In my heart of hearts,
I no longer want to be
Better than you
Smarter than you
Thinner than you
Prettier than you
Faster than you
Stronger than you
More accomplished than you
More creative than you
A better mother than you
A better friend than you
Better educated than you
ANYTHING more than you.

I want to walk this path
Side by side
In awe of who you are
In awe of what your gifts are
To see you only in love and light
With your beauty shining through
Just as you are.
And I want you to see me the same way.
For I really do love you
Just as you are.
I only thought I had to be better
In order for you to love me.

I drop this cloak of outshining at the gate.
It has been such a heavy burden,
An unnecessary burden
A self imposed burden.
Will you still love me
Being just as I am.
In my heart of hearts,
I know you will.

By Katy Stevenson from Awakeningwomen.com

The National Eating Disorders Association's 2014 Theme: "I Had No Idea". This year's NEDAwareness Week theme is "I Had No Idea" to raise awareness towards the significant impact eating disorders have on individuals, families, and communities across the nation. The more people who learn about these life-threatening illnesses, the more lives we can save. Last year, 100% of U.S. states hosted NEDAwareness Week events and activities. Additionally, 51 international countries participated in raising awareness. This year we strive to surpass these numbers, and have everyone get in the know and do just one thing to raise awareness! http://nedawareness.org/get-in-the-know

We are partnering with the Health Center the University of California Santa Cruz to bring more eating disorder awareness to their student body with a week worth of programming including movies and workshops.
http://www.ucsc.edu

For Immediate Release

The Lotus Collaborative’s Founder & CEO to be featured on live radio show Dr. Elizabeth Esalen asking public to pose eating disorder questions to be answered live SANTA CRUZ, California, January 3rd, 2013 –Dr. Elizabeth Esalen, founder and CEO of The Lotus Collaborative, will discuss eating disorders on 1080AM KSCO’s syndicated Food Chain Radio program, airing live from 9am to 10am Pacific (12noon to 1pm Eastern).  The Food Chain is heard on commercial radio stations throughout the United States and on the Internet everywhere.   Specifically, says KSCO’s General Manager, Michael Olson, they will discuss “What goes wrong and how can it be fixed?"  Dr. Elizabeth Esalen is asking Santa Cruz and surrounding counties to pose questions they’ve always had about eating disorders to be addressed during the show.  She will take any and all questions, easy and complex.  Questions can be submitted via The Lotus Collaborative’s Facebook page or emailed directly to their Marketing Director at [email protected].  All questions will remain anonymous. The interview will occur 2 days after The Lotus Collaborative celebrates their 2nd anniversary with an annual Sparkle Party, which the public is invited to.

The Lotus Collaborative also invites the community to attend their weekly Recovery Support group every Sunday from 1-2:30pm. Meet other people working towards recovery from their eating disorder in a safe environment with the opportunity to build relationships and practice recovery skills or recovery coaching skills. Lunchtime meal support is available at 12 Noon. Free and open to the community.  Running parallel to the Recovery Support group, also weekly on Sundays from 1-2:30pm, is their Family & Supporters Recovery group. This free community support group is designed to provide parents, partners, siblings, roommates or other family members in the community with time devoted just to them; to recognize common struggles and learn new ways to cope. RSVP for both groups via [email protected]

About The Lotus Collaborative

The Lotus Collaborative is a health & recovery center specializing in eating disorder treatment, health, weight, exercise, and nutrition concerns. In addition to providing day treatment, individual, group and family therapy, TLC provides education, nutritional counseling, life skills training, mindfulness & free community support. Visit http://www.TheLotusCollaborative.com

 

Media Contact

Tracy Korpela, Community Relations & Marketing Coordinator

The Lotus Collaborative

701 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

831.818.1602 cell

[email protected]