Woo Hoo!

Recently the Embrace Your Heart Blog (also known as the Busy Woman’s Guide to Health) received honors in two online listings:

Top 50 Health and Wellness Blogs to Watch in 2010

and in the

Top 100 Health and Wellness Blogs!

We are glad to know busy women are finding the information they need to live longer, feel better, and stress less.

As always, if you can’t find the information you need, just ask a question and we’ll do the research and share the answer!

Get more valuable information in Eliz’s new book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Heart, or in her Award Winning Blog.

Sign up for free e-mail tips!

Eliz Greene survived a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggled to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and searched for a way to hold on to the perspective and passion she found in her near-death experience. Drawing on her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.

In the midst of a Brazillian pop star, a rock band, a musician, a Hollywood star, stands a Twitter User most people wouldn’t recognize, @mpaynknoper. Who?

Mashable, The Social Media Guide, announced the nominees for the 2009 Open Web Awards today and Certified Speaking Professional Michele Payn-Knoper was one of the top five nominees for Twitter User of the Year.

Michele’s is not a household name, and she likes it that way, but she’s been thrust into the spotlight by her passion to connect farmers who grow our food to the people who eat it. Michele uses her considerable skills in social media to help farmers tell their stories to the world.

Michele moderates AgChat, a weekly moderated conversation on Twitter for people in the business of raising food, feed, fuel, fiber.  It is a virtual venue for participants on Twitter to discuss issues impacting agriculture, such as mainstream media coverage, sustainability, communications, agronomy, animal welfare, USDA programs and perceptions of farming.  Michele and the group also created the monthly FoodChat designed to provide farmers and consumers with a forum to discuss issues in which they connect.  In fact, supermarket guru Phil Lempert participated as a special guest in this week’s FoodChat.

It is pretty obvious why people in the agricultural world think she should be Twitter User of the Year. Why should anyone else care?

First, wouldn’t it be wonderful to celebrate someone who uses Twitter to further a cause? Michele would rather have had us nominate AgChat – but this isn’t the “Best Cause Use of Twitter” award! Her modesty and focus on connecting farm gate to consumer plate is a good reason to vote for her!

If you are a busy woman and/or mother, Michele is a shining example of balancing work, mission, and family. She shares great information about feeding your family and can even tweet while on the elliptical trainer (worth a vote right there in my book).

If you are a speaker, remember a rising tide lifts all boats. Shining a light on a speaker who uses her voice to further a worthy cause raises the esteem of our profession. Michele is incredibly giving within the National Speakers Association family and deserves our support.

If you eat – you should learn more about where your food. Joining the conversation on Twitter is a great way to learn. Help expand the conversation by exposing AgChat and FoodChat to a greater audience.

So, please vote – once per day through December 13th.  She deserves it!

Here is Michele’s reaction to her nomination:

AgChat is held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. eastern via a “streaming” Twitter feed.  A sister chat, known as “FoodChat,” takes place on the third Tuesday of each month, in lieu of AgChat, and is tailored more specifically to the interests of consumers, nutrition professionals, foodies and influencers of food choices. FoodChat gives its followers an opportunity to “meet a farmer” or ask questions of those in agriculture.

Chats begin with 15 minutes of networking, followed by 4-7 questions the community sends to the moderator in advance on the topic of the week. The chat is fast-paced, insightful and, often, colorful. The final 5 minutes is reserved for “pitching.”  Participants can plug their blog, site, product or ask for feedback on a business related idea.

Anyone with an interest in agriculture or food is invited to participate in AgChat and FoodChat. See the guidelines for assistance in how to get started or visit Michele’s Gate to Plate blog for tips on social media and agriculture.

Michele has my vote (every day) I hope you’ll join me. Thanks!

Eliz Greene survived a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggled to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and searched for a way to hold on to the perspective and passion she found in her near-death experience. Drawing on her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.

Have you Woo Hoo-ed today?

You really should!

Last night I finished Kim & Jason Kotecki’s new book There’s An Adult In My Soup. One of Kim’s chapters in entitled “Eeyore or Tigger” and discusses the sort of attitude we each can show the world.  I believe I am a Tigger by nature – bouncy, optimistic and generally happy to be here.  However, lately I’ve been feeling a bit Eeyore-ish. Things have been seeming more difficult, harried, and definitely less fun lately.

So, is life really worse – or am I just losing sight of the “Tigger-ish” moments? Forgetting to celebrate the good things and dwelling on the difficult is a recipe for an Eeyore-ish outlook!

What to do?

Woo Hoo!

