A Healthy Family Starts With Walnuts

Folsom, CA – (August 16, 2012) Research published in the recent issue of Biology of Reproduction Papers-in-Press reports that 75 grams (approximately 2.5 ounces) of walnuts consumed per day improved sperm vitality, motility, and morphology (normal forms) . . . → Read More: Study Finds #Walnuts Improve #Sperm Quality #Infertility #Fertility Info @namamaste .com]]> NEW STUDY FINDS WALNUTS IMPROVE SPERM QUALITY IN MEN

A Healthy Family Starts With Walnuts

Folsom, CA – (August 16, 2012) Research published in the recent issue of Biology of Reproduction Papers-in-Press reports that 75 grams (approximately 2.5 ounces) of walnuts consumed per day improved sperm vitality, motility, and morphology (normal forms) in a group of healthy young men between 21-35 years of age.  These findings are of particular interest to the 70 million couples worldwide who experience sub-fertility or infertility.  In fact, 30 – 50% of these cases are attributed to the male partner, and in the United States the prevalence of men seeking help for fertility is estimated at ~3.3 – 4.7 million[1].

This research suggests that walnuts provide key nutrients that may be essential in male reproductive health.  According to Professor Wendie Robbins, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., who led the research at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing, “the positive finding of walnuts on sperm may be a result of their unique nutrient profile.” Walnuts are the only nut that are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid[2] (ALA) – the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid, and this study reported higher amounts of ALA provided by walnuts correlated with less frequent aneuploidy or abnormal cell sperm chromosome numbers which can result in genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

In addition to ALA, walnuts have high antioxidant content, along with numerous micronutrients that Dr. Robbins thinks may work together synergistically. Co-investigator and UCLA Associate Professor of Medicine and Nursing Dr. Catherine Carpenter believes that  “these findings are not surprising when you look at the nutritious content of walnuts, however the results are amazing considering the impact they might have on men of all ages, including older men, and men with impaired fertility.”

Throughout history, food has been linked with human reproductive success; however most of the emphasis has been on the maternal diet and very little focus has been given to the paternal diet.  According to Dr. Robbins, science is suggesting that a father’s diet not only impacts fertility, but can also influence the health of the child and future generations.  Citing a review of the science in this area, Dr. Robbins commented that, “diet is not just maternal territory anymore.”[3]  It appears the nutrition status of fathers can be passed down transgenerationally and affect the health of generations to come.  “Healthy diet and nutrition are essential for reproductive health,” commented registered dietitian and father Milton Stokes.  Based on this research, he would advise his male clients trying to have children to include walnuts in their diet on a daily basis to promote healthy offspring.

Improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and endothelial function from walnuts are well documented.  The young men eating walnuts in the study conducted by Dr. Robbins experienced improved blood lipid profiles which reinforces these previous studies and provides one more reason to include walnuts in the daily diet.

This randomized, parallel two-group dietary intervention trial evaluated the effect of 75 grams of walnuts/day on semen quality.  The study included 117 healthy young men who routinely eat a Western-style diet.  Approximately half consumed the 75 grams of walnuts per day for 12 weeks, while the remaining half served as the control group. After 12 weeks, compared to the control group, the walnut group experienced improvement in sperm vitality, motility, and morphology – key components in male fertility.

For more industry information, health research and recipe ideas, visit www.walnuts.org.

• Full study access
• High resolution photography
• ·         Walnut recipes utilized by study participants:

• B-roll

-        Walnut Coated Smart “Fried” Chicken

-        Spicy Walnut Bean Dip

-        Mac & Cheese Makeover

-        Honey-Chili Spiced Walnuts

-        Brilliant Chili Topped with Walnuts

-        Awesome Banana Walnut Shake

-        Tropical Walnut Smoothie

-        Smart Spaghetti & Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

-        Wendie Robbins, Ph.D., R.N, F.A.A.N., UCLA Professor; Study Author

-        Catherine Carpenter,  Ph.D, M.P.H, UCLA Associate Professor of Medicine and Nursing; Study Co-Author

-        D. Milton Stokes, M.P.H., R.D., C.D.N., Previous national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association); Owner of One Source Nutrition, LLC

-        Dr. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer, Cleveland Clinic

-        Penny Kris-Etherton, Ph.D., R.D., FADA Pennsylvania State University Distinguished Professor of Nutrition; Immediate Past President of National Lipid Association

