Stress Management and Prayer

Stress Management and Prayer are one and the same for me.

I agree wholeheartedly with Celeste, author of Little Known Food Facts, in her article about stress and the body. (Everything I need to Know About Stress, I learned From My Body.) Stress does cause trembling, numbness and skin disorders. But don't forget about the IBS, back pain, knee aches, reflux disease. I have had all of the above, along with the spells of not eating for days at a time.

If you find yourself in this position, you will probably find that you don't want to eat anything at all and when you do eat, it's something from a fast food place that takes no energy to fix. (You are too tired to cook, right?)

Get a grip. Make a choice based on your common sense, not your emotions. Decide to make a change in your life today, but start small.

Try a simple glass of nice cold milk. Let it sooth your body and give you a bit of energy. Now that you feel a little better, start talking to God. Tell Him what is stressing you and let Him have it. Lay it at His feet and don't pick it back up for the rest of the day.

Drink lots of milk and water and tap into some spiritual milk in your Bible. (Like so many, you may not feel worthy to talk to God. Ask for forgiveness and receive it fully. Then, look Him right in the eye and cry out for help.)

Do it again tomorrow. Stress Management and Prayer will become one and the same for you as well. Now that you've got more energy and your stomach isn't tied in knots, move on to the healthy foods Celeste writes about and move on to spiritual veggies as well!

Beat the Winter Blues

This is the best way to beat the winter blues:

The gray skies of winter never fail to bring me down. It's only January, and we have many weeks of winter left to endure.

Yet, this morning I took a walk around our courtyard and found new strength. Already, life is beginning to peak out from the darkness where it sleeps. The bare branches of our Bradford Pear tree show signs of the next season of beauty.

Once again, I found God's promise that this dark time shall pass. Something new and beautiful is just around the bend. Patience, my friend, patience.



Beat the winter blues by meditating on this today!

Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.

A Blueberry Breakfast

A Blueberry Breakfast is a quick, healthy breakfast for those on the go.

3 Heaping Tablespoons of Plain Yogurt
1/2 cup of you favorite multi grain cerial with nuts or fruit (I chose Kroger Blueberry Almond Crisp - Crispy and Delicious)
Sprinkle a few blueberries on top


It's delicious. If you are not crazy about plain yogurt, sweeten it lightly or try vanilla. This is a good source of anti-oxidants, fiber and calcium. Also, active yogurt aids in the digestive process and is easier to digest than milk for some people; helps prevent yeast infections as well.

Blueberries are considered to be very healthy food for the brain. Some researchers say that strawberries, blueberries and spinach may actually reverse the effects that aging has on the brain, including motor skills. Don't pass up our easy spinach salad recipes!

Water is Vital

Everyone knows that water is vital to our existence. Our bodies are made of it. How many times have you been told to drink 8-8oz glasses of it per day? All your life, right? Obviously, there is a reason for that. If you are feeling tired, I highly recommend water. Believe it or not, it is a major source of energy.

As water is vital to the physical body, so it is to the spirit. If you are not familiar with the story of the Woman at the Well, read John, Chapter 4. Don't just skim through it, read it closely. Use the Bible Gateway search form and type in John 4. Use the back button in your browser to return here.

There is much to say about this chapter, and you can learn more about it in The Life Cycle. For this post, the most important point I want to make is that when the Samaritan woman finally asked Jesus for the Living Water He had to offer, He did not give her to drink of the well. He gave her the truth about herself first, and then He gave the truth about Himself.

The truth about her: Having had five husbands in the past and now living with a man she wasn't married to, obviously, she wasn't living a righteous lifestyle. The truth about Him: He already knew all about her! He sat down and had a drink with her anyway. He offered her the same Living Water that He offered to the righteous ones anyway. He used her to do God's will anyway. He loves, He heals, He gives anyway.

Truth is Living Water and since water is vital, drink 8-8oz. glasses of the truth from God's word every day!

Easy Spinach Salad

For a really quick and easy spinach salad:

Mix fresh baby spinach in a salad bowl with some fresh strawberries and green onions. Top with a healthy strawberry dressing, preferably made with olive oil. Try adding pine nuts or sunflower seeds for protein.

Make sure you wash your vegetables thoroughly. Toss just before serving to avoid wilting the spinach.

This delicious salad is rich in anti-oxidants and is a good source of iron and Vitamin C.

If you don't like the onions, try the Little Known Food Facts variation. It looks yummy.

Foods that Heal Depression

Foods that Heal Depression: My mother is suffering from Lewy Body Dementia and, as you may already know, I have suffered in the past from depression. Therefore, I did some research on foods that are good for the brain. I used the keywords "foods that raise endorphins" and found this site from Honolulu Community College. I can't tell who the author is, so feel free to browse the site. It is straight-to-the-point and very interesting. Yes they are students, but comparing their research to that of others, they seem to be right on track.

Look for these foods in your market and start protecting and even improving your brain power. We'll be posting recipes and tips on these in the very near future.

• Intake plenty of anti-oxidant foods such as
• Blueberries
  
• prunes
• raisins
• blackberries
• garlic
• cooked kale
• cranberries
• strawberries
• raw spinach
• raspberries

• Omega-3 fish oil (seems to be good for just about everything including your skin, ladies! If you are like me and do not eat fish, try cod-liver-oil or an Omega 3 Fish Oil supplement.*)
• Salmon
  
• mackerel
• sardines

• What to drink?
  
• Regular tea (one Lipton tea bag will do perfectly)
• Green tea (but not powdered or bottled)

• What to Avoid?
• saturated animal fats
• polyunsaturated vegetable oil
• trans-fatty acids

• Last but not least
• Chocolate - Yes, it raises endorphins, but of course, use it moderately. Hey, how about a strawberry dipped in chocolate? Yum!!
  

*Some researchers warn against these types of supplements. If you are concerned, consult a nutritionist.

Come back! We'll be posting more on these foods that heal each week.

Foods that Heal Has a New Author

Foods that Heal proudly welcomes the author from Little Known Food Facts. This new author comes from a background in weight loss management and provides very helpful tips on the affects of certain foods and spices on our body. Watch for her posts each week.

She'll tell you in her own special way what to eat and what not to eat and she'll tell you exactly why! She's very knowledgeable and straight to the point. I don't know about you, but I have little time for fluff. If you agree, she's your expert.