Women | NonStop Natural

Best Last Minute Christmas Gifts Ever! (Not the Usual Yada Yada)

December 18, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

If the snow and awfully cold weather has kept you from doing your usual Christmas shopping, never fear! We have put together a terrific list that can help you finish up your naughty and nice list without ever leaving home.

You can order everything on this list and most likely it will still make it to your intended recipient by Christmas. The great thing here is, if it doesn’t make it, you can blame with weather!

Take a peek at some of the coolest gifts ever to hit someone’s tree or stocking.

Bird House and Whistle Key Holder

For the birdbrain in your life or the person who loves birds or the person who constantly loses keys, this is a cute idea. The birds sit perfectly in their little holder and they also work as whistles for…well, for whatever. Too cute and too cheap to pass up.

Mod Dream Pod Heated Cat Bed

This is absolutely too cute and too cool at the same time. If you love your electric blanket, you will understand why your cat will love this. Besides keeping kitty happy, it will keep your home looking chic. It also comes with an unheated model, but why not keep Fluffy off of your bed by making his bed more comfortable?

Extra Large Bath Bomb Gift Set

There is nothing more relaxing than a glass of wine and a soak in the tub. Make that soak extra soothing by adding these wonderfully scented bath bombs. Comes in a pretty gift box, so all you need to do is add a bow and a tag. Take note fellas, presents don’t get much easier than this!

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Do you love to make your own egg and ham muffins for breakfast, but trying to fry eggs, (and they never come out round, do they?) cook the ham, then toast the muffins …let’s admit it – it’s a bit daunting, isn’t it? Let this all in one sandwich maker do the work for you. Super handy and super inexpensive too!

A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival

For the person in your household who loves TWD and wonders how they would survive in the wild, this book is for them. It comes in paperback or Kindle version and talks about the basic 5 C’s of survivability and much more. Cool gift for the outdoor enthusiast.

Merry Products Striped Dog Teepee

Don’t let Fluffy get all the cool stuff, dogs love their beds too! This teepee comes in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can get just the right fit for Fido. Just pop your dog’s favorite pillow, blanket, or bed inside and Fido can be a wolf for the night!

Scottish Fine Soap in Collector Tin

Super stinky and long lasting soaps from Scotland in a variety of scents that come in cute little collector tins, so you can decorate the water closet even after the soap is gone! Seven scents such as raspberry, orange, heather, and blueberry, to suit just about everyone on your list. We suggest buying one extra for yourself because once you get a whiff, you won’t be able to resist!

Silicone Turtle Card or Photo Holder

Just when you think you’ve seen every kind of card or photo holder imaginable, here comes this little cutie. Made from silicone, so it won’t get hard or crack like plastic, this little turtle comes in several colors. This same company also offers hedgehogs and armadillos for those who aren’t into turtles.

Star Wars Bank

If someone you love is all about Star Wars, these are the perfect gift. Cute banks that could certainly become collector’s items someday. You can choose from R2D2, Storm Trooper, Darth Vader, or Zak from The Force Awakens.

Einstein Mimobot 8GB Flash Drive

Your stocking stuffer problem has just been solved! Who couldn’t use another flash drive? Einstein face is amusing as he sticks out his tongue when you remove the cover. This company also has Yoda, Darth Vader, and C3PO from Star Wars for a bit of variety.

What are you waiting for? That gift list isn’t going to fill itself! Give Santa a break and do a bit of shopping from your sofa while you watch The Grinch, ok?

10 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Everyone on Your Nice List

December 7, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love “The Night Before Christmas” poem? That infamous poem, penned in 1823, has probably had more kids hanging up stockings in front of the fire place than any other tale.

Today, many of us use “stockings” (or mailboxes) at work to deliver small presents to friends, while those of us with little ones still need to find gifts or treats to fill those stockings like Santa would have liked us to do.

But let’s face it; our kids eat too much candy as it is and if you hit the dollar stores for friends or co-workers, they will probably find out and then you come off as cheap skate.

That’s why we have created a list of stocking stuffers that you can feel good about.

Keep reading and see if these ideas don’t ring your jingle bells!

Think Experiences

Forget the gift cards that are oh so impersonal, think experiences. You can make up your own “gift card” and offer an “outing of your choice with me”. Or you could purchase (or promise to purchase if dates are questionable) tickets to the movies, an amusement park, or a place that your recipient really, really loves.

