Mooncup Menstrual Cup Review

I came across Mooncup when I was searching online for an alternative for Tampons. I hated using tampons but having such a heavy flow they were the option I had used since I was 15, that’s 18 years. I used own brand tampons and Tampax. I hated that I was putting these chemicals in my body, I always felt sick, I was always worried about toxicshock syndrome and expenses. I was fed up of spending £15-20 every month. That is a lot and I could be spending that on something else and keeping myself healthy.

I found Mooncup and other branded cups, I did research for months and read up on other cultures too. I was worried about it and how I would use it but I seen all the benefits. So I reached out to Mooncup and they helped me choose the right size. It was here quickly but it took me a few months to pluck up the courage to use it, so I’d like to share my experiences with you.

Mooncup

In the box you get your Mooncup, bag to store it and an instructions leaflet; it’s important to read it before starting.

Measurements

The Mooncup is available in two sizes: Size A for people who’ve given birth or are aged 30+ and Size B for people who haven’t given birth and are under the age of 30.

The capacity is to the airholes and it is possible to fill the cup past the airholes or overflow to the rim (Although please be advised this can make removal a little messy). For size A the capacity is 29ml and for size B it’s 28ml.

The cup

The Mooncup is a made from a medical grade silicone, it has measurements on the cup but I haven’t really checked measurements if I’m honest, I tend not to record it. The bottom of the cup has a stem with rings around it like a grip. Once you insert the cup you feel the ridges and then you can choose where to cut the stem. It is uncomfortable if you don’t cut it to suit.

Using the cup

I prefer the second folding technique it makes it easier to insert and I’ve found it so easy to use. Once I’ve positioned it right, it is so comfortable, I use it all day and night with no irritation. You have no idea how amazing this is for me, it has completely changed my monthly period. I hated it before, it got me so down but the Mooncup has changed that. I don’t panic when I’m out and about, I forgot I’m wearing it and I’ve savings to spend on other things, like baking; a new hobby I’m trying to take up. I must mention I haven’t leaked once, even on my most severe months.

Removal

To remove the Mooncup you just gently pinch the stem and slowly pull down. At home it’s easy to rinse out and reuse but when you’re out and about it is handy to carry a bottle of water and some wet wipes.

Cleaning

I prefer the boiling method, all in the instruction book. I bought a £1 pot from Poundland and use it every month to keep it clean.

Final thoughts

I absolutely love the Mooncup. So simple to use, I’ve been using it now for 5 months with no issues or complaints. It’s a high quality cup and the customer service is fantastic. You can pick up the Mooncup from them directly, Superdrug or boots. Around £30 and totally worth it. The cup can do you a lifetime and you only need to replace it, if it gets damaged. Mooncup have been in the market since 2002, I just wish I found them earlier.

Have you tried a Mooncup or menstrual cup? What are your thoughts?

Julie x

Slissie Review – did it help with my food addiction?

What is a Slissie? (quote from their website)

Slissie provides you with a light mist of appetite suppressing flavour to help you stop craving sugary snacks.

We all know that feeling of mindlessly looking for biscuits to accompany the midmorning cup of coffee or a sneaky bar of chocolate because we’ve had a good day or bad day! We’ve all been there. It’s all about giving you the chance to decide whether you really want or need that treat.
We aren’t the fun police. We’re not saying never, just not all the time. We all know these treats add up and they become part of life instead of an occasional treat.

I thought it was important to share how Slissie describe themselves before I begin with my review. To me, Slissie is a tool to help while loosing or maintain weight. It will not help you lose weight! What it is good for is when you’re craving something that you don’t have the syns/points/calories for or you just don’t want to have the chocolate bar or vanilla ice cream. You use the Slissie instead, you get the nice taste of something sweet and you don’t necessarily want the thing you were craving!

Slissie says that it suppresses appetite, I didn’t find this was the case. For me it was more of a mental thing, I got the taste of something sweet so I didn’t need to have another thing. I still craved and that feeling didn’t go away!

It definitely helps when my willpower wasn’t there. When I felt ah #*#% it! I picked up the Slissie instead and while using it, I had time to quiet my mind and think, to then choose not to eat junk. So that’s why I say it is a tool within your weightloss or maintenance.

When going out I popped it in my bag. I used it when I needed to and because it isn’t a vape you can use it anywhere.

You can buy lots of different flavours. With my pack above I had the Peppermint, turns out I had a bad reaction and it made me ill. I email right away and they explained a few things to me, then sent me a replacement.

