1. What are you passionate about- Tell us about yourself.  I am a stay at home mom of 4 and I am very active in their schools as well as sporting activities.  I am passionate about helping my community (in real life and online) and teaching my children to do so as well.  If everyone would just take a few minutes of their time each day to help someone else, we could make such a difference in everyone’s lives.  Lots of people doing small things adds up to big accomplishments.

2. How did you get involved with Collective Bias?  I knew John Andrews before he started up Collective Bias and he asked me if I wanted to get involved with a great new company and I’m still here! I have been around since the beginning and it has been very exciting to see how far Collective Bias has come in such a short amount of time.

3. What have been your favorite projects with Collective Bias?  I am really enjoying the Elmer’s projects we have been working on over the last few months.  I also learned a ton of great information about myself and my health when we were working with Genesis Today.

4. What are you excited about right now?  Right now I am excited that school has started LoL

5. Where can we find you on the Web?  Twitter @craftymamaof4, Facebook Kim Janocko and CraftyMamaof4blog, Web  www.craftymamaof4.com, Whrrl Kim Janocko

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The packing of my bags has become a thing of legend. I’ve been asked several times to do a video of how I manage to pack so efficiently. Part of my secret? Travel sized items. Using great travel sized items uses less space in my bag and also helps me get through security faster. It’s true! A TSA employee once told me I had the nicest travel set up he’s ever seen!

My shopping mission began at Walmart.  They’ve just done an amazing remodel at the one near my home. It looks fantastic! I wandered over to the aisle in the beauty section to find the trial sizes of shampoo and such. My favorite shampoo and conditioner happen to come in a travel size. That makes me so happy. I could squirt it into the cute little plastic bottles that are also in the travel size aisle… but this saves me the effort.

In addition to shampoo and conditioner… I like to take lotion, toothpaste, a razor, deodorant, body wash, makeup… wow I could just go on and on. I once had a roommate at a conference who marveled at my selection of hair products.  Without travel sized bottles and packaging… I wouldn’t have great hair while I travel and who wants that!? Hair spray can be a challenge but somehow I make it work.

Walmart has a great selection of travel bags and matching little plastic bottles. This would be perfect for someone who doesn’t mind checking a bag. They come with enough bottles for all of the necessities and probably  few luxuries as well.

The one thing I wish I could find when I travel is my perfume. This is a difficult task. I’ve been told that some manufacturers are making rub on solids of their fragrances. That’s a great idea! I’ve also thought about  asking for a sample from the cosmetics counter next time I travel.

Author Kelly Loubet is a mother of two and writes a family lifestyle blog called Everyday Childhood. You can find her at various events all over the country or from the comfort of your own home on Twitter @childhood.

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Image by Hallicious

Image by Hoyasmeg

For many, flu season started up during summer. I’ve had a number of friends post on Twitter and Facebook that either they or their kids had a cold or the flu. But it’s summer, most of them protested! Ah, the flu waits for no one.

The picture may be silly, but as the kids head back to school we know that it’s going to happen. Someone is going to get sick. And it seems that the flu always hits at the most inopportune time. The pantry is low, the fridge is bare and who wants to take a sick kid (or two) to the grocery store. Especially the little ones.

While it may be back to school for the bigger kids, many young kids n day care or pre-school have been going year ’round. There is no cold & flu season for them. It’s whenever the germs catch hold and won’t let go. Often the little ones are the most vulnerable of the family. And while no one really wants to talk about what happens when the flu takes hold, it is one of those realities of parenting – vomit and diarrhea. Gross, I know. But nonetheless a very real part of our parental duties. Which often come at the most inopportune times.

This year can be different. The image at the top illustrates just how far we feel we may be willing to go to protect ourselves and our family. There is no such thing as a Flu Eradication Device, but if there was one it would probably look a lot like the plastic bag covering the hand. As much as we may want, we can’t put our kids in a protective bubble to keep them from getting a cold or the flu.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or so it goes. Since putting everyone in a protective bubble is impossible, how can we help prevent the onset of a cold or the flu? There are a few simple steps we can take, starting with hand washing. For kids, they’re either a hand washer or they’re not. It amazes me that a child who will spend hours mesmerized by some toy can wash their hands in less time than it takes to actually turn on the water. How they do it is unclear, but they are adamant, when asked, that they indeed did wash their hands with soap and water. Hmm? Not so sure. I’ve come up with a list of 3 things that are easy preventive measures to stave off getting a cold or the flu, which can be incorporated into the daily routine of everyone in the family.

