Saturday Giveaways

CHAMPAGNE LIVING GIVEAWAYS
Dentyne Gum Giveaway
Win 3 Containers of Dentyne Gum in Spearmint, Peppermint and Arctic Chill - 2 Winners Giveaway at Champagne Living Ends 1/29


LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Aguacate & Co. Giveaway
Win a $20 Gift Certificate to Aguacate & Co. Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 1/31

Chocomize Gift Certificate
Win a $25 Gift Certificate to Chocomize to design a custom chocolate bar -2 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/31 

Good Clean Love Giveaway
Win a Cupid's Travel Kit from Good Clean Love that includes Almost Naked Organic Lubricant, 2 oz. Love Oil of your choice & 2 oz. Cocoa Mint Body Dessert {ARV $34}Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 1/31 

NEW AGE MAMA GIVEAWAYS
Bake Me a Wish Giveaway
Win a Triple Chocolate Brownie Cake from Bake Me A Wish {ARV $39.95} Giveaway at New Age Mama Ends 1/30 

THE REVIEW BROADS GIVEAWAYS
Carolina Pad Giveaway
Win an assortment of Notebooks, Pens, Pencils & More from Carolina Pad - 2 Winners Giveaway at The Review Broads  Ends 1/30 

SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Nature's Hand Granola Giveaway
Win a Granola Variety Pack from Nature's Hand.  Flavors include:  Original, Raisin Hazelnut, Cranberry Apricot, Coconut Cashew, Wild Blueberry & Cinnamon Apple Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/30 

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Dr. Alkaitis Makeup Remover Giveaway

Win a Bottle of Organic Mascara & Eye Makeup Remover from Dr. Alkaitis {ARV $23}- 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/24  

Vivabox Magazine Experience Giveaway
Win a Women's Magazine Experience from Vivebox Magazine that contains 7 Magazines, most geared toward women {ARV $29.95}Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/24

TODDLER MOMMA GIVEAWAYS
Phoenix Trading Giveaway
Win your choice of Wrapping Paper, Height Chart, and Greeting Card Organizer from Phoenix Trading at Giveaway at Toddler MommaEnds 1/24


Orglamix Eye Shadow Giveawa
Win your choice of any 3 Orglamix Eye Colors Giveaway at Toddler Momma Ends ?

Finally Friday Giveaways

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Metamucil Heart Healthy Prize Package Giveaway
Win a Heart Healthy Prize Package from Metamucil that includes Metamucil Pink Lemonade Sugar Free, Orange Smooth Texture Sugar Free, and a Bottle of Metamucil Heart & Digestive Health Capsules - 2 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/28 

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion Giveaway
Win  a Bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion {ARV $18} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/30

Monave Cosmetics Giveaway
Win a Lip Product & Illuminizer of Choice from Monave {ARV $23} - 5 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/30 



THE REVIEW BROADS GIVEAWAYS
Searching for Tina Turner by Jacqueline E. Luckett Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Searching for Tina Turner by Jacqueline E. Luckett - 5 Winners Giveaway at The Review Broads Ends 1/28


Lone Star Legend by Gwendolyn Zepeda Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the Book Lone Star Legend by Gwendolyn Zepeda - 5 Winners Giveaway at The Review Broads  Ends 1/30


SIMPLY STACIE GIVEAWAYS
Flirty Aprons Giveaway
Win an Apron of your choice from Flirty Aprons Giveaway at Simply Stacie  Ends 1/28


Late July Organic Snacks Giveaway
Win a Gift Box from Late July Organic Snacks containing 1 of each of their new Mini-Cookies & a Variety of Single Serve Snacks Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/29

 

Ban T-Shirts Giveaway
Win a T-Shirt of your choice from Ban T-Shirts Giveaway at Simply Stacie Ends 1/29 



SKIN MD NATURAL VALENTINE'S DAY GIVEAWAY
Valentine's Day Goody Basket Giveaway
Win a goody basket from Skin MD Natural worth $100 that includes:  2 Bottles of Skin MD Lotions, 1 lb. of See's Dark Chocolate (Drool!), 12 Starbucks VIA ready-brew Coffee Pouches, a "Kiss Me Mug", a Teddy Bear, and a Lollipop Bouquet Giveaway at Skin MD Natural Ends 2/7/10

SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Yak Pak Nobu Handbag Giveaway
Win a Nobu Bag from Yak Pak {ARV $40} - 3 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/23   

Dog Is Good Giveaway
Win a $25 Gift Certificate to Dog Is Good  Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/23  

Hairfree Brush Giveaway
Win a set of 2 Brushes (Flat and Round) from Hairfree {ARV $23.70} - 2 Winners Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/23  

Funeral on a gloomy day...

