Hi Friends!
Yesterday I spent the majority of my morning watching talk shows and the majority of my afternoon sleeping. It was amazing. But I spent so much time vegging out, that I totally forgot that PCOSAA.org was releasing another one of my PCOS articles! This one is about carbs... oh how I love carbs.
Click HERE for my brand new PCOSAA.org article!
Coming up next on my blog I will be sharing how my new job as a Production Manager at an animation studio in Hollywood called Shadow Machine is going. I am also in progress on my 3 part mental health writing series, look out for that on PCOSAA.org coming soon! And of course, more Marion O'Varion cartoons will be ready for you all to enjoy in the upcoming weeks.
Thanks for reading and sharing! Please leave your comments and let me know how you like the new article!
With love and happiness,
💗 Jennifer
New PCOSAA Article! Learning From the Pain
Hello everyone! Pain is something that women with PCOS live with everyday, but are you listening to your pain? Check out my brand new article on PCOSAA.org on how pain led me to a PCOS diagnosis.
Click here to read the brand new article - Learning From the Pain
I am also introducing some new artwork as well! ACTUAL live footage of my uterus during menstruation... SCARY!!!!!
Click here to read the brand new article - Learning From the Pain
I am also introducing some new artwork as well! ACTUAL live footage of my uterus during menstruation... SCARY!!!!!
I hope the rest of your weekend brings you joy and comfort!
💗 Jennifer
Mental Health & PCOS Writing Series: Introduction
Hello everyone and happy Saturday! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! Today I am giving you all a little introduction into my 3 Part Mental Health & PCOS Writing Series that I am working on for PCOSAA.org. Since one of the major symptoms of PCOS is anxiety, and I suffer from anxiety, I want to share information on mental health while also sharing some stories that you all can relate to.
First things first. Having mental health issues does not mean you are broken. Taking a day off of work because you have a cold and taking a day off of work because you need a mental break needs to be treated as the same thing... a sick day. Needing a mental break means you are human, it does not mean that you cannot handle stressful situations, or that you are not cut out for the job. It means that you are strong enough to know when your body and mind need a break and smart enough to give it that break it needs.
Just like physical ailments, mental health concerns should be treated with seriousness. Taking medicine for an upset tummy seems normal, but there is still a stigma around medication for mental illness. The meme out there I hate the MOST is the one that says taking a walk in nature rather than taking your mental illness medication will help your anxiety or depression. That is dangerous. That was written by someone who does truly understand what mental illness is.
Everyone human is different, so medication may not be the answer for your mental illness, however it is the answer for a lot of people. Finding a medication that works well for your mental illness is a relief in so many ways. It gives you a chance to feel comfortable without taking away a sense of your true self. It is lifesaving.
When I found prozac my whole world opened up to different possibilities. I could do things without my heart rate elevating. Imagine any simple task elevating your heart rate for no reason and how taxing that would be your body. Now imaging finding a pill that relieves you of that. I didn't realize life could be lived any differently. Prozac showed my body that it didn't have to live that way and for that I am thankful for it.
I was worried that people would find out about me taking prozac. Gasp! What would they think of me!?! But when I saw Carrie Fisher's prozac pill urn when she sadly passed, it made me think differently about it. She was a fucking legend. So taking prozac will not keep me or anyone else for that matter from being a fucking legend.
Please keep a look out for my 3 Part Mental Health & PCOS Writing Series at PCOSAA.org coming soon. I will be talking about how hormones vs. social influences affect your mental health. Mental health is a serious condition and if you need help please visit the resources below for more information. You are never alone.
For emergencies:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help
For more information:
https://mentalhealth.gov/get-help
💗 Jennifer
First things first. Having mental health issues does not mean you are broken. Taking a day off of work because you have a cold and taking a day off of work because you need a mental break needs to be treated as the same thing... a sick day. Needing a mental break means you are human, it does not mean that you cannot handle stressful situations, or that you are not cut out for the job. It means that you are strong enough to know when your body and mind need a break and smart enough to give it that break it needs.
Just like physical ailments, mental health concerns should be treated with seriousness. Taking medicine for an upset tummy seems normal, but there is still a stigma around medication for mental illness. The meme out there I hate the MOST is the one that says taking a walk in nature rather than taking your mental illness medication will help your anxiety or depression. That is dangerous. That was written by someone who does truly understand what mental illness is.
