Homemade Dog Treats Recipe
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Oats
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1 1/4 Cups Hot Water
Dilute honey with water for glaze.
-Preheat oven to 350°
-Mix all the ingredients.
-Put some flour on your work surface.
-Roll out dough, and cut out cookies.
- Place on greased pan.
-Bake 20 minutes for soft, 30 for crunchy.
My dogs love them!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Alternative Menstrual Products: A Healthier Environment and a Healthier You.
I have switched from the normal menstrual products to the alternative ones.
Here's my story.
I found out about this products on youtube from the frugally sustainable community, it probably came up as one of the videos on the side. So I was like hmm I wonder what this is about. I watched many videos on cloth pads and menstrual cups. At first I was repulsed like many people are, then as I kept watching all the reviews and informational videos it started making more since. I am on birth control so my periods are rather light and are anywhere from 3-5 days long. Every time I used a tampon there wouldn't be very much blood on it and it would make me mad because I felt like it was a waste. Also tampons are irritating they dry me out make it difficult to put in after that. Pads are also irritating because of the plastic they make me sweat down there and sometimes give me a rash because for the friction and movement. These reasons and the fact that they are reusable and save you money made me think what the heck I'll give it a shot. So I decided to make my own pads to give it a try. What also made me feel more at ease is the fact that before world war 2 there weren't mass produced pads and tampons, so women used rags and probably made there own pads, and even when they were produced some women couldn't afford them. So anyway I made my pads and used them when my period came. At first it was weird and uncomfortable because I felt like it was going to leak but it didn't. Then I made more, and they became more comfortable and way better than plastic pads. You can customize them to how you want and make them with cute material. I'm hooked now and I'm proud of the pads I've made.
I haven't used the cup yet. I just got mine in the mail today, it's purple. :) I got it off ebay for $13 it's an off brand but I don't mind. I will post about it after I use it. :)
Below is further information on these products.
What's Wrong with Tampons?
First things first. Why would you want to choose an alternative menstrual product anyway? The following summary of problems with the traditional products (easily remembered as RED SCAM) are some of most common reasons women have.
• Rayon/TSS. Viscose rayon, a major component of almost all commercial tampons, provides a hospitable place for the bacteria that causes Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) to grow. Combining the presence of rayon with an irritated vaginal area and/or weakened immune system resulting from the other items on this list can increase the danger of toxic shock. TSS has not gone away since the outbreak in the 1980s. Dr. Philip Tierno, TSS specialist, says that for every TSS case that gets officially counted as such there are five more that don’t quite make one of the official criteria (fever one degree too low, etc.).
• Environment. Tampons and pads are disposable, and highly packaged. Even “flushable” products do not biodegrade before they hit sewage-treatment plants, but they do clog pipes! In addition, the pulp bleaching process for both products releases dioxins into the environment.
• Dioxin. The chlorine bleaching process that is used to make tampons white (so they appear sterile) has been found to leave behind residues of dioxins, which are chemicals that are both very toxic and carcinogenic, that environmentalists have been fighting to keep out of waterways for years. The EPA has been unable to set any safe level of dioxin, which is most dangerous with numerous repeat exposures.
• Structure. Tampons are structured to be so absorbent they often over-absorb vaginal secretions as well as menstrual blood, leading to drying, mini-ulcers, and release of tiny rayon fibers. Those fibers have been speculated to be associated with cervical cancer. Petaled applicators can scratch vaginal walls, and the string provides a way of wicking bacteria into the vagina.
• Chemicals. Other residues have been found regularly to leach from tampons, including pesticides, waxes, surfactants, dyes, aluminum, copper, boron, etc. The gelling chemical in pads has been shown to cause irritation when used in babies’ diapers. Tampons are not required to have their ingredients on their boxes.
• Advertising. The companies themselves have promoted shame and secrecy for women about menstruation through their advertising, which is particularly directed at young girls. As an example, after decades of promoting how odorless tampons are, they have introduced “deodorant” tampons that have added nothing but another irritant (cheap perfume). They have acted in bad faith when responding to the TSS and dioxin issues.
