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Rhubarb for Hot Flashes

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life, but the symptoms it brings can be difficult to deal with. Hot flashes, in particular, can be a source of discomfort and disruption. One potential solution to alleviate the symptoms of menopause is Siberian rhubarb.

Siberian rhubarb is a plant that grows in the mountainous regions of Siberia and has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. In recent years, it has gained attention for its ability to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. The plant contains a variety of natural compounds, including phytoestrogens, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. This can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

One of the main benefits of Siberian rhubarb is that it is a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is a common treatment for menopause, but it can come with a variety of side effects and risks. Siberian rhubarb, on the other hand, is a natural and safe alternative that can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause without the same risks.

Another benefit of Siberian rhubarb is that it can help improve bone density. After menopause, women are at an increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle. The phytoestrogens in Siberian rhubarb can help improve bone density, which can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

In conclusion, Siberian rhubarb is a natural and safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy that can help alleviate the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and night sweats. It can also improve bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. If you are experiencing symptoms of menopause, consider giving Siberian rhubarb a try.

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Getting Outside Challenge

Spending time outside has numerous benefits for our physical and mental health. One of the most obvious advantages is the opportunity to get fresh air, which can help improve our respiratory system and increase our oxygen levels. The air outside is typically less polluted than the air inside, which can be especially beneficial for those with allergies or asthma. Additionally, being outside allows us to get some much-needed vitamin D from the sun, which is essential for maintaining strong bones and supporting our immune system. Studies have also shown that vitamin D can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Another advantage of being outside is the opportunity for fellowship and social interaction. When we spend time outside, we have the opportunity to connect with others, whether it’s through playing sports, going for a walk, or simply sitting and enjoying the scenery. Social interaction has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, and spending time outside with others can provide a sense of belonging and connectedness. This is particularly important for individuals who may be feeling isolated or lonely.

Finally, spending time outside can also help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Being surrounded by nature has a calming effect on our minds and bodies, and can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Whether it’s taking a hike in the woods, sitting by a lake, or simply spending time in a garden, being outside allows us to unplug from our hectic lives and connect with the natural world around us. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s more important than ever to take time to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the benefits of being outside.

I tend to feel like my walks need to be “calorie burning”, or lengthy to be worth the time, and that’s not the way to look at it. It all adds up. Ten minutes outside is better than NO minutes outside! I’m challenging myself to get outside during the day, even if it’s a short, 10 minute walk down the street and back. I’m logging my time with my fitness watch to keep me honest with myself! Feel free to join me!

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Locker Rooms and COVID-19

The Coronavirus known as COVID-19 declared a world wide pandemic in 2020
COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic in 2020

COVID-19 is an acronym for a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, ‘D’ for disease and ’19’ for the year 2019.

It is believed to have had its beginnings in the Wuhan, China area in November 2019. It wreaked havoc there and spread outwards to the rest of the world.

WHO (the World Health Organization) deemed COVID-19 to be to be a global pandemic. It’s been raging worldwide since its beginnings. It seemed to first be regarded of as a threat in the United States in January of 2020, but was not taken seriously enough at that time.

Gyms and many other public gathering places have been shut down for months at the time of my writing this in mid May. Gym locker rooms seem like a dream from the past after months of quarantining at home.

As with many issues facing society at large, belief systems are all over a continuum. And as expected, conspiracy theories are abundant.

On the furthest political right side of that continuum are those who don’t even believe there IS a pandemic. They actually believe this is all a government plot of some sort.

Then there are those who want to just go about life as usual in the face of the pandemic. Many legitimately concerned for the loss of income staying home entails. They’re willing to take their chances.

Others simply don’t want anyone telling them what to do. Those who don’t like being told what to do amaze me the most. After all, most of them don’t think anything of driving on the right side of roads, obtaining and renewing their drivers licenses, paying their taxes, and conforming to most other things that they are essentially “told” to do in order to maintain a civilized society. They’re also willing to take their chances with COVID-19. After all, it’s THEIR freedom of choice to carry this to those in contact with them.

Then there are the rest of us – about 85-90% according to national polls. We are those who are quarantining in order to try to prevent getting infected and – every bit as important – keeping our health care system from becoming overburdened. One has only to see what happened with COVID-19 in Italy to understand the dilemma we could end up in. When intensive care units fill up – and even more individuals still need such services – more people die. That cruel outcome played out in Italy.

The common sense part of quarantining is that should the numbers of hospitalized individuals rise to a level where it can’t provide the needed intensive care services, then more people die. It really is, unfortunately, that simple. So quarantining now lets us spread the pain of this disease out over time – and definitely help with cutting down the deaths.

Typical hospital mask
Typical hospital mask

I’ve chosen to comply with quarantining. And to follow the CDC recommendations – especially wearing a mask in public. In this situation I’m personally for saving lives. I believe every life is to be valued. There simply is no way to replace those who are lost. I’d feel awful is I were fortunate enough to not have the symptoms of COVID-19 but passed it along to someone else who it devastated.