Everyone human is different, so medication may not be the answer for your mental illness, however it is the answer for a lot of people. Finding a medication that works well for your mental illness is a relief in so many ways. It gives you a chance to feel comfortable without taking away a sense of your true self. It is lifesaving.
When I found prozac my whole world opened up to different possibilities. I could do things without my heart rate elevating. Imagine any simple task elevating your heart rate for no reason and how taxing that would be your body. Now imaging finding a pill that relieves you of that. I didn't realize life could be lived any differently. Prozac showed my body that it didn't have to live that way and for that I am thankful for it.
I was worried that people would find out about me taking prozac. Gasp! What would they think of me!?! But when I saw Carrie Fisher's prozac pill urn when she sadly passed, it made me think differently about it. She was a fucking legend. So taking prozac will not keep me or anyone else for that matter from being a fucking legend.
Clint Brewer/Splash News
Todd Fisher carries sister Carrie's Prozac-pill urn.
Please keep a look out for my 3 Part Mental Health & PCOS Writing Series at PCOSAA.org coming soon. I will be talking about how hormones vs. social influences affect your mental health. Mental health is a serious condition and if you need help please visit the resources below for more information. You are never alone.
For emergencies:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help
For more information:
https://mentalhealth.gov/get-help
💗 Jennifer
New article on PCOSAA.org!
There is a brand new blog post that I wrote up at PCOSAA. org!!! Click HERE to read some advice I have on dealing with unsolicited medical advice.
Thanks for reading!!!
💗 Jennifer
http://pcosaa.org
Thanks for reading!!!
💗 Jennifer
http://pcosaa.org
The Story of Glucose
One of the things my doctor monitors the closest is my A1C level, which tells her if I am at risk of or if I have diabetes. 2nd to cancer, diabetes is one of the scariest things when it comes to PCOS health risks. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, therefore many of them are prescribed a medication called metformin. I have opted out of taking metformin and decided to learn about my body and treat it naturally. (But that doesn't mean it doesn't work for others, I am happy it is available for those who need it and benefit from it) I think it is scary to me because I never really quite understood insulin and what it does in the body, and the only way I can convince myself I know what is going on, is to write a story about it...
You see, in the world of your body, there is a gym called The Muscle and Fat Gym. It is pretty exclusive, only the sweetest Glucose Clients are able to attend the gym. Membership requires you to use an Insulin Personal Trainer. In fact, Glucose Clients cannot even attend The Muscle and Fat Gym without their Insulin Trainer accompanying them. Then one day some gluttonous suit at the corporate office of The Muscle and Fat Gym decided that the gym shouldn't be so exclusive anymore. He was like, "Hey, let's just let any Glucose Client in here, just think of all the money we will make, I LOVE SUGAR AHHHHHH!!!!" But the dumb ass kept the rules the same, each person still needed a high end Insulin Trainer. So for every Glucose Client they got, they had to hire another Insulin Trainer, Then the Insulin Trainers had to start taking on multiple clients, and the Pancreatic Offices where you hire Insulin Trainers was just flat out of Insulin Trainers one day. Eventually the current Insulin Trainers became overworked and quit. Now every time Glucose tries to get into The Muscle and Fat Gym, they are turned away because the rules are still "You must have a Insulin Trainer with you to enter." So Instead of going to the gym, Glucose Clients decided to turn around and go home via the bloodstream freeway... And that is why the 405 always sucks. Eventually The Muscle and Fat Gym closes down because of poor business management and you are carting your ass to Diabetesland.
That's how I see it anyway... the point is keep your gym exclusive! Silly stories aside, diabetes is a serious condition and it must be monitored, or better yet prevented. Keeping an eye on your blood sugar levels can help you understand how your body reacts to food. Also look out for hidden sugar in things... especially carbs!!! Here is a link to actual medical information, because I really hope you are not getting your medical information from me. 
Feed your muscle and fat with only the best fuel.
Jennifer
A Big Pain in the Boob
I am sure you have heard the term from a man, "I am a boob guy"... meaning that boobs are his favorite. Men love boobs, but to us women they are tools for when you have children and need to feed them... or when you need to get out of a speeding ticket. Boobs make "boob guys" pretty happy, but sometimes boobs are just a huge fucking pain. Literally.