California Walnut Commission

The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers.  The Commission is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CWC is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The California Walnut Commission (CWC) prohibits discrimination in all programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance programs.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the CWC offices at (916) 922-5888.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  CWC is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

The California Walnut Commission offices are located at 101 Parkshore Dr., Ste. #250, Folsom, CA 95630

The ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM is a lifesaving gadget that is an absolute essential for any family that has babies . . . → Read More: #ChildMinder #SafetySeat Set #Summer #Travel #Safety for #Baby from Baby Alert Review @namamaste .com]]>

We’ve all seen the horrible news story about a child who died after being left in a car.  During National Safety Month in June, the ChildMinder®  system is dedicated to ending this totally preventable tragedy.

The ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM is a lifesaving gadget that is an absolute essential for any family that has babies and children up to age 6 who sit in a car safety seat while in the vehicle! This innovative system should greatly reduce cases of children inadvertently left alone in vehicles while fastened in their car seat. The ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM reminds drivers with an alarm 8 seconds after the parent or caregiver has moved more than 15 feet from the child in his/her safety seat. It is those few seconds that can mean the difference between life and death this summer! www.babyalert.info
Every year thousands of children are left unattended in and around cars with most people underestimating the potential consequences. In particular, the Southern and Southwestern states see a rise each year during the summer months in the number of incidents where children die from being accidentally left behind in the car. It is every parent’s worst nightmare!

I received a sample product to review and was not compensated in any way, the opinions expressed are my own.

Let me start by saying I am completely aghast at stories of caregivers leaving children in cars whether it it summer, or not.  I don’t think a child should ever be left unattended in a car even if they are “just sleeping in the backseat”.  Besides being unsafe for a number of reasons, illegal in many areas too, it is scary to a child to be left alone, or to awake after being left in a car – so if this system even helps one child not be left in a car – kudos!

Do I think it works? Well, it took some figuring out to get the harness clip and fob to work and when I did I was not as impressed as I thought I would be.  Let me start by saying you have to take your old harness clip off of your car safety seat, which may in fact void the warranty so be sure to check that out first.  Any modifications made to products usually run this risk.  I went ahead and tested the clip without my daughter in her seat (testing this with a child in a seat would be ridiculous), it makes a loud beeping noise when unfastened, twice – which is actually more important to me.  I have never left any of my children in the car, but I have had them unfasten their seat belts while driving.  Now that children are recommended in a  rear facingcar safety seat until 3, I can’t always see what happens when driving.

Once fastened I hit the center button on the key fob and the systems beeped and were activated.  I then had to walk from the back den of my house, all the way outside the front door of my house and into the street before the key fob started to make a sound and blink with a green dot.  I tried a number of scenarios. 1. Walking with the fob in hand, it was noticeable enough but not really annoying or attention grabbing, it sounds like an old 80s cell phone ringing 2. Put it in my pocket 3. Put it in a packed diaper bag (what I normally do with my keys).  Here with the last 2 scenarios is the problem.  As we have established you are someone who may forget your child in the car, it is easy to assume you may forget that you have a system in place to remind you of your child in her seat, therefore; that key fob better be freaking annoying – I mean more annoying than a toddler having a tantrum in a movie theater.  That fob needs to get your attention and hold it.  If you are like me and I believe most people, your keys immediately go in your bag – to the way bottom, beneath a ton of other muffling things – ever seen a frustrated mom looking for her keys in a diaper bag at the mall.  I was able to get far enough away from the harness clip before the beeping commenced that if I were at a fair, a mall, anywhere remotely busy and had quickly left the car, stuffing my keys deep in my bag (which is the only scenario that makes sense for forgetting your child) I would not hear the fob beeping until I got somewhere more quite, or reached into the bag.

A better option is a screaming alarm noise and vibration.

Some specs on the system

The ChildMinder^® Smart Clip System with Single-Unit Key Ring Alarm Unit is typically for households with only one child (ages 0-6 years) in a car safety seat. (An additional Single-Unit Key Ring Alarm Unit for an alternate caregiver can be purchased separately.) Click to Add: Item 005; $28.95

 

The ChildMinder Smart Clip System should greatly reduce the opportunity for a child to be inadvertently left unattended in a motor vehicle while fastened in a child safety seat. The smart clip is deactivated upon unfastening.

