And now... continued from Part 1...
Anyone that has known me since childhood, can attest to the fact that I really was a slim child. But that all changed once I hit junior high school. I was heavy in my teen years. I had stretch marks to prove all the weight I gained in high school!
It followed me into married life and until I had my first child, I really hadn't known what it was like to be thin as an adult. My first taste of being "adult" thin was after I had my firstborn child. Apparently I had lost my own weight, while being pregnant. Of course I gained weight overall, but within a week of the birth I was under what I weighed 9 months before!
In fact, to tell you how big I was when I graduated from high school...I weighed the same as when I was 9 months pregnant! That first child weighed 8 pounds, 9 ounces! The weight simply was not a issue for me then...that was in my 20's. I had only gained 15 pounds in that pregnancy.
After a while, I gained back some of the weight, although never to see my high school numbers again, thankfully. When I was pregnant with my second, I was in my 30's, and this time things were different. I had less energy, didn't eat nearly as well...I gained about 50 pounds! The weight was hard to get rid of this time around. My second child, at birth, weighed 8 pounds even.
We moved to Ghana for two years when this baby was 4 months old. With a food change and walking more (no car), the weight pretty much left ...and easily too. When it's hot out, it's hard to eat too much and water was about the only thing I drank. Easily we had a change of lifestyle that had weight loss built in.
I did get down to a slimmer weight this way... But moving back and the stress associated with an overseas move put about 10 pounds back on. Give it another 3 years and you've got a few pounds to lose.
As I would soon learn, there was a website that I could use to track my calories and exercise. It also had "friend ability" (you could get help from others and be accountable to friends). When I first started, I could hardly believe how many calories I was really eating! I had no idea. It was then I realized...No wonder I was not thinner! I had been fooling myself.
I like seeing all the numbers and the Lose It! website (and phone app) are helpful to many who have lost weight using this food diary. You use any food plan and exercise regimen you like. This is just a tool to keep track of food and exercise, with an emphasis on weight loss. And it's free!
So I continue on this vegan path I've been on, emphasizing smaller portions, more raw and lean foods, and exercise, a little more lately. Using a free website and my rebounder (mini trampoline) at home is working for me to, once again, get slim.
My journey from late July till now has been a good one. In that time I have lost more than 16 pounds and I'm almost to my goal weight. A real dream goal weight. I have never been this light in my entire adult life.
And guess what? Two months after I started actively losing weight, my husband also joined me. Our weight loss goals (number of pounds to lose) are within one pound of each other and he is almost there as well. It's fun to support each other this way! =)
I won't say it's easy, but the work has been good and rewarding to have another chance at being slim!
Showing posts with label girl talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label girl talk. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A Slim Chance: Part 1
I know that for many people reading this, you will relate to the following, in one form or another... about being overweight.
Recently in late July this year, I decided to do something I've never done before. Count calories. The reason being that I felt I wanted to rid myself of that last 20 pounds or so that I was unable to shake just by "eating well."
I remember telling someone within the last year that I really never "had" to count calories, because I didn't feel (at the time) that I had any weight issues. I think that as soon as I said it, I felt a twinge of guilt knowing that I wasn't really at a good weight....meaning that I wasn't particularly heavy, but I knew I wasn't very fit for sure. I realized that I'm not getting any younger and fitness doesn't just happen.
I love dealing with food and that is an area I feel well rounded in health-wise. But I needed to get moving, in a big way. About early July, I decided to walk my husband to work in the mornings for exercise. We moved into town one year ago and he's been walking to and from work everyday since (unless in rains, busy schedule, etc). Since the days are longer in July, it was a nice way to greet the morning and watch the sun rise. Considering he leaves the house at 5:45 am, I think it went well. And we could talk on the way... Every woman needs to talk to her husband.
When it was got too dark and cold to keep doing this in the mornings, in October, I decided to do my workouts at home instead. My husband still walks to work and has for this entire year. Yes, we have snow and ice in the winter here. And his walk to work is 1 and 2/3 mile one way. He's a hard worker on the job too. He is amazing. =)
Stay tuned for Part 2...
Recently in late July this year, I decided to do something I've never done before. Count calories. The reason being that I felt I wanted to rid myself of that last 20 pounds or so that I was unable to shake just by "eating well."
