Hello My Lovelies - I can't believe it's already the end of February of 2008!!
I can just smell spring around the corner and with that time of year comes great renewal and change - can you feel it?

Once again, we are undergoing a big transformation - one that I am personally geeked to share with you. But alas, you have to wait for at least another month till I can spill the beans. It'll be worth the wait, I promise!

In the meantime, I have exciting people, places, and things to share with you.
First of all - this week is National Eating Disorders Awareness week so be sure to check out the website www.nationaleatingdisorders.org to see what sort of amazing events are being planned in your community. I have heard from ACTIONISTS nationwide who are holding vigils, play performances, music events, speaking programs, support groups, and free mental health screenings in their community. This entire week is dedicated to getting the word out about eating disorders - promoting education and awareness in a world that has 10 million women and 1 million struggling to recover from the throws of Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorder. I will be at UC Davis this week and in Baltimore at The Center For Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt speaking and signing books. Check out my other upcoming events on the site - I hope to see you there!

And in celebration of recovery - I have chosen to feature two wonderful ACTIONISTS this month: Andrea Roe and The Joy Project. In their own individual ways they are promoting hope and healing for those who struggle with eating disorders or know someone who is. Andrea has written a wonderful book entitled "You Are Not Alone" that gives honest testament to what recovery looks like and feels like. The Joy Project offers a fantastic online community of resources for survivors and those in the beginning stages of seeking help. I urge you to check out these ACTIONISTS and support their work.

For anyone out there reading this - wondering if the change they want to make in their life is possible - whether it's to recover or get a new job, better education, different relationship or the ever elusive self-love... rest assured - IT IS!  Take those small steps of action that lead to great change. Keep your eye on the bigger picture. Count your blessings and express your gratitude. And when all else fails, take a deep breath and start over. We get unlimited do-overs in this life. You can start yours now!

More to come for next month - stay tuned and stay in touch!

Big hugs,
Jess

You Are Not Alone

-Andrea Roe

A source of hope and support for those suffering with an eating disorder, 'You Are Not Alone' is an inspiring collection of personal stories, poems and artwork from 34 amazing women from around the world. These women are either fully recovered or in their final stages of recovery, and have not only survived eating disorders, but also depression, social anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, other addictions, mental disorders, emotional and physical abuse, sexual abuse and rape.

Excerpt from "You Are Not Alone" by Andrea Roe
A few years ago I would have never have imagined I would be where I am today. I am a confident woman. I smile and laugh a lot. I love my life! And most importantly, I love myself! I have finally become friends with the person I see when I look in the mirror.
During my eating disorder, I often found it helpful to read stories of former sufferers who had felt just like me but who managed to recover. These stories gave me strength and showed me that I was NOT alone. I loved reading about other people's eating disorder experiences, recovery and healing journeys. They gave me hope, comfort and much needed support. I felt understood.
Now that I am recovered myself, I see it as a mission to be the one who provides support for those still suffering. I want to share my story and show you that you are not alone, that there is help, there is hope and that recovery IS possible - ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!

To purchase a copy of Andrea’s book please click here.

“A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back -- but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you.”

— Marian Wright Edelman

Connecting with Jess!

Interview Jess:
Submit your question to be answered by Jess as a part of a podcast on Blogher.com!
Jess is helping to promote a special campaign in this blogging community entitled "Letters to My Body"- inviting women everywhere to have a discussion about their body image. You can submit a question for Jess by 5 pm EST on Thursday the 28th
by posting to the following sites:
BlogHer (you must be a member to post)
5 Resolutions (anyone can post)

Thanks for making the Reality Diaries a HUGE success. And it's not over yet!

Have you been keeping up with The Dove Reality Diaries - a ground breaking online event facilitated by Jess?

4 girls. 1 expert. 0 boundaries.

Follow the lives of 4 teen girls as they battle 4 real issues and take their self-esteem back into their own hands. There are plenty of opportunities for you to weigh in, give advice, and ask questions.

You don't want to miss one blog, video entry, or talk back session so visit www.doverealitydiaries.com and check it out!

Body Peace Project

Join the latest call to action as Jess and Seventeen Magazine invite you and your friends to sign the Body Peace Treaty - pledging to make amends with your negative body image and stop beating yourself up based on how you feel about your appearance.

All you have to do is go to seventeen.com and sign the treaty. Our goal is to have 1 million girls sign up!
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What's on Jess's mind...
Are you curious about what's on Jess's mind lately? Be sure to read Jess's Blog to find out!

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest blogger on Jess's blog, please send your blog entry along with a 2 sentence bio about the writer to info@withjess.com.

** The topics are open - just keep in mind the goal of the site and Jess's work is to promote conversation and action**

Jess is so 21st Century...
Check out Jess's My Space page to read her blog, send her a comment, and connect with other amazing people making a difference in the world!

Actionist™ Wear!

Remember to check out our online store! You can express your Actionism with t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers and there is much more to come. Click here to check it out!

