Eating Disorder Myths

I know, this is not something I usually talk about BUT this month I am doing my "Professionally Supervised Independent Study" at an eating disorder facility. As a nutrition major, we have to complete an independent study and I am doing it at Shoreline Center for Eating Disorder Treatment. I have been here for two weeks and will continue learning for three more. So far, I am having a blast and am learning SO much!!! I am shadowing the dietitian at Shoreline, Tina, and she is teaching me more than I expected. She is beyond amazing.

My first assignment was to prepare a presentation on eating disorder myths. I figured since I haven't written in a while, this could be a nice way to keep up with the things I'm doing here.

I chose 5 myths:

Myth #1: Eating disorders are a lifestyle choice; someone can choose to stop having an eating disorder.
Reality: An eating disorder is an illness. To heal, one needs treatment and support. Healing comes with learning and practicing a healthier lifestyle. Eating disorder don't develop over night, they won't go away over night.

Myth #2: Purging = weight loss.
Reality: Purging does NOT rid the body of ingested food. It can actually lead to weight gain due to a slowed metabolism. Vomiting typically leaves 1/2 of what is consumed in the stomach and laxatives only create the illusion of weight loss. This illusion comes from the fluid that is lost. Dehydration is a major danger with purging and can be life-threatening.

Myth #3: You can't exercise too much.
Reality: Without enough calories consumed, excessive exercise can hurt the body. It can lead to dehydration, fatigue, shin splints, cartilage damage, stress fractures, osteoporosis, amenorrhea, heart problems, and arthritis. Your body can only be pushed so far. Without proper fuel you cannot safely exercise. Also, your body needs rest and time to recover before exercising again.

Myth #4: A low calorie diet + a strong commitment = a thin and beautiful body.
Reality: Food deprivation leads to a slower metabolism. This is the body trying to conserve the little energy being put into it. Your healthy weight and shape is inherited from your parents. Being at a healthy level requires a balance of food and exercise. Not everybody is meant to be a a tall bony model, we are all different and have different needs.

Myth #5: Achieving a normal weight means the eating disorder is cured.
Reality: Recovery is achieved when one can live a life free from the eating disorder. Reaching a healthy weight can happen quickly, mental recovery takes more time.

Tomato Dumplings

I came upon this recipe as I was reading the book "A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard. It was too tempting not to try myself. With only 3 ingredients, and taking less than 30 minutes to make, I was very impressed. I will definitely be making this again soon!

What You Need:

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can tomato soup

biscuits (I used Pillsbury Grand Homestyle biscuits)

What You Do:

1. Combine the diced tomatoes and tomato soup and bring to a boil.

2. Pinch the biscuits into smaller pieces.

3. Drop the biscuit pieces into the soup until the puff up (once the mixture is boiling). I tasted one before I decided they were ready. They will still be gooey, but they won't taste so raw.

4. Pour yourself and bowl and enjoy!!

Side Note: If you're looking for a good summer read and haven't read the Jaycee Dugard story, I highly recommend it.

Nutella Rice Krispie Treats

BEWARE: these are particularly addicting. One of my favorite new things lately, Nutella Rice Krispie treats. I made these for a few friends and we could not eat enough (we didn't even have left overs for the next day).

As if I didn't put Nutella on enough things...

Here's what you need:
6 C Rice Krispies
3 TBSP butter
1 bag marshmallows
3/4 C Nutella

Here's what you do:
1. Melt the butter and marshmallows in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir/melt in the Nutella.
3. Add the Rice Krispies and stir until completely combined (you may have to use your hands).
4. Let cool. The Nutella will make it even more sticky than regular Rice Krispie Treats so it will definitely need this cooling time.
5. Enjoy!

Confession: I made this exact recipe two days in a row. I'm tempted to try with half peanut butter and half Nutella, yum!

[Greek] Cookie Dough Frozen Yogurt

As the weather is getting warmer, I am craving ice cream more and more. I am trying SO hard to resist, but sometimes you just have to have something cold and sweet. I stumbled upon this recipe and it looked simple, quick, and looked to me like a healthy alternative to my cravings! It took less than 15 minutes and I already had all the ingredients needed. It was fate.

Here's what you need:
1/2 C unsalted butter [softened]
1/2 C packed dark brown sugar
1/4 C granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 C flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 C dark chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli)
1 C Greek vanilla yogurt (I used Chobani)

Here's what you do:
1. Mix the butter and sugars until soft and fluffy.

2. Add in the vanilla extract.
3. Mix the baking soda, salt, and flour in a separate/smaller bowl. Pour in the chocolate chips.

4. Mix the dry ingredients with the butter/sugar mixture. Mix in the yogurt.

5. Pour into a separate container and freeze overnight.

Makes about 2 cups! Enjoy!!

Original recipe: http://recipesweet.net/chocolate-chunk-cookie-dough-frozen-yogurt/

Oreo Truffles

Here's a simple yummy truffle recipe! It is definitely not the healthiest thing ever made, but it is sure to be great at a party. It only has 3 ingredients and takes barely any time at all.

Here's what you need:
1 package of Oreos
1 small container of cream cheese
1 package of semi-sweet baking chocolate squares

Here's what you do:
1. Mash up the Oreos (minus 6-7 Oreos to prevent the truffle from being to dry) until fine.

2. Mix in the entire container 8 oz container of cream cheese.

3. Roll into small balls and chill until firm.

4. Roll in melted chocolate and chill again.

5. Enjoy!

Note: the extra Oreos can be used as garnish to make these truffles a little more fancy!

Very Berry Pudding

Last Thanksgiving my Aunt Barbara and I came up with this pudding concoction and it was a big hit at our family dinner! We wanted a lighter alternative to the pies and cakes we were having, so this is what we came up with. It's simple, easy to make your own, and totally delicious.

Here's what you need:
3 boxes of Vanilla Jello powder boxes
2 containers of Cool-Whip
1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup blackberries
1/2 cup raspberries
Large serving bowl (I used two smaller ones)

Here's what you do:
1. Prepare the Jello according to the box. Make sure to be thawing the Cool-Whip.
2. Once the Jello has been chilled you can begin layering the pudding. First make a small layer of vanilla pudding. Then sprinkle the berries evenly across the layer.

3. Carefully spread the Cool-Whip across the berries.

4. Make another layer of Jello, except this time put a layer of Cool-Whip next and finish off with a layer of berries.

Originally, my Aunt and I only included the strawberries but I think the blackberries and raspberries were a nice touch. Blueberries also would've been tasty! I tried to arrange the berries nicely so it looked pretty! My teachers would be so proud :)

Make it healthier: opt for sugar free or low fat Jello and Cool-Whip! It'll taste nearly identical to the regular kind.

Fight the Flab

Whenever October and November roll around I put away the bathing suits, bring out the boots, and forget all about those crunches I've been doing all summer. I mean... it's cold outside and I'm constantly wearing layers so what's the point? Today I decided to start working on it again so it wouldn't be as hard when those New Year's resolutions rolled around. Seriously though, you can't be ready for spring break if you start two weeks before hand!

Naturally I went to Pinterest to start looking. Check out my "Circuits" board, it has a ton of good workouts!

These are the two I did today:

Try it out, they're super easy! Another thing I love to do is to go to YouTube and type is "Pilates Abs." So many videos pop up giving you step-by-step instruction. They only last around 10 minutes and then you're done for the day!

Ps. The "Pop and Hip Hop Workout" station on Pandora is amazing! :)