However, I’ve never really been one of those gals who could say what I mean 100% of the time without worrying about public opinion.  And I wonder if that’s good for a recovering anorexic?

Sometimes, I think that being a bitch might make kicking ana’s arse much easier.  I could just tell her to go fug herself and be done with the matter.  Instead, I’m too nice — way too nice.  So I let her hang around.

This weekend, I tried to remove her once and for all from the attic of my mind… seems she had recently taken up residence there without my approval.  And to celebrate her moving in, she began telling me how disgusting and horrid I was. 

It then that I wished I could be a be-atch of the first degree.  I wanted to say to ana, “Listen, sweetie.  Get your scrawny butt outta here pronto or there will be hell to pay.”

I didn’t, though. 

Instead, I shut the attic door and vowed not to go back there no matter how strong her siren’s song became.

I’m definitely way too nice.

Post from: Blisstree

Must I Become a Witch to Destroy Ana?

So far we have over 100 entries for our Let Freedom ‘Bling’ contest! 

Keep ‘em coming and tell your friends to enter, too!

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Okay, so on July 3th I declared that, beginning July 4th, we should all celebrate our independence from Ana (and/or Mia) by doing nice things for ourselves and not allowing our minds to sink into a cesspool of ED-related negativity. 

On day one, I really kicked Ana’s scrawny butt.  Woo hoo!

However, I must admit that by day five (yesterday), my enthusiasm for the project had waned. 

Honestly, it became tough to be nice to myself!  My comfort zone is to revert into self-criticism; but I tried to still do some nice things. 

Here’s how I celebrated my independence from Ana yesterday… and how I DIDN’T celebrate… on Day Five:

GOOD STUFF I DID ON 7/8/2008:

• Ran outside for about 25 minutes — many hills.  Very nice. 
• Grazed throughout the day on whatever my body wanted – veggie juice, bread, fruits, shoofly pie (YUM!), sandwiches.
• Went to see a play starring a number of my friends and acquaintances.  Fun stuff! 

NOT-SO-GOOD STUFF I DID ON 7/8/2008:

• Kept looking in the mirror and obsessing about my thighs.  Couldn’t stop staring and wondering why I am so huge right now.
• Focused a lot of negative attention on how much my lower tummy bulges despite my fitness regimen. 

Post from: Blisstree

Kickin’ Ana’s Scrawny Butt ~ Day Five

with

Breaking the Mirror’s

Let Freedom ‘Bling’ Contest!

So you like jewelry. And you want to kick Ana’s (or Mia’s) scrawny butt by making women around the world feel beautiful in their own skin. 

Why not show your commitment to encouraging better body images in females by giving away a one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted set of earrings to your favorite gal?

Up for grabs are these gorgeous, sparkling Carnelian briolette earrings.  They are one of a kind by Lambchop Bijoux designer, Erika Shoemaker.

Ms. Shoemaker relocated her business from Ventura, CA, three years ago and has since designed for bridal parties, custom one-offs and, more recently, has provided her pieces for charitable donations.

These 14k GF Spanish Carnelian drop earrings are accented by faceted Blue Topaz with Amber glass beads. They are the perfect length for wearing to the office, yet they transition easily into evening wear.

The retail price is $48, but the winner of this contest will receive them as a complimentary gift!

Here’s how to win these dangling beauties:

• From today until July 17, 2008, midnight (EDT), I am inviting you to leave a comment telling me who you would give these earrings to and why you’d give them to that person. (Yes, you can say you’d keep them… and no one would blame you!  Just make sure you tell us why you deserve ‘em!)

On or around July 18, 2008, I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner and will announce it ASAP.

Easy, right?

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention something else that should REALLY get everyone excited…

All profits from the sales of Lambchop Bijoux are dedicated to providing treatment for the designer, Ms. Shoemaker, in her recovery from anorexia.

Ms. Shoemaker is currently reviewing IP (in-patient) programs, and wants her clients to know that every purchase helps! So for the month of July and August, receive a generous 25% off of all Lambchop Bijoux items, in addition to Free Shipping!

You can visit Ms. Shoemaker’s website at www.lambchopbijoux.com to view the current collection, or log on to http://chewzlife.blogspot.com/ and click on the Flickr box to the right, where you will be able to view past collections, including other available pieces.  Her creations are one of a kind, so if you have an idea, please share – she’d love to work collaboratively with you to design something totally unique.

Post from: Blisstree

Celebrate Independence from EDs: “Let Freedom ‘Bling’” Contest!

Starting yesterday, July 4th, I began keeping track of the good things I was doing for my body, mind and spirit… as well as the not-so-good things.

Here’s the lowdown:

GOOD STUFF I DID ON 7/4/2008:

• Spent an hour indoor rock climbing.  Heaven.
• Ate what I wanted, when I wanted, but not to excess.  (Baked potato chips are a godsend.)
• Tried to keep a positive attitude throughout the day; didn’t allow myself to “sink” into mental quicksand which I sometimes do on holidays.

NOT-SO-GOOD STUFF I DID ON 7/4/2008:

• Found myself staring at my thighs and hips for at least five minutes, giggling the fat and trying to figure out how to get rid of cellulite.
• Kept grabbing my stomach periodically to check and see how flabby it felt.  (This will no doubt sound weird to normal people, but I’ll bet those with an Ana past will understand.)

How about you?  Were you able to free yourself from Ana (or Mia), at least for a little while? 

Post from: Blisstree

Kickin’ Ana’s Scrawny Butt ~ Day One

As a refresher, this is a contest where YOU can help write the lyrics to a unique Breaking the Mirror theme song that will be written and recorded by talented singer/songwriter Julie Moffitt. 

She’ll look through all the phrases and sentences that you’ve submitted and will decide how to create the perfect body image related song.  The person who submits the line that becomes the title of the song will receive a Julie Moffitt CD plus a donation toward their fave charity (see more about that HERE.)

If you’re stumped about what to write, let me show you here what we’ve received thus far in terms of entries.  Remember — you don’t have to be a songwriter (or a writer at all) to be a part of this fun contest!

Our current entries are:

• “When I looked in the mirror, I finally saw I’d turned my back on me”
• “I’m tired of fighting to be who I think I *should* be; I want to embrace me”
• “The monster inside my soul eats away, forging thoughts day-after-day, from the media and even those around me, turning me into something else – what *they* say I should be”
• “I am a woman. I do not have to look like a head on a stick.”
• “My reflection’s based on that which keeps life flowing inside of me, not the space I occupy”
• “My reflection shows my soul, I’ve achieved my spirit’s goal, worth my weight in solid gold.”

You can enter as many times as you like! 

I can’t wait to see what comes in at the 11th hour!  Sometimes, the last lines we create are those that speak the truth the loudest.

Post from: Blisstree

We’re in the home stretch… deadline for Crazy Cool Contest is tonight!

Will you join me in making tomorrow the first day of a group effort to feel better about ourselves?  What shall we call our team?

(I’m serious about this.  Let’s do it!  There’s safety and support in numbers… and no time like the present.)

Post from: Blisstree

Celebrate your independence… from Ana