Listening to Your Body | Working With Your Menstrual Cycle

If you’re anything like me, I used to fight my period and cycle with all my might. And hey, maybe you still do? That a ok. It's pretty hard to change something you're not aware of.

So, today I want to dig into two different recent situations, where my body was telling me things because of my menstrual cycle, and how I have listened, haven’t listened, and the outcome because of that.

I am currently a few days away from starting my period, and it’s always around this time that my body, and sometimes mind, starts to slow down. I don’t have quite as much energy, and I definitely don’t have that social spark that I get around ovulation. 

My solution to this, that has worked very well for me, has been to work entirely from home (i.e. my kitchen counter and living room). I avoid networking, presenting ideas or proposals to others, and just about everything that falls within that social window. 

I have allowed my body and mind to move at a pace it functions best at, and I have been pleasantly surprised with my motivation and productivity. I have gotten more done in this past week than I have in the past month. 

Now, another example where I didn’t listen so clearly and tried to push past what my body/mind wanted — 

This time last month was two weeks before the ol’ wedding, meaning I had my period the week before the big "I do". 

I am much more emotional (not necessarily a bad thing) and I have much less patience. Normally, these two differences don’t effect me too much because I'm usually better at adjusting to it.

But with the stress, families coming into town, and non-stop, last minute running around, my mind and emotions were a bit fried. But I didn’t listen to my body because I didn’t think I had time to, and let’s just say I cried alone more than once from some small disagreement, decision that had to be made, or just because I was feeling uber stressed (and I was upset that I was feeling that way). 

Now, I obviously couldn’t have ignore my responsibilities those two weeks and hid in my apartment, but I could have taken a few more moments for myself. 

This month, I am fully prepared for, and welcoming of my period. I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection, practicing mindfulness and gratitude, and the end of my luteal phase and beginning of my menstrual phase are the perfect time to do all of these things. 

When was a time you can remember that you listened to your body when it was telling you to slow down, or maybe a time you didn’t? 

Using Jet Lag to Your Advantage | Creating a Better Routine

If you keep up with me on Instagram or Youtube you know that I recently got back from my trip to France (a.k.a. my honeymoon). 

And do you know what? I’ve been doing a really killer job at coming back and reseting my routine and schedule for maximum productivity and mindfulness.

Today, I wanted to share with you how I’ve learned to use jet lag to my advantage. 

The first and most important step is looking at your flight schedule — what time are you leaving (A) and what time will it be when you get to (B). We woke up at 7:30 a.m. in Toulouse and we would be getting back to Des Moines around 10:00 p.m. (it ended up being more like 11:55 p.m. — thanks a lot American Airlines). 

So we could see that when we got home to Des Moines we needed to be ready to go to bed. 

Now, in between those two time slots was nearly 24 hours. When we finally got home to Des Moines it was nearly 7 a.m. in Toulouse. That my friends, is a lot of staying up, with maybe a short little nap, but only if you could restrain yourself from sleeping too long. 

So, that’s the first step. Plan out your flight so you’ll arrive in whatever location as close to the level of awake or tiredness that you need to be at. 

For me there is about a week of wiggle room after an international flight to reset my sleep schedule. You have to fight the urges to sleep (quick cat naps are OK), but I have no self-restraint when it comes to jet lag and napping so I avoid it. 

I’ve been putting myself to bed around 9:30 - 10:00 p.m and setting my alarm for 7:00 a.m. but I’ve been naturally waking up around 6:00 - 6:30 a.m. My golden sleep slot is 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. so that’s what I’m working towards. 

Now, a few things that I do in the morning when I get up earlier than 8:00 a.m. — I sit and write in my morning pages journal, which takes 20 - 30 minutes. I spend 15 - 30 minutes tidying up around the apartment because my brain functions incredibly better when there’s not a bunch of clutter around. I have been consistently meditating for 10 minutes every morning around 8:00 a.m. using the HeadSpace app. I then make myself a cup of coffee or tea, create my to-do list for that day, and then get to it. 

My days go unbelievable smoother when I am allowed this hour and a half to two hour routine I have for myself in the morning. 

Then each night I’ve tried to spend the first few minutes in bed just writing a little bit in my actual journal. 

These are a few of the things that get me excited to wake up in the morning, get out of bed and get moving o 

Five Books About Body Positivity

Today, I am joined by a lovely guest post by my friend Cassie. Personally, I've always reached for books when I needed a question answered, or help with something. Cassie has come on to share five of her favorite books that have helped teach her about body positivity, which she hopes can help you on your self-love journey as well. Enjoy —

To struggle with body positivity, to me, is to be human. 

The more people I talk to and the more women I meet, the more I become aware that all the scars of dieting, bingeing and trying to pretend I wasn’t hungry or insecure is something that brings me together with others rather than apart. 

I can’t tell you how many times I watched Lily Myers’ “Shrinking Women,” filling in my family members for hers before I realized I needed help seeing past the mirror. For me, the body positivity journey has been a recent one, but it all came together with books.

I’ve been an avid reader all of my life, but picking up a self-help book wasn’t something I did until a few years ago, feeling too self-conscious even to buy one at Barnes and Noble, as if admitting I wasn’t perfect somehow made me weaker. But with each of these reads, it was easier to be comfortable in my skin and to help other feel comfortable in theirs.   

SparkleFat by Melissa May

This book is about being loud, proud and totally unapologetic. As the first body positivity memoir I read, it was a wake-up call. I realized I wasn’t the only one out there struggling internally. In this compilation of poetry about her body, Melissa holds nothing back and revels in the quirks and uniqueness along the way. I highly recommend this read for the snarky wit and all over goodness you’ll feel after realizing you’re not alone. When you get a chance, check out her Button Poetry video “Dear Ursula” (for those outside of U.S. viewing, try a secure connection Virtual Private Network). It’s a slam spoken word that will leave you cheering.   

Health at Every Size: The Truth About Your Weight by Linda Bacon, Ph.D.  

My fellow health warriors, this is your textbook. From statistics to body know-how, this book includes all of the data that will reinforce body positivity by giving clear instructions on how to treat your individual body right. It will change your perspective on food, weight and the crazy world around you. More importantly, it will arm you with the facts, so next time someone makes an offhand, off-color comment about your weight, you’ve got the perfect answer.

The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf

I grew up consuming the pages of Vogue and old black-and-white movies starring Audrey Hepburn. My idea of the perfect body was influenced by the idea that women were only supposed to look one way. “The Beauty Myth” on my first read was revelatory, on the second, comforting. This old-school text is one that continues to remind me that learning to love yourself is a journey. 

