My Cup Doth NOT Runneth Over - Ladies Only!

Just as the title implies, this post is meant strictly for the ladies...in fact, this could also be considered a TMI post, but it's for your own good...trust me!  This pic from my favorite big wave photographer, Clark Little, sums up what some of us deal with each month when that "special" time arrives...can I get an amen???

Aunt Flow, your monthly cycle, your period, surfing the crimson tide, Eve's revenge - no matter what you call it, most of us ladies deal with this dreaded affliction each and every month.  Exactly one year ago I was introduced to something that has given me much more control than I ever had in regards to my monthly visitor...the menstrual cup! 
Let's rewind 12 months, shall we...

Last May, something was completely amiss in my hormone world; I had cramps for the first time in my life (like really, really bad ones!) and was dealing with a flow that was so heavy I couldn't keep it under control.  For the majority of my life I've had your average, run of the mill, 7-day, medium to light flow...so this was completely out of the realm of normalcy for me and forced me to do some research to find out how to contain this river.

After doing some research on how to naturally relieve cramps, I came across an article that caught my interest...it stated things like:
*The absorbant material in pads and tampons have been shown to lengthen your flow.
*The bleach & chemicals used in tampons throws off the pH level of your internal parts.
*Tampons have been shown to cause micro-tears in the skin as well as dryness.
*The average woman uses enough menstrual products in her lifetime to fill a bathtub. 

What tha???

(courtesy of Google Images)

As a lifetime tampon user, all of these things came as a complete shock to me (I seriously hate to admit that, but it's true!)...I just had to know more!  For the next several hours, I researched menstrual products until I could no longer stand it...how could I have not known about this before??? 

And then I saw it...a menstrual cup...what on earth is that???  Turns out this little invention has been around since the 30's and makes a comeback every couple of decades, but most recently, the Green movement has really given this little device the momentum it needed to make a huge impact.

So, what on earth is a menstrual cup, you might ask?  It is a bell shaped cup made from medical grade silicon (one brand is made from rubber) that collects your flow as opposed to absorbing it.  Even after a year of using this little gem, I'm still as obsessed with it as the day I brought it home! 

Here are most of the current brands available online (courtesy of Google images):

What are the benefits of a menstrual cup?
*No risk of TSS!
*No absorption = no dryness and pH is not disturbed.
*Some women have noticed shorter periods due to no absorption.
*Some women have reported a significant decrease in cramping.
*Much better for the environment as there is no waste.
*The product can be used for years = mega savings!
*It can be worn for 12 hours at a time, meaning no more trips to the work restroom!
*No leaks (when inserted correctly) = a full, peaceful nights sleep!
*It makes travelling so much easier!
*Men love it because they are never asked to go down "that" aisle again!

Really???  With a list like that, who wouldn't want to try one?  While I was slightly intimidated, I knew I had to do something to contain the flow I was dealing with at the time, so I decided to take the plunge.  I was able to find the Diva Cup brand at both Whole Foods & REI - I think I saved $1.50 at REI so I got it there - you can also order them online, but I was in desperate need and couldn't wait.

Size of the Diva cup (courtesy of Google Images):

 

 

Many women are intimidated by the size, but to be perfectly honest, the size did not bother me...but the thought of getting my hands dirty made me a little apprehensive...I know, I know :)  Since I was in such dire straits, I decided to buy a box of disposable gloves; this turned out to be the best decision ever.  There are tons of YouTube videos, blogs (this one is excellent!) and forums to show you how to insert and extract this little darling as well as troubleshooting tips for new beginners...and trust me, there will be a learning curve, but most good things require a little practice.  By the way, I only used the gloves for 2 months...I'm a pro now! :)

 

How it works (courtesy of Google images):

 

 

 

Ok, back to last May...I finally got up the courage to try this little baby & was pleasantly pleased with the results.  In fact, within just 6 hours of using the Diva Cup I noticed a dramatic slow down - while this may have been purely coincidental, I choose to believe my new friend was the saving grace.  Starting the very next month, my period dropped to 4 days and has remained at 4 days each and every month!  Happy, happy, joy, joy!!!

 

Let me tell you, this cup makes travelling a breeze!  While getting all of my last minute travel details ready one morning last August, my monthly visitor decided to pick that very moment to show her snarky face...are you kidding me???  I had to leave for the airport in 15min!  If I had been using traditional monthly products I would have been up the creek...I had no stock under my cabinet, no time go to the store and was going to be in aiports, planes and rental cars for over 9 hours!  I put in my trusty little friend and went about my day...3 airports, 2 planes and 1 rental car later, I checked into my hotel and of course, all was well in Womantown :)  Talk about a lifesaver! 

