BotanicGal here with your weekly round up of readings and ramblings. It’s March 11 today and if you’re the rounding up type (that’s me) then we’re basically halfway through March! And today is the first day of daylight savings so we’re finally getting more glorious sunlight too. Has anyone else started seeing the crocus flowers reaching up through the winter sludge and almost getting ready to bloom? I’m waiting with baited breath! I think spring is really right around the corner. Hooray!

I have to start by asking how everyone thought the Bachelor Finale went this week. My hugest complaint was how LONG it was. Wow, I think they could have shown less of the Becca breakup. I mean, we got the point after the first 3 minutes of awkward silence. I feel so bad for her, but not that bad because she gets to be the Bachelorette now! There has been a lot of nastiness surrounding Arie’s decision. I think he really should have said he couldn’t make a decision (and also not said “I love you” to everyone) but I think he did his best under the circumstances. It cannot be easy to be under that kind of pressure to have to make a decision like that with a deadline. Ultimatums in relationships are generally not advised, ya know. Anyway, what was your opinion?? And who else is gonna watch Becca find love?

First Things First

• There was such a plethora of inspiration out there on International Women’s Day this week. Shout out to all women and all those that identify as women in any way. You are all amazing!
• Speaking of IWD, one of my very favorite Bands, First Aid Kit, released a live version of their power anthem “You Are the Problem Here” and are donating proceeds to Women for Women International which is an organization that supports the most marginalized women.
• Did you see my instagram post on the launch of Dot cup? They’ve created a brand new menstrual cup and each purchase gives one to a girl in need. The owner is an inspirational lady too. Check it out!
• Since winter is still here I put up a post this week on my winter body care favorites to help dry skin. Did you read?

Life Things

• Apparently my home state of Iowa was ranked as the best state to live in according to US News.
• Do you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)? This article has a ton of tips for managing the winter blues.
• Many people in that article above said that sunrise lamps help with SAD. Conveniently I ran across this article with the top 5 highest rated ones on Amazon.
• These “notes to self” can help boost your mood. Print them out and hang them on your mirror to remind yourself you are awesome!
• And one more: Some daily self care ideas that you can do just for yourself.

Green Things & Health 

• This article makes me rethink that #1 ranking for the state of Iowa. New legislations force grocers to carry factory farmed eggs. What’s the point?
• Healthy eating can be hard and overwhelming. This article has 8 things you can do to make the transition easier.

On Infertility & Motherhood & Being a Woman

• There was devastating news out of Ohio this week when a fertility clinic in Cleveland had an equipment malfunction that resulted in around 2,000 eggs and embryos from some 500 patients possibly being damaged. My heart is breaking for these families and individuals.
• DES was a drug used from the 1930’s-70’s to supposedly prevent miscarriages. This article shines a light on the incredibly unfortunate effects it caused and continues to cause, including infertility in the offspring.
• A common acronym used in the infertility community was recently added to the Oxford Dictionary. IAT (that means it’s about time, I made that acronym up). Ha!
• Some say that millenial women are failing at fertility. This opinion piece argues that point.

Pure Fun & Inspiration

• This animal shelter took in donations of used armchairs and the pups are loving it!
• This list of inspiration girls and women past and present is just that, inspiring!
• Women throughout history have not often gotten the respect they deserved, including even an obituary when they passed. The New York Times has started to fix that by posting these obituaries to honor their legacies.

Hope you all have a fabulous Sunday and a smooth start to your week! (make sure you remember daylight savings, that will help the smooth-start factor)