I remember telling someone within the last year that I really never "had" to count calories, because I didn't feel (at the time) that I had any weight issues. I think that as soon as I said it, I felt a twinge of guilt knowing that I wasn't really at a good weight....meaning that I wasn't particularly heavy, but I knew I wasn't very fit for sure. I realized that I'm not getting any younger and fitness doesn't just happen.
I love dealing with food and that is an area I feel well rounded in health-wise. But I needed to get moving, in a big way. About early July, I decided to walk my husband to work in the mornings for exercise. We moved into town one year ago and he's been walking to and from work everyday since (unless in rains, busy schedule, etc). Since the days are longer in July, it was a nice way to greet the morning and watch the sun rise. Considering he leaves the house at 5:45 am, I think it went well. And we could talk on the way... Every woman needs to talk to her husband.
When it was got too dark and cold to keep doing this in the mornings, in October, I decided to do my workouts at home instead. My husband still walks to work and has for this entire year. Yes, we have snow and ice in the winter here. And his walk to work is 1 and 2/3 mile one way. He's a hard worker on the job too. He is amazing. =)
Stay tuned for Part 2...
Friday, November 28, 2008
Something I'll Miss
My daughter is now 2 1/2. I stopped breastfeeding her about a month ago now. The main reason I breastfed her this long is to have something to comfort her during our transatlantic flights back in August.
Those flights were actually uneventful as she never even had so much as a tummy ache or any ear trouble at all. It was still handy nonetheless to have a "snack" on hand. So when we had settled back in the states, I suddenly realized that I did not need to nurse her anymore.
After I tapered her nursings down to three a day, it wasn't long before it was two, then finally once per day. It was actually pretty easy to totally wean her. No trouble when we finally stopped altogether. She had the most tears when we went from three to two times per day, missing the midday one right before her nap. All in all, things went well.
But...I will miss it. I nursed my son (now 10) until he was almost 18 months old. With my daughter, I nursed her until she was about 30 months old. I definitely prefer nursing longer. With my new found nursing tool and experience this time around, I can't wait to have another to care for in the future in the same way.
Those flights were actually uneventful as she never even had so much as a tummy ache or any ear trouble at all. It was still handy nonetheless to have a "snack" on hand. So when we had settled back in the states, I suddenly realized that I did not need to nurse her anymore.
After I tapered her nursings down to three a day, it wasn't long before it was two, then finally once per day. It was actually pretty easy to totally wean her. No trouble when we finally stopped altogether. She had the most tears when we went from three to two times per day, missing the midday one right before her nap. All in all, things went well.
But...I will miss it. I nursed my son (now 10) until he was almost 18 months old. With my daughter, I nursed her until she was about 30 months old. I definitely prefer nursing longer. With my new found nursing tool and experience this time around, I can't wait to have another to care for in the future in the same way.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Support Breastfeeding in Every Country!
My own experience with breastfeeding has been very positive. I wrote about my first time experience when our first born, a son, was born. Rocky though it was, I missed it once he was weaned at 17 months.
I am currently still nursing my daughter a few times a day. She is now 2 years old (27 months). I knew that I would nurse her longer, because we were moving to Ghana for 2 years, when she was not quite 4 months old. Nursing her longer - meaning that I was willing to nurse her exclusively (no other foods, except water) for up to 12 months. Then at that time introduce foods (she is THE healthiest of all of us in this house - rarely gets sick!). I did give her foods starting at about 10 months old because her teeth looked like she could handle foods well at that point. Each child is different. My birthing doula, Deb, had a child who didn't get her first tooth until she was 19 months old. She also nursed longer.
You can click on the images above or below this post to read about the Nestle boycott. This company has especially been very unethical about its practices. Being vegan would steer you away from their products anyway, but I especially wanted to give everyone (vegan or not) reading this blog, another reason why breastfeeding is so important - the world over.
I intend to post more about breastfeeding in the future. No matter if I am currently nursing a child or not, this is so important to teach all parents. No matter mother or father. Why? Because it takes support from everyone to make it easier to do the right thing, not just the popular trend of the day.
