Hi Ladies, 

Many of you have asked me "what is Perimenopause".  It is the time that we prefer not to pay attention  to, however, it is the time leading up to menopause, when we don’t have our periods any longer.  During this time you will probably have many warning signs and symptoms.  That is why it is best to get prepared now for what is an absolutely natural function of our bodies.

Every woman goes through it in some form or another.  They say our body starts making less of certain hormones (estrogen and progesterone) but be careful: you can still become pregnant during this time.  Take PRECAUTIONS remember, it takes 12 months without interruption before we completely loose the ability to become pregnant.  If you start your period, even alight bleeding, you need to start counting again.  Personally, I probably had many symptoms, but my periods was always so irregular, that my grumpiness, irritability was usually put off by words such as “she’s probably on her period” or "she is just about ready to start her period." Not until recently did I realize that I was in perimenopause and if I had taken the advise of what I know suggest I too would have slid through menopause “NO SWEAT” Well since I didn’t eat and exercise regularly, my hot flashes and other symptoms were probably worse than they should have been.  However, do start now, get ready and when it is time, you won’t need to make any changes in your lifestyle.

Next week… Perimenopause.. How long does it last?

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Happy New Year

The Holidays are over but have you discovered an unwanted weight gain? And did your Hot Flashes return with a vengeance? Well let me give you few tips to help you get back on track.

First, get back to a regular routine.  Easy to say, but that is essential. I gained just a little weight because when I wasn’t at a party or at family festivities I ate what I normally did which was lots of good protein and vegetables.  Cut back on red meat and fruit (because of its natural sugar) .

Fish, poultry and vegetables should be your new best friend.

Breads and carbs are a thing of the past.  My husband and I walk down the bread and chip aisle for "Old Time Sake"

Are you on the go? Eat LIGHT Cheese Sticks( only 2.5 gr of fat ). I always have 2 in my purse.  It helps when I’m hungry and won’t be home to eat for a while.  There is less tendency to eat junk foods if I have a cheese stick instead. Always have water with you! 

Also,

• Drink Decaf coffee ( reg coffee stimulates the appetite)
• Wine- just have a glass a week
• NO Junk Food, spicy or greasy foods too
• Water- Lots of water
• Stevia- No sugar-  I always take packets in my purse
• And of course NO Smoking

Exercise- Back to a routine-  If you hate exercise gyms- try an exercise tape or just a morning or evening walk_ Stay active

 Most important of all- When you go off your regular eating habits (that maintain an acceptable weight)- start a healthy eating routing the next day- Don’t get in the habit of saying- "I will do it tomorrow" It rarely works.

That’s all for now- Let me know how you are doing,

Happy New Year,

Blessings,

Vicki 

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When I started having " Hot Flashes" I was intent on finding out how to avoid them. I read whatever I could find on menopause.  I even made sure the doctors and other experts were accurate in what they recommended by testing out their suggestions. 

One weekend I went to my Timeshare in Palm Springs during the hottest time of the year.  I ate spicy food for lunch,  drank lots of wine, ate junk food , wore nylon PJ’s and proceeded to have the most uncomfortable weekend in my life.  I sweat the entire time. Because my warmth was from within, air conditioning did little to help my situation. I walked around with a wet cloth around my neck while my husband gleefully watched the game on TV. HUMPH. 

We went to Palms Spring the next weekend too, Again it was 110 degrees, but  this time I  followed what was suggested to avoid hot flashes and I had the most relaxing and comfortable weekend!  I couldn’t believe the difference a few changes made.  Thus, I concluded that the experts were correct ! Exercise, and nutrition play a big factor in  how intense my hot flashes were. I realized that by avoiding certain foods and by doing certain activities, my hot flashes could be avoided entirely!  YES I was on to something! I decide to make a guide that you can easily reference that may help you too! I now believe menopause can be comfortable! Yes it can!

See my references on "How to avoid Hot Flasheswww.vickisflashpops.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/file/Tips on avoiding Hot Flashes__Times Roman font.doc

By simply following that sheet of Do’s and Don’ts I eliminated most of my Hot Flashes. If I didn’t follow the sheet that was ok too, however I did expect a Hot Flash.  I was rarely dissappointed and was prepared for one!

I would love to add what works for YOU!! Please share

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That is one question I am asked often about Vicki’s Flash Pops.  Although Vicki’s Flash Pops started as an Ice Pop, I switched the tasty formula to a beverage to give women more choices in how to use them. With more choices, I found I am more consistent with Vicki’s Flash Pops.  So, no matter where or what you do you can adapt them into your lifestyle.