Little ones might enjoy “tickets” for a trip to the zoo, their favorite ice cream parlor, or a “pick your own” movie night at home with their favorite homemade treat.

You can offer to take mom to a day spa or stay home and do something she really enjoys (bingo? Gardening?)

The possibilities here are endless, so get creative and make your own “experience” card. Gifts are often forgotten, but an experience is something that is always treasured.

Think Practical

There is always something that someone actually needs or will use. Another bottle of perfume for mom will probably sit on her dresser, along with the ones she received for Mother’s day, Valentine’s Day, and her birthday, for years to come. But how about a kitchen or gardening tools that she will actually use?

We can think of a dozen other things that we never seem to have enough of, including mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, fuzzy socks, super warm socks, ear buds, subway tokens, reading glasses in a pretty case, playing cards, card games, nail polish, emery boards, pretty nail clippers, and hair accessories, just to name a few!

Think Themes

These are always fun and some people are so creative! Think of the person you want to buy for; what are their favorite hobbies? Interests? Snacks? Upcoming events? Everyone loves something; all you need to do is think about it and build a stocking around that theme.

This might be someone who loves to cook. You could add silicone pot holders or other silicone cooking items, cute egg timers, cookie cutters, spices in pretty bottles, and a tiny handmade book of awesome recipes.

If the person you are thinking of is more of a “camping and adventure” type, you could put a compass, flashlight, beef jerky, foldable hat, and a set of mini binoculars.

Think Health and Beauty

Everyone loves to pamper themselves every now and then. Why not add a few things that they might never buy for themselves?

Think about items like super scented body washes or body scrubs, facial scrubs, therapeutic foot scrubs or body butter?

Don’t forget to add everyone’s favorite essential oil or incense for a gift that everyone loves.

Ladies, most men won’t ask, so why not put some manly scented soaps, shaving lotions, and even cologne in their stockings?

Think the Active Life

For the people in your life who are into fitness, there are tons of options. You can pay for a mobile phone app and put a handmade card telling them how to activate it.

There is also a wireless activity tracker by FitBit called FitBit Zip, that keeps track of steps taken, calories burned, and distance travelled. This info is then sent to their smartphone.

And for those friends who exercise, even in cold weather, Zippo makes a cute little metal hand warmer. It looks like those infamous Zippo lighters, but it simply stays toasty warm, for as long as 12 hours! We bet you buy one of these for yourself!

Think Cool and Unusual

Some people just love stuff that is a little bit offbeat.

Try spicing up a friend’s life with a round disc of decadent dark chocolate, flavored with a tangy bit of Tabasco! You can find this on Amazon and it’s less than $10!

For the teacher in your child’s life, try a set of Smencils. These are a 10 pack of gourmet scented pencils that keep their scent for as long as 2 years!

Anyone who loves wine can never have enough corkscrews. Check out the retro-looking Hootch-Owl Corkscrew. It’s cute and functional at the same time!

Think Gadgets

Some people are simply goo-goo for gadgets. If you have some of those people in your life, check out these ideas:

Toasta Bags are for those who like food such as bagels, left over pizza, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches toasted, but don’t own a toaster oven. Simply put the food in the bag and put it in any toaster! No dripping gunk in the toaster ever again! Great for office gifts! These are complexly washable and reusable, which makes it an Eco friendly gift as well.

For the overgrown kid in your life, like grandpa (?), The Magic Wand Remote Control makes changing channels or turning the TV off and on a fun adventure. This would also be perfect for the future magician in the house.

For the family that likes to play together, Skyball will take their games to a whole new level. These are helium filled balls that go as high as 75 feet in the air! Fido will never get hold of these beauties!

Think Food/Kitchen

For the cooks in your life, the possibilities for cute gifts are almost endless. Some of our favorites include:

The Garlic Rocker. This little beauty makes mincing garlic fund and easy.

Whisky Stones are a great way to cool drinks without watering them down with ice. Although they are called Whiskey Stones, you can use them in any beverage.

If your giftee is a coffee fan, the Aerolatte Milk Frother is an easy way to mix drinks and frothe milk quickly and easily.

And who doesn’t enjoy a cup of tea now and then? The Eva Solo Tea Bag isn’t actually a bag, but rather a stainless steel container that looks like a tea bag, so you can brew the perfect cup of tea from loose tea leaves or herbs.