• Money. A woman using tampons spends over $2,000 (and rising) on them in a lifetime. Tampon companies have recently made such moves as bragging to shareholders about such “improvements” as reducing the number of tampons per box and raising the price. Over time, some of the reusable alternatives can save women lots of money, as well as directing the money they do spend to smaller independent businesses and individual entrepreneurs.
The Options
A. Menstrual Cups, reusable. These cups are shaped like a large cervical cap, and worn somewhat lower in the vagina than a cervical cap would be. They are folded twice lengthwise to insert, and then released, forming a suction that holds it in place. To remove, use the tab on the bottom to get hold of it, and pinch the bottom to release the suction. Rinse out, or wipe out with toilet paper, and reinsert. Empty several times a day, depending on your flow. Once you get the hang of it, they leak rarely. If you are having trouble with leaks try: putting the cup higher up, being careful not to let it unfold until it’s in the position you want, moistening the rim with a little water, and giving it a circular twist once it’s in place. Holds one fluid ounce, often compared to a super-plus tampon. Comes in two sizes, before childbirth and after childbirth/after age 30.
The rubber version (The Keeper) has been around the longest. For those with latex allergies, go for a silicone one (Diva Cup, Moon Cup, or Lunette). They can all be sanitized between uses in a mild vinegar solution. If desired, the silicone ones can be boiled.
B. The Instead Softcup. If the reusable cups are like big cervical cap, this is like a disposable diaphragm. One lasts 12 hours. The Instead is one-size-fits-all. Insert by folding once lengthwise, and pushing up and back, so it rests over the cervix and is held in place by the pubic bone. The special medical plastic is supposed to mold to the vagina's contours inside. Remove by hooking a finger under the rim and drawing out. Empty and dispose of.
C. Cervical Caps and Diaphragms. Some women just use the birth control products themselves for menstrual blood. They work similarly as the two products above, except they hold less, and the cervical cap would hold blood closer to the cervix than the reusable cups. It may be an advantage that they are personally fitted.
D. The Sponge. Small sea sponges, often with floss tied around to act like a tampon string, have been around and in use for decades. Boil before use and between cycles. When changing just squeeze/rinse out and reinsert. Some doctors suggest a sponge should only be used for a couple cycles and then disposed of. Alternatives include cosmetic sponges (such as are used to apply foundation) and even household sponges cut in strips.
Things to think about
Convenience/Comfort: All of these except the Instead are more convenient than disposables in that you do not have to remember to carry extras around with you while you are menstruating. The Instead is one-size-fits-all, whereas diaphragms must be fitted. I personally found the Instead hard to use--too big, uncomfortable and leaky, but it worked well for other people I know. I have also known several people who found even the smaller of the reusable cups too big (luckily they all have a money-back guarantee). I have heard reports of the sponge leaking quite a bit with the muscle contractions of heavy exercise. The others can be worn during any activity (except that reusable cups don’t work well with penis-vagina intercourse.)
Health: None of these products have the absorbency or fiber-loss problems of tampons, nor do they pose a dioxin risk. Sea sponges have the potential to have ocean pollution, fungus, or oil in them, which is why they should be boiled first, but none of the other methods should have problems with leaching chemicals.
Anything internal carries some increased risk of infection, merely because your fingers will be entering the vagina and there will be slight decrease in the cleansing flow of secretions. This risk can be reduced by washing the hands before inserting, and by careful cleaning of the products. The risk in all cases is much lower than with tampons. If using a diaphragm or cervical cap for contraception has caused you problems with cystitis (unrelated to the spermicide) then you might want to be careful with all of these methods.
Since none of these methods contain rayon, the TSS risk is very low. The sponge is the only one that has ostensibly been associated with any cases of TSS at all, and it has been associated with “less than 1% of menstrual TSS cases.” There has been no testing on cervical caps and diaphragms. The Instead company has had extensive tests done and found it to be safe. Menstrual cups were first introduced in the middle part of this century and doctors hailed them then as safe. When they were revived in the late ‘80s they did not undergo extra testing, but they are FDA accepted, and there have been no reported problems.
