Kiboomu is the new iTunes for Kids at a Fraction of the Price!

Are you a teacher, home school parent or educator? Are you building your music library, looking for affordable early childhood songs?

The new Kiboomu has just launched: www.Kiboomu.com

 

Kiboomu was founded in late 2010 and since that time, has skyrocketed in the realm of social media. The co-owners, Sherry and Wendy, have a heart and passion for education, music and early childhood. Kiboomu is a woman-owned website run by two award-winning females with backgrounds in music, early childhood and global business ownership. Their combined interests include the music industry, education, learning songs, multicultural materials, children's apps, arts/crafts, teaching tools and more.

Teachers, parents, grandparents, home-schoolers, nannies and librarians can purchase annual music subscriptions for $10 (50 song downloads) or $24 (unlimited downloads). Kiboomu hopes to assist teachers and parents by offering affordable music for their homes and classrooms. Songs range from theme-based (ABC's, 123's, country western, French, Spanish, etc) to holiday related and faith-oriented; with everything in between!

Why buy from iTunes when Kiboomu has you covered for a fraction of the price? When you purchase the $24 subscription, you’ll have access to unlimited songs for just $2 per month.

Now that’s something to SING about!

Visit: www.Kiboomu.com

November: Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

By Karen Whittier, Embrace Activism

 

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s   condemns the patient and their loved ones to a tragic demise. A form of this disease, early on-set, has affected my extended family and it is truly a tragedy.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a form of dementia. The risk of Alzheimer’s, as well as dementia, increases with age, but it’s important to note Alzheimer’s is not considered a normal consequence of aging. Alzheimer’s is a progressive, neurologic disease that impacts mental ability to such a degree normal, daily living activities cannot be done. Three typical, cognitive functions impacted are: remembering, reasoning, and planning. Additional areas that may be compromised are communication ability, mood and personality.

Although there is no cure at this time for Alzheimer’s there are treatments available that can slow its progressive nature, and most importantly for me, improve the quality of life for the Alzheimer’s patient as well as assisting and supporting their care givers. Therefore, recognizing the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease are critical. 

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease           Signs (examples)
Memory loss                                               Frequently forgetting new information
Problems with familiar tasks                        Getting confused while cooking or playing a game
Problems with language                              Forgetting simple words or using wrong words
Disorientation to time and place                  Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood
Poor judgment                                           Dressing inappropriately for the weather
Problems with abstract thought                   Trouble with simple math
Misplacing things                                       Putting an iron in the freezer
Changes in mood and behavior                  Unusual bouts of anger or rapid mood swings
Changes in personality                               Becoming overly confused, suspicious, afraid,
                                                                or dependent
Loss of initiative                                        Lack of interest in usual activities

Before you get overly alarmed about your own mental state know it IS normal to occasionally do those listed above. If you routinely forget where you’ve parked…and can’t retrace your steps or if you’re consistently forgetting the names of those close to you then you might have cause for concern. It is worth noting however, that other forms of dementia can exhibit similar symptoms. Some of these other types of dementia are, in fact reversible, so it is imperative to be evaluated by a knowledgeable health care professional. 

As mentioned earlier, currently there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Early detection and diagnosis can give the AD patient the time to get affairs set, financially and legally; to prepare for the needed care, both short and long-term; and feel they have some control over the course of their life. Early diagnosis may also open up participation in clinical trials. Not surprisingly, AD patients can suffer from depression that manifests itself in insomnia and a decline in overall health. Depression can and should be treated. Also, it is important for AD patients and their caregivers to work with professionals to insure quick and easy, yet nutritious meals are made. In addition, engaging in regular exercise will improve the general health and wellness of an AD patient. Anxiety and fear can overwhelm an AD patient. Yoga focusing on the breath can help reduce these feelings in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Laughter Yoga can be used as a form of exercise as well as easing depression.

Caregivers for AD patients are probably the closest thing we have to angels on Earth. Burnout is a common condition for caregivers though. Caregivers should develop a network of support. Information on what caregivers need can be found at Help Guide.

