Scared to Switch? Don’t be!

Source

It was a few months ago or maybe over a year when I read about menstrual cups. Initially, there were uncountable questions in my head. 

And there were apprehensions. 

What? How? Why? When? Just like you must be having them. And it is only normal to think of such questions coz we had never heard of them before, let alone anyone talk about it.

But not anymore. I first got to know about it from Shailaja. She wrote an entire post on it and believe me when I read it, I was intrigued… A lot. I then started digging more and more articles and videos related to it. And by the time I was ready to try them, I got pregnant. Months later, there was another video and I was charged again to make the switch. After settling with everything, I finally mustered the courage to order my first cup from Boondh and couldn’t wait to finally try it.

Some of you must be wondering what they are in the first place? Well, the menstrual cup is a type of reusable feminine hygiene product. It is a small, flexible, funnel-shaped cup made of medical grade silicone that accumulates period fluid by being placed inside the vagina. Sterilization of the cup is required during the beginning and the end of the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle.

The first time I used the cup, it was a bit different. It always takes a little time to adapt yourself with something new. And making a change after being accustomed to something for almost two decades is not easy. But it is not even difficult. Believe me.

The first 2-3 times (in the first cycle), the sight of the blood was a bit scandalous but that feeling went away soon. It is all temporary and doesn’t make a difference at all. 

I did feel there was something inside me initially but that too went away and I realized, it is way more comfortable compared to sanitary pads. You may get used to it with as early as with the second cycle (at least, I did) to the level that you won’t even feel you are having periods. Yes! And I am not exaggerating.

Since the time, I’ve been using them, I am bragging about all the pros of it and not even a single con.

They make those days rash free, you can go in waters, do yoga, run a mile, the cramps are gone and let me not get started with the statistics of the garbage that sanitary pads produce and the amount of them that gets collected and the quantum of how much they harm the environment! In simpler words, menstrual cups are THE BEST THING for the environment! I know when it comes to personal hygiene, thinking of the environment would be the last thing on your mind but when something gets comfortable, there is no harm in thinking either. Also, you don’t need to remove the cup while urinating or excretion.

I’m sure you must have heard of the chemicals and bleaching properties being used in making a sanitary pad and how much it affects our body in the long run. A menstrual cup does no such harm and you can use the cup for 10 + years! Good for both body and environment. Not to mention your pockets as well.

Now that I use it, I only feel why did I wait so long? Why didn’t I switch to it earlier and was punishing myself (and the environment) with the pads?! But I am happy and glad that I made the switch.

The videos on Youtube always come to the rescue. From the process of insertion to maintaining it all clean, they are all there. Just check out a few videos and you will be good to go.  

After using it for some time, I felt the need to write about it and make you guys aware of it.

You can always ask questions or DM if you have doubts about them. I’m sure you have a few! 

Cheers

Read More

#Mission1Million... Come and Make a Difference

After say a month, here I am on my blog… where else do you think would I go, eh? But this time, it is not a random rant post. This time I am back with a selfish reason, not for myself but for all those gentle beautiful souls who aren’t as privileged as we are. So why not come together, join hands and make a difference.

So, have you heard of Robin Hood Army? Stay tuned and find out.

What is RHA?

The Robin Hood Army is a volunteer based organization that works to get surplus food from restaurants across to the less fortunate people.

What does it do?

RHA was started with a vision of eliminating hunger and food wastage globally. It has its chapters spread in 45 cities across 12+ countries and have fed close to 20,00,000 people till date.

How does it work?

A drive includes collecting surplus food from their restaurant partners and then hitting the roads to feed the hungry.

So for example, restaurants in Green Park, Delhi will contribute to the homeless of the locality via volunteers who live in Green Park. Their volunteers are largely students and young working professionals. The lesser fortunate sections we help include homeless families, night shelters, orphanages, and patients from public hospitals.

What are the Rules?

At RHA, there aren’t too many rules. There are just 3 things that are non-negotiable--

1. They do not accept any monetary donations. Donations from donors can be made in kind only (food, clothes, etc.). They have a 10,000+ volunteer base, and to keep things transparent they think its best to steer away from money :)

2. If they have agreed to collect food from a restaurant partner / donor, they ensure that they collect it. They work towards preventing food wastage and therefore cannot propagate it anyway.

