So, if you’re like millions of people around the world you resolved as the new year came in to get healthier.  And, if you’re trying to get moving and watch what you eat what better way to help you with that then some apps for your BlackBerry to help you along.

Most weight loss experts will tell you (and most people who have successfully taken off weight will agree) that keeping a food journal is a great help in watching your food intake.  Being the geek that I am I have a few requirements for my food journal:  1.  It needs to be “techy cool” 2.  It needs to have a web and blackberry sync 3.  It needs to be easy to use.  I’ve tried some computer based applications, I’ve tried BlackBerry only applications but I want something with both options.  Well, I found one and it’s FREE:  Calorie Counter by FatSecret.  FatSecret has an iGoogle add-on or you can use the website.  It also has apps for the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, and iPod Touch.  I love this app (and website) for helping me track my food.  Calorie Counter is available for free at the BlackBerry App World.

FatSecret also keeps track of your exercise and calories burned but to help me track my walking, cycling, and running I use Bones in Motion.  It has a website to track your cumulative mileage, etc.  But, the BlackBerry app (also free) uses the GPS capabilities to track your average speed, distance, time spent walking, and the amount of calories it estimates you’ve burned.  It can also give you audible warnings at certain mile markers if you desire.  One cool feature (if you like to go on long excursions) is a tracker online that you can give your family.  It’s password protected so it’s not like anyone can see where you are but if you have the app running your family can track where you are on your walk/run/ride (I will admit that I haven’t used this because I haven’t had a need to have someone know where I am — but it is a cool feature — I wouldn’t mind if my friends who do the Ironman triathlon had this so we could figure out where they are).   Bones in Motion is free and available at BlackBerry App World as BiM Active.

So, here’s to a healthier, happier, and thinner 2010!

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But there is a way to merge the two facets of your life — family and work — to create a harmonious solution. Depending on their age, your children may have some understanding about what you do, at least from an observer’s perspective. By opening the door to them and giving them an opportunity to get involved in your work, you are sharing an important part of your life and letting them see a whole new side of you.

Here are some of the biggest reasons to let your kids have a hand in your work:

• It lets them see how you work.
• It teaches them responsibility.
• It lets them experience the pride that comes with completing a project.
• It gives them an opportunity to learn about business.
• It helps them appreciate what you do every day.
• It allows them to spend some quality time with you.

A toddler can…

• Put paper in the recycling container
• Carry files to your desk
• Help you open and close file cabinet drawers
• Stack books in piles

A school-age child can…

• Fill your pencil holder with new pens and pencils
• Alphabetize your files
• Collate and staple reports
• Stamp letters and seal envelopes
• Count pages and inserts

A teenager can…

• Shred documents
• Type letters and memos
• Mail packages
• Enter data in a spreadsheet
• Purchase supplies
• Complete online research
• Scan photos and documents

• Paying them for their time
• Letting them pick what they would like to do in the office
• Creating “work hours” especially for them, once or twice a week
• Telling them what a great job they are doing

You can even set up an area in your office where they can do their own homework while you work. And don’t forget to turn off the business mentality and remember it’s not about getting as much done as possible; it’s about learning more about your kids and sharing a special time…just between you and them.

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In the Smartphone world you can get in some great discussions when you bring up Palm vs. Blackberry. I happen to be a Blackberry girl. I have a Pearl and have clients (and many friends) that I have successfully moved to Blackberry devices.

As with all Smartphones you can get your e-mail, calendar, texting, and web access on the Pearl. When I first got my Pearl I went with the regular data plan through my cell provider. It worked great, but I had to tether to do syncs with my desktop. I was able to find some applications that did many of the over-the-air syncs which helped a lot. A few months ago one of my clients upgraded to a Blackberry Exchange Server and because I needed to have access to e-mail on that account I upgraded as well. That was the BEST possible upgrade I’ve ever done. Now everything syncs over the air – my calendar, my address book, task lists, everything. There is nothing better than being out somewhere and knowing that every single phone number you’d ever want is right there in your phone.

This Blackberry is my first trip into the Smartphone world and I was leery, at first, about whether I wanted and needed the added features of the phone. Today, I can’t imagine not having my phone next to me. When I decided to get the Pearl I was concerned with the size of the other Blackberries (at the time the Curve was the only other option available from my carrier). I liked the slim, sleek feel of the Pearl so I went with that. Unfortunately, I’ve quickly outgrown the phone however.

While I rave up and down, from here to Alaska about how great the phone is, I highly recommend getting at least a Curve if you are going to be a power user. If you’re not sure about the benefits of a Smartphone and want the smaller size the Pearl is an awesome phone. I’ve never regretted my decision to get the Pearl – I’m just very ready to upgrade (and have an appointment with my rep already for the day that my big credit is available for my new-every-two phone).

In the coming months I’ll share some of my “must have” Blackberry applications. For now, let me share one aspect that is unique to the Blackberry that I’ve grown to love: Blackberry Messenger. It’s a Blackberry instant message/text message program. But, it does so much more than that. You can have multi-user conversations. You can see when the other person has received AND read the message you’ve sent (which is great when I’m sending my assistant a message). You can share files and pictures. Best of all, it’s free for Blackberry users.

My Blackberry and I are very close.  It’s never far away; it’s my alarm clock in the morning and my link to friends and family throughout the day. I’m very much a Blackberry fan and when I meet someone with a Blackberry (especially if it’s new or another version than mine) I don’t hesitate to talk about it and I’ll even ask to play.

If that makes me a geek gyrl, so be it. I’ll take that title proudly.

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There are a lot of ways you can keep your business running and prevent losing clients when you are not working. You may have clients that typically plan ahead for most of their work, so taking off a few days even without much notice may not impact them greatly. But if you have a large client base and a lot of work that tends to come in unanticipated, you’ll need a more formal plan in place.

One of the best ways to line up coverage is by collaborating with a fellow VA. If you subcontract work regularly, your subcontractors can be the ideal people to step in and cover for you. They already know some of your clients, understand their needs and know how you like to work. Or, even if you don’t subcontract, you can coordinate with another VA to create a vacation-coverage arrangement where you cover for each other. Plus, many times the coverage you will need while you are not working is simply having someone you trust checking and responding to e-mail and voicemail, so the time commitment shouldn’t be too great for either party.

Another thing to think about is creating a set of operations manuals that document how your business runs and the work you do for your clients. This is a huge project, but something you can start to tackle little by little and benefit from immediately. Not only can this type of manual be a working document for your own business, but it’s also something you can provide to your clients so they have some insurance that their own businesses will not hit a stand-still if you are not available.

How do you plan for time out of the office and ensure nothing falls through the cracks?

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The Type-A Mom Conference is a unique mom blogging conference designed to help you take it to the next level. The conference will feature some of the most influential, admired and insightful mom bloggers talking about topics like power social networking, branding, blogging, finding your voice, and turning your passion for blogging into a real paycheck.

It will be help from September 24-27 in Asheville, NC.

One of the coolest and most unique aspects of the conference is KidCon. KidCon is actually a conference for kids that will be going on while all of the Type-A Moms are doing their thing. And it’s not just babysitting! The kids will get to participate in a schedule rich in fun and educational activities, get to demo and test out cool new toys, and get swag bags geared at their specific age group.

From now until the end of June, super early-bird registration is only $100 per person.

As the conference slogan says: “You can come, but only if you BRING IT!” So who’s in?

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