u/macadamiabutt22

Hi all, I don’t have a lot of infusing experience (just making vanilla bean extract when I was a baker and cinnamon whiskey). For Christmas, I’d like to make a handful of different infused liquors for gifts. Some ideas I have currently:

• Vanilla bean pear vodka
• Cherry bounce
• Limoncello
• Toasted marshmallow bourbon
• Apple cinnamon whiskey
• Pineapple orange green tea vodka/gin?

I probably won’t make all of the above, but it’s some ideas to start with. I’m unclear on what the correct protocol is with fruit infusions is, how long the fruit can stay in there, how long the drink will be stable, etc. It seems to be appropriate to keep the cherries in the alcohol with cherry bounce, but it’s not okay for apples, is it just fruit specific? I plan to use liquors <20% ABV to keep from any bacterial growth.

Hi all, I (23 F) have had Kyleena inserted for close to 5 years now. Before the IUD, I was having heavy periods every 2 weeks, for 9-14 days on average. Cramping was severe and there were days where my legs would be partially numb from the pain, making it hard to live my every day life.

Insertion was extremely painful but it was a fairly brief pain, so I accepted that as part of the joys of womanhood✨. For the first year, I’d have inconsistent periods, much more mild than before, which is now reduced to occasional spotting. Also for the first year, I’d have random, extremely sharp pains, sometimes making me fall to me knees in reaction. That stopped, then came the mood changes. I’m generally a very mild mannered person and I’ve always had mental health issues. With this being said, I became way more depressed and way more anxious. Around the 2 year mark I went through a ~9 month period where everything would make me irate. I’ve never had issues controlling my anger before, so this was very hard for me to navigate.

I have chronic stomach issues, I’ve had them for as long as I can remember, I have foods that I can and cannot eat. Post-IUD, it doesn’t matter what I eat, I’m constantly uncomfortable. The only solace is not eating but the IUD has significantly stimulated my appetite as well. I was around 125 lbs to start, I’ve lost some weight, but my highest was nearing 170 lbs. In the latter half of the time I’ve had the IUD, I’ve had intense bloating constantly, to the point where I’ve taken multiple pregnancy tests thinking there’s no way my stomach can be shaped like this and I’m not pregnant. I’m always tired, mentally high-strung, my body is uncomfortable, I’ve lost significant muscle mass, I’ve had hair loss, and my skin is much more sensitive than it used to be.

With all this being said, I’m interested in taking a few months off of birth control since I’ve read numerous women feeling great after getting off of it, but none of them seemed to have any functional issues with their periods. Has anybody with somewhat unmanageable periods had these symptoms and had the IUD removed? What was your experience? I’m tired of permanent exhaustion and feeling uncomfortable with my body (and especially tired of being told weight gain isn’t a symptom of IUD birth control). I have an appointment soon to talk about other forms of BC but I don’t know what direction to move since there doesn’t seem to be a gleaming ray of hope in any direction I look. Is this seriously all we have in the year 2026?

i’m transferring to the main campus in august, i wanted to see if anyone had any leads about places hiring in the area currently since i need to find housing ASAP? i have around 7 years of restaurant experience, i’m not really picky about what the work is but would prefer to be at a place where unnaturally colored hair is allowed. thank you!

I (23 f) am a neuroscience major, going into my sophomore year. My parents cannot/will not help with college costs which is relatively fine, but I also do not have help with any of the basic life expenses. I cannot afford to rent an apartment, I’ve been put on the waitlist for dorms, and can’t live with either parent. I currently live at my uncle’s house but I’m expected to find somewhere else to live around December. A new problem recently arose as I was laid off so I’m doing uber eats for now. Prior to this, I spoke to my advisor and I cannot drop down to part-time hours due to my major. Does anyone know of alternative housing options or anything helpful? I don’t want to believe my only options are dropping out or being homeless. I’ve applied for food stamps twice now, denied twice. I contacted the local housing authority \~6 months ago and they said wait times are around 1-3 years to get into housing through them.