Environment: The Instead is big, plastic, disposable, and over-packaged. Thumbs down. The sponge lasts longer, but still only a few months. Reusable cups last for at least ten years and come minimally packaged.
Politics: Menstrual cups makers tend to emphasize the health/environmental aspects of switching, but not get into challenging the culture of shame around menstruation. The Instead pushes convenience during heavy physical activity and “clean” sex (assumed heterosexual).
Money: Reusable cups cost $32-$35 plus shipping from their makers, but are often much cheaper through a reseller. Many cloth pad sellers sell them at good prices and will throw in a free pad as a sample. Keepers can be ordered wholesale by potential distributors (gather a group of friends for a co-op!) for significant discounts. Divacup requires that you have an “established” business for wholesale prices. The Instead is available in packages of 6 for around $3 or 14 for around $7. A starter kit with 3 cups, a coupon, and an instructional video can be ordered for $3 S&H.
Cloth Pads
Cloth pads are what most of the world uses, not to mention most of your not-too-distant ancestors. They are used both as a primary product, and to supplement or interchange with internal methods. They are good for women who find it uncomfortable to insert anything into the vagina, but are used by many others as well.
Cloth pads are more absorbent than most disposable pads, and some can be refolded to last even longer before changing. Used ones can be soaked for a bit in cold water, or just rinsed out, and then tossed in the regular laundry. Many women like to use the soak water to water their gardens or houseplants.
The Options
A. Make your own: Many women sew their own pads. Flannel is soft and absorbent, and can be layered with terry cloth from an old towel to make a really absorbent pad. There is an incredible range of options and styles. One woman suggested to me ordering a few pads first, and then using those as your model. Another suggested using the cuffs of old flannel shirts to make buttoning 'wings'.
B. Bought pads: The diversity of cloth pads available far exceeds the diversity of disposable ones. They come in mini through maxi, foldable, with wings that snap, with sleeves and liners, with Velcro, with fleece and wool and polyurethane backings, in organic cotton, etc…
Things to think about
Convenience/Comfort: You will obviously want to have fresh pads and a plastic bag (or the carry bags that many companies provide/sell) for used ones on hand, especially if you are on the go. Some lined pads with snaps can be folded up used-side in without a need for a bag. Used pads do need to be soaked or rinsed before the day is out or they will smell. However, many women who have used pads will tell you that it is much less of a hassle than you might imagine, since they can be thrown in the laundry after the first rinse, and once they are rinsed and dried they can even wait in your laundry pile happily with the rest of your clothes. A little vinegar or OxyClean in the soaking water helps prevent bad staining. Cloth pad users all agree that cloth pads are much softer than disposable ones, if sometimes a little more bulky, and there's no glue to catch and pull on pubic hairs.
Health: Cloth pads have practically no health risks.
Environmental: Cloth pads last for at least two years, and probably much more if you don’t mind accumulated stains. They can be found from many places made out of organically grown cotton. If you sew your own, then that counts as recycling!
Money: Depending on whether they will be your primary method and how heavy and long you bleed, buying a set of pads for your needs can range from $10 to $100. You can calculate how long the payback period would be, but in the long run they still end up saving you money. And making them, of course, is free.
Politics: Cloth pad sellers are more likely than sellers of internal methods to celebrate menstruation as natural and not a source of embarrassment. Their philosophies (often reflected in the designs on their pads) range from spiritual/goddess/earth mother to riot grrrl/punk/anti-oppression to practical, money-saving stay-at-home-mom. Many are small woman-owned microbusinesses.
(All this information came from this website)
Here's my story.
