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The line to use the pay phone wrapped around the dormitory lobby. I stood and waited, tears welled up in my eyes, in desperate need to call home. I had an eternal desire to succeed; to be recognized, and be identified. I needed to hear my dad’s voice; to tell me it would be okay. “Just do the best you can do, Erin. That’s all you can do.” I was sick; my jaw trembled, my stomach churned with overwhelming nerves, and uncontrollable tears streamed down my face. What I heard from that simple line of encouragement was completely different than his actual words. I heard,Read More →

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New Year’s Eve. A nationally recognized night set aside to make fun, crazy, and extra special plans. To make dinner reservations weeks in advance to celebrate this highly anticipated evening. To spend three times as much money on a meal or activity than it may otherwise cost. To eat, drink, and party until the wee hours of the morning. To host friends, prepare spreads, bake themed cupcakes, decorate with glitz and glamour, and dress in the most trendy, sexy outfit of the year. And, finally, to watch and countdown the New York City Times Square ball dropping at the clock striking 12:00a.m. At that moment in time, we scream, “HappyRead More →

Fine Dining with my Toddler on Vacation

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I have been very fortunate to have been taken on a family vacation every winter over Christmas break. Whether we have gone on a cruise, traveled to a destination, or visited an exotic island, my family has experienced the perfect beaches, unbelievable views, historic landmarks, and, of course, exceptional food.  I was raised in a typical, Jewish household. Food was the focus of our lives; menus were planned weeks in advance, reservations were made months prior, and we discussed what and where we would be eating our next meals before the day even started. Normal? For us, it has been. We were accustomed to sitting aroundRead More →

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I recently had the opportunity to e-meet Stacey Rosenfeld, PhD, who is the author of “Does Every Woman Have an Eating Disorder: Challenging Our Nation’s Fixation with Food and Weight.” She is a clinical psychologist who specializes in eating disorders and body image issues. Dr. Rosenfeld was formerly a staff psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and at the UCLA Counseling Center in Los Angeles. She was excited to interview me to learn more regarding a patient’s perspective on recovery. In addition, she published the interview on her blog, Every Woman has an Eating Disorder, which has just been named a top eating disorder blog ofRead More →

A Mother's Mindset

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As I have delved into the details of eating disorders, I have read multiple articles stating how mothers significantly influence a daughter’s body image. It all begins at a very young age. According to a report from Common Sense Media, one in 4 children engages in some type of dieting behavior by age 7. There are many contributing factors to this statistic, but mothers definitely play a powerful role. My mother is my best friend. She is my role model and hero — who possesses characteristics that make her the most admirable person I know. When talking of her to friends, or even strangers, I lightRead More →

My Unpopular - Yet Popular - Theory on the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

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As my husband and I were flipping through channels last Tuesday night trying to catch an entertaining show to watch, we came upon something that instantly grabbed our attention: The 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The multi-millionaire production aired on CBS, one of the most broadcasted and viewed channels on television. I had seen it advertised all over commercials, repeatedly sharing the air date and time, network, and glimpses of what was to come. But, in case you missed it on television because you didn’t get the chance to sit down and watch, you had to have seen it ALL over the Internet. It was an all dayRead More →

A Letter from Priscilla to Max - From Mother to Daughter

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Just this morning, I was sitting in the office of one of my biggest role models. He is a man of many trades; but most notorious for being a Rabbi, entrepreneur, writer/blogger, technology guru, husband, and father to three kids. Every conversation with him sparks ingenious ideas. We were discussing this ever so popular Mark Zuckerberg story that has blown up all over social media. Before I go any further, I would like to, first, congratulate him and Priscilla on their baby girl, Max. Having a child is the most amazing, wonderful, exhausting, scary, stressful, and exciting endeavor one can imagine.  Rabbi Jason Miller wasRead More →

Feast or famine Thanksgiving a dreadful holiday for eating disorders.

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Steamed vegetables, roasted turkey without seasoning or gravy, and baked sweet potatoes are not generally items served at a Thanksgiving dinner. However, for an anorexic and a person with an eating disorder, these are more likely to be acceptable foods to eat rather than your typical holiday meal. Twelve years ago, I remember vividly driving home from Michigan State University for the Thanksgiving weekend. A holiday that is traditionally known for celebrating around a dining room table, surrounded by family and friends, it is notorious for being a cheerful, enjoyable, and gratifying day for many people. It is a holiday that revolves around a monumentalRead More →

My son had a feeding disorder... NOT an eating disorder

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An eating disorder is a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits. These include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and more. It’s when an individual restricts calories or over exercises to attain a body type they deem as ideal. And, even when thin, one looks in the mirror and sees obesity. My son is 2 years old. He didn’t have an eating disorder. He wasn’t looking in the mirror thinking he was fat. He wasn’t feeling that he needed to go for an extra run to burn more calories. Or, that he needed overeat and binge in an uncontrollable manner. My sonRead More →

My Top Ten "Rules"

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By nature, we are creatures of habit. Some more than others, but, generally, we survive daily based on routine.  I happen to take “creature of habit” to the extreme (again, I have that type of personality). I routinely wake up, do the same things everyday, eat the same foods at the same times, shop at the same stores, drive the same routes, and so on. I’m basically on autopilot. Obviously, things come up that disrupt my typical schedule: kids, travel, meetings, or other unprecedented events. Fortunately, sets of routines allow for me, and most people, to feel “much calmer and in control of your life.”Read More →