Women's Conference Breakthrough: Peace with Food, Peace with your Body

Saturday, Oct 16th I was honored to present at a women's conference called Breakthrough: Peace with Food, Peace with your Body, a Cherie Burton event.


There were a lot of "wow" moments, I know I took something valuable away from each speaker. What made this gathering extra effective in my mind was the fact that each speaker (including myself) connected spirituality and being a daughter of God with their presentation. I know internalizing that fact that you are a beautiful, unique, cherished, divine daughter of God is vital for a healthy relationship with food because if you value yourself you will want to treat your body with love and respect. You could not binge or restrict food, abuse yourself with negative self talk, and other harmful behaviors if you truly knew your worth and power as a daughter of God.

(In photo left to right: Cherie Burton, Haley Freeman (me), Steffanie England,  Jessie Funk, Jen Marco Handy.) There were other presenters but these are the ladies that were around at the end who I was able to grab for a picture. Jessie and Jen shared their amazing voices and musical talent in their presentation. I recommend checking them out.  I love Jessie's new inspirational CD (click on Jessie Funk's name above to hear her) and what she is doing with The Ivy Girl Academy
I met some remarkable women both in the presenters and in the attendees. It is amazing how small the world can be and how there is no other explanation for some connections made at these events other than the Lord had a hand in it.
It was a powerful experience for many, if not all who attended.

The conference was recorded. Click here to see the program. I know many of you had scheduling conflict with the event so let me know if you want the recording. You can leave me a message here with your contact info (e-mail) or you can e-mail me at afuturefortomorrow@gmail.com

Eating Disorders Online. com

I bumped into this site on accident and was surprised to see my story was posted on a web page I didn't even know about.  Nothing too long or fancy but just wanted to share it. Here it is:

http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/blogs/general-eating-disorder-blogs/a-future-for-tomorrow-haley-freeman-shares-her-story

Recapturing Beauty the 10 day Challenge

I would like to share a challenge and event that is going on this week at BYU.

http://recapturingbeauty.byu.edu/challenge/


The challenges start today then next Wed. you can attend their event.
The first challenge was easy for me, it is to not weigh yourself today. I would like to extend this challeng to throw away your scale altogether!  I have never owned a scale and never will. Not only do I truly believe I'm more than a number and it is irrelevant but I don't want my children (especially my daughter) to think the number on the scale defines them. I want weight to be a non-issue and not having a scale helps that happen.


I want to also remind everyone about the women's conference I'm speaking at this Sat. Oct 16th called Breakthrough. Here is an easy way to register, you can also pay at the door Sat. http://breakthroughconf.eventbrite.com/?ref=nf



Hope to see you there!

Break Through: Peace with Food, Peace with Your Body

I'm excited to be speaking at this women's conference with several incredible and inspiring women. It will be held on Oct 16th in Sandy at the  Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus.

I want to invite you all to come and bring a friend!

Here is the schedule, but it is subject to change.

9:00-9:20 am Welcome and Registration
9:20-10:10 Cherie Burton "Nourish Thyself: The Divine Stewardship over Your Physical Temple"
10:10-10:55 Jarah Christensen "Eating From the Soul"
10:55-11:15 BREAK
11:15-noon Haley Freeman "Starving to LIFE"
12:00-12:10 Jen Marco Handy - Musical Presentation
12:10-1:20 LUNCH
1:20-2:05 Annette Mease  “Unlock the Door to Your Brilliance”
2:05-2:55 Mia Magistro "Breaking Free of Unhealthy Food Obsession and Addiction" (includes musical presentation)
2:55-3:15 BREAK
3:15-4:00 Steffanie England "The Power of Food to Heal and to Harm"
4:00-4:45 Jessie Clark Funk  “Own Your Life” (includes musical presentation)
4:45-5:00 Cherie Burton - Closing Remarks


Register:
e-mail cherie@CherieBurton.com
Special price for advance registering is $30 ($40 at the door.)

