December, 2006

Letter From the Founder

Dear Friends,

I can hardly believe that this year has already come to an end! For many of us who are recovered, the holidays can be a time of joy and celebration. It's a time when we can be with family and dear friends. We share laughter, memories, sometimes tears — and finally the pleasure of eating with our loved ones.

I am particularly grateful this year to be recovered. I look back at what my life was like when I was an active anorexic, bulimic, and compulsive binge eater. I lived a life of despair, dysfunctional relationships and chronic illness. Every day was a gray day. I compare this with what my life is like now, and the joy that I'm able to feel.

Last Monday at 2:50 a.m., my grandson, Kai Adlai Rust, was born on the island of Oahu. I can't imagine not being able to fully feel the joy that I'm feeling right now as I see pictures of this tiny human being cradled in my son's hands.

When I recovered from the eating disorder, I was fortunate to be able to have children. I was fortunate that they grew to adulthood, healthy and strong. I am fortunate and so very grateful to experience the joy I have with my family right now.

I wish the same joy and health for all of you! Remember that it is possible — for everyone!!

Warmly,
Jeannie Rust, PhD

The holidays are hard on everyone, but imagine you're a teenager spending Christmas or Hanukkah in a residential treatment center! Our adolescent unit includes girls as young as 12, all seriously ill and far from friends and family in a world where a white Christmas is as common as a blue moon. We wondered what they do to stay grounded and continue their recovery. So we decided to ask the girls themseleves. As always, their replies were insightful, moving and brutally honest:

Ophelia (not her real name) has spent several holidays — including three birthdays! — in various treatment programs and is very happy with this month's busy schedule. In addition to shopping for presents and decorating a large Christmas tree, the girls contribute to the community through volunteer activities, such as wrapping gifts for a local homeless shelter.

"It takes our minds off being away from home and helps us feel like we're part of the holidays," says Ophelia.

With residents from several faiths and often from many different countries, Mirasol's holiday traditions are decidedly eclectic. Plans are afoot for a hayride through Tucson's historic Winterhaven neighborhood. Christmas Day begins with a pajama-and-video party and wraps up with a holiday meal that all the residents help plan and prepare. In addition, several clients light a Menorah and recite the traditional Hanukkah prayer each night. For some clients, it's their first experience with a different way of celebrating the holidays.

Still, there's no substitute for being at home with family. Even talking about the holidays brought tears to the eyes of a young woman we'll call "Alana." Her only consolation is that her family has decided to postpone their celebration of Christmas until she returns home after completing residential treatment at Mirasol. As her buddies point out, not only will she celebrate Christmas twice this year, but she'll get to do all shopping after the holidays, "so she'll hit all the sales and get everything for cheap!"

Ophelia has the last word: "Being away from home makes you want recovery that much more," she says, "so you never have to miss another holiday!"

Recipe: Buddha's Delight

This spectacular vegetarian main dish will wow your holiday guests, no matter what their dietary preferences!

In small bowl combine first six ingredients to make a sauce. Set aside.

In medium bowl, soak mushrooms in ½ C cold water until soft, about 30 minutes. In another bowl, soak noodles in hot (not boiling) water. Cover and soak for 5 minutes.

Drain mushrooms and squeeze dry, reserving soaking water to use in soups. Cut off and discard stems. Thinly slice caps and set aside.

In a wok or large skillet, heat vegetable oil over high heat. Add mushrooms, scallions, garlic and ginger and stir fry for 1 minute. Add carrot, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, baby corn, snow peas and cabbage and stir fry for 2 minutes.

Add sauce, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Gently stir in noodles and tofu until well coated. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until most of the sauce is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Serve right away, warm.

Serves 6