Please click on the images in this post to read why you should join me in the boycott.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Good question...my thoughts
I love questions...both getting them and asking them. In fact, I ask so many that my husband thinks I would make a good investigator. I tend to thrive on information. I guess it's another hobby I have. =)
Back to the topic for this post... a Vegan Footprints reader asked this very good question:
"What do you suggest someone who wants to eat vegetarian but has a family who does not do? Myself and my daughter love to eat vegetarian however my son and husband insist on eating meat. If I do not cook they do not eat so I have to cook for them. I have gotten them down to only two or three meat meals a week (they formerly thought you had to eat meat at every meal or it was not a real meal.) Even though I do not eat the meat I hate buying and cooking it. How would you handle this?"
Very good question. I'm glad she gave more info after the first initial question, because this is a woman who has actually gotten her family to eat "only two or three meat meals a week" - Wow! Considering many people would have 2 or 3 meat meals in a day, I think she has done marvelously already!
But in reality, she still has a dilemma. She would rather not buy or cook meat for anyone in her house. She and her daughter "love to eat vegetarian," but her "son and husband insist on eating meat." I assume she is either considering a budget or food sensitivities because she states "if I do not cook they do not eat so I have to cook for them."
Ok, I'll tackle this how I see it. Keep in mind that everyone else on the planet may think differently. (I'll invite comments on what others think, only after they have read this entire post.) So to the reader, please remember these are my thoughts and my thoughts only. You can take what you like and toss the rest. Let's still be friends, ok?
I love my husband. We have a marriage 15 years long and counting. I have been vegetarian longer than my husband. If he would never have stopped eating meat, I would still love him and cook the foods he likes. I am not saying that you don't love your husband, but us ladies can resent our men pretty fast for things like this so I'm just saying it up front.
I would find out if he does eventually want to go meat free. Maybe he does, eventually...maybe he likes how it is right now, for the time being. Let him take his time, because he bases his decisions in a totally different way than you do. Men also like food. For them to change things so much from when they grew up, for most, would be like taking the lightning from Flash Gordon...maybe I'm showing my age too much here...humm....or like taking the roar from a lion - maybe that's better. What I'm saying is that you will show him more honor if you are pleasant and kind than to fuss about his few meals with meat. Your son is probably taking his cues from dad. You don't say how old he is, but the younger he is, the more impressionable he is regarding wanting to be made in dad's "likeness."
If you both as parents want the best for both of your children, then you will love each other. Meat is trivial next to this, really! If I were in your shoes, I would make meals that are easy to serve the meat as a side. Take for example, burgers - you and your daughter can have veggie burgers, your husband and son will have meat burgers. You can have everything else the same. From the burger buns, toppings and condiments to the side salads, etc... Or tacos - same thing, just put out refried beans for you, seasoned meat for them, again toppings the same. If they want steaks on the grill, try having grilled portabellas for you and your daughter.
If it's just certain meats they like, maybe you could try to come up with a vegetarian version of it to have when you are making that meal. Maybe they'll be curious and want to try it sometime. They will see that you really want them to enjoy the meals they love.
What I have found is that most people will try the food at least once. But it must taste good for them to try it again. Some will try it again after not liking it the first time, but only after they know you've made changes since that last time. It comes down to taste for most of us. Even I won't eat something if I have given it a few tries and my taste buds don't at least give it a star or two on a scale of 5 stars. For me, the way food looks doesn't matter nearly as much as the way it tastes.
You could make a deal with your husband...you get to make meals the way you like if he likes how they taste and it satisfies his cravings for meat (insert fish, poultry, beef, lamb, etc. here). If he still would like to eat meat, then buy it according to your budget and cook according to your ability. I would never suggest that you try to sneak vegetarian things in for the meat, unless you have warned him ahead of time that you'd like to try things and he doesn't mind. You could ask him about it after the meal. He would need to cooperate for this to work well though. It sounds like you have a good sport about this already though.
Why do you "hate buying and cooking" meat? Is it because you think it's yucky when it's raw? Is it because it generally costs more to prepare? Is it because you believe that they can't be healthy eating meat? I know some pretty yucky looking stuff in my kitchen that ends up tasting pretty good. And some fancy vegetarian dishes aren't so cheap either. I know alot of people that would say that eating meat didn't stop them from being healthy. I'm not arguing for a meat diet. Not at all. What I am saying is that there are two sides to every issue and considering the other person's (your husband's) viewpoint will help you to see why they do what they do. And he will love you for it.
