A book of recipes to better understand menopause… When Seuil editions offered them this four-handed project, Elvira Masson, journalist and culinary columnist, admits, she initially had “a reaction of restraint, a little doubt, an embarrassment, even”. Because, by her own admission, she is “the worthy heir of this society where women and men think that we should not talk about it”. For her part, naturopath pastry chef Jennifer Hart-Smith, in Paris, did not consider herself ” legitimate “. “I had trouble saying “I”, I didn’t feel involved yet. But, as I delved into the subject, I realized that women were often alone during this period and, above all, that culinary literature was very poor, if not non-existent. »
The two women have just published The Gourmet Menopause Manual (224 pages, 29.90 euros) and deliberately put their foot down. With the term “menopause” in large print on the pink cover, but also a banner “Treat yourself”. More than a recipe book, they sign a plea to put an end to the taboo which surrounds this pivotal stage in the lives of women, so transformative. “We live in a society where we should erase wrinkles, hide the traces of aging and above all not talk about menopause, hot flashes, weight gain and other negative effects, as if all this did not exist not. With this book, we take the opposite bias”now assumes Elvira Masson, convinced that the time had come for her to make her contribution. “It is above all a cooking book with which we want to have funcontinues the author. But with healthy advice to take stock of yourself, to explore our diet differently and question our habits. » And the journalist recognizes it: “As a couple, we felt stronger to tackle this theme. »
From sweet to savory, from breakfast to gourmet desserts, from easy dishes to more elaborate menus, the virtuous recipes follow one another throughout the pages, but with this particularity: under each title, a few words provide additional information concerning: sleep, hair , digestion, hot flashes, nails, immunity, blood sugar, intestinal health, mental health… Based on a framework established by Jennifer Hart-Smith, the book suggests cooking mindfully.
Virtuous foods
“Often, for menopause, we talk to women about diet and restrictions. As a naturopath, my approach is more to prepare for what is going to happen rather than to heal, to anticipate, by adding foods. » The Franco-Australian advises favoring fish, eggs and vegetable proteins, increasing the quantity of raw vegetables or even consuming more fiber. She also praises algae, which she defines as a “pillar of our food of tomorrow”and promises a great taste discovery with, for example, seaweed butter, “extremely simple to make”. Elvira Masson bounced back immediately. She discovered, thanks to this collaboration, the magic “silken tofu”. “A priori, it’s an ingredient that doesn’t have much flavor and that I don’t like that much, but I’ve made it an essential in my kitchen”says the journalist with a smile, who reveals all the secrets of a silky tofu parmigiana.
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