Code Red: Know Your Flow, Unlock Your Superpowers, and Create a Bloody Amazing Life. Period.

by Lisa Lister

A radical, powerful lady code to start harnessing the superpowers of your menstrual cycle.

Yes, your period is way more than PMS, carb cravings, pain, and rage. It's actually a four-part code that, once cracked, will uncover a series of monthly superpowers which can be used to enhance your relationships with others, build a better business, have incredible sex, and create a "bloody" amazing life. Easy to follow strategies will connect you to your innate feminine wisdom, including: yoga, sacred feminine movement, and ancient practices to support your menstrual health. You will learn how to live and work in complete alignment with the rhythms and cycles of nature, the Moon, and your menstrual cycle.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Health, Self Help, Womens, Spirituality, Personal Development

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2015

About the author

Crowned ‘the defender of female awesomeness’ by Cooler magazine, Lisa Lister – writer, plus-size yoga teacher, feminista + menstrual maven – is dedicated to helping women to crack their lady code – an ancient code connected directly to mumma nature, the moon and your menstrual cycle – that once cracked, gives you insta-access to monthly super powers that can be used to create a business and life you love.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read about a third of this book before I gave up. This is a godawful read which contains zero factual information. It isn't a spiritual 'crone woman' or a cheeky feminist shoutout book, either. It tries to be everything at the same time, but the outcome is pure drivel. Granted, if you were raised in a repressed family which considers having a body sinful, this might be a revelation to you. Otherwise, I got sick of the author piping her own products and services from page one onwards, and the assumption that every reader has been taught that her body and period are sinful. Chances are, if you are neither British nor American, the book will not speak to you at all, and even if you are, you would have to be have been raised in a stronghold of conservative Christianity by a misogynistic clan of backwardsness.

The author seems to have an odd obsession with both Mary Magdalene and unhealthy relationship with her own sexuality and men, which she puts on a weird kind of pedestal and doesn't get tired about how MUCH she worships men.

I've never read a book where I found myself muttering 'wtf' at virtually every paragraph.

[Gretel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This type of book needs to be written by a medical professional. It's terrible. In it you will find great nuggets of advice like don't wear any pads or tampons for the day, just go around with a towel. There's barely anything scientifically backed in this book, and instead is packed with pseudoscience and utter bollocks like the cycles of the moon and how they sync with periods. Wtf? Then there's stuff about chakras and crystals. To presumably boost the book's word count there's a whole chapter on the etymology of the word cunt. So useful! The good advice, like charting your cycle, is nothing new, and you'll find much better advice from sources already on the Web, instead of the website and other stuff Lister endorses on every other page. But what grinds my gears the most is that Lister claims she has advice in this book about increasing fertility. I can't imagine how patronising this book is to those that are desperately trying to conceive.

[SarahCat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but there were a few important things that deterred me from enjoying it. The message of connecting to your period as a way of self-care and empowerment is great. Unfortunately, there is a pile of misinformation/incomplete information (ie: cramping is caused by spiritual/mental/emotional/chakra blockages - no mention that cramping is caused by contractions of the uterus to shed the lining). Additionally, there is a lot of repetition - I feel as if she could have stated her cause in half the amount of pages. IMPORTANTLY, I feel as if the author is pointing to charting your period and connecting to it is kind of a cure all, and is encouraging others away from western medicine (surely western medicine isn't without it's faults, but seriously). She uses her own (anecdotal) experience of curing her endometriosis by connecting with her cycle, but barely mentions any other steps she took towards health (she does mention, in barely a sentence, a change of diet). And finally, a good portion of the book read as an advertisement for her other services (much of the book directs you to her Cycle Repair Kit, which is free, but also points out her classes, other book, has anecdotes from people who have taken her courses, etc). It was jarring at best, and aggravating at worst. I would not recommend this book beyond an introduction to connecting with your cycle, and to be honest, I'm not sure I would recommend it for that.

[Victoria]

** DIDN’T FINISH **

I read this after it was recommended to me. I have endometriosis, so a friend thought I might find this useful and interesting.

Sadly, she could not have been more wrong. Firstly the style of writing aggravated me no end; the author is trying too hard to write it as though she constantly speaks like a intellectually-challenged millennial. Constantly using the word “mumma” really got on my nerves too.

As for the content, where do I start? As I said, I have endometriosis (diagnosed 15 years ago) and apparently so does the author. However, she seems to be espousing that she’s magically cured this debilitating and incurable condition from charting her menstrual cycle, having vaginal steams and other such woo-woo nonsense. At one point she seriously suggests going without any menstrual products and sitting on the ground to return your blood to “mumma Earth”, I’m sorry but wtaf?!