I got the vanilla… my goodness it tastes so nice! It really helped.

What I did notice is when my will power was stronger, I didn’t need it but then when I did, it was right there to be picked up and ready to go.

I know many people will see this as a fad but let’s look at the facts;

1. It is a tool to help
2. It doesn’t help you lose weight
3. Helps with willpower

Sometimes we need help in our journeys. For me this was fab! I still use it now when I need too.

The cons

The only issues I had was I seemed to be allergic to the peppermint, which is my favourite flavour 😦 and one of my other ones did leak. It doesn’t suppress appetite.

The pros

It helped with my will power and the vanilla one is amazing! Easy to use, charge and carry with you. It’s also helped when I’ve just wanted to eat all round me and I was able to control myself around my food addiction. It might not suppress appetite but it created a unique way to show me mindful eating and when I was actually hungry and bored!

I have been asked has it changed any habits or does it work?

The thing is, If I’m honest, I was only sent 1 filter that lasts 1 week and I was allergic before being sent a replacement. It usually takes 21 days to form a habit and I would have loved to trial it for 21 days to be able to do a 21 day review. 1 week isn’t long enough to be fully sold on the idea. I liked it and it did help but to answer the question does it work? For the short time I had it, it helped.

Check out the Slissie website for more information and pricing. Lots of other reviews for 21 days are on if you google them. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask below or on my social media or email.

Disclaimer: this is my honest review. I was sent the starter 7 day pack from Slissie for my honest opinion and review. No affiliation or sponsored content!

Slimming World Iceland Haul

Blueberry & Carrot Oat Muffins (SW, WW & low calorie friendly)

New and updated baked oat recipe! This is just one version, so please check my blog for other baked oat ideas.

These baked oats are 1/2 syn for 7 muffins, using oats for your hexb, part hexa, so the only syn is the blueberries. 

Blueberry and Carrot oat muffin recipe

• 40g oats (hexb)
• 40g grated carrot (speed)
• 70/80mls of almond milk (part hexa)
• 1 egg (protein)
• 2 caps of vanilla extract or a flavouring of your choice (free)
• 2 tsp cinnamon (free)
• Blueberries (Free food and syns can vary depending on many you use, mine was 1/2 syn but please check your app to protect your weightloss)

***No sweetener needed

What you need;

• Muffin tray
• 7 silicone cases
• Preheat your oven to 180 degrees

Measure your 40g oats and 40g carrots then put in a jug with your 80mls of milk and stir. Then add in your egg and mix throughly. Then add your cinnamon and flavouring of your choice. Combine all together. 

Place your silicone cases onto your muffin tray or tray, then pour in the mixture. Weigh out your blueberries and then pop a few in each case. You can just drop them on like I did on push them right into the mixture.

Put into your oven on 180 for 25-30 mins. Then leave to cool for 3-5 mins. You can add maple syrup or choc shot for an extra treat but I quite like them as they are.       

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Serve with some speed food and yogurt or quark! Quark for extra protein and filling power 💪🏻 

If you make them be sure to let me know here, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or add me on snapchat “justjulietta” as I’d love to see and hear from you. 
I hope you enjoy x 

—— 

*please check the syn values of the brand of Milk & other products to protect your weight loss. Syns do vary with brand labels. 

If you want to syn your Oats instead of using your heathy extra b you can, just make sure to check the syn values in your book or the slimming world website. 

*All syn values are correct at the time of posting this recipe, if you’re viewing at a later date please check the syn values to protect your weight loss. 

Slimming World Syn free Zoats recipe

ZOAT RECIPE

• 40g Oats (HEXB)
• 1 cup water
• 140mls Unsweetened Almond milk (HEXA)
• 40g courgette (S)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 2 sweetener tablets (F)
• Add in frozen speed fruit at the end so no syns because you’re not cooking them.

~ Enjoy!

Check out my YouTube video https://youtu.be/WXyTNT08_xs & don’t forget to follow my on Instagram!  

Peanut Butter Oat Cups recipe

I haven’t made baked oats in a while and I missed them. So I made a video which is live on YouTube and you can view it by clicking here.
These baked oats are 2 syns for both, using your hexb, part hexa and the 2 syns are for the peanut butter powder (I use PB2 from Amazon or you can get PBFIT from tesco). 

