Managing Menstruation Mindfully

Menstruation.

Half of the World's population will experience it and yet it is shrouded in shame by many. Viewed as dirty, only discussed in whispered voices with a nod towards the offending area and never in polite company.

Billions of women across the world are menstruating. At an average of 4-5 days 13 times a year for 40 years. That is about 2600 days in a lifetime. 7 whole years.

Menstruation is natural. It's a healthy process of a functioning female body in preparation for childbearing.

What does bother me is how we deal with it and the devastating effect we are having on the environment and our bodies because of the way we choose to deal with it.

"Female Sanitary Products" are, for a start, not sanitary. They are NOT required to be manufactured in a sanitary environment. Whatever contaminants are in the factory are in the products. Bleaching does not sanitise. It only makes the products white thus making them look sanitary. The wrapping they come in is not there to provide a sanitary environment until you open it. It is provided for convenience (so you can pop them in your handbag) and to give the illusion of being sanitised.

Tampons cause Toxic Shock Syndrome. Google it and see exactly how devastating this disease is to the body. It is a large enough threat for each packet of tampons to be required to carry a leaflet telling you that tampons can make you sick.

But aside from the health issues there is also the landfill issue. Each menstrual cycle most women will use 4-5 tampons a day along with a few disposable pads for night use or maybe more as a back up for tampon leakage. Let's assume 2 a day. Given that they will menstruate for about 2600 days in their life that is about 12,000 tampons and 5,000 disposable pads. That is about the equivalent of a whole garbage truck's capacity for every woman who used tampons and disposable pads. And there are billions of women!

What about the cost? In Australia tampons attract a luxury tax. Yep, you read right. A luxury tax. A packet of 16 tampons cost about $5 (31c each). A packet of 14 pads costs about $5 (35c each). So over a lifetime that is $3700 in tampons and $1750 in disposable pads. A total of $5450 per lifetime.

Let me show you some alternatives.

A menstrual cup such as Diva, Lunette or Keeper Cups are made of medical grade silicon. They can remain in place for up to 8 hours. You can wear them overnight. There is zero risk of contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome from them. They are reusable and from first hand reports will last in excess of 10 years. For the initial outlay of around $55. Over 40 years the total cost would be around $250.

If menstrual cups aren't your thing try reusable pads. They come in all different sizes, some really funky patterns and need a simple rinse out, throw into a bucket of water to soak and then in with the normal wash. At around $12 each they will last until they wear out at around 3-5 years. If you have a stash of 8 pads that will work out at about $400 over 40 years.

The big bonus with these is that if you are so inclined you can make your own. There are many free patterns available on the internet along with full instructions from the materials required to how to construct them.

Neither of these products will create any landfill apart from the usually biogradeable packing they arrive in through the post.

Neither of these products will make you sick.

Neither of these products attract a luxury tax.

My personal thoughts and feedback:

The first thing I noticed was that the cloth pads and menstrual cups do NOT smell. So I can only assume that the smell that is normally associated with menstrual flow is caused by the menstrual flow reacting with whatever the disposable pads and tampons are made of or made with.

They are very easy to use.

I love that you can use the menstrual cup overnight.

I have NEVER had leakage from the menstrual cup.

The cloth pads do not irritate genital regions as disposable pads might for some. The cloth is very soft and absorbent.

Cloth pads could very easily be used for bladder leakage.

So before you reach for the next packet of tampons or disposable pads think about the alternatives. Be kind to your body and be kind to the environment. There IS another way.

Little Things Like Making The Bed

Making the bed! This has been pretty much an optional activity for me since I moved out of home. ;) I figure I'm only going to get back into it and I'm not here anyway when I'm working so why bother?

Let me tell you.

I now spend a large majority of my time organising, planning, scheduling and making sure things run smoothly for the entire family. A large chunk of my day is spent at home. It's my office if you will and I am the Brunner Family CEO and one of the four board members. Which gets me to thinking I really need to employ a PA. Preferably one who would work for tea and cupcakes, be on call and work split shifts when necessary.

