I'll be in Los Angeles, California, on May 14, 2011, to offer counseling sessions as a fundraiser to pay the costs of starting the inCYST Institute for Hormone Health.
I have 5 hour-long appointments available starting at 1 pm. Suggested donation for each session is $150.
If you're interested, I will need a credit card number to reserve the space. This card will not be charged until our paperwork is filed, but it will be charged whether or not you use time reserved and considered a donation to our new nonprofit.
If you do not live in Los Angeles and would like a counseling appointment that counts as a donation, I can arrange five web-based appointments as well.
Contact me at marika@google.com if you are interested.
I am considering hosting a fundraiser for the new PCOS research foundation in Los Angeles. I was thinking of being over there on Saturday, May 14, and conducting a day's worth of counseling appointments, with all of the proceeds being used to cover the startup costs for this organization.
Since I would be traveling over from Phoenix and absorbing the cost of that travel, I would need your commitment to participate to be made by giving me a credit card number that would be charged whether or not you attend your scheduled appointment. Either way, your payment would be considered a charitable donation.
If you are interested, please contact me privately at marika@google.com so I can ascertain if enough interest exists to start to plan the trip.
If you are NOT from Los Angeles and would be interested in a similar fundraising day conducted over the phone, please let me know, I'll do that as well if there is sufficient interest! Thank you!
If you haven't picked out a New Year's resolution yet, I would like you to consider supporting us part of your resolve.
We are here for you. And to the greatest of our ability, everything we do is about you. We do as much as we can, with the resources we have.
And we'd love to be able to do a whole lot more.
Our goal is to raise money to support research that benefits YOU. A very small part of that is needed for basic administrative expenses, but for the most part it's money we want and plan to give to science.
We had a record month on the blog last month, hitting almost 8000 views. Imagine what could be done if each of those readers joined with a $25 membership!
If you don't have $25, even $1 will make a difference.
If you're interested, here is information on how to donate. http://www.incyst.com/2011/07/how-you-can-become-member-of-incyst.html
Thank you!
Here's to bigger and better things in 2012…that you make possible.
Well, those busy chicks over at Power Up for PCOS have opened up a Cafe Press store with all kinds of cool stuff. If you have been asked for a Christmas wish list, be sure to check this out for all kinds of fun stuff.
http://www.cafepress.com/powerupforpcos
Beth and I double checked to be sure the products they offer are BPA-free, and she removed the items for which this could not be confirmed.
Wouldn't make sense to put hormone-unfriendly chemicals in your life in the name of fixing your hormones, now, would it?
I've written much about the important connection between the oceans' health and your own health.
There is an opportunity approaching this weekend which gives you an opportunity to make a difference, called LA Helps LA. Here is the information:
The event will be held on Sunday, October 3, from 3 pm to 7 pm, in a private loft at Dogtown Station in Venice, California. You will be provided the address after you register.
Small Pleasures Catering (http://www.smallpleasurescatering.com/ )is proud to announce that we will be joining forces with the food blogging community of Los Angeles, Uncle Darrow's Cajun/Creole Restaurant (http://www.uncledarrows.com/) and The Cheese Impresario (http://www.thecheeseimpresario.com/) to present a tasting fund raising event to benefit the Gulf Relief Network (GRN). We are also very happy to announce that with Hall Wines (http://www.hallwines.com/) of Napa, Ca is partnering with us and will be serving their wines at the event.
Just in- I'm so excited to announce that Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine (http://www.catdaddymoonshine.com/) is joining us to share New Orleans style cocktails made with their delicious new spirit.
GRN's (www.healthygulf.org) mission is to unite and empower people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico for future generations, and to assume the responsibility of returning the Gulf to its previous splendor.
Bloggers participating include:
Cheryl D. Lee of Black Girl Chef's Whites (http://blackgirlchefswhites.com/wordpress)
Agnieszka Graczyk of One More Bite (http://agablack.wordpress.com/) Adair Seldon of Lentil Breakdown (http://lentilbreakdown.blogspot.com/)
Mac Ledesma of Dishin in the Kitchen (http://www.dishininthekitchen.com/)
Erika Penzer Kerekes of (http://www.inerikaskitchen.com/)
Rachael Hutchings of La Fujimama (http://www.lafujimama.com/)
Amir Thomas of Duo Dishes (http://www.duodishes.com/)
Susan Lesser of Reservations for Three (http://reservationforthree.blogspot.com/)
Greg Henry of Sippity Sup (http://www.sippitysup.com/)
Rashmi Nigam of Yumkid (http://www.yumkid.com/)
Raffle prizes have been donated by The Cheese Impresario, The Lisa Ekus Group, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press Raffle tickets will sell for $2 each and 3 for $5. You need not be present to win.
