The Case Against Hormonal Contraceptives: Reconnecting With Your Cycle Through the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)

“A Modern Mandala” by Nancy Stockdale

While a woman’s natural menstrual cycle lasts an average of 28 days, this is not exact; It is not unusual for it to be much shorter or longer, depending on stress levels, physical activity, caffeine intake, etc. Contrary to what your gynecologist may have told you, while hormonal birth control methods like the pill and the patch do regulate your period, they may not necessarily be the safest, most effective form of period regulation or pregnancy prevention. In fact, they are quite harmful to a woman’s body and more importantly, to her psyche.

A Woman’s Cycle: The Basics

Cycle length varies anywhere from 24 to 36 days. The first day of bleeding is considered “Day One” of your cycle. The follicular phase — the phase up to and during ovulation, when an egg releases from an ovary and is able to be fertilized — averages about two weeks. The luteal phase, which lasts from ovulation until the day before the start of the new period, is typically around 12 to 16 days. Technically speaking, women can only get pregnant in the few days leading up to, during, and following ovulation. By educating yourself on your body and its natural, telltale signs of fertility, you can learn to rely less on hormonal birth control and more on your own knowledge and recordkeeping for family planning.

History of Hormonal Birth Control Pills

The FDA first approved the sale of birth control pills in 1960. At this time, pills were praised for giving women sexual freedom and allowing them to take jobs outside of the home. Since 1960, lower dose birth control pills have become available, reducing common side effects from the higher dose pills like blood clots, weight gain and nausea, but problems often still arise. The common denominator of both of these pill options though, is their reliance on articial hormones to simulate pregnancy, thereby effectively eliminating a woman’s ovulatory period.

The Growing Disconnect Between Woman and Body

As a holistic practitioner, I often talk about the mind-body connection and the importance of increasing mental and bodily awareness. Women using hormonal birth control methods are masking not only their entire menstrual cycle, but their natural emotions, moods and scent. Women are never taught how to chart their cycles in school; Rather, either their sexuality is looked down upon and abstinence provided as the “sacred,” “only” option or hormonal birth control is marketed to them as the most convenient and effective form of “management” of their reproductive organs.

What happened to women embracing their cycles? What happened to them taking the time to go inward for seven or so days a month to connect with their emotions and the carnal workings of their intricate female bodies? I believe women getting in touch with their natural bodies is integral to knowing themselves, both physically and emotionally and “taking charge” of their bodies and ultimately, their health and fertility.

Realities of Hormonal Birth Control

Before starting or continuing hormonal birth control, please consider the following:

• Hormonal birth control pollutes the environment. Combined with the myriad of other chemicals flushed or disposed of daily, pharmaceutical estrogens like the ones found in birth control pills contribute to contaminated waterways and endangered wildlife.
• Hormonal birth control causes long-term effects. Oral contraceptives have been linked to increased breast and cervical cancer and increased sexual problems. Depo-Provera alone, commonly known as “the Shot,” weakens immune systems in animals and increases the risk of contracting HIV and other STDS.
• Hormonal birth control affects your senses and taste. According to Vicki Thorn, founder of the National Office for Post Abortion Reconciliation and Healing, when taking hormonal contraception, women change pheromone preference — the ability to choose a good biological match (i.e. an immune system complement) through naturally perceived hormones — potentially leading to relationship problems and autoimmune-compromised children.
• Hormonal birth control is not fail-proof. All sex involves the risk or chance of pregnancy. Recognizing the sacredness of yourself and your sexuality is, I think, fundamental and should precede any and all physical sex acts.

Tracking Your Cycle: An Empowering Alternative

According to Dr. Carl Djerassi, credited for helping to invent the first ever birth control pill,

“Eventually, …many a woman in our affluent society may conclude that the determination of when and whether she is ovulating should be a routine item of personal health information to which she is entitled as a matter of course.”

Even he agrees: Tracking your cycle just makes sense!

