ProfNet Experts Available on New Year’s Resolutions, Mental Health Care, More

NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

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EXPERT ALERTS

• What to Do With Holiday Leftovers: Simple and Delicious Holiday Recipes and Tips
• How 21st Century Cures Act Will Affect Mental Health Care

EXPERT ROUNDUP

• New Year's Resolutions (32 experts)

MEDIA JOBS

• Editorial Writer – San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate
• Senior Market Editor – OPIS
• Reporter – Law360

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• 10 Ways to Captivate Your Audience With Instagram Stories
• Blog Profiles: Food Blogs
• Say Goodbye to Bad Writing: Habits to Kick in 2017

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EXPERT ALERTS:

What to Do With Holiday Leftovers: Simple and Delicious Holiday Recipes and Tips
Chef Elizabeth SweeneyCulinary Director
The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago
"Holiday leftovers have all the ingredients to make delicious soups to keep you and your family warm this holiday season. Soup is great for cold weather and sticks to the ribs when temperatures drop. My grandmother's Knoephla Soup-Chicken & Dumpling Soup recipe is an old German-Russian recipe. You will find the soup throughout the upper Midwest and in the Northern Plains states like Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. There is a high German and German-Russian population in this area. Knoephla is actually German for dumpling. My grandmother would make this on Thanksgiving or other get-togethers to serve a crowd. The soup is great either served with bread or in a bread bowl."
Sweeney is available to share some simple and delicious holiday recipes and tips for holiday leftovers. Here's a link to the Knoephla soup and other holiday recipes from The Illinois Institute of Art: https://content.edmc.edu/assets/pdf/thanksgiving-recipes-2016.pdf
Website: https://www.artinstitutes.edu/chicago
Contact: Carole Carr, [email protected]

How 21st Century Cures Act Will Affect Mental Health CareEdward N. Shearin, Ph.D.
Professor, Clinical Psychology Programs, American School of Professional Psychology
Argosy University – Northern Virginia
"The Act strengthens enforcement of federal mental health parity laws, which to date insurance companies often ignore with no consequences, and facilitates healthcare for Medicaid participants by eliminating the prohibition of separate payments for mental health and primary care services on the same day. These steps are important ones for making mental health services more affordable."
Website: https://www.argosy.edu/locations/northern-virginia
Contact: Carole Carr, [email protected]

EXPERT ROUNDUP: New Year's Resolutions

Following are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to share tips on New Year's resolutions for your readers:

Financial:

Before the Ball Drops, Set Your Financial Resolutions for a Brighter 2017Ken HevertSenior Vice President of Retirement
Fidelity Investments
"The start of a new year is the perfect time to review your financial plan. Even if you don't like making specific resolutions, you can still resolve to identify financial areas that might need some improvement and make some smart financial moves before Dec. 31."
Hevert can speak to the findings from Fidelity's eighth annual New Year Financial Resolutions study (to be released Dec. 13), which reveals that many Americans are in better financial shape this year and predict their future will be bright in 2017. He can also discuss the benefits of setting both long-term and short-term savings goals; the hazards of being unprepared for whatever 2017 throws your way; and the top financial resolutions, the advantages of setting them and what to do to make them stick.
Contact: Julia B. Mellon, [email protected]

Financial ResolutionsScott HansonSenior Partner, Co-Founder
Hanson McClain Advisors
A Certified Financial Planner, Hanson is available to discuss financial New Year's resolutions. He is a senior partner and co-founder of Hanson McClain Advisors, a California-based financial advising firm. He has over 25 years' experience as a financial expert.
Contact: Jasmin Flores, [email protected]

New Year's Resolution: Getting Your Insurance in OrderKeith BrownCEO
Aon National Flood Services

"Everyone is at risk of flood. In fact, you're more likely to flood than have a fire over a 30-year mortgage."
Flooding can happen every single day of the year, whether due to weather events, such as hurricanes, heavy rains or snow melt, or due to burst pipes, backed-up sewers and more. In recent years, we had several major, even historic, flooding events, including Hurricane Matthew, that killed thousands of people and destroyed homes and businesses in Louisiana, Texas, Iowa and elsewhere. Brown can explain what options homeowners have for flood insurance in 2017, including FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and the growing number of private flood policies that now offer more affordable rates and more variety in what is covered. Brown can also explain what changes lie ahead for flood insurance policies in 2017 (rate changes, flood map changes, etc.).
Website: www.nfsfloodcentral.com
Contact: Astrid Greve Spencer, [email protected]

