Update: July 2022
It’s July already – how did that happen!
With the rain, cold and general wintriness recently I’ve been relishing some hygge time, enjoying hunkering down at home making soup, stock and congee and filling the freezer with leftovers.
I’ve added a new soup to the menu. Adapted from Stephanie Alexander’s latest cookbook, this roasted pumpkin and tomato soup is now on high rotation at home. Roasting the vegetables deepens the umami flavour, making it delightfully addictive.
Changing the narrative around menopause
I love synchronicity! Last month, spurred on by yet another negative story in the media about menopause, I posted a short video about the unexpected upsides of this stage of life.
A week later a ground-breaking systematic review was published, showing a correlation between negative stories about menopause actually impacting the severity of symptoms. The review found multiple studies demonstrating that when we expect menopause to be challenging it’s more likely to be so. Like my own revelation, the authors concluded that our narrative around menopause impacts women’s’ experience of it, so It’s time to change the story. Do you agree?
Even if menopause seems a long way off, reading this research now could change your experience for the better.
Stay safe
Most of us are sick of talking about that damn virus but unfortunately it hasn’t gone away yet. With the latest variants there’s a sharp rise in people being reinfected, some just a few weeks after their previous infection. Contrary to expectation, these later bouts are often worse than the initial one. As frustrating as it is, taking basic precautions like wearing a mask in public, handwashing and avoiding crowded gatherings are more important than ever to help avoid (re)infection.
The pandemic is now being described as the largest mass casualty event in Australian history. This chilling observation is based not only on the 10,000+ covid-related deaths in the country, but predictions about the impact of Long Covid.
Long Covid
While there’s still debate around the numbers, it’s estimated that 10 – 40% of people have ongoing and often debilitating symptoms that persist after the acute infection. This can include brain fog, reactivation of previous viruses like herpes or glandular fever, fatigue and many other post-viral symptoms.
While around 80% of people recover from Covid within 4 weeks, an increasing number report that they haven’t fully recovered up to 12 weeks later.
Naturopaths like myself have a long history of supporting people with post-viral syndromes. This is a condition we’re familiar with and have many lifestyle tools and remedies to support. Long Covid is no different.
If you’ve not been feeling yourself since having the Rona, book a consultation. The sooner we’re onto it, the quicker you’ll recover.
On a personal note
I am incredibly lucky to remain alive and well, not just dodging viruses but having ongoing good health since my cancer diagnosis over eight years ago. For a disease with a 48% five-year survival, it’s not something I take for granted.
In recent years, my consumer work with researchers, to improve survival for all women with ovarian cancer, has grown into a part-time job. I couldn’t have predicted where this journey would take me, and I treasure my connections with fellow survivors and the amazing researchers I partner with.
I’m currently seeing naturopathy and mentoring clients Tuesdays and Wednesdays in my virtual clinic. There are some early and later in the day appointments available but if you can’t find a time that works for you, please let me know.
It’s a privilege to continue working in both private practice and cancer research. Both roles are fuelled by the same aim, to enable people to live their best and healthiest lives.
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