]]> http://blog.crchealth.com/2012/12/04/form-test-post/feed/ 0 http://blog.crchealth.com/2012/12/04/form-test-post/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CrcHealthGroupBlog/~3/j3HcoIAHT3Y/ http://blog.crchealth.com/2012/07/30/rewriting-beautiful-one-girl-at-a-time/#comments Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:56:31 +0000 eallen http://blog.crchealth.com/?p=2510 Today’s blog features an interview with Irvina Kanarek, Founder and Creative Director of the non-profit group Rewrite Beautiful.

When and where did Rewrite Beautiful start?

It started in Southern California about 3 years ago. I was working 3 different jobs: a nanny, art teacher, and counselor in an eating disorder rehabilitation clinic. I quickly learned that all of the girls I came into contact with had one thing in common; they were all jeopardizing their lives to make themselves “beautiful”.

The art students were experimenting with eating disorders while the rehab patients were dying from them. I saw how the little girl I nanny’d mimicked everything I and her mother did.

At the time, the only thing I could think to do was pray that God would protect the girl from ever developing an eating disorder. That prayer turned into me asking myself a question: What could have prevented me from having an eating disorder? My answer: Some kind of an awareness program at my school. Someone who had been through the disease telling me the signs to look for and how deadly this disease is.

Also I realized that my vision of what made me valuable as a person was very distorted. I was raised to think that people loved me because I was attractive, funny or smart. The truth is that is not why I love people. I love people because of their actions of creativity, kindness and strength. I love when people are creative and find great solutions to problems. I love when they are kind and generous with their time. I love when they are strong by sticking up for themselves and others. From there I realized that I would be directly “rewriting beautiful” in ambitious ways and that’s how I got the name, Rewrite Beautiful.

How does the program work?

All of our programs have the same 3 goals: prevention, awareness and creativity. We accomplish these goals through two programs: School Programs and Street Art Workshops.

School Programs are held with students at Junior High, High School and College campuses. I share my own eating disorder testimony, play our photo documentary (which tells the story of 5 girls with eating disorders), hold a Q&A Panel about eating disorders and engage the students in creatively changing how they see beauty in themselves.

Street Art Workshops are a place where the public can learn the Rewrite Beautiful vision, hear an eating disorder testimony, view our photo documentary and create street art which allows them to change how they see beauty in themselves. After the workshop the art is put in a public place for others to hear our message.

Our vision is through these programs we will build a nation of revolutionary girls who don’t focus on their bodies. Instead, these girls focus on the gifts and talents they have been blessed with and figure out how to share those gifts with others. We want girls to focus on changing their communities instead of changing their bodies.

Our vision is to see each and every girl say, “I’m beautiful, because I know I am creative, kind and strong. I don’t care what you think of my body, because I know I am beautiful in a way that can never be changed.”

How does a Very Rewrite Beautiful Birthday Party for a child work?

Since 2002 there has been a 116% rise in eating disorders among children. We know parents who want to do something preventative for their children. In order to not scare kids about the horrors of eating disorders we have made the birthdays fun, modeling them off of our Street Art Workshops. In the workshops we have the participants claim what makes them creative, kind and strong.

In the birthday party we talk about what makes Cinderella beautiful. Yeah, Cinderella has great taste in shoes and chokers, but what makes us love Cinderella is she was strong, kind, patient, faithful and a good sister!

We then pull out a poster board and have the birthday child sit on it. We ask all the kids at the party, “If being strong makes Cinderella beautiful what makes the birthday girl beautiful?

The kids all shout out what makes the birthday girl beautiful, such as:
“She is a good friend! “
“She shares!”
“She is funny!”
“She is good at art!”

We have all the kids do this process and get the opportunity to hear what actions make each of them beautiful (or in the boys’ cases, strong).

Afterward we bring out the paint and encourage the kids to get creative with their posters. It is the sweetest thing to see kids for the first time grasp the concept of what truly makes us beautiful as people.

