Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Pregnancy Awareness Month (PAM)

Declared and founded by holistic lifestyle expert Anna Getty, May 2009 marks the 2nd year of Pregnancy Awareness Month (PAM). Through PAM, Anna aims to empower pregnant women with information, “how to” ideas and inspiration to incorporate PAM’s four key initiatives – education, exercise, nutrition & wellness and nurture – into their life routines and to show women how easy it can be to make healthy changes in their lives for themselves and their children.




Preventive Measures for Flu Outbreaks from the Vitamin Shoppe

The recent outbreak of swine flu has many people wondering what they can do to protect themselves and their families against this virus. Here are five simple precautionary measures from the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
  1. Clean your hands often. Use soap and hot water and wash for at least 20 seconds — that’s about the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers (The CDC recommends sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol concentration).
  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth — these are easiest paths for the virus to invade your body.
  3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue away immediately after use, and then clean your hands. If a tissue is not immediately available, cough into your sleeve or elbow, NOT into your hands. (If you cough or sneeze into your hands, you can transfer the virus to the surfaces you touch, potentially exposing those who touch the same surfaces after you.)
  4. Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
  5. If you do become ill, stay at home to help prevent the spread of the virus.
If you have children, be sure to take the time to teach them these healthy habits. Good hygiene is one the best weapons we have to limit the spread of the flu, so stay clean to stay healthy!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at The Vitamin Shoppe

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

You're Invited to LA Moms Nite Out May 7th at the Mint on Pico in Los Angeles

Are you in need of a night out with your girls friends? Well, even if you can't make the local events - please join us on Twitter on May 7th from 5-8 pm. I will be tweeting live from the LA party! Join us!
Can't make it but want to see the different locations LIVE? Watch http://www.momtv2.com for streaming video from different locations around the US and the reveal for the MomGenerations Make Over!
National Mom’s Nite Out is the first nationally organized celebration just for moms. Intended to bring together today’s moms, physically and virtually, National Mom’s Nite Out will unite over 150 social media groups, companies, local playgroups, mommy bloggers and mother social networks in giving moms a well deserved night off.The evening will consist of local events held across the country, as well as mom-organized parties and virtual activities. The night of the event moms can join in the fun through online chats, Skype and Twitter tweet-ups.
Click here for details on the LA event hosted by Kimberley Clayton Blaine, founder of TheGoToMom.TV and Romi Lassally, founder of TrueMomConfessions.com

To join us via twitter please use the hashtag #MNO-09 in every tweet so we can read your comments. Also, go to: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23MNO-09 to follow the conversation.
Check out http://www.momsniteout.com for more details about the events all over the country. The first ever National Mom’s Nite Out was created by Maria Bailey, internationally known Mom expert and author of “The Ultimate Mom.”
For the Los Angeles Event - please RSVP via email: info@PumpStation.com or go to http://pumpstationblog.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 20, 2009

Ed Begley Jr joins Non-profit Start-up Green Wish for its Official Launch in Honor of Earth Day 2009

Headed by Actor Raphael Sbarge, Green Wish will Help Raise Funds for Local “Going Green” Projects in Communities across America

Los Angeles, CA. Green Wish Inc., a start-up grassroots, non-profit charity with a focus on making local green projects come true, is officially launching their organization on April 20, 2009, in honor of Earth Day. The group is proud to name actor, environmentalist, Ed Begley Jr as spokesperson and member of their board of directors.

With growing concerns about the United States consuming 25 per cent of the world’s energy and generating 25 percent of global pollution, actor and father, Raphael Sbarge, and actress and wife, Lisa Akey, wanted to make a positive impact on the environment for the future of their children; and Green Wish was created. The organization received their 501(c)3 non-profit status and pulled together a team of well-known environmentalists such as Ed Begley Jr and Rachelle Carson Begley to help them build awareness for their unique program.



Green Wish is focused on helping local communities raise funds and fulfill their “green wish” no matter how large or small. Asking for donations in “give what you can” denominations makes it easy for anyone to give. Green Wish hopes to expand its online donation program to local markets and chain retailers who want to help give back to their local communities by collecting donations. Green Wish is using social media to help get the word out online, from donation sites such as YourCause.com and GuideStar to fund-raising parties on Twitter to Facebook. Green Wish has also collaborated with MomTV and NewBaby.com to help build awareness with the Mom community through video blogs as well as the “green” blogger community.


“We are so fortunate to have Ed Begley Jr and his wife, Rachelle Carson Begley, both environmentally active actors, join us on the Board of Green Wish,” said founder, Raphael Sbarge. “It makes the countless hours that we are all putting into building this program to benefit communities across the US achievable.”



Green Wish has created an online community to serve two groups of visitors, those who have green projects they need funding for and those who have green wishes or ideas they want to share with the community. By submitting your green project online, organizations across the US can have access to building awareness for their cause as well as get funding for it. Each month, causes selected by the Green Wish team will be spotlighted on the website and receive funds for their cause. Green Wish will work with these communities to help build awareness locally for offline as well as online fund-raising programs. Updates on how the projects are going will also be shared on the community, so visitors can see the success of their support at the local community level.

Between star power and the power of social media, Green Wish hopes they can raise awareness and the funds needed to help local communities get their green projects going. “It is truly something to look forward to as a parent, knowing we are doing everything we can to help seed the future with Green Wishes,” says Sbarge.

About Green Wish
Green Wish Inc is a grassroots, non-profit charitable organization that is focused on helping local green organizations and groups fund projects for their communities through small donations at local retailers and online in "pay what you can" denominations. Green Wish grants "Green Wishes" to different groups each month from submissions to their website, which are vetted by the board of directors. Board members of Green Wish Inc also include Ed Begley Jr and his wife, Rachelle Carson Begley, well-known actors and environmentalists. The Begley’s are also the stars of the hit show Living with Ed. Green Wish is also listed as a charitable organization with GuideStar and YourCause where online donations can be made.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Power Moms Gravitate Towards Kid-Friendly Video Content

We have seen that many Power Moms, women 25-54 with at least one child, are using the Web to provide information and advice, as well as to build relationships with other parents. They are also becoming increasingly engaged with online video. In February 2009, 13.1 million Power Moms, 10 percent of all online video viewers, viewed video content online.

Sites like Momversation.com, where well-known mom bloggers create video conversations, and newbaby.com where moms contribute vlogs, speak to a broader trend of receptivity of video content among Power Moms.

Interestingly, among the top 10 Web sites ranked by unique viewer composition percent in February, eight were sites featuring predominantly children’s programming, indicating that moms are keeping up on what their kids watch online. PBS Kids was the number one online destination for Power Moms, with a composition percent of 24.5, while Noggin and NickJr took the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, with composition percents of 22.2 and 21.7, respectively.

“Many of the sites that Power Moms visit are brands that are respected both online and offline. Moms flock to publishers they trust because they know they will find appropriate content that will entertain and engage their kids,” said Jessica Hogue, research director, CPG, Nielsen Online.

These results demonstrate the importance of winning over not only children, but also parents in the competition for brand loyalty. They also show that even online a mother’s job is never done.

April 13th, 2009 Posted in Nielsen News, Online And Mobile

Monday, April 6, 2009

Win a Mom Makeover!

How can you enter to win a Mom Makeover?



1. Join NewBaby.com and the Makeover Group.

2. Submit a video or 2-3 photos telling/showing us your current style and why you feel you absolutely need this Mom Makeover package.

3. Go to Audrey's blog or Erika’s blog and leave a comment with a link to your profile on NewBaby.com.

4. Follow us on TWITTER @AudreyMcClellan @ErikaLehmann @MomTV

Prizes:

The “Grand” Mom Makeover Winner will be receiving makeup, clothing and a Creative Vado Video Camera! We will be updating you with more and more details each week (so make sure you are following us on Twitter!).

We will also be giving away 2 additional Creative Vado Video Cameras to 2 other lucky moms who enter our Mom Makeover!

Your video/photos need to be submitted by Thursday, May 1st, 2009 by midnight, EST.

**We will be announcing the winner(s) on Thursday - May 7th, 2009 - National Mom’s Nite Out!* *

Thank you to NewBaby.com for helping us host this amazing opportunity for some lucky moms out there!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Agoo Leg Huggers Contest = Best Video Wins $100 Prize!


Okay Mommies,

Let's have a little fun with a Leg Huggers Contest!! The Grand Prize of $100 Gift Certificate, courtesy of Agoo Apparel - is good for purchases online at www.agoo4u.com.