Think Cool Gifts for Babies and Tweens

Tweens can be especially hard to buy for as they aren’t really children, but they aren’t exactly ready for a new car!

Hickies Shoelaces are a fun and futuristic way to lace up any pair of tennis shoes. These elastic laces tighten and loosen automatically, depending on movement. These come in bright colors that tweens are sure to love.

Shower Squids can be enjoyed by tweens or mom’s with little ones. Each “squid” has nine adjustable ties which can hold shampoo bottles, soap, or what-have-you. Think of it as an extra pair of hands in the shower.

For those with young children, Cowboy Baby Socks are a super cute idea. Each pair of socks looks like a miniature pair of cowboy boots!

And for those with elementary aged children, Fanciful Bird Wings are the answer for those who are tired of the same old super hero capes. These are lightweight, beautifully sheer “wings’ that attach with straps and finer tabs so children can “fly” away to their hearts content.

Think Particular

Some people are so difficult to buy for because they only want the best or unique things in life. Well, take a look at the following items because one of them is sure to appeal to even the most finicky person on your stocking stuffer list.

E-Tip gloves by North Face are the perfect answer for those who want a really superb pair of gloves, but need their fingers free to use their cell phone or tablet. There is no need to remove these gloves, as the fingertips are specially coated to work with touch screens.

There really is no comparing the Diptyque Candle, no matter how hard you try. These candles are super high quality and have unique scents such as Bulgarian roses or blackberry/currant leaves. We bet once you smell one, you buy one for yourself.

Last, but not least, for the cell phone super fan, you can’t go wrong with The Oona Stand. Unlike most of the $5 stands on the market today that falls over if you breathe on them, The Oona Stand is completely adjustable for any surface and it really, really stays put.

Of course, this list isn’t all inclusive. Do you have any stocking stuffer suggestions that worked well for you or that you wish someone would buy for your stocking?

We would love to hear from you!

Top 10 Little Known Ways to Use All Natural Castile Soap

November 21, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Back in the day, your grandparents used Castile soap for just about everything under the sun. Over the years, it fell out of favor; so much so that, just 15 years ago, you used to have to special order it or buy it online.

Today, the simple joys of castile soap have returned and you can probably find it at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Unlike regular detergents or soaps, a tiny bit goes a long way, so don’t be surprised by the smaller sized bottles.

Castile soap is made from vegetable oil, usually olive oil, rather than animal fat. This makes castile soap one of the purest, most natural soaps around.

Even though it says “soap”, this type of soap has remarkable cleaning and moisturizing capabilities that other soaps don’t have.

Let’s take a look at all the wonderful ways castile soap can be used around your home to save you time, money, and keep your living quarters (and body) naturally beautiful.

Super Moisturizing Shampoo

You don’t need to spend a fortune on your hair; you will have everything your hair needs by simply mixing ¼ cup of coconut milk, 1/3 of a cup of castile soap (liquid), and 1 teaspoon of olive or sweet almond oil. If you would like a bit of scent, add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Many people enjoy the scent of lavender, rose, or frankincense, but you can add any scent you fancy. Put in a nice squeeze bottle and shake well before using. This is one of the best, yet inexpensive, moisturizing shampoo around.

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Wipes

If you don’t want to use paper towels for wiping up spills or cleaning kitchen counters, try this hack for making your own.

Find a mason jar or some other type of glass jar with a lid and an old T-shirt. First, cut up the T-shirt into washcloth sized bits. Now, add 1 cup of water, 1 ounce (about 1/8 of a cup) of castile soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil into the jar. Stuff the rags in the jar and turn it up and down a few times until all rags are soaked. You are now set! When you need a cleaning rag, pull one out of the jar and wash it when you are finished. Once all rags have been used, start over. Tea tree oil makes these super anti-microbial and antibacterial!

Got Bugs?

When ants invade your kitchen or patio, don’t pull out those dangerous pesticides, try this instead. In a spray bottle, put ¼ cup of castile soap into 1 liter of water. Shake well and spray the ants and their trail. If you have some peppermint essential oil, you can add 20 drops of that, but it isn’t necessary. This should kill the ants within minutes. Don’t spray plants, however, as this might choke the leaves. If you get some on your plants, wash it off the leaves.

