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Hey earth muffins! My absolute favorite cookies are pumpkin chocolate chip, so I am a huge fan of pumpkin spice season. When grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago, I saw that pie pumpkins were on sale… 🎃 So I thought it would be fun to try to make my own pumpkin puree! Thanksgiving is coming up soon, so this recipe would be perfect for your delicious pumpkin pies (and of course any other pumpkin-themed baked good). Let’s jump right into the recipe!

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What You Need
-Pie pumpkin(s): I used two small ones which made about 2.75 cups of puree
-Large spoon
-Large knife
-Baking tray (must have some sort of lip)
-Water
-Blender (or some sort of Nutribullet)

What To Do:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Using the knife, cut off the stems of the pumpkins. Be careful you don’t cut off any fingers!
3. Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise.

4. Use the spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits in the middle of the pumpkin. I suggest roasting the seeds as a tasty snack and then composting the rest! 😊
5. Place the pumpkin halves FACE DOWN on the baking sheet. Add about 1/4th of an inch of water to the bottom of the pan.
6. Pop into oven and let bake for 60-90 minutes. The pumpkins are done when a fork can slide in easily (mine took about 65-70 minutes).
7. LET COOL!
8. Scoop out the pumpkin “meat” and put into the blender. Blend until smooth.
9. If your pumpkins were a bit watery, you can drain some of the water out to get a thicker puree consistency. You can also add some water if it is too thick. My pumpkin puree was absolutely perfect straight from the blender, so I skipped this step.
10. Either use in a recipe right away, pop it into the fridge to use up within a few days, or freeze it. As I wanted to be able to use the puree for cookies throughout the year, I measured it into 1 cup portions and froze in mason jars. 😀 Ta-da! Your pumpkin goodies are just waiting to be baked!!

What are your favorite pumpkin recipes?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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Hey earth muffins! If you have been following Life of an Earth Muffin for some time, you will know that I use the Femometer (and both the Basal Body Temperature and Cervical Mucus methods) as a natural form of birth control. As many people have not thought about using natural birth control, I wanted to share what “experts” say on the subject… Let’s jump right into it!

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*Doctors: The opinions on using natural birth control differ for every doctor. My doctor laughed in my face when I told him I wanted to use something natural, so I haven’t discussed the matter with him any further. Check with your doctor to see if natural birth control is right for you!

*WebMD: When looking at the natural family planning page on this infamous health website, it says that natural birth control isn’t as effective as other forms of birth control: about 24% of women will get pregnant… However, I find it weird that they would put a percentage on their website for all forms of natural birth control instead of breaking it down by method, as some natural birth control methods (like “pulling out” or using just a calendar to count days) definitely have a much higher pregnancy risk.

*Planned Parenthood: In their article about natural birth control methods, Planned Parenthood says that using natural birth control will result in about 12-24% of women getting pregnant. Again, they group all of the methods together. This article then goes on to say that this percentage can be reduced, meaning natural family planning can be more effective, if you use multiple methods together (which is what I am doing!) and/or use condoms as well.

*American Academy of Family Physicians: The AAFP did a study on natural birth control, and they actually do break their results down by type. The percentages are how many people will get pregnant using the certain method

I think these results stress how important it is for couples to know how to use their birth control method in the correct way!

*Medicine Net: This article goes into detail about less popular types of natural birth control (things like douching), but it states that overall natural methods can be as much as 98% effective if they are continuously a commitment.

*Natural Womanhood: If you are interested in trying out natural birth control, I would definitely recommend looking into blogs (like this one) and YouTubers who speak about the different forms. No opinion is more valuable than those who actually find success using these methods! This post shares that natural methods (with typical use) are 92% effective: the birth control pill is usually only 91% effective!

Overall, there are so many differing opinions on using natural birth control. There is a lot at stake when it comes to getting pregnant, so the decision truly depends on whether or not you are comfortable putting in the work to ensure that your method is as effective as possible. Definitely do as much research as possible, and give yourself a few months to perfect the method using your individual cycle before you fully trust it!

What are your personal thoughts on using natural birth control?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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Hey earth muffins! I think one of the easiest switches I made on my journey towards living zero waste was replacing my plastic products with bars. This isn’t difficult to do, especially now that companies like Lush have a lot more “naked” options. This post outlines the best reasons why you should also replace your plastic bottles, so let’s jump right into it! 😀

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1. 
There is less plastic packaging. If you want to be more sustainable, it is a much better alternative! Many stores like Lush and Whole Foods sell these products in absolutely no packaging, which means you can avoid all waste by bring your own container/bag to the store. Plus, you don’t have to worry about recycling the plastic bottle at the end, which as I mentioned in my Ultimate Plastic Recycling Guide, isn’t actually good for the planet.

