Experiencing hot flashes during the menopause transition is bad enough, but coincidental vaginal dryness removes the spontaneity from sex, predisposes to urinary issues, causes vaginal itching, and, for some, makes it uncomfortable to sit on our fannies. As estrogen diminishes during perimenopause, the vaginal lining thins, and its walls lose their folds. These changes were […]
The Highly Sensitive Person & the Menopause Transition
With diminishing estrogen, or rather, the roller coaster of its fluctuating levels during perimenopause, anything can happen, and not just to the hormonally targeted female organs and tissues. While changing menstrual patterns and flows are predictable, the most common complaints are hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and mood changes, the latter referring to depression (new, […]
PUT OUT THE FIRE: Extinguishing Hot Flashes
Have you noticed certain foods seem to be linked to hot flashes? Of course, you have. Round up the usual suspects—red wine, liquor, spicy foods. Do you also wonder if there are foods that might tame those devilish hot flashes instead? There are, but it’s not common knowledge. While you avoid the above hot flash […]
MASHED TURNIPS
Serves 4 The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for November is Mashed Turnips, a good substitute for mashed potatoes. They can be made ahead of time and refrigerated without a change in flavor like potatoes. Turnips (AKA rutabagas) keep in the back of the fridge for weeks, so I keep them there for when I […]
WILD RICE PILAF
The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for October is an easy-to-prepare side dish that goes well with roast poultry. For a fancy supper, I pair this wild rice dish the pre-cooked duck halves available from Costco that reheat in the oven for under 20 minutes–elegant and simple. According to Chinese Medicine thermal properties, wild rice is […]
MENOPAUSE AWARENESS DAY
Today is Menopause Awareness Day. We all know the word, but what is menopause really? Unlike for puberty, very little information is provided by mothers, doctors, or schools to prepare a woman for “the change” or menopause transition. So, read further for some quick facts and a link to a legitimate internet site for more […]
RATATOUILLE
Ratatouille (pronounced RAT-ah-too-ee) is the Hot Flash DietTM recipe for September. It is perfect for using up all those vegetables from the farmer’s markets or your home garden. Although red bell pepper and onion both have “warm” thermal properties according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer squash and eggplants are “cool” and tomatoes are “cold” which […]
Glyphosate: The Common Herbicide That Mows Down Your Gut Bacteria
Why is it that non-celiac people on a gluten-free diet claim they can eat wheat products if they are organically grown? Maybe it’s not what’s in the wheat, but what’s on it. Organic crops are those grown with approved natural pest controls and non-chemical fertilizers. Fields must have foregone non-organic treatments for a minimum of 3 years to allow residual […]
JAPANESE-STYLE PICKLED CUCUMBERS
The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for August is a quick and easy way to use those plentiful cucumbers from your garden, farmer’s market, or supermarket sale. The cucumber’s thermal property is “cold” according to TCM and this makes them a perfect appetizer or side dish to balance “warmer” dishes at summer barbecues. Serves 4-6 Persian […]