Menopause Edition!

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Tree Goddesses Dancing, ©Nicole Bratt

Dear friends,

Some of you know that I have been increasingly vocal and open about my journey through perimenopause thus far.

Half the world’s population has gone/will go through it, and with those odds, I guarantee you that someone in your life is going through the menopause transition right now! (Probably several someones!) And they might not be talking about it because it’s still considered taboo in many circles. But that is changing, and I’m proud to be part of that sea change.

It’s hard to pinpoint when perimenopause began for me… it wasn’t a defined starting line, but more of a blurry edge made obvious only in hindsight. The initial whispering effects started about 8-9 years ago. Mild and under-the-radar at first, but slowly and steadily, things have evolved and become obvious. Like most changes in life, some aspects are very welcome and others… well, maybe not so much. My goal is to befriend my body, mind, and spirit at every age, every stage.

This week, my doctor and I had a conversation about the what and when of MHT (menopause hormone therapy), as some of my own symptoms are moving beyond what my lifestyle, yoga, nutrition, exercise, play, and sleep alone are now able to “manage”. It’s a very individual choice, because each person’s menopause transition is unique. I am doing continued research so that I can be better informed about my options and the benefits/risks of those options.

I have been gathering Menopause-related resources since 2021, when I co-founded The Pause Pod. If you, or someone you know, might benefit from a collection of relevant resources all in one place, you can find the multi-page document here. However, it’s a long list, so here are my top 4 picks this month for those who want a jump start:

  1. A PODCAST: Mel Robbins interviews Dr Mary Clair Haver (March 2024) – Menopause in a nutshell, along with some of the latest research. One hour duration; chock-full of current info about the whys, whats, and hows around hormones and the menopause transition.

  2. A BLOG: The Vajenda from Dr Jen Gunter – Feisty, fabulous, and full of scientifically-backed, no holds barred advice and professional opinions as a OB/GYN.

  3. A WEBSITE: The Menopause Society (formerly known as The North American Menopause Society) – Videos, guidebook, resources, FAQs, and a list of credentialed Menopause Practitioners in your area.

  4. A VIDEO SERIES: Six short videos featuring Restorative yoga for menopause from my teacher Judith Hanson Lasater. One posture detailed and discussed for each video. Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Much love,
Nicole

Red Curry Lentils with Sweet Potatoes & Spinach

What’s Cooking This Week!

This is DELISH!! Make leftovers because I found it even better the next day when flavors had more time to infuse.

Load up on magnesium, vitamins C/B6/K/A, iron, calcium, beneficial fatty acids, and more - all of which are crucial at any stage of life, but especially to support our menopause transition!

Nutrition tip: Leave the skins on your sweet potato skins on for extra fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients!