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Cleaning Your Menstrual Cup

Have you considered trying a menstrual cup but became deterred with the thought of how to clean it? It's as simple as sterilizing a baby's bottle.

There are several menstrual cups currently on the market but not all menstrual cups are made equal.  Menstrual cups made from silicone can be cleaned with a mild soap and boiled for sterile cleaning.  

Instead Softcups are made from medicinal grade hypoallergenic polymeric material.   

photo credits: softcup.com

I am a frequent user of Instead Softcups.   Instead has two kinds of Softcups, the single use  disposable cup that has no need for cleaning and the reusable cup.   When you're done with the single use Softcup you simply toss it into the garbage.  The reusable cup is not to be boiled.  

I also own a Diva Cup which is made of silicone.  I normally clean my Diva Cup with what I clean my "Va Jay Jay", Summer's Eve feminine wash.  After each use I wash the Diva Cup and at the end of my TOTM! (menstrual cycle)  I not only wash the Diva Cup but I then boil it for 5-10 minutes in a pot (that is exclusively used for my Diva Cup), air dry and store it for the next time I will use it.

photo credit: lizsquared.com

I was inspired to write this post by Jill of All Trades.  She wrote a blog post How To Clean Your Menstrual Cup and uses vinegar.  I've never thought to use vinegar when cleaning my Diva Cup but I may try it.  
Check out more of Jill of All Trades on Twitter @JillDeTrabajos

How do you clean your menstrual cup?  We'd like to know.  Leave me a comment below and be sure to follow me on Twitter @valcarey 

Until then....

"May every TOTM! be a So Happy one!"

Valarie Carey is the founder of TOTM! Time Of The Month!, author of the TOTM! Period Planner series as well as the premiere Period Coach, and Host of TOTM! Tea Talk on Blogtalk Radio.

for more on Valarie Carey follow her on twitter @valcarey or check out www.valcarey.com

5 New Year's Resolutions For Your Period

What Are Your Period Goals For 2015?

Each year we set out with New Year's Resolutions.  We resolve to lose weight.  We resolve to save money.  We resolve to make more money.  We resolve to be a better person.  But how much thought do we give to our period and making goals for the new year?

Here are a few goals we can strive for in the new year when it comes to our menstrual cycles.

RESOLUTION #1

Resolve to have an active period.

During the week of your period, try walking for 15 minutes or more.  Walking is an excellent low impact exercise that helps ease the menstrual cramps that some women experience during that time of the month.  Don't like walking?  Try bike riding, stretching or get involved in your favorite activity.  Staying active during your period helps ease cramps and boosts your mood.

RESOLUTION #2

Resolve to be prepared for your period.

Most women will have the monthly visit from her TOTM!, Aunt Flo, "Friend", period or whatever you call your menstrual cycle.

Since you can expect it monthly, it's a great idea to stock up on your sanitary needs especially when they're on sale.  But if you choose not to stock your closet with boxes of menstrual cups, pads, or tampons, at the end of your menstrual cycle be sure to replace the inventory that you used.  This way you will not be caught off guard the next time your TOTM! comes.

RESOLUTION #3

Resolve to do away with period myths.

If you were ever told that you cannot go swimming while wearing a tampon for fear of drowning, then you were told a period myth.  If you were ever told that you cannot take a bath during your period for reasons unknown, you were told a period myth.  If you were told you cannot wash your hair during that time of the month, you were told a period myth.  For the new year and beyond let's do away with period myths and break the cycle of spreading them to future generations.  

RESOLUTION #4

Resolve to track your period.

So you've been getting your period for years now, maybe even decades.  Your cycle may even come like clockwork.  But there still is a need to track your period.  You may be using more sanitary napkins than usual and that may be an indication of something internally that should be brought to your doctor's attention.  Cycles change as we get older, change our eating habits and as we experience childbirth.  Tracking your period will help you better communicate any changes to your doctor.

RESOLUTION #5

Resolve to have a happier period.

