Ease PMS

When it comes to soothing premenstrual symptoms, the best medicine may be found in your kitchen—and it's not the chocolate and fatty foods you might crave. Studies have shown that healthy foods can actually eliminate the mood swings, bloating, blemishes, breast tenderness, and fatigue that often precede menstruation. Consuming soy, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds may help balance hormones and prevent PMS symptoms.
Salad of Asparagus, Mâche, Endive and Orange Vinaigrette and Strawberry Salad with Gorgonzola Dressing incorporate the ingredients to help ease your symptoms as well as your cravings!

From Yoga Journal, March 30, 2009

Can We Handle the Truth?

If you are like me, sometimes in the journey of life you come full circle. Whether it is in pursuit of a goal or discovering the revelation in a lesson God is teaching. And sometimes... the part where we acknowledge the truth about ourselves (or a situation) is very difficult.

God recently revealed to me during a much needed get away at the TLC Women's Retreat in February, that in spite of my self-sufficiency and dependence on self (which by the way isn't a blessing!), I am just like any other woman. I also have deep longings to be adored, to be cared for, and to be loved.

There is no shame in admitting this. However, the disappointment is when I find myself, once again, looking to others to compliment those needs; God has given us all godly friendships and family to be an expression of His goodness and love here on this earth, but we can not be complete in them. Our wholeness is a result of the One True God - pouring His love, truth and grace into the vast chasm of our hearts. He is the One who adores us, loves us and cares for us.

I would rather not focus on the reality of having to revisit the same lesson many times in my life, or the fact that I somehow need to be reminded that our God is a GREAT God and has always been faithful to me. We are all human - and essentially struggle in one way or another. Remember, Satan can use what we think on to gain a foot-hold...feeling guilt and defeat are perfect ways for the enemy to bring destruction. Friends, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus! The Lord's call to be truthful to Him, to ourselves, is more important than the false guilt Satan is threatening. The distinct understanding for us is that we know the truth, and there is freedom in that!!!

John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NIV

Beth Moore states in the study of Esther that sometimes we are imprisoned by our unwillingness to tell the truth about ourselves. She is so right-on. God's promise is simple. Re-read it above. HIS truth will set us free. To experience that freedom is joy unspeakable! If we are willing to know and accept God's truth, we will be delivered from our chains! Hallelujah! Let me hear an AMEN! Amen.

There was a lightness in my heart this weekend. My heart had come home to me. I knew the joy of my Father, my God, and my King. I felt His comforting love. God will never be ashamed of us and what we are feeling. His is a big God - He can connect what we know in our heads to what we need in our hearts. Trust Him.

Simple. Truth. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to you - a perfect time would be when you experiencing quietness in your rest in Him...on your yoga mat, in your favorite chair, meandering on a wilderness path in the mountains. Be still. Know He is your God. Spend time in His Word. Meditate on His truths about Himself, about you, about life.

God will challenge you concerning the truths about yourself. Be courageous - ask to know the truth about where you have been and where you are going. It more than likely will be painful and hard taking that honest inventory, but our Lord will be with you every step of the way! Having the willingness to face the parts of ourselves that aren't so pretty is giving our God the opportunity to glorify Himself in our human weaknesses.

Joshua 1:9 "All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."
The Message (MSG)