Get Moving May

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Healthy Kids

Looking for kids of all ages for the KTLA 5 Live Broadcast on Tuesday, May 1st.  The kids will be put in groups and Operation Fitness Team Leaders will teach the kids fun ways to exercise using our local park.  The kids will have a chance to learn various forms of exercise such as, Boot Camp Workouts, Obstacle Course Challenges, Hula Hooping, Zumba, Break Dancing, Yoga and Core Training 7-9 am.

Each team leader will provide tips for simple ways that kids can make the time to exercise everyday using their environment and how to make healthier food choices while on the go. 

Operation Fitness is currently working with the American Diabetes Association and initiating health programs to help prevent kids from developing type 2 diabetes.  

Please watch the "Get Moving May" segment on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Tuesday from 7:00 - 9:00 am.  We appreciate your support!

For Additional Information, Please Contact: 800-933-8633 or click here

P.S. Join the Inspiring Women Summit: https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/iws4/icrefer

Mother's Day Divine Feminine Retreat in Sedona, AZ. May 11-14. We have created the most sacred, divine and creative experience for All Goddess Wisdom and Women to connect with each other and the magic of Sedona. A modern, busy lifestyle has 90% of women stressed out and fall into unhealthy habits because they don't have time or money to be healthy.  As a result, 70% of adults are overweight or obese and ill due to stress. It's time to take back control of our bodies and our health. To find out more, contact me ASAP!

I was interviewed on Women's radio about stress-reduction. Click link to listen to free recording. Many women feel guilty or selfish when I advise some "me" time because they are not used to putting themselves first. We are natural caregivers and often get stressed out trying to take care of business and others in our families. When do we find time to recharge? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation.

Ingrid Cheng

Health Advocate

http://ingridcheng.com

Gratitude Challenge

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I started the 21-day Gratitude Challenge because I realized that being thankful is a key to being happy. I’ve made a gratitude list on and off, but haven’t been consistent. That’s why I created a challenge for myself. To make it easy, I only list 3 things that I’m grateful for each day and post them on Twitter @fitnesswla. I plan to have fun with this. Recently, I went to a workshop and learned the Five Tools of Empowerment from Joan Moran, Author, Speaker and Blogger. http://www.joanfrancesmoran.com

1. An attitude of gratitude

2. Be vulnerable and open myself up emotionally

3. Learn to adapt and look for the good

4. Continue to find my passion and live it

5. Forgive and let go in order to move forward

I agree that aging is an attitude and not a chronological number. It is the grace of knowing yourself. It is a magical gift, a tangible asset because it gives you experience or wisdom. Instead of avoiding, denying or fearing this natural process, we need to accept and embrace it. I also believe that resistance is the most toxic force, the root of more unhappiness than disease or poverty. Resistance causes us to be less than what we’re born to be, to lose our spirit and make excuses. Life is action. When we resist something, we block the entire experience or the opportunity to grow and we not really present. Choose to accept life as it is and do the most important work every day when you wake up. Do what brings you joy now.

What are you grateful for? Make a list now


P.S. Join the Inspiring Women Summit: https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/iws4/icrefer

Mother's Day Divine Feminine Retreat in Sedona, AZ. May 11-14. We have created the most sacred, divine and creative experience for All Goddess Wisdom and Women to connect with each other and the magic of Sedona. A modern, busy lifestyle has 90% of women stressed out and fall into unhealthy habits because they don't have time or money to be healthy.  As a result, 70% of adults are overweight or obese and ill due to stress. It's time to take back control of our bodies and our health. To find out more, contact me ASAP!

I was interviewed on Women's radio about stress-reduction. Click link to listen to free recording. Many women feel guilty or selfish when I advise some "me" time because they are not used to putting themselves first. We are natural caregivers and often get stressed out trying to take care of business and others in our families. When do we find time to recharge? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation.

Ingrid Cheng

http://ingridcheng.com

Grants for Writers

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e-Book

$3000 - $50,000 for Writers, Blogs, Articles . . .

The Creative Capital | Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Program supports individual writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art through grants in the following categories: Article, Blog, Book, New and Alternative Media, and Short-Form Writing. Grants range from $3,000 to $50,000, depending on the needs and scope of the project.

