The Hemp Connection:
PCOS Challenge

Colleagues,

We are teaming up with PCOS Challenge to provide a new series of continuing education for registered dietitians and diet technicians! I am excited about this venture because I respect Sasha Ottey and her effort with PCOS Challenge. Plus, I believe that teamwork is always better than one-work!

We will be using Sasha's podcasts as the curriculum for this effort. You can always listen to these podcasts for free, but if you listen and would like to get credit for the time you invested, that option is now available. In order to earn the credit, you will be asked to answer a few short essay questions related to the program.

If you are a registered dietitian or diet technician, and you are interested in purchasing the continuing professional education units available for PCOS Challenge podcasts, information can be found by clicking here.

I will be posting the new topic each week as the final podcast becomes available

One of my goals for 2011 has been to begin to partner with companies offering products and services with benefit to women with PCOS. Right out of the starting gate, we've got a wonderful announcement for our readers and fans! Zing Bars CEO David Ingalls and I chatted on the radio show this morning and he announced that for the next month, if you buy Zing Bars from their website, a portion of the sale will be donated to PCOS Challenge.

Here is the link to the radio show for more information.

From the beginning, Zing Bars has had a commitment to a quality product that has not always been easy (practically and financially) to maintain. But they've stuck to their guns and it shows in how their company has consistently grown.

I'm honored to know them and excited to share their offer with you.

To participate, simply go to http://www.zingbars.com/ and use the coupon code"PCOS Challenge".

To David, Sandi, Kathleen, and Minh-Hai, we so appreciate your stepping up and creating the Zing Bar. And for doing something for women who often do not receive validation or support for their situation.

Oh, and by the way. I'm not really asking you to sacrifice your taste buds for this. If you've ever tried a Zing Bar you know what I mean. I'm nuts over the blueberry almond flavor.: )

Dr. Gretchen Kubacky will be the featured expert this week on the PCOS Challenge Expert Webinar series.

Here is a description of her upcoming presentation:

Depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, infertility, and many other disorders are much more common in women with PCOS. In this PCOS Challenge Expert Series workshop, Dr. HOUSE will address the psychological issues and coping skills necessary for thriving with PCOS. Dr. HOUSE will also explain how to identify the most common conditions, suggest ways to find sources for help and support, and describe how to proactively manage your mental and physical health and relationships.

In this workshop, you will learn:

What a mood disorder is and what it looks like.
Signs that you might be feeling suicidal.
What every PCOS woman needs to know about infertility.
Coping skills for relationships, medical treatments, and body image issues.
How to be a proactive patient and get the help you need now.

Click here for information on registering:

Hello everyone,

If you've been enjoying the PCOS Challenge Radio Show, you'll love Sasha's latest venture! Dr. Van Dyke, Ellen Goldfarb, Gretchen Kubacky, and myself will be presenting more in-depth seminars on our areas of specialty.

Topics to be covered include:

Nutrition Essentials for PCOS--Monika M. Woolsey, MS, RD
Tuesday, October 20

Eating Disorders and PCOS--Ellen Reiss Goldfarb, RD
Tuesday, October 27

Living Happier and Healthier with PCOS--Gretchen Kubacky, PsyD
Tuesday, November 3

Hair Removal Solutions for Women With PCOS--Susan Van Dyke, MD
Tuesday, November 10

The Natural Solution to Overcoming PCOS--Julie Walsh, ND
Tuesday, November 17

All webinars will be held from 8:00 — 9:00 Eastern Time.

Space is limited for the live sessions, but if you can't make any of the live sessions, they will all be recorded and made available on CD.

Please join us! We've all been working hard on this project and it's all been especially for YOU!

This note comes from inCYST provider Carmina McGee, who in addition to being a registered dietitian is a licensed esthetician. Her computer has crashed so I'm posting on her behalf.

She is extending the offer to receive a special report on skin care and her recommended nutritional and natural therapies for skin problems related to PCOS.

In addition, she is offering a 10% discount on her skin care product line, which contains a patented ingredient from avocado pits that helps to slow down oil production--great for anyone with acne!

These offers are only good until July 15, so if you're interested, take action! Here's how.

1. Go to www.carminamcgee.com

2. Sign up for her newsletter

3. Check the"health, wellness, and PCOS" option.

That's all you have to do…don't just sit here on this blog post, go tell Carmina you want her free and discounted stuff!

If you missed the radio interview where these offers originally occurred, here is the link. But don't forget to visit Carmina first!

Hello everyone,

I missed the live version of this interview but stayed up until midnight listening to it. I was going to just catch the first few minutes but Ellen and Sasha did such a wonderful job of talking about body image, eating disorders, and PCOS, I was hooked!

It's such a great, thorough, and compassionate look at a part of PCOS that is not easy to discuss. A lot of physicians who treat PCOS are more skilled at managing your lab values than your emotions…and it can be frustrating to feel that such an important part of your disorder is not being acknowledged.

I do not intend to criticize physicians with my comment. They are often under pressure to see their patients in a tightly scheduled day, and if they're good at managing your insulin level, they need to be respected for what they're best at.

One of the things PCOS Challenge AND inCYST are trying to do, is provide support that sometimes simply is not available in a medical office visit. A major goal at inCYST, as well, is to network with physicians and help them understand the importance of recognizing this very important aspect of PCOS, and knowing where to refer their patients if they can't or don't want to be the caregiver offering emotional support.