 

1. The ChildMinder system performs a self-test upon each use to insure its proper functioning.
2. The ChildMinder system reminds the parent/caregiver with an alarm six seconds after the parent/caregiver has moved more than 15 feet from the child in the child safety seat.
3. The ChildMinder system even serves to remind the parent/caregiver of the child’s presence even when the parent/caregiver has inadvertently forgotten the key ring until the smart clip is deactivated.
4. The ChildMinder system installation takes less than three minutes. Simply replace your child’s safety seat chest clip with the ChildMinder system’s smart clip and place the key ring alarm unit on your automotive key ring.
5. The ChildMinder system will not compromise the integrity your existing child safety seat.

Instruction Manual:

Cick here to download the instruction manual for the ChildMinder Smart Clip System.
Product Details:

• Digital wireless technology

• Easy installation

• Automatic self-off for battery conservation

• Dual low battery indicator system

• Moisture resistant

• 7 Day Money Back Guarantee!

• 1 Year Unconditional Warranty!

System Package [001] Includes:

• Smart Clip

• 2-AAA Batteries for Smart Clip

• 1-Sony CR2450 Lithium Battery for Key Ring

• Single-Unit Key Ring Alarm Unit

Would I purchase this system. Not as it currently is.  As I stated earlier I have more of a safety use for something that lets me know when my dexterous ones have unlatched themselves or each other before they surprise me by climbing up a row in the minivan.  To parents who prefer monitoring children closely, definitely check out the http://www.babyalert.info/index.php website for some high tech gadgets to keep you in the know.

Two new weighted therapy belts are shown to promote self-calming, balance, and increased body awareness by enhancing proprioceptive feedback. The therapeutic weighted belt is effective for infants, children, teens and adults with special sensory needs.

The . . . → Read More: #Therapeutic #WeightedBelt Improves #Yoga #Relaxation for Children #Autistic and #ADHD Info @namamaste .com]]>

Therapeutic Weighted Belts Improve Body Awareness, Self-Control & Relaxation in Autistic and ADHD Children and Adults

Two new weighted therapy belts are shown to promote self-calming, balance, and increased body awareness by enhancing proprioceptive feedback. The therapeutic weighted belt is effective for infants, children, teens and adults with special sensory needs.

The Sensory belt is a weighted therapy belt designed for children, teens, and adults weighing more than 75 pounds. The Miracle Belt is a pediatric weighted therapy belt specifically designed for infants and children weighing less than 75 pounds.

The belts are adjustable and come in a variety of waist sizes ranging from one pound for infants at 14 to 24 inches to six pounds for teens and adults at 34 to 44 inches.

They are made of EVA foam for flexibility and stability along with neoprene weight pouches filled with tiny stainless steel balls. They have been tested by occupational and physical therapists at Community Haven for Adults and Children (CHAC) in Sarasota, Florida. Positive feedback has also been received from occupational and physical therapists, teachers, and parents from all across the country. The belts have also been tested child safe under the strict guidelines of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

Prices range from $49.95 to $89.95 depending on the size and weight requested. Every belt comes standard in black, or blue and pink belt covers. An adjustable belt strap extended is also available for waste sizes over 44 inches for $9.95.

For more information visit www.miraclebelt.com or www.sensorybelt.com

Who is this product for:

Anyone facing the challenges posed by Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Angelman syndome, Apraxia, Aspergers syndrome (AS), Ataxia, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Dyslexia, Fetal Alcohol syndrome (FAS), Hypotonia, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), Rett syndrome, Sensory Integration Disorder (SID), and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) will benefit.

How it works:

Proprioception is the sense of position and movement of the limbs and the sense of muscular tension. The awareness of the orientation of the body in space and the direction, extent, and rate of movement of the limbs depend in part upon information derived from sensory receptors in the joints, tendons, and muscles. Information from these receptors, called proprioceptors, is normally integrated with that arising from vestibular receptors (which signal gravitational acceleration and changes in velocity of movements of the head), as well as from visual, auditory, and tactile receptors. Sensory information from certain proprioceptors, particularly those in muscles and tendons, need not reach consciousness, but can be used by the motor system as feedback to guide postural adjustments and control of well-practiced or semiautomatic movements such as those involved in walking.

