A few weeks ago, we celebrated two birthdays!  We had a lot of cake... and ice cream... and pizza. 

All of those treats triggered some bad eating days for me.  I felt crummy awful.  We all know a treat once in a while is no biggie but when we treat ourselves several times a day?  For several days?  "Houston, we have a problem."

I was in desperate need of something to cleanse the digestive system, get rid of bloat and reset the eating plan.  Of course, there is an oil for that.  ;)

I started by having a dose of Digestzen essential oil blend (2-3 drops of Digestzen mixed with 1/4 cup of water).  I used Frankincense on the liver reflexology points in the hands and feet.  I followed that up by drinking lots of water with Lemon essential oil throughout the day, two more doses of Digestzen and another application of Frank to the reflex points.  I repeated the detox for two more days (3 days total). 

This was a great way to reset my appetite and get back to eating healthy God made foods.  The detox curbed my sugar overloaded cravings, got rid of the bloating, and just made me feel so much better! 

DigestZen^® is a proprietary blend of seven different essential oils, formulated to provide soothing, all-natural relief from digestive symptoms, such as heartburn and indigestion.  For many individuals, digestive issues are difficult part of everyday life.  In fact, Americans spend close to $1 billion per year on popular over-the-counter (OTC) antacids.  Heartburn, indigestion and sustained inflammation from unwanted microbes are only a few of the digestive problems with which they contend.  Clearly, there is a problem here, and the common approach to dealing with it has not been proven very effective.  But, there is a better way. 

It has been well established that certain essential oils contain compounds that are very therapeutic for the digestive sytem.  Many essential oils, such as peppermint and ginger, have been researched and recognized as powerful agents to help restore normal balance in the digestive system.  Other oils, like tarragon, fennel, caraway, coriander and anise oils, each have specific attributes that, when blended with peppermint and ginger, add to the overall efficacy of the blend.

I know I could have gotten back on track without the detox and eventually the bloating would have left and my body would have felt normal again but it was wonderful to have something to speed the process along and help my body heal itself from my poor choices.  I highly recommend digestzen!  You can learn more about essential oils here. 

When I first saw this picture, taken by Gracie, I had to focus a moment to find my sweet Emrie at the end of the tunnel.  This set in motion a whole bunch of thoughts about perspective and how we see things.

So many times, we can completely change our lives without actually changing anything in our lives.  Perspective and focus are that important.  Change the way you see your life and you'll change your life.

When I was a single college student, I spent a summer working at a christian camp.  There was one week that I had a particularly difficult group of campers.  I had a bedwetter, a thief, a constant rule challenger, a cryer, a fit thrower... Did you know homesickness is contagious?  It is.  When one camper gets it, everybody gets it.  Even I had it.  It was B. A. D.  I remember going to the camp director and pouring my heart out about the challenges I was facing.  I was overwhelmed and it was getting the best of me.  The camp director listened quietly and when I was done, she said to me, "I know you have a tough group.  That's why I chose you.  I knew you were a person who could do hard things.  I wouldn't have given you this group if I hadn't known you could make a difference."  Wow.  Talk about changing my perspective.  Suddenly I went from overwhelmed and upset to determined and ready to meet the challenge.  I squared my shoulders back, asked the Lord to give me more understanding and strength, and I faced my group determined to make something of our week. 

If I could do anything for you today, it would be to give you perspective.  The tough things you face, the hard times... they aren't meant to defeat you.  They are meant to refine you.  To grow you and strengthen you.  You are a person who can do hard things.  That's why He chose you. 

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."  2 Corinthians 4:18