Some Common Reasons Why Women Have Irregular Monthly Menstrual Periods.

Firstly, every women should know that they are an individual personality which differs from everyone. Each woman has a menstrual cycle different from the others. Some women have periods lasting from 4 to 5 days, in some cases from 5 to 6, etc.  Some women have 10 to 11 times a year, whereas others may have 13 times a year. Many women often suffer from irregular periods.i.e. they might miss a period or so. Below I have listed some very common reasons which may lead to irregular periods.

In the first few years the periods might be irregular as the hormones in some cases might take some time to reach a balance.

Irregular periods may also be due to menopause.

Pregnancy.

Excessive weight gain or weight loss may also be a reason of irregular periods.

Women who suffer from premature ovarian failure may also face irregular periods.

Birth control methods, hormone problems, drug intake, stressed life, body illness are also some causes of irregular periods.

Strenuous and gruelling excercises may also lead to irregular periods.

Women who breast feed their babies for over a year may also have a problem of irregular periods.

If you think non of these are the causes of your irregular menstrual periods, then do visit an expert.

The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast: Interview with Kristen Feola and a Giveaway

Do I have a treat for you!

Last year, while I still lived in WA, our church went on a Daniel Fast. To help others along I was blogging Daniel Fast recipes on my blog and the church's blog; but I also wanted to offer more resources to our church members.  I searched the net for someone I could agree with on the topic of proper Daniel Fast diet.  That is when I discovered Kristen's blog, at that time titled Those Who Hunger.  I liked what I saw.  I added her to my blog roll and sent her an e-mail.  We later connected on FaceBook and our blogging friendship began.

We have come a long way since then.  Kristen Feola is now a published author.  Her brand new book The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast has been published by none other than Zondervan and has already come among Top 50 bestselling Christian books in the United States for January! 

When Kristen is not fasting she adheres to a diet very close to Daniel Fast, although she does consume some animal products. 

I asked Kristen to talk to my readers about her thoughts on Daniel Fast. She agreed and did even more than that--she wants to give one of my readers a copy of her book The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, filled with recipes and Scriptural reflections.  [Details under the interview].

Without further ado, here is Kristen.

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Kristen Feola is the author of The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, an encouraging resource for individuals and groups who are participating in the Daniel Fast. She has worked as a personal trainer, nutritional consultant, First Place 4 Health leader, and fitness instructor. She is also an active member of Moms in Touch International. Kristen lives with her husband and two daughters in Springfield, Missouri. Her blog address is ultimatedanielfast.com.

The Daniel Fast – Not Just Another Diet

With the countless number of fad diets in our society, fasting is often misunderstood and categorized as just another weight-loss program. However, fasting shouldn’t be used as a quick way to shed a few extra pounds, nor is it intended to be a method of self-starvation. In fact, those who undergo fasting to improve their physical appearance are completely missing the whole purpose of this powerful spiritual discipline.

When you fast, you deny yourself food, or certain foods, for a specified period of time as an act of surrender and worship to God. Although there are several different types of fasts, one that is becoming increasingly popular is the Daniel Fast. On the Daniel Fast, commonly enjoyed foods are restricted for twenty-one days as you devote yourself to prayer. Since you’re able to eat solid food, the Daniel Fast is much less intimidating than a water or juice fast. It’s also ideal for someone who is unable to do a liquid-only fast for medical reasons.

The food guidelines for the Daniel Fast are based upon accounts of Daniel’s experiences as recorded in the Bible. In Daniel 10, God gave Daniel a vision of what would occur in the lives of the Israelites as a result of their rebellion and sin. What Daniel saw disturbed him so greatly that he entered into a state of mourning, or fasting. The Bible says that he ate no choice food and had no meat or wine for three weeks (10:2-3). Most commentaries agree that such desirable foods probably included bread and sweets. The English Standard Version of Daniel 10:3 says, “I ate no delicacies.” These verses provide the foundation of the Daniel Fast. Therefore, foods that are allowed are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and oils. Restricted foods include dairy, meat, sugar, all forms of sweeteners, yeast, refined and processed foods, deep-fried foods, and solid fats.

Since we don’t know for sure what Daniel ate and what he didn’t, the goal is not to duplicate his menu. Rather, we want to imitate the spirit in which he sought the Lord. Daniel ate simple foods, taking in only what was necessary for physical sustenance. His passion for God caused him to long for spiritual food more than physical food, which should be the ultimate desire of anyone choosing to participate in a fast.

In 2009, when my pastor invited our church to join him in a Daniel Fast to pray for the launch of our second campus, I had no idea how that three-week journey with the Lord would change the course of my life. God flung open new doors of ministry for me, which included writing a book called The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, which was published by Zondervan in December 2010. He certainly did more than I could have ever asked for or imagined in my wildest dreams!