3. The quality of the food that they accept must be such that you and I should be able to consume it. Spoilt/rotten/old food items should not be collected.

Apart from that, they are all ears for any feedback.

How you can be a part of it?

The most precious thing that you can give them is your valuable time.

What you can do is share as much as you can, join their drive write on your blog, promote on your social media handles and spread the awareness.

Since, it is that time of the year (Independence Day) where all the Robins in India and Pakistan join hands and work against a common enemy- Hunger.

RHA has its wings spread across various cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Agra, etc.

If you wish to be part of the #Mission1Million, simply visit their website or drop a Hi on Facebook and they will get back to you.

I, personally know people who are associated with this organization and I am here to vouch for their credibility. I hope you all will help these robins accomplish their mission in serving a million people on Independence Day!

Other than that, if you have any queries, feel free to ask

http://robinhoodarmy.com/

https://www.facebook.com/robinhoodarmy/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is not a sponsored post.

Cheers

Read More

Let’s discuss ‘That time of the month’ with #Period Pride

I had my first period at the age of 12. And I had no clue about it whatsoever. I did ask questions about what ‘Whisper’ and ‘Stayfree’ were, when advertised on television, but got no direct answer. The only thing that got to my ears was, ‘You’ll learn when you will come of age!’ And I used to wonder, will my brains automatically get the information from my surroundings, or will there be some information centre that will fill be up with the answers to my endless questions?

Anyway, my mother discovered and helped me when I had my period. I was a quiet child then. I wasn’t very talkative and usually preferred to stay mum in front of guests. When periods hit me, I was kind of neutral. Luckily, I had painless periods. It was only the discomfort that comes along that bothered me. And yes, not worshipping was another thing that I didn’t like about it.

Certain people lectured me about how I should behave in front of people and I shouldn’t talk about it in public, that I shouldn’t touch the vessel and pickles, and behave mature, coz now I am a grown up and not a child anymore. That was what actually scared me!

I now wonder, why? There was nothing to be scared of, nothing to be guilty of and nothing to be 

ashamed of! Having periods is the most natural things to happen, just like having a grey hair. It is the sign of indicating fertility amongst women, and imagine if it doesn’t occur timely, then it can be a really serious problem! Something as natural as this is treated with utmost shame! It’s a taboo to talk about it in front of people, especially the males.

Again, why? It’s all pointless! And it only leaves the boys with half-baked knowledge, which is even worse.

I remember having a few people in our school making us aware about the do’s and don’ts along with other information about ‘those days’!

Our school uniform was a white kurta with the red checked jacket. I dreaded going to school during those days, anxious of having a stain and often pestered my friends to check if I have stained my kurta. Of course, I reciprocated the same during their times! But as much as I hated that time of the month, I equally enjoyed the liberty that came along with it!

Making an excuse for not feeling well during the P.T. classes, not indulging in any sports or laborious activity, and lying down at home to take that extra nap, relishing the liberty of not studying and having a perfectly sound explanation for the same were some of the perks that came along. Thank God!

Now when I think about it, it only makes me smile. And with time, I’m kind of used to it. I’ve befriended with them. And it usually doesn’t bother me much now.

But what bothers me sometimes is when I see my relatives, wherein a family of 5, there are 4 females (three daughters and one mother), and when the mother is going through her menstrual cycle, it’s the elder daughter, of a mere age of 12, has to make tea, cook food, and do all the kitchen and household stuff! And by chance, if the dates of the mother and the daughter clashed, then the man of the house would bring some food from outside or eat at his friend's place and get packed for his family as well!

I really feel bad for them, for being stuck with all the old traditions. I feel sad for the little girls where in their years of growing up, they should be playing and fighting and falling and making friends, they are being caught in the shackles of such customs. And this is despite the fact that the family is an educated one!

Not touching the pickle, standing outside the temple and pray (and let the world learn that the woman is having her periods), not touching holy plants, not entering the kitchen, sleeping alone on a separate bed sheet and having meals in separate utensils, are some of the customs that are followed in the families.

While I didn’t have too many restrictions, few of the above were still prevalent in the house. But now, I’ve completely shunned them away! Yes, you heard me!

