Menopause and Tofu

• Do you Suffer from hot flushes?
• Do you have low moods?
• Do you have dry skin, or find your skin has changed texture and is not as elastic as it used to be?
• Do you find that your hair is no longer shiny and has become brittle?
• Do you find that despite watching your weight you still change shape. The distribution of weight gain is around your middle and you are losing your waistline?

Five years ago I had all of the above problems, I was going through the menopause, now I no longer suffer from any of the above. People now give me positive comments on my appearance, especially my glossy hair and my clear skin and my size 10 figure. My waist measurement is now 26" / 66cm compared to 29" / 73.6cm five years ago. I feel very well physically and mentally.

I am 51 years old and I look at least 10 years younger. I am a full time professional sex therapist juggling my job and bringing up my two sons and I am also studying for a PHd. I have seen so much misery amongst my friends and colleagues who are a similar age to me and who have great difficulties going through their menopause. I shared my secrets with them, and those who followed my example actually benefited enormously.

I want to share with you the ways that I enabled myself to maintain my youthful appearance and wellbeing. Apart from keeping an active lifestyle and a good diet the secret ingredient is Soya, which contains phytoestrogens. Enough research has now been done on phytoestrogens to show they really can be beneficial and that you can actually eat your way to an easier time during the Perimenopause and the menopause itself.

I drink Soya milk everyday, and I eat Tofu and Soya products several times a week in different recipes. I make the Tofu myself it takes about 30minutes on Saturday (my day off) and the amount that I make lasts me a whole week. The taste of the Tofu that I make is so much nicer than the shop bought varieties and I ensure it's purity by using only organic grade Soya beans, Calcium Sulphate and mineral water.

The reason that I make it myself is that I cannot be sure about the purity and quality of shop bought Tofu. The taste and texture are so much nicer and the cost is about 85% cheaper when I make it myself. I also make my own Soya milk. Commercial Soya milk contains 3 - 7.2% of Soya beans often with other things added, but when I make my own I know there is nothing else in it and I can even decide how strong I want it to be by varying the water content.

I have learnt to use Soya to combat menopausal symptoms from my mother and grandmother, my mother is now 75 years old and is healthy and youthful in appearance. I make Tofu from her recipe and used to have a wooden kit that she gave me. I found this kit, being made from wood, very difficult to clean and not very hygienic and I have had it remade a few times because it never lasts very long. I have now modified the kit and have made it in stainless steel. It is made in England. I am very pleased with it, it is so easy to clean and it is very hygienic, I will never need to replace it again.

I recommend this kit to you and have put in all the ingredients and materials you will need and most importantly I am sharing with you my mothers instructions on how to make Tofu which are so simple and easy to do. Believe me, you will feel the health and beauty benefits within months. Try it and email me with your good news!!!

Dr Ellen Harley (PHd. London University)