More prizes just in -Chefs Susan Spicer and John Besh are donating signed copies of their cookbooks. Also, gift certificates from http://www.ilovebluesea.com/.
Latest raffle prize-a signed copy of Ralph Brennan's New Orleans Seafood Cookbook, and a gift certificate for dinner for 4 at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen at Disney Downtown. BIG THANKS!
Stay tuned for updates as more bloggers, partners and prize donors join us.
Tickets are $50
Please respond to Gisele@smallpleasurescatering.com to purchase tickets.
I guest blogged for Gisele about the connection between our respective professions. Click here to read more.
Beth sent out an update this week estimating that the very first Power Up for PCOS walk-a-thon raised over $3000! That's incredible for a first time event! Congratulations, Beth, for pulling off a successful fundraiser!
More important than the money, however, is the fact that this event brought women together in a way that provided support and inspiration to do something self-nurturing and PCOS-friendly. I'm hoping that Beth's spark will turn into a fire of PCOS networking that burns around the world.
Here is Beth with another walker, Nicole, who she befriended in the process of organizing the walk-a-thon.
Ivonne and I walked the virtual event in Phoenix. Here I am enjoying the cooler temperatures in Phoenix, along the canal behind my home!
Next on the to-do list is file our official nonprofit papers! So excited about this!
If you missed the walk, we can still use your help. I've chatted with a couple of researchers, and even the simplest of studies will cost $50,000 minimum to fund. We have an achievable goal, that will happen more quickly the more of you donate. Even the smallest gift matters…and if money is not something you have to spare, Beth has plenty of opportunities for you to donate your time. Please visit her website at http://www.powerupforpcos.com/.
Thanks to every person and organization who helped to make our first walk-a-thon a success!
We received a really sweet e-mail from our longtime supporter Haviland Stillwell this week, she's offered to sell autographed copies of her recently released CD,"How I Role", to help raise money for inCYST.
We're touched and honored, friend!
Haviland will be at the Marina del Rey fundraiser, and you can pick one up there. We think you'd really enjoy meeting the real Haviland in person, and hope you can make it. But, we understand if that won't work. You can also contact me at monika at afterthediet dot com, and I will take orders and forward them to Haviland.
HOW I ROLE by Haviland Stillwell
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each autographed hard copy CD ($25) will be donated to inCYST.
What's the matter…don't live in Los Angeles, can't come enjoy the day with Craig and Sandy?
The Walk-a-Thon in Nashua, NH on the wrong continent?
The amazing Beth Wolf won't take distance for an answer. She's added a virtual walk-a-thon to her schedule. On Sunday, September 18, you can participate wherever you happen to be. As long as it is on Planet Earth, that is.
Romping in Rome?
Loafing in Little Rock?
Galavanting in the Galapagos? (Beth says this guy just downloaded the paperwork.)
We hope to have the details figured out for antigravitational participation so if you're reading this from Mars and beyond, be sure you're on our mailing list for 2012 details.
If you happen to be plodding along in Phoenix, we have a group walking in the Arcadia area. Email me, monika at afterthediet dot com, for details.
So no matter where you may be, you can join the fun-draising! Simply download the registration forms and register. We'd love to see your photos of your walk, as well, so send them along!
Beth Wolf is heading up the PCOS Walk-a-Thon in Nashua, NH, and the PCOS Virtual Walk-a-Thon which is anywhere (on planet Earth, at least for now) where you happen to be with a desire to walk for PCOS. Here is her story.
