all our community members. One of the changes is that we are posting the information about Monday’s show the week BEFORE the show. Giveaways are no longer tied to the blogging carnival, so you are NOT required to add a disclosure to your post. We are also using Rafflecopter for the giveaways, so it should be much easier to enter. Just make sure that you’re watching the show on Monday when we announce the winners! We’re hoping that the changes will help to lower the amount of stress in our lives… and that’s definitely a topic on which our guest speaker could add some insight this week! She’s the author of The Alternative Medicine Cabinet and host of The Alternative Medicine Cabinet series on OTV.

Special Guest: Kathy Gruver, PhD

Dr. Kathy GruverOur guest this week is no stranger to alternative healing – she studied mind/body medicine at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine at Harvard Medical School and pursued further education at the National Institutes of Health. In addition to hosting a national TV show, she is also a practitioner with over 20 years of experience. She maintains a massage and natural health practice in Santa Barbara, CA, has been an expert source for magazines, radio programs and TV shows too. She was also recently nominated for a Gutsy Gal Award! And we get the pleasure of her company and expertise on our show Monday night!

On Monday, we’ll be talking with Dr. Kathy Gruver about alternative healing – this is a pretty wide topic, so if you have any questions, make sure you let us know by leaving a comment below (and hey! it’s a giveaway entry too!). Her upcoming book is Conquer Your Stress with Mind/Body Therapies, so we will definitely hit on that part of alternative healing as well. Join us on Monday to hear Kathy Gruver, PhD discuss alternative medicine, it will be enlightening for sure! You can also connect with Dr. Gruver on Twitter, her Facebook page, and catch her weekly health tips on her YouTube channel.

Have you seen the petition to request Similac stop using GMOs in their infant formula? Check it out here!

On Wednesday, June 19th, we’ll be having a Fitcation Application Launch Twitter Party at 7pm PST/10pm EST! Applications now open for Fitcation, and don’t forget to RSVP for the twitter party to be entered into the awesome giveaways.

Our next Mamavation Mom campaign is also acception applications – this one does NOT have a weight requirement and will be focused on detoxifying the WHOLE house, from your food to your household cleaners and personal care. Get your application video ready and apply to be one of the next Mamavation Moms! You can do it!

SISTAHOOD: NOTE – Membership requirements have changed! You are no longer required to post to maintain an active membership in the Mamavation Sistahood. We highly encourage you to still post, but it’s no longer a requirement. If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, please go here for instructions. We do still require a post on your blog or our forum for your pledge. Invitations are done over Twitter.

———> Sistas, link up your posts here. Giveaways are no longer tied to the blogging carnival, so you are NOT required to include a disclosure.

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win)
Giveaway prize from Dr. Kathy Gruver

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Featured, Giveaways, Longterm, Mamavation Mondays Tagged With: , , , ,

Zorbit’s Math Adventure and E3

June 16, 2013 By 1 Comment

When Leah asked me if I wanted to preview a new game and attend E3 she wasn’t quite prepared for my enthusiastic reaction. As I grabbed my keys and ran for the door she had to stop me and explain that we wouldn’t be going for a few weeks. You see, I’m a gamer at heart (yeah – it’s high time I let the cat out of the bag and embrace my inner geek).

For those of you that don’t know, E3 is like an auto show, rock concert, and world’s fair all rolled into one amazing conference focused entirely on gaming. It is three days of pure geek heaven where you can meet fellow gamers and see all the upcoming releases. The event is a “trade event” and not open to the public so it is somewhat exclusive to get a pass.

Best Boy Entertainment was kind enough to get us passes so we could meet with them to preview their upcoming game: Zorbit’s Math Adventure. As you will see, this isn’t your typical educational game (i.e. it’s not a snooze fest that will quickly bore your children as sooooo many “educational” games tend to do). Best Boy Entertainment has actually managed to develop a game that is both fun AND educational with a heavy emphasis on the FUN. The game is story driven so your child feels like they are actually accomplishing something. When you complete tasks you are awarded virtual stickers that you can use to decorate the environment. The characters are memorable and engaging – my personal favorite is Oswald the pet that poops and burps if you feed him too much.

 

Ready to blast off with Zorbit!

Ready to blast off with Zorbit!

