From an Eating Disorder to Enjoying the Goodness of God's Provision - Rachel Tiemeyer Ep 35 - From Freezer to Table

Constantly Under Construction with Donna Harris

Binge eating and exercise became a habit for Rachel in college. Interestingly, her past never dictated an unhealthy preoccupation with food. Her upbringing didn’t point to reasons to overeat. But a slippery slope of typical college life found Rachel in a position of choosing food as a comfort. Eating enormous amounts of food in one sitting all alone, Rachel recounted that time would just stop in those moments. To counteract the eating, she exercised. The shame and secrets would become a catalyst for beating herself up. Negative self-talk became a regular part of the cycle: food restriction, exercise, calorie counting, ending a day of self-deprivation with binge eating and then shame and repentance. All these momentary efforts to control or numb negative feelings mounted on top of each other. The cycle went on for years, Rachel promised each time to make a better effort, to promise herself that she would have better control. But when it came to conquering this eating disorder, the battle could not be fought alone.

My guest today is Rachel Tiemeyer. She’s the author of a cookbook, From Freezer to Table. We talk a bit about the joys and benefits of freezer meal cooking and it was through Rachel’s various experiences that brought her to the place where she loves to share freezer recipes and encourage a family-centered meal. Rachel was gracious to share a personal story about a struggle from her past. It was in her early 20’s that she found herself binge eating. Typical college life found Rachel in a position of choosing food as a comfort and exercising as a counterbalance to that comfort. Ultimately Rachel was freed from the binge eating cycle through a miracle that turned her self focus into focus on others. I love her perspective on enduring struggle and was so thankful for her willingness to share a piece of her story with us!