Blessed to have PCOS
By Beth Wolf
One day, after being un-diagnosed for years, I was told I had PCOS. I spent the next few years sitting on my behind feeling sorry for myself. I felt like I was the only one out there and I had no hope of a better life. Then all of a sudden, I figured out what could motivate me to get off the couch. I would start a walk-a-thon to raise money for PCOS research and awareness. I didn't care if I was the only one out there walking. I told all my friends and family as well as posted it everywhere before I could change my mind. Then I went in search of somewhere to give my money to. I could find nothing. I was turned down by several places including a hospital. I gave up. A few months later, I received an e-mail asking me if I was still doing the walk and if I could give them a pledge form because they wanted to walk with me. I felt re-newed knowing there is someone else out there that wanted this. During my crazy moment of trying to figure out how to tell them I couldn't do it, my dear husband went in search of places to donate for PCOS. He found an article about a research foundation that was started because of my contacting all these places when I had originally decided to walk. I was amazed, overwhelmed and a wreck (in a good way). I couldn't believe that just little old me could spark something like that to happen. The article was by Monika Woosley and she started the InCyst Institute for Hormone Health. She created it to helps fund research about hormone disorders with a focus on alternative/nutritional/complementary treatments that are difficult to find funding for. I contacted her right away and she put me in touch with other people in my area that could be of help for my walk. Before long, we even had a hospital telling us they would sponsor us. I was amazed at all this happening so quickly. Now we have a website http://www.PowerUpforPCOS.com and we use it for information about our upcoming walk-a-thon and virtual walk-a-thon as well as sponsor information. Our site also has a calendar to view upcoming PCOS events in your area and useful links about PCOS. We are currently working on a place where women can submit reviews on professionals who have treated them for PCOS. Professionals will be able to submit their listings as well. And finally, we are gathering a network of women in each state so they may understand they are not alone in this and get together for support and different PCOS eventsOn to our walk-a-thon events:
Join us for the Power Up for PCOS Walk-a-thon to raise funds for the inCYST Institute of Hormone Health. The InCyst Institute for Hormone Health helps fund research about hormone disorders with a focus on alternative/nutritional/complementary treatments that are difficult to find funding for. We have 2 different walks going on. First we have the Walk-a-thon in Nashua, NH on September 17th. Then we have the Virtual Walk-a-thon on September 18th which you can choose your own location for. To become a walker, simply visit http://www.powerupforpcos.com/ and choose which walk you would like to attend. Download the pledge forms and start raising some money for a great cause.
We've been working hard create a menu of ways you can support our new institute. Hopefully one of them fits your personality and budget. One of our fans mentioned that she is currently unemployed and cannot spend money on a donation. I encouraged her to remember that the most important thing anyone can do is talk about us! Share your experience with us in other PCOS forums…I do not actively solicit business from anyone else in the industry. I do not even aggressively solicit fans or Twitter followers, because I want to know that our fans and followers are there because they like us, not because they didn't know how to say no when we asked them. We grow more slowly that way, but we're more cohesive and connected as a result.
1. If you feel like we're doing something different and important and that we've contributed to your own personal situation, getting the word out really DOES help.
2. If you WOULD like to donate, we've just been approved to collect donations via active.com at this link: http://www.active.com/donate/incyst I've set up a menu of amounts, again, because I want anyone with any amount at all to contribute, to not feel as though we only play with big guns. This whole idea was inspired by one woman who wanted to make a difference, I'm simply following up on that inspiration. Everyone is welcome and appreciated.
3. Please consider joining us at our Marina del Rey fundraiser with Craig Ramsay on August 27. We're going to have a lot of fun! Who wouldn't, at a spa on the beach?
4. If you're further northeast, think about participating in Pick Up the Pace for PCOS Walk-a-Thon in Nashua, NH, on September 17.
This is actually the event that got the entire Institute off the ground, and I would like to see it succeed…wildly!
5. We're currently brainstorming a menu of workshops to offer at our new Santa Monica location, beginning in October. Since the Santa Monica farmer's market is right outside our door, I'm pretty sure we'll be including healthy food at those events. Don't miss out!
Here are friends from our Growing Naturals and Zing Bars sponsors having some fun at the BLANKSPACES launch party last month.
6. Consider shopping in our eMarket. Until Labor Day, 100% of all proceeds will be donated to the Institute.
7. If you own a business with a product/service and a mission compatible with ours (sustainability, hormone-friendly) and you'd like to sponsor something we're planning, please contact me at monika at afterthediet dot com.
8. More is on the way…but if I told you now…I'd have to kill you. Know for now that if it didn't involve fun I wouldn't bother with it!
If you'd like to be kept on the mailing list, please join our Institute fan page or follow our fundraising efforts on Twitter at @moveandsoothe. If you'd like to keep up with what's going on in NH, Beth just joined Twitter as @pickup4pcos. Whatever you contribute, know we're genuinely grateful and will work hard on behalf of hormone research.