A Woo Hoo is a simple, joyous expression of something good. Studies have shown maintaining positive relationships with others (especially female friends) can reduce your risk of heart disease by reducing your stress.

It’s not bragging. It is sharing a positive part of yourself with someone who really gets it.

• No one understands the joy of putting away the diaper bag when the child has been potty trained better than another mom.
• Working from home, without co-workers or colleagues, it is hard to truly celebrate when something good happens. Connecting with other home-officers via e-mail definitely makes it more special.
• Sharing a Woo Hoo with childhood friends on Facebook is a great way to connect with the person you were way back when.
• Shouting out to a group of like-minded people on Twitter can be very entertaining.

Sometimes it takes someone in the same trench to truly understand and celebrate.

So, who can you Woo Hoo?

Think about it.  I’m declaring Wednesday the official Woo Hoo day. Think of something positive going on in your life and share it. For example:

Facebook Status:

It’s been two months and the girls haven’t been late to school once! WOO HOO! (We live 3 houses away from the school, and yet – we’ve struggled in the past with being on time!)

(If someone shares good news on Facebook – leave a comment — WOO HOO!)

Twitter:

Just finished re-edits Busy Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Heart for reprinting! #WooHoo

(note the hashtag: if someone shares good news – Retweet it and add the #WooHoo hashtag.  Search #WooHoo to see lots of good news)

Email:

Send out a Who’s got a Woo Hoo e-mail to a few select friends. Include a short message with your good news and ask others to share something in return.

Of course, you can pick up the phone or Woo Hoo in person as well!

I invite you to take a few moments to Woo Hoo – in fact Woo Hoo right here by leaving a comment!

Be “Tigger-ish” today – TTFN!

Get valuable information in Eliz’s new book, The Busy Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Heart, or in her Award Winning Blog

Wondering how Twitter could play a role in your advocacy mission?

Do what I’ve done — watch and learn from the best.

I’ve been lurking. I admit it.

For the past couple of months it has been my pleasure to watch and sometimes even participate in a Grass Roots Advocacy community on Twitter. It has been quite an education.

You may wonder what role Twitter has to play in generating support and action from a community. To find out you need to look no further than the group of farmers and agriculture advocates known as AgChat and FoodChat.

Yes, farmers Tweet! — and they are very effective at sharing their stories and educating their followers about issues facing the people who grow our food.

Recognizing there may come a day when this community will need to activate and share a common message, they’ve decided to practice. Tuesday, October 27th at 9:00 pm central time the MPKbest campaign launched. Michele Payn-Knoper (MPK) is the spark behind the AgChat community and they have decided to band together to get her voted Mashable’s Twitter User of the Year. (Thus MPKbest)

How to you watch and learn?

1. Follow The Players:

@MPKbest: The campaign Twitter Account – follow for official MPKbest Tweets of the Day

@mpaynknoper: Michele Payn-Knoper:

Speaker connecting farm gate to consumer plate. Nutrition thinking mom. Community social media strategy, agriculture advocacy and food focus

@AgChat: A weekly conversation for folks involved in the business of growing food, fuel, feed and fiber on Tues., 8-10pm ET (created and moderated by @mpaynknoper) You can follow the chat at http://twubs.com/agchat

@FoodChat: A monthly conversation for people concerned about food, those who produce it & the nutrition involved. Join streaming conversation 3rd Tues., 8-10 p.m. ET.

Follow other people you find interesting. I suggest: @JPlovesCOTTON, @FarmerHaley, @RayLinDairy, @GilmerDairy to start.

Here are some blog posts about what MPK and AgChat mean to the community:

Why MPKbest

Honoring Those Who Motivate Us

Embodiment of Service

More Than A Speaker

2. Follow the Hashtag #MPKbest:

The group created #MPKbest. Check out the desciption at: http://wthashtag.com/Mpkbest Creating a listing at What The Hastag?! is a great way to solidify the message. (I’ve created one for Go Red for Women #GoRed4Wmn)

Create at Twitter search field to follow #MPKbest and watch the conversation.

3. Understand The Message:

Several key players got together via e-mail and Twitter DM to come up with a plan – here is what they shared with the community:

The time period:
Vote once per day now through November 15th to secure the nomination
Vote once per day November 18th – December 13th to win the award

How to vote:
You can, and should, vote once per day by going to http://mashable.com/owa/
Signing in through Facebook or Twitter (if you have multiple accounts, log in to them separately.