What People Are Saying:

“The Sensory Belt is often worn by several of my students for short periods of time to help them calm down to focus on their assigned tasks.”

Jane Foppe MEd,

Autism Spectrum Teacher

“The Sensory Belt™ has had an amazing effect on my son! The belt calms him down and allows him to be better focused so he is able to sit and color, play games, etc. without extraneous movement. At seven years old my son asks for his belt because he knows it’s helping him. Every child who has Sensory Integration Disorder should have one of these.”

Marijane Farr,

Mother of a Child with PDD-NOS & SID

“I gave a Sensory Belt™ to my first ADHD client, and I was truly amazed at the instant positive reaction this boy had. He immediately expressed that he felt the weight of the belt helped him calm his body and reduce his hyperactivity. I had him take the belt home for use with his parents, and the next week they all reported that the belt had continued to help him control his activity level. My client said it felt like magic. His parents said he had only had to use the belt a few times, and that the results had lasted longer each time.”

Terry Alan Hayes, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist (Marshfield MA)

“As a primary care pediatrician I have been truly impressed by the therapeutic benefit of the Miracle Belt™. The Miracle Belt™ has assisted several of my patients with proprioceptive deficits as well as those with poor truncal tone to achieve significant milestones such as sitting, walking and climbing steps. I would urge therapists and physicians working with children with these types of special healthcare needs to consider a therapeutic trial with the Miracle Belt.”

Dr. Patricia J. Blanco, M.D.,

Primary Care Pediatrician (Sarasota FL)

“When comparing the Sensory Belt™ to a weighted vest, the belt is far superior! Weighted vests are cumbersome and the weights do not sit evenly which can jeopardize the benefits of the input they are intended to provide. Therapeutically, it makes sense to provide the weight at the center of the trunk, because this is where movement stability and movement patterns come from.”

Kelly Beins,

Occupational Therapist OTR/L (Jefferson MD)

For more information visit www.miraclebelt.com or www.sensorybelt.com

I received samples of the belt to review and was not compensated in any way, my opinions are my own.  The belt is simple and straightforward enough, it looks quite similar to training belts for weight lifting.  The material is soft and though I do not know the exact construction but can say that it does not leak (I have sandbags for therapeutic use in yoga classes that leak sand from the seams) and it holds up.  I consider this to be an invaluable tool when working with children who are hyperactive or autistic, especially in yoga classes.  Many of these children lack the ability to “feel” grounded, but the belt can help with this.  I even tried this out with my own son.  Although he does not suffer from ADHD or autism, he does have epilepsy which is managed by medication, a side effect of which is hyperactivity.  I tried this belt on him, and who knows if it was the added weight alone slowing him down, but for the times I can get him to keep it on, his movement is more controlled and deliberate and he is easier to relate tasks to – such as “pick this up and put it away”.

When a parent or caregiver looks at the overall cost of therapy and drug treatments, this belt with its $49.95 price tag seems small if it can make a huge difference.  If children with special needs can focus better with the belt on, then they can better learn the materials in front of them, participate more constructively in programming and make faster achievements – I am postulating this as a former educator and volunteer with children with special needs.  The belt comes with a 30 day money back guarantee so it makes sense to me to give it a try, you have little to lose and a world to gain.

Is the Sensory Belt better than a weighted vest?

Definitely! There are a number of reasons why the Sensory Belt™ is more effective than a weighted vest. During development of the Sensory Belt™ many therapists shared the problems they encountered while using the weighted vest. One occupational therapist told us about how one of her ADHD clients began throwing the weight from the vest because he didn’t like the way the weighted vest felt. Due to these types of experiences with the weighted vest our consulting therapists recommended we design the weighted belt with stationary weight. Because the weighted belt is centered around the waist less weight is needed to provide effective proprioceptive feedback for sensory regulation. So the old mentality of 10% of body weight has been thrown out the window. Not only does less weight work more effectively around the waist but it also elliminates excess body heat and discomfort caused by the weighted vest. The belt is also adjustable which provides extended wear as your child grows. Many therapists have noticed how the weighted vest effects posture, especially with children who are low tone. The weighted belt provides children with a solid base of support creating a stronger core which is the foundation of all movement. The therapeutic weighted belt is clearly the most effective weighted therapy for infants and children with Autism, ADHD, and sensory needs.