Make sure to mention on the registration that Haley Freeman sent you! Thanks.

Beauty Pressures

Torn Apart by Diony George

This book reminds me why I love true stories so much! I think there is great power in sharing our stories in the hopes to touch the lives of others. Diony has definitely touched mine and opened my eyes to the evil addition of pornography in LDS families.

Torn Apart's Book Trailer

(Torn apart is Diony's true story but she has written it in third person naming herself Alyson)

Diony and I did a book swap where I gave her my book and she gave me hers.  We also want to share each other's stories with the world so we are posting reviews and interviews on our blogs.

To read her review about my book A Future for Tomorrow click here: Diony's Blog.

Back to my thoughts about Torn Apart--WOW! I felt like I couldn't read fast enough! I know it's a good book when after each chapter or so I found myself telling my husband what was happening and later he would ask me what happened next. 
I admit I have been completely naive in the subject matter of pornography. I knew the church has been concerned for a while and lately their warnings seem to be in every conference and meeting so I knew the pornographic filth had spread to faithful members of our church.
After reading Diony's book I better understood the true evil, addictive power and destructiveness it can cause.
I admire Diony for exposing her true story. I know this book has and will continue to help many.

A big frustration concerning my own book about overcoming anorexia is the believe someone might have that if they don't suffer from an eating disorder or if someone they love doesn't then they wont gain anything from reading my book.  I had this thought for a split second about Diony's book because I've been blessed to not have pornography effect my live but I quickly dismissed that thought and am glad I did.

Diony wrote this on her blog about my book and I feel it applies completely to her own book:

"Haley's story will fill you with hope, and leave you believing, if she could triumph over such a devastating illness, you could triumph over your trials and heartaches, too. "  

Seeing Diony overcome such heartbreak and seemingly insurmountable situations to find a life now full of joy can give anyone hope and courage for whatever their trails are. 

Torn Apart also brings awareness. I have two young sons so in years to come this will be something I will want to be able to protect them from and the best way to do this is to understand myself the power of pornography, I have Torn Apart to thank for giving me this knowledge and resource.

 I also was able to see that pornography can be a catalyst and stepping stone to other abominations. I don't want to give any of her book away but my jaw dropped more than once while reading it. I admire Diony's strength to rely on the Lord to get her though the rough times she depicts in her book.

I think Torn Apart will also give comfort to righteous women who's life has been tainted by porn through no fault of their own. 


I'm glad my path as crossed Diony's and I encourage all of you to get her book and read it asap!
I had two questions I wanted to ask Diony here they are with her valuable answers:
Me: What can we as parents do to prevent our sons from getting sucked into the poison of pornography?

Diony: The best thing we can do as parents is teach our children at a young age, age appropriate information. There is a story on my blog about my son when he was in second grade.

Children need to be warned to stay away from pornography just as they are warned to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Teach them what to do if an inappropriate picture pops up on the computer, or if someone wants to show them an inappropriate magazine or book.

One thing we also do in my family with my kids is we have a laptop computer for them to use. They need permission before logging on and also must use the computer with someone else in the room. That hopefully is preventing future problems.

Me: When did you decide to write your book and why?
Diony: I decided to write my book several years ago, in hopes of helping to prevent another couple and family from experiencing the devastation and heartache mine did. It also shares a powerful message of hope, and that as you turn to God in faith, he will give you the strength to overcome heartache and difficult trials in life.
 
Get her book now:



Also, her book is available at Deseret Book and Seagull Book and Tape.

Thank you once again Diony for writing this book and helping countless souls with our journey here on Earth!

Our-True-Identity

Click on on the Title below to watch the video:

Our-True-Identity

I truly believe that so much of the heartache in life can be avoided if we really know our true identity, our true worth. I love this video. It is only 3 minutes long, the last min is my favorite!
You can find it and more videos on http://www.lds.org/

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