I just got home from a funeral of an old friend of mine from school.  We were friends from 2nd grade all through school, but I hadn't seen her since my high school graduation in 1996.  I need to keep in better touch because now she does not live terribly far from me.  Her father was only 59, and she looks as if it's been a rough couple of months for her, she's so thin.  She has a 2.5 yr. old son & a 6 month old son on top of her father being in & out of the hospital since Halloween.  When I saw her though, I knew coming was the right thing to do (it was about a 1.5 hr. drive for us) and that she appreciated it even though I hadn't seen her father in some years.  It is always sad to get together with old friends under such sad circumstances.

It's rainy and gloomy and gray today, fitting weather for a funeral, I suppose.  Tessa did well except she insisted on practically doing the River Dance on her chair during the prayer before the refreshments.  A 2 yr. old can only behave well for so long!

Rainy Thursday giveaways

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Little Red Wagon Granola Giveaway
Win a Granola Prize Package from Little Red Wagon that includes 4 full-sized bags of granola in flavors Original, Cosmopolitan, Crunchy Monkey & Big Apple {ARV $26} - 3 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies  Ends 1/28

Mrs. Renfro's Gourmet Salsas Giveaway
Win a Salsa Prize Package of 4 Jars (Winner's Choice) {ARV $13} - 2 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/29 


LUXURY READING GIVEAWAYS
Wish by Alexandra Bullen Book Giveaway
Win a signed copy of the book Wish by Alexandra Bullen Giveaway at Luxury Reading  Ends 2/2 


SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
Lush Shower Gel Set Giveaway
Win Happy Hippy & The Olive Branch Shower Gels from Lush {ARV $18.50} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/21


The Mayo Clinic Diet Book & Journal Giveaway
Win a copy of The Mayo Clinic Diet Book & companion Journal {ARV $40} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/21


Build-a-Bear Alvin & the Chipmunks Set
Win an Alvin & the Chipmunks Set from Build-a-Bear (Alvin, Simon, Theodore & Brittany) {ARV $48}  Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/22


Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Deluxe Heirloom Edition
Win the Deluxe Heirloom Edition of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith {ARV $24.95} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/22

Organic Batter Blaster Pancake & Waffle Batter Giveaway
Win a Prize Package from Organic Batter Blaster that includes 3 VIP Coupons for Free Pancake & Waffle Batter Blaster and an Adult or Child's T-shirt {ARV $30}Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/22  

1/13 contest roundup

CHAMPAGNE LIVING GIVEAWAYS
Prime-Time Health by Dr. Sears Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Prime-Time Health by Dr. Sears - 2 Winners Giveaway at Champagne Living Ends 1/26  


LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS
Bayes EuroSpa Hand Soap Giveaway
Win a EuroSpa Hand Soap from Bayes in your choice of scent {ARV $7.99} - 2 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/26 

Giveaways for Tuesday

LESLIE LOVES VEGGIES GIVEAWAYS

CLICK Espresso Protein Drink Giveaway
Win a CLICK Espresso Protein Sample Package that includes:  a CLICK Espresso Protein Drink Canister, a CLICK 20 oz. Shaker & a CLICK Sample Pack (one single serving packet) {ARV $34} Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/26  

Charlie's Soap Giveaway
Win a Prize Package from Charlie's Soap (One Grand Prize Winner) & 10 Runners Up receive a 5-wash Sample Pack - 11 Winners Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies Ends 1/27

THE REVIEW BROADS GIVEAWAYS
Doors Open by Ian Rankin Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book Doors Open by Ian Rankin - 5 Winners  Giveaway at The Review Broads Ends 1/26


Among Thieves by David Hosp Book Giveaway

Win a copy of  the book Among Thieves by David Hosp - 5 Winners  Giveaway at The Review Broads Ends 1/27

   
SWEEPS4BLOGGERS GIVEAWAYS
The Napkin the Melon & the Monkey Book Giveaway
Win a copy of the book The Napkin the Melon & the Monkey by Barbara Burke {ARV $16.99} Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/20 

Freshpair Underwear $30 Gift Certificate Giveaway
Win a $30 Gift Certificate to Freshpair (Women's & Men's Underwear) Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers Ends 1/20 

