Adventures In Frugal Land

Simply Frugal. Simply Natural.

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How to Handle Cramps (Without Pain Killers)

I’ve spent far too much time trying to figure out ways to handle severe menstrual cramps without painkillers. And when I say severe cramps, I’m talking about the cramps that are worse than labor contractions. Unfortunately, the epidural is not available to women during their time of the month. I’m hoping that this little list might help one of you out. Looking for ways to save money on your period, check out this post.

Heating Pad

This is my number one helpful tool. I love my heating pad. I am looking into getting a rechargeable one. I just found out they made them!

Tens Unit

I only recently bought a tens unit and am so glad I did. It’s not a miracle worker but it helps. I do notice a huge difference in the pain levels while I’m using. But, my body quickly reverts back to maximum pain once I take it off.

Hot Water Bottle

Essential for when using a heating pad isn’t feasible.

Fit2B

Yes, working out can help cramps. I love that Fit2B is gentle and doesn’t cause me more pain. I especially like their “PMS” workout. Check out my full review here.

Epsom Salt Baths

Epsom salt baths are great for relaxing your entire body and soothing cramps.

Essential Oils

I am not an essential oil expert and don’t believe that oils can cure all the diseases in the world. That being said, Clary Sage and Peppermint are helpful for relieving cramps when applied topically (diluted) on the abdomen.  I buy mine from Amazon or Plant Therapy.

I do want to point out that if you are having horrible cramps, you should see your doctor. I didn’t know that a period shouldn’t hurt that bad until I was in my mid-20s. I’ve learned that mine are caused by a combination of endometriosis and ademysosis. I’m really upset that it took me so many years to find out that what I was dealing with wasn’t “normal”.

Do you suffer from horrible menstrual cramps? What are your best tips to relieve them?

 

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Trim Healthy Mama Review

I suffer from Hashimotos AND Grave’s Disease. My thyroid was destroyed via radioactive iodine and since then, I’ve had a hard time keeping it under control. On top of that, I also struggle with issues with my pituitary gland and prolactin levels. Add in my endometriosis and ovarian cysts to the mix and that is a recipe for weight gain.

Have you heard about “Trim Healthy Mama”? It’s a “diet” plan that’s gained a large following over the past few years. I say “diet” plan very loosely as it is not really a diet but more of a lifestyle change. I first heard about Trim Healthy Mama when I started researching ways to lose weight after my thyroid went haywire on me.

I never struggled with my weight before my health issues started. I was under 100 lbs before I got pregnant with my daughter and went down to 105-110 lbs afterward. (which was a much healthier weight!) My thyroid went out of whack right before I started taking Lupron for my endometriosis. Lupron is a drug that pretty much induces an artificial menopause. I went up to 135 lbs within a few months. Since then, it’s been a constant struggle to get the weight off. I know that the numbers aren’t that big of a deal to most people, and I really don’t care about the number on the scale myself. But, gaining 25 pounds that quick was not healthy for me and my body type.

When I heard about Trim Healthy Mama, I was intrigued because it didn’t seem “strict”. I knew I couldn’t do a “diet” that had me counting calories or only consisting of juice or something. I went ahead and ordered the book. I finished it within two days. I loved the ideas in it. Instead of telling what to eat or what not to eat, Trim Healthy Mama (THM ) tells you how to put your meals together to refresh your metabolism naturally and healthily.

I really liked how the THM plan doesn’t require you to buy any bizarre ingredients. They do have a few recommendations that are “special ingredients” but you don’t have to use them. You can follow this plan by shopping at your local store.

I did want to try some of their “special ingredients” and Trim Healthy Mama was nice enough to send me a few samples to test out and review.

Stevia

I’ve tried Stevia in the past and hated it. I was surprised to find that I didn’t mind their version as much. I’m not a fan of it unless it’s mixed with something else though. I think it’s just one of those acquired taste things.

Super Sweet Blend

Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of this blend. It really is super sweet, which is too sweet for me.

Gentle Blend

This is my favorite of their blends. It’s sweet but not too sweet.

