Good Vanilla

Let's normalize talking about tough topics with our daughters. They deserve to have awareness about mental health conditions like eating disorders. Our girls need to have the tools to spot trouble brewing in their own minds and the minds of their friends. I love this conversation I had with my 9 year old daughter, Ava, because it proves such conversations don't have to be miserable. The serious can be seriously fun. See you inside the episode!   Connect with Andrea: FREE live class - Hope in the Healing Journey Speak Life BundleEating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder TriggersInstagram

I love how honest this conversation is! Brittni Clarkson, host of Meant To Bloom podcast and I don’t hold back sharing so much of what we’ve learned over the years of our personal mental health journeys. Mental health is arguably the most important aspect of health. So we dove deep into topics such as but not limited to: A gratitude practice that actually works Obsession with self-development The power of voicing your thoughts out loud Hitting rock bottom How good can come out of what feels bad Running with bears and big bowls of spaghetti (haha) It’s normal to feel like you’re going crazy What’s “enough” for mental health Be curious to practice what works for you You are never the same person facing the same battle Things don’t have to be perfect to be good   There are too many bits of wisdom to count! Grab an iced latte and your notebook before you press play. Brittni and I can’t wait to see you inside the episode :)   p.s. Being totally transparent and authentic with you is important to me. For this reason you will hear real mompreneur life toward the end of the episode when my two lovely daughters pop into the episode. I purposely chose not to edit them out because I felt it would gloss over the true message of this episode. Enjoy :)   Connect with Brittni: Instagram BrittniClarkson.com/stressless - this is where you'll find Mindset Realign  plus related materials and a free download with anxiety coping resources as well.    Connect with Andrea: Speak Life Bundle FREE GIFT Break-up With Food RulesEating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder TriggersInstagram

Faith isn’t talked about enough in the recovery space. This is why I’m here, friend. To spread this message and help you open your heart so God has access to your heart. You don’t need to hide any shame and guilt from him. Because you are worthy. Ephesians chapter 6 is a powerhouse of a chapter to use to fight for your life. You are worth it friend! Do not give up. Listen to this episode to get your grit on. Get tenacious. Get rowdy against an eating disorder. This episode will help you take a stand against self-loathing, shame, guilt and the freakin’ devil itself! Connect with Andrea: FREE live class - Hope in the Healing Journey Speak Life BundleEating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder TriggersInstagram

Is an eating disorder making you work for EVERYTHING? Working to change or maintain your body. Working to earn food. Working to accept yourself. Sweet friend, it’s time to set yourself free with a heavy dose of GRACE!  In this episode I explain how to apply Ephesians 2: 8-10 to your recovery. You will learn how to stop trying to be “enough” by being “better” or “healthier” than other people. You don’t have to prove anything in God’s Kingdom where grace and faith are EVERYTHING. Listen to this episode to immerse yourself in this truth: you don’t have to earn God’s love.   Connect with Andrea: FREE live class - Hope in the Healing Journey Speak Life BundleEating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder TriggersInstagram

My 9 year old daughter, Ava, is back as a guest and she brought her wit and wisdom! Again! I swear this girl needs her own show. In this episode, Ava and I discuss how your exercise habits (or lack thereof) can affect your daughter. We also talk about noticing your beliefs about exercise and why it’s important to continue an exercise routine even if you have an eating disorder. And how working out is really only unreasonable at 3am in the morning (Ava’s wit *wink*). Get ready to learn and laugh with Ava and I. See you in the episode!   Connect with Andrea: FREE live class - Hope in the Healing Journey Speak Life BundleEating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder TriggersInstagram

Stop making an eating disorder all about you. It sucks to hear this, but you need to hear me out. The eating disorder isn’t only running your life, it’s also impacting the lives of the people in your life. If you’re a girl momma and trying to change your relationship with food, this episode is for you. If you think you can hide your food struggles from your daughter, think again. Kids are so perceptive. They don’t miss a thing. But this is a good thing. Our children’s perceptive nature can be what we need to push us in recovery and personal growth. There’s a lot at stake here, friend. Your relationship with food doesn’t just impact you, it also impacts your daughter.  Connect with Andrea: FREE live class - Hope in the Healing Journey Speak Life BundleEating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder TriggersInstagram

Holy crap this is a good one! While recording this episode I had my own emotional realization at the end. So get ready for a deep dive into your soul. Let's start with a truth bomb: restrictions are a symptom of unworthiness. And eating disorders are ways to maximize restrictions in life. Restrictions are sneaky by letting you believe you’re in control. But restrictions actually control you, friend. Awareness around restrictions opens up the doors to recovery. Grab your journal, take a sip of your iced latte and take a deep breath. This episode will open your eyes to how much you are restricting in your life. Oh yeah, you might want to grab the kleenex box :)   Connect with Andrea: Speak Life BundleEating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder TriggersInstagram

Do you feel like you can’t “do” mental health? Like it’s too complicated, too much work and seemingly impossible to achieve the positive changes you desire? In this episode, my friend and transformative health coach for moms over 40, Erin Vogt and I share an honest conversation about our mental health struggles and how it was the simplest solutions that got each of us unstuck. As Erin says in this episode “Basic stuff builds confidence because it stacks wins in your favor”. Erin shares actionable steps for you to seamlessly implement positive change into your life right now. Get stacking your wins and confidently approach mental health with a “yes you can” attitude.   Connect with Erin: Jumpstart Your Habit Mindset - This is a free download found on Erin's homepage of her website. It includes 5 steps to jumpstart your habit changes. Move from stagnant to driven action taker, and bring your kids along for the ride.Instagramwebsite   Connect with Andrea: Speak Life BundleInstagram Eating Disorder Liberation Coaching4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To KnowTame Eating Disorder Triggers