Designed to encourage and reward writing about contemporary art that is rigorous, passionate, eloquent, and precise, as well as to create a broader audience for arts writing, the Arts Writers Grant Program aims to strengthen the field as a whole and to ensure that critical writing remains a valued mode of engaging the visual arts. Deadline: June 6, 2012. Apply or see full details at http://artswriters.org/index.php?action=home

Free Grants information at Kreative Images Foundation

Web Address: http://www.kifoundation.org

Email:  ki-info@kifoundation.org

Beverly Hills Office: 468 Camden Drive, Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90210,            (310) 601-3036 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (310) 601-3036      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (310) 601-3036 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (310) 601-3036      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting        

IWOSC — Independent Writers of Southern California — provides writers with several opportunities to get together with other writers each month. We have casual satellite get-togethers in various areas. http://iwosc.org

Upcoming IWOSC Events for Independent Writers

Monthly General Meeting/Panel Discussion:
AGENTS PANEL

Monday, April 30, 2012
7:30 SHARP to 9 p.m.

Read more about it.

Free for IWOSC members
$20 non-members (For this meeting only. Our other panel meetings are $15 for non-members.)

Monthly Seminar:
Itching To Pitch

Saturday, April 28, 2012
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Most writers are afraid to pitch. This workshop is about taking the fear out of pitching and presenting your project as a best-seller, no matter what it is.

Read more about it.

$15 for members
$35 for non-members

Ingrid Cheng

Writer, Non-profit consultant

http://ingridcheng.com 

Community Wellness

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LetsMove! WLA is officially an elite Community Wellness Network!  So much talent & experience came together at our meeting and I know WE WILL CHANGE community awareness to upgrade standards for fitness - nutrition - wellness in West LA. Special Thanks to Len Nguyen of LA City Councilman Rosendahl's Office, plus Eric Calhoun, Sr Recreation Director, LA Stoner City Park for agreeing to CO-SPONSOR our series of Community Wellness Events. Check out www.letsmovewestla.ning.com

Our FREE community wellness events will offer a well-managed 3-part experience in fitness training - nutritious meal/snack preparation - wellness resource information. Special Thanks to Len Nguyen of LA City Councilman Rosendahl's Office, plus Eric Calhoun, Sr Recreation Director, LA Stoner City Park for agreeing to CO-SPONSOR our series of Community Wellness Events.

Fitness Team - Kermit Cannon, Luis Aracena, Irene, Marco, Eric, Ingrid

Nutrition Team - Franscica, Robin, Henry

Wellness Team - Ingrid, Dr Tanya 

Yoga resource - Ingrid

Volleyball resource - Dr Tanya

Social Media Team - Irene, Marco, Len, Henry

Childcare/School/Parent Group Outreach - Natalie, Ruby, Eric

Neighborhood Contacts - Max, Dr Tanya (YMCA), Len (City Council Office)

Sponsor + Business Relations: Henry, Luis, Ebrahim, Karyl-Lyn

P.S. May 6 is World Laughter Day - Join us at the beach for a fun, free Laughter Yoga celebration. You don't need to know yoga to have fun & laugh. RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/mypeopleconnection/events/56655482 

Ingrid Cheng 

Health Advocate

http://ingridcheng.com

Feel Better

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Yogalady

I am excited about look good feel better® Week and their new Social Support Network.

"At look good feel better® we’ve made it our mission to help improve the quality of life and self-confidence for women with cancer by addressing hair loss, skin changes and other appearance-related side effects of their treatment. Today, we help 50,000 women a year here in the U.S.  Our goal during look good feel better® Week is to match that number; generating at least 50,000 views of our new video PSA by this Friday. We want every woman with cancer to know about this free, life-changing program, but can’t generate that kind of awareness alone, so we’re asking you to help by joining look good feel better® Social Support Network. 

Signing up allows you exclusive access – via email, Skype or whatever works best for you - to our program participants.  A select number of influencers will have an opportunity to learn first-hand about the life changing work that look good feel better® does each day and provide great content for you to share with your audience. Our program page also includes compelling assets for you to feature on your blog, share, or tweet to your audience. All you have to do is click here to go to the program page where you can find our new PSA, infographic and results of a new national survey. With your support, each social action brings us one step closer to generating 50,000 views of our PSA by Friday!  Just click  take me to this program. 

Thank you for your help!"  

