Why are my pads a medical device according to the FDA?

Our Common Thread

Every woman over the age of 14 has something in common.  We all have monthly cycles.  Most of us wouldn’t consider it glamorous, but most of us also wouldn’t describe it as a medical problem.  Our bodies are not malfunctioning when they begin their cycle each month with a cleansing.  We aren’t broken and medically in need of a fix.  Or are we?

Medical Problem?

According to the FDA of the United States of America, women are in need of a monthly medical device for dealing with their period.  According to the FDA, we have a medical problem that needs a medical solution.  Don’t agree?  Neither do I.

A menstrual pad is a medical device?

After attempting to buy my favorite brand of cloth pads off of Etsy (LillyaPads), I found out a new regulation that has been slipped into FDA playbook without the awareness of the women of America.  In the 1990’s, the FDA decided to begin regulating menstrual pads by calling them “medical devices.”  Did you know that you were using a medical device when you were wearing a pad?

Cloth Menstrual Pads and FDA Regulation

Regardless of the concern the FDA may have about the plastic chemical-laden menstrual products on the market, cloth menstrual pads have been used by women for centuries.  They are literally a piece of cloth.  In 2014, the FDA decided to begin regulating cloth menstrual pads by having all of the small businesses who made cloth reusable menstrual pads begin to pay a yearly registration fee of $3,646.  In 2015, the registration fee for the upcoming 2016 year increased to […]

By |April 26th, 2016|Brooke S., Natural Fertility and Childbirth, Natural Lifestyle|1 Comment
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Healthy Weight: What is it and how do I maintain it

What is Your Healthy Weight | BoholisticMom.com

We live in a society where mixed images of people fill our mind.  We see stick figures parading around in fashionable clothes on a runway as the ideal mobile hanger for fashion.  We see larger voluptuous women who are demanding to be recognized as beautiful and embraced for their size.  We have people who are pear shaped, apple shaped, larger shouldered people, and people with medical problems.  In the light of all of these shapes and sizes, what is the healthy weight and how do we maintain it?

Healthy Image

First and foremost, I must start with self image.  It really doesn’t matter if a woman is large, small, tall, or short . . . if she has a poor self image, she will believe herself to be not beautiful.  This happens to me as well.  I know that I am very close to my ideal weight, but when I look in the mirror, I judge.  I am MY WORST critic.

Even though I have these feelings of self doubt, I shake myself off and I have to constantly remind myself of the truth.  This is the truth that I want you to take with you today.  My true self identity is in no way connected to my body.  Let me repeat that . . .

Your true self identity is in no way connected to your body.

Our body changes constantly.  We are born as a baby.  We grow into a child.  We go through puberty and change a heap.  We become young adults and then full adults.  Our bodies are in a constant state of flux from 0-21.  After our childhood growth slows, […]

By |April 21st, 2016|Brooke S., Lifestyle Tips, Natural Lifestyle|3 Comments
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Holistic Healthy Resources for Auburn Residents

While I have spent this past year living in Auburn, Alabama, I have been keeping track of the local resources that are –> holistic, natural, crunchy, organic, and beneficial to my family’s overall health.  I want these to continue to be a help to those in the Auburn community whether you are a crunchy mom, Auburn University college student, grandmother, or any person trying to encourage their health.  Please leave comments below with any additional Auburn holistic healthy resources as you find them.  Keep it coming!

 

Holistic Healthy Resources in Auburn, Alabama

Grocery and Natural Food Stores

  • Earthfare on Opelika Road
  • Day Springs on Opelika Road
  • Market at Blooming Colors on College Street
  • Auburn University Farmer’s Market (summer months) on campus at Ag Park
  • Opelika Farmer’s Market (summer months) in downtown Opelika
  • Kroger (small organic produce section) – in Tigertown and on Dean Road
  • Publix (few organic foods on ends of rows) – off Ogletree Road

 

Farms

 

Restaurants

  • Acre – Supports local food
  • Hound – Supports local food
  • Pho Lee – No MSG
  • Chipotle – Supports local food and has no GMOs

 

Doulas

 

Pregnancy, Birth, and Lactation Educators

 

Chiropractors

By |April 12th, 2016|Auburn, Brooke S., Local|4 Comments
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More about Delicious Bone Broth – Troubleshooting

Past the Fundamentals of Bone Broth

In 2014, I wrote a post covering all the fundamentals of making –> bone broth.  Since that time, I’ve learned even more about bone broths, stocks, and meat broths.  If you are just getting into bone broths you may want to start at my basics of bone broth post.  However, if you are ready for some more bone broth knowledge, read on.