Read My Hips: How I Learned To Love My Body, Ditch Dieting, and Live Large by Kimberly Brittingham

Beautifully written stories are always on the top of my must-read list, and Kim Brittingham’s memoir is one that feels not only real but also above and beyond relatable. Like most women I know, Kim suffered through years of dieting, struggling with positive body acceptance and learning to self-love. It’s one of those memoirs that gets down into the personal, so that she can share essential tips on how to become the best you.  

Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living by Jes Baker

This book is a fierce, fun look at a part of the body positivity movement that will resonate with you (it certainly did for me). It includes essays by many different writers. With Jes’ blogger know-how and the help of guest pieces by body acceptance warriors, the pages dive into the individual struggles of various people on their path to personal acceptance. It’s a body warrior truth bible that will help shift world views, change weight perceptions and make mental wellness a number one priority, and that’s the reason I read it again and again. 

Body positivity is a phrase people like to use against me when I say I’m not dieting anymore, as if body positivity is somehow negative. The more I read, the more I realize it’s only them projecting their insecurity onto me. Personally, I’ve never felt better. 

About the Author

Cassie Phillips is a self-diagnosed bibliophile who relies on books to travel, imagine and learn. A regular contributor to Culture Coverage, she’s a body positivity crusader on the side, hoping to change the life of every person with the right book. 

Your Cycle: For the Illinformed and Confused

Growing up most of us learn that we will one day get this “mysterious” period thing, and if we pay enough attention in class we may learn that it has to do with some sort of cycle and that it means we are now “women” and therefore can get pregnant, something that carries over into health classes further on in school. 

Unfortunately, the important details aren’t covered in those classes for many, and we’re taught to be too shy to go and ask an older female about it, somewhat hoping to catch someone a few grades ahead of you gossiping about it one day. 

It has been my goal all along to be there for those moments of embarrassment and confusion. 

Today, I want to talk about how your period extends to so much more than just those few days of bleeding once a month. Today is going to be a bit more technical, “textbook” type information, but I think it is important to learn exactly what happens each month. So, let’s break it down. 

Your cycle begins with your period (menstrual phase). This means you’ll experience a number of days (it might be two days, it might be 9) of bleeding (it might be light pink, brown, purple, or a deep red or purple) which will range in it’s consistency (light, watery bleeding to heavy, goopy bleeding). If you’ve been lead to believe your period will be exactly like the blood from a cut finger, you’re in for a surprise. 

Next, comes the follicular phase. Your body starts releasing the the hormones (LH + FSH) needed for 15-20 eggs to start their journey of maturation in each ovary. It is a race for these little eggs to become the dominate egg, (by day 7 or 8). Estrogen is then introduced to start building up the lining of your uterus (which is what sheds during your period). By day 8 or 9 the estrogen also causes your fertility signs to start changing (fluid, cervix, temperature). 12-16 hours before ovulation your LH surges, followed by a smaller surge of FSH which causes estrogen to stop in the dominate follicle. 

The ovulatory phase is next. That dominate egg is ready to be released by a signal from your pituitary gland. Some, like myself (but not every month), can feel a small pain when the egg is released, called Mittelschmerz. Ovulation can be delayed by stress and other factors, but your period/luteal phase cannot be delayed.

The luteal phase is the final phase. After the egg is released, the follicle collapses in onto itself, releasing progesterone, which keeps any other eggs from releasing that cycle, thickens the uterine lining (5-6 millimeters thick), and causes the fertility sign to change. The egg travels down the fallopian tube where it can either join with a sperm, divide and multiply into about 100 cells, and move into the uterus to embed its fertilized self into the lining to grow into a baby, or if it is not fertilized within a 24 hour period, the egg disintegrates, either being absorbed back into the body or collecting with the uterine lining to be released during the period.

And then your period will come, starting the cycle all over once again.

Ok, I hope that wasn’t too much of a snooze fest, but I want to share some facts as well as personal stories. The more information the better I say! 

Staying Positive In Times of Bleeding

How do you stay positive when it seems like your period is out to get you?

I used to really dislike my period. I thought it was a real inconvenience, a monthly annoyance I just had to “deal” with. Well, let’s just say times have changed and I borderline enjoy getting my period nowadays. 

Well, the flood gates opened a few days ago when I started my period. You see, it's not always well behaved.

I bled through a total of three pairs of jeans that day, which never happens, especially considering the fact I was wearing a different pair of Thinx with each pair, and my cup with the last two. 

And, do you know what I did? 

I just laughed it off each time it happened. Like, "Oh period look at what you did, ya silly period you." And I was also semi impressed it happened because like I said, it rarely happens. Like, I almost took a picture to send to my friends before deciding that the blood stain in my pants might be a little TMI for even my friends. 

I was at work the first time it happened, and I just said, hey I’ll be right back I’ve got to go change, flashing my coworker my growing red spot. And thankfully I was only a block away from my apartment. (I realize not everyone can do this. That’s where the old sweater trick comes in handy.)

The second time was later that day when I was home working on my computer, and the third was on the way back from my friend’s house that night. 

I guess I kind of looked at it probably how parents look at their babies spitting up after eating. You’re not going to get pissed off at your baby for spitting up because it happens, right? I’ve never seen anyone yell or slap their baby around for doing this, so why do we get pissed off at our bodies for just doing something that naturally happens? You just have to say, whoops, let me get a rag and clean that up mr. baby. 

And then just add in some extra precautions going forward for the rest of the day. Like how before I went to bed I put a pair of boxer briefs over my underwear and then some sweatpants on before laying a red towel over my sheets — just in case.  

Don't hate your period for just doing it's job. Stop fighting with it and yelling at it for little accidents. Learn how to best coincide with it, work with it, and I think you'll be surprised with the outcome. What's that quote by William James again?

"If you can change your mind, you can change your life."

Yeah, start thinking of how you can apply this to your menstrual life. 

I'm Back | Vacation + Taking A Break

I’ve been hopping all over social media for the past few days apologizing and explaining why I fell of the face of the planet for two weeks.

You can watch the video explanation here.

Vacation is always a good time for reflection, and this trip coincided with my luteal and menstrual phase, which meant an extra little boost of focused reflection for this girl. 

That and we spent a lot of time sitting in a car, train or plane. And I’m known to space off while in moving vehicles. 

While I always love going off on an adventure, I’m very thankful that I find myself excited to get back to my life/work here at home. 

It’s always better when I’m able to continue working while I’m out and about, but some trips it just doesn’t happen like that. 

But while I returned home exhausted and slightly jet lagged, I found myself invigorated to get back to work. 

That  itch to start creating and sharing is burning more than normal, which in my opinion is a great outcome of vacation.

And I want to start collaborating more with other beautiful souls I’ve found online. 