1. Wash hands before eating meal – soap and water are excellent germ killers. Washing hands for about as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday is often sufficient to wash the bad guys down the drain.

2. Keep hands away from your nose and mouth – Our hands are exposed to many germs and by touching our nose and mouth we are transporting those germs into our respiratory and digestive systems. I know it’s a challenge to keep kids, and even adults, from touching their face but it is one step to helping stop the spread of germs.

3. Have healthy habits – a healthy immune system is a first line of defense when we are exposed to germs. A balanced diet, plenty of fruits and vegetable, exercise and proper sleep all aide in fending off a cold or the flu. There are often many activities going on that we, as parents, often overlook the importance of being consistent with our healthy habits. The kids fight us on eating fruits/veggies, they want to stay up late, they have so much homework, they want to play computer games. But we know what’s best and should encourage these healthy habits and even let the kids know that if they get sick they’ll miss all this fun. So eat that broccoli then go straight to bed!

We’re parents though so we know these little people aren’t always going to listen to us and a cold or flu is likely to sneak up on us. What to do then? Especially when dehydration is a real possibility. Here are 3 easy tips to remember if you find yourself or someone in your home down for the count with a cold or the flu.

1. Keep hydrated – we all know the power of grandma’s homemade chicken soup, but sometimes little kids won’t eat much. Enter that pediatrician-approved secret weapon: Pedialyte. It’s like juice, but it’s really a good-for-them electrolyte solution to replenish their little bodies when they become dehydrated. And while many of us reach for lemon-lime soda, those drinks don’t have the electrolytes needed and they are full of sugar which we know isn’t good for them. Now, Pedialyte comes in convenient juice-box type single containers so they’re easy to keep on hand and are designed to be shelf-stable for a longer period of time, allowing us to stock up on them and not have to worry about them expiring before we need them. Best of all, the kids like how they taste and often see it as a special treat. A win-win for everyone!

2. Rest – at the first sign of feeling good we’re ready to race off, especially little kids. They want to play and explore and use this time off for whatever is happening in their imagination at the moment. Resist the urge to allow too much activity. Dehydration is hard on the body. They need lost of rest — and we do too!

3. Flush out and hydrate the nasal passages – Neti pots were all the rage last fall. And they’ll continue to be again this year. Whether it’s a neti pot or saline spray, keeping the nasal passages moist help flush out the mucus as well as the germs.

I hope you all get through cold and flu season unscathed by following the 3 tips for cold and flu prevention. But, if you don’t these 3 easy steps can help minimize the effects of the cold or flu in your household.

About the author: As the new Community Leader for the Abbott Nutrition Pedialyte Singles Tetra Pak community, Sara is supporting parents in helping keep their little ones hydrated due to dehydration from a cold or the flu. Tired of waiting for someday to come, Sara started Saving For Someday as a way to encourage herself and others to find ways to save so they can stop wishing and start doing.

photo of sneezing:  Sandy Jenney

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Some of the fantastic people we met were Scott Campbell General Manager, Integrated Marketing Communications; Mindel Klein, head of digital; and Greg Ross, responsible for Walmart customer marketing.  These executives were there to meet us, to listen to what we had to say and to value our opinions.  You don’t get chances like this every day.

We were also treated to an awesome presentation by Marshall Kappel.  Marshall is the “germ guru” he shared with us a variety of everyday items and how many germs per square inch these items contain.  You would be SHOCKED to see some of this information.  The most surprising statistic was how many germs are in the human mouth.  Any guesses?……OVER 1 BILLION per square inch!  To put this in perspective a bit, your smartphone, (which if it’s anything like mine ends up anywhere and everywhere) has 1,032 per square inch. Yuck.  This of course led to a discussion about how to control the bacteria population in your mouth.  As I sat there I swear my mouth started feeling fuzzier and dirtier by the second!  All I can say is go buy Colgate Total and brush, brush, brush!