It sounds like your daughter is taking cues from you. That's great, but please don't make this a guys-against-the-girls thing at your house. There will be much more harmony if you at least agree to disagree on this. Remember the circumstances may not change as you hope, but the way you communicate this to your family will speak volumes as to your character. Be gentle and kind. Many couples have had vast differences (remember opposites attract) and still live long happy lives together. Their children (and grandchildren) will remember much about their relationship, good or bad, long after they are gone.
Now I'd like to invite others to give some input into this very good question. Please comment in a constructive way so we can help each other. Thanks.
Back to the topic for this post... a Vegan Footprints reader asked this very good question:
"What do you suggest someone who wants to eat vegetarian but has a family who does not do? Myself and my daughter love to eat vegetarian however my son and husband insist on eating meat. If I do not cook they do not eat so I have to cook for them. I have gotten them down to only two or three meat meals a week (they formerly thought you had to eat meat at every meal or it was not a real meal.) Even though I do not eat the meat I hate buying and cooking it. How would you handle this?"
Very good question. I'm glad she gave more info after the first initial question, because this is a woman who has actually gotten her family to eat "only two or three meat meals a week" - Wow! Considering many people would have 2 or 3 meat meals in a day, I think she has done marvelously already!
But in reality, she still has a dilemma. She would rather not buy or cook meat for anyone in her house. She and her daughter "love to eat vegetarian," but her "son and husband insist on eating meat." I assume she is either considering a budget or food sensitivities because she states "if I do not cook they do not eat so I have to cook for them."
Ok, I'll tackle this how I see it. Keep in mind that everyone else on the planet may think differently. (I'll invite comments on what others think, only after they have read this entire post.) So to the reader, please remember these are my thoughts and my thoughts only. You can take what you like and toss the rest. Let's still be friends, ok?
I love my husband. We have a marriage 15 years long and counting. I have been vegetarian longer than my husband. If he would never have stopped eating meat, I would still love him and cook the foods he likes. I am not saying that you don't love your husband, but us ladies can resent our men pretty fast for things like this so I'm just saying it up front.
I would find out if he does eventually want to go meat free. Maybe he does, eventually...maybe he likes how it is right now, for the time being. Let him take his time, because he bases his decisions in a totally different way than you do. Men also like food. For them to change things so much from when they grew up, for most, would be like taking the lightning from Flash Gordon...maybe I'm showing my age too much here...humm....or like taking the roar from a lion - maybe that's better. What I'm saying is that you will show him more honor if you are pleasant and kind than to fuss about his few meals with meat. Your son is probably taking his cues from dad. You don't say how old he is, but the younger he is, the more impressionable he is regarding wanting to be made in dad's "likeness."
If you both as parents want the best for both of your children, then you will love each other. Meat is trivial next to this, really! If I were in your shoes, I would make meals that are easy to serve the meat as a side. Take for example, burgers - you and your daughter can have veggie burgers, your husband and son will have meat burgers. You can have everything else the same. From the burger buns, toppings and condiments to the side salads, etc... Or tacos - same thing, just put out refried beans for you, seasoned meat for them, again toppings the same. If they want steaks on the grill, try having grilled portabellas for you and your daughter.
If it's just certain meats they like, maybe you could try to come up with a vegetarian version of it to have when you are making that meal. Maybe they'll be curious and want to try it sometime. They will see that you really want them to enjoy the meals they love.
What I have found is that most people will try the food at least once. But it must taste good for them to try it again. Some will try it again after not liking it the first time, but only after they know you've made changes since that last time. It comes down to taste for most of us. Even I won't eat something if I have given it a few tries and my taste buds don't at least give it a star or two on a scale of 5 stars. For me, the way food looks doesn't matter nearly as much as the way it tastes.
You could make a deal with your husband...you get to make meals the way you like if he likes how they taste and it satisfies his cravings for meat (insert fish, poultry, beef, lamb, etc. here). If he still would like to eat meat, then buy it according to your budget and cook according to your ability. I would never suggest that you try to sneak vegetarian things in for the meat, unless you have warned him ahead of time that you'd like to try things and he doesn't mind. You could ask him about it after the meal. He would need to cooperate for this to work well though. It sounds like you have a good sport about this already though.
