The Hemp Connection [Search results for Virginia] 

Hello readers,

I had a lot of notes from readers saying they were going to be registering for this event. However, only one of you has followed through.

It's a big trip from Phoenix to Virginia, and I am not in a position to do it without my costs being recovered. I know memory, procrastination, and motivation are big issues with PCOS, we fight it daily with every outreach we try. You know, as well as we do, lack of planning is what gets in the way of your success with food. Please don't let that happen with this workshop. We thought no one was going to come to New Hampshire so we rescheduled it, only to have a flurry of last minute registrants express disappointment that they had acted too late.

So it is important for you to act, now, and indicate your intent to attend. We came as far as we could on YOUR behalf, now it's time for you to take advantage!

This is not a trip I am likely to replicate, so if you had your heart set on learning our approach to PCOS, this is the event you must prioritize for yourself.

Here is the registration link.
http://yhst-34497545168533.stores.yahoo.net/pcos-with-monika-m-woolsey-ms-rd-norfolk-virginia-041611.html

Hello readers!

Just a reminder, we've worked SUPER hard on our Nashua, New Hampshire event and even got two sponsors. So not only will you have three dietitians and the PCOS Diva all in the same place at the same time, you'll get a chance to try the high omega-3 barramundi fish and Stonyfield's vitamin D- supplemented yogurt.

And…your registration includes a copy of Hillary Wright's"The PCOS Diet Plan", which she will autograph for you!

This kind of event does not happen every day, so if you're anywhere near Nashua and have been wanting more information about PCOS, it is well worth it to invest in yourself and spend the day with us.

We just chatted on the radio about the event and why we love to work with cysters. Check it out…and come see us on April 1!

Click here for registration information.

Virginia Beach is approaching as well! The registration link is located on the right hand margin of this blog. I'd really love to see you if you're in the area!

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to introduce you to Tina Shiver, who is located in Richmond, Virginia. You can learn more about her and her practice at www.tinashiver.com.

Tina, I look forward to your posts…I'm hoping you'll have some time to share insights with us about your exercise passion…Latin dancing!

If you enjoyed Lucy Bustamante's story last week on WVEC, here is your opportunity to learn more!

By coincidence I happened to be planning a trip to the area before Lucy even contacted me, and I decided to extend that trip so that I can meet with women who are interested in learning about the inCYST approach to PCOS.

I will be there on Saturday, April 16, 2011, and my event will run from 9 am to 1 pm. Cost is $50 and it includes a copy of the new e-book,"The Quick Start Guide to PCOS" by inCYST member Christine Marquette, RD, LD, CLT.

This event is targeted at women with PCOS, but if you are a professional you can apply this registration toward the 2011 inCYST Professional Training course and join our network.

Click here for registration information.

Hello everyone,

I had a wonderful time in Michigan getting to know some new inCYSTERs in our training. I wanted to highlight them in this post, plus mention some new names you will be seeing more often here on the blog.

JACKIE SMIERTKA is a nurse who specializes in bariatric medicine. She has worked in that field for many, many years, and she recognized that PCOS was coming through her door. She was my initial Detroit contact, and she hosted my training. She is passionate, not to mention compassionate. She owns the Quality of Life Center, a one-stop center for people who have needs associated with their bariatric surgery. That center now has the ability to help women with PCOS who are either contemplating such a surgery or who have had one and would like to work with someone who understands PCOS.

SALLY MYERS is the dietitian who introduced me to Jackie! She is currently in Herndon, Virginia, she is well known as a bariatric nutrition specialist, and I am really excited to have her in the network as a resource on nutrition for bariatric surgery when PCOS is an associated condition. Sally is also a competetive racewalker! I enjoyed learning more about that sport during our lunch breaks.

TERRIE HOLIEWINSKI is a dietitian at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, who specializes in working with cardiovascular issues and PCOS. She is passionate about this work, and loves working with PCOS!

IVONNE BERKOWITZ officially finished her inCYST training this past Sunday. She is a certified wellness coach and she loves to write. I hope you enjoyed her post on labels, her style is very"tell it exactly like it is without pulling punches," and she's got some great ideas that can help you with the practical application of what you see on the blog.
I am adding links and contact information as I have them…please seek these professionals out if they are in your area! The amount of work they have put into learning about PCOS and their passion for wanting to help is a fabulous combination just waiting for you to take advantage of!

Our network is pretty busy in the media! Today I thought I'd give you some links to some of the great things you'll find in print, online, and on television. As you can see, they love their stuff and they know their stuff. If you are in search of someone to hep you with your nutrition goals, please consider one of these professionals.