I really appreciate meetings like this because it makes me feel like part of the team, like I am a valuable asset to the brand and not just another advertisement for them. You can only do so much through email, a meeting with the brand really seals the personal connection for me. I wish more brands would realize that bloggers don’t just want to be one post stands, we what a relationship, something that we are proud to be a part of.  Thank you Colgate for taking the time to get to know us a little better.

What some of the other attendees are saying:

“The presntation at Colgate was both entertaining and informative. I felt like my feedback was important to them. I appreciated the question and answer session and of course dinner was amazing. Thank you Colgate!” ~ Kelly Loubet

“I’m really thankful to have had the opportunity to visit the Colgate Palmolive headquarters recently. The company representatives took the time to explain the Colgate mission and how the company works continuously to improve through research and feedback from consumers. We also learned about germs and listened to the emphasis on the importance of a clean mouth and clean hands. The company truly has a passion to educate consumers through their campaigns and products. At the end of the meeting the company asked us our opinions regarding Colgate Palmolive, their products and campaigns. I felt the leaders of the company wanted to hear opinions from us not only as social media ambassadors, but as authentic consumers on ideas they could use in the future.”  ~Sara Blake

“From Softsoap, to disposable Wisp brushing, I learned a lot about the company and also learned to pay more close attention to my families dental needs.”~Mitch Chaitin

author info:  Kim has always been the “go to mom” in her circle of friends.  Whenever someone is looking for an opinion, an idea for a party craft or a coupon, Kim is who they come to.  With that in mind, Kim started her blog  http://craftymamaof4.com to share what she is passionate about with other moms online.  Her blog is a mixed bag of information such as craft ideas and tips, money saving tips, stories about her family, product reviews, giveaways, recipes, and photography.

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This means we have to have a stocked fridge and pantry.
Recently I was asked to shop Target for school lunch supplies and tell you about my experience.  First off I already love Target and would choose to go there 1st for every shopping trip if it were closer.  I’m always greeted by a clean brightly lit store, aisles wide enough for more than one cart and usually really good prices.

I started my trip with an examination of my pantry to see what we’ve already been shopping for and made a list of other things we needed.  Like I said Target isn’t that close so I usually plan a trip there around my daughter’s orthodontist appointment.  With the kids in tow (4 of them to be exact) we headed in and followed the yellow “Get Back To School” signs for school specific products and expected savings.  I found not only the typical supplies of notebooks and glue but also the lunch boxes which we always need multiples.  Shaun chooses his and a new water bottle and 2 ice packs then we moved onto food.  If it were up to them they’d choose everything chocolate so I’m glad Target has a decent selection of other foods, like fresh fruits and veggies, yogurts, lunch meats and shelf stable goodies.
I’m not really brand specific for snacks (except for Cheez-its) so as long as there are some wholesome or organic options then I’m happy.  Archer Farms has a great selection of dried fruit mixes and these are great additions to cereal, yogurts and applesauce.  Stocking up feels good when you know you’re getting a good deal on the things you need most and know are going to use.

Melinda Babiak, is the mom writer of LookWhatMomFound … and Dad too! She along with her husband Rob is a go-to source for anything your family needs. As a Nielsen Power Mom and mother of three CRAZY kids, she has the expertise to spot which items rock and which are flops, from toys to apparel and fashion to electronics. Her entire life is focused on her children and family, so she’s always on the lookout for fresh and fun things for everyone.

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The Philly moms were all so grateful to have the opportunity to ride the bus. We didn’t have to drive, there were no restrictions on how much stuff we could bring back, and we were so grateful to have extra storage room on the way back!  We had so much fun connecting, talking and doing a trivia game about Collective Bias on the way to BlogHer. Everyone loved all the goodies that were handed out from Collective Bias brands but I have to say the biggest hit was the Colgate Wisps! It was so convenient to have them in my bag to pull out after lunch, and between parties. The drive back was quiet, relaxing and just what I needed after the craziness leading up to BlogHer and the long days.  Don’t just take my word for it, here’s what some of the other bloggers had to say:

“It was a treat being chauffeured to and from the BlogHer conference while chatting with the Philly Social Media Moms on the bus.  A big thank you to collective bias for taking care of our transportation.”

