Anyone read "Embracing Menopause Naturally"??

[Dreamlily]

Hello!

Has anyone read Embracing Menopause Naturally yet? I can't seem to find any reviews on it, and wondered if anyone had checked it out yet.

Dreamlily

[Dreamlily]

Okay, I guess no one has read this book yet, so I will answer my own question, in case anyone has the same question that I did.

I found a copy of the book, and finished it tonight. I LOVED IT. I loved reading the life experiences of each woman interviewed in the book...it felt like being with a group of older sisters who you look up to, who are sharing their experiences in order to guide you on the same path, when your time comes.

The recipes are simple, nothing to overwhelm someone who has never had macrobiotic type foods before.

I just wish it had lasted longer!~ The book has a wonderful, peaceful spirit to it.

http://www.simply-natural.biz/embracing-menopause.php

Dreamlily

[Klara]

Maybe it can last longer - is there an address you can write to the author and tell her all what you told us? I felt a little cheated, as I never got to find out when I would stop having my period - after the birth of my last son, I started bleeding and traditional medical help wasn't able to help, so when the bleeding became life threatening, I went through a hysterectomy (who comes up with these names??). I was two months shy of 46. I was advised by my doctor (whom I did respect very much - he had created an Alternative Birthing Center and was all for the woman leading the birth and using whatever ways suited her) that I would probably have to remain on hormonal treatments the rest of my life. This was all way before mb days. But even then I didn't care for swallowing any kinds of pills, and after much reading and experimenting, I finally threw away the pills (well, it wasn't suddenly, just gradually took less and less). I did buy something that was called natural hormones, or similar to that, but I don't actually remember taking them either. I took my first mb class three years later, tho sorry, I have no scientific proof on what actually worked for me.

Where are you on this? you mentioned "older sisters" and "when your time comes" so I take it it hasn't come for you yet.

Now I'm interested in what does life have in store once mothering is over - not that's it's over yet, but that son that was born then is now almost 15, so definitely feeling I'm entering some other stage of life, just not sure yet what.

Klara

[Dreamlily]

Thank you for writing back, Klara! Where am I on this? I just turned 45, & for the last few years have felt a shift in the way I have felt, mostly emotionally, some physically. Most I have blamed on extreme stress/shift work & unhappiness with my work place...but knew because of my age, it could be a combination of that and perimenopause.

A year ago, in Nov., I had my first night time hot flashes. OMG! I woke up in the middle of the night, the classic throwing back of the covers, a fine sheen of sweat all over, then freezing when I cooled off, because I was damp! This went on for 2 or 3 weeks, then bammo. That was it, haven't done it since. I'll skip my period, then I'll have one, then not, then things were semi-normal for a few months...I have just come to expect the unexpected. Not really any hot flashes since Nov., just a few times of getting stressed out & feeling a bit of face flushing.

Every woman is different. The culture they were raised in, how women's issues are viewed, their strengths, their weaknesses. I think this is what the book was expressing, in the women telling their stories. It seems like in talking with women I work with, most are interested in doing something more natural to support their health...but always end with "I'll have to ask my doctor first", for even the smallest things. I've not been able to discover a doctor like the cool ones in books & magazines, they just want to hand you a prescription, & send you out the door. It is more time efficient to do this, rather than to spend time reading & keeping up with research on natural foods/herbs/healing & how they affect our health. And for many, it is scary to disagree with their doctor, & to say No. So they don't.

When I talked about my symptoms w/my DH, he would say, maybe you need to go to the doctor. I'd laugh & say why?? Most every woman on the planet goes through menopause, it is a natural thing, not a medical condition to be treated. *As long as things appear to be progressing normally*, nothing extreme, I see no reason to interfere. I wanted to read & inform myself before the peak of menopause hit, so I would know what to expect, & not be intimidated into taking a prescription from a doctor. Although I hope to do things naturally, I support women making other choices if they feel they need the help. I would only hope they educate themselves first, look at all their choices, then decide. It makes me sad when they complain about so many different problems (not necessarily dealing w/menopause), but are totally unwilling to even consider changing their diet, or try new foods.

