Rumors have been swirling for months now, and I am happy to confirm: The CEDRIC Centre has found new office space. We're moving to 485 Garbally Road.

The new space will be air conditioned, with larger offices for Karen and Michelle, a more private waiting area, and a kitchen.

We're very excited about the move and can't wait to show all of you around, so stay tuned, next issue we'll have pictures.

We take possesion of the new space as of August 15th. However groups and individual sessions will continue without interruption at our old location, while we renovate the new space, and move the contents of the office. August 30th will be the day we start having sessions in the new space.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us, we love to hear from you!

Directions to 485 Garbally from Douglas heading south:

1. Make a right at the Douglas and Finlayson intersection, (by Denny's).
2. Once on Finlayson make a left at the intersection onto Gorge, (second light).
3. Stay in the right lane.
4. At the first intersection, make a right onto Bridge Street and a sharp right onto Garbally Road.
5. Street parking available.

We may be moving, but we'll always be here for you!

A letter from Edie

My day this past February began more depressing than ever. I was feeling so frightened because the dieting that had become my constant companion and friend was now betraying me. I wasn't able to mentally handle following a diet plan. It is overwhelming to me now.

I had to face the fact that, as I've really always known, my eating habits were controlling every single aspect of my life, both emotionally and physically. I had removed myself from most social situations and only found a numbing joy in eating almost 24/7.

I decided to look on the Internet for information on compulsive eating. I could barely type the words. Overeater's Anonymous information came up and I couldn't even read it. I opened up a few other very "clinical" like websites and got the same horrible, cold feeling.

I probed a little further and found the CEDRIC Centre's website. The warm colors, uplifting sun graphic put a smile on my face. As I investigated the site a little further, I read the most interesting, insightful articles. I took the survey, which, of course, confirmed that I was a classic compulsive overeater. I felt a sense of relief and hopefulness as I read through the information. It was at this point my heart sunk, the CEDRIC Centre was in Western Canada and I was on the East Coast of the United States in New Jersey. We couldn't have been further away....

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

The Diet Mentality

The Diet Mentality is a way of thinking that has been ingrained in us by messages we received from our family and friends, from advertisements and media messages, and from diet and exercise programs that we may have tried in the past, or may currently be pursuing.

These views about how we should look, feel, and behave, have become a part of our way of life. Without these guidelines many of us feel like we would have no restrictions, and would just let go and "go crazy" - eating whatever we wanted with no ability to control ourselves. What would follow, we fear, is uncontrollable weight gain. Not to mention the ridicule of family, friends, co-workers, the checkout girl and drive through window cashier. Sensitive people to begin with, Compulsive Eaters will do almost anything to avoid the negative comments, and judgmental glances of others.

But if we are truly honest with ourselves, we don't need anyone else to judge us. We do enough self- criticizing and negative self chatter to keep us in line without ever again having to hear someone else say, "You'd have such a pretty face, if only you could lose some weight." Ouch!

This is Beautiful is a series of nude photographs of women of various shapes, sizes, colors, ages, and abilities that showcases the innate beauty of every women's body. In addition to being photographed by creator Amanda Koster, Victoria participants of This is Beautiful will take part in a documentary and book about the project.

Amanda and her crew will be in Victoria for the shoot on August 21st and 22nd.

A location for the shoot has been chosen in downtown Victoria, and as we get closer to the date, registrants will be contacted with details.

Thanks to some of the great folks in Victoria, Amanda and her crew have recieved accomodation from Laurel Point Inn, with passage to Victoria from Seattle provided by The Yankee Clipper. Food for the event has been donated by Feys and Hobbs Catering, Cascadia Bakery, Mount Royal Bagels, and coffee from Starbucks. Film and processing has been donated by Kodak Professional.

We'd like to extend a special thank you to all of Victoria's fabulous media organizations. The Victoria News Group, Monday Magazine, B 107.3, Village 900, CFAX, and Go! Magazine on CHTV-- thanks for helping us put the word out there for this great event.

Jennifer Portnick is a certified aerobics instructor and personal trainer. She is the owner of Feeling Good Fitness. Photo copyrighted by Victoria Smith

If you're one to make New Year's resolutions, chances are this year's commitment to exercise more has already fallen by the wayside. Many people start off the year with a fresh vow to get on the exercise bandwagon. "I'll do aerobics", they say, or walk every day. "I know I'll feel better, and I'll probably look better, too." These are the things we say to ourselves as envision a fitter, stronger self. We say we can do it and we believe that we will.

If your fitness resolution, however, lasted no longer than a few exhausting trips to the gym, you are in good company. Fewer than 20% of Americans get in sustained aerobic exercise just three times a week, fitness industry estimates say, and only a tiny fraction of people actually exercise nearly every day. Why is it that Americans say we are committed to fitness behaviors, yet we practice them so rarely?

A clue to why America exercises so little may be in my own past. When I used exercise as a tool of punishment, I didn't want to exercise very often. But when I decided I would do only what I liked to do, I found I could make moving my body a daily occurrence, one to which I actually looked forward. We tend to do what we enjoy, and we tend not to do what we dread. Seems simple, yes?