I'm also a visually creative person. I don't learn well reading a text. The information seeps gently through my visual cortex, into my brain and then evaporates into the mists of time and magic. I'm sure this is what unicorns are made of. I learn best by watching and doing. I'm also at my most peaceful and my energies are most centred when I'm not surrounded by visual clutter. Which is why you won't find an overload of knick knacks and frou frou in my living space. I do love beautiful things just not a lot of them in one space. :)

Our house is designed with the master bedroom at the front of house with a bay window. It opens off the entry directly across from the lounge/dining areas. This means that you can see the bed from the living area and also from the front driveway/path through the windows. (I'm a blinds open kinda girl. I don't like living in a cave. Give me breezes and light.) I discovered one day that every time I saw the messy bed it bothered me. Ever so slightly. But it bothered me.

A month or so back I decided to run an experiment and make the bed every day to see how it made me feel. It made me feel good. I can now see the beautiful black and gold bedspread I bought last year. There aren't any pyjamas strewn around the bed. We are less likely to leave things on the bedroom floor. It makes me feel good. It adds visual beauty to my day. I like it.

So when I'm at home, pottering around the house or I walk in the front door from a busy day out and about it's lovely to stop, look around and see a neat, tidy house. It makes me feel calmer. It doesn't need to be perfect but I've discovered that taking 2 minutes to make the bed makes a positive contribution to my everyday.

I'm in Love!!!

I'm in love with my car Gerni 110.2! Freddy Mercury eat your heart out.

I've had my eye on this little baby for a while now. Did a bit of research and decided that 1400W of pure, awesome cleaning power was EXACTLY what I needed. Long hose, long wand, enough attachments to keep the boredom of cleaning at bay and light enough to move around without the need to lift weights for five years beforehand. Gerni has a metal motor which means it can be repaired rather than scrapped and is a wholly owned Australian company to boot! Ticks ALL my repurposing/shopping local/sustainability loving boxes.

Last summer it rained. A lot. All the time. As a result the pavers which have the house surrounded are now mostly covered with a dark green coloured mildew/moss/mould/alien growth and are patiently waiting surrender by the inhabitants. (Some may say it's Army Green which would work in perfectly with my theory that the pavers are dressing in army camouflage in order to lay an ambush. This would also explain why the cat has taken to walking across the roof rather than the pavers.)

Now that the dog has moved on to greener pastures and summer is just around the corner I thought I'd spruce up the pavers/general outdoor area in preparation for the bbq/pool party season. So after a morning coffee with Bob & Cynthia I popped into the auto shop on the way home (who would have thought you could buy high pressured cleaning gear in a male dominated domain???) and picked one up. I got a bargain!! Not only was the price reduced to under $200, it came with a handy dandy attachment thingy with a spinning arm designed especially for cleaning pavers. Blow me down! Gerni must have women/men who realise that women use Gerni's/magic, mind-reading elves working in their design department!

So with a spring in my step and high hopes I set off to repel and conquer the invading army. OH MY LORDY!! With a simple wave of the wand the pavers emerged one by one shaking off the shackles of inhibiting mould and emerging fresh and rejuvenated. *Sigh* I love my Gerni.

Death - The Final Farewell

Death. The culmination of the cycle of physical life for every living organism on this planet. A natural, integral part of existence. Yet one of the most difficult to experience and be at peace with.

I've encountered death over my 45 years in this lifetime. Pets, friends and relatives but I was witness to the actual death process for the very first time a few days past.

4 months ago we adopted The Hubby's Mum's dog. She was moving into a retirement unit and didn't have the capacity to house and care for her large dog anymore. So we offered to care for her beloved Lucy who was becoming quite frail herself at 13 yo. Over the weekend Lucy's health deteriorated dramatically and on Monday the vet visited her and it was decided that Lucy was in a lot of pain, could barely walk anymore and had lived to her fullest potential.

