Eating Is Not a Life Skill
May 4, 2016 by Karen R. Koenig
Filed under Binge Eating, Dieting, Disordered Eating, Healthy Coping, Intuitive Eating, Recovery, Self Esteem, Self-Care
A client who’s recovering from alcoholism mentioned in a session that when she was anxious, she really, really, really craved a drink. We talked about how having a drink would affect her afterward—the shame and remorse she’d feel—and how, by drinking, she’d really, really, really be missing an opportunity to practice crucial life skills. Addictions […]
NBA Scout, Stephen Gertz, talks about being positive and listening to one another
October 7, 2014 by mamaV
Filed under Body Image, Empowerment, Featured, Guys, Healthy Communication, Healthy Coping, Healthy Eating, Livin in the Moment, Martial Arts, Mindfulness, Role Models, Self-Acceptance, Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Sharing Feelings, Stress Management, Wellness
Please tell us about yourself and what you do? My name is Stephen Gertz. I am a regional NBA scout for E.V. Hoops (based in Philadelphia). Although, I should specify that I’ll be officially starting this fall when the 2014-2015 NCAA season begins. Can you tell us a bit about any upcoming projects or events […]
Four Reasons Why Online Revenge Isn’t Worth It
July 17, 2014 by mamaV
Filed under Featured, Healthy Communication, Healthy Coping
The Internet is becoming a cesspool of negativity. Rants, curses and cyber backstabbing are common sights for web users nowadays. Needless to say, there are also those who seek revenge from people who hurt them through the use of the Internet. If you’re going through the above mentioned scenario right now then I strongly recommend […]
Real Deal Named Top 50 Self-Acceptance Blog Site!
December 10, 2012 by mamaV
Filed under Activism, Body Image, Empowerment, Loving Your Body, Media Literacy, Mindfulness, Role Models, Self-Acceptance
We Are The Real Deal is honored and grateful to be among the Top 50 Self-Acceptance blog sites of 2012 through the About Curves site. As an all volunteer run educational blog universe instructing today’s youths on body image, healthy coping, mindfulness, nutrition and critical mental health concerns, Real Deal is so grateful to the […]
All This Talk of Mindfulness … What IS IT?
December 5, 2012 by Robyn Hussa Farrell
Filed under Body Image, Featured, Healthy Coping, Livin in the Moment, Mindfulness, Recovery, Yoga, Yoga and Meditation, Yoga Therapy
Partially re-posted from my “Eating Disorders in Schools” blog on Gurze publications. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn of the Center for Mindfulness at University of Massachusetts, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”* When I teach students about mindfulness I explain that it is an important part […]
Baking Therapy
April 9, 2012 by mamaV
Filed under Body Image, Cooking and Culinary Arts, Expressive Arts, Featured, Healthy Coping, Livin in the Moment, Mindfulness, Spirituality
This guest post graciously contributed by The Baker Chick. When I started my blog in February 2011 I was desperate for a new creative outlet. Being an actor in NYC, I often felt like I wasn’t really able to use the artist side of myself. So, I thought that creating something- anything would help. I […]
Eating Disorders and Suicide – Finding Hope
April 2, 2012 by Nicole Siegfried
Filed under Depression, Eating Disorders, Featured, Healthy Coping, Mental Health, Recovery, Suicide
Eating disorders are known for having one of the highest suicide rates of any psychiatric disorder. Hopelessness is one of the most significant risk factors for suicide. Many individuals with eating disorders feel that their life is barren of hope – that they live in the darkness of hopelessness. Recently, I wrote a blog for […]
Why The Real Deal? A Letter From The Editor.
February 22, 2012 by Robyn Hussa Farrell
Filed under Body Image, Expressive Arts, Expressive Arts Therapies, Healthy Coping, Mindfulness, Self-Acceptance, Stress Management, Wellness
I grew up in the Midwest: good, old-fashioned, family style. Strong family values, committed and loving parents, siblings, an abundance of music, arts, gardening, camping, cooking, clubs, friends and outings. I was a Miss Badgerette award-winning dancer / pom-pon girl, a first-chair clarinet player, singer, actress, social butterfly and a super-achieving kid. Despite these external […]
Remembering Mindfulness
February 7, 2012 by Robyn Hussa Farrell
Filed under Expressive Arts, Healthy Coping, Mindfulness, Wellness, Writing and Poetry, Yoga, Yoga and Meditation
Being mindful is one of the greatest coping skills in dealing with stress. A nice walk in the park, an easy moment journaling, a relaxing breath of fresh air … Sometimes half the battle is actually REMEMBERING to do it! Eric Schiffmann in his brilliant book, Moving Into Stillness, provides keen insights to help us […]