Why do you "hate buying and cooking" meat? Is it because you think it's yucky when it's raw? Is it because it generally costs more to prepare? Is it because you believe that they can't be healthy eating meat? I know some pretty yucky looking stuff in my kitchen that ends up tasting pretty good. And some fancy vegetarian dishes aren't so cheap either. I know alot of people that would say that eating meat didn't stop them from being healthy. I'm not arguing for a meat diet. Not at all. What I am saying is that there are two sides to every issue and considering the other person's (your husband's) viewpoint will help you to see why they do what they do. And he will love you for it.
It sounds like your daughter is taking cues from you. That's great, but please don't make this a guys-against-the-girls thing at your house. There will be much more harmony if you at least agree to disagree on this. Remember the circumstances may not change as you hope, but the way you communicate this to your family will speak volumes as to your character. Be gentle and kind. Many couples have had vast differences (remember opposites attract) and still live long happy lives together. Their children (and grandchildren) will remember much about their relationship, good or bad, long after they are gone.
Now I'd like to invite others to give some input into this very good question. Please comment in a constructive way so we can help each other. Thanks.
Monday, June 23, 2008
My #1 Breastfeeding Aid
A friend called me today to ask me about a breastfeeding aid I once told her about. Turns out she's in need of it and couldn't remember the name of it.
What she wanted to know was about a great little invention called Lilypadz. These are the best aid for breastfeeding I have ever come across and have had wonderful success with them. I only wish I had known about them with my first baby.
(Guys, let your wife read the rest of this post. You've been warned!)
A little background...My first baby had trouble latching on correctly. And I got such terrible pain with cracked nipples and had my share of awful breast infections with him. I also had trouble with leaking. I joked that I could've nursed twins with the amount of milk I was blessed with.
Because of my trouble with leaking, I needed to have some sort of nursing pads to put in my bra so I wouldn't soak my clothes. I was given some disposable nursing pads and I also bought some flannel cloth ones to use. Well, the disposable ones would tear and the cloth ones would stick and be painful for me to take off. Since there was not much for an alternative, I still had to use one or the other all the time. Trying to heal cracked and sore nipples while needing to nurse and still having trouble leaking were leaving me at my wit's end.
And then there's the problem of keeping nursing pads where you want them. Oh, and how to keep them from showing through your clothing, with an "unnatural" silhouette. Somehow eventually things started getting better and I was able to nurse my first baby until he was 17 months old. I had made it through OK.
Before I was pregnant with my second, I was in a store and saw Lilypadz. I couldn't believe it. There it was...another silicone product like the Diva Cup. And I loved that product!!!
I remembered that information for awhile until I was pregnant again (we were blessed again after 7 years - PTL!) with our second baby. It wasn't long before I trekked out to that store to buy my newest breastfeeding friend. I bought it long before that baby was born - I was not going without this time!!!
Let me tell you...it is just as good as the Diva Cup is for your monthly cycle. And the Lilypadz are only necessary for the "elite" few of us who actually leak when we have a new baby in the house until they are about a year old or so, if you are an active breastfeeding "team". But guess what? I hardly had trouble with breast infections - no big fevers or sick in bed anymore. No, not me. Cracked, bleeding, and painful sore nipples were a thing of the past. I was a convert.
A great side benefit of the Lilypadz is that they are reusable and hand washable. No running out of the disposable ones or having to launder cloth ones in the washer or hand wash and dry. These little gems can be washed one minute and applied the next minute. I found that I only needed to wash them about once per day. I found that one pair lasted me at least 6 months. So if you have leakage after this time, you may need to buy another pair. I am still nursing my two year old, but without leakage trouble at all these days.
On their website, you'll find many more testimonials from women like me who love them and can't say enough great things about them. I fully recommend it to any lady that is either pregnant or has a newborn that will be nursing. A pair will cost about $20.00 US or so. I believe it to be the best money paid for such a great invention!
If you know of anyone that could benefit from this product, tell them about this wonderful gem. They will not be disappointed.
