by, Michelle Morand, Founder and Director of The CEDRIC Centre.

Many men and women today are taking advantage of vegetarianism as a politically correct and socially acceptable way to mask their disordered eating behaviour.

The diet/restriction mentality is rampant in our society and people everywhere in North America are being given the distinct impression that thinner is better, and low fat, low carb, is the only way to be. How are we, as individuals, supposed to know what is really right for us; for our bodies; for our souls, when almost every message we receive speaks to tuning out to our authentic selves and trusting what someone else says we should eat, should have, should look like?

For those with disordered eating patterns, the drive to be thin is all encompassing. The belief that thinness will provide us with the perfect life is so very enticing that we throw out all rational thought and commit everything that we are, everything that we have, to the pursuit of the ideal form. The longer we focus on our relationship with food and with our body as being the answer to everything, the less able we become to handle the curve balls that life will inevitably throw our way.

Last issue we introduced you to photographer Amanda Koster, creater of This IS Beautiful.

This IS Beautiful is a series of (mostly) nude photographs of women of various shapes, sizes, colors, ages, and abilities that showcases the innate beauty of every women's body.

We're thrilled to announce that Amanda and her crew, Rain, Nan, and videographer Sarah, are indeed coming to Victoria for a shoot, (tentatively scheduled for August 21/22. And that Sarah will be filming participants for a documntary about TIB. In addition to all that, Amanda has been approched with a book deal about This IS Beautiful.

There's still room for participants so feel free to sign up, or forward this to someone who may be interested in participating. More of Amanda's Interview:

What do you hope viewers take away after seeing photos from This IS Beautiful?

I really hope that viewers, men and women alike, realize the beauty in every body. Us women, we are your sisters, mothers, daughters, girlfriends. We are real and our bodies deserve to be treated with respect and honor. We need to treat ourselves that way and deserve that compassion from the world as well.

How do you think This IS Beautiful is challenging ideas about media, culture, and imagery?

I think This IS Beautiful challenges these things because it is not a 'backlash' at all. I am better than that. I want TIB to JOIN the culture and be a part of it. This IS Beautiful is not interested in alienating this culture like this preset culture has alienated me. I am my culture and want to see myself within it. I want everyone to realize that we are the media and our culture, that no matter what our bodies and minds belong to us and they are all a very beautiful thing.

by, Sue O'Shea, a distance cleint of The CEDRIC Centre

Today was very difficult. I was in an important meeting at work, and my phone went five times. My daughter and my partner were arguing and wanted me to sort it out. As I was leaving the meeting I immediately started to think about 'what can I eat'. At that moment, Michelle appeared at my side, she began asking me, "can I sit with my feelings", she assured me I can eat if I want to, she explained to me that this is how I take care of myself. She helped me to give myself a hug.

I have never been in the same room with Michelle, I have never been in the same country as Michelle, and yet she is with me every day. Michelle is my counsellor from The [CEDRIC] centre. She lives and works in Canada. I live in England. We have Internet counselling.

This process is unusual and yet I can verify that it is as powerful as' face to face counselling'. Although one would wonder if you can portray a feeling via cyberspace, I would like to assure, that Michelle, has been able to understand how I think, encourage me to explore feelings, and most importantly enable me to feel cherished and comforted.

by, Esther Kane, Eating Disorders Therapist for the Vancouver Island Health Authority in Campbell River.

After working in this field for the past 13 years, I have come to the conclusion that there is a book that needs to be written that provides people who are struggling with disordered eating hope, courage, and tools for healing based on learning other's recovery stories. My aim is to collect many personal stories of courage and bravery in the process of recovering from anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, and any other type of problematic relationship with food and body image; pick those that stand out the most, and compile them into a book to offer hope, inspiration, and useful recovery tools to those who are still struggling. I will also be including my own personal journey of recovery from a 12-year struggle with bulimia and anorexia, highlighting how I got better.

If you are well on your way to recovering from disordered eating, have a flair for writing, and want to offer your story voluntarily in order to help others, please send it to me and I will consider it for the book. Please note that you can choose a pseudonym for your name if you like. If you decide to submit a story, it must conform to the following guidelines or it will not be considered for the book:

Specs:

• Up to 5,000 words MAXIMUM
• Must be spell-checked and grammatically sound
• Include your name, address, phone #, and e-mail address so that I can contact you should I decide to include your submission in the book

A new study out of Berkley University has found that over 60% of clinically obese women began dieting before 14 and, as adults, were more likely to be heavier than women who started dieting after age 14.

What does this mean?

Joanne Ikeda, co-director of UC Berkeley's Center for Weight & Health and lead author of the study expalined that there is "growing evidence that repeated dieting adversely affects the body's metabolism, and that dieting before puberty disrupts the body's normal development."

"I suggest that dietitians and obese women shift their focus from weight to metabolic fitness," said Ikeda. "They should look at ways to improve blood pressure and levels of glucose, insulin and lipids rather than what the scale says."

Eating disorders weren't specifically mentioned in the study or in the write up, but research indicates that 80% of all eating disorders start on a diet. And this study, and others like it, show that not only is there an emotional disturbance caused by dieting, but a physical one, as well.

Empathy and support are what Mary Kate Olsen needs right now

News that Mary-Kate, one of the Olsen twins, is battling anorexia nervosa, has thrown the spotlight again on the issue of eating disorders.

Anorexia nervosa primarily affects young women in their teens and early 20s, characterized by a pathological fear of weight gain and leading to restriction, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss.

Michelle Morand, director and founder of The CEDRIC Centre, (Community Eating Disorders and Related Issues Counselling), hopes the family knows, "Anorexia is a very complex and challenging issue and it can be overcome and left behind for good."

Michelle Morand and Head Counsellor Karen Stein of The CEDRIC Centre also worry young teen girls might emulate Mary Kate's eating disorder. "The Olsen's are under incredible pressure to be thin, but that's true of most young women now, and given how teens emulate the twins, it's very possible they may also imitate Mary Kate's disordered relationship food," said Karen Stein.

Morand said, "There are many possible reasons why Mary Kate may turn to food as a coping strategy. The most important thing in this situation is that Mary Kate knows that full recovery is possible and that she is given ample time, space, and understanding by the people closest to her, and by the media, to explore the underlying reasons for her behaviour, and to make changes that will be lasting and most importantly, life enhancing."

Anorexia Nervosa Information:

• Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia
• DSM IV Definition
• Eating Disorder Statistics
• CEDRIC Centre Pressroom