With a whopping 99 contestants entered in our “Jingle Belle Jewelry” contest, the competition was fierce! 

I’m just happy that I used a random number generator to help us decide…

and the winner is…

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#### CHRIS ! ####

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Here’s a personal response to Chris and everyone who entered from Erika Shoe, Lambchop Bijoux’s jewelry designer:

Congratulations to Chris, who won the Lambchop Bijoux earrings contest.

She stated in her entry that, ” I would keep the lemon and seafoam for myself and give the others to my friend Susan, who is battling breast cancer. She just had her surgery last week and is having a tough. These would be a nice pick-me-up.”I hope they both enjoy their little gifts, and a very special Thank You to everyone else who joined in on the contest.

From now until December 15th, I will be offering a generous 50% discount on all Lambchop Bijoux jewelry, excluding the New $5 line of earrings.Surprise someone you love (this could even be yourself!) with the gift of jewelry this year.

p.s. Certain important parts of my website, www.lambchopbijoux.com, are still non-functional, so if you would like to make a purchase PLEASE contact me through my email, eshoe (at) lambchopbijoux (dot) com. You will be able to use PayPal, MO/Cashier’s Check or personal check, but all personal checks must clear prior to shipping.

Thanks again for entering the contest, and I wish everyone a very healthy 2009!Erika Shoemaker
Owner & Designer
Lambchop Bijoux

Post from: Blisstree

We have a “Jingle Belle Jewelry” contest winner!

So many folks (including some of my family members) simply assume that if those with eating disorders just “got a handle” on their eating habits all would be fine and dandy. But that’s not how it works.

For example, I do not withhold nourishment from my body anymore. I do not starve myself. Yet I can never totally allow myself to feel 100% “recovered” because the issues (that have nothing to do with eating, by the way) that led to my battles with anorexia definitely still affect me.

So if eating disorders aren’t generally about food, feeding oneself or looking great in a bikini, what are they about? For me, they’re an amalgamation of the following:

1. Desire for Control-I have a strong desire to be in control of everything in my life. But, as they say, “poopy” happens. When the unexpected occurs, my mind wants to be able to control something, anything… such as my food intake and my weight.

2. Growing up Hearing “Fat People” Had Little Worth-Every kid knows when their parents have little regard for heavier persons or children. Snide remarks made on a daily basis (followed by clucking tongues or rude jokes) send a strong message:  Fat People are Worthless.

3. Low Self-Esteem-It’s strange. When I was very young, I had great self-esteem, but then it tanked. I think what happened was that I started to get chubby in elementary school and consequently began to be treated by some family members as unattractive and sloppy. As I look back, I realize that I was overeating because there was tension in my household I didn’t understand. Thus, I gained pounds and it felt as though loved ones were ashamed me because of it.

4. Depression-Now, this could probably be considered a symptom of other issues, too. But I do think that having a predisposition to clinical depression makes one more susceptible to developing an eating disorder, especially if other triggers are in place.

I’m sure there were other reasons I used eating as a way to cope with feelings and experiences; however, I hope the above four illustrate just why weight and food have little to do with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia and ED-NOS (eating disorders not otherwise specified.)

* * * * * * * * * * 

It’s the last day to enter our

“Jingle Belle Jewelry” Contest! 

Click here and comment

for the chance to win

beautiful earrings from Lambchop Bijoux!

Post from: Blisstree

Eating disorders aren’t about eating

In no particular order, I’ve come up with the following five reasons to give thanks.  Please know that I’m not suggesting that eating disorders are somehow “okay”, but when you have one in your history, you either have to embrace your past and learn from it or… well… you know the rest.

Five Reasons I’m Thankful I Had/Have an Eating Disorder:

1.  My ED has made me more aware of the way I treat other people, especially women.  I’m extremely careful not to praise people solely on their appearances.  This goes for little girls, too.  I may call a child “cute”, but I always follow up by saying, “And I bet you’re smart, too!” 

2.  I do not label people as “fat” because it’s cruel and demeaning.  (I must admit that I do still call myself fat — but that’s something I’m working on.) 