Other Products:

Baking Blend:

I went ahead and purchased the THM baking blend when I found it at a local store. I tried to find a comparable DIY blend but I quickly gave up. Baking and cooking isn’t really my forte. I LOVE the baking blend. It’s yeast free and perfect for making my daughter’s muffins and such.

Doonk Spoons:

I also found the “doonk” spoons which I purchased too. I do like them. They make it much easier to measure out stevia.

Collagen:

I ordered mine from Amazon and am amazed at how strong my hair and nails have gotten since I started adding it to my coffee. This is defiantly a “special ingredient” I stand by 100%.

I haven’t tried any of the other “special ingredients” because there hasn’t been a need for me to try them.

I don’t agree with everything in the plan but overall, I love how easy it is to adapt to different lifestyles. I have tried many of the recipes and really enjoy most. Some, just aren’t my style. I haven’t fully followed the plan. But, I’ve been loosely following it for a few months with some basic common sense. I don’t stress too much about how often I’m eating or “what type” of meal I’m having. I do try to make sure at least one or two of my daily meals are “on plan”. My daughter has a yeast allergy so most of our meals are naturally sugar and yeast free. I am very happy that the recipes in the Trim Healthy Mama cookbook are easily adapted to her allergy.

I am happy to report that I have gone back down to a normal weight, even though I’m still drinking sweet tea and soda! Yes, those are my weaknesses. I’ve been able to cut out soda before and hope to do it again. I’m not sure if I will ever go fully “on plan”. I am happy with how my family is eating. Which is very little processed foods, lots of fruits, veggies, and meats. We don’t eat a lot of normal pasta, we use quinoa pasta instead. There is a bag of Hershey kisses in my nightstand and some Doritos hidden through the house. It’s about balance for us.

 

Have you heard of Trim Healthy Mama? What are your favorite recipes?

 

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Why We’ve Changed Our Eating Habits

I am not one to get behind many “food trends”. I don’t believe that it’s necessary to eliminate any major food groups unless there is an allergy or sensitivity to them. I’ve been a big believer in everything moderation when it comes to food. Ok, that’s a lie when it comes to chocolate. With that, it’s more is better! And cheese. Oh my, I adore cheese. Obviously, I’m a little hungry while writing this but my point is that I love pretty much all food groups. But….my family has gone (for the most part) crazy healthy; eating primarily fruits, veggies and meat. Did we go Paleo? Nope, my daughter was diagnosed with a yeast allergy.

 

If I’m being honest, she was diagnosed months before we made any major diet changes. We were always pretty healthy eaters. At least when it came to dinner. We occasionally had our junk food nights because, well, I’m a grown up now and I can do that if I want.

 

Let me back up a little bit to the events leading up to her diagnose. For months, I noticed she was suffering from allergies. I assumed that they were seasonal related and first gave her Benadryl and hoped for the best. It didn’t get better. She was also very crabby most of the time. Which, if you knew her, you’d realize how abnormal that was. She is typically a very happy little girl. We also noticed that she was waking up several times through the night, coughing badly I took her to her doctor, who gave the first clue that we might be dealing with something more than just seasonal allergies. My daughter was put on allergy medicine and referred for allergy testing. She was also being suspected of having asthma, but we weren’t sure at that point.

Looking back, I’m not sure how I didn’t put two and two together earlier. She suffered from really frequent (4+ a month!) ear infections before she had surgery to place tubes in her ears. After talking with the doctors, I learned how common it is for allergies, ear problems, eczema (which she’s had she was an infant) and asthma to coexist.

 

It just so happened that her Ear’s, Nose and Throat Specialist also does allergy testing, so I set up an appointment with the office. I wasn’t surprised by some of the allergies that popped up like mold and fungus. I knew she couldn’t handle being around mold (one of the main reasons we moved!). I was, however, shocked by the yeast allergy. We were given the advice to make what changes we could, give the medicine time to kick in and to start thinking about eliminating yeast from her diet.