Heather from Girl Gone Mom offers product reviews, giveaways and helpful articles for families.  http://www.girlgonemom.com/

“The bus ride was great! It was so nice to be able to relax with friends after the hustle and bustle of 3 days of non stop running! Thanks Collective Bias.”

Shannon loves to save money and blogs at For The Mommas (www.fortthemommas.com)

Photos by Shannon

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Jerri-Ann and Toni

Here is what our community members said about attending the event.

I recently attended a Corporate Meeting for Murphy USA via conference call since I was unable to physically attend. There were some terrific discussions and it was great that Murphy was there to listen to what we had to say and that they were open to our opinions. The fact they they even cared about what their consumers think at all says a lot about this company.If your not familiar with Murphy USA yet they have Gas Stations located across the  U.S. Some are freestanding but most of you may have noticed them at your local Walmart.They offer fuel enhancement to keep your car running in tip top shape.

Their employees are always so friendly, you can tell they enjoy their job.That’s when you know that a company is doing their job right. You can also sign up for coupons on their website. I have gotten some awesome coupons such as $2 off $10, Free Red Strike and Free Coke! Don’t forget to sign up for their mobile app as well. It will you find the cheapest gas in your area as well as coupons too.

Melissa Garcia, the community leader for Murphy USA  is a mom of 2 and savings specialist who enjoys getting a good deal.  You can find her at ConsumerQueen.com.

I attended the District Meetings in El Dorado courtesy of Murphy USA. I met many great people who were open-minded regarding Social Media and hungry to learn more. I enjoyed the opportunity to explore various aspects of Murphy USA’s business. I hope to work with Murphy USA in the future with a movement known as  “Social Media, It’s Not All Technology”, to help the District Managers, Managers and employees at Murphy USA join the vibrant online world of Social Media.

Again, thanks to Jay Staggs, Casey Peterson and the entire Murphy USA crew for making this a memorable and informational trip as well as Collective Bias for allowing me the opportunity to join them in such a great trip.

Jerri Ann Reason from Mom~E~Centric is more than just a Blogger (Nutrition, Childhood Obesity & Celebrities), but also an Educator, Sports Columnist and Social Media Consultant who drags her husband and two boys along as they attempt to Constantly Re-Invent Normalcy.

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1. What are you passionate about- Tell us about yourself.  Education, for starters–it is at the root of economic justice and self-improvement.  Until every child receives an appropriate education, we are not living in the best of possible worlds.  I’ve spend my adult life working and volunteering in the field of education, with a focus on literacy, the arts, and technology.  Now that I have a family of my own, I am passionate about their education, health and well-being.

The desire to bring the same opportunities to other families makes me a strong advocate for breastfeeding and for the congenital heart defect community (my daughter was born with Tetralogy of Fallot).

I am also passionate about philanthropy.  Some people shop to lift their spirits–I’m a compulsive volunteer!  I speak with worthy organizations and listen to their challenges and before I realize my mouth is open I hear myself say, “I could help you with that…”

For my limited “me” time, I love good food–wine, chocolate, tea, and cheese–and I love style.  I wish there were so many affordable options when I was a teenager!  I think my interest in art history drives a lot of my tastes.  I try to support independent artists–even if I can only buy a small piece.

I’m a Libra–so I only I have two modes: passionate and asleep!

2. How did you get involved with Collective Bias?  Katja introduced me to John and the rest of the community and I find the concept fascinating!  Seeing how supportive everyone is of one another hooked me.

3. What have been your favorite projects with Collective Bias?  Working with the National Center for Family Literacy and serving as an ambassador for the Elmer’s Bag It Forward Campaign.  These really blended my passions for education, literacy, and volunteerism.

4. What are you excited about right now?  Staying in touch with the amazing women we met at BlogHer ‘10 — especially those who stopped by the Bloganthropy Booth at the Expo Hall to tell us how they are using their social media influence to build a better world!  On a more frivolous note, I get really excited for each new episode of Mad Men, Glee, and Project Runway.  I am also excited about a few new potential educational consulting clients in the toy and craft industry and my new book of local history, Images of Miller Place.  I can’t wait to write another book!