I found out about this products on youtube from the frugally sustainable community, it probably came up as one of the videos on the side. So I was like hmm I wonder what this is about. I watched many videos on cloth pads and menstrual cups. At first I was repulsed like many people are, then as I kept watching all the reviews and informational videos it started making more since. I am on birth control so my periods are rather light and are anywhere from 3-5 days long. Every time I used a tampon there wouldn't be very much blood on it and it would make me mad because I felt like it was a waste. Also tampons are irritating they dry me out make it difficult to put in after that. Pads are also irritating because of the plastic they make me sweat down there and sometimes give me a rash because for the friction and movement. These reasons and the fact that they are reusable and save you money made me think what the heck I'll give it a shot. So I decided to make my own pads to give it a try. What also made me feel more at ease is the fact that before world war 2 there weren't mass produced pads and tampons, so women used rags and probably made there own pads, and even when they were produced some women couldn't afford them. So anyway I made my pads and used them when my period came. At first it was weird and uncomfortable because I felt like it was going to leak but it didn't. Then I made more, and they became more comfortable and way better than plastic pads. You can customize them to how you want and make them with cute material. I'm hooked now and I'm proud of the pads I've made.
I haven't used the cup yet. I just got mine in the mail today, it's purple. :) I got it off ebay for $13 it's an off brand but I don't mind. I will post about it after I use it. :)
Below is further information on these products.
What's Wrong with Tampons?
First things first. Why would you want to choose an alternative menstrual product anyway? The following summary of problems with the traditional products (easily remembered as RED SCAM) are some of most common reasons women have.
• Rayon/TSS. Viscose rayon, a major component of almost all commercial tampons, provides a hospitable place for the bacteria that causes Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) to grow. Combining the presence of rayon with an irritated vaginal area and/or weakened immune system resulting from the other items on this list can increase the danger of toxic shock. TSS has not gone away since the outbreak in the 1980s. Dr. Philip Tierno, TSS specialist, says that for every TSS case that gets officially counted as such there are five more that don’t quite make one of the official criteria (fever one degree too low, etc.).
• Environment. Tampons and pads are disposable, and highly packaged. Even “flushable” products do not biodegrade before they hit sewage-treatment plants, but they do clog pipes! In addition, the pulp bleaching process for both products releases dioxins into the environment.
• Dioxin. The chlorine bleaching process that is used to make tampons white (so they appear sterile) has been found to leave behind residues of dioxins, which are chemicals that are both very toxic and carcinogenic, that environmentalists have been fighting to keep out of waterways for years. The EPA has been unable to set any safe level of dioxin, which is most dangerous with numerous repeat exposures.
• Structure. Tampons are structured to be so absorbent they often over-absorb vaginal secretions as well as menstrual blood, leading to drying, mini-ulcers, and release of tiny rayon fibers. Those fibers have been speculated to be associated with cervical cancer. Petaled applicators can scratch vaginal walls, and the string provides a way of wicking bacteria into the vagina.
• Chemicals. Other residues have been found regularly to leach from tampons, including pesticides, waxes, surfactants, dyes, aluminum, copper, boron, etc. The gelling chemical in pads has been shown to cause irritation when used in babies’ diapers. Tampons are not required to have their ingredients on their boxes.
• Advertising. The companies themselves have promoted shame and secrecy for women about menstruation through their advertising, which is particularly directed at young girls. As an example, after decades of promoting how odorless tampons are, they have introduced “deodorant” tampons that have added nothing but another irritant (cheap perfume). They have acted in bad faith when responding to the TSS and dioxin issues.
• Money. A woman using tampons spends over $2,000 (and rising) on them in a lifetime. Tampon companies have recently made such moves as bragging to shareholders about such “improvements” as reducing the number of tampons per box and raising the price. Over time, some of the reusable alternatives can save women lots of money, as well as directing the money they do spend to smaller independent businesses and individual entrepreneurs.
The Options
A. Menstrual Cups, reusable. These cups are shaped like a large cervical cap, and worn somewhat lower in the vagina than a cervical cap would be. They are folded twice lengthwise to insert, and then released, forming a suction that holds it in place. To remove, use the tab on the bottom to get hold of it, and pinch the bottom to release the suction. Rinse out, or wipe out with toilet paper, and reinsert. Empty several times a day, depending on your flow. Once you get the hang of it, they leak rarely. If you are having trouble with leaks try: putting the cup higher up, being careful not to let it unfold until it’s in the position you want, moistening the rim with a little water, and giving it a circular twist once it’s in place. Holds one fluid ounce, often compared to a super-plus tampon. Comes in two sizes, before childbirth and after childbirth/after age 30.
