Facebook Support Group Page

The facebook club discussion about my book as inspired me to create a group page on facebook so we can keep these great topics and support going. The page is titled after my book
"A Future for Tomororw - Surviving Anorexia, My Spiritual Journey"

 
I created this page for a safe, nonjudgmental environment for discussion about eating disorders, self-worth, media messages, faith, true beauty and more.



I want to build a support system and give hope for those who are suffering from eating disorders and/or social pressures.

Those of all religious beliefs are welcome and wanted. I believe relying on our Father in Heaven and in His son Jesus Christ along with knowing your divine worth as a child of God is the key to a full recovery. I want this page to incorporate these beliefs which make it different than the other eating disorder facebook pages.


Since I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and this gospel was the foundation to my recovery I will be sharing quotes and thoughts related to the church. I also encourage faith related topics (of any religion.)

This page can also be used as a type of book club where we can discuss the book "A Future for Tomorrow" specifically with the author (me) and I will answer all your questions.

Please "like" my page and participate anyway you desire.



Thanks for your support and helping bring awareness to these issues.

BYU Book Signing Tomorrow (Thurs. 19th)

BYU Education Week Book Signing

I will be doing a book signing THIS Thurs. the 19th at the BYU book store in Provo on campus during Education Week.

I am scheduled for 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

I hope you stop by!

Cauliflower Self-Worth Retreat

I had a great time at the Cauliflower Self-Worth Retreat last Wed.
Anyone in northern Utah needs to go check it out. It is a store plus a retreat where presentations and classes take place.  I think it is a great place to take a group of young woman, your daughter, or for us mothers.

Here is Karen Eddington (the founder) presenting the inspirational art "Hope For Tomorrow" which was inspired by my story. I mentioned it on an earlier post. Click here to learn more about it.

 My presentation was recorded by the retreat so I will let you know if/when parts of it are available.

How are you doing in life?

I've been reading a book called Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth.
The message behind it is powerful and actually one similar to what I learned in a college course called Eating Behaviors. 

Both expose food addictions, eating disorders, and weight issues with not being connected to food at all but about emotions and inner turmoil.
Both taught me to never diet, that they just set you up to fail and that they teach you that you are not capable of making your own decisions about food. Diets also don't allow you to listen to your body.

One concept I would like to quickly share with you from the book Women, Food, and God is this:  How much, when, where, and what we eat all are directly connected to how we are doing in life.

Do you agree?

I think for those of us who have either turned to or away from food as a copying mechanism this statement is completely true. 

I think knowing this can also help us have a "barometer."  When your eating is not natural and if you are ignoring your body that can be a red flag to look deeper to what is going on in your life. What feelings are you trying to avoid feeling?  What is really behind the desire to binge or restrict food?

Assignment:
If you are over or under eating, catch yourself, be conscious about your behavior then ask yourself what is really going on?  Allow yourself to feel what you are trying to avoid. It won't be has painful as you think. Take the necessary steps to heal or fix the issues.

Public Speaking Event and Book Signing

It is the GRAND OPENING of The Cauliflower Retreat Self-Worth Outreach Center  in Brigham City. The celebration goes from Aug 9th to Aug 14th.

My presentation and book signing is Aug 11th at 4:00 in Brigham City, Utah.

The Cauliflower Retreat's address is 1149 S 450 W, they are located right off the 1100 S South Brigham City/Logan I-15 exit.

 

Hope to see you there!

My interview with Michele Ashman Bell's

I posted a review of Michele Ashman Bell's latest book, Summer in Paris, a little bit ago and she wanted to return the favor.  She was touched by my story and wanted to post a review and interview on her blog.  I appreciate her kind words and for taking the time to help share my story.

Read her interview to find out my answers to these questions:

"What is something about yourself people don’t know?"


"What words of advice do you have for other writers who desire to have their manuscripts become books in print?"  and much more!

Here is her blog, interview with me, and review of A Future for Tomorrow.

Thank you Michele!

Facebook Book Club Starts Now

If you have read my book and want to join the ongoing discussion just go to the Book Club with Haley Freeman event page on facebook and leave a comment or question.  I will answer them personally!

If you haven't read my book yet but want to join the club you still have time!  The discussion goes until the end of Aug. so get your copy (afuturefortomorrow.com, Deseret Book, Amazon.com [kindle version also available] and other book stores) and pop on in.

I look forward to all of your thoughts and questions! 

Click here to participate

The Book of Positive Messages

I really can't say enough about The Cauliflower Retreat Self-Worth Outreach Center and The Book of Positive Messages founded by Karen Eddington.

I want to tell everyone I know about what amazing things she is doing in the world. I am honored to be apart of it. Karen has published my story in her catalog and my book as inspired art work she sells called Hope for Tomorrow. 

Let me go back and explain the concept behind her catalog and her amazing retreat.  Here is their statement on their home page of their website:

Offering self-worth outreach to women and teens since 2006.

We are bombarded with the idea that if you are successful, attractive, and well liked, then you have value. These messages we battle everyday are leading to depression, inadequacy, and collapse. Plastic surgery, bullying among teen girls, perfection in the media, and eating disorders are only some of the indicators that we need more support.

It’s time for a new message.

Cauliflower Retreat offers a revolutionary new self-worth support network, bringing self-worth support into your home and community. We are an outreach program designed to empower women and teens using positive messages of self-worth. As part of our code of ethics we are not a treatment program and our team is instructed not to act outside scope of practice. Rather, our focus is on prevention by building self-worth, and strengthening your sense of value. Our outreach programs are propelled from our series of products and workbooks that promote self-worth.

We are here to bring out the best in you.