The look good feel better® team

P.S. May 6 is World Laughter Day. Join us at the beach for a fun, free Laughter Yoga celebration. You don't need to know yoga to have fun & laugh. RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/mypeopleconnection/events/56655482 

Ingrid Cheng

http://ingridcheng.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/layogalady

Celebrate Earth Day

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I Love Nature

April 22 Celebrate Earth Day - Join The Nature Conservancy for Picnic for the Planet! 
Groupon Earth Day Challenge


This non-profit has established a Spring 2012 Matching Gift Fund in the amount of $500,000 with the support of some of its most committed members. Every day the Earth provides nourishment for over 7 billion people. This April, let's give back. All you have to do to join the world's largest and most delicious Earth Day celebration is fundraise or donate to a picnic. With this money it will be able to double every donation it receives through this campaign up to $500,000. That's $1 million helping to protect nature for people! So, why should you donate money? The Nature Conservancy is the world's largest conservation organization, working in more than 30 countries and all 50 states. It works closely with the people who provide our food - farmers, ranchers and fisherman. The Nature Conservancy is attempting to set the record for most people picnicking in 24 hours. Our picnic can be part of the Guinness World Records® attempt! Each picnic must have at least 25 people & must be outdoors. Each picnic must have three people to witness the event, count participants and fill out a couple simple forms. My goal is to raise $100 for Picnic for the Planet 2012! We hope you join us on Earth Day for Picnic for the Planet! Be sure to check out these picnic-friendly recipes and other easy picnicking tips from Cooking Channel. I'll bring a healthy salad.
DEADLINE TO GIVE: MAY 15, 2012

April 26, AGNT Director

Barbara Fields will join Rev. Ellen O'Brian on her radio program to discuss
Deep Green: Spiritually Inspired Activism and Caring for the Earth     

Time: 8 - 9 am

Description: Conscious care for the earth is rooted in the profound spiritual awareness of our oneness with all creation. Dr. Barbara Fields, Executive Director of the Association for Global New Thought, joins Rev. O'Brian to explore how the spiritual roots of New Thought, Yoga, and Deep Ecology offer a foundation for environmental awareness, ethics, and sustainable change. Learn about the Season for the Earth program and how communities around the world are bringing their philosophy and spiritual practices together with environmental action.
To listen to the show, follow this link: http://www.unity.fm/program/theyogahour

Ingrid Cheng
Writer, Nature lover
http://ingridcheng.mybeyondorganic.com

Partners, Sponsors

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Create Win-Win

Because of CEO Space Forum, I met empowerment guru Stewart Levine who contributed to Chapter Three of my book!  I'm all about creating win-win. If you know of someone who's interested in giving a bonus for my book (free advertising for them), let me know


I attended a great event by J.T. Foxx called iMarketingGeniusConference and learned so much about branding from Raymond Aaron http://aaron.com who will write a testimonial for the cover of my book! He is the author of Chicken Soup for the Parents Soul & Double Your lncome Doing What You Love!  I'm finishing my book and I was interviewed on Women's Radio about How to Reduce Stress. Check it out at http://www.womensradio.com/2012/04/destressing-for-busy-women 


Free video, "iCEO: 25 Lessons Learned from Steve Jobs."

This training was taken from a live 4-day conference with over 500 business owners, and was regarded as one of the most popular and powerful presentations of the entire event. In the video you'll learn what made Steve Jobs a visionary that changed the world and how you can apply the same principles to your business and life.

Click here to watch your video right now. 

J.T. Foxx, Internationally Syndicated Radio Host, 

Business and Wealth Building Coach

P.S. Don't miss this special opportunity to "Try Before You Buy" the Sustainable Business Council Forum membership. This is a rare chance to attend a SBC Forum prior to making your membership decision. Connect and get connected with Southern California's preeminent leaders in the sustainable business community.

SBC Forum Santa Monica
Member Exchange
April 24th, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

RSVP HERE!

May 3-4 Pedestrians Count - California Walks is founded by its members to help train advocacy groups in dealing with the pedestrian issues at the state level. https://californiawalks.org/Peds_Count_2012.html 

Event ticket information: 
General = $110
Government or Non-profit Organization = $75
Student or Community Advocate = $35

A limited number of registration fee waivers are available. For more information please email PedsCount2012 (at) californiawalks.org with your name, organization, contact information, and a brief description of your need.  