And I don’t feel a hunch that I’m doing something wrong. If my conscious is clear, I don’t think it’s a problem anymore then!

Lots of efforts are being made to spread the awareness, pertaining to hygiene during those days, use of various things available and their side-effects, other products that can be used alongside and so on. 

Naari is one such organization making constant efforts to share the word and remove the taboo from the society, instilling confidence in the girls and making them believe there is nothing to be ashamed of, of themselves or their bodies, and tutoring the underprivileged girls about the hygiene and nature-friendly products.

When I read about #PeriodPride on Write Tribe, I knew I had to write on this subject and spread awareness in a way.

“Chemicals like Dioxin which is found in disposable sanitary napkins is a known carcinogen and has been linked to ovarian cancer, abnormal growth in reproductive organs, impaired thyroid and immune dysfunction. Dioxin has even been added by WHO in their list of Dirty Dozen – List of 12 harmful chemicals.”

While spreading the word about the side-effects of sanitary pads, a few alternatives like cotton pads, tampons, and menstrual cups can be used without worrying about their fallouts.

Gone are the days, when women stayed within the four walls of their houses. Today, they are ahead in quite a number of fields and are bringing laurels to their families. If they are ahead in everything, then why should they be left behind in such an important thing as this?! 

Don’t you think?

Come on girls, share the post, talk about it and treat it as normal as you can!

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Linking this post with Naari and Period Pride via Write Tribe.

Cheers

Read More

We're good people, aren't we?

Don’t we all the lead fragile lives at one point or the other? While walking on the streets, stop for a moment and look around. You will find gazillions of people struggling to make it large, fighting hard to achieve what they haven’t just as yet, and trying to make it work if it isn’t working!

While writing the above sentence, it struck me, aren’t we all living fragile lives ourselves? In a world that requires a quick fix, what keeps us going?

All of us are law abiding citizens, we make money, pay taxes, do not commit a crime, do not harm other living beings, co-operate in every possible way towards making a good society, we’re good people and yet we’re the ones who bear the maximum damage ! Don’t you think?

You will think in a while.

What is it that is ours? Nothing if you look deep! We’re ruled and governed by politicians, we choose them from the existing contenders, the ones who’re comparatively less corrupt. We can’t choose the most corrupt ones for sure, right? And the corrupt free government is yet to come into the picture!

Encircled with everything around us that cannot be trusted, we literally walk on the ashes of fire! The more we bear, the more are the sufferings and in the midst of all of it, those who couldn’t lose everything they once had!

But what can we do? We’re good people!

Bridges collapse, construction sites gets destroyed in the name of natural calamity, roads are filled with potholes, a meagre rain for 20 minutes fills the road with drain, traffic is at its best, while there we have our ministers, sitting on the pile of money that go out of our pockets, they do nothing but eat all of it, build their fancy homes, take umpteen trips abroad, give a life to their children that they never had.

And we? We can’t do anything about it! We continue to hone their money nobbling skills! We sit quiet coz as of now we’re safe, nothing has happened to us or our family members and the rest who’re suffering are the ‘other people’ who had it in their destiny to bear all the sufferings.

And we can’t do anything about it. And yet we’re good people.

Madaari, a recently released movie starring Irrfan Khan,  literally moved me. The helplessness of a common man who suffers for no reason is highlighted in the movie. Nobody cares and nothing can be done to fix things that are spiflicated around us. And that literally makes me believe how fragile our lives are!

Day 3 of the #BAR-a-Thon Blogging Challenge 

Prompt of the day: Fragile Lives

I am with Team #CrimsonRush 

 Cheers

Read More

Cover

Cover your head dear

You are the lady of the house

Respect that fact please!

Linking with Haiku Horizons

Cheers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Haiku is a traditional form of a Japanese poetry that consists of 3 lines, following a 5-7-5 syllable rule (first and third line 5 syllables, middle line 7 syllables). They don’t necessarily have to rhyme.