Book Jess in 2008!

Book Jess for your upcoming events in 2008 now and receive $500.00 off the total cost of program fees. Send your email to Elaine@withjess.com to find out what dates are still available.

1. Someone who motivates and inspires people to take action in their everyday lives.

2. Someone of any age, race, class, and gender who wants to walk their talk out in the world and lead by example.

3. Someone willing to do what it takes to make a difference in their lives and in the world at large.

Our Featured Actionists™ this month are...

Andrea Roe
Author

As a native European, Andrea grew up with an unrealistic image of what a woman should look like. When she started to hit puberty and her body developed in a way that wasn't like the models - curves, acne and what she considered an awkward smile, she started to hate who she was. For three long years, she suffered with severe body image issues and depression until eventually, by the age of sixteen, her obsession turned into anorexia and ultimately bulimia.

However, almost ten years after her initial decent into self-hate, she was able to overcome her struggles and won the fight against her eating disorder. She learned to accept and love herself for who she really was - a beautiful woman inside and out - with a whole life to enjoy. She now spends her time on her passions - supporting others on their path to recovery. To help with that, in October 2006, she published a book called, You Are Not Alone: The Book of Companionship for Women Struggling with Eating Disorders. With another book in development, an increasing number of speaking engagements and a popular recovery focused Internet newsletter called the You Are Not Alone Support Letter, Andrea truly is showing eating disorder sufferers everywhere that recovery IS possible.

For more information about Andrea, her book, the Support Letter or to get in touch with her, please go to www.youarenotalonebook.com.

The Joy Project
Community Activists

“You will die without intensive treatment.” These cryptic words were delivered by an assessment clinician at an Eating Disorder (ED) treatment center to a young woman, Joy Nollenberg, suffering from the trap of an eating disorder in 2001. With this news, her insurance company refused to cover any ED services. Several years later, Joy, stumbled upon an online ED support group message board. She found that many other ED sufferers had similar difficulty finding and obtaining treatment. Among those who had been able to obtain treatment, many were frustrated with the quality and focus of the treatment they had received. Her personal experience of inadequate care for her ED was not an isolated incident—Joy realized something had to change. In February 2006, supported by a strong community of individuals affected by eating disorders, The Joy Project was born.

The goal of The Joy Project is to fill in the gaps caused by inadequate access to eating disorder treatment, and create a dialogue between researchers, treatment professionals, and those affected by eating disorders, in order to foster a better understanding of how to help people not only recover, but remain recovered. The Joy Project empowers eating disordered individuals by allowing them to use their own experience to advocate for themselves and others, and to create a community of support and hope among those who share the illness. The Joy Project’s all volunteer staff are dedicated individuals who truly believe that people with eating disorders can move beyond their illness to be strong, empowered, unique, and accomplished individuals.

Numerous services are provided by The Joy Project at no cost, and there are plans to launch additional, cost-effective, supportive programming that can easily be replicated elsewhere. Though The Joy Project does not provide individual therapy, it does provide these key services:

• An online recovery & support community where individuals from anywhere in the world can reach out for support at any time, day or night.
• Various in-person support groups.
• Offerings of supportive group activities that promote a sense of confidence and well-being, such as: yoga, art classes, group meals, volunteer opportunities, information sessions, and advocacy opportunities.

Future plans include the creation of recovery-support housing, where individuals would live in an environment that encourages a life free from ED, offering tangible help for transitioning back to 'normal' life, while paying monthly rent costs as opposed to expensive, long-term residential care. In addition, members of The Joy Project are creating a resource manual that can be used as a self-help program for those who cannot obtain treatment by traditional means. The Joy Project plans to publish an in-depth treatment directory; collaborate with ED researchers on future research studies; and host a panel discussion event where members of the treatment, research, and survivor community will be brought together as equals to speak on topics related to ED treatment.

The Joy Project has testified before members of Congress, created public service announcements to promote the message: "Eating disorders come in ALL shapes and sizes", and have spoken to members of the general medical community on how to help people with eating disorders in a way that is validating and effective.

For more on The Joy Project and their future plans click here.
For The Joy Project recovery & support message click here.
For Joy’s complete story click here.

Wanna be empowered with great ways to take action in your everyday life?

Ways to Take Action

1. If you’re at a loss for new words that make you feel positive, try writing down a wish list of traits you admire in others. 

2. This one’s simple but true:  Remember that everyday actions and relationships cause a ripple effect out in the world, so practice being kind, and ask someone else to pass it on

3. Assess your own belief system.  Discover if you’re taking on others’ viewpoints or giving yourself an opportunity to craft you won.  Try writing down an opinion inventory, which can be broad and basic, silly or deep:  what are your thoughts on friendship, political issues, or even doing the laundry?  You may be amazed to discover that you have different opinions than your parents or friends do.

Small steps of action can make a great change!

Also, be sure to check out the Ways to Take Action section of our web site.