From Sally Hara, MS, RD, CSSD, CDE, Kirkland, Washington:
Carb-Loading Tips (and other nutrition hints) For Endurance Events

From Sarah Jones, RYT, Phoenix, Arizona:
Free yoga class featuring Sarah Jones, RYT, at Lululemon Athletic, Biltmore

From Meri Raffetto, RD, Temecula, California
Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad

From Danielle Omar, MS, RD, Fairfax, Virginia
Brazilian Passion Fruit Mousse

From Debra Benfield, MS, RD, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
How Developing Awareness (and Eating Lunch Away from Your Desk) Can Change Your Body and Life

From Linda Caley, MS, RD, Colchester, Connecticut
Review of beverages on Better Connecticut

From Hana Feeney, MS, RD, CSSD, Tucson, Arizona
Keeping Hydrated During the Heat on KVOA-TV

From Monika Woolsey, MS, RD, Phoenix, Arizona
Explosion of Interest in Eating Locally and Veganism
Embrace the slime! Juice, roast, grill okra for health benefits
That's just peachy: stone fruits plum good for diabetes, heart disease, obesity
California's senators vote for open GMO labeling, other states not so fortunate

Not a whole lot, unfortunately. There is no board certification for the disease, no school, nothing. It's the whole reason I started inCYST. I was appalled at the things I was hearing women say they had been taught by specialists. When I looked on the Internet, I saw a lot of supplement companies filling in the gap. And, of course, using the gap as a way to line their own pockets. Many of the health professionals people turn to in order to get help don't accept insurance. I realized that women with PCOS are very easily taken advantage of without getting much in return for their investment. And now that PCOS is gaining attention, and the economy is struggling, I'm seeing a lot more colleagues advertise that this is a specialty service they provide.

If you've found someone on the Internet who is advertising that they are a specialist, don't assume that means much at all. Take the time to ask them what they did to become specialized.

You can be assured that anyone whose name appears on this blog has worked hard to be informed. The dietitians you see, have taken courses on sleep disorders, dermatology, and biochemistry, not just nutrition. The psychologists and even our dermatologist, Dr. Van Dyke, have taken the time to understand nutrition for PCOS.

We have all committed to that, because we collectively wanted to raise the bar, and we wanted you to know, for sure, if you asked someone in California, Virginia, New York, or Chicago, for help, you'd get a well-informed person who is passionate about understanding what can best help you.

Of course, there are people who do not belong to inCYST who are very good at what they do, with lots of great credentials and training. I can't speak for them. What I can say is, that they should be able to, without hesitation, when asked, provide you with a description of the qualifications they have that allow them to make the claims that they do. And women with PCOS should not be afraid to ask that question before making their first appointment.

If you live in Norfolk, Virginia, Lucy Bustamante of WVEC will be airing her story about PCOS on the 11 o'clock news. I've been working with Lucy the last few weeks on this story and am excited to see the finished project. She definitely is thorough and covered a lot of bases.

I will post the finished product when it's available on the Internet, just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who might want to catch it live.

Thanks for including inCYST, Lucy! Hoping it gives more cysters opportunities to get good help.

inCYST had another busy week! Here are some of the places inCYSTers were seen.

Sarah Jones, RYT, (photo) taught a Lululemon yoga class at the Biltmore in Phoenix. A good crowd came despite the summer temperature!

Gretchen Kubacky, Psy.D., Santa Monica, California

This is an older series that somehow popped up in my Google search, but still excellent. This article provides links to an entire series of Women's Health Tips written by Gretchen. Check it out!