Personal Finance and Goal-SettingDave RamseyNationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host and Bestselling Author
"The Dave Ramsey Show"/Ramsey Solutions
Ramsey is America's trusted voice on money and business. He's authored seven bestselling books: "Financial Peace," "More Than Enough," "The Total Money Makeover," "EntreLeadership," "Complete Guide to Money," "Smart Money Smart Kids" and "The Legacy Journey." His show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on more than 575 radio stations and digitally through podcasts, online audio streaming and a 24-hour online streaming video channel.
Ramsey can address all aspects of personal finance, as well as general goal-setting for the new year. He is well-known for recommending the Debt Snowball method for debt elimination. "Normal is broke -- be weird" and "Live like no one else so later you can live and give like no one else" are commonly quoted Davisms. Along with getting out of debt, Ramsey can address getting on a budget, saving for the future, saving for retirement and education funding, and giving like crazy.
Website: www.daveramsey.com/mediarelations
Contact: Beth Tallent, [email protected]

The Five P's to Achieving Your ResolutionsPamela YellenFinancial Security Expert
Yellen shares the five P's of successful goal-setting that can help people who have failed in the past at keeping their resolutions and achieving their goals: 1) Passion: "You've got to want the goal badly enough that you won't allow yourself to become discouraged when the finish line proves hard to reach." 2) Persistence: "Cliché as it may be, if at first you don't succeed, well just don't give up. Any goal worth attaining is also well worth missing -- as many times as necessary." 3) Planning: "The road to defeat is paved with good intentions. The surface of the 'road to success' is smoothed with actual planning. Successful goal setters likewise require a carefully considered goal-plan that includes among its elements: ways to break the main goal into smaller, easier-to-accomplish parts; a realistic timetable; strategies and resources (including mentors); a system for tracking your progress; and fallback positions for when you encounter potholes and detours -- which you will." 4) People: "Family, friends and coworkers can give you the extra boost you require to reach your goal. Whether they are running alongside you, cheering you on from the sidelines, or handing you advice based upon their own scrapes and triumphs, enlisting the help of others dramatically increases your chances of success." 5) Positivity: "Mental attitude can carry you forward even when circumstances aren't breaking your way. Picture your path as an adventure, an opportunity, a competition and a growth experience. The task is the same regardless of how you view it. The outcome, however, is far more likely to be to your liking if you remain upbeat and optimistic at each step along the way."
Yellen is a financial investigator and the author of two New York Times bestselling books, including her latest, "The Bank on Yourself Revolution: Fire Your Banker, Bypass Wall Street, and Take Control of Your Own Financial Future." Pamela investigated more than 450 financial strategies seeking an alternative to the risk and volatility of stocks and other investments, which led her to a time-tested, predictable method of growing wealth now used by more than 500,000 Americans.
Online Press Kit: www.pamelayellen.presskit247.com
Website: www.BankOnYourself.com
Contact: Jennifer Thomas, [email protected]

Personal FinanceMichelle BrownsteinCertified Financial Planner
Brownstein, a Certified Financial Planner with Personal Capital, the leading digital wealth management firm, shares the following personal finance tips for those resolving to improve their finances: 1) Create a Paper Budget: Before you embark on your shopping trips, note every family member, friend or co-worker you'll be shopping for and plan a maximum amount for each one. 2) Know Your Number: The number should be taken as the amount you want to spend during the holidays, and can be broken down on a per-person level. 3) Track Your Spending as You Go: Set a monthly spending goal with Personal Capital's spending tool to make sure you receive an alert when you're running hot. 4) Pay With Cash: Once you've established a spending budget you are comfortable with, ensure you stick to it by taking out the full amount of cash you need for all of your holiday spending. Since you'll eventually run out, this will help you take a close look at individual purchases. 5) Use Credit With Care: If you opt to use credit, make sure you are being diligent about sticking to your budget by tracking every purchase. Since every purchase will need to be paid back, make sure that you do not rack up excess amounts of interest on top of your balance each month. 6) Check for Coupon Codes and Sales: Even if you decide to skip Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are plenty of top retailers announcing sales throughout the holiday season. Sites such as RetailMeNot can help you find coupon codes to apply to your cart.
To help people start on the right financial track in 2017, Personal Capital has also created a 30-day money challenge so people can stick to those financial resolutions; more info is available at the link below.
30-Day Money Challenge: https://www.personalcapital.com/blog/retirement-planning/30-day-money-cleanse-week-1-awareness/
Website: http://www.personalcapital.com
Contact: Alia Dudum, [email protected]

Personal-Finance ResolutionsLarry JacobsonPersonal Finance Instructor
Online Trading Academy
Jacobson is a personal finance instructor at Online Trading Academy and is available to advise on personal-finance-related New Year's resolutions. Specifically, Jacobson can speak to the importance of financial planning, time and growth of money, the value of a personal budget, the cost of procrastination, the value of paying yourself first, how to choose your financial planning team and the automation of billing. Jacobson recommends setting goals to achieve your desired financial outcome. To create successful goals, he recommends that they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Goals become helpful when you have a plan that guides you through the steps and motivates you to action. In these uncertain economic times, it is important for everyone to understand how to handle their own personal finances.
Contact: Brooke Ferreri, [email protected]

General Tips:

Keeping New Year's ResolutionsSteve SieboldPsychological Performance Coach
Siebold, author of "177 Mental Toughness Secrets of The World Class," offers these tips on keeping New Year's resolutions: 1) Expect to feel pain or suffering. Most people run into an obstacle and seek escape. Have a plan to push forward when this happens. If you're not ready to suffer during adversity, you're not going to be successful. 2) Don't focus on how to do it; rather, ask yourself why you should do it: "Why do I want this goal to become a reality?" The intensity of emotion with which this question is answered will determine whether the dream comes alive or dies. 3) Get really clear about what you want to change. Don't just say, "I want to lose weight," but get specific and say, "By March 1, I want to lose 15 pounds. I'm going to eat well, exercise each day and get really committed to doing this once and for all." Setting a timeline will help avoid procrastination. 4) Realize that 99% compliance is failure. You wouldn't cheat on your spouse in a committed relationship, so don't cheat on something as important as your resolutions. 5) 77% of what we say to ourselves is negative. Don't give into the negative thoughts that the goal is impossible. Keep asking yourself, "How can I make this happen?" 6) Feed your visions and starve your fears by creating a vision board. If you want to lose weight for example, cut out pictures of really fit people and tape them on a poster board. Hang the vision board in a very visible location. This will reinforce the goals into your subconscious. 7) Add a support system or accountability. Go after your goals with a partner who really makes you push yourself. Even better, find someone who has already achieved what you are setting out after and have them coach you. 8) Write a letter describing your life to a friend, detailing the way you want things to be in five years. Some prefer one year, others like three years. It's whatever motivates you the most. Read this letter every day and it will help keep you on track.
Website: http://mentaltoughnesssecrets.net
Contact: Bruce Serbin, [email protected]

Five Questions and Tips to Energize Your Goals for 2017
Dr. Bradley NelsonVeteran Holistic Physician, International TrainerDr. Nelson, bestselling author of the "The Emotion Code," can share how people can align their emotions with their goals to avoid self-sabotage from emotional baggage -- unresolved "trapped" emotions that cause people to act in ways that are contrary what they say they want to achieve. Dr. Nelson shares these questions to help people identify and resolve unconscious blocks to success: What needs to be released in order for me to accomplish this goal? Am I OK with achieving my goal? Do I deserve to achieve my goal? Am I blocked from achieving my goal? Is there anything negative related to me accomplishing my goal, such as more work, potential negative effect on others? Dr. Nelson also provides these additional tips: Make a goal calendar, and mark off each day. Write down your goals and journal your experiences. The more involved you are with your goals, the more likely you are to succeed. Tell your friends about your goals. You can even tell your Facebook friends. Accountability is a big motivator. Make weekly progress notes, photos, etc. "Part of the problem with goals is that we tend to get depressed if we don't meet them," Dr. Nelson says. "It's important that we aren't too hard on ourselves if we don't make our goals. Just the fact that you are trying is a great achievement and if you don't make your goals, try again."Dr. Nelson has lectured internationally on the natural healing of chronic illness and successfully treated patients from across the U.S. and Canada for more than 20 years. He has trained more than 2,000 practitioners worldwide on how to help people overcome unresolved anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness and other negative emotions and the physical symptoms associated them. He is one of the world's foremost experts in the emerging fields of bioenergetic medicine and energy psychology. His bestselling book, "The Emotion Code," is helping people all over the world to improve their lives easily and quickly.
Book: www.EmotionCodeGift.com
Online Press Kit: http://www.drbradleynelson.onlinepresskit247.com
Websites: www.DrBradleyNelson.com and www.EmotionCode.TV
Contact: Jennifer Thomas, [email protected]

Resolution SolutionMaggie Geraci, RDDirector of Nutrition
Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center
"A new year, a new you. How many times do we have to hear that before we fully realize that only the first three words are accurate? You are you; changing the year means nothing. And yet, as 2016 draws to a close, untold millions of people are crafting elaborate resolutions that they will share with family and friends, perhaps even put into their phones as a daily reminder. It is as if the new year possesses some sort of magic to make all things possible. These resolutions, though well-intended, are rarely realistic. A woman decides she will fit into her pre-baby jeans by February; a man claims he will bench-press 200 lbs. in the same time frame. Of course, this behavior is strongly encouraged by the world of marketing, fitness and advertising because, by and large, resolutions are concerned with weight reduction or improving fitness. None of us need to turn the page to see how this chapter ends. Resolutions, usually unattainable, are a set up to fail. Here's a solution: don't do it. This year, don't place unrealistic expectations on yourself; be kind to yourself. Instead of harsh resolutions around your weight or fitness, why not consider a couple of intentions for 2017? Maybe you want to take a pottery class or learn a new language? Perhaps you have been thinking about joining a philanthropic organization. If you turn the intention into reality, great; if not, that's okay."
Website: www.timberlineknolls.com
Contact: Mary Anne Morrow, [email protected]