Summer Weight Gain and Learning Loss      

Healthy Summers Campaign Wants to Prevent Students from Returning

Ahead in Weight Gain and Behind in Reading and Math 

Baltimore, Md.— May 30, 2012—Could the nation’s education achievement gap and youth . . . → Read More: #WeightGain and #LearningLoss Link During #Summer Info @namamaste .com]]> National Education, Health Advocates Aim to Break Link between

Summer Weight Gain and Learning Loss      

Healthy Summers Campaign Wants to Prevent Students from Returning

Ahead in Weight Gain and Behind in Reading and Math 

Baltimore, Md.— May 30, 2012—Could the nation’s education achievement gap and youth obesity epidemic both be improved significantly with a focus on the summer months? Leaders of national education and health groups overwhelmingly think so based on research and agreed to join forces during the Healthy Summers Summit, convened by the National Summer Learning Association (www.summerlearning.org) and supported by the Walmart Foundation.

Their new initiative, called the Healthy Summers Campaign, will be led by NSLA in partnership with United Way Worldwide. It will focus on these main areas:

• Raising public awareness of the health challenges that summer poses for young people;
• Defining and promoting a research agenda that builds upon current findings and informs policy and practice;
• Developing and promoting policy recommendations grounded in research, practice, and expert opinion; and
• Supporting programs, schools, communities, and caregivers by illuminating research findings and highlighting resources and promising practices.

Participants reviewed evidence in a new report, “Healthy Summers for Kids: Turning Risk into Opportunity,” that showed how children gained weight two or three times faster during the summer months than during the school year as well as a century of research that explains how academic achievement slips in the summer.

“The research shows healthier students are better learners, so we’re focused on where things go off the rails—it’s during June, July, and August. Now, the burden is on all of us to do something about it,” says Gary Huggins, NSLA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is to prevent so many students from coming back to school in the fall too far ahead in weight gain and two months behind in reading and math.”

“Research has convinced me that the problem of childhood obesity lies primarily outside the school walls,” says Paul von Hippel, assistant professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He has published research showing that weight gain accelerates for children during the summer.

The research report (www.summerlearning.org/healthysummers) presented at the Summit also addressed how high-quality summer experiences, at camps, in the community, at schools, and at home, can tackle each of the factors that seemingly contribute to increased summer health risks.

For instance, at the BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) summer program in Detroit, middle school scholars designed and held a Healthy Kids Playhouse Health Fair for their younger schoolmates. Their presentation included five healthy living goals: Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, minimize toxins, and reduce stress. Each goal was represented by a station where younger scholars were able to participate in an activity related to the goal led by the middle school scholars.

The Detroit program is part of NSLA’s three-year initiative in 10 cities called Smarter Summers that provides more than 20,000 slots in high-quality summer learning programs for middle-school students with funding from the Walmart Foundation.

NSLA works with four providers as part of the Smarter Summers initiative. In addition to BELL, they are: Higher Achievement, Summer Advantage, and THINK Together. The programs focus on summer learning as well as providing young people with healthy summer meals, physical activity, and opportunities to learn about healthy living.

Other programs from across the nation are highlighted in the report, which is available at www.summerlearning.org/healthysummers.

                                                                                          ###

The mission of the National Summer Learning Association is to connect and equip schools, providers, communities, and families to deliver high-quality summer learning opportunities to our nation’s youth to help close the achievement gap and support healthy development. . The organization serves as a network hub for thousands of summer learning program providers and stakeholders across the country, providing tools, resources, and expertise to improve program quality, generate support, and increase youth access and participation. For more information, visit www.summerlearning.org.

1 – Poor sleep causes crying, tantrums, whining, and fussing.

Beyond the challenge of parenting issues involved in sleep problems – your child’s sleep habits can affect every single waking moment of every single day. A sleep-deprived child is simply . . . → Read More: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About #Sleep #Children @namamaste .com]]> 5 Things You Didn’t Know about Sleep
        ~ Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution

1 – Poor sleep causes crying, tantrums, whining, and fussing.

Beyond the challenge of parenting issues involved in sleep problems – your child’s sleep habits can affect every single waking moment of every single day. A sleep-deprived child is simply not as happy as one who gets adequate sleep every day. Tired children cry more often, lose patience easily, break down in tantrums more often. If you have a fussy kid on your hands take a look at the daily sleep schedule and make adjustments in naptime and bed time.