...Another great product for easy nursing: stretchy sports bras or these wonderful bras at Decent Exposures. This company does sell bras with a nursing flap, but I found the original "unbra" to be the most helpful that is without this feature. You simply lift up to nurse, no hooks to bother with. They even have organic fabrics and latex-free elastics available! Shipping is included in the prices.
What she wanted to know was about a great little invention called Lilypadz. These are the best aid for breastfeeding I have ever come across and have had wonderful success with them. I only wish I had known about them with my first baby.
(Guys, let your wife read the rest of this post. You've been warned!)
A little background...My first baby had trouble latching on correctly. And I got such terrible pain with cracked nipples and had my share of awful breast infections with him. I also had trouble with leaking. I joked that I could've nursed twins with the amount of milk I was blessed with.
Because of my trouble with leaking, I needed to have some sort of nursing pads to put in my bra so I wouldn't soak my clothes. I was given some disposable nursing pads and I also bought some flannel cloth ones to use. Well, the disposable ones would tear and the cloth ones would stick and be painful for me to take off. Since there was not much for an alternative, I still had to use one or the other all the time. Trying to heal cracked and sore nipples while needing to nurse and still having trouble leaking were leaving me at my wit's end.
And then there's the problem of keeping nursing pads where you want them. Oh, and how to keep them from showing through your clothing, with an "unnatural" silhouette. Somehow eventually things started getting better and I was able to nurse my first baby until he was 17 months old. I had made it through OK.
Before I was pregnant with my second, I was in a store and saw Lilypadz. I couldn't believe it. There it was...another silicone product like the Diva Cup. And I loved that product!!!
I remembered that information for awhile until I was pregnant again (we were blessed again after 7 years - PTL!) with our second baby. It wasn't long before I trekked out to that store to buy my newest breastfeeding friend. I bought it long before that baby was born - I was not going without this time!!!
Let me tell you...it is just as good as the Diva Cup is for your monthly cycle. And the Lilypadz are only necessary for the "elite" few of us who actually leak when we have a new baby in the house until they are about a year old or so, if you are an active breastfeeding "team". But guess what? I hardly had trouble with breast infections - no big fevers or sick in bed anymore. No, not me. Cracked, bleeding, and painful sore nipples were a thing of the past. I was a convert.
A great side benefit of the Lilypadz is that they are reusable and hand washable. No running out of the disposable ones or having to launder cloth ones in the washer or hand wash and dry. These little gems can be washed one minute and applied the next minute. I found that I only needed to wash them about once per day. I found that one pair lasted me at least 6 months. So if you have leakage after this time, you may need to buy another pair. I am still nursing my two year old, but without leakage trouble at all these days.
On their website, you'll find many more testimonials from women like me who love them and can't say enough great things about them. I fully recommend it to any lady that is either pregnant or has a newborn that will be nursing. A pair will cost about $20.00 US or so. I believe it to be the best money paid for such a great invention!
If you know of anyone that could benefit from this product, tell them about this wonderful gem. They will not be disappointed.
...Another great product for easy nursing: stretchy sports bras or these wonderful bras at Decent Exposures. This company does sell bras with a nursing flap, but I found the original "unbra" to be the most helpful that is without this feature. You simply lift up to nurse, no hooks to bother with. They even have organic fabrics and latex-free elastics available! Shipping is included in the prices.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Especially for the Ladies - My Experience with a Menstrual Cup
A frugal tip with a little background...
After I wrote about using cloth last Friday, I realized that there's one thing that I don't use cloth for. And this is where I tell any guys reading that this is really a ladies post, Ok? So fair warning...
A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to try a product I had read about in the infamous "Tightwad Gazette" book by Amy Dacyczyn (a gift from my friend - thanks, Mistee!)...Something different...Something I had never heard about before.
It was called the Keeper. It is a menstral cup for a ladies mentrual cycle. It is designed to hold the mentrual flow and a woman just empties it and keeps it clean. It is reusable and very good at what it does. After learning how to use it properly (it takes a little practice), I really felt like I didn't need to dread this "time of the month" anymore. The first day I used it, I knew I was a convert. No more icky pads for me.
I had never tried using cloth pads, although they must be much softer than disposable sanitary pads. They just seemed to me that it would be kind of gross, but then again, that's what I think of disposables too. Anyway, after using it awhile, I realized (through another source) that I might be sensitive to latex. Since the Keeper is made with natural latex rubber, I was really heartbroken. Believe it or not, I continued to use it anyway for a few more months (I loved it so much).