The moral of the story here is to listen to your body, mind and schedule. I always plan for work, getting projects done, but I’m fine tuning my ability to just let things go when necessary. 

FemmeHead's Free Period Worksheet

My period is wrapping things up for the month, wiping the counters off and putting a few final things in its bag before it heads out.

And today as I sat on the toilet I had a thought. Menstrual blood is actually quite diverse — not just lady to lady, but in color, texture, consistency, thickness, and so on. 

I’ve never kept a detailed account of my period blood. It's always been whether I’m on my period or not, and I can usually tell you what my flow is like on what day. 

So today in honor of the upcoming session of my Chart Your Cycle course [August 22nd] I’ve created a little PDF for you. Something you can print off and write down the changes in your period day to day. 

And I challenge you to get as detailed as possible. You don’t have to share it with anyone, but I feel like we can never get “graphic” about our periods. Yes, sometimes we make a little joke here or there, but we can never describe the nitty gritty of it. And today [well, starting with your next period] I want you to do just that. 

Is it just spotting? Is it brown? Opaque Purple? Is it thick and goopy? Clotty? Watery? Is it sort of crumbly in your underwear? Are you leaky? Going through your cup/tampons/pads fast? Can you feel it when you sneeze? Are you afraid to move? Did you wake up in a pool of your own blood? 

That’s right, I want you to write it all down. 

You might be thinking, oh my god, ew, no!

But that's just the reason you should do this little exercise! It's like a "Dear Diary" for your period. You'll not only be able to connect to your period in a whole new way, but I bet it will be downright freeing to boot! 

And then it's your choice what to do with your worksheet after. Tuck it away in your journal, recycle it, burn it, or hell, frame the thing. It's your choice!

Have fun with it, and don't forget to go sign up for that Chart Your Cycle course I'm always talking about. 

Here's how the PDF is broken up:

+ you've got a spot for the month at the top

+ then it's split into:

The Lead Up. [Do you spot before your period starts? Does your cervical fluid change in consistency the few days before?]

Days 1-5. [Split it up into morning, afternoon, and night. How does it change over the day? What is the consistency, texture, flow level, color and so on. The more details the better.] 

The Aftermath. [Do you finish off with more spotting? Is it pink? Brown? Do you have a period that lasts more than five days? Go ahead and get it all down. How does it compare to last month?

+ feel free to doodle, color in the days, and decorate it however you like. 

Happy Bleeding!

My Period || A Travel Companion

I feel like I’m constantly on the move, especially in the summer, but it never fails that I seem to be traveling when I’m on my period like 60% of the time. 

A few years ago I would have looked at this as a real pain in the you-know-what, but since my accidental journey into period positivity and self love I’ve had a real change of attitude about traveling on my period. 

And besides a few extra items that tag along, I would hardly be able to tell the difference.

My two period essentials?

+ period underwear — my favorite are my Thinx

+ my current menstrual cup of choice — the RubyCup

And that’s all I need. No bulky box of pads and tampons laced with the fear of running out. I simply just have my cup (which spends most of it’s time inside of me doing it’s job anyways) and I replace my regular underwear I would have packed with my Thinx.

Bada-bing bada-boo! I’m set to go.

Now, you may be thinking, oh well that’s nice for you, but I could never just forget about my period. It’s such a terror.

You may have cramps so bad you can’t imagine letting up on the tight grip of your heating pad, or a flow so heavy you can’t leave the safe proximity of your restroom. 

But guess what? That used to be me. 

I used to blow through super plus tampons like they were going out of style. And if I ever did a what’s in my bag video I would have had to turn my bag upside down to dump out the never ending supply of Midol I used to carry around. 

But through the magic of body literacy and self love my periods became something I could — dare I say — live with.  I taught myself about nutrition and found what foods my body agreed with. I learned that I could heal my body from the inside out. I discovered menstrual cups and ditched tampons for good. Medical grade silicone agreed much better with my insides than bleached, chemical laden wads of cotton. 

It didn’t happen over night, but bit by bit, my cramps eased and my flow lightened. And I give full credit to education, nutrition, and switching to menstrual cups.

I never expected this to be an outcome of getting off the pill and learning about my body. It was an added bonus. But now that I know what I know, I’m compelled to share this with you. 

If you still “suffer” from your periods, you don’t have to. Join me, and let’s make over your period into someone you want to travel with. It's time to stop planning around your monthly cycle and start planning with it.

My Favorite Ways To Stay Active

There’s a lot of people out there that get stressed out when they think of “exercise”. I used to be guilty of this. I'd picture hours of miserable sweating. 

I'd picture all of the activities I despise.

I consciously remind myself of all the ways in which I choose to stay active, the things I do that I actually enjoy doing.

Exercise shouldn’t be stressful, it shouldn’t be dreaded. It should be something done for health instead of looks. 

So, I’m here to share my favorite ways to stay active, and I challenge you to make a list of your own. 

— riding my bike —

This is something I do nearly every day. My Bianchi is my "car", my main mode of transportation to and from places. Whether it’s 10 blocks away to the coffee shop, or 10 miles across town, I like to challenge myself to push hard when biking longer distances.

— long boarding —

This has been a recent addition to my collection this summer. I use it for short commutes around downtown, and every now and then I’ll take it out on a longer ride just to improve my skills. And long boarding is a great way to get a similar sensation to surfing and snowboarding. 

— walking places —

It’s simple, and a perk of living downtown. There’s so much within such a short distance. And even if there’s no destination in mind, going for a walk is a good way to clear your mind, have a chat with a friend, or help digest a particularly heavy meal. 

— rock climbing —

I would do it every day if I could. I love the challenge, I love the risk, and I love the feeling of learning a new skill. The rock climbing gym is 20 minutes away (1.5 hours on bike) so I don’t get to go there too often. But it’s a great idea for a friends date.

— paddle boarding —

This is another once in a while activity, but I always love it when I get to. I love the balance involved, I love the success that comes from getting confident enough to try, and nail, a triangle headstand while in the middle of a lake. 

— yoga —

For me this one is more than “working out.” I do yoga more for the mental/emotional benefits, and see the physical benefits as an added bonus. There are a lot of people who don’t see yoga as a challenging workout, but let me tell you. I’ve had to go into child’s pose more than once because of quivering legs or arms. For a summer I did 6 am yoga every day, and I’ve never been more toned than I was then. 

— weight lifting —

This is one that I always shied away from because I had this stereotype of meat heads who foamed at the mouth as they lifted things four times my body weight. And while these people exist, it's mostly just normal people lifting weights. I still get a little self conscious, but I love being able to watch the weight go up little by little, and feeling myself get stronger.