Hormonal birth control undeniably disconnects women from their bodies. There is a kind of sweet awareness and empowerment that comes from recognizing the signs your body gives you: The low back pain you experience before menstruation, the elevated position of your cervix during ovulation and the nausea of an early pregnancy. Knowing and recognizing these key signs is a telltale step in determining your fertility and truly knowing yourself.

Learn how to track your cycle with the fantastic and informative book, Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and through period tracking phone applications like Pink Pad. As always, if you have any questions or comments, leave them below

Namaste,
Ashlee

P.S. Look out for my future posts about exploring alternatives to hormonal birth control and ways to restore your natural hormone balance after coming off of it!

This post was originally written for the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing.

Enliven Your Life With Everyday Awareness: Hawai’i Reminiscings 1

Living on the Big Island of Hawai’i in several different large communities, ecovillages and cohousing environments, I learned firsthand the values of service, shared responsibilities and compromise. I learned, too, how to integrate my spirit into everyday tasks, bringing greater and more habitual gratitude and reverence into my daily life. Living this way continues to bring me less anxiety and attachments and an intensified sense of self-awareness. Here are a few examples of how you can bring more awareness into your everyday tasks…

My very first trip to Waipi’o Valley

Harvesting:

Before each decent into the Big Island’s Waipi’o Valley, a culturally and politically sacred site full of rivers, natural waterfalls and farmlands, my friends and I would add a small offering to Gaia or Mother Earth on an altar made from a tree stump. This offering made our visit to the Valley more meaningful and allowed us to better appreciate its abundant passionfruit, mangoes and noni fruit.

S is for Sam; C is for Coconuts! Blessed be!

Whether you are farming for yourself or wildcrafting, make it customary to give thanks to either the harvested plant itself or to Gaia. Deposit a small offering such as seeds or fruit at the base of the harvested plant and say a short prayer like:

“I offer my thanks to Mother Gaia for allowing me this small gift.”

By thanking in this way, we are reminded and respectful of the greater, interconnected community of life.

Baking:

Baking was a sacred ritual at PeleAina, the artist ecovillage I lived in for a few months in Kurtistown, Hawai’i. For a truly blessed baking experience, be sure to start with top quality ingredients – homegrown or organic are always best. Try not to bake when you are anxious or under stress; always do so with a sense of love and ease and be aware of the energy you are transferring into your food. Gently fold ingredients together instead of stirring them harshly.

“Love bread” made in a ramshackle oven, but full of intention

If you’d like, set an intention such as:

“May this food fill the bellies of those that I love with nourishment and contentment.”

Eating:

Baking and eating went together at PeleAina, where our household hosted a weekly “activation” potluck for our friends and greater community. After all of the guests had gathered together, we formed a large circle and our community leader, Jeffree, led a general blessing. We then went around the circle one by one, introducing ourselves and describing the dish we brought and any significance the dish had to us, being sure to mention the dietary restrictions it accommodated, like being dairy-free, vegetarian or raw. As a group, we chose a “sacred sound” to meditate on for a few breaths: Sometimes it was simple, like “om,” and other times it was silly, like “cow.” We each chose our favorite inversion to perform, then sat quietly together for a two-minute silent meditation. Finally, we filled our plates, eating in a more relaxed, more aware state.

One of many fire-y potlucks

Make your own mealtime ritual: Create your own blessing, choose a sacred sound and pause for a brief inversion or meditation before eating.

Enliven your simple, daily tasks like these with greater awareness and see if your moods, like mine, begin to balance and your stresses, soften.

Please comment below with your experiences!

Sources:
“On Wildcrafting.” Moonwatcher’s Encyclopedia of Herbs. 26 Oct. 2007. http://www.nyctophilia.net/plants/wildcrafting.htm Accessed 4 Feb. 2013.

Wigington, Patti. “What is Wildcrafting?” About.com. http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/herbalism/p/Wildcrafting.htm Accessed 4 Feb. 2013.

*Originally posted on the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing Blog

What I’ve Been Up To: Yoga, Zines, Travel & More!

