Ease spring aches & pains

Spring is for sunshine, fresh blooms and feeling great, not nagging discomfort. These simple solutions help you soothe sore spots from head to toe and enjoy the season to the fullest

- ANN GREEN

Aching joints?

Blend up a frappé

For 77% of us, declining estrogen levels during menopause trigger an uptick in joint aches, according to research in the journal Menopause. A refreshing fix: Start your day with a creamy soy milk coffee frappé. A study in the Journal of Mid-Life Health notes that soy is packed with natural phytoestrogens that mimic estrogen in the body. Indeed, when postmenopausal women supplemented with soy compounds during the 12-week study, their joint pain decreased by 36%. To do: Freeze soy milk in an ice cube tray. Blend 6 cubes with ½ cup of chilled soy milk, ½ cup of strong coffee (or 1 tsp. of instant coffee dissolved in 1 Tbs. of hot water) and ½ tsp. of vanilla extract. Blitz and enjoy!

Stiff back?

Apply comfrey cream