— hiking — 

It can be a little tricky in Iowa, but there are a few gems around here that offer great hiking spots. I love being outside, in nature, and the changing scenery as you move along instead of the same wall you’ve been staring at for the past 30 minutes when you run on a treadmill. 

— surfing — 

Because I live in Iowa this happens quite rarely. I’ve actually only been surfing on three different trips in my life (San Diego, Tahiti and Encinitas). But I love being able to get over my slight fear of the ocean, and the feeling of finally catching a wave — few things can beat that. 

— snowboarding — 

Like surfing, this is one that I don’t get access to here in Iowa. But the time I’ve spent strapped onto a board edging down the side of a mountain was a painful, yet empowering experience. I went in thinking I would just be on my butt the entire time. And while I spent a lot of time sitting, and could barely push myself out of bed the next morning, being able to go for minutes at a time without falling was an amazing thing.

— climbing stairs — 

All you need are stairs. I try to choose the stairs when possible, and I’ve gone to a Sunday Stairs group, where you go flight after flight of stairs, at your own pace of course. It’s simple, yet challenging. 

— running — 

When I lived with my parents I loved coming home from work and going for a run down the road with my dog, Bob. In the summer I enjoy running, but it’s currently too sweltering hot here in Iowa for running to be anything but miserable. I can’t, and won’t, run on a treadmill. I need to be outside and moving.

I’ll leave you with this thought — what I enjoy doing for exercise changes as often as the seasons. Don’t forget to switch it up as needed. Find something that you enjoy. Don't torture yourself with something you hate. 

How I Set the Mood | For Creativity

There are those days when inspiration and motivation just flows and flows. 

But there are plenty of days that you go looking for it and it's no where to be found. 

We all have our little routines — things we do to find that spark again. 

Today, I want to share mine. It sounds incredibly simple written down like this, but I've found that it's the process of it that gets my mind moving, to get it thinking "it's time to work". 

And for how simple it is, it rarely fails me. 

My Routine for Inspiration, Motivation and Creation:

+ Get dressed. It’s hard to feel inspired or energetic when you’re still in your comfy sweatpants and baggy t-shirt you slept in. Put on something that makes you feel confident, edgy. This is especially important if you are going to be working from home [that goes for the next step too]. 

+ Get ready. Put on a little blush, comb your brows up and away from your eyes [it makes me look more awake] and do your hair. Doing things like this wakes my mind up, almost like saying to it, you’re getting ready to go do something. 

+ Tidy your work area. I cannot focus in a cluttered space. Also, don't forget to define a work space. Mine is my combined kitchen/living room area. I can either be found at the island counter, or sitting sideways in one of our big red chairs. 

+ Eat something. Even if it’s just a snack, your brain needs food. Put a little thought into what you make. Try a new recipe, arrange your food as if you were going to serve it to someone you want to impress. Slow down, chew and enjoy. 

+ Grab something to sip on while you work. I can be found with a cup of coffee in the morning, a cup of tea in the afternoon and a glass of wine in the evenings [but not every evening of course]. Keep a glass of water with you as well to sip on.

+ The final trifecta — Music. Candle. Incense.  Find a good playlist, light a stick of nag champa, and grab your favorite candle. It's these three things that are the cherries on top for me to create my perfect work space. 

Sounds simple, right? But it's proven effective time and time again. After eating lunch today, I thought, "Right, time to get to work on that blog post Victoria." I just naturally started going through my steps, and I got a thought, this is what you should share today. 

Finding the time, and the space to be creative it a crucial element to being a happy person. At least I know it is for me. You don't need an entire day, it can be a mere 10 minutes. Find your spark and let it flow. 

Chemicals In My Makeup?

What you put ONTO your body is just as important as what you put INTO your body.

We’re pretty clued into the dangers of eating processed foods. Well, most of us are. We at least know that eating fresh fruits and vegetables is better for us than a package of Oreos, right? 

But what’s the good in eating really healthy if you’re slathering on chemical laden products all day, every day? 

That’s right. 

A study done by Biochemist Richard Bence revealed that women who wear makeup absorb nearly five pounds of chemicals into their bodies each year. 

Yikes!

In the beautiful US of A, there are no laws requiring cosmetic companies to prove the safety of their products. 

In Europe there are over 1,300 chemicals banned from cosmetics. 

In the US, less than 10 chemicals are banned. 

Geesh, maybe I should wait two months until my trip to England to restock on beauty products. Thankfully, I have minimized my beauty routine down to almost nothing, but even then I'm concerned. 

Let’s look some of the chemicals that have found their place in our beauty products. 

— Mercury can be found in skin lightening creams

— Lead can be found in lipsticks, foundations and oh you know, over 650 other cosmetic products. [It's a neurotoxin linked to learning/behavioral issues]

— Formaldehyde can be found in hair straightening products, nail polish, shampoo and lotion. [It’s known to cause cancer, not to mention smells horrendous]

— Triclosan can be found in soaps, deodorant and toothpaste. [It disrupts your body’s natural hormone system, and if you’ve learned anything from my past posts you know that hormones rule all…don’t mess with them]

— Parabens can be found in lotions and ointments. [It is also found in the breast cancer tumors]

— Ethylene Oxide [a carcinogen] can be found in fragrances and shampoos. 

— Sunscreen is touted to prevent skin cancer, but unfortunately it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.

The 2014 EWG guide to safe sunscreen reviewed over 2000 sunscreens and over 250 brands. They found that more than 75% of them contained toxic chemicals that increase the risk of cancer and other health issues. 

While all of this is somewhat overwhelming and slightly terrifying, don’t panic too too much. There is some hope. 

+ Start reading and researching products, companies and ingredient lists. Know that the labeling on beauty products actually isn’t regulated so don’t be fooled by terms like “natural” or “organic”. 

+ Choose beauty products with expiration dates. You would be cautious of a food that never expired, start thinking the same about everything you put on your body too. 

+ Check out websites like this one and this one. 

+ Simplify your beauty routine. Less is more. You’ll quickly learn that you have drawers and shelves full of products “sold” to you that are entirely unnecessary. 

And finally, don’t expect to completely revamp your entire bathroom right away. Give yourself time to replace and remove the products you use. Enjoy the process.  

I'm far too trusting of a person and think that everyone is inherently good, and will avoid harm to others at all costs. But sadly that's not the truth. Money rules a lot in this world, so you have to learn how to become your own health advocate.  

Knowledge is power my friends, have fun with it. 

I'd Like a Side of Toxic Chemicals With That, Please

I’ve never really been one to shout “Go Vegan!” 

While I wholeheartedly believe in the vegan diet, I never want to push my beliefs onto others. I think that if you hop on top of your soap box and start hollering about what you believe in, you’re going to turn the majority of your audience off by your delivery method. 

