5/27/13

UPDATED: Top Ten Stay Strong/Inspirational Songs: 2013

Hello, my beautiful fudgies!

********to read updated 2014 list, click here!!!!!!!

About a year ago I posted an article on the blog listing off some of my favorite "stay strong songs".

And by some odd miracle, that post, which you can see by clicking here, has become my MOST POPULAR TO DATE!

I'm assuming a lot of you are just in need of some good inspirational music, so I scoured my iPod and made a new playlist for you all! Enjoy<3
1. Carry On, by Fun.
For some reason, the lyrics and the drums in this song make me want to build a bridge or cure AIDS or something! Like I can survive ANYTHING!

Plus this band is amazing live, so you know they are worth supporting!

2. Warrior, by Demi Lovato
I'm sure a few of you saw me coming, but I can't help myself, she is too good!

A very powerful, personal testimony sung by an amazing person with a kick-a** voice. Demi was incredibly honest about her personal struggles, and this song proves just how strong she is, just how strong we can all be!

3. Anything Can Happen, by Ellie Goulding

This song is ethereal, bouncy, and if you don't feel the urge to dance to this song, you may be ill. Because she is right, ANYTHING can happen, even your wildest dreams, so keep working!

4. I've Got What It Takes, by Alex Day

If you have ever been afraid to do something because of what others might say or think of you, please listen to this song. Produced entirely by him, this anthem should be the next Rocky theme song.

Plus the music video is also incredibly beautiful, so check it out as well!

5. True Colors, by Artists Against Bullying
If you have ever been bullied or are currently being picked on, if the words or actions of others still hurt you, you will adore this beautiful cover of Cyndi Lauper's hit by a group of popular Canadian artists such as Lights, Fefe Dobson, Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan, and (of course), the love of my life, Jacob Hoggard from Hedley.

6. Fix You, by Coldplay

If there is one song on this playlist that has to ability to make me cry, it is this one. It starts out slow, with Chris Martin's angelic voice singing these heart-wrenching lyrics, accompanied by a soft piano and guitar.

But by the end, the electric guitar picks up the pace and transforms the song into this uber-uplifting rock song. Coldplay, I give you permission to keep messing with my emotions.

7. Hair, by Lady Gaga
My favorite song by the QUEEN of individuality, a great pop hit, telling her story of self expression.

8. I Love It, by Icona Pop
This might be the best breakup song in the history of modern times. And even if you're not suffering from heartbreak, the beat and the lyrics will force you to headbang along, whether you like it or not.

9. You're Beautiful, by James Blunt
I KNOW, I KNOW, this song is as old as time, but when the going gets tough...

10. Whoa Is Me, by Down with Webster
Need to put aside the sad slow songs and the girl anthems for a bit? DWW may do just the trick with this great (over?)confident rap. Support Canadian artists!

That's all I have for you right now! Let me know if you want more :)

Xoxo

Gabby

5/23/13

What An Eating Disorder Looks Like

The first question the ANEB Quebec speaker asked during one of the workshops I attended in Montreal
was the following:

She showed dozens of faces. Young, old, white, Asian, men, women, dark hair, freckles, you get the drill.
She then asked the audience: who in these pictures has an eating disorder?

No one answered. And no one CAN answer such a question. As I have repeated time and time again, eating disorders are a purely psychological
illness.

Obviously there can be physical consequences, but the source of the problem, thus the key to treatment, is all up in that crazy hormonal brain of ours.

The picture shown on my right speaks volumes of the way the media sometimes treats EDs.

Emaciated girls are used in about 85% of ED booklets, prevention campaigns, or entertainment (talking to you, dr phil), and while I understand that these are mostly used to create an impact, a lasting impression, it also creates a social construct that people who are suffering from a MENTAL disorder must have specific BODY attributes.

Wait, what?


There are so many people out there suffering from eating disorders, but because of their physical nature, their gender, their age, what have you, they could never imagine that THEY are suffering from a "skinny bitch" illness.

Even worse, some people feel ashamed to get help because they feel their bodies do not look like those in the prevention campaigns, which is depressingly ironic.


What you need to know is that you are entitled to help, support, and understanding, no matter how you look or how people may judge you. Pain is pain, size 0 or 16.

You also need to know that I love you, just 'cause. :)

Xoxo

Gabby

5/22/13

Beautiful Words about Beauty

Plucked from this wonderful tumblr http://blackbird-notcrow.tumblr.com/ , here is a quick piece about beauty.

“There is no ugly, there is no imperfect, there is no not-good-enough. 

Likewise there is no pretty, perfect, or good enough. Those are terms based on cultural standards which vary not only by culture but with each individual. 

The only thing there really is compassion, and if you have compassion for others then you are BEAUTIFUL. The question shouldn’t be, “maybe it doesn’t matter if I’m not pretty enough?” It should be “maybe it doesn’t matter if people are too blind to see that I already am beautiful?”

 Because someone, somewhere, thinks you are the most gorgeous creature ever. Because there is some culture, somewhere, where you could walk into the midst of the people of that culture and you would be a goddess in their eyes.” 

have a wonderful thursday <3
xoxo
Gabby

5/13/13

Avoiding Binging Episodes?


Hello sweeties!
I recently wrote this article for ANEB’s blog (http://www.anebquebec.com/blogue/2013/05/13/astuce-simple-pour-contourner-une-crise-alimentaire/))but since it is written in French and I think it could help a lot of you non-francophone fudgies out there, I have decided to give up my preciioouus time in order to translate my beautiful scriptures for you all. If you insist, you may throw flowers at your computers… :P

Binging episodes are rarely accidental. For each and every one of us, there are moments in our long exhausting days when we are more likely to give into temptation,like your return home from school or work, or maybe a certain day of the week(I’m talking to you, Monday).  In these moments, we are lonely, tired and potentially emotionally drained; a dangerous combination. We can feel powerless against our temptations, as if our feet naturally carry us to the ever-so seductive corner store.

