We recently had an opportunity to chat with Stacey Rosen, owner, president and CEO of At Last Naturals. As a wife, mother, caregiver, and businesswoman, Stacey has brought a feminine consciousness to the company and its line of natural wellness products for women. As a woman in perimenopause herself, Stacey felt the need to create a product line that reflected her needs and the needs of other women not currently met in the marketplace.
Stacey is a proud member of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), an organization dedicated to the promotion of the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause.
Stacey, you’ve been pretty busy lately. You’re running a company and taking care of your family. But you’re also in perimenopause. How has that changed your ability to juggle all your different roles?
The symptom I noticed the most was sleeplessness, which makes concentrating more difficult during the day. By the end of the day I was tired and still had the whole evening to get through. I started taking Meno Herbs 2 and I am sleeping much better!
Many women are considering natural solutions as an alternative to other treatment options. How can a woman know if natural products are right for them?
I always tell women on this journey that they have choices. Why not try a natural choice before trying more medicinal options. Natural products are right for them if they get relief from their symptoms. Most women do have great success with our natural products.
Labels can be a little confusing. What should women look for when buying health and beauty products? And are there any ingredients to avoid?
There are ingredients that have been used over the years that are just now being called out as not a healthy choice. For example, phthalates which are used in many cosmetic products to bind the product together. Phthalates are used to bind plastics. Parabens are not a good choice either. Food based preservative systems are the best. Plant based ingredients are always a good choice. The less ingredients I feel the better. You are not looking for fillers… shea butter, olive oil, black and white teas. Botanical blends are some ingredients I look for. There are so many wonderful ingredients that you can look for when choosing a natural product. Plant based ingredients are always a good way to start. Remember when you are reading any label the first few ingredients are the main ingredients in the product. The higher on the list the greater the amount of that ingredient is in the product.
It sounds like doctors are a little more open in discussing natural products for menopause. What feedback have you received from the medical community as you’ve expanded your product line?
The doctors I have spoken with all are in agreement that there is a place for natural menopause, perimenopause and PMS relief. They are trained to offer synthetic options so being open to natural choices is hard for them at times. Again, everyone agrees it’s about giving women choices and why not try a natural choice first.
When is the right time to have a conversation with your doctor about relieving symptoms naturally? And do you have any advice on how to approach the subject?
The right time for women to discuss relieving symptoms naturally is when your symptoms begin. In regards to approaching your physician…I would have a discussion with your physician at your first visit. Are they open to natural choices? Are they familiar with natural relief? I look for doctors who are well informed about all the choices available to women. Let your doctor know that you prefer a natural approach to your symptoms.
Are all natural products the same? Or would you recommend different products to relieve specific symptoms?
Read the label…that is the best advice I can give. Not all natural products are created equal. The first few ingredients will tell you a lot about the product. We offer different percentages of Wild Yam. We did this because everyone woman is an individual with different needs. Everyone’s symptoms are different. I would recommend different products for different symptom relief.
Natural products seem to go hand-in-hand with a healthy diet and exercise. How would you suggest women change their diet and lifestyle to better manage their menopause symptoms?
Among other health benefits, exercising plays a role in how symptoms of hormonal change affect you. Best of all…exercise releases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones that can help improve mood. For best results combine cardio and resistance training (and don’t forget to stretch!). Put time in every day to exercise for 30 minutes or more. Join a gym, install an exercise bike, rowing machine or treadmill in your home, walk the neighborhood. The important thing is to get moving!
Balance your diet with an increase in fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and legumes. Low fat dairy products and lean meats, fish and poultry are also recommended. Cut back on spicy foods and reduce consumption of alcohol and caffeine, which can bring on hot flashes. To help make food choices that keep you on track and stimulate your taste buds consult the internet, magazines, and books for healthy recipes to try and enjoy.