The rubber version (The Keeper) has been around the longest. For those with latex allergies, go for a silicone one (Diva Cup, Moon Cup, or Lunette). They can all be sanitized between uses in a mild vinegar solution. If desired, the silicone ones can be boiled.
B. The Instead Softcup. If the reusable cups are like big cervical cap, this is like a disposable diaphragm. One lasts 12 hours. The Instead is one-size-fits-all. Insert by folding once lengthwise, and pushing up and back, so it rests over the cervix and is held in place by the pubic bone. The special medical plastic is supposed to mold to the vagina's contours inside. Remove by hooking a finger under the rim and drawing out. Empty and dispose of.
C. Cervical Caps and Diaphragms. Some women just use the birth control products themselves for menstrual blood. They work similarly as the two products above, except they hold less, and the cervical cap would hold blood closer to the cervix than the reusable cups. It may be an advantage that they are personally fitted.
D. The Sponge. Small sea sponges, often with floss tied around to act like a tampon string, have been around and in use for decades. Boil before use and between cycles. When changing just squeeze/rinse out and reinsert. Some doctors suggest a sponge should only be used for a couple cycles and then disposed of. Alternatives include cosmetic sponges (such as are used to apply foundation) and even household sponges cut in strips.
Things to think about
Convenience/Comfort: All of these except the Instead are more convenient than disposables in that you do not have to remember to carry extras around with you while you are menstruating. The Instead is one-size-fits-all, whereas diaphragms must be fitted. I personally found the Instead hard to use--too big, uncomfortable and leaky, but it worked well for other people I know. I have also known several people who found even the smaller of the reusable cups too big (luckily they all have a money-back guarantee). I have heard reports of the sponge leaking quite a bit with the muscle contractions of heavy exercise. The others can be worn during any activity (except that reusable cups don’t work well with penis-vagina intercourse.)
Health: None of these products have the absorbency or fiber-loss problems of tampons, nor do they pose a dioxin risk. Sea sponges have the potential to have ocean pollution, fungus, or oil in them, which is why they should be boiled first, but none of the other methods should have problems with leaching chemicals.
Anything internal carries some increased risk of infection, merely because your fingers will be entering the vagina and there will be slight decrease in the cleansing flow of secretions. This risk can be reduced by washing the hands before inserting, and by careful cleaning of the products. The risk in all cases is much lower than with tampons. If using a diaphragm or cervical cap for contraception has caused you problems with cystitis (unrelated to the spermicide) then you might want to be careful with all of these methods.
Since none of these methods contain rayon, the TSS risk is very low. The sponge is the only one that has ostensibly been associated with any cases of TSS at all, and it has been associated with “less than 1% of menstrual TSS cases.” There has been no testing on cervical caps and diaphragms. The Instead company has had extensive tests done and found it to be safe. Menstrual cups were first introduced in the middle part of this century and doctors hailed them then as safe. When they were revived in the late ‘80s they did not undergo extra testing, but they are FDA accepted, and there have been no reported problems.
Environment: The Instead is big, plastic, disposable, and over-packaged. Thumbs down. The sponge lasts longer, but still only a few months. Reusable cups last for at least ten years and come minimally packaged.
Politics: Menstrual cups makers tend to emphasize the health/environmental aspects of switching, but not get into challenging the culture of shame around menstruation. The Instead pushes convenience during heavy physical activity and “clean” sex (assumed heterosexual).
Money: Reusable cups cost $32-$35 plus shipping from their makers, but are often much cheaper through a reseller. Many cloth pad sellers sell them at good prices and will throw in a free pad as a sample. Keepers can be ordered wholesale by potential distributors (gather a group of friends for a co-op!) for significant discounts. Divacup requires that you have an “established” business for wholesale prices. The Instead is available in packages of 6 for around $3 or 14 for around $7. A starter kit with 3 cups, a coupon, and an instructional video can be ordered for $3 S&H.