Super Foaming Hand and Body Wash

Fight germs and still keep your skin super soft by making your own hand and body wash using the following do-it-yourself hack.

Wash out one of those “foaming” soap containers or order one online. Now add 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap, 2 teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil and 15 drops of whatever essential oil scent you like. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water. Screw the top back on and shake gently. That’s it! Try it and you will find that this is just as effective, and probably smells better since you can choose which scent you like, as those $4 bottles you can buy at the store.

Inexpensive Shaving Cream

This works for men and women. Simply rub a bit of castile soap between your wet hands and rub it on the face, legs, or underarms. The soap will help your razor glide along more smoothly, which can result in less razor burn.

Perfect Pooch Shampoo

Castile soap is very mild and non-drying, which makes it perfect for your fur baby! Remember that a little bit goes a long ways, so start off small. You can always add more if you need to.

Dishwashing Magic

Well, maybe not magic, but if you hand wash your dishes, or if you hand wash your good dishes, then why pay a fortune for dishwashing soap? All you need is to add 1 part castile soap to 10 parts water. Your dishes will be super clean and bacteria free!

Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Commercial laundry soap is not only expensive, but it’s loaded with dangerous toxins. Make your own by mixing 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of liquid castile soap, 1/3 cup of salt (any kind will do), and 2 cups of water. Dissolve the baking soda and salt into warm water. Now pour everything into a one gallon container. Fill to the top with more water and stir. Add ¼ cup per average load of laundry. This should equal about 64 loads of laundry for less than $5.

Ditch the Blue Stuff

That blue glass cleaner has been around for ages, which is why most people use it, but it is hardly cheap! Ditch that stuff and make your own glass cleaner by putting two teaspoons of Castile soap, and 4 cups of distilled water in a spray bottle. Shake and you are good to go! Use distilled water so you don’t leave any of those annoying mineral spots on your mirrors or windows.

Best Ever Bubble Bath

If you want a non-irritating, non-drying bubble bath, make your own using castile soap. Mix ½ cup of water with ¼ cup of vegetable glycerin (almost all health food or natural stores carry this) and ½ cup of liquid castile soap. You can add 10 or 15 drops of your favorite essential oil scent if you like. Once you try this bubble bath, you will never, ever go back to that commercial stuff ever again.

You can find all kinds of scented castile soaps, including ones made from different types of oils such as Hemp, almond, and olive oil. They all work pretty much the same, so try them all and stick with your favorite.

What’s your favorite way to use castile soap?

Top 10 All Natural Makeup Removers for Beautiful Skin

November 18, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Ladies, we go through a great deal of trouble to look our best, don’t we? Eyelash curlers, hot rollers, hair straighteners, and makeup. If you are like us, you look for cosmetics that have a natural base to them, because who wants to put toxic stuff on your pretty skin, right?

However, when it comes to removing that makeup, what do you use? Almost all makeup removing products either don’t work (soap and water? Right.) Or they are loaded with petroleum based junk.

Even those “all natural” makeup removers leave a lot to be desired. Did you know, however, that there are actually makeup removers, some of them right in your own kitchen, that work like magic in getting off those false eyelashes and metallic eye shadows?

Let’s take a good look at the top 10 best, completely natural makeup removers that actually work.

Yogurt

This sounds strange, but it really does work. Yogurt will not only remove makeup, but it softens your skin at the same time. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt for this one, not the fruit at the bottom kind. Put some of the yogurt in a small bowl to avoid containing a larger jar of yogurt, then dip a cotton ball into the bowl. Wipe all over your face and wait just a few seconds, then rinse well with cool water. The only drawback to yogurt is that it can drip and be a bit messy, but that’s a small price to pay for beautiful skin.

Cucumbers

You’ve probably seen tons of cucumber based masks and lotions in stores. This is because cucumber is naturally soothing to the skin due to its natural anti-inflammatory compounds. If you often get breakouts or have red spots from other cleansers, this is the one for you. You can blend one small cucumber, or cut a large one in half, and put it in the blender until you have a nice paste. Rub this paste over your face with your fingers and wait about 1 minute. Rinse with cool water.

Almond Oil and Milk

This is a terrific combination that exfoliates the skin, while keeping it from becoming dried out. Use whole milk for this procedure as it has more lactic acid in the fat, which removes dead skin cells without scrubbing.