Perennial Toys Polar Bear Set Giveaway
Win a Polar Bear Starter Set from Perennial Toys {ARV $9.95}Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers  Ends 1/21 

Anorexia and Eating Disorders...sigh

I might have mentioned I suffered from anorexia and compulsive exercise while in college and a bit afterwards for 4 or 5 years.  I have been recovered (at least in actions and sometimes in thoughts) for going on 8 years or more now, but some of the ED thoughts just don't go peacefully, like guilt after eating a high calorie food, feeling down on myself for gaining weight (even if it's likely water weight) a need to exercise most days (but not a fraction of what I used to do).  I do have some hard times coming to grips with the body I get with weight lifting--broader shoulders and quads hence pants and shirts don't fit and I do feel "fat".  At my worst, I weighed around 80 lb. (I'm 5'4" tall) and was exercising (mostly running) 4-5 HOURS a day.  It's a wonder I didn't kill myself though I did eventually confess to my mom I was having problems via email.  I so wished I could unsend that message the minute I sent it but it did start me at least going to see people would could help (it was awhile before I actually did decide to recover and not just pretend to be recovering--I found the prospect of change & gaining weight just overwhelming). 

I didn't mean for this post to go into my past.  I used to post on several ED boards (both pro-ED and later pro-recovery boards and still do from time to time post on We Bite Back as livingtx thought it's been awhile since I've been there.  Sometimes even good boards can be triggering and other times I'm doing so well ED wise I really have no need of the boards.  I'll try to write out more of my ED story later and maybe get some pictures uploaded.  (This is a new laptop and my photos are all on my old desktop computer.)

Anyway, there are times I'll be going along in life just fine then suddenly--BAM! out of the blue I get jolted back to those memories and that period of my life (for me, recovery from the ED was the hardest thing I've done so far--harder than getting my master's degree in Cell & Molecular Biology harder than giving birth, harder than breastfeeding my daughter for 2 years, harder than being a mom, even--at least as yet I have no doubt things will get more challenging with Tessa in the future).  Usually, the trigger for me is seeing someone with an obvious ED.  Sometimes I can just look at a person and know they have an ED (especially with anorexia, as was the case today).  I was in Barnes & Noble (we go there to the Kid's section to read books and for Tessa to play with the Thomas the Train table) and one of the employees near us had an obvious ED.  Well, I'm about 99% certain she did.  I suppose there's the slight chance it could be something else but she had all the signs--painfully thin, a hollow gaunt face (this I find is the most telling sign), bad front teeth (often a result of insufficient nutrition & acid damage from purging) and was chewing gum (even now I find myself struggling to break free of the constant gum chewing that went with my ED, a way to try to "trick" yourself into thinking you're eating).  I couldn't place her age exactly but I'd guess she was probably somewhere in her 20s.  The awful thinness makes people look so much older in the face than they actually are.  In pictures when I was in my early twenties, I could have easily been in my 40s looking at my face.  As always when I come upon these people by chance, I wish I could help, say something to them, tell them I understand what it's like.  But I never do.  There is always the small chance I could have misjudged (though I doubt it) and anyway it would be an intrusion and not something they would want to hear unless they are open to help.  I felt pity for her, unlike in my past where I would see a person with an ED and just wish I were as thin as she.  After I leave, I always feel some guilt for not just saying "Here's my number.  Here's my email. Call me if you want to talk.  I know what you are going through."  ED's are very isolating and friends and family tend to get pushed away.  I never felt so lonely as I did at that stage of my life and it would have been nice to have someone who really understood to talk too and who was far enough into recovery that it wouldn't set them back or turn into a competition as to who is the best anorexic (nearly all ED sufferers wish to be anorexic, I've found, very few wish to be bulimic or perceived as bulimic).  I know I talked to many therapists and shrinks but I didn't truly connect with anyone until I met up with a group of dieticians in Houston (The Healthy Weigh), run by Caryn Honig who had recovered from an ED herself and the dietician I worked with said she'd never been diagnosed as an ED patient but had many of the signs and was just this side of it before she turned things around.  Then, I felt like I was finally talking to people who helped and really understood.  By the way, Caryn was great and negotiated a pay what I could afford plan since I was in graduate school at the time and didn't have much in the way of income.

That's some of my ED story, I guess, more another time but thought I would write on the subject since it was revelant to what happened today.