2. 
You get more product, which is better for your wallet! How many times have you been unable to get all of the product out of a plastic bottle? There are many hard to reach places, which often forces you to toss before it is actually all gone. Many “naked” products use concentrated ingredients so that they will last a longer time; my Jumping Juniper shampoo bar lasted me 98 washes!!

3.
These products are often more natural. I am all for avoiding any unnecessary chemicals/additives, so I love that I am able to reduce them by buying bar products. This is especially true if you buy locally or off of Etsy, as I have found that even Lush items have more ingredients than I would like.

4.
They look so much better in the tub! 😍 Just peep my side of the shower versus my roommate’s. Plastic bottles are usually obnoxious colors with a million words, so I am a huge fan of having products that don’t visually clutter the room. I love my Ethique soap container that keeps my shampoo bar and soap dry so that they last even longer; I would definitely recommend checking it out, as it is only $15 and is biodegradable after a few years of use.

5.
They work just as well! I think many people are concerned that these products aren’t as effective as the brands they know and trust… And that is just untrue! Sure, you might not love everything you try out, but you will definitely find products that you LOVE!

What “naked” products do you use currently?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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Hey earth muffins! I cannot believe it has been a full year since I started using the Femometer as part of the Basal Body Temperature natural birth control method. I unboxed my Femometer a little over a year ago, so I thought I would share what I am still loving (and not loving) about this product. Spoilers – I still LOVE it! 😄

What I Love – The Pros:
~For someone with a longer cycle than the average woman, this app is much more accurate when it comes to making cycle predictions. Before I starting using the Femometer, I was using an app called Flo that just did not understand that my cycle lasts for about 35-38 days. It would predict based on the “average length of a cycle,” which often made it very very wrong (so much so that I would often track on my own too which basically defeated the purpose of using the app). I LOVE that the Femometer adjusts its prediction after each cycle – it can accurately detect the start of both my period and ovulation 95% of the time (the rest are off by 1-3 days), which is just incredible!

~Getting into the habit of taking my temperature was super easy, as I was basically in the habit by my month 3 update. After the habit is formed, you will definitely not forget to take your temperature each morning, and I love the addition to my morning routine.

~Going off of that last point, I formed my habit so well that I actually took my temperature in my sleep once 😅 This didn’t throw off my chart though, because you are able to delete any “abnormal” readings or pick the accurate one if you take it twice by accident. While I haven’t experienced any abnormal instances other than this one, it would be super helpful for keeping your charts consistent when you have a fever.

~NO PERIOD SURPRISES! 🩸 See the first bullet point.

~The visual data in the app is amazing – there are so many different charts that are tracked for you in the Analysis tab in your profile. From analyzing every single data point that has ever been taken to just visualizing each cycle for consistency, the real magic of this device is the data you get. It definitely helps you take charge of your cycle, which is so empowering to me!

Overlaying your cycles can help you see how similar they are!

What I Don’t Love – The Cons:
~Unfortunately, the app doesn’t re-adjust your ovulation date until after your period starts when it analyzes the cycle. While my ovulation date is usually accurate, it might vary by 1-3 days. This doesn’t bother me too much, as I also do the Cervical Mucus method that makes it super easy to tell when I am the most fertile; however, it is something to think about if you aren’t using any other birth control methods.

~As I’ve mentioned in prior updates, I don’t like that I need to sync my thermometer to the app each day… But it is a small time commitment that isn’t a huge deal.

~I also don’t like that the comparison charts use the “average” woman’s cycle… It is especially not as helpful for someone who has a longer cycle, but I understand that I am an outlier in this regard. 🤷‍♀️

Overall verdict, please do yourself a favor and purchase a Femometer! The $30 you pay is SO worth it! What are your thoughts on using the Basal Body Temperature method?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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Hey earth muffins; Happy Monday! To start this week off right, I want to share my tips and tricks for dealing with an armpit detox… Now some of you might be asking, “What the heck is an armpit detox?”, so you definitely came to the right Earth Muffin! Let’s jump right into the post!

