Jessica from The Process of Healing posted this beautiful post. It is based off an award that is being passed around, but she passed it on to everyone. I think it is a good thing for all of us to consider the questions posed, and it was just the sort of thing I needed to really think about today as it has been another rough day. About once every week or two, I have days where I get more emotionally run down and today was that day. So thank you Jessica for sharing this and for allowing me to think of so many positive things about myself.

1) What physical features do you love about yourself?

I love my eyes and my arms. My eyes are big and a very vivid green. I think they are unique and stand out, which is nice to have something that is more special. I also like my arms because they have good definition and look strong. Also, they get to wrap around all the people I love.

2) How do you personally take care of yourself?

I take care of myself by really trying to honor my body's needs. I really try to respect myself. Feed myself with nutritious foods, but also things I enjoy. I don't workout if my body isn't up to it. I also take care of myself mentally and spiritually be focusing on my relationship with God. This heals me more than anything.

3) What are you looking forward to?

I hate to say that right now I am most looking forward to two pink lines that are the sign of growing our family. But, I do think it is important to look forward to something each and every day. It makes me enjoy life more and appreciate every day. So tomorrow I am looking forward to meeting Em from HomecookedEm.

4) Who has aided your recovery the most?

Um, I think you all can guess this one. My answer will without a doubt be God. I would not be where I am now (in so many ways) if it weren't for Him calling me back to Him and me following. Also, Peter has played a big role in showing me just how beautiful I am inside and out. As well as Makenzie. I have to be strong for her. And lastly, all of you. You have no idea how much your support is carrying me through any hard days I face.

5) What was the very last thing you ate?

A brownie with vanilla bean icecream. It was Peter's little bro's birthday celebration with his family today and that was our dessert. We ate 5 hours ago and I'm still not hungry. After some salad, one slice of pizza, and that brownie. I guess fat fills me up like crazy!

6) What is one material thing you are dying to have right now?

A NICE CAMERA!!! Need I say more? 😉

7) If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

On a cruise in the Mediterranean. I want to go back to Europe and I adore cruise vacations. This would be perfect!

8 ) What is/was your biggest fear food, and how will/did you conquer it?

Well it used to be cereal. I could NOT control myself with it. Now it doesn't bother me in the least because I eat a balanced diet and don't ever get overly hungry that I feel the need to binge on it. Intuitive eating, baby!

9) What are your dreams for life after ED?

I'm past my ED (binge eating). My dreams for life after is to NEVER go back. To continue to honor my body and eat a balanced, healthy diet but not be afraid of enjoying food. And to help others in the process.

10) What advice would you give to someone concerning eating disorders?

Seek help in as many ways as you can. Don't try to battle it on your own. And I would really say turning to God is an important facet to that as well. When you know how much God loves you, you learn to love yourself all the more. And loving yourself will be a big step in overcoming ED.

Go ahead and share your answers on your blog! Because we are ALL beautiful.

***Warning: If you are a male reader or a don't care about the nitty gritty girly details reader, you may want to skip this pots.***

I have mentioned a few times about some natural tools to track your monthly cycle. Since coming off the pill about 3 years ago, I have become a big advocate of not using hormones in our bodies. I think contraceptives that use hormones will often mask our body's inner workings and hide problems that may be occurring. I believe it is best for us to be knowledgeable about our bodies and how they function. And this information becomes very useful if you ever have to take a closer look at your fertility, hormone levels, or any other related health factors.

I understand that we all have to choose the method that works best for us. But I also stand by the fact that knowledge is power and hope to share some information you may not be aware of otherwise. This method of naturally tracking cycles is called Basal Body Temperature (aka BBT) charting. There are many online charting tools you can use, that will help determine the various phases of your cycle. My favorite is called Fertility Friend. And although the site is geared towards trying to conceive, this method could still be effective at preventing pregnancy when you time intercourse and use other non-hormonal contraceptives during particular phases of your cycle.

Now, how does it work? The charting itself is pretty simple. You simply take your temperature (a digital thermometer with a reading to the 100th degree is best) first thing in the morning upon waking. It is best to get the temperature at around the same time each morning, before rising, and after a solid few hours of sleep. [Source]

You then input the information into a graph type chart each day, either online or manually. After an entire cycle your chart will look something like this.

If you notice, there are two distinct parts of the cycle. Within these two distinguished sections there are four important things to consider. The start of your cycle is your menstruation. You are generally not fertile during this time. During this time, your body secretes a hormone called GnRH that signals your body to secrete the hormones to stimulate follicular development in your ovaries.

After menstruation, your body enters the Follicular Phase in which you release more estrogen to begin thickening your lining and preparing your body for a possible pregnancy. In simple language, this is when your body prepares to release an egg. The estrogen levels cause your BBT to be lower. These lower temperatures help distinguish this phase of your cycle and when ovulation occurs.

Ovulation will approach when there is a surge of estrogen that causes the production of Luteinizing Hormone, the hormone that causes the release of the egg. After the egg is released, estrogen levels drop dramatically and progesterone begins to dominate. With the decrease in estrogen and rise in progesterone, your BBT also shifts accordingly. Your temperatures will rise at this point.

Chart of All Phases

[Source]

You can determine ovulation using temperature charting by distinguishing a distinct and sustained shift to higher temperatures. For example, in the Follicular Phase your temperatures may consistently be around 97.5, but after ovulation your temperature would be above 98. Even though it seems small, you should be able to recognize a clear difference in temperature levels over the course of your cycle. And ovulation can be pinpointed as the day before you see the temperature rise.

After ovulation your body is in the Luteal Phase. This lasts for an average of 12-16 days until your next menstruation. It is the waiting period for a possibly fertilized egg to implant and begin growing. If you conceived your temperatures would stay higher, otherwise you would see a drop that signifies progesterone levels decreasing and the start of your next cycle.

I know it sounds like a lot. But it is really useful and interesting to see. You will begin to notice that your body will ovulate around the same time every month, if not the same day each month. Really knowing your body and how it works can provide enough information to fit your current needs and wishes, without having anything affect your hormones. I plan to always use this method until the hubs gets the snip snip. I know this may not be for everyone, but I can certainly recommend it from my own experience.