Simply mix a tablespoon of almond oil into a small bowl with about half a cup of milk. Dip a cotton ball in this mixture and rub over your entire face. You might want to do this twice. Then you can simply rinse it off with warm water. This is a simple, yet remarkable way to remove makeup and keep that beautiful peaches and cream complexion.

Jojoba Oil

This oil has a funky name, but it is oh so wonderful for the skin and hair because it naturally mimics our own oil secretions. If you tend to have oily skin, this is the one to try. Simply mix two parts water with one part jojoba oil. Mix up in a little bowl, then dab on your face using a cotton ball. Use another cotton ball soaked in this same mixture and wipe away makeup and dirt all in one fell swoop.

Avocados

While you are making some guacamole for the weekend, pick up an extra avocado for your own personal use. This method is super easy! Simply cut the avocado in half, then use a cotton ball and rub some of the inside of the avocado. You don’t need to have huge chunks; just a little hint of green will do the trick. Rub the cotton ball on your face and watch the makeup come off like magic. When you have finished, rinse with cool water. These tasty little green fruits are high in vitamin E, A, and D, so they nourish your skin at the same time they remove makeup.

Witch Hazel

One of the oldest, yet completely natural products, for removing makeup is witch hazel. Unfortunately, witch hazel can be drying to the skin. For a terrific make-it-yourself makeup remover, simply mix 2 tablespoons of witch hazel (you can buy it in any drugstore for about $2) 2 tablespoons of olive oil or jojoba oil, and 2 tablespoons of water. Whisk together and apply with a cotton ball. Remove with a warm, wet washcloth.

Olive Oil

You probably have a bottle of this in your kitchen right now. Talk about easy! No trip to the drug store, just put olive oil on a cotton ball and swipe it on your face, then rinse off with warm water. If you tend to have oily skin or suffer from breakouts, add 1 drop of tea tree oil to one tablespoon of olive oil to stop those breakouts.

Grape Seed Oil

You can find this in your supermarket, right next to the olive oil. It might cost a bit more, but it does an outstanding job at removing tough eye makeup, like those waterproof mascaras. Simply put some on a cotton ball and apply where needed, then wipe off with a cotton pad or washcloth. Rinse with warm water and you are good to go!

Castile Soap

Castile soap (sometimes spelled Castille) is a very pure soap that won’t sting your eyes if you should get a little in them. You can buy this liquid soap in just about any pharmacy for about $1. You can make a nice bottle of natural makeup remover for pennies! Simply mix ¼ teaspoon of Castile soap with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or jojoba oil into one cup of water. Just shake before using, and then apply with a cotton ball. This is one of the best, all around makeup removers that works like a charm.

Organic Coconut Oil

Probably the best thing ever for removing even the most stubborn makeup. Many women say that they have the best success, and don’t even need a moisturizer afterwards, by simply rubbing coconut oil into their skin, rinse with warm water, apply honey to the face, rub for a minute, then rinse. If you still see some traces of makeup, you can repeat with another coconut oil wash, but between the coconut oil to dissolve makeup and the honey to moisturize your skin, most women find this to be the perfect skin care routine.

There is no need to spend $25 on a makeup remover when you have so many natural choices that work equally as well, without toxic compounds.

What is your favorite way to remove makeup?

Top 10 Things about Menopause That No One Talks About

October 15, 2016 by Tammy Robinson 1 Comment

Menopause; the time of a woman’s life when she stops having a monthly menstrual cycle. For many women, this is a good time of life, when the worries about becoming pregnant, disappear and those messy, painful days of the month become history.

While many people, men included, think that menopause is like the stopping and starting of a car, it’s anything but. Menopause happens gradually, for many women symptoms begin in their mid to late 40’s and continue for 10 years.

If your mother or grandmother didn’t clue you in on what to expect, we want to clear things up by talking about the top 10 things about menopause that most people never hear.

Men – this article is for you as well! What happens to a woman during this time can affect your relationship. It can help you understand why your partner is acting differently during this time of her life.

It Hits You Like a Truck

Sometimes, this is one of the best ways to tell that a symptom you are feeling is simply menopause and not something else. Although menopause will sneak up on you at first, with a twice a month night sweat or a 2 minute hot flash, once you are really into the change of life, most symptoms feel like you were hit by a truck. One friend describes headaches that literally feel as if someone hit her in the back of a head with a baseball bat. Hot flashes literally feel as if someone is pouring extremely hot water over your head, and you can literally feel fine one minute and completely wiped out the next minute. If a symptom hits you hard and fast, you can almost guarantee your body dropped a hormone somewhere.

