Just last year, 36 states enacted a record 135 provisions limiting access to reproductive health care.

We need to stand up today and show our broad strength and support for women’s health around the country. Please join the National Online March today.

Despite the setbacks, 2011 also proved that we can achieve tremendous victories when we stand together and speak with one voice. Not only did we secure no-cost birth control for women, but we’re seeing some of the effects of the Affordable Care Act take hold. We ended the discriminatory practice of charging women more than men for health insurance, and soon tens of millions of women will have access to additional coverage.

That’s why it’s so important that we take a stand and show our support for the full range of women’s health care. All of our marchers’ messages will be packaged and delivered directly to members of Congress, governors and state legislators so they know we’re watching.

I hope you’ll pick up a virtual sign and march with me today!

How can YOU make a difference?

Support Planned Parenthood and the women, men and teens who rely on their efforts to protect access to affordable health care.

For more information on what Planned Parenthood actually does – click here.

This is my all-time favorite chili recipe. The good news is that chili is not only comfort food, but it can be healthy, too!

Chili contains lots of protein. This recipe is made with turkey, so it is a leaner alternative to ground beef. Chili can help you lose weight. The “capsaicin,” a colorless compound found in the chilies used to season this dish, can increase your metabolic rate by increasing your body heat production. Chili is also high in iron thanks to the turkey and beans and has vitamin C thanks to the tomatoes, peppers and chilies. Plus, it’s a great source of fiber that helps keep you feeling full for a long time after eating. Enjoy the healthy benefits of chili!

8-10 servings
prep time = 30 minutes

Ingredients
2 medium onions, chopped (1 cup)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
2 pounds ground turkey
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
2 jalapeño chilies, seeded and chopped
28-oz. can of whole Roma (plum) tomatoes
3 cups water for thick meaty chili, or 4 cups for “soupier” chili
2 cans (15 ounces) black beans, drained
1 can (15 to 16 ounces) kidney beans, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
Sweet onions, sliced
Low-fat sour cream

Directions
-Cook the onions in vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the onions are tender.
-Add garlic and the green and red bell peppers, cook 2 to 3 minutes.
-Add turkey and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until the turkey is no longer pink.
-Add cumin, oregano, chili powder, green chilies, jalapeño chilies, tomatoes and water. Reduce heat to low.
-Cover and simmer about 30 minutes.
-Add beans; simmer 15 to 20 minutes longer. I simmer for a total of 2 hours for a rich flavor.
-To serve, add sliced sweet onions to the top and a dab of low-fat sour cream.

If you want to make this recipe spicy, add one whole red habeñero or one whole serrano chili (deveined, deseeded and chopped). Or if you like a Tex-Mex flavor, add an envelope of taco seasoning as you simmer this recipe.

Calories 175
Protein 15 grams
Carbs 13 grams
Fat 6 grams
Fiber 5 grams

Age: 50

I began the Menopause Makeover just a few days after my 50th birthday, and candidly, it tuned out to be the best gift I could give myself at this milestone in my life’s journey.

I felt a growing disappointment and discouragement at my “physical” self, over which I seemed to have an increasing lack of control.

Staness took me through all the aspects of the easy 8-step, 12-week plan. I was over-joyed.  I saw results. I was amazed.

At last, a sensible, health lifestyle plan (NOT a temporary diet with temporary results).

The Menopause Makeover allowed me to reach my goal of losing 22 pounds in just 12 weeks.

I went from being overweight (178.5 lbs) to a healthy 156 on my 5’8″ frame.

I feel in control of my life and health again — and that is simply priceless.

Thank you Staness for The Menopause Makeover, a lifestyle plan that works!

4 servings, 1 1/2 cups each

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup bottled clam juice, or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon minced garlic, divided
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 pound raw shrimp, (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined (see Ingredient note)
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
4 cups broccoli florets
2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or parsley
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Lemon wedges

PREPARATION

Combine clam juice (or broth), cornstarch and half the garlic in a small bowl; whisk until smooth. Set aside.

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic and crushed red pepper to taste; cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Saute until the shrimp are pink, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Add broccoli and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add water, cover and cook until the broccoli is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the shrimp.

Add the reserved clam juice mixture to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in basil (or parsley) and season with lemon juice and pepper. Add the shrimp and broccoli; heat through.

Serve immediately, with lemon wedges.

TIPS & NOTES

Ingredient Note: Shrimp are sold by the number needed to make one pound–for example, 21-25 count or 31-40 count–and by more generic size names, such as large or extra large. Size names don’t always correspond to the actual count size.To be sure you’re getting the size you want, order by the count (or number) per pound.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 178 calories; 6 g fat ( 1 g sat , 3 g mono ); 172 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 25 g protein; 2 g fiber; 520 mg sodium; 459 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (120% daily value), Selenium (65% dv), Vitamin A (50% dv), Iron (20% dv).

Recipe by EatingWell.com

by Staness Jonekos
Co-author of The Menopause Makeover

Over 60 percent of divorces are initiated by women in their 40s, 50s or 60s — the menopause years — according to a recent survey conducted by AARP Magazine. Why are women running away from marriage?

I wasn’t even married when I slammed into menopause months before my wedding day at the age of 47. Despite being completely in love, I almost ran away and my fiance almost married bridezella!

Experts say the number one reason for divorce is lack of communication. My response from the ladies corner, “When everything you know to be normal is being kidnapped by changing hormones, communication may be last on the list. Throw in lifestyle changes, health and aging issues, and you are left in a small evaporating puddle of low self-esteem feeling hopeless.”

