Author Archives: SuzyKnew!

About SuzyKnew!

SuzyKnew! is dedicated to improving the sexual and reproductive health and sexual pleasure of women of color.

Fertility Friday: Fix Your Period!

Reproductive Health No Comments

This weekend we share Fertility Friday’s interview with Period Warrior Nicole Jardim. This podcast explains how periods don’t have to be painful, out of control heavy, crime scene worthy, unpredictable, or otherwise horrifying.

If you’ve experienced ridiculous mind-numbing pain with your periods, heavy flow that’s so much more problematic when you laugh or sneeze, irregular bleeding, or no bleeding (i.e. a missing period!) — Fertility Friday wants you to know that there’s hope!

The interview delves deeply into the topic of histamine intolerance and how it can impact your cycle. If you’ve ever noticed that your allergies, sensitivities, and even your mood changes depending on where you are in your cycle, this episode will explain so much!

Topics discussed in today’s episode:Lisa Hendrickson Jack

  • Why it’s so important in understanding your bodies health cycle and realizing its less complicated and starts with the fundamental basics
  • Understanding the symptoms of histamine issues in the menstrual cycle and how they can change cyclically in your cycle
  • Why do some women struggle so much of producing extra histamines and some women do not produce and extra amount of histamines
  • What the first steps in determining if your histamines are affecting your menstrual cycle
  • How cutting out high histamine products from your lifestyle can help in finding out if it is effecting your menstrual cycle
  • What is the correlation between Gut Health and menstrual cycles issues and how GI issue play in with histamines

Click here for the podcast and more information.

Click here for Nicole Jardim’s book Fix Your Period.

Do You Fight To End Deaths Caused By Abortion, But Fight For Your Right To Cause Deaths By Not Wearing A Mask?

Politics Reproductive Health 1 Comment

Ladies, it’s amazing how many people oppose a woman’s right to have an abortion because they believe it kills unborn babies but demand their right not to wear a mask which could kill numerous people through the spread of COVID-19.   But, this is where we are these days.

A woman who opts for an abortion is ending the life of one fetus. But, someone who decides not to wear a mask and who has the Coronavirus (knowingly or unknowingly) can end the life of a lot of people.  Unborn babies don’t have state-recognized names  or social security numbers not to mention a whole life that impacts so many. But, a person’s carelessness and callousness could kill and ruin perhaps hundreds or thousands of lives. This is a lot deadlier and more pernicious than an abortion. This is how we got from 1 death in the States in January to over 100,000 deaths in May. But you wouldn’t know it from some people’s reactions and how the media just doesn’t “go there.”

Such attitudes and actions about mask-wearing show a disregard for life and show a person for who he or she really is. You can’t call yourself “pro-life” and so concerned about “innocent lives” and then go out and risk killing people or making them morbidly ill because you don’t like wearing a mask.   Perhaps such people are fighting more for privilege – than for life.  They want the privilege to determine their own comfort over the risk of getting people sick or killing them. They don’t care about unborn babies as much as they care about their own discomfort over abortion.

Yes, ladies, I am a proud mask-wearer. And, I’m a proud “shamer.”   I will shame you, if you try standing too close to me.  You could be a family member, a close friend or someone I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. And, I have no shame in telling someone to put a mask on when I see them without one in a store.  And, yes, I cross the street when I’m out walking and people are walking towards me.

Ladies, I am not giving anyone the right – or privilege – to kill me.

Keep it healthy!

Keep is sexy!

Use Gwen Ifil Stamps To Show Your Determination

Opinion OUR THOUGHTS Reproductive Health 1 Comment

Perhaps you ladies are more in the know than I am, but yesterday I went to the U.S. Post Office and almost fell over when I saw stamps honoring Gwen Ifil, the groundbreaking African-American journalist, who died from breast and endometrial cancer in 2016.

Yes – Gwen graces the 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage® series. She was the first African-American woman to host a nationally televised public affairs program, PBS’s Washington Week in Review. She was the program’s longtime co-host from 1999 until her death in 2016.

Gwen was known for her intellectual rigor, tenacity and integrity as a journalist.  In 2008, she moderated the vice-presidential debate between Senator Joe Biden and the then Republican governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, among many other achievements.