Ingrid Cheng
Writer, Health advocate
http://fit-twist.blogspot.com

Rescue American Healthcare

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A-ha of the week:

"One of the films I saw this weekend, is called Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare. Those two ideas don't seem to be related do they? In fact, most people don't even know what an escape fire is. I certainly didn't. An escape fire is a second fire that gets set a small distance away from the first, in the direction the first is headed. The area within the two fires (if the second one is set in a circular fashion) is a safe zone, where you can actually survive in the midst of a raging blaze. This method is used regularly now in forest fires. But it didn't used to be. You'll have to see the film to learn the story--I don't have the space to tell you about it here.

But the film points out that 1) an innovative act in the midst of great confusion and danger can be the right, although unexpected, answer and 2) the remedy for the problems of the American health care system is just like the escape fire before it was first used--an unconventional answer just waiting for an innovative person to reveal it to the world.

So why am I writing this here today in the "A-ha of the Week" section of this eZine? Because business is really no different than the health care crisis or a forest fire. When people tell you to get an expensive web designer to get your website going, that's conventional thinking. And it's just plain wrong. When you don't invest in yourself to learn more or you don't go to conferences to network and gain new knowledge, because you "don't have time to learn more or to go to a conference," that's conventional thinking. And it's just plain wrong. When you don't hire others to help you because you "can do it all," that's conventional thinking. And it's just plain wrong. The way you're going to succeed isn't by doing the conventional thing. It's by seeing some unconventional answers right there in front of you." Jeanne Andrus, running coach and personal trainer www.runignited.com

I totally agree. How do you attract more clients instead of chasing after them? People don't want to be sold to, but they want to buy. How do you create a brand and generate buzz so that your target market will buy your products or services. An innovative way to build credibility and earn people's trust is to give value, have great content in your blog, quote other experts or sources...I am learning about branding and my own Unique Sharing Point (USP). I don't sell, but I love to share. 70% of Americans are overweight or obese. Our diet and lifestyle is making us sick, but we take pills to treat the symptoms because we don't want to take a good look at the cause of most diseases. Instead of being responsible for our own health, we rely on a healthcare (sickness) system that's all about making money. It's time to take control of our health and our lives!

P.S. I'm excited to be part of California Women’s Conference  on September 23rd & 24th, Long Beach, California. Over 25 years running – It's the largest Women’s Conference in the nation. Contact me if you're interested in being an exhibitor. 


http://californiawomensconference.com, https://www.facebook.com/EventComplete

Ingrid Cheng

Blogger, Entrepreneur

http://ingridcheng.com    

http://fitnesswla.wordpress.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/layogalady

Social Media for Good

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Blog for Good

95% of non-profits need more skilled labor. Managing volunteers is a lot of work. Companies use micro-volunteering to deepen employees engagement. I love this idea because micro-volunteering is virtual, engages people based on their skills and/ or interests, can be completed in a short time, maximizes the impact of a volunteer's participation at no cost to non-profits and it's easy to sign up online. Click here for more information 

Check out the Groupon Earth Day Challenge and support your favorite green charity on CrowdRise. The campaign that raises the most money through May 15th will get an extra $25,000 from Groupon. Second place gets $15,000 and third place gets $10,000.

Here’s how this works

• Donate to any green charity and then join their team and help em’ fundraise.
• Or, start a fundraiser for your own favorite green cause.

Crowdrise, Facebook, Twitter

Facts tell, stories that touch people's hearts sell. As a non-profit that tries to engage its audience, it's easy to quote facts and figures. Reason appeals to 45% of people, but emotion appeals to the rest. Creating a "must-read" blog, email or story is not something that most people are good at. If you're stuck on what to write, don't despair. Check out Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog. http://www.nonprofitmarketingblog.com

In honor of Earth Day, The Lorax omBook (digital book) will be on sale for just 99 cents from Friday, April 20 through Sunday, April 22. With three different reading modes and features that entertain and promote reading, this app is perfect for all ages! Pick it up this weekend for 80% off. Plus, help regrow the world's Truffula tree forests in Lorax Garden game. FREE this weekend only!