What are Beauty Cards and what result is hoped for when someone receives one?

A Beauty Card is an easy, free way we have set up for people to tell their friends what actions make them beautiful. By sending a person a beauty card we allow the recipient to understand where their beauty truly lies and hear the Rewrite Beautiful message. It also brings them to our website so they can learn why eating disorder prevention is so crucial!

How can someone become involved in this group?

The people most interested in being involved with Rewrite Beautiful are students. Therefore, we promote Beautiful Action Campus Clubs started by students at Junior High, High School and College campuses. We call the leaders of these clubs “ Beautiful Actionistas”. These leaders spread the Rewrite Beautiful message through campus activities and fundraisers.

For more information: www.RewriteBeautiful.org
To send a Beauty card, go here: http://rewritebeautiful.org/beauty-cards

I wrote “Ten-Mile Morning: My Journey through Anorexia Nervosa” to bring attention to the eating disorder community and beyond, that a substantial number of those affected with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are men. My book is designed to shatter the stereotype that eating disorders primarily affect young women because, in fact, this misinformed assumption is having deadly consequences upon those who actually comprise a significant number of those – such as males – who are suffering from eating disorders.

For example, in the last year alone, there has been a sixteen percent increase in males who have been hospitalized for eating disorders. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing stereotype that eating disorders are a “women’s illness,” many men, out of shame and embarrassment, often do not come forward to seek the appropriate support and treatment for their eating disorder and, as a result, suffer in isolation. This can have the potential to cause permanent and even life-threatening consequences for men who could have otherwise had access to the necessary treatment to address their disorder.

As a result, I wrote “Ten-Mile Morning” to share my story – in graphic detail – of one man’s horrific struggle with anorexia. This included the same types of behaviors and characteristics of women with this same illness, namely the abuse of laxatives, diuretics, purging, over-exercise and self-starvation. “Ten-Mile Morning” is graphic in nature to show the true suffering that men are undergoing and the desperate need for immediate access to treatment facilities that either do not accept men or are not providing the same level of care as they do for women.

As the website most appropriately says, “Men Get Eating Disorders, Too,” and they continue to do so at an alarming and increasing rate. Thus, I wrote my book for all of the men who are struggling with anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder to let them know that they are not alone, that there is someone who cares about them, that they should not be afraid to seek help for their illness and that, most of all, a full recovery and amazing life is possible.

Ultimately, I hope that “Ten-Mile Morning” can help, support and inspire all people, both men and women, to take that first step and begin the recovery process from their eating disorder. In this way, my book is not only designed for men, but for the eating disorder community as a whole. It seeks to send the message that, no matter how difficult or insurmountable recovery may seem, you have the strength to overcome this illness, live a life where you can pursue your passions and dreams and achieve true happiness.

For more information, go to: http://www.tenmilemorning.com/

In the first panel, Lois, the wife, is sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of hot tea. Her husband, Hi, is standing at the table smiling and holding a box of chocolates. He says, “I did a favor for Michael, so he sent me a box of candy.”

In the second panel, he has set the open box on the table in front of his wife. “Help yourself”, he says. Lois looks dejected, staring into the box, and replies, “Do me a favor and don’t do any more favors for Michael.”

As a reader, and particularly as a woman, and even more particularly as a woman who dieted her way through too many years, I get the message. What I don’t get, however, is the joke.

The message is that Lois should not have chocolates. She cannot simply say, “How thoughtful of your friend!” and have a piece. Or two. Or even five, if she wants. She instead immediately sees the box as a negative thing.

It’s temptation and she is weak.

It’s not a salad and she owes the world and herself to avoid things like sweets.

It’s chocolate and it is immoral.

I say “immoral” because that is a label to which our society has reduced food and the choices we make about food. The moralization of food is so common now that it’s hard to avoid. It’s our own personal Salem Witch Trial.