Five Keys to Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions
Dr. Frieda BirnbaumResearch Psychologist, PsychoanalystDr. Birnbaum shares these keys to making your New Year's resolutions work: "1) Baby steps: Keep your perspective small. A large project will feel overwhelming and you will feel defeated. 2) Structure your time: Be organized with every hour and ensure that your time is being best utilized to focus on your New Year's resolution. 3) Do not write your New Year's resolution down: You will feel indebted. Start when you are ready. 4) Keep your resolution on the down-low: The more people you tell, the more likely you will become happy with having people hear about your New Year's resolution as opposed to carrying it out. 5) Enjoy the process: You will feel a sense of satisfaction each time you take a step forward."
Based in the New York metro area, Dr. Birnbaum is a research psychologist, psychoanalyst and author of "Life Begins at 60: A New View on Motherhood, Marriage, and Reinventing Ourselves." She's an expert on depression, women's issues, and attaining happiness.
Contact: Ryan McCormick, [email protected]

Choosing Your Words WellMay McCarthySerial Entrepreneur, Angel Investor
More often than not, we believe we are setting good New Year's resolutions with statements like: My goal is to make more money; I want to find the love of my life; I want to lose 20 pounds. According to May, you will never meet your goals with statements like those. Because they affirm the idea that you do not yet have what you want, they will actually keep you stuck in the lack you believe you are experiencing. Modify those statements with specifics, and in gratitude for your goals as though they are already complete, and the world you want is yours, says May. Choosing the right words to declare your intention is just one of seven steps May suggests for attaining abundance. To be most effective in activating your subconscious and intuition to help you see more opportunities to achieve your goals, the seven steps should be practiced daily. You can begin this New Year's by phrasing your resolutions to describe the good you want to have so that you can realize it sooner.
Most people have experienced intuition, but they don't know where it comes from and they haven't experienced great success relying on it. McCarthy has spent 32 years uncovering the mystery of how to rely on intuition to experience great levels of success, financial abundance, and freedom. She is a successful serial entrepreneur, CEO, angel investor, philanthropist, speaker, and author who has grown six profitable companies to as large as 250 employees and over $100 million in annual revenues. She serves on business, philanthropic, arts and university boards, and is the author of the bestselling book "The Path to Wealth: Seven Spiritual Steps for Financial Abundance" (Hierphant Publishing, 2015).
Website: www.MayMcCarthy.com
Contact: Emily Maloney, [email protected]

New Year's ResolutionsJonathan AlpertPsychotherapist
Alpert, a Manhattan psychotherapist, columnist, executive coach, and author of "Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days," can provide concrete and actionable tips for readers to achieve a range of goals, including weight loss, getting into shape, finding love, improving their careers, and more.
Contact: [email protected]

Mental Health, Wellness:

Mental Health and Wellness Tips for a Successful New YearChinwe WilliamsPh.D., LPC, NCC, CPCS
Associate Professor
Argosy University, Atlanta
As you develop your New Year's resolutions, it is important to prioritize mental health and wellness goals. Dr. Williams offers these tips: 1) Limit the use of technology: "The amount of time we spend on technology is astonishing and can impact us socially and psychologically. While technology can provide a nice escape from life stressors, our attachment to technology can also breed isolation. Taking a break from technology is a great way to give your brain some much needed downtime, allowing creativity to flow in." 2) Take a hike: "Movement-based practices have been shown to boost endorphins, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and help clear your head of thoughts, making room for sharper focus. Try to commit to brief, but regular, exercise practices. Yoga, Zumba, or hiking are just a few activities that can calm your mind and body." 3) Nurture important relationships: "Relationships need maintenance, just like anything else. There's nothing like real face time, sharing the same space and breathing the same air as another human being. Plan to spend time with loved ones just to unwind, laugh, and have some old-fashioned fun." 4) Begin journaling: "The first step in improving your mental and emotional health is recognizing your thoughts and emotions, and understanding the root of them. Expressing yourself through writing can help to ease mental discomfort by releasing negative, destructive emotions. Be sure to start or end each journaling session by including what you are most grateful for." 5) Don't be afraid to say "no": Although "no" only has two letters, it might as well be a four-letter word for some. We've all suffered from the "disease to please." Saying yes when you want to say no often leads to feeling overwhelmed and sometimes resentful. It can also do a disservice to yourself and the person making the request." 6) Be compassionate with yourself: Whatever your resolutions are, remember to be kind to yourself. Tackling a new challenge is not always easy. The road to progress is pebbled with ups and downs and frequent setbacks. Setting extremely high or unrealistic expectations for yourself increases the likelihood that you may not meet them, which can reinforce feelings of shame or self-doubt. Don't beat yourself up! Remain persistent, recognize your accomplishments -- no matter how small -- and be patient with yourself."
Website: https://www.argosy.edu/locations/atlanta
Contact: Carole Carr, [email protected]

