Fit Factor Network, Inc. launches Share the Health Campaign

DVD donations to provide educators with classroom fitness tools

Fit Factor Network, Inc., a Tampa-based DVD production company, announced its Share the Health Campaign – a program developed to provide free, supplemental exercise materials to elementary and preschool classrooms.

For every Fit Factor Kids DVD purchased at regular price from http://www.fitfactorkids.com/ in January, 2010, Fit Factor Network, Inc. will donate one DVD to the elementary or preschool class of the purchaser’s choice. To launch the program, Fit Factor Network, Inc. is also donating 150 DVDs to public elementary schools in Hillsborough County.

“We’re so excited to provide these DVDs to schools. As a former classroom teacher, I know how hard it can be to stretch school resources,” said company founder, Scott Owen.

Owen continued, “Teachers are being asked to provide more in-class fitness education, like the state-mandated program here in Florida that requires classroom teachers to provide 90 minutes of guided physical education each week. Hopefully these donations will help teachers meet those requirements.”

Fit Factor Network, Inc.
Fit Factor Network, Inc. was founded by Hillsborough County physical education teacher, Scott Owen for the purpose of improving the health of children and families. The company produces the Fit Factor Kids DVD – a 45 minute exercise DVD developed for and hosted by kids. The DVD is comprised of six workouts and three educational Fit Tip segments. For additional information, visit http://www.fitfactorkids.com/.

Contact:
Scott Owen
Fit Factor Network, Inc.
813-767-5546
scott.owen@fitfactorkids.com

Fit Factor Network, Inc. partners with Commit 2B Fit® to improve health education

Tampa, FL – December 18, 2009 – Fit Factor Network, Inc., a Tampa-based DVD production company, today announced its participation in the Commit 2B Fit Teacher Tracker program. The company will donate Fit Factor Kids DVDs for use as incentives for the fitness and nutrition-based teachers program.

Commit 2B Fit co-Founder, Michelle Schecht commented, “We’re excited to partner with Fit Factor. It will allow us to provide teachers with this valuable resource to improve classroom activity. The Fit Factor Kids DVD gives teachers an easy-to-implement, fun, interactive tool to get kids moving. It also helps teachers meet the 150 minute PE mandate for students and most importantly, the kids love it!”

Scott Owen, Executive Producer of the Fit Factor Kids DVD, says, “We’re proud to partner with Commit 2B Fit. Its dedication to improving the health of kids and families is impressive and aligns perfectly with the goals of our company. Together, we hope to really make a difference in the lives of children.”

Teacher Tracker
The Commit 2B Fit Teacher Tracker is a tool allowing teachers to set personal education goals for the topics of fitness and nutrition, track classroom activity and report how they are using Commit 2B Fit tools and resources.

The program’s incentive component encourages teachers to utilize provided tools. With login, teachers track personal fitness and Commit 2B Fit goals, earning points that can be redeemed for personal and classroom incentives, such as Fit Factor Kids^TM DVDs, Commit 2B Fit Jump Ropes, Frisbees, lunch bags, etc.

Commit 2B Fit
Commit 2B Fit is a non-profit organization working to combat childhood obesity and promote overall wellness. Commit 2B Fit teaches grade-school children the basics of nutrition and the importance of regular physical activity through a fully integrated program that is implemented in school, reinforced at home and supported through community initiatives. Resources include nutrition/fitness-related student planners, lesson plans aligned with the student planners, lesson plans integrated into academic subjects and links to online activities that promote physical activity and good nutrition.

Commit 2B Fit was recently honored for Exemplary Practices in Childhood Obesity by the Florida Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality. Visit http://www.icommit2bfit.org/ for more information.

Fit Factor Network, Inc.
Fit Factor Network, Inc. was founded by Hillsborough County physical education teacher, Scott Owen for the purpose of improving the health of children and families. The company produces the Fit Factor Kids DVD – a 45 minute exercise DVD developed for and hosted by kids. The DVD is comprised of six workouts and three educational Fit Tip segments. For additional information, visit http://www.fitfactorkids.com/.


Contact:
Scott Owen
Fit Factor Network, Inc.
813-767-5546
scott.owen@fitfactorkids.com

Michelle Schecht
Commit 2B Fit954-296-7716
michelle@icommit2bfit.com

Healthy Holiday Gift List

Earlier this week, I decided to create a healthy holiday gift list based on products developed by our Twitter followers. I was so pleased to receive the following responses and I'm even more excited to share them with you.

These sound like great gifts on their own or you may want to bundle them with other items in a gift basket (I heard an idea this week for a whole wheat cornucopia that would probably be even better if you included one of these nutrition books with it!) I'm anxious to know what ideas you have too.

There are products for moms, kids, families...just about everyone...but here's the disclaimer. I haven't actually tried these products. I'm simply bringing them to you as options for those hard to buy for friends and relatives. So take a look and let me know what you think!