2 – One in three children wakes up at night.

As frustrating as it can be to parents, night waking is normal. All human beings wake up five or more times each night, when shifting from one stage of sleep to another. The issue, then, is not for a child to sleep all night without waking up, but for a child ro be able to fall back to sleep – totally on his own – each time he does wake up.

3 – The first five minutes of naptime reduce tiredness.

The first few minutes of a nap eliminate tiredness for the moment. If woken just after falling asleep a child can’t return to sleep easily – he’ll have a second wind. Yet, at least an hour long nap is important to refresh a child for the remainder of the day. That second wind doesn’t last long can can easily morph into fussiness. So be on the watch for a child who nods off in the car, the stroller, or in front of the TV. A five minute catnap can prevent a child from having a long, healthy nap.

4 – Early bedtime means better sleep.

The majority of children have a natural, biological bedtime that is early in the evening. Most babies, toddlers and preschoolers respond best with a bedtime between 6:00 and 7:30 P.M. Most children will fall asleep easier at this time and then actually sleep better and longer when they go to bed earlier.

5 – A dark room and sleepy sounds bring better slumber.

Take advantage of your child’s natural biology so that he is actually tired when his bedtime arrives. You can help align sleepiness with bedtime by dimming the lights in your home during the hour or two before bedtime. Also, noises in the house and neighborhood can prevent a child from falling asleep or wake him up after he’s gone to bed. To mask noises and to create a strong sleep cue, use white noise, such as ocean waves or rainfall (use a sound machine), lullabies, soft music, or a radio set on a talk station.

~~~~

        Excerpted fromThe No-Cry Sleep Solution (McGraw-Hill) by Elizabeth Pantley

 To receive a set of parenting articles at no charge send a request to elizabeth@pantley.com.

Social Curation Site Asks Users to Submit Environment-themed Content Collections;

Vinod Khosla to Lead Judges’Panel with Zem Joaquin, Avital Binshtock Andrews, Chip Giller and Diana Dehm

The Earth Challenge: To help spread awareness for Earth Day, Snip.it is inviting users to . . . → Read More: #SNIP.IT ANNOUNCES #CONTEST FOR #EARTH DAY #iPad Great for #Homeschool Project @namamaste .com]]> SNIP.IT ANNOUNCES CONTEST TO SPREAD AWARENESS FOR EARTH DAY

Social Curation Site Asks Users to Submit Environment-themed Content Collections;

Vinod Khosla to Lead Judges’Panel with Zem Joaquin, Avital Binshtock Andrews, Chip Giller and Diana Dehm

The Earth Challenge:
To help spread awareness for Earth Day, Snip.it is inviting users to submit collections of articles, videos and images about the environmental issues they are most passionate about. Topics may range from Clean Tech to Water, Energy Conservation and Sustainability.

How to Enter the Contest:
To participate, users can submit one collection to Snip.it’s Earth Day contest page (http://snip.it/earthday) from now until Friday, April 20^th at 5 pm Eastern. Users are encouraged to enter their collections earlier in the contest so that they have time to gather votes (Facebook likes on their collection page).

Choosing the Winner:
A panel of judges, headed by environmental thought-leader and preeminent clean tech investor Vinod Khosla, will evaluate the collections on breadth and depth of content, originality of thought, votes (Facebook likes), and how successful the collection is at spreading awareness on the issue or solution of choice. Snip.it will choose a winner on Earth Day (April 22, 2012). The judges’ panel will also include noted green journalists Zem Joaquin, Avital Binshtock Andrews, Chip Giller and Diana Dehm.

The Winning Prizes:
First Place:  iPad 3 + $200 donation to an environmental nonprofit of your choice
Second Place: $250 cash prize + $100 donation to an environmental nonprofit of your choice
Third Place:  $150 cash prize + $50 donation to an environmental nonprofit of your choice

About Snip.it
Snip.it is a popular new social curation site that lets you discover, capture, share and lend your voice to important topics and stories as they evolve through articles, video, images and other online content. The site has been featured in several high profile news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, Mashable and AllThingsD. The company is funded by Khosla Ventures, True Ventures, Charles River Ventures, and SV Angel. Visit http://snip.it to sign up for a free registered account.