I’m much more of a "lead by example" sort of person, and when others come to me with questions and curiosities I’ll gladly answer them. I'm not one to condemn others to the label of "murderer" by what they were raised on. 

So, this isn’t me saying “go vegan or you’re a horrible person.” No, I just want to share a little information, and you can decide what you want to do with it. 

Today, I want to talk about hormones and chemicals in meat. Tasty, right? Let’s start with a paragraph I pulled from the FDA website:

"Since the 1950s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of steroid hormone drugs for use in beef cattle and sheep, including natural estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and their synthetic versions. These drugs increase the animals’ growth rate and the efficiency by which they convert the feed they eat into meat.”

Alright, should be safe. I mean if the FDA approved it..

Why don't we look at 6 animal products accepted here in the U.S. animal but banned abroad:

+ US Beef — they are fed synthetic hormones in order to bulk them up [more meat per cow]. The National Cancer Association has raised concerns about the high rate of hormonal cancers. And in 1989 the European Economic Community banned this beef from being sold anywhere in the E.U.

+ Pigs, Cows and Turkeys who are fed Ractopamine — concerns have been raised about ractopamine causing anxiety and a higher heart rate in humans. The FDA has stated the potential increase in injury and lameness in pigs fed Ractopamine. 

+ Farmed Salmon — raised on mixture of grain, antibiotics and other drugs because like most animals, fish don’t fare so well in pens. The result is gray-colored flesh, which is dosed with astaxanthin from petrochemicals, banned in Australia and New Zealand. 

+ Arsenic-laced Chicken — added to feed to promote growth and kill parasites. In 1999 the E.U. banned arsenic being added to feed. 

+ Chicken washed in Chlorine — if you are unfamiliar with the condition chickens are raised in, you must live under a rock. It’s no surprise that the chicken end up pretty sick by the end of their lives, and the solution — washing the slaughtered chickens in chlorine. The E.U. has banned chlorine chicken from the U.S. as well as the practice in the E.U. 

+ Milk from cows given rBGH — Recombinant bovine growth hormone is given to dairy cows to increase the amount of milk they produce. The FDA approved its use in the U.S. in 1993, but it is not permitted in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and all of the E.U. 

Here’s a fun fact for you: 80% of the antibiotics sold in the U.S. are used on livestock. These are fed to livestock daily — not to avoid infection or sickness — but to make them gain weight. Researchers and doctors have this suspicion that this is aiding in the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 

Not surprisingly, there has been very little research done about the health implications of synthetic hormones in livestock. But the fear most have is that messing with the growth hormones may increase the insulin-like growth factor (IGF). Research has shown that milk from cows treated with rBGH has 10 times as much IGF than other milk. Higher blood levels of IGF has been connected to an increased risk of cancer in humans (65% high risk of hormone-dependent premenopausal breast cancer and almost a 50% higher risk of prostate cancer).

Another concern is the role this all plays in the rise of early puberty. There are many suspected factors in early puberty such as the higher rate of obesity and overweight children, processed foods and lack of exercise.

I love my fruits and veggies, but sadly the produce here in the U.S. is far from perfect. We’ve all heard of the “Dirty Dozen” and if you haven’t they’re the 12 most contaminated produce items: 

+ peaches

+ apples

+ sweet bell peppers

+ celery

+ nectarines

+ strawberries

+ cherries

+ pears

+ grapes (imported)

+ spinach

+ lettuce

+ potatoes

You're doing something wrong U.S. because there’s a lot of crap going into our food that isn’t good for us. But I believe awareness is key. I remained unaware until the age of 21. Unfortunately, it’s something you have to educate yourself on. You have to be your own health advocate. But my guess is that if you’re here then you’ve already begun your journey of self-education. Good for you, keep on going!

Skincare || A Journey

It has been a journey over the years, a lot of trial and error to find my perfect skin. A journey I'm still on.

A few things that I’ve learned play a role in your skin — genetics, diet, lifestyle and environment, just to name a few. 

I started getting acne around puberty. I tried all sorts of drugstore cleansers, proactive, etc. and none of it worked. 

By my senior year in high school, I said alright mom, I’ve had enough of this, can I please go see a dermatologist. 

The dermatologist had me try a few different topical treatments, none of them worked, and then she suggested Acutane. I know there is a lot of negative press about it, but at the time it was what worked for me, but now that I know what I know, I don’t know if I would recommend it. 

But because of this, throughout college I had pretty clear skin. Then after graduation, when I went vegan and quit the pill my skin freaked out. My body went through some major detoxing during this time. Yet, I felt at peace with this process. I somehow knew it would go away. And after a few months it cleared up, and I had the best skin of my life. 

Skip forward a few years. As many of you know, over the past few months I was trying a raw vegan diet. It was a decision that had been playing on my mind from the time I went vegan. And summer was the best time to do it. 

I felt absolutely fantastic for the first month. But then I unintentionally stopped eating enough veggies and switched to eating almost all fruit, and not getting enough calories, etc. While this works for a lot of people, it wasn’t working for me. Now, I’ve tried to step back and look at what it was that I was eating that was causing my acne. And it’s got to be a combo of high sugar from fruit, high fat from avocado, and high soy from my coffees. And while all these things aren’t “bad” I wasn’t balancing them out with the good greens. 

I’ve tweaked and changed my skincare routine, adding and removing different products. And recently I’ve really recharged my diet, gotten back on track with getting enough of everything I need, and made the decision to give my skin a little boost of topical support, to get everything back to square one. And it’s been working great, my skin has cleared back up almost completely in a week [save a few healing spots and scars].

Skincare is a continuous journey. We're ever changing as well as our body, and our environment. And like any good relationship you have to be able to grow together, to change together, moving this way and that to meet somewhere in the middle.   

Adrenal Fatigue || Quacks Tale or Healthy Reminder?

So, let’s talk about this little thing called adrenal fatigue. I mentioned in my most recent Raw Vegan for the Summer Update that I was concerned I might be giving myself it. I talked about how I went from being light and full of energy to lethargic and unmotivated (not my norm). 

I’d never heard of it before reading Woman Code, and I didn't know it wasn’t something recognized by modern medicine, until I saw a comment or two under the video. So, I decided to look into it. 

The argument is that adrenal fatigue is not a real diagnosis. It’s not something you can test for. That it’s a blanket term for all the symptoms that we have from a overbooked, over stressed life.  

There is “adrenal insufficiency” or Addison’s disease, which can be diagnosed through blood tests. But the treatments for this are steroid replacement therapy and hormone replacement therapy. 