 

We didn’t go straight for the elimination diet. Instead, we tried to cut back on the amount of junk she was consuming. I also began tracking her symptoms vs. what she ate. My attention towards her diet shifted a bit once she suffered her first true asthma attack. We also found noticed mold in and around where we were living. My focus at that point was getting her away from any mold. That was the priority. We found a new house and began the moving process.

 

I did notice a huge difference in her once we moved. Many of her symptoms decreased. But, several were still there. It became apparent that just cutting back yeast wasn’t going to help. So, we’re now in the middle of a total elimination diet. After a month, she’s able to try certain things (some cheeses for example) and wait a week to see if there’s any interaction. And repeat. Yes, it’s going to take several months before we have a good handle on what she can and cannot eat.

 

Before I did a lot of research, I figured yeast was only in breads and baked goods. It’s not. It’s in practically everything. Things that I wouldn’t expect it to be, has yeast in it. Like cheese. She also has to avoid sugar during this process. It’s a bit of a challenge figuring out what to feed her. I have to meal plan every single meal, snack and drink she consumes. Brandon and I are mostly following the same diet as she is. Not because we have to but because it’s easier to eat the same thing(s). I do have to admit to hiding a bag of Hershey Kisses in my nightstand because sometimes, I NEED chocolate. It’s dark chocolate though. So, it’s practically a carrot, right?

 

A few weeks into this, I must say that it is helping her a lot. Her digestive issues are pretty much gone, she’s sleeping great all night long, she’s happy, her “allergic shiners” diminished a ton, and her eczema is decreased a lot as well (which also has to do with switching laundry soap!). I’m hoping that not having her exposed to yeast helps her asthma too. So far, it’s been under control.

 

You will notice me sharing some things about our journey with this particular food allergy. I will occasionally share my menu plans because I want to help any people I can dealing with this. Most of the meal plans will be yeast-free, sugar-free, gluten-free (because it just comes naturally with this), and largely dairy-free (she is still able to have yogurt and such).

 

 

 

Have you ever had to deal with a yeast allergy before? Share your favorite recipes and tips! I need all the help I can get.

 

 

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Luna Pads Review

Luna Pads

Luna Pads has a unique 2-part system. Instead of changing the pad throughout the day, you simply change the insert. I cannot review this type as I have not tried it (yet).

I ordered:

The sample liner option.

Cost:

The normal cost for liners starts out at $11.99. Wide pads start out at $16.99. Large ones start out at $12.99. Postpartum pads start out at $25.99. If you order $75 or more, shipping is free.

Variety of Styles & Sizes:

There isn’t a variety of styles with Luna Pads. There are only a few different sizes.

Variety of Prints:

There isn’t a large variety of prints.

Absorbency:

I did not do an absorbency test on the liners.Learn more about my absorbency testing in the post “What You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Cloth Pads”.

Comfort:

Very comfortable. I didn’t notice it when I wore it.

What I Didn’t Like:

I am not a big fan of the size of the pantyliner.

Customer Service:

Shipping was very quick. I had no other experiences with customer service.

Overall Thoughts:

If you are interested in a two-part system, this is the company for you! You can request a free liner sample by visiting this page.

 

I am unsure if I will order from this company in the future. I am interested in trying the two-part system but I don’t know if I would like it.

 

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GladRags Review

GladRags

GladRags has a 3-part system. You can essential make the pad be as absorbent as you would like. Each insert would add some additional bulk to the pad but also would add significant protection.

I ordered:

The sample liner option.

Cost:

The normal cost for liners starts out at $12.49. Day pads start out at $14.99. Overnight pads start out at $19.49.

Variety of Styles & Sizes:

There is only one style of pad with this company. GladRags has liners, day pads, day pads plus, overnight pads and overnight plus sizes.

Variety of Prints:

There isn’t a large variety of prints.

Absorbency:

I did not do an absorbency test on the liners.Learn more about my absorbency testing in the post “What You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Cloth Pads”.

Comfort:

I really like how comfortable this liner is. Very soft fabric. There is also the option to have organic cotton too.

