Toilet Series #3: Tampons

Not to disappoint the ladies, I have something special for them as well. When you first got your period you were told you need to choose between tampons and pads, but it was all a lie. There are multiple other options to use during that time, and one of the best, most ecologically friendly, most convenient, and cheapest options is a menstrual cup.

What is a menstrual cup? A small cup made form medical grade silicone which you insert in your vagina until it creates a vacuum, and it collects, rather than absorb, all fluids. Several times a day you empty it, wash it, and reinsert it. It can hold a lot more liquid than a tampon or pad so it doesn’t need to be emptied that often, you can move freely and because of the vacuum there is zero chance of leakage, and it is a lot safer than tampons, which put you at risk of toxic shock syndrome.  It has no chemicals and leftover bleaching products, it does not create waste, and it does not waste resources. Here is a rather amusing video made by one particular brand showing some of its benefits.

Sources:

Mooncup  http://www.mooncup.co.uk/

Toilet Series #2: Sit

This one is for the boys only. Should men sit while urinating? Let’s evaluate the benefits.

1. Cleanliness

This can be summed up in two words: no splatter.

2. Number 2

If the business gets more serious than expected, there is no need to change positions.

3. Hands-free

No need to wash your hands afterwards since there is no touching involved, and you can hold your phone/book/magazine.

4. Comfort

Not only is it more comfortable to be sitting rather than standing, but it is also not necessary to be concentrating on your aim.

5. Privacy

I have no idea why it is considered ok for men to take out their penises in front of random strangers to use urinals. Sounds way too intimate.

6. Health

Sitting while peeing aids the bladder to empty more efficiently, which promotes prostate health.

Drawbacks? Well, if you are in a public restroom and all the other men haven’t heard the news yet, I wouldn’t recommend sitting on all that splatter… Other than that, if you are not so influenced by social custom and you would rather use your brain than go with the flow, be a good boy and sit.

Sources:

Should Men Sit Down to Urinate? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m2_r319BRE

Could Peeing Sitting Down Help Your Sex Life? http://www.mensfitness.com/blogs/could-peeing-sitting-down-help-your-sex-life

Men Should Sit To Pee Says Taiwan Minister http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249590.php

Toilet series #1: Bidet

Think about it: if you had poop on any other part of your body, would you just wipe it with a tissue? Not really, and in many places throughout the world that is not the custom, and water is considered a much more sanitary, convenient, and environmentally friendly option.

For the production of one roll of toilet paper, it takes 37 gallons of water, 1.3 KWh of electricity, and 1.5 pounds of wood (not counting the environmental footprint of packaging, transporting and selling it). A bidet takes about 1/8^th of a gallon of water, and there is no paper to take up space in the sewers. It is also much better for health and hygiene, alleviating some issues such as hemorrhoids and helping prevent others like urinary tract infections.

In case you are not an environmentalist, you could be thinking that it is a price you pay for avoiding the trouble of having to remove your butt from the comfortable toilet and squat over a completely different device, moving from one spot to another with pants down. This, however, is not the only type of bidets you can use.  Some might remember seeing a small tap and plastic cup close to the toilets in older houses, which can be easily filled up and used for those same purposes, or just substituted by a plastic bottle next to the toilet. But technology is even more advanced with the opportunity to buy a device like this:

Once installed on your toilet (which apparently take 20 minutes tops), this will allow you to get a stream of water directly cleaning your rectum  as you sit comfortably on your toilet with just the push of a button.

Congratulations, you have found a sure way to improve your habits and be more environmentally friendly. Will you use it?

Sources:

You can get the bidet from here: 

http://www.amazon.com/Luxe-Bidet-Neo-Elite-Series/dp/B00A0RHSJO/ref=zg_bs_6810564011_2 

Why don’t Americans use bidets?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FBzTPPeZjM

Wipe or Wash? Do Bidets Save Forest and Water Resources?  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/earth-talks-bidets/

Multitasking

Does it ever happen to you that you are having a meal in your room, and that is all you do? To me it happens very rarely. Every time I have to watch or read something at the same time. And if that thing requires my attention, I find myself in awkward positions with half-chewed food in my mouth staring at the screen.

What we describe as multitasking actually does not constitute doing several tasks all at once. Our brains can’t really concentrate on more than one thing. What we perceive as multitasking is essentially switch-tasking, or rapidly going back and forth between two or more tasks. That whole ordeal can reduce your productivity by 40%, making you slower, more stressed, and more likely to make mistakes.

But of course, you must think you can do better than the average. Check out this video for a quick test on how your performance is affected by multitasking, and share your results in the comments. My timing moved up from 30 seconds to 47 seconds after trying to multitask, and I felt a lot more confused afterwards. And also, my handwriting is not nearly as pretty.

Sources:

The Cognitive Costs of Multitasking http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/a/costs-of-multitasking.htm

Milk

Over 147 liters a year. Per person. (Bulgaria) That makes out around 400ml, or 2 cups, every day. Nice, right, milk is so healthy. Well, think again.

Putting aside the marketing of the milk industry and the recommendations of others who might be benefitting, what does the hard data say? Firstly, few adults are actually fit for dairy, and especially milk consumption. After we pass a certain age most of us, or around 65% (some sources say even more), cannot digest lactose properly. This is when you drink a glass of milk and your stomach gets bloated, or you feel the need to run to the restroom, or both, or sometimes even worse.  The percentage of people who can digest varies country to country, but on the Balkans it’s not very promising.

But let’s say you are among the lucky ones. Or you decide to switch to only yoghurt and cheese, which are much easier to digest.  That might not be so great either. All the calcium hype around it is really not that accurate, considering there are multiple plant sources which have more calcium per 100gr like spinach or other dark greens, which will also provide you with much less calories and much more fiber, and no saturated fat. Dairy has been linked to some forms of cancer, such as prostate cancer, with claims that it can increase the risk up to 50%. It has also been proved to cause many more health issues, like constipation, acid reflux, mucus generation and congestion, sinus problems, migraines, increased eczema and joint pain, among others.

So will you continue to drink milk, or opt for some of the healthier alternatives like almond or oat milk? Please let me know in the comments how these facts impact your decisions. Bon Appétit!

Sources:

Milk: Does It Really Do A Body Good?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tseEEQC3SZE

How did milk turn from a toxin to a staple of the Western diet? http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/6/4593546/the-history-of-milk

Dairy: 6 Reasons You Should Avoid It at All Costs or Why Following the USDA Food Pyramid Guidelines is Bad for Your Health  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/dairy-free-dairy-6-reason_b_558876.html

Current Worldwide Total Milk Consumption per capita http://chartsbin.com/view/1491