Improving Your Sleep in the New YearRichard Shane, Ph.D.
Founder
Sleep Easily, LLC
"Lack of sleep can affect almost all areas of health, including decreasing the risks of illness, weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, soaring stress levels, anxiety and depression. It's one thing you can address early in the year that will affect your health all year long."
Based in Boulder, Colo., Dr. Shane is a sleep expert and psychotherapist with over 20 years' experience in a clinical setting. He is the author of the "Sleep Easily Method Sleepguide," and can comment on sleep and improving health during the new year and how this can improve overall health.
ProfNet Profile: www.profnetconnect.com/drshane
Website: www.sleepeasily.com
Contact: Mary Cochran, [email protected]

Mindfulness and IntrospectionRachel WeingartenAuthor
"A lot of people think they need to start meditating or taking full-day tech Sabbaths, or make a resolution to Zen out that puts too much pressure on them. Sometimes simply starting or ending a stressful day with a short period of introspection or connection can change the feeling and trajectory of your day."
Weingarten is the author of "Ancient Prayer: Channeling Your Faith 365 Days of the Year" (Fall River Press, 2016), a great book to help people with their daily mindfulness resolutions. In addition, Weingarten also leads "60-Second Spirituality" workshops and corporate spirituality and acceptance in the workspace.
Contact: [email protected]

A New Approach to Dealing With Stress and Personal ChallengesRichard Citrin, Ph.D., MBA
In his recently published book, "The Resilience Advantage," Citrin presents a new model of how we all can develop a new approach to dealing with stress, personal challenges and life's adversities: "Setting up New Year's resolutions is a fatally flawed strategy because we usually lack the experience and practice of making real life changes and trying to make them once a year just doesn't work. Instead, we want to develop skills in changing our mindset, how we view and interact with the world, and how we think about ourselves in our world. Furthermore, as an organizational and counseling psychologist, clients at work and at home tell me that they want to live more gracefully and easily in the world. They want to reduce their stress, find more downtime and enjoy themselves and their families and friends. This is not something that can be attained through a 'resolution,' which tends to force us to do something but instead requires a change in how we live in the world and which may be a commitment for a lifetime."
Bio: http://www.citrinconsulting.com/about/richard-citrin/
Contact: [email protected]

Understanding GenerosityAndy Hogue, Ph.D.
Lecturer in Political Science; Director, Civic Education and Community Service Program
Baylor UniversityDr. Hogue advises Americans to resolve to be more generous in the New Year: "What does it mean to be a generous person? Whatever our station, however much money or resources we have, we all have something to share and something to give. I like the idea of thinking in terms of a New Year's resolution, sort of resolving to be more generous and helping people to think in those ways."
Tips: http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=150379
Bio: http://www.baylor.edu/philanthropy/index.php?id=99358
Contact: Lori Fogleman, +1-254-710-6275

Five Strategies to Become More Courageous in 2017
Anne Grady
Internationally Recognized Speaker, Author, Consultant
One key to acting with courage is to learn to see uncomfortable situations as a catalyst for growth, a lesson Grady says we can learn from, of all things, lobsters: "Besides being absolutely delicious, these sea creatures have got this whole courage thing figured out. When a lobster grows, its shell becomes constricting and uncomfortable. The shell doesn't grow with the lobster, so in order to grow, the lobster has to shed its shell to grow a bigger one. The only way for the lobster to grow is for it to be uncomfortable and vulnerable while it's making a bigger, better shell. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is being afraid and working through the discomfort. Just like the lobster, it means taking off your shell and being vulnerable."
Here are some of Grady's strategies for facing fear and building courage: 1) Identify your fear and describe it. Name it; 2) Pay attention to your physical reactions. Simply recognizing increased heart rate or sweaty palms can alert you to take a few deep breaths; 3) Identify the root cause of your fear; 4) Reframe your thoughts and talk to yourself. I say, "Ok, Anne. You've got this"; 5) Take action, even if it's something small. "Look within yourself. What are you really afraid of? How much is anxiety and emotionally driven fear? What are action steps that you can work through instead of being afraid? It's helpful to distinguish the emotional from the logical."
Grady has overcome fear in raising a son with severe mental illness and facing surgery and radiation treatments, to share lessons from her winning formula for overcoming life's inevitable setbacks: courage + resilience = triumph. With a master's degree in organizational communication, Grady started her own company as speaker and consultant to top corporations despite daunting challenges she outlines in her new TEDx talk. She shares humor, humility, refreshing honesty and practical strategies anyone can use to triumph over adversity and master change. Her new book is "Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience, and Triumph." She is also the author of "52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work."
Website: www.GetStrongEnough.com
Online Press Kit: http://annegradygroup.onlinepresskit247.com
TEDx Talk: http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/It-s-About-Time-You-Realized-Yo
Contact: Jennifer Thomas, [email protected]