Stand in line at Starbucks and you’re likely to hear a conversation about how someone is being “bad” for ordering a slice of pound cake to go with her coffee. Put a plate of cookies on the break room table at work and you will hear at least one person talk about not having “willpower” as they slide a couple of cookies into a napkin and scurry off. Sit with a group of women at a restaurant and watch a round of Nervous Theatre from some of them when the waiter asks the simple question, “Anyone for dessert?”

Assigning moral value to food and the decisions to either enjoy that food or reject it permeate much of our society today. People, especially women, feel they have to explain themselves if they have a candy bar. “Diet starts tomorrow!” she might say with a half-smile, assuming she’s being judged for her immoral snack choice. “I really shouldn’t” another one says while buying a bag of chips from a vending machine, as if she’s about to pick up a pipe and a baggie of crack.

With “fitspiration” ads and clichés popping up everywhere, the message gets into our pores. “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels” is a common cliché, meant to motivate a person to only keep company with moral food and to live at the gym. We remind ourselves that we will never have a hot set of abs if we make immoral food choices. Never mind that most people will never have the set of abs you see in gym and diet company ads anyway. The companies want us to think we can, and deep down we want to think we can, too.

These messages of moral and immoral food don’t stay just in the younger groups. I remember being at my mother’s house when she had a group of friends over for a meeting. The women were mostly in their 60’s and older – some quite a bit older. When my mom served refreshments, she had no idea the time bomb she had just set off. I watched with great sadness at how almost all of the women gathered around the formal dining table and acted as if they were going to battle.

I saw women who aren’t even around anymore struggling to give themselves permission to have a brownie.

“Will someone share this with me? I don’t ‘need’ a whole one”, said one guest.

“Oh, I can’t be bad! That will just go straight to my waist!” answered another guest.

While some people may avoid sweets for legitimate reasons (being diabetic, not in the mood for them), there were too many women at war with themselves at that table for them all to have an excuse. I sometimes think of how even at an advanced age, they couldn’t just relax and have a cookie without assigning morality to it and themselves. Even the last years of their lives they were wasting time playing the home version of the Hunger Games.

I wish I had an answer for all this, but it really is up to each of us as individuals to decide food is neither moral nor immoral. We are morally neutral in our food choices, as well, regardless of what ends up on our plates in public or hidden away in a drawer for private consumption.

I do think we can try to help each other. When someone we know assigns morality to a dish, we can gently remind them that all food is ok and so are we. Some of those comments will meet blank stares but some will land and stick to the person, even if it takes longer to digest the comment than it does the food itself.

Interesting note: when I looked for the “Hi and Lois” comic strip online as I started to write this blog, I was directed to the author’s website. On the main page was one single cartoon. It was one panel featuring 2 little girls standing on a scale together and looking at the number. One girl says to the other, “Suppose we should go on a diet?”

*sigh*

Photo at top of blog from the Flickr account of The Library of Congress, licensed for use with attribution via Creative Commons 2.0

If you’re a fan of Dwight Schrute, the more than slightly off-center salesman on the t.v. series “The Office”, you know those are three of his favorite subjects in the world.

You can now add to that list. Dwight enjoys soul pancakes.

Not Dwight, exactly, but rather the talented actor who plays my favorite assistant (to the) manager on the long-running comedy series: Rainn Wilson.

“Soul Pancake” – http://soulpancake.com/ – is the name of a website Wilson co-created with his two friends, Joshua Homnick and Devon Gundry. The website was born from their “desire to create a space where people from all walks of life could discuss and question what it means to be human—a place to wrestle with the spiritual, philosophical, and creative journey that is life”, the website explains.

The site was founded in 2008, although I just learned about it thanks to a video I saw online in which Wilson was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey about the website and the message behind it. I was struck by some of the artistic projects offered to people on the street in the hopes of getting them to see the world through more colorful vision and getting their own creativity flowing.