To find out more about natural products for menopause, visit At Last Naturals . Or test your luck for a chance to win the “Get Lucky” sweepstakes through March 25, 2011. Stacey is also a member of the Menopause ChitChat community and is available to answer your questions for a limited time. Join the discussion in our menopause forum today!
Stacey is a proud member of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), an organization dedicated to the promotion of the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause.
Stacey, you’ve been pretty busy lately. You’re running a company and taking care of your family. But you’re also in perimenopause. How has that changed your ability to juggle all your different roles?
The symptom I noticed the most was sleeplessness, which makes concentrating more difficult during the day. By the end of the day I was tired and still had the whole evening to get through. I started taking Meno Herbs 2 and I am sleeping much better!
Many women are considering natural solutions as an alternative to other treatment options. How can a woman know if natural products are right for them?
I always tell women on this journey that they have choices. Why not try a natural choice before trying more medicinal options. Natural products are right for them if they get relief from their symptoms. Most women do have great success with our natural products.
Labels can be a little confusing. What should women look for when buying health and beauty products? And are there any ingredients to avoid?
There are ingredients that have been used over the years that are just now being called out as not a healthy choice. For example, phthalates which are used in many cosmetic products to bind the product together. Phthalates are used to bind plastics. Parabens are not a good choice either. Food based preservative systems are the best. Plant based ingredients are always a good choice. The less ingredients I feel the better. You are not looking for fillers… shea butter, olive oil, black and white teas. Botanical blends are some ingredients I look for. There are so many wonderful ingredients that you can look for when choosing a natural product. Plant based ingredients are always a good way to start. Remember when you are reading any label the first few ingredients are the main ingredients in the product. The higher on the list the greater the amount of that ingredient is in the product.
It sounds like doctors are a little more open in discussing natural products for menopause. What feedback have you received from the medical community as you’ve expanded your product line?
The doctors I have spoken with all are in agreement that there is a place for natural menopause, perimenopause and PMS relief. They are trained to offer synthetic options so being open to natural choices is hard for them at times. Again, everyone agrees it’s about giving women choices and why not try a natural choice first.
When is the right time to have a conversation with your doctor about relieving symptoms naturally? And do you have any advice on how to approach the subject?
The right time for women to discuss relieving symptoms naturally is when your symptoms begin. In regards to approaching your physician…I would have a discussion with your physician at your first visit. Are they open to natural choices? Are they familiar with natural relief? I look for doctors who are well informed about all the choices available to women. Let your doctor know that you prefer a natural approach to your symptoms.
Are all natural products the same? Or would you recommend different products to relieve specific symptoms?
Read the label…that is the best advice I can give. Not all natural products are created equal. The first few ingredients will tell you a lot about the product. We offer different percentages of Wild Yam. We did this because everyone woman is an individual with different needs. Everyone’s symptoms are different. I would recommend different products for different symptom relief.
Natural products seem to go hand-in-hand with a healthy diet and exercise. How would you suggest women change their diet and lifestyle to better manage their menopause symptoms?
Among other health benefits, exercising plays a role in how symptoms of hormonal change affect you. Best of all…exercise releases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones that can help improve mood. For best results combine cardio and resistance training (and don’t forget to stretch!). Put time in every day to exercise for 30 minutes or more. Join a gym, install an exercise bike, rowing machine or treadmill in your home, walk the neighborhood. The important thing is to get moving!
Balance your diet with an increase in fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and legumes. Low fat dairy products and lean meats, fish and poultry are also recommended. Cut back on spicy foods and reduce consumption of alcohol and caffeine, which can bring on hot flashes. To help make food choices that keep you on track and stimulate your taste buds consult the internet, magazines, and books for healthy recipes to try and enjoy.
To find out more about natural products for menopause, visit At Last Naturals . Or test your luck for a chance to win the “Get Lucky” sweepstakes through March 25, 2011. Stacey is also a member of the Menopause ChitChat community and is available to answer your questions for a limited time. Join the discussion in our menopause forum today!