The basic concept of Zorbit’s Math Adventure is for your child to help Zorbit and his friends build a rocket ship to blast off for the planet Earth. When you start the game for the first time you are dropped into a very well done tutorial which teaches your child how to interact with the game. That’s right Mom and Dad – you won’t have to sit there and learn how to play this game to then teach your child but you’ll probably want to once you see just how fun Zorbit’s Math Adventure can be! From there your child is off to tackle and impressive list of concepts including:

Counting and Number Awareness

  • Counting objects up to 20
  • Ordering numbers (ascending)
  • Ordering numbers (descending)

Identifying Shapes

  • Recognizing circles, squares, and triangles
  • Distinguishing between squares and rectangles

Sizing Shapes and Objects

  • Long and short
  • Tall and short
  • Wide and narrow

Subitizing

  • The precursor of estimating

Characterizing Colors

  • Red, yellow, blue, orange, green, purple, brown, and black

Comparing Amounts

  • Identifying more and less

Recognizing Positions

  • Inside and outside
  • Left, middle, and right
  • Above and below
  • Top and bottom

Classifying Objects and Groups

  • Same
  • Different
  • Same and different
  • Classify by colour

Separating and Matching

  • Recognizing group commonalities and differences
  • Pairing similar objects

As you can see, Zorbit’s Math Adventure will get your child prepared for first-year school math.

Zorbit’s Math Adventure for Preschool is set to launch on iOS in August 2013, followed rapidly by versions in multiple languages and for play on Android devices and in-browser. The Kindergarten and Grade 1 games are scheduled to blast off in 2014. To learn more visit www.zorbitsmath.com and on the Facebook Fan Page

In celebration of Father’s Day, Best Boy Entertainment is also running a contest through June 19th. You could win a $100 gift card. Details here: zorbitsmathadventure.com/fathersday/

Filed Under: Dadavation, Featured, Longterm, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Mamavation Monday: Teaching Kids to Cook with ChopChop

June 15, 2013 By 58 Comments

Mamavation Monday

So many of us in the community have struggled with food issues. Our concept of food is totally out of whack, so we don’t know what is good anymore. We’re trying to learn now – and we have awesome resources in Mamavation, which really helps! But what about our children? They have a step up on us – we, as their moms, are learning how to properly feed ourselves and we can help them too! Teaching kids to cook is a fantastic way to make sure that they understand nutrition, how to eat, and even to cook for themselves when they move out. This week we have the privilege of talking with Sally Sampson, founder of ChopChop: The Cooking Magazine for Families who knows all the ins and outs of teaching kids to cook.

Special Guest: Sally Sampson

Sally Sampson, Founder & President of ChopChop Magazine

Photo credit: Carl Tremblay of ChopChop Magazine

Although she had been the author and coauthor of 21 cookbooks already, Sally Sampson wanted to do something more, something that would really make a difference. She had raised a child with a chronic illness, so she had spent quite a lot of time in pediatrician’s offices and hospitals over the years, and she turned her focus to the childhood obesity epidemic in the US to see if she could make a difference. She took her idea of having a pamphlet that doctors could use to prescribe cooking to their patients to several physicians and the response was overwhelmingly in positive – in 2010, Sally founded ChopChop Magazine and it has been growing strong ever since. The magazine is known for teaching kids how to cook healthy, simple foods – we’re not making funny faces or hiding ingredients here, but teaching nutrition in a straightforward approach that doesn’t talk down to the kids and is great for any beginning cook. The success of the magazine is incredible – in fact, just last month ChopChop won the James Beard Publication of the Year award, the first time a nonprofit publication has ever won!

On Monday, we will be talking with Sally Sampson about teaching kids to cook and how we can set our children up for a healthy life by providing them the experience and knowledge of the kitchen. And just think – our kids won’t have to learn later on down the road how to eat well because we’ve taken the time to prepare them for a life of health! She will have great ideas to share, so join us to Monday to hear Sally Sampson talk – you won’t regret it! You can connect with Sally and ChopChop Magazine on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Oh – and check out the ChopChop Magazine website for some recipe ideas to get you and your kids cooking!

Hey – did you read about the petition to request Similac stop using GMOs in their infant formula? Check it out here!

On Wednesday, June 19th, we’ll be having a Fitcation Application Launch Twitter Party at 7pm PST/10pm EST! Applications now open for Fitcation, and don’t forget to RSVP for the twitter party to be entered into the awesome giveaways.