Boobs can hurt for all sorts of reasons, one being muscle soreness from carrying those heavy things around, or from side affects from medication, but cyclic breast pain is the pain in your boobs that is related to your hormones and menstrual cycle.
If you have boob pain, check in with your doctor to make sure there is nothing serious going on. According to the American Cancer Society, there was estimated over 300,000 new cases of breast cancer in 2017. I have watched someone live through and survive the horrible disease, and it is not fun for anyone, so get checked early if you notice any changes in your boobs. There could also be some other funky things going on, remember your boobs are filled with milk ducts, so make sure all parts of the boob are a-okay.
I am not saying that boob pain means cancer or something serious, I am just saying keep an eye on your boobs. In most cases boob pain is just that... pain. I was super worried about my boobs when they hurt so freaking bad all the time. So I told my doctor and yes, you guessed it... it is all because of my hormones. I suffer from cyclic breast pain for approx. 20 days out of every month. The only way I can describe the feeling is that it is similar to the pain you have a day or two after a very strenuous work out.
I know many many women with PCOS can relate, and maybe women without PCOS too! So I am going to give you my top 2 things I do to combat boob pain.
#1: As much as possible, go without a bra. My boobs hurt the worse after stuffing them into a bra all day. The exception to this when you are exercising, then you should invest in a nice sturdy sports bra. Bouncing is bad for boobs! IT HURTS! Sorry boys!
#2: Massage. It does wonders for the pain. You're welcome boys!
Pain is something that women with PCOS deal with every day, and knowing where the pain is coming from and why you are having it is super important. Get your proper check-ups and keep a journal if you suspect hormones to be the issue, that will help your doctor pin point the pain. As I learn more about my boobs and their pain, I will share any important information I find and any more remedies I have!
Don't forget to let your boobs free and show them some love!
💗 Jennifer
OH! And here is a great link to the Mayo Clinic's information regarding different types of boob pain.
Boobs can hurt for all sorts of reasons, one being muscle soreness from carrying those heavy things around, or from side affects from medication, but cyclic breast pain is the pain in your boobs that is related to your hormones and menstrual cycle.
If you have boob pain, check in with your doctor to make sure there is nothing serious going on. According to the American Cancer Society, there was estimated over 300,000 new cases of breast cancer in 2017. I have watched someone live through and survive the horrible disease, and it is not fun for anyone, so get checked early if you notice any changes in your boobs. There could also be some other funky things going on, remember your boobs are filled with milk ducts, so make sure all parts of the boob are a-okay.
I am not saying that boob pain means cancer or something serious, I am just saying keep an eye on your boobs. In most cases boob pain is just that... pain. I was super worried about my boobs when they hurt so freaking bad all the time. So I told my doctor and yes, you guessed it... it is all because of my hormones. I suffer from cyclic breast pain for approx. 20 days out of every month. The only way I can describe the feeling is that it is similar to the pain you have a day or two after a very strenuous work out.
I know many many women with PCOS can relate, and maybe women without PCOS too! So I am going to give you my top 2 things I do to combat boob pain.
#1: As much as possible, go without a bra. My boobs hurt the worse after stuffing them into a bra all day. The exception to this when you are exercising, then you should invest in a nice sturdy sports bra. Bouncing is bad for boobs! IT HURTS! Sorry boys!
#2: Massage. It does wonders for the pain. You're welcome boys!
Pain is something that women with PCOS deal with every day, and knowing where the pain is coming from and why you are having it is super important. Get your proper check-ups and keep a journal if you suspect hormones to be the issue, that will help your doctor pin point the pain. As I learn more about my boobs and their pain, I will share any important information I find and any more remedies I have!
Don't forget to let your boobs free and show them some love!
💗 Jennifer
OH! And here is a great link to the Mayo Clinic's information regarding different types of boob pain.
More About Me and Upcoming Posts!
Happy Sunday cysters! I am so happy to be writing today and share with you some more things about me and what I plan to do to help women with PCOS.
