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Read on to learn more about how Jessica Bell has decided to support the work of EDEN!  If you would like to support the work that EDEN does, please contact us to discuss.

1.    What is your name and occupation?

Jessica Bell, Proposal Writer

2.    What drew you to EDEN as an agency?

I liked that EDEN takes a really positive approach to managing eating issues and body image. It seems like many other organisations working in this area focus on treating an illness, rather than working with people. EDEN’s “lighter” approach is really refreshing. I love that EDEN uses innovative methods to spread the message about eating issues such as the Love Your Body Cupcake Days and Nourish Workshops. These initiatives are a fun, enjoyable way of tackling a complex issue.

3.    How have you decided to support EDEN?

I am supporting EDEN by making regular monthly donations.

4.    What stands behind this decision?

I wanted to support a charity that I felt aligned with my own values and experiences, and as I suffered an Eating Disorder as a teenager, EDEN seemed like a natural choice. EDEN does such important work and there is so much need for their services in the community. Without financial and other support they cannot reach all those who could benefit from their services.

Thanks Jessica!

From July to September, EDEN was honored to be the recipient charity of a specially designed Charitee (t-shirt) and Charitea towel promoted and sold by New Zealand’s own Mr. Vintage (http://www.mrvintage.co.nz).  The proceeds raised from the sales will go towards EDEN’s early-intervention and prevention services for disordered eating.  Their support is greatly appreciated!

That time has arrived when we look into the coming year and think about how we would like to spend it.   How about making some New Year’s Resolutions that celebrate who you are?!

Here are some suggestions to get you started…

• Give dieting the boot for good!
• Get rid of the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ food lists
• Practice appreciating your body and what it can do
• Move for the joy of movement
• Stop weighing yourself – throw out your scales!
• Eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full
• Rest when you are tired
• Accept compliments
• Love your body and love yourself! 
• Instead of putting your life on hold until you’ve reached your ‘ideal weight’ or size x, start living…  RIGHT NOW! 

The holiday season is just around the corner, fingers crossed for long sunny days and much relaxing!  For those who have or who are struggling with an eating difficulty, the many functions and shared meals that come with the holiday season can feel a little stressful.

Here are some helpful suggestions on how to keep stress and worry to a minimum over the holiday period:

• Gently ease into the holiday season by focusing on activities that don’t involve food, such as putting up decorations, or sending e-cards.
• Plan some alternative activities that you can do when you are feeling stressed or over-whelmed, e.g. taking the dog out for a walk, take a drive somewhere or call a friend.
• Remember that all food is neutral – there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods.
• Check in with your body before and while you are eating—Am I feeling hungry?  Am I feeling full?
• Stay away from any kind of good food/bad food/diet thinking or conversation.
•  If it makes you feel better, organize your own food to take to a function or a meal, and let the host know that you will be doing this, in advance.
• If you are hosting a meal, allow people to bring food that they feel OK eating, if they wish to.
• If things don’t go as planned, remember that one meal will not make a significant difference to your body.
• Try to shift the focus away from food and counting calories, to celebrating, and spending time with loved ones.
• Work out your own support system in advance — identify close friends and/or family members that you can reach out to for support, if and when you need it.  Or ask a friend if you can text her/him to check in, if you feel you need to.
• Take care of yourself—if this means not going to a function, (or going to a function), then do what feels right for you at the time.
• Surround yourself with people who have healthy relationships with their bodies, and who do not focus on food and weight.  Or when attending gatherings, bring a trusted family member or friend along with you, if you can.

Have a safe and happy holiday from the team at EDEN!

EDEN held our very own 21st Birthday Celebration, in conjunction with our first Open House in our new premises on Wednesday 31st August.

Huge thanks to our sponsors:  City Cake Company, Hollywood Bakery – Epsom, Carlton Party Hire – Sandringham, New World Stonefields, The Warehouse St. Luke’s, The Seafood School, Matua Valley and The Body Shop – Queen St.

Thanks to all who came to share the evening with us too!

Christy Parker, Fiona Crichton and Janet Whiteside are stepping down from Governance to become founding members of EDEN’s new volunteer initiative, which will be launched later this year.  All three have been on the Governance Board since 2008.

Christy has fulfilled a number of roles on the board; the most recent being on the HR subcommittee.  She brought with her much knowledge and experience around policy analysis and feminist, social justice focussed work in the community.

Janet has held various roles on the board, her most recent including being the Treasurer and sitting on the, Legal and HR subcommittees.  Janet added much needed legal advice to the skills of the Board as a whole and also shared much of her knowledge and experience of sitting on a number of other Governance Boards.

Fiona Crichton has been involved in many aspects of Governance, and most recently sat on the Legal and Management subcommittees.  Fiona brought with her legal knowledge and advice, experience in the area of Health Psychology and health promotion and significant experience gained from sitting on a number of other Governing Boards also.

Janet and Fiona’s new volunteer roles mean that EDEN will continue to have access to their legal expertise.  Christy’s new volunteer role will involve supporting EDEN with policy, campaigns, and our new volunteers initiative.

A huge thanks to these three women who have donated countless hours to the governing of EDEN, and continue to volunteer for us.

Stay tuned to hear more about EDEN’s exciting new volunteers’ initiative later in the year.

