To Suffer Or Not To Suffer?

To Suffer Or Not To Suffer..

Menopause must be a well known subset of feminine existence; the young may dismiss it, the older generations may ignore it, and somewhere in the middle, many cringe at the mere mention of the ‘scourge’ of it. I come from a long line of European professional sufferers, but somehow escaped the natural ills of the female body as they did—did I practice my father’s stoicism? Or  did my paternal grands’ basic nutrition help me to live as if I was a part and whole of this terrible and fragile life?

So for a chance to explain how to survive this midlife unpleasantness, here are a few hints to live as if this naturally occurring was just 'normal’. Listening to grocery store conversations and motor vehicle dept long lines, you may surmise that everyone knows someone in a bad mood, ie:PMS or Menopause. This gender specific problem is the source of much derision, for disgruntled employees or family. Take it easy, they just can't resist the choice of poor taste or nasty jokes. They are just glad it’s not happening to them.

First of all, mind over matter--easier said than done; grab a warm wet towel, wrap around waist to cover at least the belly of this beast, then lay a warm damp wash cloth to forehead--sit back and relax, feel the soft cloth and its warmth penetrating your very being, close your eyes (and your ears), breathe slowly, deeply--yes you can stand it, nothing else matters for these precious minutes, this is your time, the rest of your day will soon enough become the focus. Repeat as needed ( i suspect that may be often) add a drop of essential oil if you like the scent of orange or cedar?

Breath control removes or rearranges much of the accumulation of stress factors; inhale very slowly through nose, concentrate on the air--hold that thought for a few seconds--exhale through lips, and visualize the spent fumes of rage and smoke or whatever has built up in your day-- now as you blow out through your mouth--return to zero two or three times--do this small routine anytime you feel the need--this single free trick is a much needed social tool at any age, especially now.

Now for nourishing this unruly body: There are many grains and legumes to help in the replacement of the missing hormones in your life--As you no longer need reproductivity, you still must feed the bones and the nerves. Isoflavones, naturally available genistein, daidzein and estradiol are found in the phyto-estrogens of soybeans, lentils and chickpeas or yams. Other foods also contribute to the well-being of any changing body.

For general wellness; there are specific teas to savor as warm or cold brew along the day or as evening rituals. Hops, real licorice, roman chamomile, evening primrose, red clover and ginseng in soothing teas. Smoothies made with soy milk and avocado, aloe vera juice or nopalitos can calm the very center of the digestive tract while maintaining bone mass, mucous membranes for suppleness and brain activity for acuity and memory..

Thyme and oregano, ginseng, orange peel or peach leaves make a calming and flavorful addition to many soups and stews. simply include them in a cotton bag or tea strainer, drop in cooking liquid  to be removed at serving time., the whole family or friends could feel the benefits of fine seasoning, right?

Vegetables are the backbone of nutrition, and if your bone density suffers from THE change, well then double up on such helpers as flaxseed, preferably ground and sprinkled on cereal and rice dishes. Mushrooms also contain lignin to promote better digestive activity. Yes, there are healthful snacks to add to your wellness without denial and withdrawal as well--tofu treats, black currants or gooseberries, blueberries and almonds--soy milk puddings, tempeh, and roasted soy nuts for the crunch worthy..

Main meals should include recipes centering on the leguminous family; soy beans, lentils, chickpeas, boiled and used as tahine, dips, salads, casseroles or spreads for the lunch crowd. Yams come in several types and sizes, pumpkins also provide essential nutrients to help relieve symptoms of menopause. Since vitamin B is a necessary demand of the changing body, perhaps some fatty fish or lean meat may be included in this page, 

<recipes with grocery lists to come later>.

The most beneficial part of eating well and exercising or breathing deeply is that you become acutely aware of regaining control over the act of living. And that is fine for anyone including-- self.

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Get Your Footprint Out of My Plate!

Please get your foot out of my plate.

Between all the insistent issues surfacing in the media and the din of my conscience, i can hardly enjoy a meal anymore. And then, i feel compelled to explain the history, the science and reasoning behind the food footprint on my table. Few seem to share the joy of first spring dandelions and summer portulaca, wonder why?

First came the calories, then the carbohydrates, soon to be superseded by twins Cs of climate change. Well, we have not worked our way out of the alphabet, here comes Carbon. How much carbon are you worth? Warning it's a negative, you only win by losing, that's the nature of the big Cs.

