Midlife Flow

Choosing Myself During Perimenopause: A Journey of Burnout, Healing, and Self-Love Today, I want to share something deeply personal that has been sitting heavy on my heart for some time. It’s a story that I believe will resonate with many of you, especially if you’re navigating the turbulent waters of perimenopause while juggling the never-ending demands of life. This isn’t just a story of burnout and loss, but one of awakening, self-love, and the powerful decision to finally choose myself. Self-Love The Breaking Point: When Life Becomes Too Much A few years ago, I faced one of the hardest years of my life. Like so many, I was caught in the grip of the COVID lockdowns, trying to balance everything at once—homeschooling my children, working from home, selling our family home, and living with my in-laws while buying and renovating a new house. Every day felt like a marathon, trying to keep things together when it seemed the world was falling apart. I remember thinking, How am I going t...

Boosting Protein Intake During Perimenopause: The Plant-Based Way As women enter midlife and begin navigating the changes of perimenopause, managing hormone balance and nutrition can feel daunting. One of the key factors to consider is protein intake. If you're focusing on a plant-based diet, or feel that your current protein sources are heavily animal-based, you may be asking, "How can I increase my protein intake while incorporating more plant-based foods?" In this blog, we'll explore practical ways to boost your protein while embracing more plant-based foods, helping you manage perimenopause symptoms, maintain energy levels, and support your overall health. Remember 'plant-based' doesn't mean 'plant-only' Why Protein Is Crucial During Perimenopause Protein plays an essential role in helping women manage the physical and hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause. Here's why: Muscle Maintenance: As estrogen levels drop, muscle mass...

When you’re going through perimenopause, you’re likely hyper-aware of the changes happening in your body. But have you considered how certain ingredients, like processed corn, might be affecting your symptoms? Corn may seem harmless, and to some it might even be considered as a health food! (hey I sued to think so too...) but it’s sneaking into more foods than you realize, often in forms that can worsen hormonal imbalances, trigger inflammation, and contribute to some of the symptoms you’re already dealing with during this transitional phase. In this blog post, I'll explore the hidden dangers of corn-derived ingredients and how they can impact women going through perimenopause. From mood swings to weight gain and inflammation, it’s important to understand how certain foods may  be playing a bigger role in your symptoms than you think. 🌽 Corn in Disguise: What to Watch Out For Processed corn isn’t just in your cereal or tortilla chips—it’s often hidden in everyday foods that you...

Perimenopause is a time of significant hormonal changes that can impact how your body responds to insulin. Insulin resistance is common during this phase, making it more challenging to maintain stable blood sugar levels. The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to improve insulin sensitivity and support your overall health. What is Insulin Resistance? Insulin resistance occurs when your body’s cells stop responding properly to insulin, the hormone responsible for allowing glucose (sugar) into cells for energy. When cells become resistant, more insulin is needed, and over time, this can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, weight gain, and even Type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of Insulin Resistance in Perimenopausal Women Unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdomen Fatigue and low energy levels Difficulty losing weight despite efforts Intense sugar cravings Increased hunger Brain fog and difficulty concentrating Irregular menstrual cycles or worsening PMS Dark ...

4 minute read A close friend of mine, who is currently navigating health challenges related to perimenopause—especially around insulin resistance—recommended a book that has been helping her manage her symptoms. I decided to invest in it, believing it could benefit not only the general population seeking answers but also women going through perimenopause. As I was reading this book I came to the conclusion that there’s one powerful tool you can use to regain control when it comes to perimenopause - food. What you choose to eat isn’t just about calories or satisfying hunger; it’s fuel for your body’s defense systems which is foundation of the 4 pillars of 'the F.L.O.W method'. Based on the groundbreaking research from Dr William Li's book, Eat to Beat Disease , I dive deep into how you can support your body’s five critical defense systems - angiogenesis, regeneration, microbiome, DNA protection, and immunity - through food, especially during the perimenopausal transition. T...

Have you ever thought about the impact of the food that you are eating? For 42 years, I had no idea that I was lactose intolerant. I drank milk daily, ate cheese, yogurt - you name it. Dairy was a staple in my life, but little did I know it was silently wreaking havoc on my body. I always felt bloated, had digestive discomfort, and even struggled with unexplained skin breakouts (even as an adult, i had major acne issues) and joint pain. I blamed everything else: stress, hormones, PCOS, even aging, but never the dairy I was consuming so regularly. It wasn’t until I began looking into inflammation and how certain foods can impact women during perimenopause that I started to connect the dots. I tried cutting out dairy for a week, and the results were mind-blowing. My bloating subsided, my digestion improved, and my energy levels skyrocketed. The inflammation that had been plaguing me for years slowly melted away (I was diagnosed with hip and shoulder bursitis). It felt like I had uncovere...