Read on to learn more about how Liz Gow from Whangarei has decided to support the work of EDEN!  If you would like to support the work that EDEN does, please contact us to discuss.

1.    What is your name and occupation?

Liz Gow, I am an occupational therapist working in life coaching.   I work 2 days a week in Neuro rehab for the Community Assessment & Rehab Service, Whangarei Hospital, Northland with a supervision role.   I am also a private supervisor, supervising people from different agencies, not just OTs.

As a coach I work with individuals and groups.  I do presentations and workshops and am currently launching a coaching programme that I have been working on for a number of years called; Don’t Make Life Weight – living life from the inside out.

 2.    What drew you to EDEN as an agency?

 I have been struggling with my body image, food for many years. I decided to attend the Nourish programme, but first told EDEN that I was a life coach and developing a programme and hoped to use the material in that manner.  They were so supportive and were so keen that accurate, honest information be shared in a compassionate way.  I very impressed with EDEN’s passion and professionalism to support others and share the message, especially trying to reach the younger person in schools.

In developing  my coaching programme around body image, I wanted professional safe advice that was not associated with mental health.  I wanted to speak with people who knew what they were talking about and discovered EDEN over the internet.  I could not believe what I was reading.  They seemed on paper to have a fantastic philosophy about thinking about the bigger picture, aspects that influence our body image, not just our parents but everything.  There was no blame just an understanding.  They used language that I could relate to and helped me listen and hear ‘health at every size’, connecting to the body and developing body trust.  Fantastic!

I knew I wanted to work with people who had been on/off diets and really did not know how to be off them, but much more than that it was about connecting and listening to the body and also to the self, to learn and trust that we all have what it takes to live the life we so deserve.  I loved that.

 3.    How have you decided to support EDEN?

 I have decided to support EDEN in a couple of ways.  I am launching my programme in September 2011 by having Introductory Workshops, and then following on with either one to one coaching or group coaching for 6 sessions.  The workshops and sessions have been designed to stand alone.   I will dedicate the proceeds of the first 4 workshops to EDEN because I believe in them so much.   I honestly don’t know how they survive, what is also incredible is if they had more funding and therefore  more staff and resources, I truly believe that people would not have to have their lives at risk before they receive funding for help.  I believe that people would be less unwell and they would develop healthier perceptions and behaviours that could be passed on down to their children and that eventually eating disorders would become a statistic that is not necessary.

I also want to advertise that they are around.  There is nothing in the North like this.  I want others to know about them because they change lives.   I will have a link on my website and will support them in any way I can in the future.

 4.    What stands behind this decision?

Because of EDEN’s passion and mainly the philosophy; believing that we all have what it takes and need support to learn to trust our bodies.  I believe so much in the messages you share around body image, body trust, health at any size and the various ways you share that message in various campaigns, workshops and training.

 5.    What message would you like to give to those who are reading (if any)?

If there is one message, it is: if you are struggling, please contact EDEN.   If you are concerned about your children and notice them talking about being wanting to lose weight, or change the outside of themselves, contact EDEN.  It is so sad that children go through this and end up as adults who have children.  You will be amazed at the difference. Thank you so much EDEN.  I am so grateful for who I am and definitely for what your agency does!

To contact Liz about attending one of her inspiring workshops ‘Don’t Make Life Weight – living life from the inside out’, please contact her directly.

EDEN has procured some fabulous prizes that we are raffling off at the end of the month.  If you would like to participate in the draw, you can buy a ticket for the incredible price of $5 each!

And what can you win?  We have four fabulous prizes: a Seafood School cookbook (retail value $50), an $80 voucher to attend classes at the Seafood School, a sweet lemon gift pack from the Body Shop (retail value $65) and a wonderfully aged bottle of Stonyridge wine from Waiheke Island (retail value $120).

This raffle was drawn on 31st August.

A huge Thank You to our sponsors:The Body Shop Queen St, The Seafood School, and an anonymous wine donor!

Congratulations to the winning ticket holders: Diane and Vernon, Prince, Marcela, and Alison!

Are you an Auckland University student?  Are you worried about eating or body image difficulties?

Click here for more information on how to access EDEN support on campus every Tuesday during the semester, from 12-2pm.

Thank you all for the outpouring of support, ideas and advice during our accommodation hunt.   We have looked into well over 40 different options in our hunt for a new home, and feel confident you will love our new place.

EDEN is delighted to announce it has found a beautiful new home at 395A Manukau Road in Epsom.  Click here for a map of our new location. And click here for driving directions from our old offices in Westmere to our new home in Epsom.

The space is not only beautiful, but comes complete with wonderful co-tenants, Mind and Body Consultants Ltd.  They play an important role in the mental health sector, with a mission dedicated to the development of a world in which all people can lead flourishing lives.  We are looking forward to living, working and playing alongside Mind and Body.

Although this is an exciting time of change, there is sadness for EDEN at saying goodbye to 1 Garnet Rd and the Family Therapy Centre.  EDEN has been so fortunate to live at 1 Garnet Rd for over a decade.  We feel so much gratitude for our time here.

If you have any stories about your visits to 1 Garnet Rd, we would love to hear them!  Click to email these.  To give EDEN a little housewarming gift – please click here.