At the risk of sounding like an old fogie, isn't it wild when you really stop to think where we are with technology? The other day I was telling the kids about film… How we'd have to buy it at the store, drop it into our cameras, take 24 pictures (and hope you took a good shot because there was no way to know), drop it off at the drugstore to be developed, and go back in a week to get the pictures. It sounds so archaic now, but it wasn't even that many years ago! Then the first digital pictures were really grainy (ours was on our video camera in about 1999 – see our now 14 year old on the right?!), but wow, I loved being able to ditch the ones that weren't good and try again! For years my only digital camera was on my video camera because I didn't like hauling two gadgets with me everywhere. Well three I guess, because once I left paper calendars behind, I didn't go anywhere without my beloved palm pilot. (Did anyone else love their palmer?) I never dreamed that I'd one day have all of that and so much more on my phone. When did you get your first smart phone? I got mine in early 2010 and my ‘luck' with technical things continued, because switching from a palmer to an iPhone was FULL of glitches.
So that was on my mind and then I saw this: 50 Things Only People Over 50 Understand. I'm only in my 40's but I ‘got' most of those. One thing mentioned was a coffee percolator, and I'm glad those came back because we love ours. It tastes so good and this way there's no plastic touching the hot liquid like in most coffee makers. (Mostly Kent uses it on Saturdays because I also love my one cupper. Plus I just got these reusable filters for it and so far they're great and will save me $ on the paper ones.) How many of those 50 things did you remember? The Brady Bunch one cracks me up because it has become one of our daughter's favorite shows (that and cooking programs) – she's been through season 1 and season 2 many times over, so this year we'll ask Santa to bring season 3. It's kind of dumb that we didn't just get the complete series and could've saved a ton… OK I just ordered it, it was still about the same cost as buying the remaining 3rd, 4th, and 5th seasons separate, plus there are a lot of bonus features. There you go, I just gave you a bunch of Christmas gift ideas. You're welcome. 🙂
Wow, that was a lot of rambling today, see what it's like inside my brain? Scary. On to this week's links!
- Consumer power strikes again! Kraft is removing artificial dyes from *some* of their Macaroni and Cheese varieties–though they claim that the 348,000 petitioners on Change.org didn't influence them to do so. Yeah right, let's keep up the pressure, guys! These companies can't sell to people who refuse to buy their crap, and they know it. Read more here.
Did you sign the petition yet to tell the Heart Foundation to stop giving bogus nutrition advice that causes heart disease?
Did you sign the petition yet to tell the Heart Foundation to stop giving bogus nutrition advice that causes heart disease?- Maybe you can help this reader: “My 16 month old daughter has just been diagnosed with a particularly devastating, hard-to-treat epileptic disorder. We are going into the hospital in about a week and a half to start the ketogenic diet. It is a diet of 80% fat that forces the body into ketosis which is helpful in controlling seizures in many children. Right now my husband and I do a lot of producing our own food and buying locally. On this diet everything my daughter eats has to be measured down to the tenth of a gram and I have to know exact calories/fat calories/carb calories, etc. Anyway, I'm scrambling to find ways to make this diet as nourishing as possible for her.” Go to this Facebook conversation if you can help.
So those of you using reusable menstrual cups, I'd love more input on things like, how long did it take you to get over the ick factor? Do you like them? Are they uncomfortable? Which brand is the best? Does it just depend on the one that fits each person best? I've heard good things about the Diva, the Lunette, and the Keeper. Thanks for your help!
- If you love unique, creative baby pictures, be sure to read the comments and click the links at this Facebook thread!
- Recently I added this article from the Vitamin D Council to my post, I Have Skin Cancer but Still Won't Avoid the Sun, because there is some good science there to back me up; that's always nice, although I always go with common sense first, since you never know who pays for the “science”. (Have you seen my post, How to Figure out the Truth?!)
- Don't you love it?
