June 5, 2015 Giveaway! Free PCOS Jewelry!

I am SO excited about this Giveaway!  About a month ago, I commissioned some PCOS-themed jewelry at Rocker Girl Jewelry.  The items I received are absolutely GORGEOUS!  Over the next few weeks, I will be giving away these lovely jewelry sets (all have a different design, so stay tuned for more!).  If you'd like to enter the Giveaway, all you have to do is Like Us on Facebook, and Like/Share the Giveaway post on our Facebook page.  The winner will be announced on June 5, 2015. For further details, please see the "Terms & Conditions" section at the bottom of this post. This is the prize that the winner will receive:

PCOS Earrings & Pendant Set

Terms & Conditions:

One winner will be selected in a random drawing. No purchase necessary. This particular offer is only open to US residents. Only persons over the age of 18 are eligible, and you may be asked to provide proof of age or identity at any time. The offer ends on June 5, 2015.  The winner will be announced on Facebook and notified by Facebook PM on how to redeem his/her prize.  The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize - no exceptions. If the prize is not claimed within 72 hours, a new winner will be drawn. Odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries. The prize may not be exchanged for money or money's worth. Winner assumes all liability for any injury and/or damage caused, or claimed to be caused by participation in this promotion or redemption of any prize.

Have questions? Leave a comment!

PCOS by Any Other Name...

What's in a name?  That which we call "PCOS," by any other name would still suck.  ;)  Apparently, there is a group of people who want to change the name of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) to something that doesn't focus so much on the "ovary" part of the disease.  They want to draw attention to the fact that it also has something to do with metabolic, adrenal, hypothalamic, and pituitary functions.  All in all, it's not a horribly bad idea.  However, if we're going to change the name of it, we need to stick with whatever we decide.  After all, it's already been changed once from "Stein–Leventhal Syndrome."  I don't care if they change it or not, honestly, but I'm NOT changing my blog name! 

To read the full article, click here.

PCOS Tote - Stand Tall & Proud!

Show your support for PCOS with this tote that reminds us to be like trees, standing tall and proud!

PCOS Tree Tote - Stand Tall and Proud by Emmys_Place
Check out Pcos Bags online at zazzle

PCOS Water Bottle

Here is a great way to get your daily water and support PCOS at the same time!

PCOS Strength Water Bottle by Emmys_Place
Check out another Water Bottle

Meal Replacement Protein Shake Comparison

I love meal replacement shakes!  They're the easiest thing I can make/eat for breakfast, and they are down-right tasty!  I especially like that they can be prepared and taken with you if you are in a hurry.  I have tried so many different kinds, and I have charted a comparison for the 10 most popular ones.  If you're considering a meal replacement or protein shake and have no idea where to start, I hope this chart can help you decide which shake is right for you.

Of all the shakes I have tried, ViSalus is by far my personal favorite!  The taste is amazingly sweet for a shake with so few carbs!  Some of the tastier shakes only taste so good because they are loaded up with sugar.  If you're trying a low-carb lifestyle (generally under 20g carbs daily), stay away from both Shakeology and Slimfast as they will both use up more than half of your daily carbs by the end of breakfast.

Some of these shakes may contain soy, which some people believe is bad for PCOS.  Go here to see why soy is not bad for PCOS.  Not convinced?  Take a look at this article!  Need one more?  Try here!  But if you're still not willing to risk it, I have included data to show you which ones do contain soy as a primary protein source if you are trying to avoid it.  Obviously, any person can have adverse reactions to any food, so always monitor yourself and what you are consuming.  I personally have no issues with soy and consume small quantities (generally under 10g) almost daily.  For me, it has not hindered weight loss or fertility.  It should also be noted that the FDA recommends the daily intake of soy to not exceed 25 grams.

 

BRAND (Click to View)	PRICE (monthly)	TASTE	CALORIES (per serving)	PRIMARY PROTEINS	PROTEIN (grams)	NET CARBS (grams)
ViSalus	$49.99		90	Soy & Whey	12g	2g
Designer Whey	$24.99		100	Whey	18g	6g
Shakeology	$129.99		130	Whey & Pea	16g	11g
Slimfast Protein	$39.90		110	Whey	7g	11g
Quest Protein	$37.78		100	Whey & Casein	22g	3g
Dream Protein	$29.22		86	Whey	20g	3.4g
Syntrax Matrix	$29.95		110	Whey & Casein	23g	2g
Pure Protein	$27.99		150	Whey	25g	8g
Isopure	$42.79		210	Whey	50g	0g
Ensure	$34.99		130	Whey & Casein	20g	9g

*For the sake of simplicity, I only rated the Vanilla flavor of each brand.  The price for each shake is an average and may change over time.  I rated the taste according to my own personal palate, which means that some flavors that I find enjoyable, others may not (and vice versa).  Calories, protein, and carbs are all established before adding additional ingredients (such as milk, almond milk, fruit, veggies, etc.).