I’ll be honest, this book made me angry. Especially when she surreptitiously slips into the text here and there the fact that she’s given up dairy and gluten and avoids alcohol and caffeine. That’s why she’s feeling better, not because she’s worked out that day 18 of her cycle is the best day to buy shoes or whatever! It’s misleading on purpose.

This book is devoid of any real advice, or anything backed up by science. It’s utter drivel designed to sell you one of the author’s courses and workshops. I also don’t understand the underlying obsession with Mary Magdalene and what on Earth she has to do with periods.

I hope that no one stumbles across this book hoping for an answer to infertility or a menstrual problem, because there is nothing here for them.

I gave up at around 65%, which frankly was giving this book more of a chance than it deserved.

[Jessica Wilkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh brother. I tried. I really tried. I thought I was reading a book about .. well.. I'm not quite sure what I thought I was reading a book about but something along the lines of what times of the month I should devote to manual labour and when it's okay to just binge watch The Affair. This book was not that! If you're into smearing your menstrual blood onto rocks and then burying them in your garden or forgoing any type of sanitary protection and sitting on a towel so that you can become one with your-- you get the idea. Apparently because I can hardly type this without grimacing, I haven't really embraced my SHE or something but that's okay.
I find her personal story somewhat interesting and how she was able to basically heal her body when she became one with her lady bits.. but then she does things like devotes a whole chapter to how we should be using the c-word and I just.. can't.
So maybe I'm uptight and my girl parts will forever remain repressed but my garden won't have bloody rocks in it and my bath towels will be extra clean and white!

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

No. I do agree women should learn more about their cycles and be more in tune with them, but this book almost reads like an infomercial at times, there's so much advertising for free downloadables and oracle cards. I do not understand the necessity to call energy female or male, it just seems to perpetuate gender stereotypes. It is also fairly judgemental of women who take the pill or choose to wear tampons. But the cherry on top of this cake? Yoni steaming. Just no. Women, stop doing weird stuff to your vagina.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books on periods and menstrual cycle awareness I've read (and I have read a lot on the topic!). Lisa is a fantastic writer and her witty personality and humour really shines through in this book. She writes with so much wisdom and really drives home the importance of living in sync with your cycle + offers so much guidance on how to do that. I have the new edition of Code Red which includes excerpts from experts in the field of MCA, yoga, herbal medicine, and more. I also loved that Lisa included how to talk to your partner (or a non menstruating friend) about cycles. All in all, this is an amazing menstrual health resource and I highly recommend reading it and keeping it close because you will want to refer back to it time and time again :)

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that every woman should read. It gives a clear explanation of what women's cycles are like during each of the four weeks. It helps clarify our super powers during each week and also things to be aware of. I'd read a similar book by another author in the past, but just couldn't get into the cold, technical descriptions. Lisa injects such personality into her writing, and she approaches the subject in such a warm way that you can't help but get excited about your feminine cycle! A must read.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say that before I read this, I never gave my cycle much thought beyond mild annoyance. It's an inconvenience that usually arrives as soon as you have plans... Lisa Lister, where have you been all my life? I know the moon has a 28 day cycle and that we as women are connected to it, but the fact that we are also changing just like the moon every one of those days feels like a revelation!! Every woman should read this and every man who wants to understand women should read it too!! Bloody Brilliant!!

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for every woman. As a society we have gotten away from a lot of the traditions of the past and this book helps us understand as women what our bodies really do for us and how we can be the best we can be.

Everyone wants a manual for how women work, read this book and you can create your own manual that is specific to you that you can share with those in your life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly life-changing and important work here. Lisa Lister is full of wisdom, sass, and love, and I am so grateful to her for helping me begin to realize how to work with my cycle rather than against it. It's been an intensely healing journey!

[stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa is aspirational, for sure. She's done a great job getting in tune with her cycle, and ritualizing and honoring it. And I love how the Viking partners with her. It's a beautiful accomplishment.

This book is bonkers.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Every single person who menstruates should read this. For years I just tried to ignore my period and act like it wasn't there and resent it when it arrived. This book has taught me to honour and work with my cycle to help my life and it has honestly worked. Understanding that I am a cyclic being has made many things much more clear to me. Highly recommend!

[Carolyn Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would. It has really made me think about periods, bleeding and menstrual cycles in a completely different way. As soon as I finished the book, I ordered myself a new notebook so I could start tracking my own cycle.
Lisa has her own way of writing, which I admit took me a while to get use to, but she gets to the point and says what many of us often feel in a raw and earthy way.
I appreciate it’s not a book for everyone, but I would definitely recommend giving it a go.

