Reclaiming Your Life In A Chic Way During Menopause and Caregiving For Your Aging Parent

I was in a difficult place. After entering into menopause and taking on the role of caretaker for my aging mother-in-law, I felt overwhelmed. 

Often founding myself sacrificing my own needs and wants to make sure maman Ruby was taken care of, leaving little energy or time for self-care.  

Do you feel like you are stuck in a rut between menopause and caregiving for your aging parent?

If you do.

You are not alone.

In fact, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to make sure you are taking care of yourself while also taking care of your loved one. You may feel like you are sacrificing your own needs and wants for the sake of your family.

But, you can reclaim your life in a chic way during this time. I know it sounds so unbelievable but hear me out....

"One day a light bulb came on. I had an idea: reclaim my life in a luxurious way during this time"

Starting with treating myself to gourmet food. Being a chef it is easy to make sure that I am making the time to nourish my body with delicious, healthy meals every day - something that gives me energy and makes me feel good about myself again.

I know you don't want to be stuck in this rut forever. You want to reclaim some of your life back and start living it on your own terms again, so decide right now by treating yourself with luxurious gourmet food.

You're ready right? Ok, starting now  I want you to take a few moments each day to enjoy the flavors and aromas of the food you are going to eat.

Along with food, you can also find chic ways to dress, exercise, and relax that still fits into your caregiving routine even if it is a few minutes. Just by taking the time to focus on yourself, you can reclaim your life during menopause and caregiving. See how easy that was?

In this blog post I will be sharing my tips for reclaiming your life during menopause and caregiving. Now, lets get started!

#1. Focus on creating a healthy lifestyle as a fun ritual

Treating yourself to spa days professionally and at home includes; indulging in relaxing treatments like massages, facials and aromatherapy baths whenever possible – allowing yourself to truly recharge from all the stress of caretaking.

Create moments that will be sacred escapes from reality where you can take some well-deserved ‘ME TIME’ without feeling guilty about it!

1. Prioritizing sleep 
2. Walk and walk some more 
3. Read for 30 minutes 
4. Drink more water
5. Take a break from electronics 
6. Take on a new hobby 

Pick 1 or 2 of these lifestyle habits day, I don't want to overwhelm yourself. I'm only saying this incase you're one of those women who is, "all or nothing" type.  

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body strong and your mind sharp. Early in the morning I jump rope for 10-15 min. And some days when I need to cry I take a walk around the block and walk the street crying. I don't care who hears me, I need this flow of grief to happen to clear my mind, purge my soul so that healing to take place.

Only once did I actually scream. I had to be careful with that one because I didn't want someone was being attacked (wink). 

#2. Healthy Eating Habits to Help Balance Hormonal Changes 

As a woman going through menopause and caring for an aging parent, you may be feel overwhelmed and exhausted. In order to reclaim your life in a chic way, it's so important to focus on creating a healthy lifestyle that nourishes your body and soul.

Healthy eating habits that balance your hormonal changes include eating organic fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods, incorporating healthy fats such as avocado and coconut oil, increasing your intake of omega-3's through fish or supplements, and drinking plenty of water. 

Ok, so nobody's perfect. If you can eat well 80% of the time then 20% is ok to splurge.

Eating gourmet food that is both healthy and delicious is a great way to do this. During menopause, hormone levels can fluctuate, making it difficult to remain balanced.

I always advise my clients to start in the kitchen by eating gourmet food that is both delicious and nutritious. You can find recipes online, using Pinterest or in cookbooks that are specifically tailored to the needs of menopausal women. I share a few recipes in my lifestyle guidebook in the link below.

To get a few of my favorite gourmet recipes for menopausal women DOWNLOAD this lifestyle guidebook NOW. 

Aim to make your meals that are:

• low in saturated fats
• rich in antioxidants
• high in vitamins
• and has minerals
• very colorful foods

When your food is colorful it  can help you stay energized and even help reduce your menopausal symptoms. In addition to eating healthy, try to incorporate other activities into your daily routine that promotes a healthy lifestyle. 

From nutrient-rich salads to decadent desserts, there are plenty of chic options to help you reclaim your life during menopause and caregiving for your aging parent.

Once you established a regular routine with gourmet meals, you can began experimenting with flavors from around the world – sampling dishes from India one night, Italy the next – until eventually cooking becomes an adventure rather than a task! In my Chic Cooking Academy I teach you how to infuse flavor in your food using spice from around the world. This is a virtual cooking class for menopausal women that last 8 weeks sign up HERE for the fall -> EARLY SIGN UP

With every delicious bite you take in your new lifestyle, not only will nourishing yourself become easier but so will looking after others around you as well.

"When you refuel your tank first you can then help fill up those close to you too"!

#3. Making Time for Self-Care While Caregiving

There are moments you may realized that while you give so much to those around you, you hadn’t been taking enough time for yourself; perhaps it's been months since you've did anything just for fun or took any downtime at all. 

Allow yourself to recharge so that you can be your best and healthiest self for those who depend on you. Making time for yourself is not only good for your wellbeing, but it also helps create a more harmonious home life.

I remember taking a deep breath and declaring that from now on things would be different!  “I need more balance in my life” I said aloud as if daring anyone (or anything) to challenge this decision.