Jennifer says
Did you ever get your answers in the menstrual cup question? I’ve started using the Luna cup. It feels a bit different than tampons, but I can definitely get used to it. No ick factor. Can I ask what organic brands of pads/tampons you recommend? I want to purchase some for my daughter to get ready for her first period.
Monroe says
I have the Diva cup and I love, love, love, love, love (how many times can I write love?) it. As I have written elsewhere, though, the first time you use it (for that period) you will probably regret having bought it and wonder what nutcase actually recommended this product to you. The second month, you will begin to get the hang of it a bit better. By the third month, you will feel much more comfortable about using it – you won’t worry so much in public restrooms, and you will have a feel for when you need to empty it. By the fourth month, you will walk by the maxi pad aisle in a store and you’ll realize you haven’t bought pads in months, and you will be thrilled by the money you have saved. By the fifth month and onward, you will begin to feel like a pro, it will become second nature using this thing, and you will wonder how you ever got along without it. I have extremely heavy periods for the first two days (sorry for TMI) and this thing has saved me many times, because even though I have to empty it more frequently on those days, it’s way better than hoping just a pad will stop the torrent. There used to be times I felt like I couldn’t leave the house because I would have so many accidents, but not anymore, thanks to the cup. BTW, iherb sells them and if anyone needs a working coupon code, PEY 561 works.
Ellen B. says
I am 34 and definitely remember my mom using a percolator coffee pot. In fact, I have been wanting to find one at the thrift stores because I don’t like plastic touching our coffee!
I use a Fleurcup (actually I have both sizes) and love it. The ick factor is MUCH less than I expected- honestly, I think I would feel a huge ick factor if I tried to go back to tampons!
Rachel says
I’ve been using the Lunette for about 5 months. I never had an “ick” factor, but I’ve been using a diaphragm for birth control for 14 years so I’m perfectly comfortable with my body. (And, honestly ladies, we all should be. There’s nothing icky about bodies.) I leaked all over the place the first month, and I discovered that I wasn’t putting it in right. The trick is to fold it in half, insert it so it’s just inside, and check to make sure it’s unfolded all the way, with no concave parts. If not, bear down slightly and that should do it. Then alternately bear down and squeeze up (like a Kegel) while you insert it up as far as it can go the rest of the way. That way your vaginal muscles help pull it up and in, and it’s not just you pushing it. Once it’s up all the way, give a light tug to make sure there’s a suction. With my body I have to put it up, and then tilt to the back, so I don’t know if that means I have a tilted uterus or if everyone’s like that, but if I don’t get it up AND back I leak. I have extremely heavy periods with large clots, so my cup fills up fast that first day and night. At first I emptied it out a few times a day, but I got tired of doing that so now I just empty it morning and night, and wear a pad to catch any leaks in case it overflows. It’s never that much, so the pad’s just insurance. I’ve also discovered that if I feel like I’m leaking, if I squeeze up like I’m doing a Kegel it stops the leaking and keeps it in. Still WAY more convenient and cleaner than before I started using it! I used to saturate 3 super sized tampons and 3 overnight pads in ONE DAY before, and was constantly worried about leaking through on to seats and clothes. I haven’t had one of those leak-through incidents since I started using the cup, and it’s a huge relief not to have to think about it all day long! Just every morning and every night. To remove it you squat – either over the toilet or in the shower – bear down, grab the stem, and pull. You have to bear down too to help it out – I wonder if that’s why one previous commenter said it hurt when she removed it. It shouldn’t really hurt at all – if so it’s either the wrong size or you’re using it wrong. I do wonder if a different brand would work better for me with my heavy flow, and I might try another one eventually. But for now the Lunette is working just fine for me.
DS says
If not in the BOOK, then the PhD blog has a good discussion of the ketogenic diet for children and how it should and should not be done.
Lorina says
SKOON Cup!!! Love it over Diva Cup….at least a year for me to get it down between the two brands…but so much better! and cheeper! in the long run…
KitchenKop says
@Lorina, what do you like better about it?