No one knows the future, Alzheimer’s disease reinforces the call to live each day as if it were your last.

Empower yourself!

Health, Wellness & CURES!!

To visit Embrace Activism and give back Click Here

The following websites provided information for this article: ALZ, Alzheimer's Defined, NIH Alzheimers
 

Associated Press Holiday Gift Guide Roundup

Who should reply: Inventors of stuff for the man cave, kitchen utensils, coffee makers, men, gifts for tweens, fitness gadgets, graphics software, lingerie, whimsy gift ideas, bath accessories, toilet room decor, office organization, VHS to DVD software, throw rugs, latch hook kits, gifts for artists, for the girl golfer, football enthusiast, boots, French country, country decor, sheet sets, handbags, luggage, e-readers, tablets, tech products.

RESPOND BY: Saturday, 11/19/2011, 5 p.m. Pacific

Email: Contact @ MSMarketIntel.com* for more information.

SUBJECT LINE: Associated Press Holiday Gift Guide, [Your product name].

INCLUDE: Your company and product name, product description, your name, phone number, email, web site, Facebook and online store links.

This is an opportunity to work with Mulberry Street, our professional PR firm partner, at greatly reduced rates to be pitched to a product reviewer for the Associated Press. This is an internationally syndicated news service and will be picked up by thousands of media outlets worldwide.

*Please do not copy and paste the email address above. Just type it like a typical email address. We add the spaces to minimize spam crawlers. Thanks!

Holiday Gift Guides #1: Fashion, Fitness, Health, Beauty

A product reviewer is writing multiple holiday gift guide stories for an unnamed outlet identified as a “top national web site.” She is seeking products to review for multiple holiday gift guide stories (baby products are not requested for this opportunity).



RESPOND BY: Saturday, 11/19/2011, 5 p.m. Pacific

Who should respond: Inventors of products in Fashion, Fitness, Health & Beauty
Note from the journalist: Whether it's a holiday scented candle, mini espresso machine, glittery polish, limited edition set, fitness kit, etc., I'd love to hear more information for consideration.

Email: Contact @ MSMarketIntel.com* for more information.
SUBJECT LINE: Lifestyle & Fitness Holiday Gift Guide #1, [Your product name].
INCLUDE: Your company and product name, product description, your name, phone number, email, web site, Facebook and online store links.

This is an opportunity to work with Mulberry Street, our professional PR firm partner, at greatly reduced rates to be pitched to a product reviewer writing multiple holiday gift guide stories for an unnamed outlet identified as a “top national web site.”

*Please do not copy and paste the email address above. Just type it like a typical email address. We add the spaces to minimize spam crawlers. Thanks!

November: Diabetes Awareness Month

 By Karen Whittier, Embrace Activism

November is the Awareness Month for Diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when the body’s not able to produce enough insulin and/or is ineffectual in its use of insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body creates to change the foods we eat into energy for the body’s use. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 often referred as Juvenile Diabetes occurs when the body’s own immune system destroys insulin producing cells. Those with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. In Type 2 diabetes, individuals are insulin resistant; their bodies do not make enough insulin or the insulin is ineffective in transferring sugar in the blood into the body’s cells where it’s needed. High blood sugar levels can cause serious damage to the body.  Diabetics must track their blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes used to be referred to as Adult-Onset Diabetes, but now it is not uncommon for children and youth to develop Type 2 diabetes. One of the main risk factors for Type 2 diabetes is obesity. In 1963 only 4% of children and youth (6-19yrs of age) were classified as obese. By 2000 that number had jumped to 15% with the trend still on the rise. Besides obesity, other possible reasons for the increase in Type 2 diabetes include a low level of physical activity and exposure to diabetes in the womb.  Signs and symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are:

Type 1 Diabetes
· Frequent urination
· Unusual thirst
· Extreme hunger
· Unusual weight loss
· Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Type 2 Diabetes*
· Any of the Type 1 symptoms
· Frequent infections
· Blurred vision
· Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
· Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
· Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
*Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms

The costs of Type 2 diabetes are staggering affecting quality of life and lifespan on an individual basis plus placing a huge demand on public health programs as well as impacting worker productivity. Awareness and early detection are key for breast cancer. Awareness and early detection of diabetes is important to get started on treatment and reduce the risk of developing complications from diabetes. Embrace Activism is all about PREVENTION; maintaining a healthy weight eating nutritious foods and exercising your body actively, minimum 30 min/day, 5x/week for adults and a minimum 60 min/day, 5x/week for children and youth are two lifestyle choices in your control that can prevent or at least delay Type 2 diabetes.  

Empower yourself!

Health, Wellness & CURES!!

To visit Embrace Activism and give back Click Here

Information provided from the following websites:  American Diabetes Association, Healthfinder, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, National Library of Medicine

Immediate Media Pitching Opportunity - Fox News is looking for products for new moms to review for their holiday gift guide.

Fox News is looking for products for new moms to review for their holiday gift guide. 
 

Who should respond: Inventors of products for new moms, launched in 2011. RESPOND BY: Tuesday, 11/15 10 a.m. Pacific for more information. Email Contact [at] MSMarketIntel.com. SUBJECT LINE: Fox News Product Review, [Your product name]. INCLUDE: Your company and product name, product description, your name, phone number, email, web site, Facebook and online store links. This is an opportunity to work with Mulberry Street, our professional PR firm partner, at greatly reduced rates to be pitched to Fox News.

Media Opportunity: Fox News Holiday Gift Guide - Products for New Moms Launched in 2011

Fox News is looking for products for new moms to review for their holiday gift guide.

Who Should Respond: Inventors of products for new moms; must be new to market in 2011.
RESPOND BY: Tuesday, 11/15 10 a.m. Pacific for more information.
EMAIL: Contact [at] MSMarketIntel.com.
SUBJECT LINE: Fox News Product Review, [Your product name].
INCLUDE: Your company and product name, product description, your name, phone number, email, web site, Facebook and online store links.

This is an opportunity to work with Mulberry Street, our professional PR firm partner, at greatly reduced rates to be pitched to Fox News for a holiday gift guide.

Womentorz Hosts Green Halloween in Downtown Edmonds

We had such a great time hosting Green Halloween in downtown Edmonds, WA.  We had a booth in the middle of all of the action filled with great products to bring green awareness.  As you can see from the photos below, the crowds were in the thousands.

For those of you who don't know, I support Green Halloween for personal reasons even though I don't have a "green" business per say.  My son has a peanut allergy, so Halloween is a tough time for us.  I'm not personally anti candy, but I think it's important to provide other items for the children who have dietary restrictions.  It was a great feeling promoting other businesses with green or healthy products and know that they were getting a lot of exposure.  


Here are some action shots from the event:

Amalia Martino with BlueShoes Media was all smiles and so much fun to work with!!!

Honest Tea saw a lot of "super" action!

Teresa Wippel with My Edmonds News brought joy to the faces of all!

Jordan Mitchell with Honest Tea saved the day for all of the kids by providing healthy
and tasty beverages!

 Thank you to our local and Womentorz network supporters!

Click Here to see the National Sponsors who support Green Halloween.

Click Here to become to follow Green Halloween Edmonds on Facebook

Womentorz Pay-to-Pitch Media Opp for Holiday Shopping Guides: Women inventors of Fashion, Beauty or Health Products.

HOT RUSH: Deadline to express your interest is WEDNESDAY, November 2, 2011 at 5 p.m. Pacific.
Gift guides will appear on various sites, including AOL Shopping, Yahoo! and others! If you’re interested in being pitched, email [contact at msmarketintel.com]. INCLUDE: Subject line: Womentorz media Fashion & Beauty – Yahoo! [Your Product Name] IN THE EMAIL: Your name, email address, phone, product/business name, web site and FB page links. We’ll send you the details and you can decide whether you’d like to be pitched.