Well, one of my resolutions for 2000 is not to step up on a scale until the end of every month. That way I don't get too discouraged with weight fluctuation. This is going to be my year to lose a lot of weight -- I am determined. And I am also going to quit smoking. I only have a few left in a pack and then I am going smoke-free. The only thing I am afraid of is gaining weight from it, but if I can stick to a good diet, I should make it through OK.

There are a few more things I wanted to mention about PMS from my diary last week. These were interesting, and I don't know if I would personally try them, but someone else might benefit from them. Drinking fresh-pressed carrot juice can do wonders for symptoms of PMS. Carrots have a high concentration of vitamin A and that vitamin resembles certain thyroid hormones. Dr. Dalton believed that the under-functioning of the thyroid was a major factor in PMS discomfort. But be careful with how much carrot juice you take in, high doses of vitamin A can be poisonous to your system.

An old wives tale states that carrot juice is a natural remedy for detoxification in your body. Some believe that PMS is a disease of the liver and the body is not able to detoxify itself during that time. Which can result in a change in color and smell of your menses. Trying these remedies and the ones I mentioned last week could help with those problems.

Tip of the week: Beans are a great source of carbohydrates and protein -- you get two food groups in one!

Michelle