Gwen was a fighter all her life. Perhaps what put her on a trajectory to major success was when she made a bold move in her career by leaving the Washington Post after 7 years in 1991 when they told her they felt she wasn’t ready to cover Capitol Hill.   Proving them wrong, Gwen joined the New York Times where covered the White House from 1991 to 1994.

Gwen Ifil died young at 61 years of uterine cancer – a disease, which robs so many of us of our lives.

Ladies, put these stamps on your next correspondence to show your determination to make bold moves, lead with integrity and highlight the importance of improving Black women’s reproductive health.

For more SuzyKnew! articles on Gwen Ifil see: Uterine Cancer On The Rise

 

Don’t Be Fooled By The Mask

Politics No Comments

Ladies, don’t be fooled by the mask.  Melania doesn’t care about your life any more than her husband does. Since the virus hit the U.S., Melania has been largely M.I.A. except for this brief PR move that came out in early April, months after the Coronavirus was declared a national health emergency.

After Michelle Obama reached out to offer her services to the mayor of Washington, DC, where the virus is particularly affecting Black Americans, people of color and the poor, Melania got back in the game of being FLOTUS and launched a PSA* about best practices to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.  She now appears – of course – sans mask. Her husband mocks the mask so it’s not surprising to see Melania ditch the mask, as well.

The other day,  I got a phone call from Michelle Obama (yes, I live in Washington, DC) telling me about free Coronavirus testing. I haven’t gotten a call from Melania yet.  And, I’m not waiting for or expecting a call from her either.  Her husband says the country has all the tests it needs and doesn’t need any federal government help in stepping up manufacturing of tests, ventilators, or PPE – nada.

So, Trump won’t invoke the Defense Production Act to make more tests available which all public health officials and most governors say are sorely needed to reduce the spread of the virus and save lives.  But,  after hearing how many Black and Brown people are dying from the virus, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to keep meat packing companies open – places where hundreds of workers, most who are Black and brown, are dying.

By keeping workers in dangerous conditions, by not ensuring the availability of PPE and provoking people not to wear masks (A couple of weeks ago, everyone was out wearing masks. Look outside now, and no one is wearing a mask… What happened?),  Trump is literally killing us. Especially US!

More Americans have died under Trump than under any other president in modern times. Trump has managed to see more Americans die than a foreign adversary has.   If this isn’t a sign Trump is a foreign agent, Ladies, tell me what is…

Keep it sexy!

Keep it healthy!

 

*PSA – Public Service Announcement

Fertility Friday: How Does Stress Impact The Menstrual Cycle?

Fertility Awareness Reproductive Health No Comments
Lisa Hendrickson Jack

This weekend SuzyKnew! shares Fertility Friday’s podcast on how stress affects the menstural cycle. Face it, Ladies, we are all stressed out with the uncertainty of COVID-19.  Deep down, we know the world, as we knew it, will not return.  Everything has changed and will continue to change. Facing this new reality is scary. The stress is messing with our heads – and our cycle!

Topics Lisa discusses today in her podcast include:

  • How stress or other factors can delay the pre-ovulatory phase of your cycle
  • Signs to watch for when acute stress may affect the post ovulatory phase
  • Examples of chronic stressors and how they may affect your cycle
  • How charting can prevent your from going totally off the rails when dealing with stress
  • Why optimizing your sleep is so important when dealing with stress
  • Benefits of meditation for reducing stress
  • Why taking a media fast may be so helpful at this current time

Click here for more information and the podcast.

 

Should You Abstain From Sex This Good Friday Evening – To Fight The Coronavirus?

Opinion Religion No Comments

Ladies, today is Good Friday. A time for fasting and reflecting.

I ran into a question online “Should I abstain from sex on Good Friday?”

A Catholic priest answered, saying as long as you are with your husband, it’s not required to refrain from sex on Good Friday.

But sacrifice and prayer is a way to focus our prayers on important issues. Coronavirus is definitely a big issue wreaking havoc on our world. If you know someone who is suffering from the virus or want to provide support to caregivers, here is a Coronavirus prayer from the president of Methodist Conference:

A prayer for the world

God of love and hope, you made the world and care for all creation, but the world feels strange right now. The news is full of stories about Coronavirus. Some people are worried that they might get ill. Others are anxious for their family and friends. Be with them and help them to find peace.