In one video, a large piece of glass was mounted on the sidewalk, standing tall like a glass canvas. Passersby were invited to roll up their sleeves, dip their fingers in the rainbow choice of paints provided, and paint whatever they liked on the glass. The joy many expressed was similar to the purity you see in small children when they finger paint. The “paintings” ranged from Jackson Pollock like expressions to clear cut images full of color and life.

In another video, passersby were offered their choice of several picture frames. They were asked to select one, then walk around holding it up and “framing” things that looked worthy of being considered art. A video camera followed them around as they considered their choices and “framed” them. Some choices were more conventional – flowers, a person – and some were not so conventional. The result was people rethinking the things they see every day, just walking down the street, and seeing how much true art is out there. You just have to want to see it.

With its own YouTube channel, there are plenty of videos to watch that include the above-mentioned art challenges, man on the street interviews, and interviews with Rainn Wilson and others.

The Conversation section allows members of the website to ask questions and have meaningful discussions about the answers they post. In keeping with the theme of Soul Pancake, the questions are often philosophical, spiritual or artistic. Recent questions include “What does better off mean to you?”, “What is the one thing you must do every day?” and “Does everything have a price?” While heavy subjects are represented, smaller every day questions are posted, too.

The Activities section invites you to interact artistically with the website by posting a picture or writing something. A recent directive states, “Why should we survive? Defend humanity in 25 words or less.” People then reply with their own outlook.

There is also a book called, “Chew on Life’s Big Questions: Speak Your Mind. Unload Your Questions. Figure Out What It Means to be Human.” I haven’t read the book yet but the website and the explanation Wilson gave of it made me bookmark the site.

The Internet is full of negativity, heartbreaking news stories, websites meant to drag us down or lift us up only by dragging others down, and huge wastes of our time. It’s nice to see a site that has such positivity at its forefront. Anyone who enjoys pondering the bigger questions in life with others and exploring their artistic side should go out for a Soul Pancake. It’s good eatin’.

Spending time working for a charity organization, in whatever capacity that may be, provides an opportunity for kids to learn a great deal. When kids volunteer they gain skills in the areas of responsibility, organization, leadership, and self-confidence. 

Volunteer work fosters compassion, gratitude, empathy, selflessness and awareness – qualities we all want our children to exhibit and embrace. Kids can also learn that even at a young age, their actions can make an impact, that they can positively affect the lives of others.

Volunteering also provides extremely important benefits that may keep kids out of trouble. The Search Institute reports that youth who volunteer, even just one hour a week, are 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or engage in destructive behavior.

Many schools now encourage or require students to complete community service hours, which is an excellent impetus to get started. Your school may provide a list of community service opportunities, or you may want to contact your church or neighborhood center for ideas.

When you are looking for a volunteer opportunity for your child or your family, take your interests into consideration, and try to spend time somewhere where you truly enjoy what you are doing. Homeless shelters, soup kitchens, community events, senior centers, environmental groups, local humane societies or shelters, classrooms, etc. all need volunteer helpers now and then. Take some time to look into what needs individual groups have, what ages they accept children as volunteers, and how much of a time commitment they require.

The time you spend giving back to the community, helping someone in need, or working to create something that will empower others is truly time well spent. You will gain so much from the experience, and you will give your children a valuable gift that they will carry with them.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user FoodBankCENC.org, licensed for use via Creative Commons)

Not many. And that even includes people who are in wonderful physical shape but cannot see it due to disordered vision.

Here are 9 ways to quiet the voice that tells you that you don’t deserve to love your body.

1. Wear clothes you feel comfortable in

Don’t wear clothes that feel too tight or restrict movement. Don’t hold off on buying clothes you like- do it now! Be comfortable now, not 10 pounds from now. Dress to express yourself, not to impress others. You should feel good in what you wear, no matter what size you are.

2. Cut labels out of your clothes

The size on the tags shouldn’t dictate your mood for the day. Clothing sizes vary so much from store to store, designer to designer, and item to item that few people have truly just one size they wear.

3. Stay away from the scale

As a matter of fact, get rid of it! If your weight needs to be monitored, leave that up to the doctors. How much you weigh should never affect your self-esteem or your sense of who you are.