 

Bone Broth Troubleshooting - Boholistic Mom

Gelatinization

One of the goals of making a true bone broth is gaining the gelatin from the bones.  Gelatin, as mentioned in my other broth post, improves collagen status, thus supporting skin health and supports digestive health.1  The structure of the gelatin is what makes the bone broth “gel.”  When the broth has been adequately simmered and the nutrients have been pulled from the bones, beef broth and chicken broth should become somewhat solid when cooled.  Think jello.

If your broth does not “gel,” you may not be gaining the gelatin that you desire.  Heat and lack of nutrients are the two primary causes for bone broths not becoming solid in the refrigerator.  If you boil your bones rather than simmer them gently, you will break down the gelatin.  Let me be very clear.  When your food is overheated and processed, your body cannot absorb the broken down nutrients.  Our food contains the building blocks for our health.  Take care with the building blocks as you reheat your food and when you simmer your bone broth.

Gelatin can become broken down if heated too high for too long.

The other reason that your broth may not gel is due to lack of gelatin in your pot.  If you do not […]

By |April 11th, 2016|Brooke S., Real Food Recipes, Traditional Recipes|3 Comments
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Sorry Candace Cameron Bure

I Am Sorry Candace Cameron Bure | Boholistic Mom

I Am Sorry Candace Cameron Bure

Why do I say “I Am Sorry Candace Cameron?”  Because Christians eat their own alive.  When I say “Christians,” I am speaking to those who say they are Christians, but who are judging others and being hypocritical with their actions.

Did God say to his followers, “Judge others, because you are so absolutely perfect?”  Or did God say,

“Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:1-3

If you’ve never worn a short skirt, sure toss a stone.

If you’ve never had someone around you make a lesbian joke, go ahead toss a stone.

If you’ve never had to walk a thin line and not know what’s crossing the line and what God’s will is clearly, grab your slingshot.

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7

Let’s be clear.  God has said that we […]

By |February 29th, 2016|Brooke S., Lifestyle Tips, Natural Lifestyle|0 Comments
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The Late Cycle | Boholistic Mom

The Late Cycle

The Late Cycle | Boholistic Mom

It’s 30 days today and no visitor.

Last month, it came at 29 days.

There’s always a chance . . .

No positive.

Two months ago it came at 31 days.

It’s 32 days now . . .

I try another test.

No positive.

Another day.

Another day.

Another day.

It’s 35 days today and no visitor.

I’m bloated.

I’m so tired.

I’m too tender.

Maybe today?

No positive.

Surely, I must be.

It’s 39 days.

I haven’t waited this long in a while.

And yet, I’ve been waiting six years.

It’s 40 days.

Oh no.

A spot.

It’s 41 days.

It’s over.

No more thoughts of little booties.

No more hopes of little giggles.

My heart is rent again.

Lord,

Today, I am giving You my pain.

I am giving You my womb.

I am offering You my suffering

as a way to bring You glory.

This may not be the last disappointment,

but regardless, I will trust in You.

You will be my God.

Take this breaking heart of mine

and make it whole

like only you can.

Please, don’t think this is a plea for sympathy.  My desire is for other women to understand the emotions involved […]

By |February 28th, 2016|Brooke S., Natural Fertility and Childbirth, Natural Lifestyle|0 Comments
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Brazil and Microcephaly – The Real Facts

I spent hours this morning researching microcephaly, Brazil, and the Zika Virus.  What I found is vital information.  I honestly believe that this information needs to make it to the media and out to the world.  Each party is trying to blame a different person and I cannot believe how little research was done about the chemical Pyriproxyfen before it was used in Brazil’s water supply.  There is no excuse.  Read on.

Brazil and Microcephaly | Boholistic Mom

The Real Facts about Brazil and Microcephaly

 1. There is not a proven link between Zika and microcephaly.

“Authorities still can’t definitively make a causal link between Zika and microcephaly” – Washington Post (1)

2. A group of doctors and researchers in Argentina have published a report stating that a pestide, pyriproxyfen, is the true cause of the increase of birth defects in Brazil.

“A group of doctors and researchers in Argentina has published a report making the provocative argument that a pesticide, rather than the virus, is to blame for the alarming number of birth defects being reported in Brazil.” – Washington Post (1)

3. In 2014, pyriproxyfen was injected into Brazil’s water supplies to decrease the development of mosquito larvae in the water tanks.

“According to the Physicians in Crop-Sprayed Towns, a chemical larvicide that produces malformations in mosquitoes was injected into Brazil’s water supplies in 2014 in order to stop the development of mosquito larvae in drinking water tanks.” – Tech News (2)

4. Pernambuco is the first state in Brazil that had their water supply injected with pyriproxyfen.  Pernambuco is also the first state to have a problem with microcephaly.