Believe it or not, you can be happy during that time of the month.  I say strive to have a So Happy period!  Eating foods that are enriched in vitamin B6 will help boost your mood.  My favorite vitamin B6 foods include bananas and oatmeal.  Begin incorporating them into your diet during the week of your monthly cycle.  You know what else that can help make you happy?  Chocolate!  Yes chocolate.  During your period eat bite size pieces of dark chocolate and enjoy the benefits of antioxidants along with instant happiness!

Until then....

"May every TOTM! be a So Happy one!"

Valarie Carey is the founder of TOTM! Time Of The Month!, author of the TOTM! Period Planner series as well as the premiere Period Coach, and Host of TOTM! Tea Talk on Blogtalk Radio.

for more on Valarie Carey follow her on twitter @valcarey or check out www.valcarey.com

Period Tips

Green Tea is not only known for it's antioxidant properties but it's also caffeine free!  

So the next time AuntFlo is in town, have a cup or two of green tea.

Until then....

"May every TOTM! be a So Happy one!"

Valarie Carey is the founder of TOTM! Time Of The Month!, author of the TOTM! Period Planner series as well as the premiere Period Coach, and Host of TOTM! Tea Talk on Blogtalk Radio.

for more on Valarie Carey follow her on twitter @valcarey

A Girl's First Period

A Girl's First Period

Should be a special moment in time.

Most recently I asked the question to women if they remembered their first period.  Of course that's a moment that most of us will not forget.  But from the answers I received, many women did not have a pleasing memory of their first TOTM! (period)  Some of the reasons were attributed to the fact that they were not PREPARED for what was to come.  For that exact reason, I believe mothers must begin having the period talk sooner rather than later.  A girl's first period should not be a nightmare story.  It should a fond memory of transitioning from one stage in life to another.

Here are a few tips I'd like to share on how to make your daughter's first period a So Happy day!

1. Begin the talk soon!

By opening up the conversation of menstruation with you daughter before her first period, you will equip her with knowledge of what to expect when it does happen and how to handle herself.  The first period is often times the first of many accidents to come.  But if you guide your daughter and inform her to become more aware of what her body is saying to her you may be able to avoid the first accident, or at least handle it with grace.

2. Have her First TOTM! Kit ready to go!

Mothers can somewhat gauge when their daughters will have their first period.  Based off the age when mom had her first period, and when you begin to see signs of pubic hair can give you some indication that her TOTM! is coming soon.  So have her prepared with her TOTM! Kit.  A small pouch with 2 all cotton pads, 2 feminine wipes inside and 2 small dark colored plastic bags for discreet disposal of her sanitary needs .  She can carry that in her overnight bag when she spends the night out.  She can keep a pouch in her locker at school or carry it in her bookbag in preparation of the big TOTM! day!

3. Praise her when it comes!

Congratulate your young lady when she comes to you and say "I think I got my period".  Once you've confirmed it, give her a BIG HUG!  Here are some of the ways you can help make her feel special on that day.

- Give her flowers

- Take her out for ice cream

- Have a mother/daughter day at the spa and get your nails done

- Present her with a token of your love.

              

                  

I clearly remember the morning my daughter came to me and told me, "Mommy I think I got my period".  I was waiting for that day for months and had purchased a pair of hoop ruby earrings to give her on that day.  I hugged her and presented her with my gift to her.  I then told her that she's now a young lady.  I gave her a black satin drawstring pouch that had 2 pads and 2 feminine wipes inside.  I reiterated how she should excuse herself during class to handle her TOTM! business and off she went to school.

When you celebrate the moment, it becomes that more special.  So if you've celebrated your daughter's first period in any of these ways or if your mom did for you leave us a comment and share your First Period Story.

Until then...

"May every TOTM! be a So Happy one!"

Valarie Carey is the founder of TOTM! Time Of The Month!, author of the TOTM! Period Planner series as well as the premiere Period Coach, and Host of TOTM! Tea Talk on Blogtalk Radio.

for more on Valarie Carey follow her on twitter @valcarey

Cake EveryDay Daily Slice For The Week

This Week's Daily Slice:

Stay Connected with Raychelle LeBlanc!

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Raychelle LeBlanc delivers the Daily Slice every Sunday at 5:15pm EST on TOTM! Tea Talk

Until next time...

"May every TOTM! be a So Happy one!"TM