     Since they now come as a beverage, let defrost and add into cute little Heart Ice cube trays. You can get them on my website,  or just call me at 1-866-780-4683.  My goal is to share, educate and assist women.  Actually, I started Vicki’s Flash Pops because I was so excited about how they affected me that it became very important to share them with 51 million other American women who complain about these untimely Hot Flashes. I value all your questions and will try to offer the simplest solution to your situation.  

     With that in mind, below are a few other suggestions in using Vicki’s Flash Pops. I want to offer as many options as I can.  It is a versatile product, yet it is more effective when served ICE Cold or better yet frozen.. My personal favorite is to defrost a bottle on Sunday afternoon. (Remember one bottle may last 1 week.  Two ounces per day is suggested, however you can drink or eat more if you wish.

     After it is slushy, I pour into 2 Heart Ice Cube Trays, there is usually 2 ounces left, I drink the rest for my daily dose. Also, after they are frozen I store in bags of 4 ice pops(1/2 oz each). That should be enough for your daily and keep you consistent

Additional serving suggestions for Vicki’s Flash Pops

• Freeze in Ice Cube Trays- your own or try the "Heart Ice Cube Trays available on my Website www.vickisflashpops.com 
• Make into a slushy- defrost slightly, and pour into glass 
• Mix with another cold drink-adds taste
• Add as a "Boost" to a smoothie (2oz’s)
• Great to add to your energy drink- directly from the bottle
• Pour over ice
• Do Not Microwave

Whatever works for you is the BEST way to serve Vicki’s Flash Pops. Try different ways and let me know which is your favorite!  Enjoy

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It is a beautiful day in San Diego, so I hope you are not doing what the cartoon so delicately and humorously put it!

Let’s get going because it’s our time to "set the world on fire"

This cartoon is compliments of Dee Adams, author of the wonderful little book called,

"Laughing your way through Menopause"

You can get this book simply by going to

http://www.lulu.com/content/965290 

Visit Dee at  http://www.minniepauz.com , join her newsletter too!

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What happened to sleeping through the night? 

     Shortly after having my first hot flash, the sleep disturbances started!  I use to get into bed, give my husband a kiss and nod off within 3 minutes.  It was a family joke, that if he needed to say anything to me that he better say it quick, because in a few minutes I would be SOUND asleep. I wouldn’t hear a phone ring.  And I was a sound sleeper.  Those peaceful and wonderful years were about to change.                                                                

     One night (as usual) I kissed my husband,  lay on my pillow and starred at the ceiling.  Since I took medication every evening that would make me sleepy, the first thing that I thought about was "did I forget my medicine"?  Well recounting my steps I definitely took it! Thus began my sleepless nights in San Diego.  Sometimes I would hate going to bed because I knew it just meant lying in bed hoping fatigue would overtake me. Frequently I would go downstairs and watch TV to fall asleep. Then I knew I was in for a late night and a rough day from the lack of sleep. I wasn’t too happy about this change. However, when I started research on Vicki’s Flash pops I realized that my lifestyle was contributing to my insomnia. I wasn’t going crazy, or sick.  My hormones were imbalanced and by simply correcting my eating habits, and adding daily exercise I had a good night sleep again. 

     Also I switched my bed sheets and sleep wear to 100% cotton . This change made a big difference and I was starting to sleep through the night again. If I awoke it was ever so briefly and back to sleep. A glass of cold water by my bed and I was off to sleeping in San Diego. (ALL NIGHT)

Please let me know what has made a difference in your sleep patterns!

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Menopause Weight Gain

Are you like me? Frustrated about the sudden weight gain? And your eating habits haven’t changed. Where did I get this extra weight and it is mostly in my stomach.  I woke up one day and looked in the mirror and said " Who are you’!! And who’s stomach is that?" I was horrifed, but not until my husband ever so nicely suggested that I should loose weight that I got serious about it.  But to my chagrin it wasn’t as easy as it use to be. When I was younger I could simply cut back and in a few weeks I could see the difference.  Oh, it is much harder now, but it is possible. 

