Cycles: The Science of Periods, Why They Matter, and How to Nourish Each Phase

PubWest 2023 Book Design Award (Gold)

Reclaim your cycle and support your health with this detailed guide featuring 100+ recipes and practices from RN, and author of How to Grow a Baby, Amy Hammer.

There is no one-size-fits-all guide to your cycle. But registered nurse Amy Hammer arms you with a strong foundation in physiology and hormonal health, explores historical and sociocultural aspects of women’s health, and reimagines the phases of the menstrual cycle as aligning with the four seasons to provide a detailed guide for living well in your body.

    Also included are nutritive recipes (kabocha squash curry soup, seed balls, wild salmon congee), supportive movement practices to incorporate into your whole day (abdomen relief stretch, buddy walking, foam rolling), and self-care rituals and recipes (dandelion-infused breast massage oil, alternate nostril breathing) to guide you through each phase of the menstrual cycle and of life—from the young adult and menstruating years to perimenopause and menopause.

    Become in tune with your internal rhythm, reclaim the meaning of self-care, and cultivate optimal health for every season of life. This comprehensive, body-literate guide includes:

• 40 nutrient-dense, menstrual-phase specific recipes that support hormonal, emotional, cognitive, gut, and overall health.

• The science behind menstrual cycles and how hormonal fluctuation impacts your brain, breasts, skin, and weight.

• How to track your cycle using fertility awareness methods, allowing you to naturally and effectively avoid or pursue pregnancy.

• Supportive full-body movement, self-care, and nutrition tips that optimize physiological and hormonal health throughout the phases and your lifespan.

AMY J. HAMMER believes in humble methods and solid tools that help readers cultivate meaningful lives. Her background in teaching yoga and movement, journalism, and environmental studies along with her experience as a registered nurse in cardiac intensive care give her a unique and dynamic approach to wellness. She is the author of How to Grow a Baby.

FÁTIMA BRAVO is a graduate of the University of Oporto and Barcelona University Design Center. She works as a freelance illustrator and graphic and game designer, collaborating with many companies on design and illustration work.