 

Since I have been using the Diva Cup I have only had 1 leak and that was due to me not inserting it correctly (ie. suction is your friend).  But, to only have 1 leak in the course of an entire year is something to sing about...I mean really...can pads or tampons make that claim???  Negative, ghost writer! 

 

Plus, to think of all the money I'm literally NOT flushing down the toilet each month, along with the fact that it's so much more comfortable to work all day at the office and never have to make that awkward visit to the restroom with my purse in hand.  And the lack of trash I create is amazing; imagine...now, no one has to know!  You never again have to leave any signs behind that you're in the flow; despite the TMI of this post, I am a pretty private person and would rather not leave my monthly trash behind in the trash can of someone I happen to be visiting.  Since the cup only has to be emptied twice a day (unless you are experiencing a tidal wave) you can do it in the privacy and comfort of your own home; once when you wake up and once before bed is usually all you will need. Secrecy at it's best!  

 

It's amazing how empowering this little cup is...it gives you the ability to handle your monthly cycle with privacy, grace and ease...when was the last time you heard those 3 words used to describe your period?  It's true!  I could not imagine going back to pads or tampons; in fact, my cup has already paid for itself three times over!  I spent $38 and have saved a boatload of cash, time and frustration.  Also, the sheer number of chemicals I am not exposing my body to makes me feel much healthier and stronger.

 

Keep in mind, not all bodies are made the same - which means that the differences in cup size and shape depend of manufacturers and may yield different results or fits. I have a friend who tried the Diva Cup and was just never comfortable (when inserted you should not really be able to feel it all- in fact, I forget about mine most of the time)...it just seemed too long for her. After she tried another brand that was slightly shorter in length, she was thrilled with the result. So, don't be afraid to research like crazy and try a different brand if the first one doesn't work well.

 

If you have questions or just want more info about menstrual cups, please send me a comment or message. 

 

Thanks for reading and may the cup be with you! :oD

 

(Again, not my pic...thanks Google Images!)

 

The Hard Truth About Beauty

As much of my inspiration comes from Facebook, a friend's status post has tugged at my heart all week...she wrote "When I feel crappy, I like to look through old pics in which I look awesome. I look into those eyes and say, "Oh. There you are." Not into the made-up face or the beautiful skirt, but into those confident eyes that say, "I am awesome." That is why I think every adult woman needs beautiful photos." 

Beauty.
Everyone talks about it.  We are constantly bombarded with everything from laser hair removal to clothes to makeup to weight loss to hair color...it never ends!  Recently, Dove put out a new Real Beauty campaign where they brought in a sketch artist and had him blindly sketch women based on their verbal descriptions of themselves.  Then, after the women had met up in pairs, the artist did another blind sketch based on the verbal descriptions of each other.  The results were astonishing and truly show how differently we see ourselves versus how others see us. 
If you've got a few minutes, watch this video for yourself.



My heart goes out to these women and more importantly to my Facebook friend - who, even though she was raised in church, still equates her beauty with what she does or doesn't see in the mirror.  It seems like everywhere I turn this week Beauty is rearing its ugly head, and all the while, I keep thinking of this verse:
Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 
I began to research the word Beauty used in this verse and it turns out the Hebrew word used here is yophiy - which means spendour, brightness, beauty, gracefulness; this word is used 19 times in the Old Testament.  It is interesting to note that only 1 of these verses depicts Beauty in a positive light with regards to a woman's beauty...all of the other verses are either describing God, a prophecy or lust.

After a little more research, the word Beauty shows up 49 times in the Old Testament and is translated from a total of 20 different Hebrew words.  One of the other words translated as Beauty caught my eye:  Chamad (to desire, covet, to take pleasure in, delight in)
Psalms 39:11
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth; surely every man is vanity.  Selah.

This particular word appears 21 times in the Old Testament and has also been transalated as:  pleasant, desire, covet, delight, delectable and lust.  After reading that list, the kind of outward beauty most people desire just doesn't look so good.  The Word tells us in Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Just the fact that this verse exists tells me we are to see Beauty differently; we should not be caught up by the standards of this world.  Every human body is aging and dying and society's definition of Beauty is fleeting.  The US alone spends over 7 Billion dollars on cosmetics annually in addition to the over 12 million cosmetic procedures performed each year.  To base the majority of our selfworth on outer Beauty is sheer madness! 