What I Didn’t Like:

This pantyliner quickly looked worn-out after only a few washes.

Customer Service:

Shipping was very quick. I had no other experiences with customer service.

Overall Thoughts:

I probably would not order from this company in the future. I feel there are other options that hold up better and are a wiser long-term investment.

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How Much Can You Save By Using Reusable Menstrual Products?

Figures below are estimates, your amounts may be a little more or a little less. I’m going to call her Eve because I don’t like not naming things or people, even hypothetical ones.

On average, a young woman can expect to start her period around age 12. Let’s say she enters menopause at age 52. That’s 40 years of menstruating! Of course, if she has children, she won’t have as many months of menstruating. I’m going to assume Eve has 2 children and got her cycle back 3 months after delivery (which is when I did even though I breastfed, not fair!). Now, Eve can expect 38 years or 456 months of menstruation.

Cost of Menstrual Products 

Let’s say Eve uses 20 tampons and 10 pads per cycle. Her cost per period would be around $8. Each year, she will spend $96 just on pads and tampons.

Eve decides she is sick of throwing away her money and invests in some reusable options. She decided to buy a menstrual cup and cloth pads. She bought enough pads to get through her entire cycle. She purchases 5 overnight pads that cost $14 each and 5 moderate pads that cost $13 each. Upfront cost: $135. She also buys a menstrual cup that costs $15, bringing her total upfront cost to $150.

That sounds like a lot of money, doesn’t it? Well, the pads and menstrual cup should each last at least 5 years, possibly more. If Eve continued to purchase disposable options, she would have spent $480 in five years. By purchasing reusable options, she is actually SAVING $330!

But what if Eve doesn’t use and only uses pads? We can assume she goes through 5 pads a day if she’s changing every 4 hours and 1 overnight each day. Eve purchases Ultra-Thin Heavy Flow Pads for daytime use and Ultra-Thin All Night Pads for nighttime use. Her daytime pads cost $0.36 per pad while her nighttime pads cost $0.27 per pad. Over the course of her cycle, she spends $10.35 on pads.

Each year, she will spend $124 on pads. Over a five-year period, she would spend $620 on pads!

She purchases. 5 overnight cloth pads at $14 each and 25 moderate cloth pads at $13 each. Her total upfront cost is $395. She just saved herself $225.

But, Eve doesn’t have $395 right now. She goes to Party In My Pants Pads and chooses the “surprise party” print options. Now, the cost per large pad is only $10 and the cost per overnight pad is only $11, bringing her total down to $305. She then uses the coupon code frugalland to save an additional 10%, bringing her final cost to $275.

Of course, there are other ways to offset the initial cost of reusable menstrual products.

Buy Slowly

Many women choose to purchase their reusable menstrual products over a period of time rather than all at once. If you choose to use cloth pads, you can buy enough to get through three days and do a load of laundry halfway through your cycle. This method allows you to purchase less pads but does mean you are washing them twice as much which can wear them out quicker. You might choose to buy two cloth pads each month. You can build up a stash over a year this way.

Find Cheap Options

There are cheaper options when it comes to cloth pads. Some women really like the pads available on Wish.com. I’m not a big fan of them but they are a cheap and viable option. There are also several sellers on Etsy that have lower prices. Be aware that buying the cheapest option really isn’t the best deal if the pad is poorly made. This is not a case where cheaper is better. My advice is to look for a coupon code or wait for sales to build your stash.

Make Your Own Cloth Pads

If you are handing with a sewing machine, you might want to think about sewing your own. This is a great way to cut down on the initial costs of purchasing cloth pads.

Regardless of which option you choose, using reusable menstrual products will save you quite a bit of money over the years. I believe the cheapest option is the menstrual cup but that’s not a good alternative for women who can’t use anything internally. But, if you can, it’s a great way to save a lot of money. I will be posting a full menstrual cup review next week.

Are you surprised at how much disposable pads and tampons cost over a five year period? 