Now, I find it somewhat frustrating when someone gets harped on by suggesting something that you treat though diet and lifestyle changes. Where’s the harm in that?

I’m not discounting those with adrenal insufficiency.

I look at it somewhat like I look at Celiacs vs. a gluten intolerance. While there’s no one arguing that they’re on the same level, what’s wrong with people trying to cut out processed wheat, barley and rye from their diet because it makes them feel better?  

People say gluten intolerance is just a fad and that adrenal fatigue is a fake disease, and maybe they are.

But I think it’s great when there are things that encourage a healthier lifestyle, things that make us reach towards unprocessed whole foods, and things that make us want to get outside and go for a walk.

Because as much as we’re told what to do for our health, sometimes it takes viewing it through a different light, or term, before it clicks, before that light bulb goes off.  

From the moment I decided I wanted to try out a raw vegan diet for the summer, I made the decision to be completely open and honest about it. Because I know no one is going to be perfect from the start. And if all people hear are "this sucks don’t do this", or “I’m a perfect raw vegan” then they’re going to get discouraged when it doesn’t work out right away.

It’s not all or nothing. Maybe you’re really interested in it, but going 100% raw isn’t for you at this point. You are more than welcome to ease into it. Start with just one raw meal a day and go from there. This could be a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch or raw tacos for dinner. 

You’re allowed to move at your own pace. This is YOUR journey. It doesn’t have to look exactly like everyone else’s. You don’t have to mimic that person that inspires you. Learn all that you can, and choose what works best for you. 

Now, saying that let’s talk about adrenal fatigue. This is what I’ve learned from reading and researching it for myself. And I know there’s much more to learn.

The argument is that Adrenal Fatigue isn’t a “real” medical condition, meaning that it’s not recognized by modern, western medicine.

If you look up the symptoms, they’re somewhat overwhelming:

+ inability to handle stress

+ sugar/salt cravings

+ high energy in the evening 

+ dizziness

+ dry skin

+ joint pain

+ low libido

+ ongoing tiredness

+ general lack of vitality

+ acne

+ feeling depressed

And that’s just to name a few. This doesn’t include the menstrual issues like anovulatory cycles, progesterone deficiency and PMS. 

These could be the symptoms of other issues you’ve got going on. But my argument for adrenal fatigue is that the “treatment” is all general good to do things for your health. So where’s the harm in that?

Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder to reevaluate our health and how we’re taking care of ourselves.  

Reading through these, they all seem like obvious, no brainer, things to do. But, like I said before, sometime we just need to see it laid out in front of us for it to click. 

+ get 8 hours of sleep (rest when tired)

+ put yourself on a sleep schedule (I shoot for bed by 10, wake up at 6)

+ eat breakfast (I’m bad at this)

+ don’t drink coffee on an empty stomach, or not at all (also bad at this)

+ nix sugar, caffeine, processed foods, hydrogenated oils 

+ eat things like coconut, avocado, cruciferous veggies, nuts and seeds

+ do something active (get outside, bike, walk, hike, dance, do yoga) 

+ research supplements like ashwagandha, magnesium, zinc and vitamins B5, C and D3 

+ minimize or remove the negativity and stress in your life (this can be people, activities, etc.)

In the end, you can decide for yourself whether you think it’s a real thing or not. What I’m taking from this is that I need to look into my day to day life to see what things I’m doing that are harmful to my well being. 

This isn’t a one time thing, a quick fix. It’s an ongoing process. Something you need to step back and look at every so often. 

I’m not perfect, I don’t pretend to be, and sometimes even I like to be reminded of what I need to be doing, eating and avoiding.  

Dads + Periods || Getting Involved

When we think of our daughters getting their first periods we think of how the girl will go to her mother, and how the mother will smile, laugh, cry, hand her a pad and tell her what to do. 

But what about the dads out there? 

I don’t think my father has ever once said anything to me about periods, let alone acknowledged the fact that I got mine. And part of me wishes he had.

So, today I’m dedicating this post to all of the fathers out there. Because I’m sure there are quite a few who want to be involved, but probably don’t know how. 

Why Dads Should Be a Part of This:

+ You probably know more about the menstrual cycle than you give yourself credit for.

+ Getting perspectives from both parents is beneficial.

+ Being able to talk to both parents will be a relief. 

+ Seeing her father talk about it will help normalize periods for her.

+ Mom isn’t always going to be there. 

How Dads Can Be Involved:

+ Give her a present on her first period, make her dinner, take her out for ice cream. Acknowledge this big change. 

+ Talk to her about periods. Just being open about it means more than you know. 

+ Girls are terrified of guys finding out they have their period. Talk to her about what boys at that age really think about periods. I was shocked when I learned that guys weren’t really that freaked out about periods. 

+ Let her know she can ask you to buy pads/tampons and come talk to you whenever she needs. 

+ Study up. Learn how to use a tampon/pad so you can offer help if she needs it. 

How Dads Shouldn’t React:

+ Don’t stop her if she tries to talk to you, and tell her that she should talk to her mother about these sort of things. 

+ Don’t be grossed out about tampons, pads and blood. And if you still cringe at the thought of any of these, get over it. 

+ Don’t ignore the topic. Find a way to show her that you are there for her in your own way. 

For the Single Fathers Out There:

+ Educate yourself on periods, menstrual cycles, pads, tampons before your daughter reaches puberty. 

+ Don’t be afraid to ask women/other dads for advice. 

+ When she starts going through puberty, go out and buy a box of pads.

+ Don’t be afraid of having a little chat with her about periods [She’ll probably be taught about it in middle school. This is the perfect time to ask her if she has any questions, tell her what you know, etc.]

+ Show her the box of pads, ask her if she wants to open one up to see what it’s all about. And let her know she can try putting one on in the bathroom just to test it out. Hell, grab one yourself and put it in your boxers/whitey tighties/ briefs and show her that it's no big deal. 

+ Let her know that you are there for her when it comes to periods [along with everything else]. That you’re excited to celebrate her first period with her. And that you will always be willing to go buy her more pads/tampons when she needs them.

In the end I think the most important thing for fathers to do is to make sure your daughter knows that you are there to talk if she wants to. You are there to answer her questions. And you are there to make sure she has everything she needs for her period. You don’t have to constantly talk with her about periods. No, just her knowing that you are there if she needs it all that matters. And believe me, it will mean more than you know, and probably more than she’ll ever let you know.   

Hormones Rule All

We do not give our hormones the credit they deserve. 

Because we don’t understand how much they are involved in.

Let me give you a hint: Everything.  

We look at hormones as those things that control our reproductive system, which we separate from the rest of our body anyways.

So many women are taking hormonal birth control for reasons other than contraception. 