But fear not, I have a very simple solution! If we know ourselves to be susceptible at a certain time or location, why not simply AVOID these risky situations?

If you know Mondays are your weakness, find an activity or any time engagement during your free time that day.Distracted and surrounded by people, you will quickly (hopefully) forget your cravings.

If a certain location entices you more than any other, try, if possible, to make a detour around it or avoid it entirely. For example, you can take a different bus or get off at a different stop. You can also take another road to leave the mall, or stand on the other side of the street. Out of sight, out of mind,right?

Obviously,the psychological distress behind such episodes should be addressed first and foremost, but if we can avoid just one of these actions, it’s a good start J
Xoxoxo
Gabby

5/12/13

Color

Dear Fudgies,

I am afraid many of us are victims of color abuse.

We are constantly bombarded with images of increasingly colorful birds, their beautiful, yet artificial plumage carving its way into our subconscious, slowly but surely altering our standards of beauty.

Skin?  Dull, lack of color, a blank canvas waiting to be brought to life.

Eyes? Regular, boring-old shades of blue, brown, green. They aught to be rimmed, trimmed, infused with new shades of the rainbow.

Lips? Pale, matte, chapped, lifeless, needing a pop of pink 24/7.

But why? Why can't we just embrace the natural flush of our cheeks, the natural brilliance of our eyes, all the natural colors we are so blessed to be already infused with?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to look a little, well, more, sometimes, but don't let your silly little mind convince you that what you are already born with is less, it's just enough :)

xoxo

Gabby

Like this post? check out this painting and its meaning: http://fudgeperfection.blogspot.ca/2013/02/excess.html

5/9/13

Untitled 9: Tumblr Series

Hello darlings!

As promised, I am starting to post new creative writing pieces sent in by you guys (or found by me whilst spending an un-holy number of hours on Tumblr), and here is this week's selection.

From shanzalicious.tumblr.com, so NO I DID NOT WRITE THIS NOR DO I OWN IT, SELL IT, DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE PEOPLE OF EARTH, AND SO FORTH.


// UNTITLED 9//

WE WILL ALWAYS FIND IMPERFECTIONS IN OURSELVES,AFTER ALL, WE ARE OUR OWN HARSHEST CRITICS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
YOU ARE A CREATION OF GOD,
AND GOD DOES NOT CREATE ANYTHING LESS THAN PERFECT.
THE CONCEPT OF IMPERFECTION LIES
IN MAN’S PERCEPTION OF “PERFECTION”.
SO WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER BE?
PERFECT ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF MAN?
OR PERFECT ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF GOD?
FEAR NOT THE DARKENING SKY,
CLOUDS COME TO KEEP THE PEACE.
EVERY STEP, MISSTEP, OR UNSPOKEN SENTIMENT
CAN BE FOUND RESIDING IN A CUMULUS.
THOSE THAT WON’T, CAN’T. THOSE THAT CAN’T, WON’T.
THE REFLECTIONS OF A THOUSAND MOLECULES PIECED TOGETHER
FORM A PHYSICAL IMAGE OF REFRACTORY PURPOSE.
THE SKY WILL SHINE, AND SO WILL TIME,
JUST ACCEPT WHAT IS HERE AND NOW,
TANGIBLE OR NOT.
LIVE, LIFE, LOVE. HAPPINESS, HOPE,
DREAMS AND DESIRES. THE QUEST HAS NEVER
FELT SO UNQUENCHED. WATER ITSELF IS PARCHED TODAY.
FINGERS CLING TO SINGING SWINGS, WHISTLING
THROUGH THE BREEZE. 
THERE IS NO RUSH, SO DON’T FLUSTER MUCH.
TOMORROW THE SUN WILL RISE AGAIN.
AND DUST TO DUST, ASHES TO ASHES,
AS IT WAS, IS AS IT WILL BE. 

5/2/13

Brand new projects for the FPP

Hey dolls!

I have so much planned for you guys it is sorta/kinda/absolutely insane, and I want y'all to be in the know, so here we go!

1. Creative writing
Many of you seemed to enjoy the creative writing piece I included in a previous post this week, written by Kiley Penn, so I have decided to start posting some more. If you want to write something for us or suggest a find, do not hesitate to email me at fudgeperfection@gmail.com , I will gladly display it on our wall of fame:)

2. Creativity Galore!
When I started the FPP, I wanted to include one of the healthiest forms of self-expression in the world: ART!
However, I feel like these past few months I have been seriously lacking in the art department, so I am working on a bunch of exciting artistic projects!
Again, if you want to submit something, please do:) Visual art, dance, song, puppet show, you go for it doll.

3. FAQs video!
I always wanted to make more personal videos. Just me, the camera, and whatever thought pops out of my mouth! But I never did, for some reason...
I then realized I can kind of do whatever I want with the FPP, being the boss and all:P

So my first personal video will be a frequently asked questions, and then who knows! If you have any suggestions, feel free to email them to me!

I will post them on the blog, as well as on our YouTube page: www.youtube.com/user/FudgePerfection

4. ANEB quebec
Last but certainly not least, I have scored a summer internship at ANEB (anorexia and bulimia quebec)!

Don't worry, I won't desert the FP, I'll just have better things to write about, if such an improvement is EVEN possible... (Please insert dramatic hair flip here if my sarcastic tone wasn't adequately conveyed)

For the moment I think that is all, but I will keep you all posted if anything arises.
Have a great week;)

Xoxo

Gabby