I started this blog at the beginning of the year to give myself a platform for my PCOS writing other than my personal Facebook newsfeed. I knew there are millions of women with PCOS around the world, and I wanted to be able to reach them without them also having to sift through pictures of my dog and updates from the Chicago Cubs game, which is primarily what you will see on my Facebook page. But then after doing some more research on blogging, I realized that people might actually want to know more about me and my everyday life. Yes I have fun educational stories, strong opinions, and thought out research on PCOS, but things like my job, my relationship, my personal feelings, I have not really dug deep into on my public online platforms. Don't worry Sam, I won't be sharing all our business, but I am working on a structured blog post release schedule that will include more personal things about me in addition to the educational hoo-haa. That will give me the opportunity to reach woman on a regular basis with information on PCOS and my personal stories will hopefully help them relate a little more and remind them they are not alone.
So let's get this ish started! I am 34 years old, I live in Sherman Oaks, CA with my boyfriend, Sam, and our Chiweenie dog, Layla. I studied liberal arts and fine arts in school, and then focused my education primarily on animation. I have been working in the animation industry for 10 years, and I am currently the design department Production Supervisor on the Emmy Winning television series "Bob's Burgers".
I feel like every creative person has a side hustle, and every once in a while I will get a freelance art work gig, but I have recently made writing/blogging a higher priority. I mean, I guess you can say it is not really a "hustle" if I am making $0.00 from it, but you never know! Really I just love doing it and I feel like I have something important to say, so that is why I write. Check out some more of my work at PCOSAA.org.
PCOS has held me back my entire life, but somehow I have been able to get past my darkest days and build a life for myself that I am truly happy, successful, and comfortable in. A life where even though PCOS affects me physically, emotionally, and mentally every single day, I still love myself and feel so blessed every single day to have what I have in my home, relationship, family, friends, and job. My hope is that every woman can have that feeling.
So that's all you get! For now anyway. I am excited to share more posts on a more regular basis. Please check back weekly (or even better, SUBSCRIBE!) for more content, including another appearance from Marion O'Varion coming soon!
One last thing... Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Mike. You are still the coolest Dad out there!
Love you all and thanks for reading!
<3 Jennifer
I started this blog at the beginning of the year to give myself a platform for my PCOS writing other than my personal Facebook newsfeed. I knew there are millions of women with PCOS around the world, and I wanted to be able to reach them without them also having to sift through pictures of my dog and updates from the Chicago Cubs game, which is primarily what you will see on my Facebook page. But then after doing some more research on blogging, I realized that people might actually want to know more about me and my everyday life. Yes I have fun educational stories, strong opinions, and thought out research on PCOS, but things like my job, my relationship, my personal feelings, I have not really dug deep into on my public online platforms. Don't worry Sam, I won't be sharing all our business, but I am working on a structured blog post release schedule that will include more personal things about me in addition to the educational hoo-haa. That will give me the opportunity to reach woman on a regular basis with information on PCOS and my personal stories will hopefully help them relate a little more and remind them they are not alone.
So let's get this ish started! I am 34 years old, I live in Sherman Oaks, CA with my boyfriend, Sam, and our Chiweenie dog, Layla. I studied liberal arts and fine arts in school, and then focused my education primarily on animation. I have been working in the animation industry for 10 years, and I am currently the design department Production Supervisor on the Emmy Winning television series "Bob's Burgers".
I feel like every creative person has a side hustle, and every once in a while I will get a freelance art work gig, but I have recently made writing/blogging a higher priority. I mean, I guess you can say it is not really a "hustle" if I am making $0.00 from it, but you never know! Really I just love doing it and I feel like I have something important to say, so that is why I write. Check out some more of my work at PCOSAA.org.
PCOS has held me back my entire life, but somehow I have been able to get past my darkest days and build a life for myself that I am truly happy, successful, and comfortable in. A life where even though PCOS affects me physically, emotionally, and mentally every single day, I still love myself and feel so blessed every single day to have what I have in my home, relationship, family, friends, and job. My hope is that every woman can have that feeling.
So that's all you get! For now anyway. I am excited to share more posts on a more regular basis. Please check back weekly (or even better, SUBSCRIBE!) for more content, including another appearance from Marion O'Varion coming soon!
One last thing... Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Mike. You are still the coolest Dad out there!
Love you all and thanks for reading!
<3 Jennifer
My Big Creative Announcement!
Hi everyone! TODAY IS THE DAY!!!
I am so very excited to announce why I haven't posted in a while, why I keep telling all of you how excited I am, and why I have been so busy...
It is because I am one of the newest bloggers for PCOSAA.org!!!