But as with any argument, there are always people on both sides of it.

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Itchy Back?

Winter dry air brings on itchy dry skin. One way to moisturize, (if you don’t have someone nearby to do this for you) is to slather lotion on a towel and, in the same way you dry your back in a diagonal motion with a towel, work the lotion into your skin while at the same time, exfoliating the dry skin.

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Marigolds as Insect Repellent

Today I learned from my locker room/gym buddie, Candi, who has been helping me with gardening tips, that Marigolds make a good insect repellent.  Just snap off one of the heads and rub it on your skin.  I tried it and it works.  You just have to apply often, but it’s better than applying poison, and it’s a good way to put those dead heads to use.

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Easter Lily

My “Easter Lily” bloomed again!
All you professional gardeners must be dying to let me know that this is not an Easter Lily. In the locker room this morning (making this official locker room news),  I was very nicely told  that Easter Lilies are white.
OK ok. This is the lily that I got for Easter. So it is MY Easter Lily!

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Tip for More Manageable Hair

I was not having a bad hair day, I was having a bad hair week….two weeks actually!  It was heavy, oily, and limp.

It suddenly occurred to me that maybe it was the expensive shampoo and conditioner I was using, which is too heavy for my hair.

I was sharing my hair woes in the locker room and my friend Susan suggested that a little Dawn dish detergent on my hair would take care of it.  It sure did.  I didn’t even have to use the blow dryer, my hair was nice and fluffy again.

Since then, I have done some more reading about hair products and have gone back to experimenting with different combinations of baking soda, borax, apple cider vinegar, and honey a couple of times a week. Big difference.  Just a reminder that although we often think about what we are putting IN our bodies, we also should be mindful of when we are putting ON our bodies.

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Fresh and Fermented

Most recently, on Monday mornings, I’ve been doing the aqua fitness class at the Bond Wellness Center, with a very social, chatty, happy group!  What a great way to start a week!  By the way, if you haven’t tried aqua fitness, its a great way to add some variety to your strength and cardio workout.  When I can, I go to Patti’s class at 7 am,  and Bruce’s class at 5/5:30 pm (schedule). Continue reading “Fresh and Fermented”

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Bone Broth

My latest health craze is Bone Broth.  A few weeks ago, I blogged about having itchy skin.  Other women in the locker room have had the same problem, and the common denominator is that we all spend time in the pool.

I tried a lot of new things to combat this skin delimna.  Maybe it was the combination of several changes, or maybe it was one magical thing, but whatever I did, it worked! So I don’t dare to stop any of them.

Every day now I do the following:

  • Brush my skin (see blog entry from Feb 25th)
  • Moisturize with Cetaphil lotion
  • Wash with Cetaphil bar soap or African Black Soap (don’t really know much about that, but it states that it’s good for dry skin)
  • Take 2 Tbsp. of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Drink 1 -2 cups of real, home made Bone Broth
  • Drink more water

The apple cider vinegar was suggested to me, thinking that perhaps the ph of my body was causing the itching. That led me to finding articles about bone broth.  In addition to being a natural probiotic (which helps with body ph), it is one of those miracle health foods, providing collagen, protein, calcium, and lots more. This is not chicken stock, it’s bone broth.

This morning we got in a discussion about probiotics and home made Kimchee.  Stay tuned for that recipe!

Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
(from Dr. Axe website – https://draxe.com/recipe/chicken-bone-broth-2/ )
Total Time: 48 hours Serves: Varies
Ingredients:
4 pounds chicken necks/feet/wings (you can get organic chicken parts from Nature’s Green Grocer in Peterboro).
3 carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 medium onions, peel on, sliced in half lengthwise and quartered
4 garlic cloves, peel on and smashed
1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
3 tablespoon ACV
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme
5-6 sprigs parsley
1 teaspoon oregano
18-20 cups cold water

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a 10 quart capacity crock-pot.
Add in water.
Simmer for 24-48 hours, skimming fat occasionally.
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Discard solids and strain remainder in a bowl through a colander. Let stock cool to room temperature, cover and chill.
Use within a week or freeze up to 3 months.

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Organic Food – for pick up? I’m IN!

                   

A few days ago I was lamenting in the locker room about how the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) I was a member at was no longer going to be open this year…..where was I going to get organic locally grown veggies….whine whine whine!  Sue and I were still chatting when another lady told us about Newfield Farms in Temple.  Tim the farmer already had a strong online market were you could order organic food from his site and it gets delivered to a pick up site in Peterboro!  Woo-Hoo!  And new this year is the ability to purchase a CSA share and basically reserve your food spot each week!  YUM!  And the best thing about the CSA – you only get what you order! NO more getting veggies you aren’t going to eat!  Can’t wait to get my first order this spring!  Visit his online market here

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