So much of what we promote for your health on this blog relates to the health gifts found in the ocean. So it was only natural for me to want to do something to help out with what is going on in the Gulf. I have a limited number of"live" seats available for this event, but the recorded version will be available until December 31, 2010.
Monika
The Oceans and Your Health, A Fundraiser for Our Animal Friends in the Gulf
Description.I am doing this (1) because I love animals, (2) I see what events like this ultimately do to our own health, and (3) I want others to make the link and be inspired to advocate as well.
A look at our oceans and how we depend on their health for our health. To be covered: fish and fish oil, fresh vs. farmed fish, food policy and how it affects oceanic health, and what we can each individually do to advocate for our owh health thhrough advocating for the health of our oceans.
100% of the money I raise through this webinar will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation.
Please check your time zone; the actual time listed on this event is Eastern Daylight Time. If you cannot attend live but wish to participate, you may purchase a recording of this event.
You may register for this webinar, both live and recorded, at this link:
We're so excited about this! Not just that we have a fundraiser, but that our very first one involves two of our very favorite friends at inCYST, Craig Ramsay and Sandie West.
"Move" with trainer Craig Ramsay, a wonderfully compassionate women's health advocate who we met when he worked with Cyster Stacy Citron on Bravo's reality show Thintervention. He talks mostly about getting you into physical shape, but what we routinely hear from his clients is that his work helps to nurture their self-esteem into good condition as well. He is graciously offering his time to conduct four boot camps on the beach near Sandie's spa, which is where the"Move" part comes in. It's the perfect way to test drive Craig's popular boot camps if you've been thinking about participating but haven't gotten around to it.
Be sure to check out Craig's website and Facebook page to learn more about his"Ultimate Perfect Workout System". And look for him on Twitter at @craigramsay1.
"Soothing" Sandie West has a beautiful facility, Creative Chakra Spa, on the Pacific Coast, just south of the Venice Pier. She's known far and wide for her beautiful space, therapeutic spa treatments, loving spirit, and calming energy. You can't help but put your cares aside and focus on relaxation when you're at Sandie's place! It's perfect for someone who's feeling a little over the top with their diagnosis and in need of little R and R.
To learn more about Sandie's spa and the services and classes she offers, join her Facebook page and follow her on Twitter, @creativechakra.
Check out this video one of Sandie's beach yoga classes. Even the robot that programs our Twitter paper was enthralled…it kept including this video of her beachfront yoga class for several days after she Tweeted it!
These events would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors! Please check out their websites, Facebook fan pages, and follow them on Twitter. They are sponsoring because they are excited to support your journey to PCOS health, and we want to support them in return.
What would our first fundraiser be without one of inCYST's BFF's? The Zing Bars folks don't just support PCOS, they created their products with women with PCOS in mind. Years of combined counseling experience gave them first-hand knowledge about what kind of ingredients, flavors and packaging would be easiest to use and benefit from.
Be sure to"like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter at @zingbars.
Growing Naturals is a brand of organic brown rice protein that is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, kosher, non-GMO, organic, and raw diet-compatible. It's a great option for anyone with PCOS, and especially so for anyone who is vegan and/or with food intolerances that make it hard to get enough protein.
When I first learned of them, I thought to myself…"That pretty much touches all bases…finally, I know what to recommend for even the most restrictive of situations." Turns out, their tag line is"Finally, Food For All People".
Be sure to check out their website and learn more about their original, chocolate, and vanilla rice protein isolate powders.
You can find Growing Naturals on Facebook, and their Twitter handle is @growingnaturals.
If you'd like to participate in person, please RSVP either here in the comments section, or on our Facebook event page with at least a"maybe" so we can send you the registrations later this week.
If you can't make it but you'd like to support this fundraiser, here's a link where you can donate. You'll be supporting research projects directly supportive of hormone disorders including PCOS, infertility, thyroid, and diabetes.
We are working out the details and will have complete registration options available at this link. Space is limited for each of the options so if this is something you're interested in doing, please grab your space as soon as possible.
Please, if you can't participate in our specific event but you're interested in the boot camps and/or the spas, check out Craig's and Sandie's websites for more information about their programs.
We'll have a website up and running soon with event details. Please be sure to join the RSVP list on our Facebook event page so we know where to find you when updates occur.
If you would like to donate but cannot make it to the live event, please click here for more information.