+ 31% take it for menstrual cramps

+ 28% take it for migraines and other PMS symptoms

+ 14% take it for acne

Now, I’ll let you in on a little secret — birth control doesn’t actually cure any of these things. 

But do you know what it does? It effects your organs, your blood, how your brain communicates with your body, and it can really screw with your health, mood, weight, libido, and even your relationships. 

That’s because it's our hormones that tell our bodies what to do.

“Hormones affect your metabolism, the way your skin and nails look and feel, your ability to think clearly, how hungry you are, whether you’ll have a period or a baby, your libido and how much energy you have.” — Alisa Vitti

If there is a deficiency in one part of your body, another part has to overcompensate to try and balance it out. And it’s this overcompensation that causes so many problems. 

Imagine a group of six people lifting a piano. If one person let’s go, the other five have to take on more weight, readjusting how and where they’re holding it. Now, imagine if another lets go, and another. There’s going to be a lot of strain and weight put on the remaining three people. 

That’s what’s happening when your body isn’t able to work together smoothly. 

I first really learned about our endocrine system from Alisa Vitti. It is our system of organs and glands that sends information and instructions to one another about how to operate. And how does it communicate? With our hormones. 

But what happens when something interferes with the conversation between our endocrine system? For example, if you are eating cupcakes for meals or working 16 hour days, 7 days a week with 5 hours of sleep every night? 

Your hormones have to take on the burden of trying to balance out this chaos so you don’t suffer a breakdown of your endocrine system. [Picture that group of people carrying the piano.]

Scary, right? 

But how do we ensure that we are avoiding a total breakdown?

With food.

That’s right. We have to protect ourselves through what we eat, as well as what activities we choose to do, each and every day. 

This is the best way, the most natural, healthy way to keep our body functioning properly. 

So, if you were like me a few years ago, thinking your were invincible, could eat whatever and do whatever you wanted without a second thought about what it was doing to your body and your health, it’s time to take a step back and reconsider if that is how your want to handle your health. 

Your hormones are more than just your period, but if you’re not eating right and partaking in beneficial activities like exercise, meditation, etc. you’re going to see the effects manifest through your menstrual cycle. 

So, don’t leave those three people to hold up the piano alone. Give the other three the energy and nutrients they need so they can get back in there and take back some of the weight.  

[info and facts from "Woman Code" by Alisa Vitti]

Food = Medicine

I had a sort of revelation at the start of my senior year of college:

Nutrition was much more important than I had thought.

I have always had a fast metabolism so I have never had to really worry about gaining weight [Well, outside of my semester in Thailand]. My problem was probably not eating enough, and what I was consuming was processed junk food.

There would be days that I would eat cupcakes for meals, you guys, nothing but cupcakes.

And do you know what I remember? Constantly having a stomach ache. 

It seems obvious in retrospect but finally one day it just clicked. 

I started listening to my body, I noticed what didn’t agree with me, and started eliminating those foods. I was pleasantly surprised with a lightness, energy, happiness and lack of stomach pain that I hadn’t experienced in quite some time.

I cut out the processed junk and replaced it with nutritious whole foods. This process went a little something like this:

standard american diet —> vegetarian —> vegan + gluten-free —> vegan

I went from years of unknowingly being bloated, uncomfortable, with stomach pain, headaches and a lack of energy and motivation [I just thought this was the norm for me] to my final semester of college and being able to work three jobs, an internship and managing a full class load with a certain sense of focus and determination that had replaced my somewhat laissez-faire attitude of the previous years.

More recently I have become very interested in the power of nutrition, and in functional medicine. In healing issues naturally, and preventing them all together with food. 

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” — Ann Wigmore

The more I dig, the more I research, and the more I learn, the more this idea of nutrition and food comes out on top. 

Eating shouldn’t be about restricting calories, and starving your body of the nutrition it needs. There are countless fad diets out there, but I think we're seeing a return to a whole foods diet. This has been where I have found my success. This is where I have been able to nurture and restore my body. 

I don’t look to over the counter medications to heal my ailments. No, I look within myself, to find what's imbalanced. Because your body wants to function properly, it wants you to be in the best possible health. You just have to start helping it rather than getting in your own way.

It was this journey through food that brought me to realize my birth control pills were doing awful things to my body, and my mind. Before, I never really thought about what I was putting in and on my body. Now, I am a very conscious of both. 

As a vegan I get asked all the time, “What can you even eat?” and my answer is always that I eat a more diverse diet now than before going vegan. I am more adventurous with my food and my cooking. I am more nutritiously sound. And most importantly, I am happier and healthier than ever before.  

Guest Post: Shenaye | Her Story About Charting and Quitting Hormonal Birth Control

Creating FemmeHead has allowed me to connect with such wonderful women and girls from around the world. Technology is pretty great, huh?

Today, I am once again delighted to invite another friend onto FemmeHead to share her story of charting and quitting hormonal birth control. How crazy is it that I once thought I was the lone outcast, the weird one, the period freak? Well, I was wrong. There are so many women around the world who are charting, and so many more who are curious about it. 

If you're one of those curious ones, don't forget to join me Monday for my Chart Your Cycle course. Registration closes Sunday. I can't wait to see you there. 

Time to welcome the ever amazing, Shenaye! 

---

I'd been on the pill since I was the ripe age of 18 years old. I was told to get on the pill to prevent babies and to regulate my then very irregular (we're talking like once every 4-6 months here) period. I gladly took it but found that I could not stay consistent with taking a pill at the same time every day so I started searching for an alternative. That's when I came upon a birth control bar called Nexplanon. It was a dream come true really. All I had to do was get a teeny tiny bar in my arm and I'd never have to worry about taking a pill for the next three years. Plus, my period became even less frequent, which I was told was completely normal. I honestly felt like I'd hit the jackpot. I didn't have to worry about a pill or bleeding. I was one happy gal -- until I gained over 60 pounds.

I think that was the final straw for me. Something just didn't seem right about not having a period. And I really was not excited about the weight gain (though part of it was from stress as well). I mean sure, I wasn't pregnant, but I was miserable. This began the search for a more natural alternative.

I began diving into any information I could find. Most people talked about condoms on condoms on condoms, but it wasn't until I stumbled upon Victoria and FemmeHead on YouTube that I heard about the Fertility Awareness Method. Watching her story about how she quit the pill immediately intrigued me. I found myself going down a rabbit hole and watched pretty much every video she had on the subject. I then went out and purchased the "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" book she recommended. From then on it was history. I dropped my birth control and began practicing the method.

