Morning Edition's "Off The Battlefield, Military Women Face Risks From Male Troops" →

"According to the Pentagon’s own research, more than 1 in 4 women who join the military will be sexually assaulted during their careers."

This is part of Morning Edition’s special series: "America’s Woman Warriors."

Natural Birth Control class next week! →

It’s the first day of Spring!!! Are you over using synthetic hormones and/or devices to avoid a pregnancy?

The next Natural Birth Control class using the Fertility Awareness Method that I will be teaching is on Tuesday, March 26 at 6pm-8:30pm. It will be held at Blossom Wellness Center. $40/person, $50/couple. Call 303.954.9399 to register.

The Kindara App is Non-Predicting...

So… if you’re “charting" your cycle using the Fertility Awareness Method, “how" exactly do you chart it? The old-fashioned paper way (how I do it), the computer spreadsheet (that many of my clients use), or apps on your phone (which I normally don’t like).

I haven’t liked most of the phone apps because they try and PREDICT your cycle using the out-dated and very inaccurate Rhythm Method. The app will actually say that you are infertile or fertile on any given day (regardless of your fertility signs) and it could be totally accurate (a broken clock is right twice a day) or it could be way off… yikes!

Enter… Kindara. I like this iPhone app because it lets women enter the answer to the question, “Am I fertile today? Yes or no?" She decides her Peak Day; she decides her temp shift. And the people that work there (it’s based in Boulder, Colorado) are pretty awesome to boot!

War Violence Against Women: PS

So… I was looking forwarding to writing about Fertility Awareness again, but then I listened to the news. I keep thinking/assuming/hoping that the “good ol’ boys’ club" is being dismantled, but I’m wrong. It seems that the military continues to favor their accused buddies rather than the facts, and women’s voices continue to be ignored and silenced. 

This week is no different; here’s the gist: 

• March 2012 - A civilian woman accuses Air Force Lt. Col. James Wilkerson of sexual assault.
• November 2012 - Four colonels and a lieutenant colonel find Wilkerson guilty. He’s sentenced to one year in prison with a dismissal from the military.
• March 2013 - Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin overturns Wilkerson’s conviction of aggravated sexual assault, reinstating him at full rank. Outraged, several senators and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta call for a review of Franklin’s decision by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

The Stars & Stripes article and All Things Considered broadcast provide more details.

The Message of Stress: Reproduction is Expendable

When I’m teaching my clients the Fertility Awareness Method, the subject of stress invariably comes up. Why? Because it is RAMPANT in our culture and society. An NPR blog chats a bit about how OVERWHELMED we all feel if you’re one of the lucky few that needs proof the rest of us are stressed out.

But we’re not supposed to live under the constant stress that we do. What we’re telling our body (in caveman terms) is that there is a TIGER chasing us on the SAVANNAH and we need to RUN!

Reproduction is not necessary for survival, so while our bodies are busy getting blood and oxygen to our heart, lungs, and brain… and then to our muscles… and then maybe to our digestion… it will think about whether or not it wants to send precious resources to our reproductive organs. Stress sends the message, “This is not a good time to get her pregnant. She can’t run from the tiger while she’s pregnant for nearly a year… and she certainly can’t run from the tiger while she’s breastfeeding a new child for a year or more. So let’s protect her and prevent a pregnancy."

What you’ll often hear me telling my clients about stress reduction is 1 of 2 things: either add something to your life or subtract something from you life. Add exercise or eating healthier or meditation or a support group or something else that adds GOODNESS to your life. Or… say “no" more often or resign from a committee or turn off the screen (tv, computer, tablet, phone, etc) more or give yourself a break.

If you need even more ideas, Zen Habits gives great hints on “The Art of Letting Go." Enjoy!