Nominate @mpaynknoper for Twitter User of the Year (scroll down to the very bottom of the dropdown)

How to spread the word:
Tweet about it — and use the #MPKbest hashtag
Follow @MPKbest & RT the message of the day
Think of newly creative ways to talk about it over the next few weeks
Facebook about it — status lines, all other cross posts.
Blog about it.
Post on You Tube about it.
Ask your friends and followers to do the same — for those who don’t tweet, help them connect by showing how much more info you bring them, etc.

KEY EXISTING LINKS
The mashable election site http://bit.ly/OLfBy (goes directly to the user of the year page

What the hashtag explanation page http://bit.ly/3kn3Aa

Eliz’s initial blog on why http://bit.ly/4EJ0YB

Sample Tweets:

Ag Tweets:
Show MPK the #agchat & #foodchat love by nominating her as #MPKbest (link to your blog or WTHashtag page –http://bit.ly/3kn3Aa )

Agriculture rocks social media — vote mpaynknoper for twitter user of the year props http://bit.ly/OLfBy #MPKbest

Join members of #agchat & #foodchat to get @mpaynknoper named twitter user of the year http://bit.ly/3PYzd2 why? http://bit.ly/3kn3Aa

Farmers, foodies & more — show your appreciation to MPK here’s how (link to your blog or WTHashtag page) #MPKbest

We #moo #oink & think #MPKbest — vote daily http://bit.ly/OLfBy why? (your blog or http://bit.ly/4EJ0YB)

Practice what MPK preaches – speak up for what you believe. I believe #MPKbest http://bit.ly/OLfBy

We’ve encouraged her speaker friends to participate with Tweets such as:

Show the Cavett spirit – Vote fellow NSA Speaker Michele Payn-Knoper Twitter User of the Year http://bit.ly/3PYzd2 (or link to your blog) #MPKbest

Hey NSAXY Tweeps! Show some love for MPK vote her Twitter User of the Year http://bit.ly/3PYzd2 #MPKbest

Making the pie bigger! Just voted @mpaynknoper Twitter User of the Year http://bit.ly/3PYzd2 #MPKbest

Here’s to an amazing speaker who never stops fighting for ag! Vote Michele Payn-Knoper twitter user of the year (link to your blog or WTHashtag page –http://bit.ly/3kn3Aa )

Why we are doing this:
We all come across people who claim to have a mission or passion, but it only lasts so long. It’s true in in the world of professional speaking — we have a lot of people who are cultivating some relationships but how many show their passion and make a real difference every day? Finding someone with true purpose and the fire to make a difference is rare and should be celebrated. Michele Payn-Knoper is one such person. Sure, she’s a great speaker, trainer and friend. She’s more though.

Using her skills in advocacy and her talent for social media, Michele has empowered the agriculture community to give voice to their issues and share their own stories with passion and purpose. The Twitter community of farmers and agriculture professionals is vibrant and active thanks to Michele’s encouragement and orchestration of #agchat and #foodchat. And while she will credit the entire community and maybe single out others, there seems to be agreement that her leadership was the critical kickstart!

Without a doubt, Michele is deserving of recognition for her passion and skills. She is however, far too modest to ask for your vote or assume she deserves it. Which is why the people who respect and value her are asking on her behalf. The Ag community has put together a campaign to get it done – and we’re asking some of her speaker-pals to help.

Please help us make Michele Payn-Knoper Mashable’s Twitter User of the Year. This award is based on the viral nature of social media and requires daily voting through November 15th to win the nomination.

We would like her to get lots of tweets but some of the time we will use initials to keep from overflooding her account & its utility… the hashtag tracking will help her see. Feel free to put @mpaynknoper in a tweet now and then to remind her how valuable she’s been to our community’s development.

4. Participate:

Once you watch for even a short period of time, I know you’ll want to help make MPKbest happen.

We encourage other advocates to vote and participate with tweets such as:

Here’s to an amazing advocate who never stops fighting for ag! Vote Michele Payn-Knoper twitter user of the year (link to your blog or WTHashtag page –http://bit.ly/3kn3Aa )

Follow a leader in advocacy and vote @mpaynknoper Twitter User of the Year! #MPKbest http://bit.ly/OLfBy

Learn from the best – and then … let’s talk about how to use Twitter to make a difference for heart disease and stroke!

As a true believer in the celebrating excellence when you see it, I started the process to nominate Michele Payn-Knoper Mashable’s Twitter User of the Year. Please help make it possible for her to receive recognition for her outstanding leadership and unmatchable social media skills by voting for her .

She’s far to modest to toot her own horn in this fashion — which is just one of the reasons she deserves the honor.

