I Completed the 21 Day Yoga Challenge!!!

Today was the last day of the 21 Day Yoga Challenge! From January 9 - January 29, I did yoga, meditated, and ate at least one vegetarian meal for 21 straight days (with the exception of one day where I did not eat vegetarian but doubled up the next day, hence the 98% instead of 100%). Oh well, still so proud of myself to sticking to and achieving a goal.

I feel great, am definitely more toned and flexible and lost about 7 pounds too. I love yoga not just for my body but also for my mind and plan on continuing to practice yoga at least four days a week.



Next month I think I'm going to attempt to train for a Couch to 5k with the help of Commit To Be Fit (announcement on Friday, February 3rd). My goal is to participate in the Capital City Half Marathon Commit To Be Fit 5k.

Pinterest and One of My Favorite Pins

I love Pinterest. 

What is Pinterst? Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard. It is growing in popularity daily.

Why do I love Pinterest? It lets me organize and share images I like on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Brands use Pinterest to boost consumer engagement, showcase their work or products, and sell more products.

I use Pinterest to track places I've been, and places I want to go. To capture things that leave an imPRession, things I like to eat, or expressions that hit a nerve.

I love this pin.

Source: holymotherofgod.blogspot.com via Michele on Pinterest

Welcome newest client: ColumbusJobs.com

I'm thrilled to announce my newest client ColumbusJobs.com. Continuing my social media partnership with Dispatch Digital in 2012, one of my first client assignments is with a Dispatch product.

The Columbus Dispatch and ColumbusJobs.com with renowned employment site Monster.com is central Ohio's #1 job source. Featuring thousands of local jobs, ColumbusJobs.com/Monster is the #1 destination for central Ohioans looking for their next career stop. It's also home to a wealth of resources, including articles, advice and tips on resume writing and job hunting.

Where columbus imPRessions comes into the mix is with social media. I have been hired to set-up and launch their social media sites - Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as well as to create an online personality and help with strategy by creating a team of professionals to assist with creating content around all things employment.

I look forward to working with the Columbusjobs.com team!

Using Social Media In My Monthly Journey to Better Health

This new year I decided instead of making one or two large new year's resolutions I would create monthly goals for a better life. This way my goals are more attainable, I will be successful, and it will keep me motivated throughout the year. My tools to help me achieve these goals - my determination and social media apps.

I started the year with a mild detox - two weeks (or possibly four) of no white flour, no white sugar, no alcohol, no caffeine, no red meat and no junk snacking. It's been a week and so far so good! Day 2 I had a bad caffeine headache, but by Day 3 it was gone and replaced by the incredible urge for a cookie, which I resisted. After that it hasn't been too bad. To help keep me accountable I've been keeping a food journal on my iPhone with the My Journal app. It really helps me see what I ate and makes me think twice before grabbing something knowing it will be staring back at me in black and white.

The other thing I started doing at the beginning of the year was making a green smoothie drink 5-6 times a week. I started following Green Smoothie Girl and Raw Family: Green for Life on Facebook for ideas. So far my favorite green smoothie is spinach, turnip greens, fresh pineapple and 1/2 a banana with water blended together. Sounds nasty, but really is good and very healthy. I'm planning on making these smoothies all January using various greens and fruits and if I continue to enjoy them I'll carry over into February.

Last year I started yoga. I love it but would still consider myself a beginner. Today Yoga Journal kicked off their 21 Day Yoga Challenge. The goal for the next three weeks, is to do a daily asana practice, meditate, and enjoy at least one vegetarian meal a day. I took the challenge and think I can do it between taking classes at my yoga studio, some DVDs, Wii Fit Yoga and my Daily Yoga iPhone app. I track my progress using Social Workout that is connected through my Facebook page.

And that's January. Using my social media apps make tracking my progress easy, gives me support I need to achieve my monthly goal and honestly makes it fun for a social media junkie like myself.

Hello 2012! Good-bye Washington Township.

It's a new year. That's always exciting! It brings a time to start new, change, excitement for what's to come and it's also a time to reflect on the past year.

2011 was very good to columbus imPRessions. Professionally it was one of the best year's of my life. What started out with two wonderful clients quickly grew to six, all different and exciting in their own way. Most of my focus was on all things social media, but a couple clients gave me the ability to do a job I enjoy most and haven't done in awhile, strategic planning for marketing, PR and development.

Through my business in 2011, I continued to learn and grow which is one thing I am most thankful for because that always gives me a greater appreciation.

One client I thoroughly enjoyed working for was Washington Township, Dublin Ohio. I was hired on for a six-month project to set-up, manage, and train this Dublin community on social media. Using these channels as a new marketing microphone we created awareness for the community's Fire & EMS, as well as their Parks & Rec programs. Using social media we shared information before, during and after an event or program through posts, video and photos and attendance numbers increased. Putting the firemen on camera was not only fun but gave the community a chance to get to know their local heroes, and sharing safety tips during seasonal and holiday times educated the community to hopefully keep them safer.

Unfortunately, due to budget reasons, my contract ended. But after some training, their communication director is continuing to use social media. If you live or work in Dublin, Ohio you live or work in Washington Township. Find out more about the community by following their Facebook page. I'm sad to see this client go, but happy to see the fruits of my labor continue.

Working with Washington Township, Dublin Ohio gave me experience and lots of ideas for other community Fire & EMS or Parks & Rec Departments. If your community is looking to create more awareness and a way to reach out and connect with its community members contact columbus imPRessions. I would love to help!


Happy New Year!