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I had the pleasure of meeting with an absolute legend Chris Gaul to talk pageants, faith and of course, eating disorders over lunch a few weeks ago. The product of which is one of the loveliest profiles written about me. If you are a Catholic Review subscriber, you will see a feature in the health section "Former Miss Maryland reaches out to girls with eating disorders." If you aren't, go get a copy NOW! Or... just follow this link to the article and feel free to forward along. http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/PaperSpecSection.aspx?action=9669 Thank you for reminding me of how far I have come, the young girls I have encountered and my faith that has continued to guide me on this journey.

Photos from St Vincent de Paul Souper Supper

What a way to kick off the weekend-- volunteering at the St Vincent de Paul Society Souper Supper. I knew that both the lunch and dinner seatings for the event were sold out but wow, what a turn out. And I was thrilled to be surrounded by so many youth and educators!

Shout outs to my new friends below: Courtney L and B (both students at Seton Keough High School), Sara and Rita (teachers in Baltimore County and City), the fab Richard Williams of St Vincent de Paul for coordinating this appearance, Baltimore City Council President Jack Young and some attendees scoping out the handcrafted bowls.

St. Vincent de Paul Empty Bowls Souper Supper

St. Vincent de Paul is an independent, faith-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people who are suffering from the effects of poverty meet their basic human needs and achieve a better future for themselves and their family. Their progams including Beans and Bread and Headstart provide 220,000 meals to individuals in need annually and tools for educational success for pre-schoolers.

I have been invited once again to be a Celebrity Ladler at their Empty Bowls Souper Supper event to be held at the College of Notre Dame in Maryland on March 12! Enjoy a selection of gourmet soups prepared by local restaurants, listen to live music and choose a hand-crafted ceramic bowl created by local artisans and students.

I will be attending the lunch seating from 11a-1:30p. There will be an additional seating for dinner at 4p. Tickets are only $15/person

For more information about the organization and the event, please visit their website: http://www.vincentbaltimore.org/empty_bowls.html

"Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder."

I was back at the Eating Disorder Center at Sheppard Pratt today. What a great institution, providing much needed health support services to the community.

Prominently displayed at the entrance was a flyer for the kick off event to Eating Disorder Awareness Week Febraury 20-26, 2011. I will be out of town Sunday but do consider attending or refer a friend to hear featured author and Executive Director of the Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness as she shares insights into the daily challenges of recovery.

I will be picking up a copy of Johanna Kandel's novel "Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder" for my plane ride to Phoenix!

Admission is FREE, RSVP with rsvp@sheppardpratt.org

GSCM Women's Leadership Forum

In a chance conversation with a board member at the Children's Guild, I was reconnected to an organization that I've continued to advocate for long after I gave away my Miss Maryland title, the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland.

I am thrilled to be attending the 5th Annual Women's Leadership Forum on March 9, 2011 featuring 4 local authors, Elizabeth Chandler (Kissed by an Angel and Dark Secrets), Ginny Gong (From Ironing Board to Corporate Board), Jerdine Nolen (Raising Dragons) and Mia Redrick (Transform Me-- 5 Essential Strategies for a Mother's Self Care).

The forum provides an opportunity for women and girls of all ages and stages in their career to discuss the challenges and successes of professional and civic engagement.

Join me at the Women's Heritage Center from 5:30-8:15p for this can't miss reception and panel discussion!

New Year, New You?

Happy new years all! Admittedly, I stayed in for the holiday. But for the first year in recent memory, I did resolve to do something: to spend more time traveling. With trips to California, Arizona and Nevada already on the calendar, it would seem I am well suited to stick to it. Not surprising though, it is among one of the top 10 most commonly broken resolutions per Time magazine.

"Lose weight and get fit" also made the list. 3 days into the new year, this is most evidenced by the lack of available treadmills at the gym..Who are all of these people that I've never seen before and why are they running on my machine!?

In any case, good luck and best wishes for a healthier you. 2011 marks my 4 year anniversary of being eating disorder free. Now that is cause for some celebration!

-Nicole