I liked this quote from the book:

I see a lot of women from different cultures. Some don't talk about their issues, but manifest them in physical illnesses. I think we all need to share and talk about our lives. Life is one big circle and we are all connected. If we don't share and teach others about our lives, then the journey, our circle, gets broken, and we have a hard time trying to mend that break. Life can be very stressful if we are not there to support each other.--Isabelle Bird Horse

I have a great relationship with my mom, but always wanted a sister, too. It is such a wonderful feeling of support to be able to have other women to talk with & be supportive & ask questions, when you may be feeling a bit nervous about these approaching changes.

Dreamlily

P.S. I apologize for any spelling errors; I tried to do a Spellcheck, but got this message: "You need to fill in the Database Information in the Spelling Configuration File." What's up with that?

[Klara]

Dreamlily,

I love your quote - I don't think we are living naturally in many ways today, but mainly because of not living in a tribe, or at least an extended family, where there is built in community. It's WONDERFUL that you have a great relationship with your mom, that's a strong basis for other relationships.

Today we have to seek out those relationships and it's not easy with everyone so involved in their own lives and sadly, probably doing too much and yet not being satisfied. I am guessing that's why the popularity of connecting through the computer.

I don't know if you're a mother, but from a different site (veganmacrobiotics@yahoogroups.com) this site was recommended for mothers http://www.thecompl eatmother. com/ Mothers connecting with mothers. I'll bet you can find anything on the computer, and wouldn't be surprized if there were a sisterhood of women talking about menopause (and life, and everything).

But I still believe the best kind of connections are the real ones, with all the senses and exchanges that one can make in real life. Not easy at all in today's isolating way of living, but worth trying to find.

btw, don't ever worry about spelling on the computer - that's one of the etiquette rules, no one notices, or if they do, not allowed to mention it - got to go beyond the superficial so we can connect with the real people (I'm one to talk, always feel badly when I realize I've sent something out without correcting it - so this is a lesson to me also!!!)

I also found an amazing book - Gesundheit by Patch Adams, M.D. - truly inspiring how we need to live and love and heal - he created his dream hospital, no charge for the patient, no malpractice insurance, lots of love and laughter and so so much more - openess, intimacy, relationship to Nature - everything he says I wish I were living in - wonder if anybody knows more if the hospital now exists - the address my friend wrote in the book (my friend's book, which I inherited after her death) is 6855 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22213, (703) 525-8169 - and the internet address which I'm ashamed to say I haven't checked out, www.patchadams.org and fax # (703) 532-6132, attn: Beach Clown. If anybody knows anything, if this hospital still exists and what's happening, I'd love to know.

Klara

[Dreamlily]

Originally Posted by Klara

Today we have to seek out those relationships and it's not easy with everyone so involved in their own lives and sadly, probably doing too much and yet not being satisfied. I am guessing that's why the popularity of connecting through the computer.

I think part of my addiction to the computer, is because the topics I am so interested in--health, alternative healing, healthy livestyles/foods, herbs, etc.--is not shared by anyone I have met in the physical. I feel very isolated in this respect, so I use the computer as a tool to reach out to other like-minded souls. I am so very interested in macrobiotics, have been for years; cannot afford the classes ATM in addition to having to travel a great distance, so rely on books, & this board for knowledge. I would love to see more active posting on the board; I try to post when I have something to offer, & hope others would do the same. I really crave the sharing of information.

Thank you for the recommendation for the http://www.compleatmother.com/ site...I will check it out later...also for the recommendation on the Patch Adams book. I have seen it, but never picked up on it (so many books, so little time! ). I believe there is a movie with Robin Williams playing Patch Adams, that I saw a few years ago, now that you mention it.....Yes, I am a mom..have one grown kiddo, who thankfully I raised to be open minded about foods & other cultures...she loves miso soup & we stock up on supplies together & share our experiments, when we get to visit!

Dreamlily