What is an armpit detox?
An armpit detox is a detox for your armpits (duh! 🙄) that often occurs after switching from an aluminum based deodorant to a more natural deodorant (such as the natural deodorants from Pretty Frank). When using products that contain aluminum your body is prevented from perspiring, which is why they are often labeled as “antiperspirants”. After switching to a deodorant that lets you sweat, your body isn’t used to it… This results in the armpit detox where you might notice excess sweat and smell coming from your pits as you sweat out the gunk/toxins that have been sitting in your armpit for months and even years! 😷

My Experience with an Armpit Detox
When I switched and started using Pretty Frank’s Wild Wood deodorant, I (surprisingly) didn’t experience much of a detox. I maybe had more sweat than usual for a few days, but nothing too crazy. I did however notice my body actually sweating in the pits for the first time in my LIFE, which was such an interesting thing to think about.

Tips for Surviving Your Armpit Detox
If you make the switch to natural deodorant, you might experience a much longer detox than I did, so I thought I would share my tips to help you mitigate the sweat and the smell!

1. Pick a time that works the best for you – Don’t try to make the switch when you have a lot of presentations in class or know you will be wearing a lot of tank tops. I think winter is probably the best time of the year for a detox, as you can wear a shirt under a sweater to catch any excess sweat or smell!

2. Dab away the sweat often – You will find yourself sweating more than usual, so feel free to use some toilet paper or tissues to dab away the sweat often. I would do this whenever I went to the bathroom, as it is an easy thing to do while sitting on the toilet (sorry for the TMI haha).

3. Reapply when necessary – Feel free to reapply deodorant if you feel like the smell is getting particularly bad… Just make sure you don’t over do it so that your armpits turn white or it rubs into your clothes. You wouldn’t want a stain!

4. Let your pits have space – This process is completely normal, so let your armpits detox all the gunk! I would avoid wearing any tight-in-the-pit clothes to prevent from even more irritation. #freethepits!

5. Have a back-up smell blocker – If you are super concerned with the idea of slightly smelly pits, double up your odor blocker by using body spray, perfume, essential oils, etc. Please don’t use too much though, nobody wants to smell you from a mile away!

6. Make sure the scent of your natural deodorant works for you – Some body odors don’t mix well with certain scents, or your body odor might smell similar to a scent. If you aren’t liking the smell of the first product you try out, don’t give up and try again! It is really a trial and error process until you find the deodorant that works for you. 😊

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Have you had an armpit detox before? What are your tips for making it easier?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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Hey earth muffins! As many of you already know, I recently moved into an apartment for grad school… While I wrote an exhaustive list of everything to pack in a recent post, I surprisingly did not have everything on that list when I moved in. 🤔 Moving to campus this early is awesome because many students are just about to move out, which means Facebook Marketplace gets a lot more listings! My roommate and I were able to find some great deals on Marketplace (including a super nice dining room table for only $45!), so I wanted to share my top tips for scoring big with you all today! 🎉

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1. Only start looking when you are able to pick up/purchase – When I knew we were looking for certain pieces of furniture, I started looking on Facebook a week or so before we were set to move in. People will definitely not wait for you to pick things up and will just sell to someone else, so don’t even bother looking until you are able to get in the car and go get the goods.

2. Keep watching the “Recently Added” feed – People post things all throughout the day, so make sure you never miss a listing that you will be interested in!

3. Jump fast with offers– If you are even remotely interested in the listing, contact the seller as soon as possible! Getting some clarifying information will allow you to make a decision before the item is either sold or you buy it. If you know that you would like to buy it, immediately message the seller and ask them when they would like you to pick it up so that they don’t sell it to someone else!

4. Be wary of making counter offers – Items that are extremely popular, low-priced, or recently listed will sell quickly, so don’t even bother trying to get a discount… The seller will just give it to someone who is willing to pay full price! However, if the item has been on Facebook Marketplace for awhile feel free to do some negotiating!

5. If you message a seller and decide not to purchase, let them know! – This makes the selling process so much easier, so don’t be a ghost 👻

6. Don’t buy everything – There are definitely some amazing deals on Facebook Marketplace (I saw some lady selling a 50 piece Tupperware set for $5!!), but that doesn’t mean you should purchase it all. Especially if you are trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, take care to think if a) you really need the item and if b) the item is built to last.

7. Make sure to clean everything – Just like I mentioned in my tips for thrift shopping post, wash/clean the items you purchase right away. These items are still secondhand and can be from someone’s basement, so make sure there is no dirt or dust before you bring it into your home. 😊

What have you bought off Facebook Marketplace?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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Hey earth muffins! If you have been following my Natural Birth Control series, you will know that I use the Basal Body Temperature method to track my menstrual cycle. To use the BBT method, I use the Femometer. 🌡 I have loved everything about my experience with this device, and I recently also started using the Cervical Mucus method alongside BBT. This method can also be tracked using the Femometer, so I wanted to write a post all about this other form of natural birth control. Let’s jump right into it! 🙃

What is the Cervical Mucus Method?