In our last issue, Michelle Morand wrote about vegetarianism and eating disorders, this issue a reader from the UK wanted to share her experiences as a a vegeterian who also struggles with disordered eating.

I have had eating problems for many years - started dieting from about the age of 12 and continued ever since. I was never in the obese category but more on the 'podgy' side for many years during puberty, school days and college days. When I left polytechnic in 1982 I went on a diet and lost quite a bit of weight with the help of hypnotism but that's when the bingeing, starving myself and making myself sick started. I have never had full blown Bulmia but have gone though periods in my life where I have made myself sick after bingeing - it can be months between this happening but over the last three months it has got more regular. I have been at a weight I am happy at for about a year but remaining there is very difficult.

I don't call myself a vegetarian as I have never given up fish but have not ate meat for about 8 years or more. I stopped eating meat not for any reason related to my weight but rather I was shocked when I watched a documentary on TV about the way they farm turkeys for the Xmas trade and that put me off eating meat ever since. The lack of eating meat has never deterred me bingeing and I have never craved meat - the only odd occasion I have felt a twinge is if I smell bacon frying which is a rare occasion. My cravings when binging are normally for sweet things and only occasionally do I crave savoury foods such as cheese, crisps etc. so I do not believe vegetarianism is the cause of my eating problems.

Our thanks to Sonia for sharing her feedback!

Who doesn't like Orange Juliuses? They're frosty, cool, and delicious.

And with this great, and extremely easy to make recipe, you can enjoy an Orange Julius at home, anytime you want it!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Orange Juice
• 1 Cup Water
• 2 Egg Whites
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/4 cup ice

Preperation:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender
• Blend on high for 15-30 seconds, or until preferred thickness

Makes 2 Drinks.

Create Profound and Lasting Shifts in Your Relationship with Food.

Join The CEDRIC Centre, October 20th-24th 2004, at Tigh Na Mara Resort in Parksville B.C., for our Metamorphosis Retreat.

Between Intensive group counselling sessions, enjoy a game of golf, a massage at the world renowned Grotto Spa, or soak in the indoor pool and hot tub.

Take advantage of our early bird special, book before September 3rd and pay only $1123.50, all inclusive.

After September 3rd, $1337.50 *Based on Double Occupancy, three meals, two snacks a day and daily group sessions. For a more detailed itinerary, please give us a call, or check out our website.

(Please note, prices based on payment via check, a processing fee is levied if payment is made by credit card)

Emily Baxter

This issue our Extraordinary Woman is Emily Baxter, a 20 year old Victoria resident, employed by Starbucks Coffee Co. and Eddie Bauer.

She's volunteering in an AIDS clinic in Mengo Hospital, Kampala Uganda, with an organization called Friends of Mengo. She'll be treating Ugandan AIDS patients, (providing supplements and treating malaria, cholera, and other illnesses AIDS patients are susceptible to). In addition to treating patients in the clinic, she'll be making daytrips out to rural areas to treat patients that are too ill to come to the Mengo Hospital, and educating communities about AIDS, and how it's contracted.

Emily leaves for Uganda September 12th. She'll be there for a minimum of 4 months, and will stay for anywhere up to a year, if she can get the funding. She needs at least four thousand dollars for the four months, and around eight to ten thousand dollars to stay for a year. But, the flight alone costs $2500, and then there are mandatory vaccinations, travel insurance, and other expenses to factor in.

"I feel a huge sense of compassion, I want to help these people and have no problem giving up the luxuries I have here, to help those in need," Emily says. She got involved because she has always had a desire to help people, and volunteer her time and skills. "I want to go into medicine, and already have a great deal of first aid training," she says.

There are 30 million people suffering from AIDS/HIV in Africa. In Uganda alone, there are two million orphans, around 50% of those are orphaned by AIDS. Over 4 thousand children are infected, and almost 30% of the Ugandan population is HIV positive. Still, Uganda is better than some African countries, and studies show that the work being done in these countries is having a positive impact, and reducing the number of infections. And improving quality of life.

"I am able and driven, I think everybody has some thing that drives and excites them, the thought of helping people, making a difference in the world, and learning from the people in Uganda about their lives, has always been a dream."

If you'd like to help Emily, the best way to contribute is through donation. So far sponsors such as Blockbuster, HMV, Silk Roads, FISH Hair, Three-Sixty Board Shop, and Levi's Jeans, have all donated items for a silent auction.

"Donations given in my name go directly to my cost of living, allowing me to be there helping people on a daily basis. I am not getting any form of payment, and must somehow pay for my living costs while volunteering my time," Emily says.

But she still needs help. Donations can be dropped off at the Mayfair Starbucks for Emily until Sept 1st, or you can call or e-mail her for more information. em_baxter@hotmail.com Her phone number is: 250- 217-7888. (Please do not call The CEDRIC Centre regarding inquiries for Emily.)

If you'd like more information about the organizations she'll be working with, please visit www.unaso.or.ug/ and www.a vert.org./aidsinafrica.htm

email: brooke@cedriccentre.com

phone: 1-866-383-0797 / 250-383-0797

web: http://www.cedriccentre.com