A year or so back I started writing about my life with PCOS on Facebook and I ended up being pretty educational and maybe a little funny in the process. I had a lot of fun with it, so I reached out to the PCOSAA, shared my writing them, started this blog, and now I am writing for an awesome non-profit organization who help bring awareness to PCOS... and I am so very happy to be a part of it!
My very first two articles have been posted and I am so excited to share them with my followers!!! You can read them at the links below...
Change - Transitioning to a Healthy Lifestyle with PCOS
I Can't Explain It - Learning to Talk About Your PCOS
Thank you all so much for the love and support during this creative journey of mine. Please leave your comments to tell me how you like the articles and what you would like to hear about next.
Have a comforting and healthy weekend!
💗 Jennifer
I am so very excited to announce why I haven't posted in a while, why I keep telling all of you how excited I am, and why I have been so busy...
It is because I am one of the newest bloggers for PCOSAA.org!!!
My very first two articles have been posted and I am so excited to share them with my followers!!! You can read them at the links below...
Change - Transitioning to a Healthy Lifestyle with PCOS
I Can't Explain It - Learning to Talk About Your PCOS
Thank you all so much for the love and support during this creative journey of mine. Please leave your comments to tell me how you like the articles and what you would like to hear about next.
Have a comforting and healthy weekend!
💗 Jennifer
My Vision Board - Facebook Post - Sept. 9th, 2016
Did you know that if you
tell yourself something over and over again, eventually you will believe it?
Chances are if you have used my bathroom, you have seen my vision board and
have told me about your favorite image or saying on it. I love when people
point something out about my vision board that they like, because that means
that they looked at it and held on to a little piece of it. It’s
like using my bathroom comes with a little motivational pep talk. The
reason it is displayed in my bathroom is because that is where I get ready in
the morning. When I look at myself in the mirror and think, damn, if I didn’t
have PCOS maybe my hair would be thicker… then I turn my head to my vision
board and it reminds me that I love PCOS because PCOS is a part of me, and I
love me. Here is a picture of a section of my vision board. The words “LOVE
PCOS” is now at the very top center of the board so it is not hidden. I
encourage everyone who needs a reminder that they are awesome to make a vision
board and put it somewhere in your house where you will see it every single
day. You can make it anything you want… pictures, sayings, quotes, inspirational
people… anything that makes you feel good. Continue to add to it as your goals
in life evolve. It could even be fun to have a vision board party with your
girlfriends where everyone brings a couple magazines to share with everyone to
cut up. I know all this sounds corny, but it works because it is so important
to take time for yourself to put your vision for your life on paper… or a
board. It helps you visualize your goals… that’s probably why it is called a
vision board.
Dream big because you have the ability to visualize anything that is not even there yet.
💗 Jennifer
Dream big because you have the ability to visualize anything that is not even there yet.
💗 Jennifer
Be a Badass - Facebook Post - Sept, 8th 2016
Running a little late with
my post today because bad ass bitches take care of shit by day and go movies
with cute boys by night. I enjoy being able to go out and live my life, and
sometimes it is hard to do if you are not feeling good about yourself. So I
wanted to share some inspiration/reading material with everyone. The book “You
are a Badass” By Jen Sincero is an awesome book that made me look at situations
in my life a lot differently. Once I started changing my attitude and opening
my mind to different ideas and experiences, I finally felt like I was living
the life I wanted to live. She is also the one who inspired me to write little
tag lines at the end of my posts. She also swears a lot, which I really enjoy
since we share that in common. Here is a link to buy it on amazon, because
everyone should read it.
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699
Keep your eyes open so you can see every opportunity in front of you.
💗 Jennifer
https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Badass-Doubting-Greatness/dp/0762447699
Keep your eyes open so you can see every opportunity in front of you.
💗 Jennifer
The Sunshine Vitamin - Facebook Post - Sept. 7th, 2016
It is very common for women with PCOS to become vitamin deficient. I am
deficient in D & B12. Vitamins make me very nauseous, so it was awesome to
find out that there are options. My Dr. changed me to a weekly dosage of D, and
a dissolve-able tablet for B12 and it is now much more manageable. Being
vitamin D efficient feels super awesome, so here is a link to a little article
about the benefits of vitamin D to urge everyone to take their vitamins!
💗 Jennifer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)