5. Where can we find you on the Web?

Naturally Educational: http://NaturallyEducational.com
Bloganthropy: http://bloganthropy.org
Mamanista: http://Mamanista.com
Army Wives’ Lives: http://ArmyWivesLives.com

Linked-In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/candaceapril
Twitter: @candaceapril
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/candaceapril/

Facebook:
Personal: http://www.facebook.com/Candace.Lindemann
Naturally Educational: http://www.facebook.com/NaturallyEducational
Bloganthropy: http://facebook.com/Bloganthropy
Mamanista: http://facebook.com/Mamanista
Army Wives’ Lives: http://facebook.com/ArmyWivesLives

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26 Collective Bias members were asked to go to Walmart to shop for Dayspring and other products to be able to prepare their own children as well as children in need with school supplies that would help them go Back to School With Purpose. On top of this, four youth groups were also selected from across the country to have conversations and activities regarding the idea of Going Back to School With Purpose.

Currently, you too can be a part of this campaign. Dayspring has partnered with Adopt-A-Classroom to bring needed school supplies to children and classrooms that couldn’t otherwise afford it. Adopt-A-Classrom increases opportunity for student success by empowering teachers with community partners and funds to purchase resources for the classroom.

This Back to School season, DaySpring is celebrating its’ new Back to School products sold at Walmart and their legacy of bringing hope and encouragement every day, everywhere. DaySpring will donate $5,000 to the Adopt-A-Classroom campaign with your help.

How can you join? It’s simple: Go to the BTS With Purpose website to find out how you can join us in giving back to those in need as well as starting some great conversations about what Living with Purpose really means and who embodies this in your mind as well as how we can help others realize and live with purpose in their own lives. I hope will join us!

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The bloggers also put the Bergan harness to the test by going on a family road trip with their pets giving harnesses out to pet owners along their route.  84% of pet owners surveyed were taking a trip, but only 40% had ever used a pet harness while traveling.  The entire campaign was quite a success.  Here are two bloggers accounts of their experience participating in the campaign:

A vacation is not a vacation without your family right? I consider my dogs family, and they always travel with me! This year we took a trip to Lake Erie with the family, dogs included! To keep our dogs safe in the vehicle, we used the ASPCA Bergan Auto Safety Harness. We were one of the contestants chosen as part of the Collective Bias #holidaytrip. In the past, I would crate the dogs while traveling, but I tried the ASPCA Bergan harness this year and loved it!!! The dogs were able to stand, sit, and laydown in the van and be safe!
As we traveled we were to find other traveling or local dogs and do 10 ASPCA Bergan harness giveaways to keep them safe and teach them about the safety of pets traveling in vehicles. We had an awesome time at the dog friendly beaches and met alot of nice and friendly dogs (and their owners), and now they can be safe travelers with their new harnesses. My dogs enjoyed the ride as passengers and not sitting in crates! I recommend to everyone who travels with their dogs to go out and get the ASPCA Bergan Auto Safety Harness. Your dogs will be safe and enjoy the ride while traveling with you on vacation.

-Cecile Gros-gean, blog mom (http://more2lovemom.blogspot.com) Single mom of one boy, girlfriend of a poet, and business partner of a dog grooming salon.

Traveling with my dog for the Collective Bias/Bergan Harness #HolidayRoads trip was completely fascinating. Those of us who “Have dog, will travel” brings people together automatically. It’s like sitting next to another mom at the play area in the mall; you instantly have something in common to chat about. Add in the fact that I was actually gifting my new furry friends (and their owners) a product that would make travel more safe and I felt like Santa Claus. It was a rush, every single time. By the end of the trip, (when I had run out of harnesses) whenever I saw a dog that was not safe and secure in a car, I had the same feeling I do when I see a little kid in the front seat of a car not even buckled in. GET THAT DOG A HARNESS! This project changed my thinking, both for my own dog’s safety in traveling as well as telling other pet owners about easy ways to keep ALL of the members of their family safe while they’re on the road.

-Jennifer Rees lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and writes for several parenting websites including her own blog, www.thebigbinder.com.  She is actively involved in her local community, and encourages others to engage in cultural, culinary, and fun activities and events with their children.

-Jill Hanner New York YouTube extraordinaire with a massive following.  You can find her at Gobo Speaks on YouTube.

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