Our next Mamavation Mom campaign is also acception applications – this one does NOT have a weight requirement and will be focused on detoxifying the WHOLE house, from your food to your household cleaners and personal care. Get your application video ready and apply to be one of the next Mamavation Moms! You can do it!

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by ChopChop Magazine

Be sure to include the following disclaimer at the bottom of your post:

“ This post is sponsored by ChopChop Magazine and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway ”

———> Sistas, link up your posts here.

Reading ChopChop magazine

Photo credit: ChopChop Magazine

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

  1. Add your name and Twitter URL or blog URL to the linky below
  2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV – we’re talking to @ChopChopMag about teaching kids how to cook! http://bit.ly/10mq1Ne ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets, comment each time)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

  1. Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
  2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit, so leave 2 comments!)
  3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
  4. RSVP to the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  5. +1 the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  6. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
  7. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
  8. Follow @ChopChopMag on Twitter (1 entry)
  9. Like ChopChop Magazine on Facebook (1 entry)
  10. Follow ChopChop Magazine on Pinterest (1 entry)
  11. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
  12. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation (1 entry)

 

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Mondays Tagged With: , , , , ,

Mamavation Monday: Mental Training with Joshua Medcalf

June 8, 2013 By 87 Comments

Mamavation Monday

Do you ever feel like the hardest part of working out is starting? Whether you’re already fit and healthy or just taking the first step on your journey, there are still moments when our brains – those complex creations capable of so many amazing wonders – have the power to stop our progress. Just as our minds are able to prevent us from continuing, our brains our also the key to the incredible potential that exists in each and every one of us. The only problem is learning how to unlock that potential and tap the power held within, and that’s where our guest this week on Mamavation TV comes in. Joshua Medcalf is a wonderful speaker who specialized in mental training – he’s even the mental training director for the women’s basketball team at UCLA!

Special Guest: Joshua Medcalf

Joshua MedcalfJoshua Medcalf is no stranger to athletics – he played forward for the Vanderbilt University soccer team for 3 years and finished his fourth year of eligibility as a graduate student at Duke University. While attending Duke, he had the opportunity to study under sports psychologist Dr. Greg Dale, and after putting into practice the techniques he learned like visualization exercises, Joshua finished second in points – on a team with 15 future professional soccer players on the roster! Now he brings mental training techniques to young athletes in one of the toughest housing projects in LA with his non-profit organization, as well as business, sports, and school groups with his company Train to Be CLUTCH. He’s even created the world’s first mental training apps for soccer, basketball and golf!

On Monday, we will be speaking with Joshua about mental training and how we can change our thoughts to improve our performance in our workouts, families, and lives. As the attendees of the last Fitcation can tell you, he is an amazing speaker! You can even check out some of his speaking highlights on his YouTube channel to see for yourself. It’s definitely a show that you don’t want to miss, so make sure you join us on Monday to hear Joshua Medcalf talk about mental training. Don’t forget to connect with Joshua on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and his website where you can sign up for a free mini-workbook and motivational workshop MP3!

Hey – did you read about the petition to request Similac stop using GMOs in their infant formula? Check it out here!

We’re running another virtual #Mamavation5K this weekend! RSVP on this link, run/walk (or run & walk!) then tweet your sweaty after-pic using the #Mamavation5K hashtag to be entered to win on of the awesome prizes.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

Lifesize Portion System

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Lifesize Portions

  • 2 participants will receive Lifesize – lose weight and finally keep it off with a brand new twist on portion control. Lifesize has special portion sizes for all the foods we eat, and unique portioning devices to get your portions right every time. Complete program also shows you how many portions to eat in a meal and in a day. Works with gluten-free, allergen-free, or vegetarian diets too!

Be sure to include the following disclaimer at the bottom of your post:

“ This post is sponsored by Lifesize Portions and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway ”

———> Sistas, link up your posts here.

Before and After Lifesize Portions

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

  • 2 Viewers will win Lifesize – lose weight and finally keep it off with a brand new twist on portion control. Lifesize has special portion sizes for all the foods we eat, and unique portioning devices to get your portions right every time. Complete program also shows you how many portions to eat in a meal and in a day. Works with gluten-free, allergen-free, or vegetarian diets too!

