Prayers Needed

Ok guys I could really use some prayer right now. Each time I visit my sister in Arizona I find myself wanting to move out here more and more.... and as I sit here typing in the gorgeous Arizona sun, I cant imagine living anywhere else. Yesterday my sister and I took the day to apartment hunt, and to my delight there was a plethora of beautiful apartments in my price range! Unfortunately, there are a few factors keeping me from going ahead and signing a lease TODAY. No matter what, I want to be living where God wants me. I want to flourish where He knows I will flourish best. Please be in prayer that God would reveal His will for me and give me a complete peace about the decision. Thanks everyone!

This is a picture of the front entrance of the apartment complex I'm DYING to live in :-)

A Sister Weekend Is In Order!!

YAY, tomorrow I leave for Arizona!!! Thats right, its "sistah" time! Those of you who know me well, know that my older sister isnt just family, she's my best friend in the entire world. I tell her anything and everything, and as we grow older we become even closer than before. Most of the time when my sister and I see each other we're surrounded by family or friends, so rarely do we get the opportunity to hang out alone with each other for an entire weekend. Fortunately, this weekend her husband is on a snowboarding trip with some buddies so you know what that means...... watch out Arizona here comes the Riolo sisters!!! :-) I'll be sure to take lots of pics and blog about the weekend.

See you soon SISTER!!!!

Casey's Birthday

This past Monday (Feb. 23) just so happened to be my adorable boyfriend's 24th Birthday, and in celebration of such an event, I threw him a private Birthday Party for two. Here are some pictures of the decorated apartment....

It might be hard to tell in this picture, but the whole apartment was filled with candles that where lite when he walked in :-)

A close up shot of the table

The beautiful double layer chocolate cake I baked him myself

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY!!!! XOXOX

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Today marks the beginning of the 2009 National Eating Disorder Awareness Week!! Its a time we can all come together and fight for an end to eating disorders once and for all. I'll bet not one of you reading this blog right now had any idea that an eating disorder awareness week even existed... and that is precisely the problem! More women die each year from eating disorders than breast cancer!!!! But no one seems knows this. Why?? Its time we start talking about it. Its time to put down our shame and embarrassment and speak out. I'm not proud by any means of what I did to my body, but I refuse to remain silent and allow millions of young girls suffer. Eating disorders can be eradicated, but we need your help!

What Can You Do to Help Prevent Eating Disorders?

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  Learn all you can about anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Genuine awareness will help you avoid judgmental or mistaken attitudes about food, weight, body shape, and eating disorders.


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  Discourage the idea that a particular diet, weight, or body size will automatically lead to happiness and fulfillment.


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  Choose to challenge the false belief that thinness and weight loss are great, while body fat and weight gain are horrible or indicate laziness, worthlessness, or immorality.


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  Avoid categorizing foods as “good/safe” vs. “bad/dangerous.” Remember, we all need to eat a balanced variety of foods.


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  Decide to avoid judging others and yourself on the basis of body weight or shape. Turn off the voices in your head that tell you that a person’s body weight says anything about their character, personality, or value as a person.


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  Avoid conveying an attitude that says, “I will like you better if you lose weight, or don’t eat so much, etc.”


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  Become a critical viewer of the media and its messages about self-esteem and body image. Talk back to the television when you hear a comment or see an image that promotes thinness at all costs. Rip out (or better yet, write to the editor about ) advertisements or articles in your magazines that make you feel bad about your body shape or size


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  If you think someone has an eating disorder, express your concerns in a forthright, caring manner. Gently but firmly encourage the person to seek trained professional help.


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  Be a model of healthy self-esteem and body image. Recognize that others pay attention and learn from the way you talk about yourself and your body. Choose to talk about yourself with respect and appreciation. Choose to value yourself based on your goals, accomplishments, talents, and character. Avoid letting the way you feel about your body weight and shape determine the course of your day. Embrace the natural diversity of human bodies and celebrate your body’s unique shape and size.


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  Support local and national nonprofit eating disorders organizations — like the National Eating Disorders Association

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder but dont know how or where to get help, start by calling The Nation Eating Disorder Association's toll free hot line at 1-800-931-2237.

Dont just stand by this week.... do something! There are girls that need you, believe me I know!

Your Daily Dose of Empowerment

Why is it men and women both unanimously agree that being a woman is most definitely more difficult than being a man? Further more, why is it that we as women have settled into a life of resignation when it comes to our struggle with body image, food, and weight? I've heard women say time and time again that to some extent obsessing over our bodies is a "normal" thing for women to do. WHY? What about body dissatisfaction is normal? Its nothing more than an excuse if you ask me. I dont know about you, but I dont want to spend my entire life hating my body or wishing it could be different... what a waste of energy and emotion. Who said that as women this is our cross to bear? NOT ME THATS FOR SURE! I'm fully aware that as I age my body will continue to change, but why are we all trying so desperately hard to keep that from happening? We should be wearing our ever changing bodies as badges of honor... not failure. Now dont be mistaken, I too am guilty of riding the seemingly never ending merry-go-round of body image issues... but I'll be damned if I let myself believe that its "just the way life is". Next time you look at your cellulite, thick thighs, fluffy tummy, or big butt, dare to fight back. Big butt?? SAYS WHO? Ugly hair? SAYS WHO? Who made the rule that only skinny girls with stick legs, big boob, perfect hair, and flawless skin were beautiful? Its time to change our definition of beauty. Its time to be proud of who we are and what we look like. Its time stop letting our unrealistic ideal of the "perfect figure" dictate what we eat, what we wear, or what we do. Dont promise to love who you are five pounds from now... just do it NOW! It wont be easy I can promise you that.... but it will be worth it. I dont know about you, but I'm done believing that all women are doomed to struggle with body image their entire life.... thats ridiculous, and I bet it makes God incredibly sad.