We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists, and all who are working to discover the right medicines to help those who are ill. Thank you that even in these anxious times, you are with us. Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe. Amen.

For hospital staff and medical researchers

Gracious God, give skill, sympathy, and resilience to all who are caring for the sick, and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit, that through their work many will be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From one who is ill or isolated

O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May you have a peaceful and joyful Easter and Passover.

 

 

Fertility Friday: Gut Health, Digestion, And Your Fertility

Opinion No Comments

Ladies, we are all nervous about Covid-19 these days and focused on our health. Now is the time to learn how our digestive health can impact our fertility.  Listen to the featured podcast interview with Dr. Haylee and Kristin, who take a unique functional medicine approach that gives couples the tools they need to get to the root cause of health and fertility struggles, conceive successfully, and set their babies up for lifelong health from the very beginning.

Today’s Fertility Friday Topics discussed in today’s episode:

  • Factors that can cause your bowels to go wrong
  • Signs that something could be going on with your gut health
  • Who to go to if you suspect you are having gut issues
  • Tips on how to find specialized naturopaths in your area
  • What is a normal day/week for the digestive system
  • What is considered constipated vs. diarrhea
  • The benefits of the Bristol Stool Chart for determining your stool type
  • How gut health impacts fertility

Click here for the podcast

 

 

How To Ride Out COVID-19? Vibrator Guides

SEX No Comments

Ladies, we are clearly deep in the age of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),  a highly contagious virus that is a killer.  It’s a killer of intimacy and closeness, too.

Although you can’t get COVID-19 from sex, you can get it from your partner’s cough, sneeze, saliva – and touch. This means it’s safer to take intimacy and sexual pleasure into your own hands – literally.

Just days after the International Women’s Day, what more powerful next step can you take than to select the vibrator for you to ride out the long nights of COVID-19.

Below SuzyKnew! provides several reputable lists of Best Vibrators for you to spend your partnerless nights pondering.

For more on vibrators see F.N.’s Buzz… Here Comes Heaven…

Women’s Health Guide to Vibrators 2020 by 23 Experts

 

 

 

 

Marie Claire’s The 51 Most Popular Vibrators, According to the Experts 2020.

 

 

 

 

Healthista’s 7 Best vibrators for women

 

 

 

 

 

Fertility Friday: All About Menstrual Cups

Opinion No Comments

This weekend we share Fertility Friday’s podcast episode on menstrual cups – specifically reusable menstrual cups!

The episode covers the most common questions about using menstrual cups from insertion and cleaning, to emptying your cup in public washrooms! Nothing is TMI in this episode, and you’ll definitely want to tune in if you’ve been considering making the switch!Lisa Hendrickson Jack

Today’s episode is sponsored by INTIMINA™. Discover a healthier, cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to disposable period products. Made from 100% medical grade silicone, INTIMINA’s reusable menstrual cups are body-safe, ultra-smooth and hygienic.

Click here for the podcast and complete post.

Valentine’s Day Overload

LOVE No Comments

Ladies – Are you still thinking about Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day was last Friday, but with the long President’s Day weekend, it seems like we’ve had Valentine’s Day forever.  All weekend I was wearing my pink and red and snacking on heart-shaped chocolates.  Today, I’m still answering Valentine’s Day wishes from friends, cousins and other family.

It’s not like my day was super romantic and that’s why I can’t stop thinking about it. Friday, I bought some nice roses for my mother which really made her happy.  Saturday, I continued the celebration eating out, selecting Valentine specials.  By the time Sunday rolled in, things were heating up on the phone with a gentleman friend. And, love and warm greetings kept flowing on Monday.

Now it’s Tuesday, and frankly, I’m exhausted with it all. I’m feeling overwhelmed and hung over. I don’t want to see anything red or pink for another year.  I didn’t find Valentine’s Day too commercial this year. It was just too much. And, too long. I mean how much lovey-dovey – whether it’s romantic, familial or other – can one person take?

I’m grateful for the season. Just ready to move on…