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Monday, April 15, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Media Monday: Slim Peace
Submitted by Britt Ahlstrom, TEPF
Volunteer
Could a healthy living support
group bring Israeli and Palestinian woman together? Fat chance, you say? Tell
that to Slim Peace, a support group for women of various religions who want to
improve their eating habits and self-esteem. The group was founded in the Middle East, but as reported in The New York Times, the group has now made its way to
Boston, Massachusetts. I’d like to see it spread.
Could a healthy living support
group bring Israeli and Palestinian woman together? Fat chance, you say? Tell
that to Slim Peace, a support group for women of various religions who want to
improve their eating habits and self-esteem. The group was founded in the Middle East, but as reported in The New York Times, the group has now made its way to
Boston, Massachusetts. I’d like to see it spread.
Some eating disorder awareness advocates
might be opposed to the propagation of weight loss support groups, and I’ll
admit it could use a less weight-focused name. But we shouldn’t be so quick to
scrape this group off our plates. For one thing, it promotes the sensible Mediterranean
Diet, not one of the numerous “lose weight fast” fad diets. The group also
teaches attendees to tap into their spiritual sides, guiding them through
mindful eating and connecting with their “inner power.” The 10-week group even
culminates with a shared meal.
But the most central reason I love
this group? Christian groups bring together Christians. Liberal groups bring
together liberals. But eating groups can bring together everyone. Regardless of your gender, race, religion, political
stance, or sexual orientation, if you live in the United States (or the Middle
East, or Asia, or on the planet Earth), you probably struggle with food, even
if just sometimes.
Many
people struggle with food. With having too little or with eating too much. With
feeling hungry or with “feeling fat.” Food has power around the globe. It can
instigate riots, spur legislation, and enrich or deplete lives.
But
food can also bring together families. It can help us cross boundaries of
culture and ideology. That’s exactly what I think Slim Peace is about, and it’s
something we all could use a little more of.
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