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

  1. Add your name and Twitter URL or blog URL to the linky below
  2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV from @LifesizePortion & @JoshuaMedcalf will teach us mental training! http://bit.ly/129NZv6 ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets, comment each time)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

  1. Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
  2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit, so leave 2 comments!)
  3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
  4. RSVP to the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  5. +1 the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  6. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
  7. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
  8. Follow @JoshuaMedcalf on Twitter (1 entry)
  9. Follow @LifesizePortion on Twitter (1 entry)
  10. Like Lifesize Portions on Facebook (1 entry)
  11. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
  12. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation (1 entry)

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Mondays Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Mamavation Asks the Makers of Similac for a Meeting

June 6, 2013 By 2 Comments

Similac no GMO Mamavation

Mamavation is petitioning the makers of Similac to remove genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) from their infant formula.And we’ve been quite successful online garnering support.

Last week I got in touch with Fleishman Hillard, the public relations firm that handles Similac.They know me already. But what has happened is odd. After reaching out and getting an initial “Oh HEY LEAH! We’ll get back to you real soon!”…I’ve not heard back.

Fleishman Hillard is a firm I’ve worked with before. Friends of mine have worked there. I don’t jive with ALL their clients, but they do have some I’ve worked with in the past. My take is they are creative and fun to work with.

My guess is they created the Strong Moms Empower campaign, where friends of mine like Danielle Smith were reaching out to digital moms. I find it interesting that Similac is trying to reach out to us as a group, and yet they have ignored my petition. I mean, I’m a mom. I’m an influencer. They know who I am. I’ve known Similac’s public relations team for years. Similac is a brand that has wanted to work with ME for years. Trust me, I’m on their radar.

I have not heard a response from Similac regarding my petition. So I’m stepping it up a notch and emailing the CEO of Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Similac Infant Formula. This was the email that I sent earlier today.

Dear Mr. White,

I hope this finds you well.

I’m reaching out to you today about an issue of great concern to me:  genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) in infant formula.

I am a mother of three. I had to supplement my third son due to low body weight and then completely ween him off my breastmilk later because of his severe food allergies. He was even allergic to my breastmilk.  When I was faced with choosing a formula for him, I was very alarmed by the ingredients in your formula and was left feeling helpless about what I could feed him.

I am just one mom, but I represent thousands of parents who just want to be able to give their kids healthy and safe food. You may have noticed the petition I started last month on Change.org asking you to be a leader and remove GMO ingredients from your formulas. Over 4,000 people have joined with me so far in this call. Here is the petition, http://www.change.org/petitions/similacnogmo. I also hosted a twitter party where over 528 bloggers stood with me asking you to do this, creating over 23 million impressions and reaching over 11 million accounts. And then I hosted a Facebook party where the images I created were shared over 3,000 times. I’m also planning additional social media events to get the word out.

While the long-term health impacts of GMOs are still being debated, the negative impacts of our increased exposure to agrochemicals used in GMO farming are not. And when it comes to babies, who are the most vulnerable of us all, if there is even a possibility GMOs are harmful, we must exercise an abundance of caution.  Because when it comes to babies, is it REALLY worth the risk?

The research that has been done on laboratory animals, livestock, and humans, demonstrate that great caution should be exercised when developing and consuming GMOs. Many pediatricians have recommended non-GMO diets for infants and pregnant women, and all of Europe has adopted the precautionary principle when it comes to GMOs. (Unlike the US, where the FDA has not required the long-term studies on the health impacts of GMOs to prove their safety, as it is required for other drugs and chemicals.)

Moms know your brand, and increasingly, moms are demanding the right to know what’s in the food they buy and feed their families. As the number one seller of infant formula in the US, I believe you have the opportunity to be a leader and the first infant formula maker to state publicly that you will remove GMO ingredients. I can promise you that if you do, you will see the benefits right away via sales and accolades from moms like me.

I would love the opportunity to discuss this issue more with you. I request your response by June 20, 2013.

Thank you so much for listening,

Leah Segedie

I’m not giving up on this. I’m a pain in the ass when it comes to things I believe in and feel passionately about. And protecting babies from GMOs is one of those passions.

So for those of you who are listening know this. I’m an influencer who cares passionately about the food supply. This is not an area where GMOs should be thriving. No mother would put their child in harms way or risk their health. AND when most moms hear about the dangers of GM foods they become cautious. You know as I know that it’s only a matter of time before this message reaches all moms online. This isn’t something you can ignore.

*knock knock*

I’m knocking at your door. Let me in so we can talk about making this a win-win for everyone.

