STEP 2
TRY IT
OUT

STEP 3
HAVE
YOUR SAY

STEP 4
GET
REWARDED

Why PINCHme?
PINCHme promises to
SURPRISE
We love giving you products you have never tried, tasted or touched before.

PINCHme promises to
DELIGHT
We make the effort to get to know you so that we can always deliver relevant products

PINCHme promises
CONVERSATION
We love when you share your product experience with your friends
(And with us!)

The post Jeremy Reid, www.pinchme.com appeared first on Good News!.

Omega to Offer Mindfulness & Education Conference and More in 2014

Is mindfulness practice the next revolution? According to Time magazine, it may be. From stress reduction to work performance, from the classroom to the boardroom, from relationships to the dinner table—the benefits of mindfulness are now widely recognized. Omega, a leader in the field for more than 35 years, today announced it will hold an important conference and several workshops on this topic in 2014.

“For years we have seen people from all walks of life reap huge benefits from learning how to bring mindfulness practices into their lives, at home, at work, in schools, and in the public arena,” said Carla Goldstein, chief external affairs officer at Omega. “The promise of mindfulness is that we can be more reflective, resilient, and compassionate toward each other as individuals and as a human family,” concluded Goldstein.

The practices of contemplative education, Social and Emotional Learning, and mindfulness are being widely explored in schools throughout the United States. Research continues to show that mindfulness practice decreases stress, attention deficit issues, depression, anxiety, and hostility in children, while also benefiting their health, well-being, social relations, and academic performance.

The Mindfulness & Education Conference, July 25–27, brings together influential leaders in the fields of mindfulness and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), including psychologists, educators, administrators, and teachers, to explore practical ways to teach mindfulness techniques to children grades K through 12. Internationally renowned speakers will address topics such as implementing mindfulness programs in schools, ways to support Social and Emotional Learning, cultivation of resilience, at-risk youth, and practices that support utilizing the methods of interpersonal neurobiology. Tiered Pricing and continuing education credits are available. Omega awarded 39 full and partial scholarships to the conference, thanks to funding supported in part by the 1440 Foundation, an advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Additional upcoming programs in the field of mindfulness include:

Urban Youth Yoga & Mindfulness, July 20–26, with the founders of the Holistic Life Foundation—Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez, along with guest teacher Sharon Salzberg. This workshop shows you how to teach yoga and mindfulness to high-risk and hard-to-reach urban youth. Tiered Pricing and continuing education credits are available for this professional training.

Mindfulness in Education Teacher Training, July 20–26, with Daniel Rechtschaffen, author of The Way of Mindful Education. This 5-day workshop helps you gain the skills and confidence you need to bring the many benefits of mindfulness to children in grades K–12. Continuing education credits are available for this professional training.

Mindful Self-Compassion: 5-day Intensive, July 27–August 1, with Steven Hickman and Michelle Becker. Self-compassion is a skill that can be learned by anyone. It’s the heart of mindfulness. This workshop is particularly valuable for health-care professionals and nonprofessionals who want an in-depth experience of mindful self-compassion. Continuing education credits are available for this intensive.

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): A 5-Day Professional Training for the Prevention of Depression Relapse, August 10–15, with Zindel Segal and Susan Woods. This is an innovative group program designed to prevent relapse in people who have recovered from unipolar depression. Based on the research of Drs. Zindel Segal, John Teasdale, and Mark Williams, and documented in their book Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, this professional training combines the practice and clinical application of mindfulness meditation with the tools of cognitive therapy. Continuing education credits are available for this professional training.

Mindful Communication: The Path of Wise Speech, August 17–22, with Oren J. Sofer. Mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation, the Buddha’s teachings on wise speech, and the contemporary discipline of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) collectively form a powerful foundation for cultivating awareness and empathy, strengthening our ability to be skillful in challenging situations, and developing our capacity to listen and speak from the heart. Tiered Pricing and continuing education credits are available.

Contemplative Practice in Higher Education, August 22–24, with Daniel P. Barbezat, Mirabai Bush, and more. Under the leadership of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, colleges and universities nationwide have integrated contemplative practices into a variety of their courses. In this professional training, four leading experts in the field introduce contemplative practices, review the related neuroscience research on meditation and learning, give examples of successful courses, and engage you in thinking about the role of contemplation in your own work.

To learn more visit eOmega.org, or call 800.944.1001. A limited number of media passes are available. To apply for a media pass, visit eOmega.org/press.

Follow Omega on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Omega Institute for Holistic Studies

Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation’s most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 200 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and at exceptional locations around the world. eOmega.org

The post Mindfulness Practice Growing Mainstream appeared first on Good News!.

