Cheesecake for the menopaused!

Low-Sugar Blueberry Cheesecake.
2 cups finely ground almond1/4 cup oil1/2 Tsp. salt4 Tbsp. flour3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese3 eggs2 cups blueberries1/2 cup sour cream16 individual packets of Stevia

Mix together almonds, oil, salt and flour and press into a springform pan to form the crust. Mix together the remaining ingredients and pour on top of the crust. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then 350 degrees for another 25 minutes until the top is lightly golden. Cool for one hour.

Maple Flax Crunch.

2 1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1 apple, finely chopped.

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1 Tbs. cinnamon.

Add all ingredients and stir until blended. Spread the mixture on a cookie sheet and bake 5 minutes at 300 degrees. Stir and bake 5 more minutes or until lightly toasted. This recipe is very high in phytoestrogens. Use it as a granola cereal, mix it into vanilla yogurt or sprinkle it on top of fruit salad.

Menopause FAQs

Q:WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
A: Menopause, often referred to as "the change of life," is the natural transition out of childbearing years. Menopause in women is the reverse of puberty.
Q: WHEN DOES MENOPAUSE USUALLY BEGIN?
A: Menopause symptoms like hot flashes and irregular menstrual cycles can begin for women in their late 30s or early 40s during the perimenopause phase of a woman's life. Natural menopause is typically complete in the late 40s or early 50s.
Q: WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?
A: Perimenopause is the phase before menopause when ovarian hormone production begins to decline and fluctuate. Typically, perimenopause is the period about three or four years before menopause, though some women can begin the perimenopause phase of their life many years before menopause.
Q: WHAT IS SURGICAL MENOPAUSE?
A: Surgical menopause is the term used to describe menopause that happens as the result of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (where both ovaries are removed). Women who begin menopause as the result of surgical intervention often suffer the effects of menopause more drastically than women going through natural menopause. And, the younger the woman is, the more problems she will likely encounter.
Q: CAN A WOMEN BECOME PREGNANT DURING PERIMENOPAUSE?
A: Yes, though pregnancy is less likely since ovulation, when women can conceive, become more irregular. Until a women goes one full year without a period, she should consider herself fertile and continue using birth control methods.

Taco Salad!

Low Carb/Low Cal Taco Salad.1 serving

3.5 oz ground turkey breast1 tsp. dry taco seasoning mix3 Tbsp. water2C. lettuce pieces2 Tbsp. chunky tomato salsa.

Brown ground turkey in a non-stick skillet breaking into small pieces. Sprinkle the taco seasoning mix over the turkey and add water. Cook while stirring until the turkey is done. Mix the turkey and lettuce in a bowl; toss with the salsa and serve.Nutritional Information:Calories 160Protein 20gCarbohydrate 8gFat 5g

Hormone Replacement therapy and its' effects

The Women's Health Initiative study - prematurely halted in 2002 in the name of public health and safety - dealt a surprising and powerful blow to the medical community and women taking hormone replacement therapy.

The in-depth study not only contradicted the perceived benefits of hormone replacement therapy in reducing heart disease, it actually found that using hormone replacement therapy placed women at a higher risk of heart disease, as well as breast cancer and other serious health concerns.
For years doctors routinely recommended hormone replacement therapy to reduce the symptoms of menopause as well as to ward off heart disease. Women who otherwise would not consider taking hormone replacement therapy did so because they thought hormone replacement therapy would reduce the risk of heart disease. Many women overlooked the known risk of increased breast cancer for the sake of a healthy heart.
That all took a quick turnabout when the Women's Health Initiative halted an eight-year study just five years into the study. Researchers concluded that the risks to the test group of women on hormone replacement therapy outweighed the benefits of continuing the study.
The Women's Health Initiative trial, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, studied the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (combined estrogen and progestin) and heart disease, bone fractures, breast cancer, endometrial cancer and blood clots. The trial did not study the effect of hormone replacement therapy on menopause symptoms or other health conditions.
The study found women on hormone replacement therapy experienced a significant increased risk for breast cancer, coronary heart disease, strokes and blood clots.
The Women's Health Initiative study found women taking hormone replacement therapy have a 29 percent higher risk for heart disease.
The Women's Health Initiative study also found women taking hormone replacement therapy have a 26 percent higher risk for invasive breast cancer. The longer a woman stays on hormone replacement therapy, the greater her risk for breast cancer.
The Women's Health Initiative study also found women taking hormone replacement therapy have a 41 percent increased risk of strokes and blood clots.
The Women's Health Initiative study confirms earlier studies showing an increased risk of breast cancer with hormone replacement therapy. The new study also showed that the breast cancer risk drops back to normal six months after discontinuing hormone replacement therapy, no matter how long the woman had been on hormone replacement therapy. That aspect of the study should comfort women concerned about past hormone replacement therapy usage. Although the study did show benefits to hormone replacement therapy (37 percent decrease in colon cancer and 24 percent reduction in bone fractures), researchers did not consider those benefits strong enough to outweigh the harms of hormone replacement therapy.
Hormone replacement therapy refers to the use of estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progestin medication for menopausal and postmenopausal women. Physicians typically prescribe a combination of estrogen and progestin for women who have not had a hysterectomy since the risk of endometrial cancer is too high for women who still their uterus.
Before the Women's Health Initiative findings, hormone replacement therapy was generally prescribed to relieve the symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes, insomnia and mood swings), to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Doctors leaned on the findings of earlier observational studies that indicated that hormone replacement therapy reduced the risk of heart disease. However, these earlier observational studies were not a detailed and specific as the sophisticated Women's Health Initiative study which used a "double-blinded" method of compiling and comparing data.
With the more accurate findings refuting earlier studies, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against the regular use of combined estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy for menopausal and postmenopausal women.
The portion of the Women's Heath Initiative study researching estrogen alone continues. We cannot be sure that this hormone replacement therapy regimen is safe without more definitive data. Until that time, women taking the estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy should be aware of the possibility of increased health risks.
Now What?
With hormone replacement therapy now fallen from grace, women are rethinking their decision to take hormone replacement therapy and are searching for alternative treatments more now than ever before.
Before considering hormone replacement therapy, women should question why they would consider hormone replacement and weigh the benefits and detriments of hormone replacement therapy. It is important for women to discuss hormone replacement therapy questions and concerns with their physician.
Women taking hormone replacement therapy solely for the perceived benefit of preventing heart disease should discontinue hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy is no longer recommended for the prevention of heart disease.
The prescription for reducing the risks of heart disease remains the same as it always has; stop smoking, start exercising regularly, lose weight and watch your diet. It's the same information doctors and health care organizations across the country tell their male patients on a daily basis.
Women should consult their physician before starting a new exercise and diet regime. Women at a high risk for heart disease should also consult their physician about medications specifically targeted to reducing high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
If osteoporosis prevention is a consideration for taking hormone replacement therapy, there are other medications and therapies that carry lower risks for breast cancer or heart disease. The risks of hormone replacement therapy are just too great.
If relieving the symptoms of menopause is the primary reason for considering hormone replacement, women should look to viable, healthful and effective alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. Whatever the reason for considering hormone replacement therapy, Return to Eden Progesterone Cream offers an excellent alternative. Return to Eden may effectively and naturally reduce menopause symptoms and allows women to experience the time of natural reproductive change with little disruption to normal life functioning. Return to Eden USP Progesterone Cream is an excellent product to promote hormone balance and improve libido, and External-In, a fantastic anti-aging formula - effectively and naturally increases the quality of life for women in the prime of their life.
For all women, lifestyle changes go a long way in keeping bones and heart healthy while warding off cancers and reducing the symptoms of menopause. Regular weight-bearing exercise like walking or jogging is a top recommendation.
When discontinuing hormone replacement therapy, some women choose to go "cold turkey" while other women prefer a more gradual approach. Women should consult their physician as to the best method of stopping hormone replacement therapy.
Women discontinuing hormone replacement therapy can experience heavy vaginal bleeding and the recurrence of menopausal symptoms. Using Return to Eden may alleviate these problems.