Filed Under: Featured, Leah's Posts, Longterm, Uncategorized

Mamavation Mom Weight Loss & Detox Boot Camp

June 2, 2013 By 12 Comments
Disclaimer: The Mamavation campaign is subsidized by the generosity of our sponsors and partners.  When Mamavation Moms become Ambassadors of the campaign, they are also put under a seven week contract with our other partners for publicity and liability purposes. Mamavation Moms are compensated with free product,  professional assistance, and emotional support in exchange.
 Mamavation-Campaign-Applications-sail_titlecase
 

Obesity is on the rise.

And so is pediatric cancer. And allergies. And asthma. And ADHD…AND Autism.

Looks like obesity isn’t really our only problem. One thing we know has ALSO increased during this time is our reliance on synthetic chemicals.

Mamavation is proud to announce a partnership with Healthy Child Healthy World for the 17th Mamavation Mom Boot Camp. Not only will the Mamavation moms lose weight, but they will also learn how to de-toxify their own homes. And there are NO weight requirements for this campaign because the main focus will be on minimizing the impact chemicals can have on the health of families. But don’t worry, this is still a boot camp. The Mamavation Moms will be VERY likely to lose a significant amount of weight as well. They will still receive professional nutritional and fitness support. So in essence, they will be sweating out toxins.

Before creating this special campaign, many facts were considered:

  • Allergies are up 400%, ADHD is up 400%, Asthma is up 300%, & Autism is up 1,500%
  • Scientific evidence points to chemicals and contaminants in our everyday foods and products as causing and contributing to many of these diseases
  • 1 out of 88 American children are diagnosed with Autism
  • 1 out of every 8th child is allergic to something
  • Asthma is now the most common chronic childhood disorder
  • Pediatric cancer is now the leading disease killer of chilldren
  • You can find something called “obesogens” inside of us from industrial pollutants. Yes, and they make you overweight.
  • One in three children born in 2000 will develop Type-2 Diabetes, a disease previously unknown among children that has become epidemic.
  • Childhood obesity has more than doubles in the past 10 years
  • Food manufacturers are reformulating for other countries without toxic ingredients, but not in the US

 

Here’s the good news.

You have more control than you think.

And this Mamavation Mom campaign has been created to show you how. Moms all over the United States have been duped into purchasing products that are possibly causing diseases like obesity, allergies, hyperactivity, cancer, etc. And with the help of Healthy Child, this Mamavation campaign will teach moms what to do in order to provide the safest home environment for their family.  In seven weeks, we will help them clean up their diet and home environment in such a way that will minimize the impact toxic chemicals have on the health of their family.  And with the professional nutritional and fitness support they receive, they are very likely to lose a significant amount of weight.

What the Mamavation Moms Campaign #17 Receive:

  1. Nutritional overhaul with a Dietitian with a focus on clean, preservative free, artificial free, GMO free food. Recipes, diet plan,  and a kitchen overhaul which will be done before the end of the campaign. Our professional Dietitian is able to handle any form of allergy, special needs or breastfeeding diet.
  2. Virtual fitness plans and support by a licensed personal trainer.
  3. Education and personal coaching from members of Healthy Child Healthy World
  4. Products from the following brands to help make the transition:
  • Naturepedic–2 mattresses and mattress covers for their children
  • BioRay –Liver Life (4oz), NDF (10oz), CytoFlora (4oz), Before the Flow (4oz), & Loving Energy (2oz)
  • BioRayKids–NDF shine (2oz), NDF happy (2oz), NDF focus (2oz), & NDF calm (2oz)
  • Arnicare–Summer Essentials & First Aid Kit w/ various products valued at over $100
  • Bona–Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner, Hardwood Floor Mop, Cabinet Cleaner, & Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner
  • Earth Friendly Products–Safeguard kit, Wave Pods New, Carpet Shampoo, Wave Jet, Eco Pods, Oxo Brite, Shower Cleaner, & Furniture Polish
  • Klean Kanteen–(specific products to be determined)
  • Nine Naturals–Nourishing Shampoo, Nourishing Conditioner, Soothing Bodywash, & Regenerative Body Butter
  • Walgreens Ology–All Purpose Cleaner, Lav & Cham Baby Lotion, Fragrance Free Dish Detergent, Hand Soap Lemon Scent, Wht Pear & Cucumber Conditioner, Wht Pear & Cucumber Shampoo, Cube Facial Tissue, & 23W/100W t2 CFL Light Bulb.
  • Soybu–(specific products to be determined)
  • New Balance–pair of tennis shoes
  • Goddess Gardens–Natural Sunscreen Spray for Kids & Adults

 

What is expected from Mamavation Moms: Daily food journals, appearance on Mamavation TV every Monday night of the campaign, Wednesday night mentoring Google chat, One post and video per week on Mamavation, weekly Facebook updates, a certain amount of tweets per week, active membership in the Mamavation community, accountability to mentors and leadership, weekly scale picture to leadership, contract and liability release, AND YOUR BEST EFFORT.