I had decided beforehand that I would sit with Lucy until her very end so that someone she knew cared for her would be with her. The vet was very gentle and kind. He explained exactly what was happening as we went along and suggested gently a few times that he was happy to be with her if I felt I couldn't stay.

I witnessed her last breaths and surrounded her with all the love I could summon. It was one of the most profound and touching moments of my life. It was gentle, peaceful and dignified. A fitting transition for a fine, grand dame who had brought many years of companionship, happiness and love to The Hubby's Mum.

♥

Dearest Lucy,

I know that you are resting and are no longer in pain.

I know that you have brought love into your carer's lives.

I know that you are at peace.

I know that you will be missed.

I send you love.

I bid you a Final Farewell.

♥

Roast Chicken and Vegetables

Roasted Chicken

I sit here sipping on my chai tea ruminating over what was one of the most awesome roast meals I have cooked to date. Start with one fabulous chicken allowed to roam free with the wind in it's feathers chasing insects, scratching in the dirt, swallowing grubs and everything else required for a heavenly chickeny existence. Let it grow to a healthy size 18 and then sell it to me. For the extremely tiny price of $12. Local primary producers now occupy a serious chunk of my food loving heart.

Now take your free range, organic chicken and rub some soft, creamy butter over and under the breast skin of this gorgeous bird and run your hands over her legs as well. Cut an Aussie bush lemon in half and see if you can fit into the cavity. (A simpler and just as tasty version of Jamie Oliver's Perfect Roast Chicken.) If not, no matter, slice it into chunks and put in as much as you can. Gently place her onto a rack inside a roasting dish. I don't have a roasting rack.... I just use a cake cooling rack. Let her steam in a 200 deg C oven for 1hr 20 minutes. After the hen has been in the oven for 20 minutes I like to add in the vegetables and let them cook for a good hour.

Tonight I excelled myself and made real gravy like Mum and Grandma used to. Brown 2 tblsp of plain flour in a hot, dry frypan. Add in the juices from the roasting pan while continuously stirring so that no lumps form. Skim off the fat because it won't blend in. Season it with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the gravy to the boil and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until the flour cooks. Taste the gravy. When it's ready you can't taste the flour.

Serve this glorious, fresh, delicious food at your table. Grab your fork and tuck in!

Grass Fed, Free Range Beef on the BBQ

*Edited 10/1/2013

Quite a while ago I reluctantly stopped ordering from Happy Cows Butchery. I loved their product, the pricing was very reasonable and their service was excellent. The only problem was the delivery service.

Chill Refrigerated Couriers were contracted for the delivery. I ordered through Qld Natural Beef and Happy Cows Butchery 3 times. Every time I had problems with the courier. Every time the problems could have been rectified with a simple phone call. The very first time there was a problem the courier was efficient and called through to say the delivery would be delayed. Easily dealt with.

The second time the manager rang to say it would be more convenient for them to delivery my order on Monday morning rather than Saturday and quoted a delivery time of between 10am and 12noon. I happily agreed as I did not require the meat for the weekend and it wouldn't inconvenience me. Unfortunately, the meat was not delivered at the quoted time. At 1pm I rang to enquire about the whereabouts of the delivery. It transpired that the delivery driver had no information about a specific delivery time. I was on his delivery list but he couldn't give me even an approximate time of when the delivery would be made. I eventually received it at 4pm.

The third time a delivery was expected I stayed at the house on Saturday morning to receive the order while the rest of the family went about their regular activities. The day came and went with no delivery and no phone call. I eventually contacted the butcher who had also not been informed that my order would not be delivered. To say I was livid would be an understatement. We contacted the couriers and the order was eventually received late Monday afternoon.

I rang the butcher and explained that while I loved their product and service, the courier had let them down and I wouldn't be placing any more orders. I then emailed Chilled Refrigeration informing them that their delivery service had failed a family business and they were the sole reason I wouldn't place more orders. I didn't receive any reply.

Unfortunately, the Happy Cows Butchery were unable to secure an alternate refrigerated delivery service. Sadly, It appears they are no longer offering their product online.