[Lili · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a collection of New Age theories, backed up with implicit scientific proofs (spoiler: yes some stuffs have been proven scientifically, but some others have not, and worst of all, some stuffs have been proven to be wrong!!). All along the book, the author makes it clear that if a person has menstrual pain/problem/difficulty (from simple cramp to endometriosis to miscarriage to infertilify...), then it is the person's own doing and fault (!!). A sentence from the book to illustrate that: "eating in sync with your cycle will -if you are willing to do the work- change your cycle for the better AND easy menstrual pain"
This book could have been great, it could have made a real link between body feelins and actual facts, it could have highlighted some important impacts of nutrition/life style/psychological state on menstrual cycle while keeping in mind that 1/ not all problems are the person's fault and 2/ you may do all the changes of the world, it may not help because your problem could be elsewhere. But unfortunatelly it is just a book that blame persons having menstrual difficulties. A useless reading, to absolutely avoid if you feel mentally fragile as it would only push you down and blame yourself for your difficulties.

[JamBean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike many others who've reviewed this book, I am open to the spiritual/divine feminine/moon-phase aspect of my cycle. However, I just couldn't get past the cutesy language (or the multiple references to the 'hot viking' husband) and I resent being driven to an author's website for tools and information... isn't that what the book is supposed to be for? Glad this was a library book, I'd have cried if I spent money on it.

[Jaelithe Leigh-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book for all women

I wish I'd been given this when I was 10. It explains what women go through each month and why, helping you to go with the flow. Very empowering.

[Autumn Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion the people who wrote bad reviews are ovary acting. You really expected something written by the author of "Witch" and "self source-ery" to be clinical and scientific? I read this because it's NOT clinical and scientific.

Scientists told me "it's normal to go to the ER fourteen times in ten years from ovarian cysts." When I told my doctor I wanted him to take the defective ovary that was literally adhered to my bowels he recommended birth control. He ignored me when I told him that birth control makes me suicidal. My goal has been to remove the defective ovary and heal the good one. I flat out told him I do not want my cycle turned off I want to stabilize it. He argued with me. This book has helped me start.

I looove the feminism without man hating. My dad and son are amazing people. They're two of the most important people in my lives. I can't stand "feminists" who really just despise men. With feminism we want equality, not a switch in who's oppressed.

I really enjoyed when she talked about the words for female genitalia. I use the c word a lot *editing for Goodreads* and I always get funny looks or lectures for it. Personally I am reclaiming that word and the b word. A b is a lovely, sweet, mother dog.

Oof, okay, love for your belly.... I did all of the recommended activities but this one is hard. I've been anorexic since I was a toddler and I have incisions and old scars. It took me a few tries. I still haven't been able to express my love for it.

Sorry, American here, is "inverted commas" how Brits say "apostrophes?"

[Viola Amorfini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was titubant at first. I got given three of Lisa’s books as a birthday present, and even thought I had friends raving about her, I wasn’t keen on her writing style, which is very unique.
I had the books though, and felt to at least try and give them a try, specifically this one as it is something I wanted to explore for a while.
Not going to lie, it took me a while to actually enjoy the writing style and I skimread a little bit the beginning. But once I actually started getting into the different phases of the cycle, I just felt like I learnt so much, it was awesome. I really appreciate and can sign this book as something that has chnaged my life. I have been re-reading this book every month since (I think I read it in January), to really remember all the precious things that Lisa shares with us.
I am so grateful for the information, for the kindness, for the ability to know that “nothing is wrong” I just need to adjust my expectations and it has helped incredibly with feeling more at ease and less stressed. I love the PMS smoothie and just the care and detail in each chapter. It has been a beautiful beginning for me, in being in synch with my cycle and honoring myself. I am still learning, but I have started having a red book and planning things around the expected energy levels.
I feel like it has been a beautiful addition to my self-care, thank you Lisa.

[Arrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a nerd for the kind of information in this book. It’s super hippie and DEFINITELY not for everyone. But if you’re into the divine feminine, getting spiritual about periods, etc. this book has some interesting content.

That being said, I did find the writing kind of annoying. I don’t mind a colloquial tone, but after a while, it got stale. I also didn’t get as much information as I had hoped. The book gave a nice overview of the different phases of a cycle, but I didn’t learn much I didn’t already know.

Also this less of a critique of the book and more of a personal issue, but I found all of the talk about sex pretty alienating. Obviously sexuality is an important component of this material, so I understand why it was included. And the author made an effort to not be totally heteronormative (to varying degrees of success). But being ace, I just felt totally ignored/denied by a lot of the material. A ton of books do that, of course, but...it never feels awesome. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as a casual read and have been reading it here and there. Lisa Lister has a really entertaining way of writing and presenting information in that you feel like you’re having a gab with a pal, which I love. She is clearly a very knowledgeable period pro, and is able to present a simplified view of the menstrual cycle well. Her spiritual suggestions for each cycle phase were interesting and she offered some interesting techniques and new things to try. Overall I think it’s a really fun, approachable look into how to explore your cycle and connect with it in a deeper, perhaps spiritual way. One thing I would say is that it is definitely beginners territory, a broad and informative overview. If you are well seasoned in your period facts I would probably look elsewhere for a deeper dive, but Lister does provide a creative and interesting point of view that I think is worth a gander.