I’ve been absent lately, but it’s been for good reason! For the new year, I visited my very dear friend, Susie in Ann Arbor where she attends law school – My first time there: It’s such a beautiful, quaint little town! Picture edits are in the works. Not long after I returned home, I began teaching private and semi-private yoga sessions at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing in Regent Square! Check out the link for more details on this exciting new step in my career. Also: A new zine is coming. It will be a larger size than I have used in the past and will play with white space and funny little drawings/cartoon likenesses of some of my friends/angels. Here are a few teaser images, for your entertainment …

The world is our shadow box.

Celebrating the new year and our goofiness

Revisiting journals from the past!

Cartoon Likeness

This is my “Work” Station… or should I say Play Station?

xx

Perfect Match

“Bet you can’t find me,” he said.

Green Bean | Overdue (Fall Juice Fast) Part 2

It’s been a whole year since my last post about my seasonal juice fast and since then, I’ve learned a few things! I now have the awesome therapists at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing to thank–at least in major part–for that, being that they are constantly bombarded with my health and wellness questions. I discover more about the human body every workday

According to the amazing book, “Staying Healthy With the Seasons” by Elson M. Haas, M.D., which draws heavy influence from the Chinese system, each season of the year is a time to cleanse in a different way, focusing on a different part(s) of the body. Autumn is a time for cleansing the lungs and large intestine.

I couldn’t even fathom the idea of a lymphatic system until a few weeks ago. What is it? What is it made of? Turns out it’s part of the circulatory system that carries lymph toward the heart. Lymph is a substance with a composition similar to blood plasma that’s made of mostly water and transports white blood cells, fats, and waste products (toxins from the food we eat, air we breath, and germs we ingest) throughout the body.

With my new found knowledge, here are the additions I’ve made to my Autumn Cleanse:

1. Grapes! They are plentiful during this time of the year, not to mention that they’re great blood purifiers.They also help to detoxify the stomach and intestines. Add grapes into your juicing routine. If you find grape juice to be too sweet, water it down slightly or alternate grape juice with the famous, spicy Master Cleanse lemonade for a balanced palate.
2. Kombucha! As long as you are not ill or suffering from parasites or candida infections (in which case kombucha may be harmful to you,) this healing tonic, made of live bacteria and yeast, offers the probiotic benefits of yogurt and kefir, prebiotics to help grow healthy, digestive bacteria in your gut, and antioxidants from its black and green tea components. Kombuchas carbonation also helps to make you feel full–an especially nice perk when you’re feeling weak and cranky during the final day or two of your fast.
3. Coconut Water! Brimming with potassium and electrolytes, coconut water is a tasty and natural alternative to sports drinks like Gatorade. It’s helpful, too, when you are seeking some variety during your fast.
4. Body Brushing! An excellent addition to your cleansing regimen! Body brushing (sometimes called dry brushing) stimulates the body’s circulatory and lymphatic systems by activating the lymph and helping to guide and pump toxins out of the body.
   • Lymph is a substance with a composition similar to blood plasma that’s made of mostly water and transports white blood cells, fats, and waste products (i.e. toxins from the food we eat, air we breath, and germs we ingest) throughout the body. Smoother skin, reduced cellulite and bloating, and improved digestion are just a few of the amazing benefits of this process!
   • First and foremost, be sure to find a proper body brush. Brushes can be found at health food stores or right here at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing! Choose one that is rather stiff and opt for natural rather than synthetic brush bristles. Small, specialty brushes with softer bristles are used for the face and decolletage. The very best time to body brush is in the morning prior to your shower or bath, but doing it before you go to bed is also beneficial. To reap the most benefits from body brushing, perform it daily (twice daily if you are fighting an illness).
   • The Process: Begin with the thighs. Using firm pressure and light, sweeping strokes, brush upwards from the knee to the top of the thigh, towards the heart. Brush from ankle to knee, then the tops of the feet. With small circular movements, brush the base of the feet. Brush the hips sideways, from the back and wrapping around to the front. Brush the abdomen in light, circular motions around the navel. Brush your arms from hands to shoulders. For the face, neck and chest, use a smaller, softer brush and apply lighter pressure. Don’t forget your back!