 

Several years ago the YMCA published an eye opening document on The Consequences of America's Beauty Obsession on Women and Girls; it's definitely worth a read. 

 

If I am not defined by outer Beauty, what defines me?  If you are a child of God, he's got an entire New Testament filled with what He says you are!  So, who does God say I am?

 

• I am a child of God.

But to all who have received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right to become God's children … (John 1:12).

• I have been justified and redeemed.

But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

• I have been set free from the law of sin and death.

For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

• In Christ Jesus, I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption … (1 Corinthians 1:30).

• I am a new creature in Christ.

So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away--look, what is new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

• I am no longer a slave, but a child and an heir.

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God (Galatians 4:7).

• I have been set free in Christ.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).

• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

• My life is hidden with Christ in God.

… For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

• God loves me and has chosen me.

We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you … (1 Thessalonians 1:4).

The more we embrace these truths from Scripture about who we have become in Christ, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in this world.

 

 

Need more convincing???  Check out the whole list!

 

It is my hope and prayer that women around the world learn who they are in God and who He has made them to be...only then will they know true Beauty from the inside out.  If you have taken the time to read this blog, just know that I will be praying for you too :)  Goodnight, sweet friends!

All for the sake of milk

Tonight, I watched Cinderella Man for the first time.  I had only a small idea what this film was about prior to watching it...in fact, the main reason I added it to my Netflix queue was due to the fact that it had Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger in it - and I happen to like them both.

For 145 minutes I have been completely unglued from my seat!  I felt anxious as if I was watching a real fight and rooting for the winner...I was yelling, gasping for breath as our leading man was pummelled time after time, almost in tears when his wife sent their children away because they could not feed them and so on. 

This film was a brilliant combination of superb acting, insightful cinematography, flawless directing and above all else, a truly inspirational story.  In fact, I can't wait to see it again!

With a failing career, the Great Depression bearing down on the nation, a wife and three young children to take care of and scarce work opportunities, Jim Braddock persevered when there did not seem to be a shred of hope.  One of my favorite lines from the film came as an answer to a question about what was behind his comeback - "This time I know what I'm fighting for," he replied - the reporter inquired as to what that meant; his answer "Milk."  His wife and three children were his motivation; and when you're fighting for family, it comes from the heart. 




I found a wonderful article using the principles of this film to reach your goals...good stuff!
Success: Are Your Goals Worth Fighting For?

If you've got 50 minutes to spare, check out this documentary on the real Jim Braddock :)

Be Careful Little Ears

Today my blog post inspiration comes (again) from Facebook!  Enter evidence A for your viewing pleasure:

So here's a question...
If there was a song that had a catchy tune and you really liked the music but the lyrics were really bad or even evil, would you choose not to listen to the song?

Now, what followed were some good, some bad and some just plain stupid comments...but what it really boiled down to was a bunch of opinions that had not a hill of beans to do with the Word.  While I certainly understand that some people have convictions that others do not share, the scripture should be what we, as Christians, base our decisions on.

I seriously heart music...like a lot...almost as much as I love air!  From the age of 10, when I heard my first real "secular" pop song (Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend), I have struggled with listening to music that I KNOW does nothing to build up my spirit and I would imagine that anyone who has been involved in music in any way has dealt with this on some level. 

Now, I know what you're thinking:  "Really, Jenni?  Here, let me help you down off your soapbox; we live in the real world.  Simmer down, sister!"  I'm sure most people don't talk like that, but Hey, it's my blog, Jack! :o)  ...and I digress...now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

My friend's question got me thinking about MY convictions about music.  Since I do try to live my life by the Word of God, that's the first place I turn when looking for answers.  (I ended up finding two articles that go into way more detail than I will go into on this post, but they are definitely worth a read...links are at the bottom.)  The first verse that came to my mind talks about what comes out of your mouth...now, I understand that music goes in your ears, but what you put in your ears will eventually come out of your mouth...and that music going into your ears is coming out of someone else's mouth.  Chew on that one!

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth.

 Greek word “sapros”

      1.       Rotten, putrefied
      2.       Corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out
      3.       Of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless

Sapros is only used 9 times in the Bible & every single reference (with the exception of Eph) refers to bearing fruit...interesting, huh?  So, logic would say that corrupt communication=bad fruit, right?

Matt 7:17

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Matt 7:18

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Matt 12:33

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt:  for the tree is known by his fruit.