 

 

 

 

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Party In My Pants Pads Review

Party In My Pants

I placed a fairly large order with Party In My Pants Pads (PIMP) because I had already signed up for their free liner sample (just pay shipping, sign up here) and LOVED it. When they ran their end of the year special (25% off!) I jumped on it and ordered several more liners and a few pads to test out.

I ordered:

1 Jetty Pad, 1 Overnight Pad, 1 Large Pad, 2 Luxe Liners and 8 Demi Liners.

Cost:

I paid $78.66 for my entire order. I did use a special coupon code that was available at the time.

The normal cost for liners starts out at $9.99. Medium pads start out at $12.99. Large ones start out at $12.99. Overnight ones start out at $13.99.

 

You can cut down on the cost by choosing the “surprise me” option for the print used. Doing this saves about $3 per pad ordered! Definitely, the way to go if you don’t care about the print used. If you order $75 or more, shipping is free.

Materials:

Nylon shield (backing)

Flannel (top & inner core)

Cotton (top & inner core)

Option for 100% organic cotton (top & inner)

Nickle free plated snaps

 

Variety of Styles & Sizes:

There isn’t too much variety in the different styles. PIMP seems to have a found a shape that works for most women and stays with that. There are a lot of different sizes to choose from, though. Their “Jetty” pad has a different wing placement than their other ones but is still the same shape. This isn’t an issue for me but might be for someone else.

Variety of Prints:

If you like a large variety of prints, PIMP is a great place to shop. They have a huge variety of prints. There is something to suit everyone.

 

Absorbency:

Learn more about my absorbency testing in the post “What You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Cloth Pads”.

Large Pad

I was pretty shocked to find that the top layer of the pad was pretty dry to the touch after 10 minutes. There was no leaking from the sides or the back of the pad. The pad remained super thin but did get a little bit of heaviness.

Overnight Pad

This pad is super thin and I didn’t think it would be able to work as an overnight pad. I really put it to the test with 2 oz of water. While the pad did get quite heavy, there was no leaking at all. Also, the top layer of the pad was fairly dry to the touch after 10 minutes.

Comfort:

I found the top layer of each one to be very comfy. And the thinness of the pads definitely is a huge plus for me. I hate the “bulge” that happens with disposable pads.

I tried to capture how thin the are with the below picture.

What I Didn’t Like:

There is also an issue with the pads shifting if you do not wear tight enough panties. This isn’t an issue for the liners but it is for the pads. You can help this issue by ordering the pads with a second snap, which I highly recommend. I’ve only noticed the shifting happening after periods of activity. If you have a job that doesn’t require much moving/bending, I don’t think this would be an issue at all.

I did notice that with some panties, you can hear the nylon rubbing when you walk. This may not bother you but it does bother me. I wish there was an option to have a different backing.

 

Customer Service:

Shipping was very quick. My package was at my house within a few days of ordering. Included in my package was a piece of fair trade chocolate! I would LOVE the option to buy more of that chocolate. It is delicious.

I had a question and emailed customer service and they were very quick to respond and quite nice.

 

Overall Thoughts:

PIMP pads can be costly (especially if you choose your own print) but they are very well made. I am happy with how quick they dry due to their thin shape. I would recommend ordering their free sample first before placing a large order to make sure their shape works well with your body.

 

I will be ordering from this company again in the future.

If you place an order with Party In My Pants (PIMP) Pads, get 10% off with the code “frugalland“.

 

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What You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Cloth Pads

If you are anything like me, the first time you heard about cloth pads, you thought “Ew, gross. I will NEVER do that.” I surprised myself when I decided to try them out. I didn’t jump into using cloth pads with both feet at first. I slowly crept in.

A few months ago, I was preparing a busy few months at work. Knowing that I was already in extreme pain from endometriosis and adenomyosis, I visited my gynecologist to find out what I could temporarily do to try to ease the pain. I knew I couldn’t afford to take off time to have a surgery done then, so, I opted to try a round of the depo-vera shot. I regretted that decision within a week. TMI Alert: I began to bleed and continued to spot for three straight months. Which meant I had to use disposable pads and panty liners. This led to some unpleasant side effects. Like ahem…chafing. (I was not able to use tampons or a cup due to the pain during that time).

