When Ardenelle Knox hit her early fifties, the familiar signs of menopause arrived like an unexpected storm: hot flashes, brain fog, joint stiffness, and sleep that barely scratched the surface of rest. But instead of surrendering to discomfort or relying solely on medication, Ardenelle turned to food — specifically, to anti-inflammatory eating.
At first, she wasn’t even thinking about menopause. She just wanted to feel good again. She noticed that every time she ate heavily processed meals or drank more wine than usual, her symptoms got worse. Her joints ached more, her mood dipped, and sleep became even more elusive.
So she began paying attention to what she put on her plate.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Ardenelle didn’t radically overhaul her pantry in a single weekend. Instead, she started slow: switching refined carbs for whole grains, drinking herbal teas instead of coffee in the evenings, and adding more leafy greens and berries to her meals.
Within a few weeks, the results were noticeable. Her energy started to return. She woke up with less stiffness. And most importantly, her mood leveled out.
Ardenelle credits the shift to a combination of nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods and more mindful eating. Omega-3s from flaxseeds and walnuts. Turmeric sprinkled generously into soups. Olive oil drizzled over roasted vegetables. She made these a daily habit — not a diet, but a lifestyle.
What surprised her most wasn’t just the relief from symptoms, but the sense of control she regained over her body. “Menopause felt like something happening to me,” she says, “but changing how I eat reminded me I still have power.”
Her story has since inspired a small community of women in her neighborhood, who meet monthly to share meals, recipes, and life during the shift. For Ardenelle, this wasn’t just about inflammation. It was about creating ease, joy, and connection through food, right when it was needed most.