Create a Life You Love Through the Power of LanguageJosselyne Herman-SaccioSeminar Leader
Landmark
On the importance of the words we use and how we can use words to create a powerful, fulfilling life: "There are two kinds of language: language that describes and language that creates. To create a life you love, it's most important to understand how we use language that creates: 1) Vocabulary is critical to shaping how we view the world. For example, if you hold up two fingers, the vocabulary of "body parts" would show you just those two fingers; the vocabulary of "numbers" would show you the number 2; the vocabulary of "symbols" would show you a peace sign; 2) Distinguishing is separating the facts from our interpretation of the facts. There's what happened, then there's our story about what happened; 3) Know yourself – get clear about what you're committed to. Choose an area of your life that's important to you, identify what you're committed to in that area, and then communicate it clearly to key people in your life who are involved in that area; and 4) Create new futures – discover unused potential in language to create new outcomes and new relationships. Choose your vocabulary, distinguish facts from your interpretation and get clear on your commitments. Working these tools in concert with one another can create a new reality in areas of your life that have previously been 'problem areas.'"
Herman-Saccio is a communication expert and seminar leader for Landmark, a personal and professional growth, training and development company that's had more than 2.4 million people use its programs to cause breakthroughs in their personal lives and communities, generating more than 100,000 community projects around the world. In The Landmark Forum, Landmark's flagship program, people cause breakthroughs in their performance, communication, relationships and overall satisfaction in life.
Website: www.LandmarkWorldwide.com
Online Press Kit: http://josselynehermansaccio.onlinepresskit247.com
Contact:  Michelle Tennant Nicholson, [email protected]

Nutrition/Fitness:

Healthy Eating and Skin NutritionLisa Cohn, RDNutrition Expert
miVIP Surgery Centers
Cohn offers these New Year's resolutions: 1) "Spice up your life in 2017. Fresh herbs and spices offer health-boosting properties." 2) "Eat fresh foods (and stop grabbing processed foods on-the-go). Try taking a cooking lesson or join a friend for some at-home kitchen fun." 3) "Stop drinking sugar and artificial sweeteners. Skip soda, juice, sweetened and diet beverages for one week, then aim for longer periods of time moving forward." 4) "Eat less meat. Go vegetarian three days a week!"
Cohn is available to discuss resolutions related to healthy eating, obesity, women's health, pregnancy and skin nutrition. She is also an expert in ingredients for various diets and ways to incorporate them in 2017 cooking.
Contact: Devin Pence, [email protected]

Weight Loss, Superfoods, Food Trends
Dr. Jenna BellSenior Vice President and Lead Dietitian
Pollock Communications
With more than 20 years of RD experience, Dr. Bell is available to discuss nutrition, weight loss and fitness as we approach 2017. She can also elaborate on upcoming superfoods, consumer shopping insights, and food trends that will (or won't) be top-of-mind for consumers in 2017. This information is based on a recent national survey that targeted more than 1,700 registered dietitians to predict next year's major food trends.Dr. Bell is the lead dietitian at Pollock Communications, an NYC-based health, nutrition and wellness public relations firm. She is the co-author of "Energy to Burn: The Ultimate Food & Nutrition Guide to Fuel Your Active Lifestyle" (John Wiley & Sons, 2009) and "Launching Your Dietetics Career" (ADA, 2011). Dr. Bell's expertise has been featured in Us Weekly, Self Magazine, Fitness magazine, Pilates Style, Outside Magazine, Men's Health, Runner's World, IDEA Fitness Journal, IDEA Health and Fitness Source, IDEA Personal Trainer, other print publications and on the web. She's been published in scientific journals, and appeared on the Daily Buzz, ABC, NBC and FOX affiliates, local and national radio programs and podcasts.
Full Bio: http://www.swimbikeruneat.com/meet-jenna/
Contact: Alisha Zaveri, [email protected]

Weight LossLaura Gail DiamondAce Certified Personal Training
"Everyone is making news resolutions now, especially about weight loss. So what makes someone more successful than the other? It is the goal and how the goal is written. For example, many people are saying that they just would like to lose weight, but have been unsuccessful in the past. The person that was successful said, "I will lose one pound a week for two months. I will start out by walking around the block every day and increasing my speed and distance every day until I will get up to a mile a day. Which goal do you think will be more successful?"
Diamond has been actively working in the health and fitness field for over seven years. She is the recipient of three IDEA Inspiration Medals. Recently, she was featured on a national talk show as a health and fitness expert. She was also interviewed by radio talk show host Mark Alyn from "Late Night Health," which airs on KABC. She has also been interviewed by author Elizabeth Noble for her book, "Having Twins and More." She was also a contributor to Telemundo.com as a fitness expert.
Contact: [email protected]

A New Approach to DietingMeredith David, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marketing, Hankamer School of Business
Baylor UniversityDr. David's research shows how health-plan successes are determined by "approach" or "avoidance strategies": "Our research shows that instead of creating rules to avoid one's favorite treats, dieters should focus on eating healthy foods that they enjoy. Dieters who restrict themselves from consuming the foods they love most may be setting themselves up for failure. Instead, they may be better off by allowing occasional 'treats' and focusing attention on healthy foods that they enjoy and making it a point to include those tasty but healthy foods in their diet."
Research: https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=170999
Bio: http://business.baylor.edu/directory/?id=Meredith_David
Contact: Eric Eckert, [email protected]