Desperate for some sort of relief, I turned to the internet. And after diagnosing myself with all sorts of diseases, I kept reading about women who used cloth pads. I thought they were crazy but I decided to give it a try. I honestly thought that I would try one, write a review here about the horrible experience and never look back.

I started out by ordering a sample panty liner from Party In My Pants Pads. When I tested it out, I was shocked. Ladies….it was so different than disposables! I quickly ordered more from a variety of companies. I will be reviewing each company one at a time in the following days. I picked four of the more well-known companies, four of the cheaper ones from China (ordered on Wish and Aliexpress) and four from Etsy.

Before I get into the reviews, I want to answer some questions I’m sure you have. These are the questions I had when I started.

Isn’t It Gross?

Honestly, no grosser than dealing with a period any other way. At some point, a woman will have to wash blood out of her panties. It’s just part of being a woman. Dealing with cloth pads is not any grosser than that.

How Do You Wash Cloth Pads?

It’s really up to you. You can rinse them out and soak in a pail till wash day. Or, you can just throw into the washing machine without soaking. That option is more likely to result in staining, though.  Some women (like me) prefer to wash a small load of just pads rather than mixing with the other laundry. Some pads are able to be dried in the dryer but I prefer to hang them up to dry, this helps them last even longer.

Where Do You Store Cloth Pads?

Anywhere you normally store menstrual supplies. I have mine in a drawer in the bathroom.

How Many Cloth Pads Do I Need?

This all depends on your unique flow, how often you change your pad and how many times you want to do laundry in a week. I don’t mind having to wash them so, I bought enough for 3 full days. Other women like to have enough pads to get through their entire cycle. I didn’t choose this option because I wasn’t sure how they would work for me. Take note of how many disposables you use and purchase the same amount of cloth pads.

Will They Leak?

Cloth pads are just as, if not more, absorbent than disposables. They shouldn’t leak if used properly. Common sense plays a part here. You need to be aware of how heavy your cycle is and plan accordingly. Obviously, you don’t want use a light day pad as an overnight pad. Not all pads are made the same way. You will find that different companies/sellers have different standards. This is one of the reasons I chose to review different companies.

Isn’t It More Expensive?

You can offset some of the initial cost by looking for clearance deals or seconds. Also, many companies allow you to get a free sample pad to test out (you usually have to pay the shipping fees).

Longterm wise, it’s actually cheaper to buy cloth pads than disposables. The initial cost can be expensive but they should last 3-5 years.

What are Seconds? Are They Used Pads?

Seconds are just pads or pantyliners that have a slight cosmetic defect that shouldn’t affect usage at all. They are definitely not used pads! They are priced lower than other pads/liners. This is a great way to build your stash while on a budget!

What are the Best Ones?

I can’t answer that question as it depends on what you want, what’s important to you in a pad and several other variables. I did try to help you all out by testing and reviewing several different cloth pads. I will be posting several reviews (12!) of different cloth pad companies and Etsy shops in the next two weeks. All of the pads I review went through the same review process.

About My Cloth Pad Review Process:

I tested the absorbency of all of the pads the same way to be able to accurately give these reviews. I used water as it is easier to measure than menstrual blood. I based it on the amount I typically have in my cup on a normal cycle day. I’m sure there is a more scientific way of testing but this worked for me.

I laid each pad out one by one with a piece of paper underneath to catch any water that might leak through. Then, I put about a 1/4 oz of water onto each one and let it soak for 10 minutes.

I did NOT perform an absorbency test on any of the pantyliners.

Notes About These Reviews:

I did want to make sure you all are aware that NONE of these companies were aware that I was going to be reviewing their pads before they were shipped to me. I wanted to make these reviews honest and fair. I know that sometimes, companies pay “extra, special attention” to bloggers who are writing reviews and I didn’t want that. I was determined to get the “real” experience of each company to be able to pass along that knowledge to my reader.