Applications: Open from June 3rd to 29th

Final 5 Announced: July 1st

3 Winners Announced & Twitter Party Launch: July 8th from 8-9:30pm EST (5-6:30pm PST)

Timeline of campaign: July 8th to August 26th

  • Week of July 15th Food & Nutrition Focus
  • Week of July 22nd Food & Nutrition Focus
  • Week of July 29th Household Cleaning Focus
  • Week of August 5th Personal Care Focus
  • Week of August 12th Indoor Air Quality Focus
  • Week of August19th Healthy Children Focus
  • Week of August 26th Overview and Conclusion

Even if you are not applying to be a Mamavation Mom, every Monday we will bring on a special guest to help teach the community about that topic. This is something you don’t want to miss.

How to Apply to be the next Mamavation Mom:

Step One: Create a post on your own blog with a video about why you want to apply. We want to hear from you in your own words. Please make sure your video is no longer than 5 minutes.

Step Two: Fill out this form. Make sure to have your post link with you.

Step Three: Participate in the community and hazing. Mamavation is also a community. Check out the #mamavation hashtag on twitter and make some friends. We are also looking for people we think will stick around afterwards, so show us what you are like. Hang with us!

Step Four: Get your friends to support your application. Telling the people you respect about your goals makes them more attainable. This also helps us promote the campaign. Thank you!

Suggested tweet:

#Mamavation & @Healthy_child are teaching moms to detoxify their home & I’m in support of @yourtwitternamehere, http://bit.ly/16CMjgq

Disclaimer: The Mamavation campaign is subsidized by the generosity of our sponsors and partners.  When Mamavation Moms become Ambassadors of the campaign, they are also put under a contract with our other partners for publicity purposes. Mamavation Moms are equipped with free product, given free professional assistance, and emotional support in exchange.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Leah's Posts, Longterm, Mamavation Moms, Uncategorized

Organic: A Movement Ignited by Hippies

June 1, 2013 By 1 Comment

My father would probably refer to organic as a “hippie thing.”

You must understand, I grew up a byproduct of two different points of view. My father volunteered for the Navy and served during the Vietnam War. He was conservative and a born again Christian. My mother was a “recovering” Catholic and progressive. You can thank her when you breastfeed publicly. She was part of the first “nurse-ins” in California. I actually identify with both sides. Which is precisely why no one can put me in a box. I just don’t fit.

I don’t know how my parents dealt with these type of differences, but love conquers all. It kinda worked.

If my father was alive today he would laugh at all the hippies in the food movement I find myself around. But I kinda like them.

Organic: A Movement Ignited by Hippies

Will Allen, the Godfather of the Organic Movement

I met Will Allen the other day. This man’s story must be told. He’s a grandfather as you can see from the photo bomb above at the bottom of the piture. This is a picture of us in his daughters kitchen. He’s an amazing cook. And yes, that is a Millions Against Monsanto shirt he’s wearing.

He served as a Marine and became an atomic, biological and chemical warfare paramedic. After tours in Vietnam, Cuba, & Lebanon, he went to school and got a PhD and became a professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was also a war activist having more information than most because of the time he served in the Marines during the Korean and Vietnam wars. One semester he protested the Vietnam War by giving all his students “A”s. Doesn’t sound like much until you connect that an “A” would make it far less likely to be drafted in the Vietnam War. He was fired by the University shortly thereafter and the students held a rally concert in his support. After the concert was over a black civil rights protestor and friend was being beaten by police in front of the location. The students started a riot, which led to the destruction of a Bank of America.

The Outcome: Will Allen was prosecuted for inciting a riot and spent a year in jail.

When he got out of jail, he couldn’t really teach anymore, so he went back to what he knew…farming. His parents were farmers and in his youth everyone he knew was a farmer. So Will Allen and some friends started farming and focusing on producing local food without use of synthetic chemicals. The organic movement was born when these same farmers started the first organic certification years later as CCOF.

