🎉Welcome to Issue 2!
We are back again to enchant you with the magic of periods and vaginas. Aaaaah…yes…the vagina🌈, that pandora’s box, that milkshake maker, the canal to the bun baker (cuz the uterus is the oven…get it?). You get it.
The past few weeks, we have heard entirely too much AND too little about reproductive health and periods in the U.S. On one hand, there’s all of the political rumble about Roe vs. Wade and fear of people actually losing reproductive rights, which (understandably) there is a lot of conversation and bustle around. On the other hand, there’s the shortage of freaking tampons! The most used period management tool in the U.S. is now under a shortage and we’re not seeing enough people actually talking about it.
The needs of people with vaginas, OUR NEEDS, are important and crucial for us to be able to actually function in society. I’m pretty sure no one wants to see half the population walking around with bloodstains all over their pants.
You’re not supposed to talk about your genitals, menstruation, or all the stuff that’s happening because it bumps people out. So…who do you tell to fix this? Well…TELL US. Send us an email or a comment and tell us how you feel. How would not having access to abortion or period products actually affect you?
On a different note, in this issue, we’re blasting you with healthy dense food options to sync your diet with your cycle. Not all bodies are alike but research indicates that providing certain foods on each cycle can help ease some of the unpleasant symptoms people experience when bleeding.
Period Foods By Phase
*note: not all periods or phases are equal. You might spend a longer or shorter number of days in each of the phases than other women, girls, trans and non binary people you know that menstruate.*
🩸Menstrual (Day 1 - 5)→ Nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods
✮ Prioritize foods rich in iron and avoid inflammatory sugary foods. E.g. sweet potato, brown rice, kefir or probiotic yogurts, pumpkin seeds, protein, nuts, and dark chocolate (great magnesium source).
⚡️ Follicular (Day 1 - 13) → Start/Reset your healthy eating plan
✮ Take advantage of high energy levels and motivation. This is a perfect time to start a healthy eating plan and provide nutrients for the next phase. E.g. salads, vegetables, flaxseeds, nuts, and salmon.
🥚Ovulation (Day 14) → Fibrous and light
✮ Prioritize fiber-rich veggies like chard, dandelion greens, and spinach. Also, antioxidant-rich fruit like raspberries, strawberries, and coconut help with the detoxification of rising hormones in the liver
💤Luteal (Day 15 - 28) → Liver-loving foods
✮ Opt for foods rich in b-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and fiber. E.g. sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, brown rice, millet, navy beans, and chickpeas.
Are you focused on fertility, have PCOS or endometriosis, are transitioning f > m, or want specific tips? Drop us a note and let us know so we can share info for you!
Know more about your cycle’s phases → Read
Track your cycle manually → Read
Track your cycle with apps, apps, and more apps → Download
Period Aesthetics
You know what I always thought was missing from mugs? Boobies. I need to drink my tea out of a cup that has a pair of boobs on it to really start my day on the right foot. Pot Yer Tits Away Luv puts two amazing mediums of art, Boobs and Clay, together to create poetry in pottery. Her mugs come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and even art periods (want something romantic or abstract? She got you girl). Head over to her IG to look at some of her work or to her shop to buy some cool mugs.
Thought Provoking
How To Have Mind-Blowing Sex When It's Your Period → Read
Thanks for reading Pink Lemonade. Make sure to share these tips with all your fellow menstruators to sweeten their time of the month. Be someone’s period fairy this month. 🪄
Spotlight: The Afiya Center
An organization to follow: Established in response to the increasing disparities between HIV incidences worldwide and the extraordinary prevalence of HIV among Black womxn and girls in Texas, TAC is the only Reproductive Justice (RJ) organization in North Texas founded and directed by Black womxn. The organization spearheaded the first Texas Black Womxn’s Reproductive Justice Policy Summit and is leading the charge on many other legislative issues.
A way to think differently about menstruation: Your voice changes during your period. Researchers in this article explain their thoughts on female reproductive hormones impact your vocal cords, altering your voice.
A period tip: Moving your body is beneficial for relieving cramps and improving your mood. If you don’t enjoy working out, exercise 5-6 days before your period. This will decrease your cramps. Also, try yoga poses like seated forward bend, wheel’s pose, and bridge’s pose.
Meme’s for days
Share your favorite memes with us at pinklemonadeco@substack.com to be featured in our newsletter
Spread the Word
This is our 2nd issue so share, share, share with everyone you know!
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