Omega’s Theme Weeks Deliver Something for Everyone

A growing trend in travel, learning vacations pair fun getaways with educational opportunities that appeal to those who want more than just downtime. Omega Institute, a hub for lifelong learning in New York’s Hudson Valley, offers more than 325 varied opportunities, including three distinct theme weeks on its 200-acre Rhinebeck campus. Omega Arts Week, Retreat Week, and Family Week are three of the most popular programs and include a wide range of classes to choose from.

“By dedicating specific weeks on the campus to each of these areas, Omega creates a unique environment where people not only relax and have fun, but also meet others who are also interested in exploring new things,” said Carla Goldstein, chief external affairs officer at Omega.

Omega Arts Week, July, 6–11: During Omega Arts Week, a popular program for the past 20 years, the campus comes alive with music, dance, visual and written arts, and trapeze. Accomplished and budding artists, and creative spirits immerse themselves in their art, communing at meal times and showcasing their work at evening gatherings. Participants choose from more than 10 workshops spanning the arts, including photography, painting, trapeze, drumming and dance, screenwriting, rustic furniture making, and more. This year’s Arts Week also offers a special tribute to Babatunde Olatunji, a world-renowned Nigerian drummer who brought African drumming and dance to the United States. Olatunji was a perennial favorite at Omega, and his legacy has endured.

Omega Retreat Week, July 13–18: Omega Retreat Week brings together a group of extraordinary teachers from many traditions to add breadth and depth to the spiritual path. Retreats range from inward contemplation to outward celebration, all equally sacred. Participants choose from nine workshops, such as Relax & Write® with Maia Danziger, Awakening Your Authentic Soul Signature with Panache Desai, Qigong Empowerments with Robert Peng, A Yoga and Meditation Retreat with James Higgins, and more.

Omega Family Week, August 3–8: Omega Family Week offers parents and kids a unique balance of time together and time spent apart in age-appropriate workshops. Adults choose from workshops like The Story You Have to Tell with Cheryl Strayed, Tennis Inside the Zone with Rob Polishook, Afro Flow Yoga with Leslie Salmon Jones and Jeff W. Jones, and more. Workshops for kids include Super Soccer Stars Camp, Beyond Rock, RoboFun Stop-Motion Animation, and more.

To learn more or to register, please visit eOmega.org, or call 800.944.1001. A limited number of media passes are available. To apply for a media pass, visit eOmega.org/press. Follow Omega on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Omega Institute for Holistic Studies

Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation’s most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 200 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and at exceptional locations around the world. eOmega.org

The post Learning Vacations Offer More Than Just an Escape appeared first on Good News!.

Toy Experts Offer a Sneak Peek of the Hottest Toys of 2012 and
Helpful Tips to Make Holiday Shopping More Convenient than Ever

With the official start of the holiday shopping season only weeks away, Toys“R”Us is ready to unveil its 2012 Holiday Hot Toy List, THE definitive selection of toys sure to top kids’ wish lists this year.

Carefully selected after a comprehensive review process, items on the list are organized by age, from “Baby’s First Christmas” to “Big Kids,” and serve as a starting point to help parents, friends and family find the perfect present for any child.

Finding the time to shop for friends and family throughout the holiday season can be difficult, but this year, Toys“R”Us is making it even easier for gift givers to find and purchase the “must-haves” of the season. With programs like Hot Toy Reservation and Free Layaway, the company is helping to ease the stress of securing the playthings little ones hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

Here are examples of the hot toys for this Christmas categorized by age group:

• Baby’s First Christmas: PLAYSKOOL Rocktivity Sit, Crawl ‘n Stand Band from Hasbro®
• 13 months to 2 years: Cruise Groove Ballapalooza from Fisher-Price®
• 2 to 4 years: Doc McStuffins “Time For Your Check Up” doll from Just Play
• 5 to 7 years: Micro Chargers Time Track from Moose Toys
• 8 to 11 years: Air Hogs® R/C Deluxe Battle Tracker from Spin Master
• Big Kids: Technic Jet Plane from LEGO® Systems, Inc.

Adrienne O’Hara and Kerry Smith, Toy Experts

About Adrienne:

Adrienne grew up playing with toys, including Barbie dolls, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cabbage Patch Kids, Pound Puppies and Power Wheels – all of which are ingrained in today’s pop culture. Now, with a career at Toys“R”Us, she is lucky enough to relive her childhood daily, keeping her a “Toys“R”Us Kid” at heart. As a toy industry expert, Adrienne has participated in hundreds of radio and television interviews, providing parents with her unique insight about the hottest toys and helpful shopping tips.

About Kerry:

Kerry spent her childhood surrounded by classic favorites, including board games, Disney Princesses, Power Rangers and more. But, as the only sister in a family of six, it was all about construction, and her go-to plaything was her box of LEGO bricks. Working at Toys“R”Us is the perfect job, and has allowed Kerry to share the inside scoop on the season’s hottest toys and deals with audiences nationwide, while building her insights about the toy industry – just as she did her LEGO.

The post Hottest Toys of 2012 appeared first on Good News!.