For a long time, food had way too much power over me. I thought about it constantly. I judged myself by it. I punished myself with it. I used it as a measuring stick for my worth, my discipline, my holiness, my “progress.” And yet, ironically, the more I tried to control food, the more controlled I felt.
If you’ve walked through eating disorders, disordered eating, or even just a complicated relationship with food, you know exactly what I mean. Food becomes loud. It takes up mental space it...
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” — Song of Songs 4:7
The mirror has too often felt like a battlefield. We’ve measured our worth by numbers on a scale, compared ourselves to highlight reels on social media, or carried the weight of believing we will never be “enough.” But the truth is, body image issues are not really about our bodies — they’re about where we place our identity.
God’s Word tells us that our identity is not in appearance, achievements, or the...
Aging is a funny thing. Our bodies, once so strong and familiar, begin to shift in ways we might not have anticipated. But I’ve realized that I’m not alone, and I want to share this journey with you, because if you're a woman over 50 who feels the weight of this, you need to know it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling.
The mirror doesn’t reflect the same face or figure I once knew. Things aren’t as firm, smooth, or toned as they used to be. Sometimes, I feel frustrated, discouraged, and even...
My journey to intuitive eating was a long and bumpy one. One that has been 39 years in the making, and is ever evolving; But I can honestly say that I have come to a place where I trust my body enough to listen, and intuitive eating has become second nature.
Before I get to how I came to this place, let me share the journey.
The first time I can ever remember thinking about what I was eating was when I was 14 years old. This was the time in my life I developed anorexia nervosa, which...
Being a teenager is a challenging phase of life. However, it is even more difficult for young girls in today's world. They are constantly exposed to unrealistic beauty standards and messages that do not align with the true meaning of beauty and self-worth. This has resulted in an alarming rise in cases of body dysmorphia, particularly among young girls.
Body dysmorphia is a disorder that affects individuals, particularly teenagers, who become preoccupied with perceived flaws in their...
The Word of God tells us to be thankful in all circumstances according to the will of Christ Jesus. Do we have to be grateful when we don't lose weight as quickly as we would like? Yep. Does it mean to be thankful for the changes that come with aging? It sure does. But how about feeling down about our health journey? That can't possibly be the case, can it? Um, yep, that too.
Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed by the discontentment we feel about our bodies. When our perception of our bodies is...
Years ago, tears streamed down my sweet baby girl's face as she said in broken sobs, "Momma, I don't feel pretty." The outfit didn't work, the hair didn't straighten right, it didn't work for her that morning, and she didn't think she was pretty. You know what? I get it. I do. I have spent the better part of my forty-something years not feeling lovely. And whether you're a young girl or a mature woman, it matters.
When we were formed, the Creator knitted the feeling of and desire for beauty...
When it comes to finding victory over food and disordered eating, we often speak of enjoying freedom in the Lord. However, you may wonder what this means and how it looks practically. It simply means that, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and victory over sin and death, you are no longer obligated to sin nor to satisfying your flesh. Now you have the same authority over sin that Christ had when he rose from the grave.
The truth is, though, that before we can apply that freedom, we...
It's hard to be a teenager. In my opinion, it's never been more challenging than it is now.
My daughter recently told me that her friends have begun abstaining from food, dieting, and even purging to be thinner and more “socially acceptable” over the past year or so.
I have been discussing this topic with her lately, as social media, cultural pressures, and skimpy fashion trends make it increasingly difficult for teens to navigate one of the most challenging times of their lives.
As a...
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
There is nothing more spectacular than fall in the Midwest. The spectrum of colors is difficult to describe. I stood in awe yesterday morning, gazing at a painted sunrise sky and rainbow of changing leaves. As I tried to take it all in, I praised God for His great love for us. What a wonderful gift He...
Nourish: Discover God's Perfectly Balanced Plan for Your Body and Soul Encouragement and practical knowledge for living a healthy spiritual & physical lifestyle, inspiring you to get healthy from the inside out.
Devotions for a Healthier You A devotional filled with scriptures, encouraging stories, and tips on keeping a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
100 Simple & Delicious Recipes for Clean Eating An inspirational cookbook chock-full of healthy, innovative yet simple recipes.