Read More

#FundAhamBhumika- They need US

Sometimes when I have these odd cravings, and I’m able to quench that thirst most of the times by being able to devour myself in all of them, makes me do some thinking. Lucky I am! Not that otherwise I don’t think in that manner. But yes, we are privileged. The problems that we usually think we have is that we don’t have the new dress for the upcoming party, or new pair of shoes to go with the skirt we bought last week, the dinner prepared  at home isn’t delectable enough to savour our taste buds, the lousy husbands we have who don’t listen to us, don’t go shopping, didn’t go with us for our favourite movie, the harridan mother-in-law, for once we couldn’t go to our favourite place because of bad weather, our holiday was limited in India only, and the list is eternal!

I think we’re wired that way. We only tend to cry for things we don’t have. Like I teach my students, human wants are insatiable!

We don’t count our blessings. The zillions of things that go in the right direction (and by right direction I mean, in a normal expected way), snub them and decide to crib for something we don’t have. For instance, we did not meet an accident, isn’t that great?!, we have staff to take care of things, we did not trip while bathing today, did not fall from the staircase, we don’t have lines on our foreheads when it comes to filling our tummies for we have the resources, we don’t have to think about the pen refill that need to be bought next week, we don’t have to use the same pair of shoes for five years in a row, we don’t need to think for socializing, we just buy stuff when we like them and not when we need them, the savings from the pocket money is used in things that dad refused to provide (isn’t it obvious that he thinks it’s a waste of money and hence we have to sponsor ourselves to waste that hard saved pocket money?!), we can read, we can write, we are well spoken, of course we went to fancy schools and then college and had all the fun, bunked classes, teased our teachers, and what not?! Everybody should experience all this, right? And have a normal life.

There uncountable number of children of who do not have this luxury and that is where AhamBhumika comes into picture.

What is AhamBhumika?

It is an NGO, a group of like minded people that consists of artists, housewives, engineers, teachers, tourist guides, and government employees, every single of them striving for the upliftment of underprivileged in the rural areas of India.

What does it do?

·         Collects clothes, bicycles, toys, etc from the donors and distribute them to those in need. Toy Bank, is a unique way striving to provide toy in every child’s hand, in Anganwadi village, Bhopal.

·         Establishing a Grain School- an effort to educate women, attending their basic literacy classes and help them earn their livelihood.

·        AhamBhumika’s Embroidery project aims turn this severely under-resourced section of the society into a self-reliant one. It is a small group of rural women and girls living on the outskirts of Bhopal are trained in hand embroidery work.

·        Establish an informal library by collecting books from donors and inculcating the habit of reading amongst the children

Where do we come in?

AhamBhumika, runs the rural pre-school of AhamBhumika situated in a village namely Borda, Kolar Road, Bhopal is facing the crisis of fund. In spite of a lot of efforts till date they are looking for the favour of any corporate to fund our on-going rural pre-school. Till date they are running this school with the support of individuals who have contributed generously.

At the moment they have 40 rural children from the underprivileged category. To meet out the expenditure of pre-school they need Rs.14,000 per month. With this post I request you all to contribute whatever amount you can contribute to keep continue this initiative.

Below is the banking profile of Aham Bhumika to contribute.   

Online bank transfer/ Cheque payments can be done using following information:

A/c name: Aham Bhumika Swayam Sevi Sanstha , 

SAVINGS ACCOUNT NO. 2073101015874

IFSC Code- CNRB0002073, 

Bank - CANARA BANK

Branch - MAHARANA PRATAP NAGAR, BHOPAL

Please send an email to our e-mail id  --> ahambhumika@gmail.com with the following information:

Name, address, donation amount, PAN number and Contact number.

Note: All donations are tax exempted under Section 80-G of Income Tax of India.

What else can be done?

·         Donate clothes, books, grains, toys or anything else that you think is worthy of giving them.

·         Join them, volunteer and use your tactics to help them out.

·         Buy their beautiful merchandise that includes, the hand embroidered cushions, the hand painted shoes, the paintings, bags, etc.

Hand made cushion

Hand painted shoes

Painting by children

You can access their Facebook and Twitter pages and check out their Website and Blog as well. You can mail them as well at: ahambhumika@gmail.com for more details.

You can also write about it on your website or your blog with the hashtag #FundAhamBhumika  on social media and spread the word.

P.S: This post is entirely written to support AhamBhumika and is not a sponsored post. I have contributed, you too do and if it makes the difference then why not?

Happy Reading

Cheers

Read More