Hi everyone- I spent some time at the Okotoks salvage yard on the weekend. While my partner looked for salvage bikes that he could buy, I looked through all the books. They have an incredible volume of used books that are for sale for next to nothing, Because my partner gets caught up with things, I thought if I can find some books to read, that will occupy me for a time. There are plenty of used comfortable chairs to sit in close to the books. I love to read so this is like a vacation for me. I found a book published in 2018 called ‘Starving in Search of Me’ by Marissa LaRocca. I read the entire book yesterday because I had the time to… It is a valuable book that I feel can help those struggling with an eating disorder. She talks about feeling different from a young age and details her struggles with fitting in and finding her identity. She argues that what people most need who are struggling with an eating disorder is love and acceptance for who they are. I can’t agree more. Thank you for writing this great book Marissa. I highly recommend reading it if you are struggling with an eating disorder. I wanted to let you know that I have a special rate on my Emotional Freedom Technique and counseling for the hour right now. My rate is $80 for the hour if you book 4 sessions. I really love the work I do with clients and feel it is so valuable for the clients that I see. To book a session with me, call Parallel Wellness at 403-232-1283 Kind regards, Dr. Robin Vinge, ND

Here is my last post taken from the next  book I am writing. Hope you get some insights in to your own journey with anorexia.

Jacques Martel writes:

‘I continue to see my affective needs as and emotional needs as very great and I feel overwhelmed by them.  I want others to fill me up and satisfy my needs. However, as I do not give myself that love that I need so much and I refuse my emotions and my sensitivity and my child like side, other people are just as hard on me. Becoming thin leads me to no longer feel any pleasures. I thereby cut myself off from all physical sensations related to sensuality or sexuality. I refuse the sexual stages related to my age, being unable to control them, so much that any attempt at sexual intimacy, discovery, and abandon with an eventual partner (absence of maturity) are almost futile.’ (I have felt this way at times in my life. I did not have a boyfriend until I was much older due to my Christian background I thought. I did not get married although I have had intimate partners in my life.) ‘Whenever I feel a need, I go out of my way to fill it to really nurture myself. I realize that I must be gentle with myself. I have to nurture myself in whatever way feels right. I trust my intuition will guide myself to fill my need as I feel fit.’

‘Gradually accepting my femininity, or my intuitive side and emotional side if I am a boy is essentially the first thing to resolve my anorexic condition’. I accept a certain sexual intimacy, feminine and even motherly (for I must learn to love my mother). I learn to love my body and I learn to love others. I go slowly, for it is a delicate situation where I must open myself to Love and to the beauty of the world.  On each inspiration, I open myself up to more light entering me to fill up my feeling of inner emptiness. I choose life while ignoring what others may think of me. I give myself love, the gentleness I need, instead of expecting it from others:  hence the true satisfaction and the inner joy.’

I have really struggled with intimate relationships. I have always been independent to a fault. I blame it on my career but I think it is difficult to lean into my partner without forming a dependence on them. Therefore, I maintain my independence to feel like if I have to rely solely on myself, I will be all right.  I wish I had met my current partner a long time ago. Neither of us has kids but we feel like we would have had kids had we met when I was still fertile. Unfortunately, I had my last menstrual period when I was 46 years old. Autoimmune disease can affect when you go into menopause. I guess I matured late in life. I finally feel ready to have a family but I am 52. I have had to ‘collapse my perception’ otherwise I would drown in my grief over not having a family.  I have to see where I ‘feel’ like I have a family. I care for my plants like they are part of my family. I love plants. I also care for my patients like they are part of my family. I also worry about my patients like they are part of my family. That is the downside of caring so much about people. Life carries on and you adapt as best as you can to the present circumstance. Love others and live in the moment as much as you can. Be grateful always and ask to be of service in this life.

This is my last post on anorexia with my latest excerpt from my book. I have a special on my EFT/counseling rate for the hour if you want to try a session right now it is only $80 vs $125 which it normally is. Hope to see you soon at Parallel Wellness. 4032321283

 

Hi everyone! I did a decent workshop on Friday afternoon. It was titled “Eating Disorders in Naturopathic Medicine: How can We Screen for and Support Eating Disordered Patients as ND’s” As I have been feeling called to support more patients in a counseling setting format I felt this workshop was auspicious. The Naturopathic Doctor who put on the workshop was Dr. Alexandra Sisam. She works out of the Clara Clinic in Ontario. I am offering support in the way of Emotional Freedom Technique counseling sessions for eating disorders. Dr. Sisam talked about eating disorders being a way to self regulate and deal with overwhelming emotional stressors. I absolutely identified with that statement when I was growing up. Emotional Freedom Technique is such a great way to help regulate emotions. I find if you are empathetic in any way living right now when there are wars, weather events, solar flares, etc. you might be feeling more stress than other people. Dr. Sasam also talked about support for eating disorders in the way of key nutrients which include inositol for binge eating or bulimic behavior, zinc for anorexia, omega 3’s in general for mental health and the importance of fibre, prebiotic, probiotics and fermented food for gastrointestinal support. She talked about the importance of regulating the nervous system which tends to be chronically activated in patients with disordered eating. She talked about decreasing inflammation using omega 3 and Vitamin D. She talked about how important it is to have a doctor working with you to monitor electrolytes and heart function as eating disorders can have serious consequences on your health and dental problems to boot. If you want to have an honest conversation with me about the eating disorder you may be struggling with please book in with me at Parallel Wellness. I currently am running a special on counseling combined with E.F.T. for $80 a session. Call 4032321283 to book. Thanks! Dr. Robin Vinge