Garden Pastitsio.

In this traditional Greek casserole, the soy protein in the tempeh replaced beef or lamb. Tempeh can be found at health food stores or Oriental markets.1 t. olive oil2 c. diced onion.1 c. diced celery.2 t. chopped fresh or 3/4 t. dried oregano.3 cloves minced garlic.1 - 8 oz. package tempeh, crumbled.2 t. cornstarch.1 T. water.5 c. 1% low-fat milk.1 T. fresh lemon juice.1 1/2 t. chopped fresh or 1/2 t. dried dill.1/2 t. salt.1/8 t. ground white pepper.8 c. hot cooked elbow macaroni (approx. 1 lv. uncooked).2 - 4 oz.. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry.Cooking spray.Preheat over to 375 degrees.Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery, oregano, garlic, and tempeh, and saute 5 minutes. Combine cornstarch and water, and stir well. Add cornstarch mixture and milk to pan; bring to boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon juice, dill, salt, pepper, macaroni, 4 ounces feta, and spinach. Spoon mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with 4 ounces feta. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups).Calories - 428; Fat - 12.1g; Protein - 22.5g; Carb 58.2g; Fiber 4.4g.

COCONUT CURRY TOFU.

COCONUT CURRY TOFU.
1 c. dry basmati rice or 8 oz. Chinese egg noodles 1 bunch green onions sliced into rounds
1 carton firm tofu 1 can coconut milk
2 t. roasted peanut oil 2 T. mushroom soy or regular soy sauce
2 large cloves garlic, minced 1 to 2 t. Thai red curry paste
1 T. finely chopped ginger 4 large fresh basil leaves, slivered.

Cook the rice or noodles. Dice tofu into small 1/2 " cubes and set aside. Heat oil in a wide, non-stick skillet or wok. Add the garlic, ginger, and green onions, and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the coconut milk and soy sauce, then stir in the curry paste to taste. Add the tofu and cook over low heat until heated through. Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with the basil leaves.

For menopause cravings...

Maple Nuts.
4 cups soy nuts1/2 cup maple syrup

Mix soy nuts and maple until evenly coated. Spread the maple-coated soy nuts on a cookie sheet and bake 30 degrees until lightly toasted, 10-12 minutes. Loosen the soy nuts from the cookie sheet while warm. When cold, store in the refrigerator.

Ed Note: This little recipe is great when those perimenopause and menopause cravings hit!

Vivus gets approval to market menopause spray

Shares of Vivus rose almost 10 percent in pre-market trade to $6.03, while those of KV were up about 3.5 percent, amid thin trade, at $28.10.
KV bought the U.S. marketing rights for the product, Evamist, from California-based Vivus earlier this year. The agreement required KV to pay $140 million in cash upon the approval of Evamist's new drug application.

Vivus expects the payment five days after the transfer of the marketing application, which may happen by Aug. 3.
Vivus can also get some one-time milestone payments of up to $30 million based on net annual sales of Evamist.
KV intends to launch the product during the second half of fiscal 2008.
Evamist is an estrogen skin spray to treat symptoms of menopause, which occur when the ovaries stop producing the sex hormone estrogen. These include hot flashes, discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, and changes in skin and hair.