4. Talk to yourself in the mirror

Focus on what you like and remind yourself that it’s okay to like and appreciate what you see, no matter what size you are. Start with small things, if you like, such as, “I look fabulous in these earrings.” Work your way up to admiring specific parts of your body and really mean it.

5. Stay away from fashion magazines

Let’s face it, most fashion and women’s magazines focus on an ideal of beauty that is just not something anyone in real life can be. What isn’t an illusion using designers, make-up artists, camera people, and lighting specialists is usually Photoshopped to within an inch of its life. Invest in magazines that contribute to who you are and what you like, such as news magazines or magazines that relate to positive hobbies and interests (art, music, sports, traveling, home decorating, gardening, etc.).

6. Take the time to do nice things for your body

Once a month get a massage, a manicure, or a facial. Pamper yourself with long hot baths featuring candlelight and a favorite cd. Get together with a friend and give each other pedicures. Buy lotions that feel and smell good and treat yourself to some perfume or body mist. Take naps when you need to or just because you can.

7. Go places you’d never go alone

Ever go to a movie by yourself? Or enjoy a cup of coffee at the local cafe and read the paper? How about a fancy restaurant, dinner for one? Spend time with yourself, as that is the first person you need to get to know and love spending time with. Take the risk and try it!

8. Stay active

Movement therapy is something that helps improve everyone’s sense of being. Unless you are not cleared for activity by your doctor or therapist, try something new like yoga or Tai’ Chi. Join a karate class. Take a walk three days a week in an interesting environment, like a park or walking trail. Get outside and play volleyball with the kids or go roller skating in the park with your friends. Take a leisurely bike ride at sunrise. Make angels in the snow and sandcastles at the beach. Be active and enjoy life!

9. Protect the child in you

Look at children around you and ask yourself, “Would I criticize them for being themselves?” Are you focused on the weight of a five-year-old while you watch them play with friends? Wouldn’t you protect a child being picked on? You don’t deserve to be picked on either, and certainly not by yourself. If you wouldn’t say it to a child, don’t say it to yourself.

The estimated number of adolescents 14 to 19 years old seen in emergency rooms for concussions rose from approximately 7,000 in 1997 to nearly 23,000 in 2007. Among children in the 8 to 13 year old age range, emergency room visits increased from an estimated 3,800 in 1997 to 7,800 in 2007.

Recent studies also indicate that a teenager who suffers a concussion is more sensitive than either adults or younger children are to its aftereffects.

“Contrary to the belief by some parents and coaches that children can play through a concussion because their brains are more resilient, we find that children are more vulnerable to the effects of a brain injury than adults,” said lead researcher Dave Ellemberg, a neuropsychologist at the University of Montreal.

And, teenagers suffer greater symptoms than either children or adults, he added.

Concussions can affect short-term memory in adolescents, and those effects can last for six months or longer. Adolescent brains, more specifically the frontal lobe areas of the brain which are affected most by concussion, are still growing in spurts, and are therefore more fragile and sensitive to injury.

Among teens that had suffered concussions, problems with short-term working memory and ability to sustain attention and focus were affected for six months to one year after the injury.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that these injuries are limited solely to boys. The number of girls suffering from concussions in soccer, for example, accounts for the second largest amount of all concussions reported by young athletes, though football still tops the list.

“People who think of concussions as only being present mostly in guys and mostly in the sport of football are just plain wrong,” said Dr. Bob Cantu, Chairman of the Surgery Division and the Director of Sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Mass. “Soccer is right at the top of the list for girls.”

Here are some signs of concussion to watch out for:

• Loss of consciousness
• Severe headache or obvious trauma
• Appetite changes, nausea or vomiting
• Visual changes (blurred vision) and/or sensitivity to light
• Lack of balance or dizziness
• Excessive tiredness
• Feeling dazed or lightheaded
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• Feeling anxious or irritable for no apparent reason