Put yourself on a scheduled diet and stick to it.  I started the South Beach Diet and my grocery bill tripled the first week.  The diet was wonderful but this was not good for the budget I decided to follow the diet without making the recipes that called for expensive and rarely used items.  The South Beach Diet also allows discretion in what type of substitues to use.  So instead of artifial sugar like Splenda or Equal, I used my Stevia (a natural sweetner) and was very content. Why add chemicals to all those decisioius fresh vegetables the recipes called for.

Anyway, by following the diet without those items my grocery bill was much better and so I continued with this effective diet. I loved it because I was rarely hungry and after a week I wasn’t craving the carbohydrares I used to eat consistently.  I was content and looked forward to eating the foods that were permitted.

Also, the first week on the diet I lived in the kitchen.  Again, that was not good, I have a career.  And being in the kitchen all day was not going to help it, especialy for the former "queen of Carbs " lady. Oh, did I mention that I Hate to cook! However, I have learned to make the best and quickest omlettes.  The diet has turned into a new way of eating and I can’t believe how quickly my carbohydrate urges were gone. I eat 6x’s per day. By eating 6 smaller meals a day and the right foods I saw immediate results. The theory was good and it worked. I started loosing weight.  To me it was a very good theory.  

Do not neglect exercise.  If we are serious about this then we must implement a light exercise routine for your llifestyle.  I, like many women, live a very busy and sometimes hectic schedule.  I decided to blow up my exercise ball (that I had deflated for 10 years) and  put it in the family room and do sit ups in between activities.  For instance after I finish writing this post, I’m going downstairs to do 100 sit ups.  5 minutes 4 times a day. Yipee I’m now starting to see a difference.

I will keep you posted, I see a difference, yet I also still see my tummy!

Keep in mind that exercise and good nutrition are the best way to tackle mid life weight gain, however there are a few weight loss products that are geared specifically for us. 

Estrothin™I believe it has too much caffeine.  I have learned that Caffeine not only triggers hot flashes, but also stimultes the appetite. There are too many caffeine based stimulants (yerba matte and green tea) in the product. For many people, consuming high amounts of caffeine can lead to elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, nervousness, sweating among other symptoms. This is an obvious drawback with caffeine based products. According to many physicians specializing in the treatment of menopause, increased levels of caffeine intake can exaserbate symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia precipitously worse. Caffeine can also increase the risk of osteoporosis that affects many menopausal women. Given that fact, Estrothin™ may not be the right product for someone experiencing menopausal weight gain.

Zalestra™include black cohosh, mega soy extract, DHEA, Indole 3 Carbinol, borage oil and vitex fruit extract. These ingredients are intended to alleviate negative symptoms associated with menopause while providing the necessary protective properties for women in this stage of life.

Estrolean™ was one of the first menopausal weight loss products on the market. It’s formula is somewhat dated but it does contain some ingredients that have shown to be beneficial in alleviating menopausal symptoms. Like Zalestra™, the EstroLean™ formula does not contain strong stimulant based ingredients. Estrolean™ addresses weight loss with a relatively small amount of thermogenic (fat burning) properties. Estrolean™ also contains naturally occurring estrogen which addresses the hormonal imbalance responsible for symptoms associated with menopause and weight gain.

Overall, many of the ingredients contained in these products actually trigger hot flashes. Therefore I suggest to stick to the most well known plan of dieting- It is called the reduction of calories. Oh, don’t forget to exercise.

Let me know what works for you!

.

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Vicki’s Flash Pops were featured on KUSI

Inside San Diego. 

                    Just tap the picture to see video.

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• 51 Million
• 48 MIllion
• 5000

51 Million

This is the large group of American women who have entered the "change of life" stage.  They can be in one of several stages of menopause, however this group of mostly "baby boomers" continues to expand.

48 Million

This is the number of women who experience hot flashes or other symptoms associated with "change of life" . 85% will experience the uncomfortable symptoms for 3-10 years. And many more.  

5000

Every day 5000 women enter into menopause.  They may or may not experience extreme symptoms, however we will all end our periods!  Yea!

Those are just a few numbers, however, the point is that that it isn’t just a few women!  We make up a very large group of women.  Most of us are decision makers, business owners, leaders in our community and the list goes on. We may be older, however our experince in life has brought many exciting and awesome changes in our thinking,our  attitudes and  we need to share this with the upcoming generation. So let’s not a little thing  as "No more periods" stop our contributions to society that we , yes ,  we ladies are most capable of offering. 

So let’s get the mind set and do what we have always done and learn to deal with this fantastic season of our lives..

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