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments! I’d love to know about your journey/s.

Some yoga philosophy for closure:

xx

P.S. My combined post on seasonal juice fasting can be found here.

Green Bean | green bean zine Kickstarter UPDATE #1 :: Potential Podcast w. Elsie Escobar & Pics

Greetings, everyone!

16 days remain in my quest to fund green bean zine until 2014!

I’ve raised over $200, but I’ve still got one heck of a way to go! This week I started connecting with some bloggers I follow to see if they might be interested in supporting green bean zine. I was lucky enough to hear a response from the stellar Pittsburgh yogini and podcaster Elsie Escobar as well as WordPress starlet, Stephanie Utrecht of thebowtiebutterfly!

I’ve been listening to Elsie’s yoga podcasts for years now. She offers free, full-length audio yoga classes (And now she even offers a video class! How exciting!) on her website with pose-by-pose images of class sequence breakdowns. She also has an iTunes app or your i…Products. It’s all quite fancy. Anywho, Elsie agreed to take a peek at some of my zines and potentially, write about/mention them in one of her episodes! She and I may even get the chance to do a short interview! Cross your fingers for me

Stephanie’s blog — thebowtiebutterfly — has been featured on WordPress.com’s “Freshly Pressed” and has a killer blog about art, design, DIY, and fashion! Her post about Book Wreaths really drew me in! She just backed and blogged about green bean zine. Thanks so much, Stephanie!

In other news…

Dumpstered some charming, old timey postcards (actually, they were just blowing down the street…) to use for backer prizes!

Aren’t they neat?

I’ve started folding zines to prep for new backer prizes, too…

Let the folding begin….

Banjo’s been helping me out, too, providing emotional support and such. [P.S. He's actually looking for a new home right now: If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know a.s.a.p.! Thanks!]

“Will work for Jif.”

Much L OV E and Bear Hugs,
ashlee

Green Bean | Support My Kickstarter Project

Hi Family, Friends, Colleagues, Bloggers, and Anonymous Creative People Everywhere!

Take a deep, ujjayi breath and hear (see?) me out.

I’ve been hard at work on my (You guessed it… Another blasted one!) KICKSTARTER project for “green bean zine”, a miniature, handmade magazine made of fun, original writing and sketches, writing and sketches from friends and found objects, maps, stickers, comics, art, etcetera themed around sustainability, social justice, spirituality, DIY, feminism and creativity! Here’s all of the project details. There are some great prizes for backing it. (Free zines! Free sketches! Free bear hugs! Free, private yoga lessons!)

Please share the Kickstarter link with your friends and followers:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ashleegreenbean/green-bean-zine

Cats love green bean zine, too!

I was lucky enough to meet the great and inspiring yogini, Ms. Elena Brower at Wanderlust Yoga & Music Festival in Stratton Mountain, Vermont. She likes green bean zine! (She really likes it!) Go ahead, check it out. You might too I have until SEPTEMBER 14TH to reach my goal. Any and all help that you or your friends provide is so much appreciated. Let’s celebrate y/our creativity together!

green bean zine issue #1: Miso Soup for the Armchair Activist’s Soul

Here’s more:

Inspired by Cindy Crabb‘s “Encyclopedia of Doris” and SARK‘s “A Creative Companion,” I started writing my self-published miniature magazine, “green bean zine” in 2011, leaving copies of it in bookstores, bathrooms, and tucked into library books for people to discover! I wanted to create a space for my writing and sketches that was a little bit messy and fun as well as a creative way to connect with people and fellow travelers.

