Based on the information provided from the study of phytoestrogens and soy-based products in relation to endometriosis, here's an overarching summary:

Phytoestrogens, including those found in soy-based products, have been extensively studied for their potential therapeutic effects on endometriosis. These compounds have been shown to regulate the expression of key endometriosis-related genes and modify various pathological processes associated with the disease, such as inflammation, cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and local estrogen synthesis in the endometrium.

Several in vitro studies using cell cultures have indicated that phytoestrogens may affect the expression of key factors involved in endometriosis pathogenesis. Additionally, animal studies using rodent models have shown that phytoestrogens can inhibit the growth of endometriosis-like tissues and modulate the expression of genes associated with the disease.

However, it's essential to consider the limitations of current animal models, as they may not fully recapitulate the natural course of endometriosis. Furthermore, the design of intervention studies on phytoestrogens is crucial, with longer-term and sustained actions likely required to observe significant therapeutic effects.

While some short-term intervention studies have been conducted, longer-term studies are needed to fully evaluate the therapeutic potential of phytoestrogens in treating endometriosis. Additionally, measuring phytoestrogen levels in circulation and local endometrial tissues is important for understanding their effects and determining appropriate dosages.

In conclusion, while there is promising evidence suggesting that phytoestrogens, particularly those found in soy-based products, could be beneficial for treating endometriosis, further research, including long-term clinical trials, is needed to confirm their effectiveness and establish optimal treatment strategies.
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'Recognized by its Fruit'

How well do you consider your words before saying them, or actions before taking them? I recently had the opportunity to sit and listen to a conversation between high school girls. As I sat listening, it brought back so many memories from that same period of time in my life.  I had stored up a lot of bad things in my heart due to words or actions that were taken or said against me. I held them in until they built up and overflowed out of me.  I remember having jealousy, discord and feelings of hatred often.  It seemed like sometimes I was in a battle for my life with a lot of the people I was surrounded by and too many times my words or actions were the only sword I had. So rather than sowing words of encouragement, I swung my sword and slashed and slit others that were nearby.  Bringing forth not life in them or myself, but rather taking it away.  While trying to somehow prove myself good or better by discounting or wounding those around me, I in fact did just the opposite. The very words of my mouth and/or actions that I took were the proof.  They were the fruit of my tree.  I can only say that I am sorry for the past, but humbled and ever thankful after watching those girls converse the other day. It was like looking into a faded mirror.  I remembered who that I once was and was glad to be able to think that my fruit is looking better these days. I'm not perfect, nor will I ever be.  But now I use Christ as my mirror and try to walk away from Him remembering what I should look like when others see me.  I want to be a good tree, I want to produce good life giving actions and words.  I want my heart to be full of the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) so that the things that my mouth speaks will not create bad fruit in someone else's life.  I want to consider that my words/actions are not only fruit that will be ingested and taken to heart by the hearer, but they are also seeds that have the potential to grow in someone else's life. So if I'm going to sow seeds into someone else, Lord let them be full of goodness!
matthew 12:33“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

'Recognized by its Fruit'
16x16 textured acrylic on wood

100th painting entitled 'Bright Fame'

Today I'm so excited to say that I just finished my 100th painting! It has special meaning, and will be going to a special place. It is of a Robin, my middle name. That name was chosen by my now 92 year old grandmother. So i will be giving the painting to her. I entitled the painting bright fame because that is what the meaning of the name Robin is. It is a 16x16 on wood.

And it's back to the drawing board....or canvas in my case!

So it has now been right at a year since I was doing any regular painting. Aunt Carla went home a year ago this past Monday, and i guess after being finished with painting and praying every day i needed to take some time off and sort of fill myself up again. It's hard to pour anything from an empty cup.  I'm excited to say that i'm really looking forward to this next yers worth of painting. I feel like God is going to be opening up some new doors. Without my doing anything, He already seems to have started drawing my attention back toward painting. In the last month i've sold 1 painting, been commissioned to do 2 works, been able to donate 2 paintings to worthy causes and had some other interesting artistic opportunities present themselves. Praise God! I honestly don't think it's a coincidence that all this is happening exactly one year after Aunt Carla's life celebration. I tell you what Christ created a ripple in her life and she allowed it to continue into others, a worthy vessel is the words that come to mind. I pray that i can do all i can to do the same. Lord, help me to be more like you!

First fridays

Well first fridays was great tonight. The weather turned out beautiful, everyone was out strolling to let go of the cabin fever they'd gotten during all that rain, and I had a grea time talking with the people that stopped by. It was just a very enjoyable stress free evening. Im excited about the upcoming shows. I got my acceptance letter to Arts Alive that will be May 14-15. I think that God has got some big things ahead and I can't wait to find out what they are. Thanks for reading and God bless.

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it's seems like a while

i know it's been way to long since i've updated my blog, but it seems like even longer since i've been able to sit down and have  good paint session.  don't get me wrong i have been doing some work...but it's not been joyful artwork.  Thankfully a painter friend of mine, Chia Dawn Yang has asked me to collaborate in coming up with a pro-life themed exhibit that we hope to have ready by next january, if not it will be the following.  I went to first fridays last month in florence, al and that turned out to be a damp event.  it rained the entire time...thankfully we caught a slight break in the rain just around the time we needed to pack up to go home.  I'm hopeful that this Friday's will turn out better.  the only other art show that is even in the semi near future that i'm planning to attend at this point is art's alive in downtown florence.  If you read this and feel led to, please say a prayer for this art ministry, for me that i would continue to feel inspired to the point of creating, that God would continue to be the main focus and that people would be touched somehow.  thanks for reading and it's always good to hear from you! GOD bless!

A beautiful ending

I've been almost dreading having to write this last blog.  To sum up how much that being able to walk this journey with Aunt Carla has meant to me.  I know it's partially because I think in some ways that it effected me, I may not even know and then in others...it's just hard to put into words.