[Jamma&Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a hippy-dippy book! As such, it's PERFECT for me. I've been recommending this book left and right to my friends with a moon cycle. I love how we are very much connected to the moon and her cycles, as well as the cycles of mama Earth. I didn't enjoy the advertisement of her own product, BUT I did enjoy the fact that she basically said, "buy or don't buy, do or don't do whatever it is that you WANT, I'm not a medical professional, I'm giving you MY journey." I appreciate that from Lister. This book has helped me DRAMATICALLY in the way I view my cycle- which I've been a journey changing anyway...but this gave me all the tools I need to love my cycle. Love the fact that I'm not going to be able to do all the things, and PLAN around my own self. I think that incredibly powerful.

[Toni-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a book in a day and I can say truly changed my life. This book teaches you to appreciate your cycle and fully find power in yourself instead of disgust. Lisa calls to you to embrace your inner power but to also work with the cycle of your body not to the demands of society. So many parts of this book I felt vindicated and seen as a woman.

Reading this boon you do have to appreciate it for what it is, a spiritual woman's opinion on how we view cycles. Obviously this is not information to take over medical opinions if you have a issue but the general opinion and spiritual connections to the topic.

Lisa's book is unapologetic and likely not for everyone, though I would recommend this to anyone who has a interest in this topic from this point of view. She changed how I view my body.

[Grace Quantock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very useful in helping me to understand my menstrual cycle in an inclusive, engaging way. As I live with multiple illnesses, being in touch with my chronically ill body can be difficult. However this book was inviting, friendly & gently delivered.
It helped shape my new relationship with my body. However it is written within a paradigm that occasionally conflates sex and gender. I’d prefer it to be more overtly and consciously inclusive of trans and non-binary folx. I understand from reading Lisa Lister’s later work that this is a goal of hers too & something she has brought forward in current work. With that caveat in place, I so enjoyed this book & so appreciate reading & learning from it.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

My yoga teacher recommended this, and it was a good recommendation!!

As crunchy as I can be, this was a bit on the hippie side, even for me. That being said, this book had many, many great takeaways about the female menstrual cycle that I will be able to put to use in my own life and in my work with female athletes.

I've seen it for years: people don't listen to their bodies. This is especially true for women, who tend to try to deny that their very biology takes them through cycles each and every month. And the very nature of a cycle is that nothing is the same from day-to-day, so I think the message that this book imparts - that it is important to embrace our biology and work WITH our bodies instead of against them - is a message that people not only need to read, but embrace.

[Karen Valenzuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was eye opening for me. The idea of following closely my moods and my energy throughout a month paying attention t the fact that I am a woman, and not on me trying to be the overachiever I am always trying to be, is amazing! I just started, it has been only one cycle. But I can already tell which days of the month I won't have the energy to go to the gym. Which days I better not have my CC with me, because for some reason I think I am a billionaire. Which days I hate people even saying hello to me. Which days I get more hungry, and which days I have to make myself eat anything.
I love this!

[Tanya Salgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Lisa Lister's "Witch" and "Love Your Lady Landscape." I enjoyed this book just as much as the last two. There is great insight in her book about how to harness the pros and cons that come with each phase of the month for women. It is also a great thing to read and realize that women are completely cyclical and that is totally O.K., if not awesome.
Like both the other two titles, there are certainly many things in it that I just don't align with, but that is fine. She even says to keep whatever rings to your heart and leave the rest.
And I sure got a lot!

[Sue Blanch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa’s tell-it-how-it-is style is witty and will enthuse you. She includes real-life advice on how to get the most out of each phase of your cycle, sexuality through the cycle, self-care rituals, helpful herbs, food advice, yoga postures and other women’s stories to demonstrate that this stuff really works. There’s also a fabulous chapter giving guidance for men on how women change through their cycle and how to deal with this. A great choice if menstrual cycle awareness is new to you and for women of all ages, but especially good for younger women

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can honestly say that this book really changed the way I view my cycle. It truly peaked my interest into understanding and learning more about my cycle instead of dreading that time as an “inconvenience”. You can tell that the author is very passionate about her work with menstruation and women’s health. Her passion about it was contagious and made me want to learn more about my body!

[Favorite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for every person in your life

If you want to know about some tiny inconsistencies and what the women in your life (or yourself) go through during their cycle as well as ways to help them, this book is for you. Some of the verbiage feels trendy\ obnoxious, but the information is fantastic and presented in a digestible manner.