We have 10 Pairs of Leg Huggers to give away - so the first 10 mommies with little girls who join this group will get a free pair sent to them. Don't worry - if you already have Leg Huggers, you can still participate by joining this group and uploading your video as below:


Here are the steps;

  1. Join this group (Members of NewBaby.com can just pick the "Join Group" Button

  2. We'll ship you a pair of Leg Huggers & a Special Bonus $1 off Coupon of Mr. Bubble

  3. Create your video of your baby girl wearing the Leg Huggers - put your creative thinking caps on and upload your cutest - funniest video of your on the go little girl in her new Leg Huggers to NewBaby.com

  4. Then go to http://www.mamacheaps.com/2009/04/big-contest-100-gift-cert-for-agoo.html to enter the drawing for the $100 Grand Prize for the cutest video submission by first posting your embedded video code into your blog and link back in your comment on MamaCheaps.com

  5. Get your friends to come and check out the videos on NewBaby.com and leave a comment on MamaCheaps or NewBaby.com for the cutest video

  6. Winner will be randomly selected on Saturday April 25th @ Midnight... and winner will be posted here, on http://www.mamacheaps.com/2009/04/big-contest-100-gift-cert-for-agoo.html and on http://onlineresourcefornewmoms.blogspot.com/

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Win a Digital Video Camera and Help Save a Life! - #ubp09 with @Resourceful Mom & 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party

Please head over to the official page for the Resourceful Mom party room of the 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party!

Are you ready to win something great?



Every spring the Resourceful Mom works to raise money for The March of Dimes by walking in our local March for Babies.

By helping Team Emma raise awareness and funds for the March of Dimes, you can enter to win this VADO pink digital video camera that has been donated by NewBaby.Com & Creative Labs.

Let's support this great cause together!! Click here to get started!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009



See more information on Cindy Golden and NewBaby.com on Pitch Engine

NewBaby.com adds Autism Expert Cindy Golden as Expert Contributor

Golden’s Programs Help Parents and Teachers Create Inviting Learning Experiences for Children with Autism and Emotional Disorders and as an expert contributor to NewBaby.com will share in video information vital to parents regarding best practices in education of Autistic children.

NewBaby.com, the first video destination site for Moms to create, share, and learn via video from pregnancy through parenting has added Autism Expert Cindy Golden of OMAC Consulting in Atlanta as an expert contributor to their site.

With Autism being listed as the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S., affecting 1 in 150 children, NewBaby.com executives began planning the expansion of the video resources available to parents facing an autism spectrum disorder and found the program developed by Special Education Veteran, Cindy Golden, to be valuable for the parents who come to NewBaby.com as a trusted resource.

Cindy Golden, a Special Education Supervisor, has over 26 years in supervising Autism and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders programs. She has 13 years serving in the classroom setting as well as being twice being elected Teacher of the Year. She also has served several years as a Psychologist in a psychoeducational center helping students with severe emotional and behavioral disabilities in addition to Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ms. Golden’s dedication to the needs of Autistic children in the classroom makes her contribution to NewBaby.com unique.

Cindy graduated from Georgia State University with Masters and Educational Specialist degrees in School Psychology. Her undergraduate degree is in Special Education. Cindy is currently working on her Doctorate and was recently chosen as Doctoral Student of the Year. She is the author of a popular blog: www.omacconsulting.blogspot.com, which focuses on the education and parenting of students with autism. Cindy is a frequent speaker at state and international education conferences, she has published articles with online educational magazines, and she is currently completing a book on autism.

“We are thrilled to be a resource and share valuable insight into what parents should look for in classrooms where their autistic children will be educated,” said Bob Sullivan, CEO of NewBaby.com. “Building awareness and offering expert resources via video such as Cindy Golden along with other experts, who share on NewBaby.com, will help parents who are facing Autism Spectrum Disorders better understand the depth of options they have to help them with the challenges ahead.”

Cindy Golden and her OMAC Consulting Blog provide valuable information to schools and teachers in creating an Autistic Classroom setting. The OMAC system is an organized method of presenting the best practices in managing and organizing an Autism classroom that is structured into six foundational steps. The OMAC structure covers Environmental Organization, Communication Organization, Teaching Organization, Behavioral Organization, Data & Paperwork Organization, and Staff and Home Support Organization, providing an optimal environment for students with Autism.

“I am so excited to be a part of NewBaby.com. It is important that parents become knowledgeable and informed about the Spectrum Disorders in order to intervene early. I’m very happy to educate new parents about autism and to serve as a liaison between parents and the educational system,” Cindy Golden, OMAC Consulting.