Danielle Omar, MS, RD, Fairfax Virginia

in The Washingtonian Blog

Food Diaries: How Nutritionist Danielle Omar Eats for a Day

Debra Benfield, MEd, RD, LDN, Wake Forest, NC

Guest blogs at Triad Moms on Main

Body Image and Your Child Part I

Body Image and Your Child Part II

Monika Woolsey, Phoenix, AZ and Santa Monica, CA

Articles at Examiner.com

To Carb or Not to Carb, That Is the Question

Tamarind, Flavor Favorite in Several Cultures, Gains Respect as Disease Fighter

It's that time of year, when the ladies over at Power Up for PCOS start talking walk-a-thon! They have really expanded since last year…just look at all the places there will be events! For more information on participation or sponsorship (event date is September 29, 2012)…visit the Power Up for PCOS website. Listed by State: State: Arizona City: Phoenix Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Gina Weeks tothinebetheglory@yahoo.com ____________________________________________ State: Arizona City: Tucson Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Mabel Crescioni mabel.crescioni@gmail.com or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: California City: Los Angeles Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Dawn Marie Black tangotildawn@gmail.com or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: Michigan City: To be determined Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Holly Amarandei holly@yummylifewellness.com or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: Minnesota City: St. Paul Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Suzannah Toso suzannahtoso@yahoo.com or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: New Hampshire City: Nashua Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Beth Wolf Beth@powerupforpcos.com or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: New York City: Amherst Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Adrianne Adger & Andrea Adger powerupforpcos.nys@gmail.com or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: Pennsylvania City: Beaver Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Marie Mariano mmariano@zoominternet.net or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: Virginia City: Hampton Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Rebecca Miller crownpcos@gmail.com or 810-545-7267 ____________________________________________ State: Washington City: Turnwater Address: To be determined Time: To be determined Contact Person & E-mail: Crystal Warren crystal.warren@gmail.com or 810-545-7267

A huge, warm and fuzzy thanks to Lucy Bustamante of WVEC in Norfolk, Virginia, for giving inCYST such a strong presence in her PCOS story! We're honored and flattered, and hope this encourages women in that part of the world to reach out for help.

We're here, and we want to be part of your success.

Last week Dr. Doug Bibus honored us with a webinar on the science behind his blood omega-3 testing. His statistics regarding the many correlations between poor omega-3 status and health problems were profound. What particularly got my attention was how this issue may, in some interesting ways, be singling out military families.

Dr. Bibus shared that omega-3 fatty acids have become the subject of intense interest with the Department of Defense, given the fact that military suicides doubled between 2005 and 2008. If you think about it, the majority of deployments during this time have been to Iraq and Afghanistan, where seafood is not a staple on the menu.

Have you ever seen or eaten a military ration (aka MRE?). Many moons ago, my neighbor found some at a military surplus store, and for fun, we organized a dinner party around them.

Just look at that photo to the left. It is what our military eats, day in and day out. I don't see any omega-3's and I do see sugar and pro-inflammatory fats. The focus of these meals, understandably, has been to provide a concentrated source of calories (1250 per meal and 36% fat on average) in a small volume. And that need for calories has been a great dumping ground for surpluses of corn and soybean oil, industries subsidized by our own government.

Expose yourself to that kind of diet, stress, and sleep deprivation, day in and day out, for months on end…it's no wonder the incidence of suicide skyrocketed. I'm glad the DOD has decided to start to figure out how to fix it.

Zoom back over to Virginia Beach and San Francisco, where inCYST seems to have strong pockets of interest. As I sat there and listened to Dr. Bibus talk about the mental health aspects of omega-3 deprivation on our military, I couldn't help but wonder if these infertility pockets are somehow related.

These military couples aren't just dealing with infertility. They have very short windows of opportunity to do something about it. And if the hubs is coming home omega-3 deprived, it's likely not going to be something that's going to resolve, even with supplementation, in his short time at home.

Because those MRE's are so high in calories and fat, and because omega-3 health is all about ratios, it's going to take a pretty high dose of fish oil to overcome that imbalance.

Seems to me that one of the very best things any infertile couple also managing a military deployment might do…is be sure that somehow, some way, omega-3 fats are a priority. It's going to take the military awhile to figure out how to reconfigure those MRE's, let alone politically negotiate all that subsidized surplus pro-inflammatory fat out of them. You don't have to, and you shouldn't…wait for that. Be sure you figure out how to get your fish oil to your loved one.

For his peace of mind and your future family.

Just sayin'

If you live in Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and Arizona, today is the day you can now buy a megadose of caffeine at Starbuck's, in the form of their new 31 ounce beverage, the Trenta. As you can see in the photo, the Trenta is just shy, volume-wise, of a Big Gulp.

Starbucks is downplaying the calories, saying that these new larger-sized beverages contain less than 230 calories. We all know these calories are not nutritionally dense, and not loaded with the many vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants our readers know they need to be pursuing when making food choices.

Most importantly, however, and what is not being discussed, is the amount of caffeine this 31 ounce drink contains.

Remember, caffeine intake is associated with insulin resistance, as is lack of adequate sleep, which is exacerbated by excessive caffeine intake.

My recommendation? Save the extra 90 cents a day this will cost and over the course of a year…you'll have just over $300, which you can invest in a few nice massages.

Excess, even if calories are not involved, are not helpful when you're working on pursuing balance.