Cloth Pads
Cloth pads are what most of the world uses, not to mention most of your not-too-distant ancestors. They are used both as a primary product, and to supplement or interchange with internal methods. They are good for women who find it uncomfortable to insert anything into the vagina, but are used by many others as well.
Cloth pads are more absorbent than most disposable pads, and some can be refolded to last even longer before changing. Used ones can be soaked for a bit in cold water, or just rinsed out, and then tossed in the regular laundry. Many women like to use the soak water to water their gardens or houseplants.
The Options
A. Make your own: Many women sew their own pads. Flannel is soft and absorbent, and can be layered with terry cloth from an old towel to make a really absorbent pad. There is an incredible range of options and styles. One woman suggested to me ordering a few pads first, and then using those as your model. Another suggested using the cuffs of old flannel shirts to make buttoning 'wings'.
B. Bought pads: The diversity of cloth pads available far exceeds the diversity of disposable ones. They come in mini through maxi, foldable, with wings that snap, with sleeves and liners, with Velcro, with fleece and wool and polyurethane backings, in organic cotton, etc…
Things to think about
Convenience/Comfort: You will obviously want to have fresh pads and a plastic bag (or the carry bags that many companies provide/sell) for used ones on hand, especially if you are on the go. Some lined pads with snaps can be folded up used-side in without a need for a bag. Used pads do need to be soaked or rinsed before the day is out or they will smell. However, many women who have used pads will tell you that it is much less of a hassle than you might imagine, since they can be thrown in the laundry after the first rinse, and once they are rinsed and dried they can even wait in your laundry pile happily with the rest of your clothes. A little vinegar or OxyClean in the soaking water helps prevent bad staining. Cloth pad users all agree that cloth pads are much softer than disposable ones, if sometimes a little more bulky, and there's no glue to catch and pull on pubic hairs.
Health: Cloth pads have practically no health risks.
Environmental: Cloth pads last for at least two years, and probably much more if you don’t mind accumulated stains. They can be found from many places made out of organically grown cotton. If you sew your own, then that counts as recycling!
Money: Depending on whether they will be your primary method and how heavy and long you bleed, buying a set of pads for your needs can range from $10 to $100. You can calculate how long the payback period would be, but in the long run they still end up saving you money. And making them, of course, is free.
Politics: Cloth pad sellers are more likely than sellers of internal methods to celebrate menstruation as natural and not a source of embarrassment. Their philosophies (often reflected in the designs on their pads) range from spiritual/goddess/earth mother to riot grrrl/punk/anti-oppression to practical, money-saving stay-at-home-mom. Many are small woman-owned microbusinesses.
(All this information came from this website)
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Homemade Laundry Detergent
Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
1 Bar of Fels Naptha
1 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
A Five Gallon Bucket
Grate the bar of soap. Boil 4 Cups of water. Add a little bit of the soap in at a time. Stir until dissolved. Fill the bucket halfway up with water. Then add the soapy water to the bucket, and mix it up. Then add the washing soda and borax, mix it up. Fill the bucket up the rest of the way with water. Let it sit over night. It will be a watery jell like consistency.
*You could also add fragrance if you want, add it in after the borax and washing soda.
**For grease fighting add 1/4 cup Original Dawn dish soap.
1 Bar of Fels Naptha
1 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
A Five Gallon Bucket
Grate the bar of soap. Boil 4 Cups of water. Add a little bit of the soap in at a time. Stir until dissolved. Fill the bucket halfway up with water. Then add the soapy water to the bucket, and mix it up. Then add the washing soda and borax, mix it up. Fill the bucket up the rest of the way with water. Let it sit over night. It will be a watery jell like consistency.
*You could also add fragrance if you want, add it in after the borax and washing soda.
**For grease fighting add 1/4 cup Original Dawn dish soap.
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