With newfound determination and enthusiasm I set out on a mission: To find ways to create space in my busy lifestyle so that I could prioritize both caregiving and self-care with ease!

After doing some research in books that I have and online about how best to manage these two important tasks together without feeling overwhelmed, I came up with an action plan:

 1. Take fifteen minutes each morning before starting caregiving duties just for myself—to meditate or do jump rope exercises or simply take moments of stillness.

 2. Break up longer stretches of caring into smaller chunks throughout the day; that can work for you and your care team.

 3. Schedule one hour each evening—just for fun activities such as reading books, playing games or Zoom visiting friends.

 4. Once a week do something luxurious like getting a massage or going shopping for things you love, or sipping on a cup of hazelnut coffee – just because!
 
 By following through on these simple steps you will not only managed both aspects of your life seamlessly but more importantly find true joy and contentment within yourself every single day!

#4. Creating an Atmosphere of Luxury and Positivity

No one said caregiving was easy. When all of your time and energy is focused on taking care of someone else, it can be difficult to remember that you need to take care of yourself too. But no matter how busy life gets, carving out some “me” time should always remain a priority. 

If you didn’t make time for self-care, then you won't be able to show up as your best self, for family or anyone else in your life. So each week, make sure to set aside at least an hour to do something just for yourself that will help you relax and recharge so you can come back feeling energized and inspired again – little moments where you could just focus on being present without worrying about everything else going on around you.

Creating an atmosphere of luxury and positivity is a great way to feel more in control of your life during menopause and caregiving.

It can be as simple as:

• lighting a few candles,
• putting your feet up
• gratitude exercises with deep breaths
• enjoying some relaxing music 
• scheduling appointments during breaks between errands 
• taking five minutes here and there throughout the day to practice mindfulness 

With these “mini-recesses notice how much better equipped you'll fell whenever new challenges come along while caring for her family –– calmer, more patient, less overwhelmed by everyday tasks; qualities which would have been hard pressed if you didn't make room for intentional restorative moments with yourself first! 

This can be a great way to take a break from the stress and chaos of menopause and caregiving and enjoy some much-needed self-care. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you take the time to enjoy the little luxuries in life and create an atmosphere of positivity. This will help you recharge and stay motivated as you go through menopause and care for your aging parent.

#5. Gourmet Food Ideas to Enjoy During Menopause and Caregiving

Reclaiming your life during menopause and caregiving doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your taste buds! There are plenty of gourmet food ideas that you can enjoy, even while dealing with the symptoms of menopause and caring for an aging parent. With a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious meal that is sure to please. 

Try making gourmet dishes such as roasted salmon with lemon-dill sauce, grilled vegetables with a balsamic glaze, and risotto with mushrooms and herbs. Additionally, you can also enjoy light snacks such as hummus with fresh vegetables or a yogurt parfait with fresh fruit and granola.

One chic idea is to create a charcuterie board:

1. with a variety of meats
2. creamy cheeses
3. purple and green olives,
4. nuts and dates 
5. fresh fruits and vegetables for a touch of color

Not only is this a visually appealing dish, but it's also a great way to get your daily protein and vitamins while managing the fatigue that comes with menopause. With this type of meal, you can enjoy a healthy and tasty snack or dinner without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

Menopause and caregiving can be overwhelming, but with a few gourmet food ideas, you can reclaim your life in a chic way. By taking the time to plan and prepare a delicious meal, you can enjoy a healthy and flavorful dish while taking care of yourself and your aging parent.

#6. Tips for Styling and Accessorizing During Menopause and Caregiving

When it comes to reclaiming your life during menopause and caregiving for your aging parent, don't forget to express yourself through style and accessories. During this special time in your life, you may feel like you don't have the energy to dress up or take care of yourself. But taking the time to look and feel your best will help you to stay positive and energized.

Menopause is a great time to explore new styles and accessories that make you feel chic and confident. Pick out a few statement pieces to add to your wardrobe. Don't forget to accessorize with a few new pieces like earrings, necklaces, and scarves. With the right pieces, you can look and feel your best while taking care of your aging parent.

In conclusion, menopause and caregiving for an aging parent can be difficult and time consuming. However, it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. By following the tips and ideas presented in this blog article, you can reclaim your life in a chic and luxurious way. From healthy eating habits to creating an atmosphere of positivity, you can enjoy the journey of menopause and caregiving. Make sure to take some time for yourself, in small yet meaningful ways.

I've changed a lot. of things in my life. Instead of staying up all night worrying about everything on my mind—now I chose to write down all those thoughts and feelings into a journal before going straight to bed at 9 pm every night (a rule which soon became part of my daily routine).

I started setting aside thirty minutes each morning just for herself — whether it be reading a book or simply sitting outside on my deck enjoying nature’s beauty around my while sipping tea—to make sure I was really savoring life’s simple pleasures again despite being busy with other commitments throughout the day .

Gradually these small changes will start having remarkable effects on both your mental health and emotional wellbeing - enabling you not only to become an even better caregiver to your family but also allowing enough space within yourself where joy could thrive too!

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD your lifestyle guidebook to conquer menopause fatigue, restore your vitality while caring for your aging parents.