One way I explain their catalog is comparing it to Mary Kay or Close to my Heart. The retreat as consultants that use to catalog to share their products around the United States. I LOVE their products because everything as the purpose of inspiring, up lifting and helping out girls and women know their worth.  I am so thrilled that my book A Future for Tomorrow is involved.  Karen has generously given  my story a full two page layout.

Another exciting thing is my book and story as inspired an artwork piece.

Here's a closer look:

I want to show you more of what is in this book.  It isn't just about inspiring products but also life changing information is in it. If you have a teenager girl this is a MUST HAVE.  Here is an example of one of the spreads.

If any of you are interested in joining the team and being a retreat counselor in your area you can drop Karen a cover letter e-mail (kareneddi@hotmail.com)  or you can apply online at www.cauliflowerretreat.org

GRAND OPENING
The Cauliflower Retreat's Grand Opening in Bringham City is coming up. The celebration goes from Aug 9th to Aug 14th.
I'm excited to be speaking and doing a book signing during it. I'm scheduled for 11th at 4:00.
 
The Cauliflower Retreat Self-Worth Outreach Center address is 1149 S 450 W, they are located right off the 1100 S South Brigham City/Logan I-15 exit.

Media's Dangerous Messages

I could list many examples of dangerous media media messages about food and weight all day but this is one commercial I often use in my presentations to show how false messages about food are all around us.

The part that drives me nuts about this commercial is when it says she will lose her self-esteem and lose her boyfriend all because of what? Eating a hamburger!

It is important that we combat these messages by discussing what is true with our children. Limiting their exposure to media and/or watching with them is a good idea too.

Being aware of the hidden messages around us will help us subconsciously not make unhealthy connections to food, weight, and worthiness. 

Blog Worth Sharing

I have bumped into a blog of a public speaker who has the same passion as I do in trying to reach out to others to help them find their worth.

Her name is Natalie Murray and her blog is named The Beauty Within Foundation.
 Here is a poem she posted on her blog:

One Flaw In Women


Women have strengths that amaze men.....
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in..
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.

Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
 
 
If you like this poem, Natalie has many beautiful post you will also like.

Facebook Book Club

The University of Utah program SPEAK (Students Promoting Eating disorder Awareness and Knowledge) has chosen my book, A Future for Tomorrow  for their online/facebook Book Club.

I know it is a little confusing but the club is actually held ON FACEBOOK. You don't have to go anywhere! It is neat to think of people all over the country, or world for that matter, can all discussion one book via their computers.

All you have to do is read my book then join in on the ongoing discussion that will be held from Aug 2nd to Aug 30th.

Here is the link:
Haley Freeman's Facebook Book Club

(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=85670011583&v=info&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=101845906532173&ref=ts)

(If you can't join the event without being invited then add me as a facebook friend [Haley Hatch Freeman] and tell me you want to participate in the one time club-- then I will send you an invite.)

To get your copy of A Future for Tomorrow you can go to my site afuturefortomorrow.com which has free shipping and you will receive a signed copy or you can go to Deseret Book (also on deseretbook.com) amazon also on Kindle on amazon.  Soon to be available on barnesandnoble.com and Orem's Barnes and Noble.  

Unexpected Review

Something that means a great deal to me is hearing from my readers of A Future for Tomorrow.  When someone is touched enough to take the time to write me or even leave an unsolicited review on their blog it truly means the world to me.
Today I was surprised by both.

Click below to read Brenda's words about my book.
Brenda's Blog Another Small Adventure.

Thank you so much Brenda!!

A Future for Tomorrow on Kindle

I am excited to announce that my book is now available to be downloaded on amazon's kindle!
Clink on the link below:

Choose to Forgive Yourself

I had an interesting experience the other day.  When it comes to trying to be perfect, I am doing extremely well compared to where I have been in my life. But I still catch myself being way too hard on myself and not feeling like it is ok for me to error.  Maybe it is leaving a spelling error on a facebook status, or messing up while playing the piano in church, or any of the other imperfections I can list but I have to fight to not obsess over them.  I have to constantly be reminded that it's okay to be human. 

I had a powerful moment the other day when I realized the power of two things, one is choice, and one is forgiveness.

I have discovered over the past years that you can actually CHOSE your emotions. Yes, emotions, feelings, and your reaction to those feelings are actually all in your own control. 

Eleanore Roosevelt knew this principal, we all know her quote, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  Love it!

Here is a quote from Elder David A. Bednar, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in his talk titled And Nothing Shall Offend Them

"It ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else."

Or maybe you have heard people say they CHOSE to be a survivor instead of a victim.

The freedom of choice is a great blessing we have been given on this earth and is part of our Father in Heaven's plan.  

If you can choose your feelings then think of what great power this gives you.

I have decided to not let my imperfections consume me and to not feel unworthy or inadequate because of the lack of ability I have to be perfect.

Now this takes me to the next step of forgiving myself.  I did something the other day that I thought was less than acceptable, nothing big but it might have left me scolding myself for hours in the past.  This is what I DECIDED to be my inner dialog or self talk instead, "It's ok. I forgive you. I don't have to be flawless. I don't have to be everyone's hero. I'm going to be kind and gentle to myself. I want to show love to myself with or without perfect behavior."

WOW what a freeing moment that was! It literally changed something inside me.  Not only trying not to obsess over the mistake but to actually be forgiving and loving toward my actions was freeing and brought me peace.

I'm still a work in progress but this is a concept I want to keep practicing. I want to keep forgiving myself and allowing myself to be human.

Assignment:
Be kind and gentle to yourself. Allow yourself to feel your own love and forgiveness to yourself.