Edit:

Qld Natural Beef is now owned and operated by the butcher who worked with the company. The new name is:

The Happy Cows Butchery

That picture is seriously fun and cute!

*****************************************************************

I placed my very first order with Qld Natural Beef and had it delivered yesterday in time for a BBQ last night. We decided to throw Tbone steaks and sausages on the barbie.

I can't describe to you how much flavour there was in this beef. It was tender, it was beautiful. The sausages were out of this world. Melt in your mouth I've gone to heaven and I'm not coming back goodness.

I'll explain how it all works.

This is a family run farm. The cattle are grass fed free range. The way they are naturally meant to be. The family uses a local butcher and sells their beef themselves so they can trace exactly what has happened to the beef through the entire process.

The online ordering process is simple, easy to navigate and easy to use. There is a $15 delivery fee so I decided to clear out the freezer and place a bulk order. I ordered 17 kg of meat/chicken/bacon for the princely sum of $225.00 That averaged out to $13/kg. This is included a 2.5kg bulk pack of Tbone steak for $45. As a comparison... the local butcher/supermarket sells Tbone steak for $20-$25 a kg. The local organic butcher sells it for $50 a kg!!!

Some more comparative pricing:

Sausages from the local organic butcher $9/500g - I paid $8/kg

Organic Chicken Thighs from the local organic butcher $14/500g and Organic Chicken Thighs from Coles Supermarket $14/kg- I paid $13/kg

I think there is a pattern/trend emerging. I'm happy to pay a little more for a good quality product (in Coles's case it was less!!) but I refuse to pay such astronomical prices and have believed all along that there must be a cheaper option. Now I've found it. Even taking into account the delivery price, I paid less for beef/chicken/bacon that I would at the local supermarket/butcher. The quality is better, the flavour is better and I'm supporting local primary producers, reducing my carbon footprint and providing quality, healthy food at my table.

I would urge everyone to keep searching, keep looking for information. Primary producers are recognising that people are looking for an alternative and are starting to provide it. If at all possible, talk to primary producers. Tell them what you want. Get your family and friends together and approach them to see if they will supply a bulk order. It is worth the effort.

Possibly The Best Birthday of All Time

It was my birthday. On Wednesday. I had the best birthday I could ask for. Let me explain.

Every time it rolls around to a Birthday/Christmas/other culturally gift-giving appropriate occasion I get the same question. What do you want? What can I buy you? You know what? I don't want anything. I have all I want and need. What I'd rather you give me is a wonderful meal, great conversation, laughter, an enjoyable outing and beautiful memories.

The Hubby delivered. Big time. Let me describe my day to you.

It started with Birthday greetings and hugs from The Hubby and our beautiful children! The Hubby had decided to give me a gift. A beautiful, thoughtful gift. I'm a creative person. I love beautiful things. I particularly love red, metallic colours and dark neutral colours. He knows this. Because he cares enough to pay attention. There was a beautiful card. Black. With a red satin ribbon and small bow framing a picture of the bust of a woman dressed in 1920's clothing with feathers in her hair. The picture was red and silver on a black background. Beautiful to behold.

It accompanied a bottle of champagne. Very special French champagne. You see, today is our wedding anniversary. We were married 11 years ago, 2 days after my 34th birthday. The Brilliant Hubby decided that a bottle of Moet and Chandon would be perfect. He tried specifically for a 2000 vintage - the year we were married, but had to settle for a 2002 vintage. Who's complaining? Not me!! This was a fabulous gift. It was carefully thought over and lovingly selected. By someone who cared enough to give me a gift that was meaningful.

This was followed by great coffee and croissants for breakfast with our family all together. The rest of the day was spent in a peaceful, relaxing way enjoying each other's company and doing things together. Dinner was Indian takeaway from our local, family owned Indian restaurant that prepares the most delicious food!

You can't buy a day like that. It's created. With love. Thank you Sweetheart for a most perfect day.