Today you can find Will Allen at Cedar Circle Farms, an organic farmstand and education center in Vermont. This farm is also a training farm where they train farmers on how to make the transition to organic farming. He’s also a policy advisory board member of the Organic Consumers Association and serves on the board of Rural Vermont. And he’s the author of The War On Bugs, which is about use of pesticides over the years.

I think it’s safe to refer to Will Allen as the Godfather of the Organic Movement. And I defiantly think this poem pays him homage.

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see it differently. They’re not fond of rules, and have no respect for the status-quo.

You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

–Apple Computer Ad

The organic market is growing by leaps and bounds. If you don’t know an organic farmer, I’m sure you will someday. Demand for organic and GMO verified foods is one of the fastest growing markets we have in the US. I think organic farmers are modern day heroes because not only do they grow our food, but they do it with the utmost care to our health and the environment.

Sidenote: When you think of organic farmers, what do you picture in your head? Will Allen wasn’t what I had pictured. He far more complex in a good way. I hadn’t expected the first organic farmer I met to have a PhD.

 

Filed Under: Activism, Featured, Leah's Posts, Longterm, Uncategorized

Mamavation Monday: Slumber Party Time!

June 1, 2013 By 120 Comments

Mamavation Monday

That wonderful, amazing, even fabled time to which all the Sistas in the Sistahood look forward eagerly is here once again – it’s a Mamavation Slumber Party! While we love the special guests that we have on the show and all the fun things that we learn from them, it’s wonderful to have a time to let our hair down and reconnect as a community of amazing women. And now is the time!

Go ahead and grab your favorite beverage (or even a glass of wine!), put on your comfiest jammies, and join us at the Mamavation Monday show where ALMOST anything goes! We’ll talk about the campaign wrapping up with our Mamavation Moms, and we’ll enjoy a great hour of girl talk. There’s a lot going on In Mamavation right now, so we will definitely find something to talk about! Plus, we’re a chatty group of girls, you know we can talk!

Here are a few of the things that are happening right now:

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Radiantly You.
– 2 participants will receive a locally sourced, hand crafted, GMO & gluten free, organic prize pack from Radiantly You, which includes:

  • Orange Vanilla Lip Balm
  • Coco Loco Whipped Body Butter
  • Vanilla with Lavender Bud Sugar Scrub
  • Dead Sea Mud Whipped Face Wash.

These are fantastic products made from unrefined ingredients that have been locally sourced wherever possible by owner Melissa Brown, Certified Holistic Health Coach. In addition the website, you can check out the Radiantly You Facebook Page.

Be sure to include the following disclaimer at the top of your post:

“This post is sponsored by Radiantly You and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

~~~~~@ Link up your post here.

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):Radiantly You Prize Pack

– 2 participants will receive a locally sourced, hand crafted, GMO & gluten free, organic prize pack from Radiantly You (see brand details above), which includes:

  • Orange Vanilla Lip Balm
  • Coco Loco Whipped Body Butter
  • Vanilla with Lavender Bud Sugar Scrub
  • Dead Sea Mud Whipped Face Wash

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

  1. Hit the Linky
  2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV from RadiantlyYou.com at our Slumber Party!  Won’t you join us? http://bit.ly/13bIIRR ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

  1. Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
  2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
  3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
  4. RSVP to the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  5. +1 the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  6. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
  7. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
  8. Like Radiantly You on Facebook (1 entry)
  9. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
  10. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Mondays Tagged With: , , ,

When the end is really a beginning

May 30, 2013 By 12 Comments

 

 

Ok so now that you all just got done watching me get all misty let me say I am both sad and excited to be finishing up the Mamavation Campaign.  It has been a wild ride that Amy and I have been on and I couldn’t be more happy that a few months ago I decided to be brave and admit that what I was doing just wasn’t enough.  So I applied to be a Mamavation Mom, joined weight watchers and promised myself I would give this my all and no matter what this was just the beginning.  I don’t think I have ever said this in Mamavation before but a few months ago I gave myself a year…A year to get myself together and loose some weight otherwise I was going to go and begin the process of weight loss surgery.  Yet, I swore I would give it my damn hardest and that is why I applied and it has been the greatest thing ever.  Not only has this whole process, from the application where I had to publically state my weight and post before pictures, to the grueling hazing, to the intense demands of being a Mamavation Mom taught me how strong and capable I am and how to eat properly….it has taught me that the only thing I need to do to get myself together in terms of my healthy is believe in myself.

 

This campaign has given me a workout that I can do at home and not have to worry about lugging my kids to the gym.  It has taught me that as wonderful as weight watchers and their points system is..I needed to know what foods I should be eating and when to maximize my body’s calorie burning potential.

 

Moving forward I plan to continue to keep up Mamavation community….you can find me back blogging on my personal blog (which has been sadly neglected while I have been part of the campaign) at www.me-mommyetc.com and I will be around on the forums and of course twitter and facebook.  I told Leah today that I plan on being a stage five clinger over at Mamavation. This community has given me so much in so short a time and for that I am going to be forever grateful.  To all of you who have helped along the way Leah, Mark, Alysa, Shannon, Shelley, Joanna, Jeanae, and of course my fabulous Mentor Rebecca you ladies (and Gentleman) have been so amazing to work with and I feel like you are all friends now.  Also, the the entire Mamavation community thank you for your support, encouragement. It is always nice to know in those moments when we don’t believe in ourselves that there is an entire army of people standing right behind you do believe in you.

 

So since this is only the begining I won’t say goodbye-I will say till my next weigh in.  Below is the proof of just how amazing Mamavation (and without sound snotty-how amazing I am).

 

The Before Photo

Front-Before

Seriously is that a baby bump

Seriously is that a baby bump

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Photos

Front After

Look no baby bump!

Look no baby bump

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date Weight Weekly Loss Total Loss Waist Chest Thigh Hips Arm InchesLost
Application 227 - 40 44 30 51 15
2-WeekChallenge 229 _ +2.0 38.5 43.5 30 51 15 -2
Start of Campaign 227.4 -1.6 +.04 38 43 29.5 50 14.5 -5
April 19th 224.6 -2.8 -2.4
April 26th 223.00 -1.6 -4
May 5th 222.8 -.02 -4.2 35.25 41.5 28.25 50 14.5 -10.5
May 12th 222.4 .04 -4.6
May 19th 220.4 -2.0 -6.6
May 26th 220.00 -.04 -7.0 35.25 39.5 27.5 48.5 14 -15.25
220.00 even if you can't read it!

220.00 even if you can’t read it!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , ,

Mamavation 5k – June 8th-9th

May 29, 2013 By 29 Comments

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As we wrap-up another Mamavation campaign it’s time to celebrate with a 5k!!

Do you need to get into shape? Do you need a challenge to motivate yourself? OR do you love running and would like to join in with us? Join the Mamavation Community and run/walk another 5K on June 8th or June 9th, 2013!

How do I join in?

It’s simple really. You don’t need to meet us anywhere. It’s virtual, so we will all be walking together in our own communities, but chatting about it online. All you have to do is go to MAP MY RUN and calculate a 5K in your own neighborhood and run/walk it on June 8th or June 9th with us.

When is it?

Saturday, June 8th or Sunday, June 9th

What time should I start?

It doesn’t really matter, but most of our girls do it in the morning and mid afternoon.

Who should I do it with?

You can do it by yourself, with your family, with some friends, etc. We just want YOU doing it.

Is there a special hashtag?

#Mamavation5k

Is there a prize?

Absolutely. Two participants will win $25 Paypal payout. And two participants will win a pair of New Balance shoes.

How do I enter to win the prize?

First – RSVP to this post by hitting the Linky below

AND THEN during the day of the 5K make sure to tweet a sweaty picture of yourself after it’s over using the hashtag #mamavation5k. We will be monitoring that hashtag and drawing a winner at random that evening.

 

What if I can’t run?

No worries. We also are encouraging walkers. It’s really just an excuse for you to get moving.


PLEASE HELP US PROMOTE BY TWEETING AND FACEBOOKING THIS

I’m running a virtual 5K with #Mamavation June 8th-9th Would u like to join me? http://bit.ly/15cjyTV #mamavation5k

So join us on June 8th-9th for another Virtual Mamavation 5K. We also encourage you to join our forums to chat about it there with others.

Make sure to hit the linky below if you are participating and Download the Race Bib to add to your Race Wall :)

 

Mamavation-Virtual5K_2013-Bib

Let us know you are participating by hitting the linky below

Filed Under: Challenges, Featured, Giveaways, Longterm, Uncategorized