Confessional banter would have the public in a knot over the assumption that calories and carbs are the number one enemy. The market drivers and fear mongers have done a very good job of proliferating ideas and products into the public psyche. Judging by statistics of how-to books in print on those subjects one would assume a high effectiveness ratio—Not so!

However, one look at the CDC files on obesity, the opposite results are striking. Basic child psychology would prove that when you wish to instill caution and character, you do not scare and overwhelm the participant. In this case, if you wish to alert the masses about carbon expenditures, refrain from confusing the issue with heavy science and argument. Serve it cool and light. Remember to step lightly upon the subject.

During the hyper caloric scare, i watched many a housewife avoid fruits because -- they were dreaded carbs. And none could be convinced that the fiber and vitamin content was essential to metabolic wellness; the magazines said...So went the scales and calorie charts, the lists of lists. And the weight gain, the more obsessed, the more desperate; that's hard on the hormonal response cycle. Research has proven the ill effects of worry on body fat deposits.

And then the dreaded fat scare..so many people told me that they avoided –avocados—because the it contained too much fat? Disregarding the fact that this 'innocent' fruit provides necessary lipids and minerals..the same folks shunned olive oil in favor of corn oil? Which doctor sold these ideas? The one who told them not to eat the perfect food..(that would be chocolate) I mean eggs..which are a reliable source of complete protein, with a balance of good cholesterol..add soy to that and you'll get so smooth a digestive track, you'll skid onto the health path to zero waste...That easy!

Several battles lost, one more hill for the average person to climb. Now Joe Public is told to lighten his food burden. Buy local, buy unwrapped or bulk, buy less meat. The ordinary person just mastered the GI (glycemic index), the heart healthy diet and that 'thing you hang on your hip to count your steps while doing housework. Scales and measuring tape rust in the closets, the Bow Flex died of premature abuse and neglect, now what? A computer memory jogger to alert you of new findings to disprove previous advice? Ha...it's everywhere.

Just as food prices rise along with gas and energy prices, Mr average can't pay attention to both the election circus, and, the Climate Change salesmen. One citizen can only do so much. The anxiety is driving people away from good conscience. Green vendors and promoters must take it easy on the bottom of the economic pyramid. A backlash of not so healthful consumerism would be ugly. Can you see disgruntled housewives going on donut binges, kids spitting vege pizza on the counters, disgusted men crushing arugula on the rug..The gross factor potential is huge here; there's no bottom to the food revenge dilemma.

Consider a single mother after work, meal planning a total loss, she pushes a screaming kid in the basket and drags another around the center aisles. She knows she can't afford enough fruits, so, canned will have to do, canned in Peru? Who cares at ninety nine cents for a large can. The fresh meat case does not even deserve a glance when bologna still hovers at the low end of nutrition-- Processed, cheap, cheap, cheaper the focus, plastic clean wrapped and red under lamps, kids will love it. From Argentina, Australia? Don't matter. Milk in plastic bottle, price up again. Gotta get outta here!

And i want to disrupt this woman's routine to ask her to take a minute to read the tiny little print somewhere out of the way on these pretty packages in her basket? I don't think so. I want to write an article for a magazine that she only buys for the weight loss claims in bold title on front page? Who am i to convince this burdened being to change her thinking when she has no time to think between all actions and daily reactions? I can only offer small advice under guise of economy, not ecology, at least, not yet.

When economy squeezes the bottom rungs of society, the message of cause and effect will finally persuade those who need to hear it most. At present, it is not the caviar from Canada or Russia that will tax the carbon debt on earth; how much of the crunchy fish eggs have you spread on your crackers lately? No, the major culprits of greenhouse gas pollution are the meat on the daily plate, the chicken Mc Something and the quick fix white flour fluff with processed high fructose ingredients. I perceive my civic duty as one easy recipe at a time, from scratch, and into the meals of the many. There are solutions..of course..

Many blogs carry a soft footprint; they furnish concise information in easy to follow how-to..The world at your fingertips, old world, new science, straight to your plate..and just wait till you savor the photography to salivate by..just a few samples below..

http://attractingwellness.net/

http://sweetartichoke.com/

gicrockpot.wordpress.com/

momphotographer.wordpress.com/

Bon Appetit! OK, yes, yes i DO enjoy my food.