I did contact some of the companies after my testing process to see if they would be willing to pass along any discounts or savings to you. Some of the links in the reviews are affiliate links but I was not compensated for my review at all. All of the products were bought with my own money. Sometimes as a blogger, I am blessed to receive products to test but that was not the case with these reviews. I am not opposed to the idea of free cloth pads to test out though if any company/seller is reading! LOL 🙂

Come back tomorrow to read my review on Party In My Pants Pads, also known as PIMP pads. I find the name quite funny! Plus, I’ll tell you how to save 10% off your order!

Do you have any other questions about cloth pads? Feel free to ask me them!

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From Toxic to Healthy: Women’s Health

If you are a man, you may wish to stop reading now. Don’t say I didn’t warn you 🙂

For February, I’m going to be sharing a lot of information about women’s health with you. Originally, this was going to be part of the “From Toxic to Healthy: Health” section. But, I felt that women’s health had too much information to pack into one week. In fact, there’s too much information to pack into one month, but I am going to try!

 

A large part of the focus this month will be on menstrual health. Having endometriosis and adenomyosis is one of the biggest reasons I made the switch to natural menstrual products. I did a lot of research and found that several women reported that by stopping the use of chemical-filled disposable products, their cramps were lessened. I figured it was worth a shot and jumped in. I am so glad I did.

 

There are quite a few different options you can choose from when making the switch from toxic to healthy menstrual products. Each of them has different pros and cons. I tried to pick a variety of the more popular ones to test and review. This month, we will be discussing natural disposable tampons and pads. We will also be discussing reusable options such as menstrual cups, cloth pads, cloth tampons, sea sponge tampons and menstrual panties. I will also be sharing my “must haves” to get through that time of the month, ways to handle PMS, safe fitness workouts for women, breast health and more.

Are you ready? I sure am.

Check back on Tuesday for What You’ve Always Wanted To Know About Cloth Pads

 

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6 Healthy Things That Can Cause More Harm

6-healthy-things

This is the time of the year that almost everyone tries to become healthier. It’s great to set New Year’s health resolutions. I’m removing toxins from my home as one of mine. But, it is possible to go overboard. Sometimes, “healthy” things can cause more harm. Certainly, not the outcome anyone wants.

 

Taking Too Many Vitamins

Unless you are getting your vitamins directly from vegetables, it is possible to take too many. Yes, I’m sure it is technically possible to eat too many carrots or something but I haven’t seen it before. If you take supplements and vitamins, be sure to follow the dosage guidelines exactly. This is not a time where “more is better”.

 

Refusing Modern Medicine in Favor of Natural Remedies

I prefer to use natural remedies before I reach for a bottle of pills. However, It’s not always wise to rely just on natural remedies. If you suffer from a major illness like diabetes or thyroid disorders like me, be sure to take your medicine. Natural remedies can help alleviate symptoms but sometimes, modern medicine is needed. Seems like common sense but I’ve seen many people reject modern medicine completely at the cost of their health.

 

Extreme Cleanses

It seems that every few months, there is a new diet or cleanse that becomes very popular. The problem with these are they aren’t always that healthy. Stick with tried and true ways to cleanse your body. For example, drinking lots of water, epsom salt baths and common sense nutrition.

 

Overdoing Exercise

It’s great to exercise regularly but it’s also possible to overdo it. If you are a person who likes to exercise a lot be sure to switch around the types of exercises you do to give your body a needed break. If you are that person who loves exercise, please motivate me to actually do it too! 😀

 

Weaning Yourself from Prescription Medications

Are you taking a medicine that you no longer wish to take? Please, talk to your doctor before just stopping them on your own. Many medicines need to be weaned rather than cut cold turkey.

 

Cutting Out Major Food Groups

When you cut out major food groups, you run the risk of inadequate nutrition. If you must cut out a group due to allergies or personal preferences, make sure you are getting the vitamins and nutrients from another source.

 

 

What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!

 

Please note that I am not a doctor. Any opinions expressed throughout this site are strictly my own, based on my own personal experiences. Your experience may be different. Please talk to your doctor before doing anything in regards to your health.