Mary

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“Nutrition at Your Fingertips” – by @ElisaZied – This nutrition guide takes the guesswork out of what to eat to be healthier. It offers straight answers to the most basic nutrition questions and provides all the tools people need to create healthier lifestyles for themselves and their families.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to eat better or raise healthier eaters

Buying scoop: This book is available at Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, Penguin.com and from other major online retailers. It retails for $18.95, but you can get a 32% discount at Amazon.com or a 28% discount at BarnesAndNoble.com

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SqueezeItIn.com – by @SqueezeItIn – offers a variety of exercise-related products for women with busy schedules (that’s everyone, isn’t it?) Check their website for details on their workout DVD, Grocery Girls Tote, and “Life’s a gym. Work it out!” T-shirts.

Who it’s for: Women, moms

Buying scoop: You can buy these products at SqueezeItIn.com. Pricing for each item is as follows – DVDs $14.99, Totes $7.99, T-shirts $19.99. Each DVD purchase comes with a 15% coupon code for BornFit.com (SqueezeItIn.com’s apparel partner.)

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Around the Table Games – by @AroundTheTable – Family Talk, Grandparent Talk, Buddy Talk, and Teen Talk are conversational games were created to bring families together through conversation. Talking with your family is healthy…VERY healthy, so check them out.

Who it’s for: There’s a game for just about anyone!

Buying scoop: These games are available at several retailers, but if you buy online at http://www.aroundthetablegames.com/ and use Promo Code HOLIDAYFREE, you’ll qualify for free shipping.

P.S. Around the Table Games just launched a Family Talk iPhone/iTouch application as well. This tool PROMOTES family togetherness and family conversations through email capabilities, voice recordings of sessions and downloaded recordings for use in scrapbooking software or for a keepsake…and much more. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/iPhoneFamilyTalk

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Fit Factor Kids – by @FitFactorKids – I can’t put out a holiday gift guide without including our product, now can I!?! The Fit Factor Kids DVD is designed for children ages 4 – 12 and is hosted by kid athletes that are also great role models. Don’t worry, it’s not a program about losing weight…the purpose of the DVD is to get kids up and moving and most of all, to do it in a fun and entertaining way.

Who it’s for: Kids ages 4 to 12 (it’s also a great gift for elementary teachers for them to use in the classroom)

Buying scoop: The DVD is available for sale on Amazon.com, but if you buy it at http://www.fitfactorkids.com/buy-exercise-dvd.html and enter the Promo Code HOLIDAYS, you’ll save $5.00. We also offer additional discounts if you decide to buy more than one copy of the DVD.

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Expert Nutrition Tips for Your Toddler – by @TwinToddlersDad – This 52-page eBook is a compilation of Q&A from pediatricians and dietitians on a variety of toddler nutrition topics. And the best part (to me!) is that all proceeds will go directly to benefit Share Our Strength - an organization committed to end childhood hunger in America by 2015.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to make smart choices about the nutrition of their little ones

Buying scoop: This eBook is available for sale on the Science Driven: Real Toddler Nutrition site.

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Healthy Being, LLC - by @HealthyBeingLLC – This store is a wonderland of healthy products and services. From Tibetan Collection holiday ornaments and prayer book earrings, to organic beauty products and personalized services, they have tons of great products to choose from. The store’s founder, Melissa, provides the personalized service that will help you find the perfect gift for anyone on your list.

Who it’s for: Pretty much everyone

Buying scoop: If you’re lucky enough to live in the Tampa/St. Petersburg (FL) area, you can stop by the store at 425 33rd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL. If not, you can shop online at her website or call at 727.502.3464.

Have healthy products? Tell us about them!

Last week @wutzhealthyindy posted a Twitter brainstorm about healthy gifts and that got us started thinking...what types of healthy products/services do our followers provide that could make great holiday gifts?

So...we thought, why not ask? We're compiling a list of healthy gift ideas and would like to include yours. Just send us an email, reply to us @fitfactorkids or comment on this post to let us know the details, like:

1. Name of your company
2. Name of the product(s)/service(s)
3. Brief description
4. Who is this gift for (mom, dad, kids, teachers, grandma, the postman, etc.)
5. Where can the product(s)/service(s) be purchased
6. Selling price
7. Discounts available

Please respond by Wednesday, December 2, so we can post this list in time for everyone to know for the holiday season. Thanks for Sharing the Health!

It's Fresh Fruit Friday, sort of

We love Fresh Fruit Friday. Really, we love fresh fruit any day. But let's face it...sometimes the selection of fresh fruits in grocery stores isn't all that great.

So here's an alternative -- Frozen Fruit Friday! These little gems are picked at the peak of freshness and are flash frozen, which preserves their nutrients. Other bonuses are that bags of frozen fruit can be much less expensive than buying fruit fresh and provide a variety of choices throughout the year.

Just thaw out your favs (don't boil or you'll lose those valuable nutrients) and enjoy them however you want. Sprinkle them on cereal or in yogurt. Add them to a fresh fruit salad. Mix some with low-fat cottage cheese for a tasty treat. Or make a delicious smoothie. That is how our family started off Frozen Fruit Friday this week -- Very Berry Bonanza!