Peanut Butter Oat Cup Recipe

• 40 oats (hexb)
• 50mls of skimmed milk ( 1.5 syns per 100ml so I would say 1 syn or (Part hexa) 
• 1 egg (protein)
• 2 caps of Almond extract or a flavouring of your choice (free)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp of sweetener 
• PB2 powder (2 syns per level tbsp)

What you need;

• Muffin tray
• 3 silicone cases
• Preheat your oven to 180 degrees

Measure your 40g oats and put in a jug with your milk and stir. Then add in your egg and mix throughly. Then add your sweetner and flavouring of your choice. Combine all together. 

Place your silicone cases onto your muffin tray or tray, then pour in the mixture. 

Now time to make your peanut butter. So you weigh out two tbsp of PB2. (It is 1 syn per tbsp) then you mix it with water and make the consistency you want. I like mine a little runny as when it cooks, it thickens.

Now you can lick the spoon 😋

Put into your oven on 180 for 20-25 mins. Then leave to cool for 3-5 mins.

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Then pop them out and enjoy as they are or decorate it with Sweet Freedom choc shot.
Serve with some speed food and yogurt if you like, or if you’re having an SP day have some quark. 

These muffins are perfect for an SP day because it used milk and not yogurt. 

If you make them be sure to let me know here, YouTube or tag me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or add me on snapchat “justjulietta” as I’d love to see. 

I hope you enjoy x 

—— 
*please check the syn values of the brand of Milk & other products to protect your weight loss. Syns do vary with brand labels. 

If you want to syn your Oats instead of using your heathy extra b you can, just make sure to check the syn values in your book or the slimming world website. 

*All syn values are correct at the time of posting this recipe, if you’re viewing at a later date please check the syn values to protect your weight loss. 

Yumbox by Eat Well U.K.

Recently I’ve been wanting to portion my lunches better and I’ve wanted a lunchbox for so long. As a child I had a care bear lunchbox with stickers all over it and nothing compared to it. For years I’ve looked for something to fall in love with and that’s when I found Yumbox by eat well uk. 

What drew me to the lunch box was the portioned sections. Then the cute graphic design and of course the vibrant colours. They have so many beautiful colours and there’s also different compartments you can purchase separately to change the inside. You can also get a child’s version.

So when I found out it was spill proof, yes you did read that right, spill proof!! I had to test that theory out. So I made Slimming World tiramisu which can be quite runny and I added in frozen fruit. We all know what happens when defrosting fruit, it fills with water. I can confirm, in a bag traveling in a car, it did not spill! I was shocked. The inside has a rubber that seals the lunchbox closed. 

I then tried something a little cuter with a cookie cutter for my cucumber, which fit perfectly in the circle. I’ve also used this section for sauces and peanut butter. So this was my little trip to the beach lunch box!

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It was so nice just to sit and the beach with a no fuss lunch box and enjoy it. The lid stays attached so you don’t need to worry about setting it down and it is handy to put crisps into. I made the mistake of putting beetroot in and it did stain my lid, but that’s ok, it shows it’s well loved, but yes certain foods will stain the rubber lid. No one sees it but you anyway!

Of course I had to take a photo with the tower, isn’t that the touristy thing to do; even though I live here now hehe! In the warm weather I’m always asked if I’m here on holiday; sometimes I’m cheeky and say yes, other times I say we live here. 

Getting back to the box, it is a great lunchbox, it holds soup to with no spillage. It is hard plastic, you can change the inside with another design and it is a beautiful looking box. It would be suitable for someone who uses a lunchbox often or for trips to the beach with the kids. 

The lunch I have is the Yumbox Panino and the price is £24.95 and you can purchase it on the website. It is dearer than your average lunch box but it is an investment, it will be something that will last and you won’t need a replacement every few months. It is dishwater safe, BPA free and I just think it’s brilliant. Whether I’m indoor or outdoor I use this a lot and if you are in the same slimming world group you’ll know I have my evening meal in it every week ☺️. 

I do think this is a great tool to learn portion control. You get to add different bits to have a variety too. Definitely a plus for me.  The kids also use it when they have a school trip.

I found it hard to find any negatives about the Yumbox and the only thing is the staining from beetroot. 

The customer service was impeccable and delivery was fast. 

So if you’re interested in this lunch box then be sure to check Eat Well UK or click here to see all the different designs and colours! 

If you get one yourself be sure to comment below and let me know what you think, or if you’re on Instagram tag me.