Many men blame lack of sex as the leading reason for midlife divorce. But is it? AARP poled 1,682 adults ages 45 and older on the importance of sex. Two-thirds of men (66 percent) and about half of women (48 percent) agreed that a satisfying sex life was important to their quality of life. That is only an 18 percent difference. So is it lack of sex, or a breakdown in communication chasing the women away?

Navigating a course in uncharted territory can test any relationship emotionally and sexually. It can also bring a couple closer — it did for me.

Purchasing midlife marriage insurance can help combat the unforeseen hazards during the menopause transition. How do you qualify for this love insurance? The first step is to understand how menopause can affect your love life.

Ladies first.

Menopause is a life transition that can affect you physically and emotionally. Your body is experiencing fluctuating hormones that can cause hot flashes, night sweats, itchy skin, migraine headaches, breast tenderness, vaginal dryness and irregular periods. Eighty percent of women will experience uncomfortable symptoms, and the majority struggle with midlife weight gain.

Many women feel unattractive going through so many uninvited changes. Some suffer from exhaustion, depression and moodiness leaving them feeling isolated and confused.

During menopause a woman’s brain also goes through changes. Dr. Louann Brizendine (author of The Female Brain) says, “The mommy brain unplugs. Menopause means the end of the hormones that have boosted communication circuits, emotion circuits, the drive to tend and care, and the urge to avoid conflict at all costs.”
There are additional factors on top of fluctuating hormones that may contribute to a lack of communication and interest in sex.

Dr. Wendy Klein, co-author of The Menopause Makeover and leading menopause expert, informed me, “If a woman is taking medications, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, contraceptive drugs, antihistamines, sedatives, antihypertensives and/or medications for blood pressure, this can also decrease sexual desire.”

Midlife stresses brought on by career change, the loss of a loved one, empty nest syndrome or caring for elderly parents can contribute to a declining libido.

Throw in aging issues and the last thing on a menopausal woman’s mind is communicating. This woman is in self-survival mode, and may be in no mood to connect or make whoopi.

If she is in an unsupported relationship while managing this collection of changes, leaving the marriage may appear like her only salvation.

Gentlemen — your turn.

How many factors listed above is your partner experiencing? It is no surprise why men are afraid of menopause. His woman is changing in front of his eyes.

Women are not alone suffering from changes. Men also have midlife challenges, both physically and emotionally. Declining testosterone can affect libido, moods and sexual performance. Generally a man’s hormones change gradually compared to the woman’s experience during menopause, so it may not be obvious to the man that he too is changing. Some of these unwelcomed changes may include midlife stress, as well as health and aging issues. If both partners are experiencing change, the relationship may be on an emotional roller coaster.

Approximately 47 percent of women experience sexual difficulties with a decrease of sexual desire being the most common, according to the National Health and Social Survey and the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors.

It is no surprise that most men associate menopause with having less sex. But, it does not have to be this way. The man can actually help save a shaky midlife marriage with some handy tools to power charge the relationship. Women who have a supportive partner often have a smoother transition through menopause. When she is happy, he is happy.

Acquiring midlife marriage insurance takes action to make a difference.

Midlife Marriage Insurance For Him
1. Listen to her; don’t criticize or try to fix her.
2. Go with the flow; be prepared for mood swings.
3. Be compassionate, and validate her experience (that means agree with her, don’t try to fix her).
4. Be romantic. Bring her flowers for no reason. Make her dinner. Give her a massage. Make it about HER.
5. Cuddle more. Tell her you love her and that she is beautiful. You may just get lucky. If not, do not take it personally.
6. If YOU are not in the mood, keep her company shopping, she will love the company
7. Support healthy eating and exercise choices. Join her for a walk or go on a hunting expedition at the grocery store to find new healthy foods.
8. Don’t ignore her menopause symptoms. Talk about it. Ask her what she needs to feel better.
9. Offer support if she needs to visit her healthcare provider to discuss menopause symptoms, a low libido or depression.
10. If numbers one through nine fail – disappear for a while. She may be seriously cranky and need space to focus on herself.

Success depends on going through this transition as a team! Both partners must contribute to have a successful marriage.

Midlife Marriage Insurance For Her
1. Track menopause symptoms and discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.
2. Make a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Exercise most days of the week. Eat nutritious meals. Watch portions.
3. Update your beauty regimen.
4. Build a support group.
5. Communicate with your partner. Don’t shut him out – let him know what you need. Understand he may be confused by your changes.
6. If you are not happy in your current relationship, discuss counseling.
7. Be receptive to creative adjustments in lovemaking activities.
8. If your libido is low and/or you are suffering from vaginal dryness, discuss your treatment options with your healthcare practitioner. There are hormone and non-hormone options available.
9. Pamper yourself.
10. Try to stay positive.

Communicate, support each other’s needs, get counseling if needed, add romance, adjust lovemaking activities, and your odds increase that your marriage will survive menopause. Being on the same team will nourish a healthy, loving relationship that can last a lifetime.

Life is constantly changing, and marriage is no different. Have real expectations, and acknowledge that your relationship goes through transitions. This will help you weather difficult times.

Midlife is an opportunity for both men and women. If you are prepared, informed and willing, your marriage can survive menopause. A loving relationship supported with good communication can strengthen your love life at any age.

This menopausal bride made it down the aisle of love. Both my partner and I said “I do” to communication and romance during menopause. We are still happily married five years later and ready to leap over the seven-year itch together.

References
Montenegro, X. The Divorce Experience: A Study of Divorce at Midlife and Beyond. AARP, May 2004.
Brizendine, L. The Female Brain. New York: Broadway Books; 2006.
Jonekos, S. and W. Klein. The Menopause Makeover. Ontario, Canada: Harlequin Enterprises; 2009.

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