The Cervical Mucus Method (also called the Billings Ovulation Method) is a natural form of birth control that focuses on the mucus patterns during the menstrual cycle. Now you might be thinking, ew gross mucus?! 🤢 But don’t worry, every woman produces this mucus and it isn’t gross at all (you probably have already seen it in your underwear at some point)! By looking at the mucus produced during your cycle, you can predict when ovulation is occuring. This is helpful if you are trying to get pregnant and also if you are trying to avoid a pregnancy.

What is the typical Cervical Mucus pattern?

When making your observations, you will usually see this pattern:

1. Period days – don’t bother looking at any mucus haha

2. No cervical mucus/”dry days” 
3. Cloudy and sticky mucus 
4. Clear and wet mucus – When this mucus resembles egg whites and can be stretched between your fingers, ovulation is occuring!
5. No cervical mucus/”dry days”

How do you do the Cervical Mucus Method?

This part is so simple a cavewoman could do it! 👍 When you are about to use the bathroom each day, wipe with some toilet paper before doing your business. Then, observe what is on the paper! It is extremely helpful to also touch/stretch the mucus, looking for characteristics mentioned in the last section. Some people prefer to actually insert a finger to monitor their mucus, but I have found that the toilet paper method is easier. 😃

How can I track my CM with the Femometer?

On the home screen, there is a “CM” button:

That opens up a screen to add a mucus reading:

On your BBT chart, letters denoting the mucus will then show up! The Femometer platform takes these readings into consideration, making your predictions even more accurate.

What are the risks of using this method? 

1. User error – I will be honest with you all, sometimes Cervical Mucus all looks the same. But I think after I continue to practice this method, identification will get easier.

2. Unwanted pregnancy 👶 – I would suggest using some other form of birth control (condoms, etc.) with this method at first. I think it is an easy natural birth control method, but you need to get practice with it before trusting it 100%!

Would you ever consider using the Cervical Mucus Method?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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Hey earth muffins! Since starting my sustainable journey in May, I have been dabbling in bulk shopping in an effort to reduce the plastic packaging of certain foods. As I am still in college (in a dorm with a dining hall), I haven’t been doing much bulk shopping recently… But I will be doing a lot of it after graduation and when I have my own apartment! 🎉 I found quite a few quality bulk stores during my internship last summer, so I wanted to create a post dedicated to the best bulk stores (those I have visited and those that I can only dream about haha). 💚

If you are interested in learning how to shop in the bulk section (it is super easy!) make sure to check out that post (Shopping in the Bulk Bin Section 101) also!

1. Fresh Thyme Farmers Market – This was the only store that had a lot of bulk options in the city I was in for my internship, so I shopped here often! 😀 I also loved this store because they sold mainly organic foods, so I knew that the food that I was buying was better for the planet. While this store has a large bulk section (including a lot of candy, spices, and liquids like honey and oil), I found that it was missing pastas and snack foods. Certain bulk options would also be on sale often, which allowed me to save money on the already good prices!

2. Whole Foods – While Whole Foods has a reputation for being a bit pricey, they have a HUGE bulk section. As you save by purchasing only the food that you need when you buy in bulk, I can justify spending a bit more for the options that they have. They also have things like tea which is super awesome ☕

3. Local Co-op and Organic/Natural stores – Most local organic/natural stores have a bulk section. While there may not be as many options, it helps support the local businesses of your town! Plus, they will be more likely to allow you to bring your own containers, jars, and bags to fill (as some chain stores are not as accommodating).

4. Bulk Barn – This is a Canadian company, and I am honestly so jealous that I don’t have access to one! This store is ONLY bulk bins, and it carries absolutely everything and anything you could ever need. It even has soap berries that I mentioned in my How to Zero Waste Your Laundry Room post 😊

5. Winco – This store has both a bulk foods and a bulk liquid center, which is awesome! It is mainly in the West Coast, so definitely check it out if you live in that region of the US!

6. State and Local stores – If you want to see if there are any other bulk stores specific to your region, I suggest checking out this lovely zero waste “Where to Shop” guide on litterless.com. You can click on your state and each city has a list of the bulk food stores with links to their websites – so nifty!

Where do you like to shop?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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