Sure, she’s a great professional speaker – in fact she earned her Certified Speaking Professional Designation a few months ago. She is so much more!

Her devotion to her cause is imspirational. She tirelessly champions the agriculture community and empowers farmers to tell their own stories. Her orchestration of #Agchat and #foodchat Twitter-chats provides rich environments for the exchange of ideas and information. It is amazing to watch unfold.

The Ag community has put together an impressive Twitter campaign to get Michele this award.  I invite you to participate and learn what is possible through this medium.

How do you get involved?

Follow The Players:

@MPKbest: The campaign Twitter Account – follow for official MPKbest Tweets of the Day

@mpaynknoper: Michele Payn-Knoper:

If you don’t follow her already – you are missing out!

@AgChat: A weekly conversation for folks involved in the business of growing food, fuel, feed and fiber on Tues., 8-10pm ET (created and moderated by @mpaynknoper) You can follow the chat at http://twubs.com/agchat

@FoodChat: A monthly conversation for people concerned about food, those who produce it & the nutrition involved. Join streaming conversation 3rd Tues., 8-10 p.m. ET.

Follow other people you find interesting. I suggest: @JPlovesCOTTON, @FarmerHaley, @RayLinDairy, @GilmerDairy to start.

Here are some blog posts about what MPK and AgChat mean to the community:

Why MPKbest

Honoring Those Who Motivate Us

Embodiment of Service

Grass Roots Advocacy & Twitter: A lesson from AgChat and MPKbest

2. Follow the Hashtag #MPKbest:

The group created #MPKbest. Check out the desciption What The Hastag?!

Create at Twitter search field to follow #MPKbest and watch the conversation.

3. Understand The Plan:

The time period:

Vote once per day now through November 15th to secure the nomination
Vote once per day November 18th – December 13th to win the award

How to vote:
You can, and should, vote once per day by going to http://mashable.com/owa/
Signing in through Facebook or Twitter (if you have multiple accounts, log in to them separately.

Nominate @mpaynknoper for Twitter User of the Year (scroll down to the very bottom of the dropdown)

How to spread the word:
Tweet about it — and use the #MPKbest hashtag
Follow @MPKbest & RT the message of the day
Think of newly creative ways to talk about it over the next few weeks
Facebook about it — status lines, all other cross posts.
Blog about it.
Post on You Tube about it.
Ask your friends and followers to do the same — for those who don’t tweet, help them connect by showing how much more info you bring them, etc.

Sample Tweets:

Show the Cavett spirit – Vote fellow NSA Speaker Michele Payn-Knoper Twitter User of the Year http://bit.ly/3PYzd2 (or link to your blog) #MPKbest

Hey NSAXY Tweeps! Show some love for MPK vote her Twitter User of the Year http://bit.ly/3PYzd2 #MPKbest

Making the pie bigger! Just voted @mpaynknoper Twitter User of the Year http://bit.ly/3PYzd2 #MPKbest

Here’s to an amazing speaker who never stops fighting for ag! Vote Michele Payn-Knoper twitter user of the year (link to your blog or WTHashtag page –http://bit.ly/3kn3Aa )

Please help us make Michele Payn-Knoper Mashable’s Twitter User of the Year.

Thanks! Imagine what good Michele could do with this sort of platform to stand upon! Let’s get it for her!

There is something special about sharing good news with people who really “get it.”

I spent the evening at a meeting of the Wisconsin Professional Speakers Association, and have been energized by a roomful of people who “get it.”

One of the best decisions I made in 2006 was to join a Mastermind group. Five of us get together once a month to help each other build our businesses. My favorite part is sharing Woo Hoos.

Mike Domirtz brought us the Woo Hoo. It is a simple, joyous expression of something good. Working from home, without co-workers or colleagues, it is hard to truly celebrate when something good happens. Sending out an e-mail Woo Hoo and getting responses from my group definitely makes it more special. We are all in the same boat and know the struggles. We can all celebrate together.

So, who can you Woo Hoo?

It’s not bragging. It is sharing part of yourself. No one understands the joy of putting away the diaper bag when the child has been potty trained better than another mom. Sometimes it takes someone in the same trench to truly understand.

Sending out a Woo Hoo invites the other person to Woo Hoo right back. Infuse a little positivity into your day – and share it with someone else!

Try it. E-mail it. It’s even fun to say.

Woo Hoo!

Need a tip to eat better, move more or manage your stress?

Wish Eliz would answer your question?

Add a comment below and we’ll provide the tip!

Eliz Greene is the Busy Woman’s Guide to a Health. Drawing on her experience surviving a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggling to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 100 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.