God has amazing plans for you as well. Your mind can’t even begin to comprehend what He has in store for you! Don’t allow fear, laziness, or the excuse, “It’s too hard!” keep you from stepping out in faith and committing to a Daniel Fast. You can do it. God will give you the strength and perseverance you need.

Are you hungry for the Lord? Do you want to know Him more? Fasting, when accompanied by fervent prayer, will help you develop intimacy with the Lord like nothing else can. There’s something supernatural that happens when you humble yourself and pursue God with genuine passion. You’ll experience a greater sense of His presence in your life and the indescribable joy that comes from walking in obedience. Matthew 5:6 also makes it clear that God rewards those who seek Him in this way: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Through prayer and fasting you can have a deeper connection with the God who loves you. There is no greater reward.

Disclaimer: If you have a medical condition or any causes for concern regarding your health, you should always consult your physician before beginning any type of fast, including the Daniel Fast.

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Here are a couple of suggestion from Kristen for those who embark on the Daniel Fast: 

Daniel Fast Snacks

• Apples with almond butter

• Celery with peanut butter, raisins, and sunflower seeds

• Dried fruit and nuts

• Fruit smoothies

• Hummus and vegetables

• Trail mix

Important Tips for Your Daniel Fast

• Find a friend who will fast with you and be your accountability partner.

• A week before your fast begins, stock up on food items you’ll need.

• Make double portions of recipes and freeze them to use later during the fast.

• Read your Bible and pray first thing in the morning before your day begins.

• Record prayer requests and answers in a journal.

• Use The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast to help you on your journey.

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The Giveaway!

And now for the giveaway.  Kristen has graciously agreed to give away a copy of her book to one of my readers.  Here is how it is going to work.

To Enter: 

1. Visit  Kristen's blog and then come back and tell me what your favorite post or recipe is. Make sure to link to it. 
2. Sign up for my Newsletter. Click on the link, complete the form, make sure to confirm subscription by checking your Inbox, following through with the instructions, and then come back and tell me you did it. [If subscription is incomplete (i.e. unverified) the entry will be disqualified from the drawing!]

Bonus Entries: 
Yes, you can get EXTRA entries for a better chance to win this drawing.  To do so do one or as many as you would like of the following:

1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS feed or e-mail.  Subscriptions have to be confirmed to qualify. Make sure to come back and leave a comment if you subscribe.
2. Tweet about this giveaway.  Here is the text you can use: "Enter #danielfast #vegan book #giveaway hosted by @fitvegantrainer: http://bit.ly/g6BrQq"; then come back and leave a comment under the post that you did so.  You can tweet about this giveaway once a day, until the last day of the giveaway and get an entry for each tweet, as long as you come back and link to your tweet under this post.
3. FaceBook about this giveaway, then come back, leave a comment with a link to the post and let me know you did so.  You can use this text: "Enter amazing Daniel Fast Book giveaway hosted by Eat Healthy! Be Happy! Vegan Living and Recipes blog: http://bit.ly/g6BrQq".
4. If you have a blog, you can blog about this giveaway, then come back, leave a comment with a link to the post. 
5. Like my page on FaceBook [Vegalicious], then come back and leave a comment under this post.
6. Follow me on Twitter @firvegantrainer, then come back and leave a comment under this post telling me that you did.

Rules:

1. The giveaway will be open until 2/15/11 [Tuesday], 2 pm EST. 
2. You can live in or outside of the US to be eligible. 
3. MAKE SURE TO ENTER YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS in the comment form to be eligible.

Best of all to all of you. Have a fantastic day! I am off to eat my Daniel Fast approved Chickpea Curry.  [BTW, most recipes on this blog ARE Daniel Fast approved, save a few that have sweeteners in them.]

Failed Experiment or a Happy Accident?

It's all about how we perceive the world: is your cup half full of half empty?

I was totally wiped out today.  I could not fall asleep until about 3 am and then I taught two fitness classes in the morning.  After a few chores my hubby commended that I rest.  Being the obedient wife that I am I complied. 

He went off to work and I got bored being a couch potato.  On top of that I was craving something sweet, which is an unusual thing for me.  So, I decided to experiment.  I tried making strawberry muffins, creating a new recipe.  When I was pouring batter into the forms I knew it was going to be a disaster, but was too tired to fight it.  However, when I tasted the batter it exploded my taste buds with day dreams of summer. 

Muffins did fail and ended up in the trash can, but... I whipped up a strawberry sorbet with many of the same ingredients and... I AM IN LOVE! The sorbet turned out not too sweet, just the way I like it.