Thanks,
Kelly
Magda says
I’ve been using the Diva for over a year now and I love it. Never did have the ‘ick’ factor but I did give myself plenty of time the first period to make sure I was doing it right. It fit great, from the start. I couldn’t even feel it!! I did have a few leaks the first period or two, but not anymore. I do have to watch because I have blood clots so with a couple of them I can overfill the cup (it did happen once and it was not pretty 🙁 Now I’m a pro, even at night. I will never go back to tampons or pads… ewww!!
Hb says
I had the same problem with clotting. How did you get over that? I tried for a few months and it was always a blood bath and I had major over flow at awkward times.
Rachel says
Hb, I have clots too, and I wear a pad for insurance. It’s only that first day when the flow’s the heaviest that I have to worry about it, so for that day I wear a pad too and just expect some overflow if there are some large clots. But it’s still much less messy than it used to be with tampons.
Pamelotta says
I’ve been using a Diva cup for 5 months now and I’m not giving it up until I don’t need it anymore. I guess there might be an ick factor for some, but that just depends on how comfortable you are with all that. I’ve got some issues with a tilted uterus so getting used to it took a while, and I still don’t always get it in right, but when I do, I’m good for at least 8 hours and I don’t feel a thing. Wish I had heard about it years ago.
Anna says
On the ketogenic diet… for what it’s worth a commenter on Matt Stone’s site yesterday has brought up some evidence that ketogenic diets can lead to autoimmune conditions longterm. I have not delved into it at all to know how much evidence there is on this, but I would maybe look into it before jumping into the diet with a child.
Megan says
Thanks for sharing this, it will be something to keep in mind. My daughter’s diagnosis is considered catastrophic. She could lose significant capabilities rapidly if the brain patterns do not normalize. Our only other options right now are meds that sedate her, can cause permanent vision damage, or can cause brain damge/be life threatening. Thankfully, if the diet does work for her (praying!) she should only be on it short term.
Susan says
Percolators make THE best coffee….hands down!
Ellen B. says
I agree! YUM! But if done wrong Percolator coffee can be brutal.
Carrie says
RE: Menstrual Cups
I just bought one for this past cycle. I told myself it was time, as I hated spending all that money on the other products every month. All the research in choosing one, however, became overwhelming. What it came down to is, every body is different so ya just have to dive in and get one! I went to Harvest Health where they had 1 brand (in 2 sizes) to choose from… Made it an easy choice! I chose the “B” size according to the description, as I am over 30 and have had a vaginal birth. After reading the instructions carefully, I tried it. Now, maybe the following is TMI, but I sure would have appreciated someone sharing their candid experience with me beforehand. So here it is: The first few attempts HURT! I mean, I looked at the thing and thought, “How is THIS going to get in THERE?!” But, I went ahead and folded it how they said (trying both methods). I got it in, but then I had to get it back out. Um, yeah. THAT was worse. How do you fold something that’s inside you?! I discovered that rather than trying to reach 2-3 fingers up there, I had to pull it halfway out, then fold it so that the biggest part, the rim, reduced in size enough to come out. I thought to myself, “What have I done spending $40 on this?!” But, determined, I re-read the instructions, and took their word at it that it will take some practice. So, with Aunt Flo’s arrival came the real test. Believe it or not, by the end of the week, I was actually loving my investment! Some things to share:
1. The first cycle you use it, give yourself lots of “private” time in the bathroom. You can’t be in a hurry.
2. Trial and error, but don’t give up. Be your own coach.
3. Insertion and (especially,) removal WILL hurt at first, until you find the method best for you. It doesn’t have to hurt. I found that the straddling-the-toilet position worked best for me. Practice, but give yourself breaks & just use a pad until you’re ready to try again.
4. Once in, if it doesn’t feel right or comfortable, it’s not in right. (One time I put it in, I must have had it in too far or not at the right angle, pressing on a nerve, because my tailbone/rectum had sharp shooting pains!)