It's been six months since I quit birth control and I couldn't be happier. I really feel as though I've taken back control over my life. I no longer have to rely on my OBGYN to tell me what's going on with my body. I know when I'm ovulating, when to expect my period and most importantly, what's going on in my body at different points in my cycle. I understand why I may feel tired on some days and have high energy on others. I can immediately tell when my hormones are out of whack. And if my doctor has a question as to what's going on with me, I can confidently answer. That to me, is the ultimate pro.

---

Meet Shenaye 

After finding that the lifestyle she was living no longer suited her goals, Shenaye decided to go on a journey of change. To keep herself accountable she created an Instagram and YouTube channel to document her daily life, her wins and her struggles. Since then it's grown into a beautiful way for her to connect with others who are on their own paths and encourage them to keep going.

Go check her out!

Instagram @pursuingchange

YouTube: youtube.com/pursuingchange

Guest Post: Kimberly Kurimski | Her Story About Birth Control and Charting

Today in honor of my upcoming Chart Your Cycle course, I wanted to invite in one of my close friends to share her story about hormonal birth control, why she stopped, and why she chose FAM. 

Please welcome the one and only Kimberly Kurimski!

---

I was 16 years old when I first got on birth control. I didn’t want to worry about taking a pill at the same time every day so with the help of my doctor, we chose the Implanon. I had it for just a few months before I decided to get rid of it. I was constantly spotting, my periods were painful and the experience was just not something I wanted to endure any longer, so I switched to the Nuva Ring.

I was on the Nuva Ring until I was 21 I believe. At the start of using the Nuva Ring my periods were extremely painful. Cramping was at a level where I couldn’t even move out of bed. I remember having a date with my then boyfriend and I had to cancel because I couldn’t get up. The painful periods eventually faded and I began to love the Nuva Ring. However, I felt like my emotions were being fogged over. Like I couldn’t truly express who I was inside. It’s hard to describe it, but I felt like my emotions were being expressed in ways I didn’t want them to be. Whether I was freaking out over something small or didn’t feel as happy when something exciting happened. I just felt off in a way. I was also concerned that I didn’t truly know myself. I had been on birth control since I was 16, which is when puberty is occurring yet I had been pumping my body full of hormones and possibly changing who I truly was. I wanted to know myself as I was. No extra medications. So that’s when I talked to my long-term boyfriend (now fiance) about getting off birth control.

He was so supportive. He wanted to learn everything with me so he understood my body as well. [editors note: I love hearing of such amazing partners] I began charting immediately when I got off the Nuva Ring. Victoria shared some resources with me to help me transition to charting and so I began with my trust thermometer in hand. I decided I wanted to learn more by taking a class so my boyfriend and I signed up for the Natural Family Planning (NFP) class offered by the Couples to Couples League. We felt a little uncomfortable attending the class since neither of us are religious, but everyone was so welcoming.

We were instantly fascinated by the amazing things my body does throughout once cycle. I had no idea there were four phases that led me to experience different emotions or feel differently. My favorite phase is the Ovulatory Phase. This is when the egg is released into the ovary. Estrogen and testosterone levels peak, which may make you feel that you look better and feel more confident. Energy levels are highest in this phase and it’s a good time to put yourself out there. Whether it’s going on a date or a job interview, you may feel more desirable and emit that better during this phase. When I learned about this I was in awe. I mean, how cool is that?!

Another thing I learned about was cervical fluid. WHY HAS NO ONE EVER TALKED ABOUT THIS TO YOUNG GIRLS?! I thought I was some type of sick freak. I would find a white substance in my underwear and be annoyed with it. I didn’t know what it was or why it was there. Little did I know at the time that cervical fluid was one of the ways to track my fertility. The different types of cervical fluid help determine what phase I’m in and that is just freaking awesome.

Today I continue to chart. I use the Kindara app and love it. It’s super easy and I purchased the Wink thermometer, which has yet to be delivered but I can’t wait to try it out! I feel good knowing that I’m only put good things in my body. I’m not taking unnecessary medications and instead I am learning more so I can track my fertility myself. I love how I feel off hormonal birth control. I feel proud of myself to be informed enough to chart and that’s an irreplaceable feeling.

---

Kimberly Kurimski is a Content Manager at Cover Story Media. I go to her for a range of techy questions, as well as general day to day advice and great conversations. She is also an amazing advocate for ALS research. 

Registration for my Chart Your Cycle course closes this Sunday, June 5th. Make sure you head on over to sign up and learn more. I can't wait to see you there!

My Chart Your Cycle Course + Why I Chose FAM

So, how did I get into charting my cycle, and why do I love it so gosh darn much?

It was the end of my senior year of college, and I desperately wanted to toss my packet of pills in the trash, but what was I going to do about birth control?

I was not in a position to mess around with a child at that point. Nor did I want to.

I tirelessly, yet enthusiastically, searched the web for my options that were non-hormonal. 

I wasn’t interested in going to get fitted for a diaphragm, let alone messing around with that. Nor did I want a copper IUD. I was over putting things into my body, and was sure there had to be a natural, noninvasive solution. 

And then it happened. I stumbled on a goldmine of books, “The Pill: Are You Sure It’s For You?” and “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” just to name a few. 

Here was the answer I had been searching for. 

I dived straight into every ounce of information I could about the Fertility Awareness Method, and was instantly hooked, fascinated, and completely flabbergasted. How did I not already know all of this? Did other women know this?

Learning how to chart my cycle has been life changing [I don’t care how cheesy this sounds, it’s the truth]. Not only have I learned a world of knowledge about my own body, but I’ve been able to successfully avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

And let's not forget that it was this initial frustration with birth control, and a curious hunch that there must be more, that has led me to create FemmeHead. 

Because the further I got, and the more I learned, the more I found myself thinking, “I MUST SHARE THIS INFORMATION.” 

Granted, I had absolutely no idea whether anyone else would find it relevant, let alone interesting, but I wanted to put it out there for girls who were searching for their own answers, just as I had been. 

And I’ve been overwhelmed with the response. I’m not alone. You, yes you, have been searching for another birth control option, and have found yourself curious about what FAM is all about. 

So, in honor of that curiosity, and my desire to answer everyone in one magical little package, I have created a course just for that. 

[Insert shameless plug below]

My Chart Your Cycle course is for those of you out there curious about FAM. You’re ready to learn more about it, and decide whether this method will work for you. 

I’ve created it as an introduction into the world of FAM, to give you the basics, and hopefully peak your curiosity enough to keep you searching and learning more about it. 

I’d love for everyone curious about FAM to come join me June 6th for this month long course. Each week I’ll send you a new lesson, and invite you to join the Facebook group for further discussion with the other ladies in the course with you. 

Registration closes June 5th. 

Click the "discreet" button below to check it out and get yourself a spot in the June group.

I can’t wait to see you there.