Book review: A Time to Celebrate: A Celebration of a Girl's First Menstrual Period

Author Joan Morias introduces her slim, teen friendly, 106 page menstrual primer and journal beautifully;

Menstruation is a beautiful function of the female body and has been a taboo subject for too long. It is time to look at it in a new, healthier light. I encourage every girl and woman to learn about their menstrual cycle and treat their body wth respect, embracing menstruation and living in harmony with the natural rhythm of life.

I first heard about this book from a Dr. Christiane Northrup video. Then I was reminded of through a health newletter I received which featured an article by the author. Joan has given me permission to republish that article entitled "Creating Menstrual Health with Your Daughter" here:
http://www.amazinghealing.com/daughter.htm

I wish I had this book as young woman. Instead, I read "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret" by Judy Blume over and over until the spine of the book came unbound. I could not wait for my period to arrive, I would finally, offically be a grown woman (or so I thought! LOL).

But I was nervous, because as Joan says in her intro, menstruation has a bad rap. My mother told me stories of her childhood and how everyone called it "The Curse". I heard stories of girls who made the terrible decision to wear white pants to school or church they day thier first periods arrived and were terribly embarrassed. Some girls I knew were even beaten by thier mom or dad the day they began mensturating. When I began ovulatating and having that creamy, white discharge I was so scared that I had finally gotten my period but it was the wrong color and there must be something wrong with me. I didn't know that ovulatory fluid was natural, healthy fertility signal that my red flow would arrive a few months later. Embarrased, I never asked any adults what the fluid was and went on for a few months thinking something was wrong with me until my actual menarche came down. Wow what a differnt fluid that was! LOL

Joan's book puts a new twist on menstural education. She teaches us to use the information our body gives for personal strength and encourages young women not to fear this beautiful, natural change. She teaches about ovulation, fluids, and how to chart the cycle. She makes suggestions about how to deal with emotions, food cravings, cramps, and fatigue. There is journal space in the book for the young woman to keep notes or draw. This book is meant as creative educational tool for the young woman and keepsake for her adult years. I hope that parents of pre-teen and teen-aged girls will give this book to thier daughters in an effort to create a healthy atmosphere of love, respect and wisdom.

To Buy This Book Visit: www.JoanMorais.com

Posted by: Juliette Aiyana