Explore modern volunteer management as purposeful community engagement, and the 5 trends that can lead to more donor dollars. Now more than ever, the way you think about volunteer management has a direct impact on your fundraising bottom line. Free Webinar
Tues., April 24th at 11:00AM CDT. Register Now »

P.S. I'm grateful to be part of California Women’s Conference  on September 23rd & 24th, Long Beach, California. Over 25 years running – It's the largest Women’s Conference in the nation. Contact me if you're interested in being part of the planning team! http://californiawomensconference.com, https://www.facebook.com/EventComplete

Ingrid Cheng

Writer, Health Advocate

http://ingridcheng.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/layogalady

Tax Day Relief

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Free Advice

April 2012 is Stress Awareness Month. "Financial stress is widespread and growing. Money worries are a leading cause of stress in Americans." Elizabeth Scott, M.S. stated.

I'm sharing some free advice that will reduce financial stress as many people are worried about money, taxes, etc.

1) PAY YOURSELF FIRST - According to a new Fidelity Research Report, the number one goal of American's is to double their savings in 2012.

2) MAKE YOUR FINANCES "AUTOMATIC" - Use technology to your advantage when it comes to your finances. The best part about automating your financial life is that it can be done in less than an hour and it will save you time and money for years to come!  

3)  TRACK WHERE THE MONEY GOES - The best way to improve your financial other than paying yourself first, is to track where your money is actually going. Check out sites likeMint.com, or Yodlee Money Center 

4) CLEAN IT OUT AND SELL IT - Clean out everything that you don't need and then sell it or give it away. Another reason to do Spring cleaning. Look up companies in your area that will come photograph and sell your unwanted items for you, saving you time and making you money. 

5) GIVE SOMETHING UP - One of the fastest ways to cut your expenses is to pick ONE thing and give it up. We all hate to do it at first, but once we make the change we usually find out it's not the end of the world and can be completely worth the savings.  What are you paying for each year that you truly could try and live without? Is it your premium cable? (Premium gas for your car? Regular car washes?) Giving up "one thing" can completely change your financial life. Then these savings could be used to pay down your debt, save for retirement, etc... 

Sources: 

http://healthresourcenetwork.org

http://stress.about.com/od/financialstress/a/financialstress.htm

David Bach, www.FinishRich.com

P.S. Exercise also helps improve your mood and reduce stress!

Ingrid Cheng

Health = Wealth

http://ingridcheng.com

http://fitnesswla.wordpress.com

Stress Reduction Deal

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Tax Day Offer

90% of illnesses are stress-related.  Many women suffer from stress-related problems that arise from today’s busy lifestyle. They have little time to exercise, eat right and relax. Without a healthy way to reduce stress, these women often succumb to unhealthy and unhappy lifestyles.  70% of adults are overweight or obese.  It’s time for us to take back control of our health. What are you committed to doing now to be healthier? Will you plan or schedule some "me" time to be active or just relax? 

Reply by Kim O on Thursday

Hi Ingrid!

Oh so very. I do make time to work out but beyond that helping to launch Project Eve has definitely gotten the better of me.  I'm hoping that the arrival of great spring fruit and vegetables (and the disappearance of Easter Candy in my house) will pull me out  of other unhealthy habits I've lapsed into. Your site is beautiful I wish I were in LA to better take advantage of what you have to offer!

Reply by Meridith D yesterday

Sooooo stressed. not terrific. any suggestions on how to dial it down would be so welcomed and appreciated. ingrid would you post that video to our site as well. I think it is important to feature it!

My reply 20 hours ago

Delete

Make a Stop Doing list. Delegate tasks that you aren't good at to someone else. Check out Elance, Task Rabbit or other freelance sites. Do some deep breathing exercises. Focus on breathing, taking in more oxygen than you think you can. Hold breathe for 3 counts, exhale. Continue to breath consciously. Make a list of 5 things you're grateful for & share your list with your family or friends. 

Reply by Kim O6 hours ago

I love the Stop Doing list idea! 

Reply by Deborah D 6 minutes ago 

Stop doing list, what a great idea that is Ingrid.

I'm offering a complimentary 30 min stress reduction consultation to 3 lucky people. Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fitnesswla or friend me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.cheng1


P.S. Check out healthy cooking video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Hope to see you at the Walk/ Bike-a-thon benefiting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels tomorrow. http://www.stvincentmow.org/event/Pages/BeachBikeWalk-a-Thon.aspx

If you can't make it, please help me raise $ for a good cause!
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/ingridcheng/17th-annual-beach-walkbike-a-thon

Ingrid Cheng

Writer, Health Advocate

http://ingridcheng.com

http://fitnesswla.wordpress.com