If food rules and body comparisons consume your thoughts, it could be a sign God is trying to get your attention and teach you something. Join my 9 year old daughter, Ava, and me in this episode as we discuss the connection of our relationship with God to our relationship with our physical and mental health. Press play and inspire your faith by listening to one of God’s young children share her light and encouragement with you.  Speak Life Bundle  Eating Disorder Liberation Coaching 4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

If there ever was a hot topic, the discussion around people casually or rather obviously mentioning another’s weight is definitely one of them. In the awkward efforts of “small talk”, conversations are typically surface deep. This leaves our hair, clothes and the way we look open for discussion. Unless you dangle a “closed” sign on your neck, someone is bound to compliment your appearance. This can suck when you’re recovering from an eating disorder. In this episode I share how to respond to potentially triggering comments so your day isn’t flatlined by another’s “kindness”. You’ll also learn your personal responsibility (hint: your mindset needs an adjustment as well, friend) with how you respond and how to become a thought leader on the subject. Press play and let’s get started!   4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

What do you think a 9 year old can teach you about body image? Recently I began a conversation with my daughter, fully intending to educate her about body acceptance and positivity but she ended up teaching me a lesson. I was so grateful for her honesty because it was through her voice and perception as a 9 year old little girl that I realized I had unresolved childhood emotions about my body. And ultimately, my daughter opened my eyes to how body image issues can form and how to heal those issues through revisiting childhood memories. Press play to learn what a 9 year old can teach you about body image. 4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

How do you help your daughter love her body when you have your own complicated relationship with your body image? Or maybe you’re trying to heal from an eating disorder while supporting your child in her body acceptance. The truth is, no one can trigger you like your own child. When your kid says something that calls out your own insecurities, how can you possibly remain emotionally available? What do you say when your mind goes blank? In this episode, I remove the guesswork for you by sharing 7 things you can tell your daughter in a delicate moment such as this. What you say now could be the life-giving difference in her self-love journey. So instead of only sweating and crying when she says, “I’m fat”, you’ll be capable of shifting your child’s perspective about her body through a powerful, connective conversation. Elevating both of you together. 4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Do you know yourself? If someone asked you what you do for fun, what would you say? Don’t feel bad if your response is a clueless stammer. I get it, I’ve been caught off guard, too. Consider this episode an opportunity to question, to be curious and inspire you to relentlessly pursue who God created you to be. When you allow yourself to live aligned with your God-given identity, joy is yours. As you seek and rediscover the pieces of you that have been lost, you begin living as an expression of God’s love and there’s no greater joy or sense of worthiness. Friend, you don’t have to do this alone. Give yourself some grace and ask Jesus to walk with you on your healing journey. In this episode, I’ll get your gears turning on how to start rediscovering yourself and equipping you to confidently answer the question, “what do you do for fun”.   4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Too bold? If you think so, I recorded this especially for you. It’s the kick in the butt you need to shift your mindset around the ways you allow an eating disorder to influence your life. In this episode I share two lessons I’ve learned as a result of being tested by an eating disorder. Interestingly enough, by speaking two blessings out loud, two more blessings popped into my mind while recording. This is evidence that what we focus on expands. Friend, I know eating disorders suck the life out of you, but I also know if you get creative and look at your current life through a modified lens of gratitude, you’ll be surprised by what your trials have taught you. Press play. I'll see you there! 4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Have you ever been mad at God? Have you ever questioned the way God created you? When I was a young kid, I thought God messed up when He made me. I was mad at Him because He didn’t make me skinny like my friends. And now 30 years later I understand why God made me the way I am. In this episode, you’ll learn how a revisitation of your challenges in childhood can prepare you to be the person God created you to be. In the here and now and in life ever after. 4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Your most valuable player in your healing journey is sitting on the sidelines, avoiding your eye-contact. And only you can see her. Because she is you. A version of you as a young child, known as your inner child. In truth, you’ve been avoiding her, too. Maybe because you weren’t aware she was there. Or maybe because you know she knows things. Painful things you were hoping to forget. I need you to go talk to her. Now. Self-discovery and self-compassion awaits. Come with me and I’ll show you how in this episode. 4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know  Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Your level of loyalty is commendable. But your commitment is blinding you from seeing the truth. There’s a relationship you have to tell to take a hike. At least until that “someone” no longer weighs your self-worth the way they do now. In this episode, I’ll prepare you for your favorite break-up of all time. Press play. Liberation awaits!  4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Oh dang! Is today one of those days when no matter how many positive affirmations you say, you don’t feel good in your skin? Don’t stress a moment longer contemplating how you’ll possibly overcome your mental exhaustion and choose the perfect next step to magically feel better. Release the pressure of always needing to figure it out. All you need to do is take a deep breath, say a prayer and listen to this short but sweet message for a quick pep talk that’ll leave you with that just hugged feeling. Because some days you can do more by doing less.   4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers  @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Scrolling on social media got you feeling down? Or maybe you’re feeling inferior after seeing someone who looks like they’ve got it ALL figured out. I’m gonna have to politely ask you to stop and listen to this episode before your thoughts run away with your sanity. You’ll learn a quick, “get unstuck” mindset shift that’ll take you from wishing you were like “them”, to thanking God for the ways He made you different. 4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com

Are you obsessive? Are you perfectionistic? Good! I’m not kidding. It is possible to use your “negative” personality traits to heal your relationship with your body and food. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify what parts of your personality are currently keeping you stuck in your healing journey and how you can shift the way you use these same traits and use them for good. Let’s dive in!   4 Secrets Your Eating Disorder Doesn't Want You To Know Tame Your Triggers @andrea_carow www.andreacarow.com