5. Don’t be quick to trim the “tail.” You need all you can get to grab onto for removal. If it’s poking you uncomfortably, you might not have the right angle… just reach in with a finger & tilt it a little.
6. Personally, I wish I would have bought the size “A” (or smaller one). It would have made the learning curve much easier, and I don’t think it would’ve been too small to where it would’ve leaked.
7. I LOVE LOVE how my perineum (“down there”) stays clean using this! There may be an “ick” factor to using it (getting your fingers a little dirty- but hey you wash them after going to the bathroom anyways), but to me the “ick” factor was in waking up in the morning with a bloody diaper & having to grab a wash cloth right away. (I stopped using tampons when I found out about the mold issue they have; plus they add to landfills, and the materials they are made from aren’t so good for your body)
8. And I LOVE LOVE that I only have to deal with changing it 2-3 times a day. After 12 hrs, I expected the thing to be full, but to my surprise I actually bleed a lot less than I thought! A common discovery from what I’ve read. Perhaps it’s because tampons/pads absorb & expand & smear, creating the illusion of more blood?
9. …and because of #8, no need to deal with it in a public bathroom. You can wait until you get home 🙂
10. The brand I bought was Diva Cup. I am happy with it, but now am curious about trying another brand. I saw a GladRags one on sale for $17, so I ordered it (in the pre-childbirth size, LOL!). I’ll try that one next month & check out the difference.
To be honest, after the initial difficulties, discomfort, and learning curve, I have to say that I really wish I would’ve jumped on board with a menstrual cup sooner. Once you figure it out, it’s your best friend!
Vivienne says
Hey thanks for taking the time to write this all out. I’ve become more & more interested in getting one, and now I think I will.
KitchenKop says
@Carrie – that was super helpful, thank you!
Kel
Carrie says
I’ve been thinking about it… maybe some of my initial difficulties stemmed from my anatomy. I am one of those few who have a retroverted uterus (tilted). Not sure if that would affect things, but maybe. Hopefully the “initiation” goes more smoothly for most people 🙂
Diane says
Sigh, The Brady Bunch, I clicked on the Amazon link and I’m SO TEMPTED to get that complete boxed set! I’m 55, and this was my favorite TV show when I was growing up. I’m wondering if my 12 year old daughter would like watching it with me or if she would think it was goofy lol! Also loved the picture of the baby sleeping on daddy’s chest. When my daughter was a baby she spent countless hours sleeping on my chest. We bonded beautifully and I think that had something to do with it 🙂
Shellie says
Yes, I use the diva cup. it took me two months to get over the ice factor, and to get it put in right. Once you figure it out, you’ll never want to go back to tampons.
Theresa says
I’ve used the Keeper for years – not only does it work but also saves $$$$.
holl says
I’ve used the Diva for a few years and I love it. The other day I had to use a tampon because it unexpectedly showed up and the ick factor with the tampon was incredible. I felt like I had an alien in there. Ugh. I’ve never had an ick factor with Diva and it never leaks and I never have to think about it. I wouldn’t be without it.
BethG says
Love this post – and how timely! My son has a relic assignment at school this week where he has to bring in something people used in the past but not today. My husband dug his Palm V device and modem attachment out of a closet last night. Those 2 devices together were one of the very first connected devices. No phone capabilities whatsover but he could wirelessly get email. You should see this clunky thing! Nothing like a bag phone but still big compared to smart phones today. What a fun post, and full of other ideas of things for relic week.
Lisa says
Always look forward to Monday mornings because of your mix up! I finally bit the bullet and bought your coffee percolator- can’t wait to get it! I’ll have to ask my mom how to make egg coffee, a treat we grew up with. Could be added to the 50 things list!
KitchenKop says
“Egg coffee”???? What the heck is that?! Can’t wait to hear. 🙂
Kel