Matt 13:48

Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Luke 6:43

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit, neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Eph 4:29

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

 

If we backup a bit to Proverbs, we are reminded of the power that resides within that stinky little mouth muscle called our tongue...and once again, we have fruit!  To me, this plainly shows that your mouth or speech or tongue is a clear indicator of the type of fruit you are bearing...whether good or bad, your true colors come out through your mouth. 

Prov 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Ok, so what does this have to do with what you listen to???  I'm so glad you asked :) 

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

It's like the old saying "Garbage in, garbage out".  To me, having a song stuck in my head is a form of meditation...albeit subconcious meditation.  It seems that David had some great understanding of meditation as 15 of the 20 mentions of meditate or meditation in scripture are all in Psalms.

Psalm 5:1
Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 49:3

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Psalm 77:12

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

David was really onto something!  Almost every time he mentions meditation, he also mentions words or speaking...these two things are most definitely related!  I once heard a pastor say this and have never forgotten it, "You are what you behold".  This speaks volumns to me about how our brains work!  There is so much power in what we say or hear others say that we can literally change for the good or not so good just by what we subject ourselves to.

I feel like I could write for days on this subject, but it's got to end somewhere, right?  I'll end with this last and final throught.  Music is made by what?  Voices or speech and instruments, right?  The speech has already been discussed, but I feel this next verse tells us the end result of what happens based on what we meditate on or give place to or listen to.

Romans 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

God made us to be instruments for His use, to carry out His good deeds.  But when we allow other things to steal away the words of our mouths, the meditations of our hearts become unrighteous, which makes us instruments that are unfit for His use.  This is a sobering thought but I'm so thankful the story doesn't end there!  His grace is enough to cover any failings we may have!

As promised, here are two fantastic articles about this subject...and as always, thanks for playing!

The Power of Music by Glenn Pease
Oh, Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear! by Alicia Bookout

Can't Beat the Real Thing!

Catchy sermon title, huh?  Yep, that's right...you heard me...a sermon!  Who would use this slogan from Coca-Cola to express a Biblical truth?  Oh yeah, this girl!  While in Bible school (many, many years ago), I wrote this very sermon; in a nutshell, my point was this:

Anyone can be happy when things are going well, but only the true joy of the Lord can keep you going when times are tough.  Don't settle for a cheap imitation...always choose the Real Thing - which is the Joy of the Lord!

During an outting tonight with some folks from my church small group, I was reminded of this sermon.  After our dinner was over, we took our conversations outside and my friends toddler, Isabella, decided that she had been cooped up waaaay too long and really needed to use up some energy.  While the other couples talked, I followed her up and down the sidewalk, up and down the sidewalk, up and down the sidewalk, up and down the sidewalk...you get the idea :)  Now, we are currently experiencing an extreme spring cold snap here in the ATL and the temperature tonight was 42 with misty cold rain.

I'm not sure how many people would have enjoyed chasing a toddler up and down stairs and sidewalks in the freezing drizzle, BUT it was an amazingly joyous time!  God can grace you with joy in times when you least expect it...and may not even be aware of it until after the fact.  When I got in the car to leave, I realized that only God could have brought joy out of running around in the freezing rain and I was very thankful to Him for allowing me to experience that joy tonight :)

Romans 15: 13 (Amplified)

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

Tonight, I feel like I had a "bubbling over" moment with Miss Isabella...and it was fantastic!  While God can use anything to teach us, tonight, I'm thankful He used a sweet little girl and not something else...like a talking donkey :0)

Numbers 22:28

Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and it said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"

1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato...7?

Oh yes, I said it...7 potatoes!  To be fair to me, they were baby yukon golds...mostly the size of a golf ball...but yes, there were 7...and I ate them all!  Tonight, I finally tried the Pioneer Woman's recipe for Crash Hot Potatoes and I'm pretty sure that heaven opened when I took these babies out of the oven.

Last year, a friend of mine gave me a paper bag of freshly picked organic oregano.  Having accidentally forgotten about said oregano, I discovered I now had perfectly perserved organic dried oregano still on the stems!  I've used this jewel of an herb just a few times since last year, but tonight it truly shined atop these amazing crispy potatoes...swoon :)  The only thing that could have made them any better was a dollop of sour cream, and dollop, I did!

Unfortunately, I was simply not able to snag a pic due to my extreme eagerness to indulge in these potatoes, so I leave you with a pic from the Pioneer Woman herself.  Trust me, try them...soon!