“The Brazilian Health Ministry had injected pyriproxyfen to reservoirs in the state of […]

By |February 19th, 2016|Brooke S., Holistic Remedies, Natural Lifestyle|2 Comments
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Effective Natural Remedies for a Sore Throat

We All Get Sick

Whether you eat like a foodie or you eat whatever appears on your plate, we all get sick.  Our body collects bacteria and viruses from our environment and eventually one of those bacteria or viruses break through our defenses and we become ill.  All bacteria does not cause us to get sick.  In fact, we need bacteria in our body and in our environment.  Bacteria helps to break down dead plants in the earth.  We have loads of healthy bacteria in our digestive track to break down our food and increase the nutrients received.  We even have an acid mantle on our skin that has bacteria and when healthy, the bacteria help to kill bad bacteria that collect on our skin and kill the bacteria that can cause us to become a bit smelly.

Infection vs Disease

Thus there is a very big difference between infection and disease.  Infection by viruses, bacteria, and microbes happen all the time.  We don’t live in a sterile environment and, honestly, we don’t want to.  When we sterilize our environment and our body, we have no good bacteria in our body to help us fight against the bad bacteria.  Disease happens when the viruses, bacteria, and microbes multiply in an unhealthy way so that our cells become damaged and we begin to show signs and symptoms of illness.1

Good Viruses?

I have learned in the last four years that we desperately need to take care of our good bacteria so that we can have a healthy immune system.  Much of the immune system is based around the health of our gut.  Healthy bacteria make for a happy gut.  I began wondering that if there were good bacteria, were there […]

By |February 13th, 2016|Brooke S., Holistic Remedies|0 Comments
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Fair Trade Clothing Companies You Need to Know About

Fair Trade Clothing Companies | Boholistic Mom

Why It Matters

I care deeply about the people who are affected by my shopping.  My dollars have the power to bring freedom . . . or slavery.  Yes!  SLAVERY.  So many of the clothing items that we purchase are made by slave laborers and even with child labor.

Many of my readers live in the United States of America and believe in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Yet within our country, we have human trafficking and we support human trafficking elsewhere.  Due to our US companies sourcing fabric, electronics, purses, and other products unethically, the US consumers support the forced labor trade through financing.  It has to stop.  Don’t you agree?  It stops when each one of us takes a look at our spending habits and chooses to purchase wisely and ethically.

If you don’t know whether your clothing, electronics, and other household items are being produced ethically, keep reading.

The Stats

  • Almost 21 million people are victims of forced labor – 11.4 million women and girls and 9.5 million men and boys.
  • Almost 19 million victims are exploited by private individuals or enterprises.
  • 5.5 million (26 %) are below 18 years.
  • Of those exploited by individuals or enterprises, 4.5 million are victims of forced sexual exploitation.
  • The other 14.5 million are mostly laboring in domestic work, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment.
  • Forced labor in the private economy generates US $150 billion in illegal profits each year.

 

Source: International Labor Association – Forced labour, […]

By |February 11th, 2016|Bohemian Style, Brooke S., Fair Trade|3 Comments
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Tantalizing Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry

Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry

 

Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry | BoholisticMom.com

I started making my regular curry, heating the oil, adding onions, adding garlic, and then I had cauliflower.  So I knew I was making a cauliflower curry, but I wasn’t planning to get creative.  Then I was heating up some leftover sweet potatoes at the same time.  Then I started thinking . . . I could add these sweet potatoes to my curry, but do sweet potatoes go with cauliflower?  I began to search recipes.  I found a few with cauliflower and potatoes, then I finally found one that matched my intentions almost completely.  This one.  I mean it’s amazing, I had my fire roasted tomatoes out, the sweet potato just ready to jump in the pan, AND I even had cilantro in the fridge.  I continued cooking adding all the ingredients together and since I saw another cauliflower and sweet potato curry that had toasted almonds, I added in almond butter.

Let me tell you.  This was TASTY!

I hope you like it as much as I did!!!!

Ingredients

1 tbsp ghee (or ghee and coconut oil)

1 tbsp curry powder (more if desired)

Add other curry spices as desired (ginger – 1/4 tsp, cumin – 1/2 tsp, coriander – 1/4 tsp, turmeric – 1/4 tsp)

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, chopped (or one elephant garlic clove)

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

½ cup canned diced tomatoes (I used fire roasted tomatoes)

½ cup chicken broth (bone broth is great!)

¼ cup full-fat coconut milk […]

By |February 3rd, 2016|Brooke S., Quick & Easy, Real Food Recipes|0 Comments
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