NewBaby.com will also be running a public service announcement from the CDC during the month of April to help parents “Learn the Signs. Act Early,” which was launched to educate parents of young children about recognizing the early warning signs of developmental milestones and encourage parents to act early when a delay is suspected. http://www.cdc.gov/actearly

About OMAC Consulting and Cindy Golden
Cindy Golden is a Special Education Supervisor in a public school system where she supervises Autism and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders programs. She has held multiple positions during her 26 years in special education. She spent 13 years serving in the classroom setting where she was twice elected Teacher of the Year. Cindy graduated from Georgia State University with Masters and Educational Specialist degrees in School Psychology. Her undergraduate degree is in Special Education. Cindy is currently working on her Doctorate and was recently chosen as Doctoral Student of the Year. She is the author of a popular blog: www.omacconsulting.blogspot.com, which focuses on the education and parenting of students with autism. Cindy is a frequent speaker at state and international education conferences, she has published articles with online educational magazines, and she is currently completing a book on autism. http:// omacconsulting.blogspot.com

About Newbaby.com
NewBaby.com is an online video destination resource site and community where moms can find and share information about pregnancy, parenting, products, going green, and other topics concerning today's families. The site also helps moms connect and network via video and chat with other moms including experts such as co-founder by Maria Bailey. For the past 10 years, Maria has been the voice of moms by surveying and providing research about moms; pioneering the way for consumer products marketing groups to understand what really matters to moms. Maria's most recent book, "Mom 3.0: Marketing with Today's Mothers by Leveraging New Media & Technology" was released in September 2008 and her next book "The Ultimate Mom" is due out on Mother's Day 2009. http://www.newbaby.com


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Jenny McCarthy on Good Morning America today

April is Autism Awareness Month - 7 Things You Can Do


National Autism Awareness Month

In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, ASA has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

ASA’s “Seven ways you can celebrate National Autism Awareness Month” this year:

  1. Host your own event. ASA‘s 1Power4Autism is the first grassroots fundraising Web site for the autism community. It gives you an opportunity to “turn on your power” by starting an event online and the tools you need to mobilize your friends and family. Learn more at http://www.1power4autism.org/. Or for more events in your area, please visit our event calendar.

  2. Get bouncing! After a successful first year, ASA and inflatable playground franchise Pump It Up are bouncing again with “Bounce for Autism” - a nationwide, community-based fundraising event that combines family fun with raising awareness and support for autism in locations that welcome children on the autism spectrum. Find an event near you at http://www.bounceforautism.org/.

  3. Show your colors. Wear your autism awareness puzzle bracelet to show your support. Make an online donation by March 25, and you’ll receive a free autism awareness bracelet. You can also purchase them in bulk at our online store.

  4. Read a book. In The Horse Boy, Rupert Isaacson shares his inspiring story of how he and his wife learned to think of their son’s autism as an adventure rather than a curse, a beginning rather than an end. Little, Brown and Company is publishing the book on April 14, 2009, and will be partnering with the Autism Society of America to raise awareness. Both the ASA and the book aim to empower families to think creatively and openly when it comes to treatment. Learn more at http://www.horseboythebook.com/.

  5. Spread awareness. ASA has free download materials to help your family, your school, your church or other community organization learn more about people with autism. ASA has developed a printable poster which can be displayed to raise awareness in your community. Our “Growing Up Together” is a new, popular pamphlet that teaches typical kids how much fun they can have with their friends on the autism spectrum. ASA’s Safe and Sound materials are also critical to keeping our citizens with autism safe. Bring our cards and pamphlets to your local police and fire station and help us spread awareness today! To learn more, please visit www.autism-society.org/research_safeandsound.

  6. Take action. Getting involved in advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels is a crucial way to support legislation benefiting those with autism and their loved ones. Check out current national initiatives at www.autism-society.org/research_advo_action.

  7. Become a member. A gift of $30 gives you all the benefits of membership, including access to a community that provides comfort, support and essential information to families living with autism; ASA's quarterly magazine the Autism Advocate, a leading source of information on the latest issues in autism; and valuable resource information and advocacy for autism-related issues. With your help, we can achieve our mission of improving the lives of all affected by autism. Learn more about becoming a member at www.autism-society.org/join_home.