Food is A Wonderful Thing...At Least it Should Be

Food connects to many positive aspects of our lives. It is used as healthy nourishment for our body’s survival, a form of entertainment, celebration or form of social engagement with others, and for some food is considered a hobby, career, or form of artwork.

Although there are a large number of “foodies” in the United States, for many people food consumption is viewed as a bad habit,  a worrisome chore. Up to 30 million Americans (of all ages and genders) suffer from an eating disorder, 35% of “normal dieters” progress to a pathological dieting style, and eating disorders are ranked as having the highest mortality rate among other mental illnesses. For these people eating has never been a natural, healthy pleasure, but instead a dreaded or avoided experience. 

With such contrasting feelings and experiences with food, hurtful judgements are made; leading to misunderstandings of why someone restricts or overindulges in their food intake. “The Truth About Food Addiction and Other Eating Disorders,” a post written by Mike Kamo ,  discusses what food addictions or other disordered eating habits look or feel like and how genetics or specific ideologies may lead to a clinical diagnoses. He describes how an addiction to food does not necessarily mean you are compulsively eating, but that it also means being obsessed with thinking about food consumption (i.e. planning, worrying). 

So, Check it out! This blogpost is not only a great resource for understanding the wide range of causes or symptoms experienced by those with disordered eating behaviors, but more importantly it reminds readers that food can become a more positive part of our lives. Mike emphasizes the importance of maintaining an open mind while also striving to be inclusive in the ways we help people with food related issues.

For additional information on Eating Disorders, you can visit the following links:

National Resources:

• https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eatingdisorders.html
• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders-new-trifold/index.shtml

Local (WI) Resources for Treatment:

• https://www.waldenliving.com 
• https://www.rogershospital.org/eating-disorder-treatment
• http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-centers/wisconsin-wi 
• http://www.anad.org/eating-disorders-get-help/treatment-centers/wisconsin/

Apps We Love

In this modern and technologically dependent time, we rarely don't have our smart phones next to us. When we're bored, need to kill time, want to connect with people, keep updated on the world around us, we look at the little phone in our laps. Convenience is key, and we rely on smart phones for the convenience of meeting our needs immediately. App development has responded to our growing needs and for each want: there's an app for that. So how about the want to feel better? 

Walden Living is online in many places: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, twitter, and this blog. Our goal is to make finding the right resources easier. So, we will be using, reviewing, and recommending apps for you to use that we actually find helpful! We'll keep updating this post as we find new apps or get tired of old ones!

So lets start it off:

Happify

This is an app I like because it feels very individualized. There is also a website: Happify.com - which advertises itself as: Cutting-edge science-based activities and games to overcome negative thoughts, anxiety, and everyday stress. The app, and the website allow you to chose a track- what do you want to work on? (some are free and some charge)

• Cope Better With Stress
• Mindfullness Meditation for Everyone
• Motivate Yourself to Succeed
• Cure Stress, the Mindfulness Way
• Conquer Your Negative Thoughts
• Bounce Back from a Breakup
• Get Unstuck
• Feel Better About Your Body
• Find Your Calling
• Caregivers: Your Wellbeing Matters
• Overcome Your Insecurities
• Build a Stronger Marriage
• Fuel Your Career Success
• Uncover Your Potential Through Mindfulness
• Get Out of a Rut
• Chronic Illness, Beautiful Life
• Mindfullness at Work: The Modern Secret to Success
• Overcome Anxiety: The Superstress Solution
• Reclaim Your Happiness
• Rewire Your Brain for Happiness
• Find Peace Through Positive Mindfulness
• Meditation: Learn to Love Yourself and Others
• Find More "Me" Time
• Relationship Turmoil Ends Here
• Happiness Shortcuts for the Ultra-Busy
• Real Happiness: The Meditation Transformation
• Happiness Starts with Self- Knowledge
• Get Tough and Know Your Grit
• Instantly Connect With Anyone
• Motivation Tricks to Get Fit
• Stop No-Win Comparisons to Others
• Defeat Loneliness
• Defeat Your Inner Critic
• Raise happy, Resilient Kids OR Raise happy, Resilient Teens
• Nurture Your Body and Soul
• Get Energized About Your Job
• Kick- Start Positive Change
• How Money CAN Buy Happiness
• Find More Love and Friendship
• Explore the Art in Happiness
• Boost Your Happiness and Spread Positivity
• Painless Parenting
• Happiness for Introverts
• Empty Nest, Full Life
• The Friendship Improvement Project

Wow that's a long list! But see what I mean when I say it feels more individualized? They also give you an assessment so they can recommend tracks so you don't have to chose- then when you've accomplished one you can switch to another! The app also sets measurable goals so you are actually working towards improving your life. Lastly, there is a good mixture of activities- so its not all meditation, mindfulness or self reflection. There are even fun games- but they always explain what the goal of the game is and how it will help you. 

I definitely recommend this app :)