You Will Hate Everyone

We aren’t kidding. There will be times where you simply hate everyone for no reason. Yes, even your kids and loving husband will suddenly feel intrusive and all you can think about are ways to avoid everyone. If you find yourself looking at pictures of deserted islands or tree houses and thinking “I could live there”, you know that menopause has a serious grip on you.

The good news is that this passes. You should take each feeling as they come and do your best to deal with them in a way that makes you feel better. These feelings are temporary, although they might not see, that way.

Your Heart Feels Like It’s Doing the Macarena

Almost all women will experience some type of heart palpations before, during, or after menopause. They can be scary, but for most women, they last only about 2 or 3 minutes. If they last longer than 5 minutes, or if you feel short of breath or have pain in your arm, back, or chest, see a doctor. Even if the duration is short, you might want to double check with your doctor that all you are feeling is your heart doing the menopause flip flop, thereby ruling out other heart problems.

Your Skin Feels Like Tree Bark

This doesn’t happen to all women, but many will tell you that their skin suddenly becomes dry and flaky during menopause. Think of this as a time to upgrade your moisturizer! The face moisturizer (and body moisturizer) you have used for the past 10 or more years might not be enough for you now. Look for words like “oil based” or “for mature skin” on your facial moisturizers, or consult with your dermatologist.

Hot Flashes are NOT over in a Flash

Hot flashes will hit you from the waist up and they can be so intense that you literally have to change your clothes. They won’t magically end with your period, either. Hot flashes and night sweats generally start in your mid to late 40’s and continue through your 50’s. Yes, 10 years of hot flashes are perfectly normal. So think cool and think layers!

Every day is a Bad Hair Day

Hair loss, hair breakage, or thinning hair is a normal symptom of menopause. Due to the wild fluctuations in hormones, your hair can become super dry and brittle. This would be a good time to think natural. Forget about curling irons, straightening irons, and chemical perms or relaxers. These will only make things worse. Use lots of conditioning treatments and gentle shampoos to help keep your locks beautiful and avoid further damage.

Your Sleep Patterns Go Completely Haywire

You will find that your sleep patterns become crazy, which can make you feel crazy. You might wake up every night at 3AM unable to sleep, fall asleep in the middle of the day, then go to bed at midnight because you can’t sleep. Other people say that although they are sleeping 8 hours at night, they simply cannot function without a nap in the afternoon.

Many, many women complain of insomnia. Night sweats wake you up and keep you up. Don’t rely on sleeping pills, however, as these only make things worse. Try some chamomile tea or warm milk. If all else fails, take up a new (quiet, indoor) hobby!

You Will Cry and Be Angry for No Reason

Our hormones have a lot to do with our feelings, so is it any surprise that a fluctuation in hormones means crazy feelings? Almost all women report feeling sad and crying for no reason at all, while others say that they feel angry all the time, but don’t know why. Still, other women will tell you that they start off crying, then screaming, before wondering what the heck they were so upset about. Be prepared for those wild feelings and don’t feel badly about it. Feelings happen. These crazy emotions will also pass.

Your Sex Drive Will Be Different

Sex usually becomes a case of feast or famine. Women seem to go to extremes in this area. Some women end up pushing away their husbands, don’t want him anywhere near them because they are going through hot flash heaven, and never give sex a second thought.

On the other hand, many women report that they become sex crazy, feeling desire like they haven’t enjoyed since their 20’s.

There are lots of women in between these two extremes, so no matter where you fall, it’s probably normal. If you are concerned, however, about your sex life, or lack of it, please talk to your OBGYN.

You Are Not Everyone Else

It seems as if there are almost as many different menopause symptoms as there are women in the world. What happens to one woman may not happen to another. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to menopause, only that your periods will stop. This list talks about the most common experiences, but if these aren’t happening to you, thank your lucky stars! Chances are that you will simply experience something else, and that’s OK.

We should add that some women go through menopause with very few “side effects”. This, too, is also considered normal. There is one thing that is true of all women; they are strong and resilient. You can get through this. Really, you can!