While I was eating up strawberry goodness I remembered that I had a wee-bit of Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate ice cream.  The marriage between the two turned out to be a perfect union.  Sweetness of the ice cream was balanced by tartness of the sorbet.  Now they live happily every after... in my stomach. 

So, here is the recipe.  [Since I piled everything in [but the kitchen sink ;)] in such a hurry I did not keep track of measurements, so I am gestimating them as much as I can.]

Vegan Strawberry Banana Sorbet
Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Toffuti sour cream
• 2 tbs Toffuti cream cheese
• 1/8 cup water
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup apple sauce, or 1/2 cup apple
• 2 cups frozen straberries
• 2 tbsp honey

Preparation

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until strawberries get integrated into the mixture. 
2. Serve immediately [preferably with some Coconut Bliss ice cream ;)] or freeze for future indulging. 

I hope you make this happy accident in your kitchen and let me know what you think.

Tomorrow's Post

Don't miss tomorrow's post.  I will be interviewing Kristen Feola of the Ultimate Daniel Fast and we will even have a great giveaway for you--her recently published book on Daniel Fast, which already topped the charts by coming among Top 50 bestselling Christian books in the United States for January!

Introducing: Vegalicious Cooking Parties

Have you ever wanted to host a party for your closest friends and family members that would leave them  speechless AND entertained?  Not to mention happy and satisfied.  Now you can host a party that will do just that.  

Don’t let your hectic life keep you away from achieving good health OR hold you back from social life. Have a Vegalicious Cooking Party in the comfort of your own home. 

Details

What I will Do:

• I will come to your house and cook for you and your guests! 

What WE [I and the host] will do: 

• We will create a vegan/raw vegan menu to wow your guests :)!

What You [the host] will do:

• Invite family, friends, or even strangers :)
• Serve refreshments
• Provide serving dishes, plates, napkins, glasses and cutlery

What I will bring:

• Supplies
• Ingredients
• Recipes

What we will do during the party:

• I will teach you and the guests how to make deliciously nutritious dishes
• We will talk about nutrition, health and, if you and your guests want to, weight loss

The selected menu will be delicious and easy to prepare. The bonus is that it will also be healthy.

Cost:

• Vegalicious Cooking Class starts at $50/person*

 *Minimum 6 people locally; 8 people out of the area; Prices vary by class depending on chosen menu.

BENEFITS

• Time with Friends: Priceless
• The Way You Feel: Absolutely Amazing!
• Host attends the party, eats food and learns about nutrition FREE of charge!

Host's Responsibilities:

• A perfect host house should be located in a friendly neighborhood, possessing a relaxing ambiance; neat and clean
• The kitchen/dining area should be able to comfortably sit all guests
• There should be enough parking by the house
• The host will provide space [kitchen/dining room], serving plates, dishes, napkins, cutlery, glasses/cups for serving meals, and refreshments
• The host will invite his/her friends/family [they do have to pay]
• The host should coordinate not to have any outside interruptions during the party

READY?

If you are ready to book you Vegalicious Cooking Party, shoot me an e-mail and we will talk details.

Raw Vegan Cooking Class {Columbus/Blacklick/Reynoldsburg OH}

Un-Cook Vegaliciously!

Registration is now open for Raw Vegan Cooking Class!

This time the class is going to be held in Blacklick, OH.  Anyone in/around Columbus, OH metro area is welcome to register. 

Come to make/eat scrumptious raw dishes and learn about benefits of a raw food diet.

$55

Details

WHEN: February 19, 2011; 5-7 pm 

WHERE: Blacklick OH [address will be provided to registered participants]

WHAT: Participants will learn about the benefits of incorporating raw foods into their diet; learn how to make all of the dishes on the menu and then indulge in eating them all. 

MENU*:

1. Fruit Daiquiri [alcohol free]
2. Tropical Smoothie
3. Corn Bisque
4. Avocado Cucumber Creamy Soup
5. Zucchini Spaghetti in Creamy "Alfredo" Sauce
6. Kale Chips or Flax Crackers
7. Strawberry Thumb Cookies

All ORGANIC ingredients!

Please notify me if you have any FOOD ALLERGIES!


*I reserve the right to make changes to the menu as necessary.

The class is a perfect excuse to have a DATE night, to hang out with a friend, or just get away by yourself to indulge in a scrumptious meal and learn a few healthful tricks. We will make the meal together, so you can have a hands-on learning experience and know how to do it on your own.

HOW: You can register on-line or by mail [contact me for the second method]

COST: $55 per person. Space is limited to 10 people.

TO REGISTER: If you are viewing this post on EHBH blog you will have an option right under this paragraph to register via PayPal [you don't even have to have a PayPal account, as long as you have a credit or a debit card!].

$55

If you are getting this through RSS feed and cannot see the payment option, please click through to go to the blog post.

Feel  free to e-mail me with any questions.