(Even frozen, you can see how colorful and plump these beauties are)

Ingredients: Frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries, low-fat blueberry Kefir (great way to add extra flavor), plain rice milk

Frozen Smoothie Tip: Fresh bananas going bad too fast? Freeze them! Frozen bananas make great ingredients for smoothies and give them a beautifully smooth texture. Frozen fruits of all kinds are a flavorful alternative to adding ice to a smoothie.

So what do you think? Does your family like/use frozen fruit? How about frozen veggies? (We use those for quick meal options too.) Post a reply or message us at www.Twitter.com/FitFactorKids to let us know.

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Mary Owen - Executive Producer of the Fit Factor Kids exercise DVD http://www.fitfactorkids.com/ - www.Twitter.com/FitFactorKids - www.Twitter.com/MaryOh

Looking for a soda substitute? Try one of these tasty treats!

This week we've posted several articles about the dangers of drinking regular and diet sodas. So this got me thinking...with so many people drinking sodas every day, what are some better options?
My family drinks water. Lots of water. Most of the time we drink it filtered from the tap, but we also love flavored sparkling water like La Croix and often have one with dinner. They have zero calories and a hint of flavor...definitely not overly sweet like a soda...and the bubbles make them fun.

Of course, you can mix plain sparkling water with a bit of your favorite juice for a more flavorful beverage. Add a little orange juice and you get something like Orangina or Fizzy Lizzy. Trying different kinds of juices can be a lot of fun and keeps your taste buds from getting bored.

Another great choice is tea. There are so many varieties (at every price point) that exploring the world of tea can be really fun. Personally, I like my tea to have a lot of flavor. I also avoid caffeine and don't want to load my drinks up with sweeteners, so I go for big, bold, herbal options.

One of my favs is Tazo's Passion (a blend of hibiscus, mango, lemongrass and more.) It's tart, and tasty. When brewed, the color turns deep red, which I absolutely love. Peppermint tea is also very strong and tasty without any added sweeteners. From what I've read, it is also good for digestion...an added bonus.

Rooibos or African Red Bush is an herbal variety that is growing in popularity. It's loaded with antioxidants and tastes great too. This one is a little milder than the other teas I mentioned, so you may want to add a little honey to sweeten it up. I started off doing that, but now just go straight, because I've grown to love the more subtle flavors.

You can buy it at your local grocery store or at specialty stores. Teavana sells many fruity rooibos concoctions and they smell just as good as they taste.

So there you have it. My down and dirty on soda alternatives. I hope you and your family give some of these a try. Let me know what you think, will ya?!?

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Mary Owen - Executive Producer of the Fit Factor Kids exercise DVD http://www.fitfactorkids.com/ - www.Twitter.com/FitFactorKids - www.Twitter.com/MaryOh

Who is your favorite Fit Factor Kid?

When we created the Fit Factor Kids DVD we set out to choose hosts and cast members that were:

1) Good citizens in their schools
2) Healthy role models
3) All around, fun kids

So what do you think about them? Check out the Fit Factor Kids website and tell us who's your favorite Fit Factor host or cast member and why! Write a comment on this blog post or send a Twitter reply to @FitFactorKids. Each time you do, you'll be entered into a contest to win a Fit Factor Kids DVD!

All entries must be received by November 3, 2009 at 11:59 pm ET. The randomly selected winner will have three days to claim their prize.

Good luck and we can't wait to see which Fit Factor Kid you pick!

Answering the call

A few weeks back we issued a Fit Factor Challenge. The task? To make one healthy change in your life to benefit yourself, your kids or your whole family. We received so many great responses - from a friend who is training for her first triathlon, to a father that pledged to swim with his kids each day that week, people really got into the spirit.

Here are a few responses that we thought you would really enjoy.

Christina @JBFTampa had fun dance time with her kids each day and from the looks of these pics, the kids really loved it.



Molli @MolliMegasko organized a walking challenge at the agency where she works. Inspired by a client that runs a similar program at their office, several Arment Dietrich PR employees are working to improve their step count over a 10-week period. Several participants agreed to show off their fancy pedometers for the camera.



Ryan @RyanHaygood pledged to do 25 pushups each time the Tampa Bay Rays score a home run, but for some reason he didn’t want to submit a photo as proof. ;-)

So however you decide to answer the challenge – drinking less sugary drinks, taking a nightly walk with your family or deciding your first marathon – get out there and make a positive change. You won’t just help yourself; you’ll set a great example for others. Best of all...you'll be sharing the health!

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Mary Owen - Executive Producer of the Fit Factor Kids exercise DVD
http://www.fitfactorkids.com/ - www.Twitter.com/FitFactorKids - www.Twitter.com/MaryOh

Fit Factor Challenge: Let's try making a new healthy choice for ourselves / our families this week. What will you do?

- Walk the stairs instead of taking the elevator?
- Eat salad with dinner each night?
- Go on a family walk?

Reply to @FitFactorKids with your answer and we'll post them on Twitter and for our Facebook fans next week.

Thanks and share the health!

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Mary Owen - Executive Producer of the Fit Factor Kids exercise DVD
www.FitFactorKids.com - www.Twitter.com/FitFactorKids - www.Twitter.com/MaryOh