3.  My son has benefited tremendously from having a mommy who does not judge people based on their weight or looks.  In fact, he tends to talk about what people do and say, not what they look like.

4.  My ED has allowed me to help others.  I’ve had the opportunity to talk with many young (and mature) women about anorexia and feelings of low self-worth related to poor body image, control issues, et cetera.

5.  Having an eating disorder has encouraged me to become a part of the pro-recovery movement.  Hence, I was able to snag this position as the writer of Breaking the Mirror and meet all of you!  Now THAT’S wonderful!

So — how have YOU used your eating disorder to better your life or the lives of others? 

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Have you entered our “Jingle Belle Jewelry” contest yet? 

If not, click here and read all about our Lambchop Bijoux earrings giveaway that’s valued at $70!

Post from: Blisstree

Giving thanks… to my eating disorder

Then Breaking the Mirror’s

“Jingle Belle Jewelry”

contest is for you!

Talented Lambchop Bijoux artisan Erika Shoemaker is once again offering Breaking the Mirror readers the opportunity to win some jingling, jangling handcrafted jewelry.

Erika deeply understands what it’s like to battle an eating disorder. In fact, she’s slowly and steadily recovering herself. (Her insightful, moving chronicles can be found at bubble wrapped.)

The earrings Erika’s allowing us to give away are 22k gold plated chalcedony, amber and Czech glass. They’re 100% handmade and 110% unique. (I actually own a pair of Lambchop Bijoux earrings and I can vouch for their beauty and quality!)

But true to Erika’s giving nature, she’s not satisfied that a lucky winner only receive one set of earrings… sooooo… she’s also throwing in a dazzling second set of silver-plated earrings with lemon and seafoam chalcedony and Swarovski crystals. Take a gander… aren’t they exquisite?

There’s just one teensy weensy catch… we’re asking the winner of the Jingle Belle Jewelry contest to keep one pair and give the second one away to a friend or loved one. It’s our little way of saying, “Enjoy yourself… but make sure to help someone else enjoy herself, too.”

To win these one-of-a-kind Lambchop Bijoux earrings (retailed collectively at approximately $70), please follow these simple instructions:

• Before Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. EST, leave a comment on this post.  State which pair of earrings you’d keep and which you’d give away. Tell us to whom you would give the second pair to and why. (This is critical – if you just say “I love the contest – gimme those earrings” you’ll be disqualified.)

BONUS: As a special incentive, if you mention Breaking the Mirror’s Jingle Belle Jewelry contest at your blog and leave a comment here with a link to your blog posting, you’ll be entered a second time!

The Jingle Belle Jewelry contest winner will be chosen using a random number generator. He or she will be announced no later than Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at noon EST.

Good luck… and may the Jingle Belle Jewelry contest bring a smile to your face as well as the face of someone you love!

All photos courtesy of Lambchop Bijoux.  Copyright 2008.

Post from: Blisstree

It’s time for Breaking the Mirror’s “Jingle Belle Jewelry” Contest!

With over 100 comments, the contest was definitely exciting!  I know I enjoyed reading everyone’s feelings on where they stood body image wise from 1-10.  (We’re pretty hard on ourselves; maybe we can figure out a way to work on that together?)

Now, without further ado, I’d like to announce the individual who will be receiving a copy of disFIGURED in the mail straight from Breaking the Mirror headquarters (aka, my house):

 ~ LINDA! ~

who wrote that she was

“About 7, 10 if you ask my husband”. 

(Seems a lot of spouses would rate us higher than we’d rate ourselves.  How ’bout that?)

Thank you again for joining in… and look for more contests coming in August, including another spectacular Lambchop Bijoux giveaway!

Post from: Blisstree

We have a winner in the disFIGURED DVD contest!

The commenter felt it was tacky of me to promote fashion on an eating disorders blog, which I suppose it could be.  However, all proceeds from Lambchop Bijoux sales will help the jewelry designer, Ms. Shoemaker, pay for inpatient treatment to once and for all get a handle on her anorexia.

Just wanted to clear this up in case anyone else was baffled by the connection between Breaking the Mirror and Lambchop Bijoux! 

