Healthy Body Image

I just finished listening to my first Webinar. I was afraid I wouldn't know what to do because of my lack of techinical abilities, but I did it...and I am actually learning I do know more than I think technically. It was a fun experience! The webinar was sponsored by This Emotional Life which is a PBS series. The topic was Beat the Body Image Blues and it was hosted by Emme. She is a plus size model and author. The panel of speakers were Whitney Thompson a plus size model that was on America's Top Model, Susan Blumenthal MD the first woman Assistant Surgeon General and an advocate for women's health, Daphney Oz (Dr. Oz's daughter) an author of The Dorm Room Diet, and Kimberlee Salmond a senior researcher for the Girl Scout Research Institute.

They talked about body image and self esteem. They also focused on teaching healthy living through exercise, food choice, self esteem and education.

There was a lot of information and I won't share it all...but just a few points that I felt important...

As parents we can:
Start with ourselves...make sure we are consistently knowing we are acceptable just as we are.
Engage kids in healthy living....have fun with healthy foods by planting gardens, going to farmer's markets, making healthy eating fun.
Cook as a family.
Eat together at home as much as possible.
Find some activities that are fun to do as a family.
Complement your kids on who they are as a person.

VALUE DOES NOT EQUAL OUR APPEARANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have to believe that and convey that to our own kids and those we know. I so think this is the main message we need to get out there. Value should not be placed on what we look like. Eating Disorders rate increased 119% in girls under the age of 12 from 1999-2006. HELP. We can start with ourselves. Love the temple that God gave us. Take care of it! God perfectly knitted it with love and care and considers us a masterpiece worthy of his son dying on the cross.

I could use some prayer: I really feel as though God is pointing me in the direction of getting my masters in counseling. So much so that I am narrowing it down to three on line schools. If you could pray that I will use wisdom and discernment in making the right choice.

Also, I REALLY desire to JUMP START the non profit I founded What Is Beautiful and get out there and get workshops started and speak where ever I can....I sometimes feel I am pushing ahead of God and I do not want to do that. So if you could pray that I am going at His pace and not mine that would be great.

I can't believe it is almost summer vacation for the kids! Madie will be going through 8th grade promotion next Thursday. Tomorrow is her last band concert of middle school and with her favorite teacher. Jack is heading off to the middle school this year so his last day ends our 15 year time at that elementary school with all three of my kids!

I really am going to try to write more consistently...I was just going through a season where I was stretching myself and wasn't thinking I had the ability to write any thing worthwhile.

I will leave you with a scripture from my devotions this morning.
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Imitate God...

In everything we do...

We are his dear children...

If we follow the example of Christ...we sacrifice, we love, we serve, we forgive.

Have a great day! For those of you in Western Washington...stay dry and anticipate that 79 degree day that we are suppose to have on Sunday (maybe my garden will no longer be a puddle).
Teresa