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Be kind… For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. My mom’s ongoing words my entire upbringing were, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I never truly appreciated or understood the consequences words may have on someone until I battled and overcame anorexia. She played for Indiana University. She had matched up against me each time we had played, and this particular time was no different. I would like to give her the benefit of the doubt, and believe she was a nice person who just used the wrong language to talk smack. But,Read More →

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I was way too tired to cook dinner for my family, and I couldn’t make a decision as to what I wanted to eat anyway. As a matter of fact, I struggled to make a decision about anything at the time. So, when my husband walked in the door from a long day at work, my stomach communicated exactly what I desired: the dingy barbecue place by our old house (now 25 minutes away.) No question it was one of his favorites, so when I explained I was leaving to go pick up turkey sandwiches, French fries, Cole slaw, and pickles, he just looked atRead More →

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My first car accident came just weeks after I received my driver’s license at the young age of sixteen years old. That bright, shiny red Jeep cherokee sport was my latest and greatest gift I got for my birthday. I had earned it, though. I was promised by my parents that if I made the U.S. Region II Regional Team through high school, I would get every teenagers dream–a brand, new car. This incentive made me work that much harder on the soccer field. I was on my way to my very first high school job. I worked at Running Fit, a shoe store, twoRead More →

Food Allergies and Kids

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As every mom is scrambling to share her child’s camp bunk and class for next year, I have a pit in my stomach, and my anxiety level increases drastically. If her child is in Austin’s class, then she will be receiving major notifications that there is a child with severe food allergies. It will be imperative that she is very careful as to what she sends for snacks and lunch. Well, that is my child. I am sorry… But, I am not sorry. *  *  * When my first child began eating solid foods, I had described him as a picky eater. It was veryRead More →

Erin Konheim Blog Soccer

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As high school and college graduation pictures continue to appear on my newsfeed, I can’t help but reflect back to those exciting, yet terrifying times in my life. The exhilaration of being a senior, moving away from home, and establishing independence is remarkable. Parties, freedom, friends, and community celebrating for what seems like weeks. But, in due time, each student will begin packing and preparing for the next phase of life. An abrupt transition from confidence to uncertainty occurs, and anxiety subtly begins to set in. Regardless of one’s connection and relationship to home and family, moving out can be very scary and overwhelming. ForRead More →

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My sport was soccer: where we got physical and dirty; wore over-sized uniform shirts and shorts; and wore shin-guards, covered to our knees with sock. Besides emphasizing needing strength and power in our bodies, nothing was ever discussed as far as body weight or shape–at least in my experiences. In fact, it was a style in my day to wear larger clothes to compete in. I used to stare at other athletes in various sports who needed to wear and compete in either a leotard, spandex, or even a swimsuit, and wondered how they felt comfortable competing in front of such a large crowd withRead More →

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It was the first time in years that I was actually skinny and proportional. My once strong, muscular quad muscles dwindled down to skin and bones. I felt toned and cut, especially my abdomen, as it appeared I even had a six-pack. I loved trying on clothes, and seeing that even extra smalls were too big on me. But, mostly, I loved wearing a bathing suit. As illogical and completely unhealthy as these thoughts may be, even thirteen years after having an eating disorder, I still sometimes think about how I miss some aspects of that time period. I am completely aware that, though, IRead More →

Erin Konheim Mandras - What Not to Say to New Moms

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I did it. I said the worst thing anyone could have ever said to me after giving birth to a baby. Though I still like to believe my comment was excusable, it falls under the category of guilty when it comes to pregnancy and post-baby etiquette. As a woman who has gone through two pregnancies, I can’t help but notice other women who are pregnant. They always look so great to me, and seem to be glowing beautifully. So, I have watched a mom at my kids preschool through her entire pregnancy. Three weeks ago, I ran into her at my OBGYN appointment, and we hadRead More →

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Last year for Mother’s Day, my mom was only dying for a Fitbit. So, as considerate children, we all chipped in, and got her what she desired. Last year my husband came home and so excitedly told me that he read all about this new Fitbit Surge; and that it happened to be a watch, as well. So, when his birthday came around, I went out and bought him one, too. Both my mother and husband are obsessed. They absolutely love it. They compare daily “steps,” and keep track of each other’s medals and milestones. Since the Fitbit has come out on the market, myRead More →

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Originally Posted to Kveller   I grew up in a community where summer overnight camp was just standard, even beginning at the wee ages of 7. I watched as our local camp store would be jam-packed with families holding lists and preparing for and buying the necessary camp items to survive the summer away. I saw as my cousins counted down not only to the day the bus picked them up, but to the years they would be old enough to be eligible to go for four weeks, then six weeks, then the entire summer totaling eight weeks. There were several options for overnight campRead More →