My goal is $2,500 by September 14th. Pledging starts at $1.

green bean zine issue #1: Miso Soup for the Armchair Activist’s Soul

Subjects in “green bean zine” include: UNlearning, traveling, yoga, poetry from strangers and friends, feminism, fasting, geocaching, traveling on a budget, farming, couchsurfing, holistic health, racism and the meaning of “OM.”

green bean zine issue #3: Miso Soup for the Yogi(ni)’s Soul

green bean zine issue #4: Miso Soup for the Traveler’s Soul

Ideas for future zines include: Juice Fasting, The Big Island (Hawai’i), Dog Training Basics, The Lost Art of Celebration, Racism in the U.S. Prison System, What I Learned in Finishing School and MORE!

A little bittle about me: I’m a writer, blogger, zinester, yogini and yoga teacher, feminist, traveler and hobbyist. I’m the author of green bean zine, a caboodle of writings, sketches, stickers, fairy dust and other fun things themed around travel, wellness and activism. Find my published work in Lalitamba literary journal, YES! Magazine and The Hamakua Times. I currently live in Pittsburgh, PA with my cattle dog mix, Banjo.
**As always, please email me at ashleegreenbean@gmail.com with any and all questions and forward on to those that you think may be interested.**

Green Bean | Ease Into August with Ayurveda

As we enter the month of August, oftentimes the hottest month of the year, our bodies naturally adjust to the intense heat and sunlight of the summer season. Actively help to balance your inner body against the outside warmth by incorporating some cooling movement and nourishment inspired by Ayurveda, the Indian system of alternative medicine.

Photo by Ari Stiles

If you practice yoga, now is the time to explore restorative and yin-style classes and postures. Instead of performing Sun Salutations, which are used to warm the body, discover Moon Salutations to relax and cool it. Release tight hips and hamstrings with both standing and seated forward bends; Instead of intense inversions like handstand and headstand, try Legs Up the Wall and Shoulder Stand, supported with a blanket or rolled mat under the shoulders. Avoid midday activity when the sun is at its peak, as well as hot showers, steam rooms and saunas. Opt instead for walks in either the early morning or late evening and focused, controlled breathing exercises.

To ease into an Ayurvedic summer diet, eat mostly seasonal, fresh or gently cooked light foods and herbs with high water content, such as cucumbers, chard, cherries, kale, green beans, berries, peaches, apples, zucchini, melon, mint, fennel and cilantro. Cold soups and salads are also appropriate. Alcohol and caffeine are particularly draining during this time of year; either avoid them altogether or compromise with white wine or a spritzer. Mint is great for digestion, easy to grow and makes a refreshing hot or iced tea.

Sources:

“Yoga for All Seasons: Summer”
“Enjoy a Healthy Summer with Ayurveda”

*This blog post originally published for the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing.

Green Bean | Road Trip, the End: St. Louis

We drove for twelve straight hours, through gray skies and cornfields to get to St. Louis: the very last stop on our road trip. It was nearing 3:00AM when we were greeted with an open door to the beautiful home of three med student Couchsurfers and their senior border collie. We slept comfortably and woke in the morning in time to glance at the Arch, then continue on our way home. The pictures turned out so great.

And that, my friends, was that. Four months ago.

Green Bean | Road Trip, Continued: Albuquerque, NM

Santa Fe doesn’t deserve any pictures; Haughty artists and overpriced stares were all we found there.

We have made it to Albuquerque and our road trip is nearing an end.

It’s a treat to see Miss Arielle, another sweet nomadic soul. Her laughter is contagious and her roommates are so ambitious! They worked together to build raised beds for their backyard garden and a chicken coop. They are inspiring and make me wish I could find more similar people in Pittsburgh! Last year, Arielle said she sat staring out her window, watching all of her plants shrivel and die in the unruly New Mexico heat. This year, her garden looks promising and I hope it is. She loves her chickens very much. Each one has a name and lays a different colored egg.

We are driving around the city to snap pictures of houses featured in “Breaking Bad.” I won’t realize the significance of our efforts until I see the show. (*Update: I realize the significance! Now that we are back in Pittsburgh, we’ve noticed Jesse Pinkman’s car zipping around Shadyside… does anyone have any tips on its whereabouts? Can we rig up a spy cam for something like this?)

Have you seen me?