Eating Disorders Awareness Week

This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Eating disorders continue to increase and are potentially life threatening. In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Millions more are struggling with binge eating disorder. Even with these staggering numbers, research and treatment continues to be underfunded and inaccessible to many.

This week on Thursday night, The Elisa Project, an eating disorder awareness and prevention organization here in Dallas is hosting a Community gathering dinner. It will be a screening of the movie America the Beautiful by Daryl Roberts. Click on this link to get more information about the event:http://www.theelisaproject.org/portals/0/pdfs/communitdiinnerinvite.pdf

You can also see the movie at the Angelica theater if you cannot make the event on Thursday evening. The film centers around the burgeoning culture of beauty in America, it's influence on world culture, and the dangers it presents to young women, and it's influence on society at large. It is incredibly thought provoking and I encourage everyone to see it.

In honor of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, pay attention to how you treat your own body and how critical you are of others. Instead of self deprecation, do something nice for your body this week. Tell somebody else how fabulous they are both inside and out! Be a critical viewer of the media. Don't allow the media to guide how you feel about yourself. Encourage the same for your friends and family members. Resolve not to diet, but to nuture and nourish your body. Enjoy!

Friends of Girls in Motion

For those of you who haven't heard we are starting a "Friends of Girls in Motion" group. This group will meet quarterly, and hear interesting speakers relating to adolescent issues. Our first speaker, is Dr. Cathey Soutter on March 25th at noon. Check our our website at www.girlsinmotion.org for more information and how to join. She will discuss helping our preteens navigate relationships. While there has been much published about bullying, there doesn't seem to be many resources for parents in helping our children form and maintain healthy relationships, both friendships and romantic relationships. Not one day goes by that I do not hear from a parent about the difficulty their son or daughter is having with a friendship.This preteen time can be challenging to friendships as kids this age change at such different rates. Parents of both boys and girls will benefit from Dr. Soutter's insight. I have heard her talk to many groups about relationships. Not only will you find it beneficial for helping your child, but you may also learn something about yourself that will improve your own relationships!

Physical fitness increases academic achievement

Two new studies were recently released that discussed the relationship of physical fitness of children to their academic achievement. In summary, students with higher fitness levels scored higher on standardized tests. While many theories are tossed around, according to Dr. Karen Weiller at the University of North Texas Department of Kinesiology Health Promotion and Recreation, "it could just be that the students are better able to focus after energy release." Even with this release of data in the last few years, schools still appear to be reluctant to make physical activity a priority over academic subjects. Hopefully as more and more data mounts, educators will take note. All I know, is that if your children are having a hard time focusing on homework right after school, take them on a bike ride or walk around the block with the dog and see if that helps. It might actually save you time (not to mention repeated nagging!)

Back to blogging

OK, so I have been on a little hiatus from blogging. This past fall I completed the coursework for my doctorate and had to take qualifying exams. Needless to say, no extra time for blogging! Happy to say that I passed! Also, happy to say that I am currently finishing my dissertation, which I have come across so much incredible information to pass along to the Girls in motion community. So sorry for my absence! I would like to start publishing recipes on Mondays again, so please check for a great family friendly recipe. Also, I would love feedback about some of the issues that you are dealing with with your preteens, whether it be about food, exercise, sports, friendships, bullying, relationships, etc. Occasionally we will have guest bloggers that will discuss some of these important issues that all of our children are facing.

Here is my recipe for this week: Fish Tacos. The recipe uses cod, but you can use almost any fish, or also tuna steaks are great. You might have to use a low-fat cheddar cheese on it for some kids, but try it without first.



Fish Tacos


Ingredients:


Fish

2 pounds cod fillets
3 tablespoons lime juice (about 2 limes)
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt


Slaw
2 cups red cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
3/4 cup nonfat sour cream
3/4 cup salsa
8 6-inch corn tortillas


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Rinse fish and place on rack in baking dish, to drain fat off fish.
3. Mix lime juice, tomato, onion, cilantro, olive oil, peppers, and salt and
spoon on top of fillets.
4. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep fish moist.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes.
6. Mix cabbage and onion; mix sour cream and salsa and add to cabbage
mixture.
7. Divide fish among tortillas. Add 1/4 cup of slaw to each. Fold over and
enjoy!

Let me know how you like it. Thanks, Mandy