If you've been feeling like that support is what you need, then a good start might be to listen to this broadcast. I guarantee, at the very least, you will learn that you're not alone. www.pcoschallenge.com

Thanks, Sasha and Ellen, for taking the time to talk so compassionately about such a challenging topic!

I got a very exciting e-mail from Sasha Ottey this morning, she's ramping up for the release of her PCOS Challenge TV Show! If you're interested in learning more, here is the link to her most recent newsletter. Sasha's website and radio program are wonderful resources. I encourage you to check them out if you have not already done so.

You've seen Ellen here, on her own blog, and in classes she teaches in West Los Angeles. Here is your opportunity to hear her talk on an issue important to followers of PCOS information.

'Eating Disorders, Body Image, and PCOS' on Sasha Ottey's PCOS Challenge!

Time: June 24, 2009 from 6pm to 7pm EDT
Location:"PCOS Challenge Radio Show"

Event Description:
On Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6pm EDT, Sasha Ottey speaks to Ellen Reiss-Goldfarb, a Registered Dietitian with a Private Practice in West Los Angeles, California. She was co-founder of"Through the Looking Glass", a support program for people with eating disorders and body images issues. She has worked as a clinical nutrition consultant and nutritional educator for over ten years. Her vision is to assist people in achieving their personal goals through nutrition education, as well as supporting their efforts in attaining balance in all areas of their lives. Besides Specialized work with Eating Disorders, Ellen has recently also expanded her practice to specialize in Women's hormonal issues which include PCOS and problems with Fertility. Ellen has been involved in nutrition and dietetics due to a personal passion to support and educate people on how to develop a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Tune in on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 6pm EDT to listen to Ellen impart her knowledge about eating disorders, body image, and the role they play in PCOS.

If you have any questions you would like to ask Ellen during the show, you can leave a comment here.

Or, if you would like to call in during the show to ask her a question, call (646) 929-0394.

If you would just like to listen, you are welcome to do so at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pcoschallenge

Hello everyone,

There's a little bit about d-chiro-inositol on this blog, and I do believe it has merit. I'm interested to see what Sasha's guest has to say in detail on the topic!

Time: May 20, 2009 from 6pm to 7pm
Location:"PCOS Challenge Radio Show"
Organized By: Sasha Ottey

Event Description:
Join Sasha Ottey on May 20, 2009 at 6pm (EDT) as she speaks to Travis Johnson, of Chiral Balance about D-chiro-inositol (DCI) and its benefits for women with PCOS. He attended the University of Texas earning both his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biochemistry. He now teaches General Chemistry and Biochemistry there.
While in graduate school he spent much of his spare time reading literature about PCOS. His interest intensified when he discovered a few family members dealt with PCOS. It intensified further when he saw a real opportunity to provide a needed product to the PCOS community. He and his mother started Chiral Balance to sell D-chiro-inositol, opening their doors in December 2005 and becoming the first retail distributor of D-chiro-inositol in the world.
Tune in to the PCOS Challenge Radio Show on Wed., May 20, 2009 at 6 p.m. EDT at www.blogtalkradio.com/pcoschallenge to learn more about the best DCI and its benefits for women with PCOS.
If you have any questions you would like to ask Travis during the show, you can leave a comment here. Or, if you would like to call in during the show to ask Travis a question, call (646) 929-0394. If you would just like to listen, go to www.blogtalkradio.com/pcoschallenge at 6 p.m. EDT on 5/20/2009.

Hello everyone,

If you've been enjoying PCOS Challenge on Blog Talk Radio…we've got great news! Three more inCYST providers will be interviewed in future weeks.

Sasha just sent me her new schedule. They all look great…I'm boldfacing inCYSTERS. Listening to each of them can help you to have an idea of whether there's potential for a connection to pursue for individual help. I know each of these women personally and I'm excited that they're coming on board to share their expertise!

PCOS Challenge Upcoming Schedule

May 20th — Travis Johnson, Chiral Balance
May 27th — Carmina McGee, Skin Care and Nutrition for Women with PCOS

June 3rd — Dr. Arlene Donar, Naturopathic Medicine for PCOS
June 17th-Ellen Goldfarb, Eating Disorders and PCOS

July 1st — Marissa Kent, PCOS and Celiac Disease, Is There a Relationship?
July 8th — Christie and Rachel, Real PCOS Stories

Join Sasha Ottey on the PCOS Challenge Radio Show on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 6 p.m. (EDT) as she speaks to Monika Woolsey, an expert in PCOS and nutrition for managing PCOS. Monika M. Woolsey, President and Founder of After the Diet Network, is a nutritionist and exercise physiologist with 25 years of experience in nutrition and exercise counseling. She received her bachelor's degree in Nutrition from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and her master's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Tune in to the PCOS Challenge Radio Show on Wed., May 6, 2009 at 6 p.m. EDT at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pcoschallenge to learn more about the best PCOS-specific nutrition and practices from Monika.

If you have any questions you would like to ask Monika during the show, you can leave a comment here. Or, if you would like to call in during the show to ask Monika a question, call (646) 929-0394 during the show. If you would just like to listen, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pcoschallenge at 6 p.m. EDT on 5/6/2009.

Special note: Several other inCYST providers will also be appearing on PCOS Challenge in the near future. Stay tuned for details!