Until one day, we were visiting my parents and they had a homesteading magazine that had an ad for the Diva Cup (http://www.divacup.com/). I think that I ordered one that day! The Diva Cup is a version of the Keeper, but made with silicone! Yeah! I was sooooo happy to find an alternative that my body could handle.
Just so everyone knows how frugal this little gem is...You can reuse it for years! Just think of all the money you could save. I even used it on our mission trip to Ghana back in 2005. No problem. Love it. Love it. Love it. Currently not using it as I am still nursing my daughter, but I have it just waiting for me. It is definetly a "keeper" for me. Cloth is still a very good option though (especially if you are saving up for a Diva cup). And if you prefer that, go for it, it still saves trees and lots of money too.
So check out the Q & A and the testimonials on the link above for the Diva Cup. If you decide to buy one, you can check the internet for better prices than those listed on their site. You'll never dread that time of the month after you become a Diva!
Update March 2018: I just realized that I've been using the Diva for about 10 years! I recently replaced my first one with another, as the holes were developing small tears which I knew must be why I was having issues with leaks. So I am now on my second Diva cup and still continue to love it! Leaks are almost non-existant now again. I have always worn a cloth pad for backup, on my heaviest days (I do have a heavier flow than some ladies- I always have. Another thing to note: I have never used tampons ever and I still had no trouble learning to use a reusable menstrual cup!). I am certainly a firm believer! There are so many out there now. There's even ways to find out which one will work for you. So helpful for everyone and the environment!
After I wrote about using cloth last Friday, I realized that there's one thing that I don't use cloth for. And this is where I tell any guys reading that this is really a ladies post, Ok? So fair warning...
A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to try a product I had read about in the infamous "Tightwad Gazette" book by Amy Dacyczyn (a gift from my friend - thanks, Mistee!)...Something different...Something I had never heard about before.
It was called the Keeper. It is a menstral cup for a ladies mentrual cycle. It is designed to hold the mentrual flow and a woman just empties it and keeps it clean. It is reusable and very good at what it does. After learning how to use it properly (it takes a little practice), I really felt like I didn't need to dread this "time of the month" anymore. The first day I used it, I knew I was a convert. No more icky pads for me.
I had never tried using cloth pads, although they must be much softer than disposable sanitary pads. They just seemed to me that it would be kind of gross, but then again, that's what I think of disposables too. Anyway, after using it awhile, I realized (through another source) that I might be sensitive to latex. Since the Keeper is made with natural latex rubber, I was really heartbroken. Believe it or not, I continued to use it anyway for a few more months (I loved it so much).
Until one day, we were visiting my parents and they had a homesteading magazine that had an ad for the Diva Cup (http://www.divacup.com/). I think that I ordered one that day! The Diva Cup is a version of the Keeper, but made with silicone! Yeah! I was sooooo happy to find an alternative that my body could handle.
Just so everyone knows how frugal this little gem is...You can reuse it for years! Just think of all the money you could save. I even used it on our mission trip to Ghana back in 2005. No problem. Love it. Love it. Love it. Currently not using it as I am still nursing my daughter, but I have it just waiting for me. It is definetly a "keeper" for me. Cloth is still a very good option though (especially if you are saving up for a Diva cup). And if you prefer that, go for it, it still saves trees and lots of money too.
So check out the Q & A and the testimonials on the link above for the Diva Cup. If you decide to buy one, you can check the internet for better prices than those listed on their site. You'll never dread that time of the month after you become a Diva!
Update March 2018: I just realized that I've been using the Diva for about 10 years! I recently replaced my first one with another, as the holes were developing small tears which I knew must be why I was having issues with leaks. So I am now on my second Diva cup and still continue to love it! Leaks are almost non-existant now again. I have always worn a cloth pad for backup, on my heaviest days (I do have a heavier flow than some ladies- I always have. Another thing to note: I have never used tampons ever and I still had no trouble learning to use a reusable menstrual cup!). I am certainly a firm believer! There are so many out there now. There's even ways to find out which one will work for you. So helpful for everyone and the environment!
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