If you follow me on YouTube you will see I spoke about the Yumbox in a recent video, so you can see a hands on view approach 😀 
**Disclaimer; Eat Well UK did send me this Yumbox to trial and review. This is not a paid or sponsored post and I’ve given my completely honest opinion. I have tested the Yumbox over a few months before writing my review, I wanted to see if it stood up to wear and tear, I also wanted to check if the spill proof would degrade over time and so far it has not. 

Goth Girl by Chris Riddell

Ada Goth is the only child of Lord Goth who lives in Ghastly Gorm Hall, but despite the huge grounds and endless rooms,she is still alone. However on one stormy night she meets a ghost of a mouse and they embark on a wild and exciting adventure.

Goth Girl is an amazing book filled with humour and surprises and the author Chris Riddle not only wrote the book, but illustrated it too. The detail in the writing is impeccable and describes every detail from the smallest painting on each wall to the entire house itself while the illustrations complement the delightful characters and descriptions, really setting the scene. It’s heart-warming and shows the importance of love and friendship, I simply could not put it down.

Goth Girl is a real treasure. It’s quirky book that will engage well readers of the early teen years. It has a non-stop adventurous atmosphere that attempts to leave you feeling astonished with a sense of wonderment. The author has filled the book to the brim with imaginative ideas which keep you constantly on the edge of your seat.

Each paragraph gets more and more exciting and makes you feel like your there experiencing what Ada can see, hear, taste and touch. It’s hilarious, scary, and filled with unique and interesting characters and individual tales. It’s a story of difference and beauty and I couldn’t put it down.

I really enjoyed this book, it had me hooked from the start, I like it because it kept me guessing and never gave too much away. My favourite part is the very first sentence, I love how the author creates this sense of mystery straight away. I would highly recommend this book to readers who love adventure and mystery.

By

Shannon Mullin (aged 12)

FODMAP; Slimming World Friendly breakfast | look after your gut.

• 40g Oats (HexB)
• 60g courgette (speed)
• 100mls almond milk (part hexa)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup blueberries (1 syn)

Place your oats, water and milk in a pot bring to the boil and then put it on to simmer. After 5 minutes your oats with start to thicken, then add your blueberries and cook until ready to eat.

Top your breakfast with some good healthy nuts and seeds. Here I used;

• Linseed (3 syns)
• Flaked almonds (1.5 syns)
• Desiccated coconut (1 syns) 

It’s a great breakfast and yes there are syns in it but these ingredients helps your gut and that pain relief is so much better and your are using some healthy syns. ❤️

If you try it, tag me in your photos on twitter, Facebook or Instagram ☺️

Enjoy x 

Summer is coming and my Wingz are out! (Wingz Fashion Review)

Having lost 9st (128lbs) I am quite conscious about my arms and loose skin. I know the world is in a body positive movement right now but I haven’t caught up with this yet and I am conscious about my arms, so while someday I hope to love every inch of my body, I don’t! So having Wingz in my life has helped and changed how I view myself. Also with it getting warmer I don’t have to cover up in cardigans, hoodies or jumpers like I have before.

The material is so light weight, breathable and comfortable; while being opaque. Easy to put on and wear under tops and dresses. If you watch my YouTube video, you will see how easy it is to get on, even with my clumsy self 😂

In the photo I am wearing a stringy top with a vest over but you’d never know I was wearing Wingz. They’re discret and go with everything so far. I even tried them with a sports top (in video) and although it didn’t cover I had a lot of suggestions about pinning it to my top and that would make it perfect for it too.

Now I am a size 16 but I had to order a size 18-22 in the Wingz because my arms are big and have a lot of loose skin. As I had to order a bigger size (using the sizing chart) because the other size is 12-16 and I didn’t think that would fit. With being a much bigger side they slip of my shoulders, I maybe should have ordered a smaller size anyway because this, it can be a problem. It’s just because I’ve lost lots of weight from my shoulders but my arms are hanging on for dear life 😂

The Wingz I have are Black full length fitted stretch Wingz they’re £16.99 with £2.49 standard delivery. 

They come in lots of different styles and colours, I need some of the flowy Wingz for summer, they be great with the basic vests you can buy, easy to spice up our wardrobe without breaking the bank, while feeling confident. No more searching for clothes with sleeves, this can be draining and upsetting; I know this feeling well!

Make sure to check out Wingz Fashion and if you get yourself some make sure to tag me in your photos on twitter and Instagram; I’d love to see! 

– 8.30 minute in I talk about Wingz