Organizing/Cleaning:

Create Zones for a More Organized 2017Nina WardRegional Director and Designer
ShelfGenie
"Keep in mind that looking clean isn't the same as being organized. The first step to kitchen efficiency is creating zones for everything you own. Claim separate cabinets for bakeware, kitchenware, countertop appliances, dishes -- you name it. You should also have designated drawers for utensils, knives, utility items, and so on. By creating zones in your kitchen, it'll be easy to remember exactly where your juicer or bottle opener are -- which means cooking, cleaning, and unloading the dishwasher will be quick and simple."
Ward is a regional director and designer at ShelfGenie, a leader in customized storage solutions.
Contact: Anne Whealdon, [email protected]

Clearing Out ClutterElise King, MID
Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Baylor University
King, Baylor's design historian, who is herself streamlined when it comes to knickknacks and the clothes closet, says there is "an ebb and flow over time" of non-essential vs. busy when it comes to architectural styles and interior design -- including "stuff." These days, what is increasingly emerging is not only digital clutter, but "digital debris" that spills over into the physical, she says. This can include Amazon's 'dash buttons,' tangled cords and printer paper, digital art, DVRs, etc.
Research: https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=158395
Bio: http://www.baylor.edu/fcs/index.php?id=98054
Contact: Terry Goodrich, +1-254-710-3321

Parenting/Family:

Focus on Your Family – Spend Time at HomeKaren K. Melton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Child and Family Studies, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
Baylor UniversityDr. Melton produced research on family time and what pastimes are a more effective route to happiness. While research results suggest that all quality time together contributes to satisfaction with family life, "all family leisure is not equal," she said. "The best predictor of happiness for families may be spending quality time together in familiar activities inside the home. And that's great news for families who have little time or few resources."
Research: https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=173562
Bio: http://www.baylor.edu/fcs/index.php?id=867984
Contact: Terry Goodrich, +1-254-710-3321

Pets:

New Year's Resolution: Keeping Your Pet Healthy and ProtectedRob JacksonCo-Founder & CEO
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Pets are the kids of empty-nesters and those who delay having kids, but the cost of veterinary care can be a big burden on pet parents. Diagnostics alone can cost thousands of dollars before you even find out what's wrong with your pet. As pet owners look to make sure their pets are safe in 2017, Jackson can talk about how pet insurance is becoming more and more available, what the cost of care is for pets and what the most common illnesses and injuries are for pets. He can also explain why pet insurance is one of the fastest-growing employee benefits, especially for millennials looking for quality-of-life benefits.
Contact: Astrid Greve Spencer, [email protected]

Get Healthier by Adopting a Rescue PetCarol NovelloCo-creator
Mutual Rescue
People often make New Year's resolutions to get healthier, yet they frequently fail because of lack of structure or support in achieving their goals. Many people are finding unconditional love, companionship and encouragement to achieve their goals by adopting a pet. A loving pet provides a physical reminder of your commitment to be healthier. It's hard to be couch potato when a dog is rubbing against your feet begging to go out for a walk. Likewise, a purring cat in your lap provides a sense of companionship that can ward off loneliness and depression. Mutual Rescue has many stories about how adopting a pet can make you healthier. Their first film, "Eric & Peety," about a man who reversed his diabetes with the help of a rescue dog, was instantly a viral Internet sensation and has been viewed more than 65 million times. Coming in 2017, Mutual Rescue will roll out new stories and videos on how rescue pets have helped a child and family cope with childhood cancer and grief and overcome, depression, PTSD, physical disabilities and much more. If you would like to speak to an expert about empowering New Year's resolutions by adopting a new pet, Novello and others from Mutual Rescue are available.
Mutual Rescue is an initiative of Humane Society Silicon Valley (where Novello is President) that highlights the life-changing power of human-animal relationships. The initiative's first short film, "Eric & Peety," went viral around the world, prompting an influx of submissions from almost every state in the country to be considered for inclusion in the ongoing Mutual Rescue film series.
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm0qYRWQpZI&feature=youtu.be
Website: http://www.mutualrescue.org
Online Press Kit: http://mutualrescue.onlinepresskit247.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyHzbGa72hBw7v0GkQcQvwA
Contact:  Michelle Tennant Nicholson, [email protected]

Workplace/Careers:

Tips for Optimizing Your Online SelfHeather HilesFounder and CEO, Pathbrite, a Cengage company
Senior Education Advisor, Cengage
In the spring of 2017, many college students will be vying for the same open positions as the others in their chosen fields. As a result, students must differentiate themselves from other candidates -- making it a must that they put their best online selves forward. With the new year just around the corner, Hiles believes it's the perfect time for students to optimize their online selves. She offers students three valuable tips: 1) Review and refine social media presence: "Researching a candidate on social media is a way for prospective employers to learn who a person actually is. That's why it is extremely important for students to make sure they are putting their best selves forward on their profiles by posting, liking and sharing appropriate content, including content related to skills, interests and accomplishments (And remember, some memories are better left in the mind than online)." 2) Develop a digital portfolio: "Employers want to see that a candidate has the skills needed to be successful in their company. Students can showcase these skills by creating a digital portfolio. These online portfolios catalog achievements by providing a space for users to aggregate all digital evidence of what they have created, achieved and mastered." 3) Start networking online: "Once they have refined their social media presence and created their digital portfolios, students should start networking online through platforms like LinkedIn. By networking before they graduate, students can start making valuable connections that could help them get a job once -- and even sometimes before -- they graduate."
Website: https://pathbrite.com/#maker
Contact: Maggie Markert, [email protected]

New Year's Resolution: Creating Diversity in the WorkplaceAndrew FaasFounder
The Faas Foundation
Faas, author of From Bully to Bull's-Eye," says organizational leaders should resolve to get serious about diversity: "There are a lot of people who feel that many of the advancements on diversity and equality are at risk because of the election. Despite billions of dollars spent on diversity and harassment programs and ethics training, very little by way of advancement has been made. To send the right signals during these troubling times when there are so many raw emotions out there, leaders really need to differentiate themselves as an employer. The best way to differentiate themselves is to become an employer of choice by putting their focus on diversity, equity, harassment and ethics. Companies like Fox News, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Wyndham Hotels, Amazon, Wells Fargo, and Volkswagen give us examples of corruption, harassment, denial, cover-ups, abuse, lack of diversity, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, we are hard pressed to come up with our list of organizations who we can hold up as positive examples. Organizational leaders should reflect on what keeps them up at night, and if issues like diversity, abuse, harassment, equity and ethics don't keep them up at night, then somebody should wake them up."
Faas is a philanthropist and management advisor promoting psychologically healthy, safe and fair workplaces. To do so, The Faas Foundation is partnering with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence on a groundbreaking initiative, "Emotional Revolution in the Workplace," which will revolutionize the way organizations operate, leveraging the power of emotional intelligence.
Websites: www.faasfoundation.org and www.andrewfaas.com
Contact: Deb Zipf, [email protected]

New Year's Resolution: Create Your Customized 2017 Business BlueprintAllison MaslanBusiness Mentor and Serial Entrepreneur
Maslan, author of the Amazon #1 bestseller "Blast Off!: The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality," shows entrepreneurs how to get out of their business rut by creating a Customized Business Blueprint using her "6 M's of Success": 1) Magic – getting clarity on your big and brilliant ideas; 2. Mojo – the expansive mindset you must have to succeed; 3. Magnetics – draw in awesome prospects; 4. Money – cash in on your magic; 5. Mechanics – create a solid structure you can build on; and 6. Map – your plan for success, now and in the future.
Maslan is a serial entrepreneur, having created and successfully run 10 different companies including cultivating a 20-year practice as a holistic physician. Her company Allison Maslan International offers Pinnacle Global, a three-tier business coaching program that teaches entrepreneurs how to accelerate their growth, capitalize on their success and balance it all with a meaningful life. She brings her three-day live Blast Off Business Breakthrough event back to San Diego on Jan. 20–22. The event has sold out five years in a row and offers participants the opportunity to create a Customized Business Blueprint. Her free video series for business owners, "The 12 Month Business Blueprint to Multiply your Profits and Simplify your Life," is available at the link below.
Video Series: www.AllisonMaslan.com/CEO
Online Press Kit: www.allisonmaslan.onlinepresskit247.com
Websites: www.AllisonMaslan.com and http://blastoffevent.com
Contact: Hannah Coloson, [email protected]

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MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

• Editorial Writer – San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate
• Senior Market Editor – OPIS
• Reporter – Law360

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line.

• 10 WAYS TO CAPTIVATE YOUR AUDIENCE WITH INSTAGRAM STORIES. Instagram is broadening its appeal to Snapchat lovers with its installment of Instagram Stories. The new feature is great for bloggers, Insta-celebs and media alike, allowing for additional ways to push out content. If you're looking for ways to further engage your audience, here are some tips to grow your brand and audience through Instagram Stories: http://bit.ly/2hlUaHe
• BLOG PROFILES: FOOD BLOGS. Each week, PR Newswire's Audience Research team selects an industry/subject and a handful of blogs that do a good job with contributing to the conversation. This week, they look at food blogs (yum!): http://prn.to/2hFa2Ea
• SAY GOODBYE TO BAD WRITING: HABITS TO KICK IN 2017. To combat writer's block, just start writing. Sounds simple, right? It's much easier said than done. For 2017, we decided to tackle bad (and good!) writing habits -- from the no-brainers to the must-do's. Here's what we came up with: http://bit.ly/2hw8Kis

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To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/profnet-experts-available-on-new-years-resolutions-mental-health-care-more-300379874.html

SOURCE ProfNet