profile

Anna Pelzer

Want to feel more alive and radiant than you did in your 20s and 30s? I am a registered health & nutrition counsellor using stress reduction, mindset, and vegan nutrition to help women have the best possible experience with menopause. I'm also the host of the Vegan Menopause Podcast. Join me for nutrition and lifestyle tips, as well as interviews with special guests.

A winding forest path leads uphill toward the light.
Featured Post

Menopause weight loss starts with small, doable steps

Hi Reader! If you’ve been feeling frustrated, thinking that you should be spending hours at the gym to see results during menopause, I have good news: You don’t need to hit the gym for an hour every day to see results. In fact, combining structured exercise with regular, everyday movement (like walking, housework, or taking the stairs) can actually be more effective for menopausal weight loss. When I lost my 25 pounds of menopause weight, I didn’t go to the gym at all — I simply added short...

vegan protein powder

Hi Reader, Many of the women I work with -- vegan or plant-based and navigating perimenopause or menopause -- have asked me: Should I be using protein powder? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. But if you’re struggling with fatigue, cravings, muscle tone, or hair health, getting enough protein might be more important than you think. In my latest blog post, I discuss: Why protein needs increase in menopause When protein powder might be helpful What to look for in a quality vegan protein...

zinc for vegan menopause

Hi Reader! Today I want to talk about an often overlooked nutrient in menopause. Zinc! Here’s what you need to know about zinc and menopause: Zinc is absolutely essential when it comes to hormone balance, ovarian health, thyroid, and even hair and skin. Zinc helps support everything from immunity to mood regulation. Low zinc levels can also affect your taste buds and appetite, something that can sneak up on you if you're not paying attention. Symptoms of low zinc include thinning hair, white...

Vegan tempeh quesadillas

Hi Reader, You come home from a long day and just want to collapse on the couch… …but as soon as you open the door, it’s “What’s for dinner?” Shoot. Dinner. So you start to improvise. Or order takeout. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It’s happened to me so many times, I started a collection of quick, healthy dinner recipes. Here’s one I often share with my clients. It's simple, it's fast, it's loaded with vegan protein. And it's delicious. My omnivore husband loves it too. Tempeh...

Hi Reader, How are you feeling this week? I've been getting over a cold -- my first one in over two years! It finally caught up with me, and my body made it clear that I needed to slow down. So, this past week has been all about broccoli chickpea soup (thankfully, I had lots stored in the freezer!) with a few tablespoons of hemp seeds for extra protein and healthy fats, and endless mugs of hot water with lemon and fresh, grated ginger. Simple, nourishing, and exactly what I needed. Looking...

Vesanto Melina, vegan dietititian and author

Hello Reader, I just posted a new podcast interview with Vesanto Melina, an 82-year-old registered dietitian who co-authored the books Becoming Vegan and Plant-Powered Protein. In the interview she shared: Her thoughts on whether vegans are really getting enough protein Some easy and delicious ways to get more vegan protein into your diet The biggest challenges with menopause and weight loss What she does to thrive in her senior years, and how you can too! You can read the blog post...

A person holding a pill in their hand

Hi Reader, I was walking through my local health food store recently and was shocked at just how many supplement options there are. No wonder everyone is so confused! Without guidance, how would you ever know which supplements to choose? So today I’m rounding up my top 5 vegan supplements that I recommend for menopause! An omega-3 supplement containing DHA and EPA – decreases inflammation and supports brain health, eye health, and mood. Magnesium bisglycinate – a natural sleep aid, important...

A view of the ocean from the top of a mountain

Happy New Year, Reader! 2024 was FULL of exciting things happening in both my business and personal life, and I’d love to share some updates with you! I moved to Prince George, BC, which is much more vegan-friendly than the small northern town where I was living. I am currently planning a vacation in Egypt! I released my Weight Loss Quick Start Mini-Course to help women create their personalized weight loss strategy. Here are my favourite Instagram posts from 2024: Five things vegan women...

Hey Reader, Can you believe it’s already Fall? 🍂 This time of year, I’m ready for some warm soups and handmade, vegan scarves! Seasonal transitions are also the perfect time to step back and re-think some of your health habits. Let’s talk about how to nourish your body through the cooler months and make sure you’re staying on track with your menopause journey! If darker days leave you feeling exhausted or depressed, try the practice of early morning light exposure. For me, this means going...

help for thinning hair

Hi Reader, Did you know that stress can cause thinning hair? "Hair loss due to stress is known as telogen effluvium. If the body is in survival mode due to stress, growing hair is not a priority because hair isn’t really necessary for survival. The hair growth cycle goes into the telogen phase while the body directs its resources to its high priorities, such as the brain and heart." Some of my favorite ways to reduce stress include: Meditation - try my one-minute water meditation Listening to...