Blog
Eating Disorder blog about eating disorder treatment, food, body, movement, and mental health. By Opal: Food + Body Wisdom.
The Appetite 148: Menopause + Eating Disorders : A Physician’s Perspective
Listen here! Part 1 of 3 part series: “The Menopause Series” — Episode 1: Menopause + Eating Disorders — In this episode, Opal’s Nutrition Director, Julie Church, RDN, speaks with Naomi Busch, MD, about menopause through the lens of an eating disorder physician. Together they explore the biological changes of Read more
The Appetite 146: A Teen Male’s Perspective on Sport and Identity: An Interview with Nicholas Macha
Listen here! When injury sidelines an athlete—or performance outcomes fall short—it has a way of revealing growth edges within us. Tune in to The Appetite as Opal Co-Founder and Director of the Exercise + Sport Program, Kara Bazzi, LMFT, sits down with high school distance runner and podcaster Nicholas Macha. Read more
The Appetite 145: Self Inquiry Series: Performance Validation and Anger Expression
Listen here! In this episode, Gabe and Hank courageously open up about vulnerable moments through a process of group self-inquiry. Gabe explores the bitterness that arises from receiving positive affirmations after dance performances, while Hank examines the feelings of stupidity and pointlessness that surfaced when anger was physically expressed. Together Read more
The Appetite 147: Reorienting Priorities with Period Health and Sport Performance: A Conversation with Heather Caplan, RDN
Listen here! Does better education around period health, proper fueling, and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport actually lead to healthier behaviors in female athletes? In this episode, Opal’s Director of Exercise + Sport, Kara Bazzi, LMFT, sits down with seasoned provider Heather Caplan, RDN to share what they’re seeing firsthand Read more
The Appetite 144: Turning Recovery Into Advocacy : Interview with Johanna Kandel of National Alliance for Eating Disorders
Listen here! In this episode, Johanna Kandel, founder of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, joins Julie Church, RDN, Co-Founder of Opal: Food+Body Wisdom, for an honest and inspiring conversation. Johanna shares how her own eating disorder recovery led her to create a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to care, Read more
Our Space in Sport
Our Space in Sport A FREE conference focused on empowering and educating high school girls and non-binary athletes. Workshop topics this year include: Mental Health, Nutrition, Leadership, Physiology, Mental Strength and more. Keynote Speaker: Ivy Watts, MPH Join us Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Read more
Eating Disorders in Sport Conference
Eating Disorders in Sport Conference Kara Bazzi, LMFT, CEDS —– Opal’s Clinical Director and Director of Opal’s Exercise+Sport Program will be speaking July 31st at the Eating Disorders in Sport Conference: A Treatment Playbook for Providers. About this event: Riley Nickols, PhD, CEDS-C and Becca McConville MS, RD, LDN, CSSD, CEDRD-C are excited Read more
Strong Bodies, Steady Minds: Helping Athletes Build a Healthy Relationship With Food, Body & Sport
Strong Bodies, Steady Minds: Helping Athletes Build a Healthy Relationship With Food, Body & Sport A conversation with Kara Bazzi, LMFT, CEDS, Co-Founder of Opal In this FREE online training, parents will learn what’s shaping your athlete’s relationship with food and their body, and how to have conversations that build Read more
WA OCD Professionals Mix and Mingle
Are you a WA OCD professional and attending the International OCD Foundation’s annual conference in Seattle, July 6-12th ? Come join other WA OCD professionals for a time to network on July 11th in the conference hotel! Opal will raffle off two tickets to Sideways at this event. Must be present Read more