(By the way — we here at b5 receive nothing from your purchases.  I’m not getting any kind of a payback except to see Ms. Shoemaker gain health and happiness!)

Post from: Blisstree

A clarification on the Lambchop Bijoux post

As regular readers know, Lambchop Bijoux is offering an August special for Breaking the Mirror patrons.

Just mention this blog when you order and receive 25% off your order plus FREE domestic shipping and handling!

FYI — I purchased some jewelry for a friend last month and she was thrilled with the rose quartz earrings designed by Ms. Shoemaker.  They arrived in such a delightful package that my gal pal was immediately smitten with Lambchop Bijoux even before she lifted the lid!

Remember — December is coming whether you’re ready or not!  So get shopping now!

Post from: Blisstree

Christmas shopping in August ? Why not ?

Not only will we have ONE contest, but we’ll have at least TWO!

The first contest will be another jewelry giveaway from Lambchop Bijoux!  Remember the last one?  Whew!  I’m still overwhelmed by how many commenters stopped by!

The second will be a DVD giveaway for the new movie disFIGURED.  The subject of this indie film is eating disorders, and I’m getting two advance copies — one for me, and one for a lucky someone!  (Could it be YOU?)

Of course, let us not forget that August is also when Julie Moffitt’s Breaking the Mirror theme song will be revealed, which means someone will win her CD!  I’m thrilled that she’s given of her time so generously!

Stay tuned… who knows what else will be in store in the next 30+ days?

Post from: Blisstree

Excitement is coming in August !

And now, we have a winner!

Thanks to the help of a random number generator (I never could have picked who was most deserving… never!), the winner of Ms. Shoemaker’s gorgeous, lovingly handcrafted earrings is:

 ~ Susanne Troop ! ~

Suzanne wrote in her entry:  “I would give these to my sister…she loves different earrings!”

Hmmm… wonder if they’ll make it to her sister once she receives them?  *grins*

In any case, congratulations to Suzanne and thanks to everyone who played! 

Ms. Shoemaker has expressed interest in doing this again during the month of August, so keep watching for another piece of handcrafted jewelry to be given away! 

Of course, if you can’t wait to get your hands on one of Ms. Shoemaker’s super-gorgeous, eclectic pieces, log on to www.lambchopbijoux.com and order something special for yourself or a loved one!  Mention Breaking the Mirror and receive 25% off the retail price PLUS free continental S&H! 

(And remember that all proceeds go to helping Ms. Shoemaker pay for inpatient treatment to finally tackle her battle with anorexia.  We love you, Erika, and wish you well!  Thank you for making this our greatest contest ever!)

Post from: Blisstree

We have a “Let Freedom ‘Bling’” contest WINNER !!!

A good example of someone who is taking matters into her own hands is Erika, the artisan who has donated one of her jewelry pieces (a gorgeous pair of drop earrings, shown at right) for our “Let Freedom ‘Bling’” contest. 

Erika has a line of earrings, brooches and necklaces that she sells at Lambchop Bijoux.  She’s generously agreed to give a 25% off discount plus free S&H (nationally) on all her pieces if you mention Breaking the Mirror when you order. 

But Erika’s not using the profits to go out and buy a car or groceries — she’s saving money for in-patient treatment for anorexia. 

I applaud her for this and encourage every reader to stop by her site. 

Maybe you don’t need jewelry for yourself, but don’t forget that birthdays and holidays pop up throughout the year.  And if you buy from Lambchop Bijoux, you’ll have the added benefit of knowing you’re helping someone who’s struggled to evict Ana from her life for years.

Along these same lines, a new b5media blogger, Kelly (Grounded Fitness – visit her and her co-blogger Susan today!), brought to my attention a bill that addresses the whole eating disorders and insurance costs issue. 

Rather than repeating it here, I’ll give you the link to Kelly’s personal blog:  http://everygymsnightmare.com/?p=130.

I’m wondering — how many of you have had problems paying for treatment of your eating disorders?

Post from: Blisstree

Evicting Ana ain’t cheap