I was late to the game, but I found out I wasn't living my best life until I had a period tracker app. Yes, it's easy to tell when Aunt Flo is coming around the mountain when you have a steady period, especially when those period cramps make their entrance. But whether your period is considered irregular or "normal," if those even exist, a period tracker will keep you in check to make sure it can't sneak up on you like you owe it money.
So, which one is the best? Let me just say, there are multiple reasons you need Eve by Glow in your life. This app has the period tracker game on lock. From a forum where you can talk womanhood with other ladies, to the app going above and beyond and tracking everything from your sex patterns to your mood swings, this app has literally thought of everything. If you need an app that will give you all the goods, Eve needs to be your go-to. I have to admit, I was sold on period tracker apps before, but after checking out Eve, I really don't need to go anywhere else. Here's why:
The Messages On The Eve Period Tracker App Are Lit
The customized messages users get from the Eve app are like the best friend that knows everything about your cycle. There's one that literally reads, "Girl, hang in there! Your PMS pains should be almost over." It then not only reminds the user she'll be getting her period within the next couple days, but also to stock up on products so that she'll be ready for its arrival. Who does that? I love it because even on the days when I start my period, there's nothing worse than the moment I look under the sink to grab a pad or tampon only to realize I'm clean out.
All Your Friends Are There
If you've never used Eve before, don't be surprised when you find your new clique in the community. Let me back it up for a second… Yes, Eve has an entire community of its own. There are so many forums where women can dish on everything about being a woman, not just period cycles and whatnot. From getting health tips on vital topics like birth control to swapping sex stories and suggestions, nothing is off limits in this forum. Yeah sis, you've been missing out. What I love about this forum is that even though every woman is different, there's definitely one that has experienced something we're going through. And most likely, she's in the Eve community telling us all how to get through it.
The Eve App Is Not Just For Period Tracking
While the Eve app has been known to be the queen of tracking periods, it does so much more than that. As you give it more information about you, it has the ability to monitor and track things that most of us really don't think about but are important to your body. From my sexual activity and symptoms to my mood, the app not only tells me when I'm most likely to experience certain things, it will sometimes explain why, reminding me that I'm not entirely crazy and that those mood swings and sugar cravings are completely natural. It can also let you know about certain habits and trends you have such as your sleep patterns and how well you're working on your fitness.
The Eve App Is "The Cosmopolitan Of Period Tracker Apps"
This is seriously what I heard about this app. And now that I have it, I can definitely see why. OK, so it tracks your period and does it well. I think we've established that. You won't have any questions about when you'll start your period or how likely you are to get pregnant when you have sex. It monitors your ovulation and helps you better understand your fertility. It also has its own set of emojis that you can use to tell it how you're feeling and why. It has a lot of other really fun aspects like daily sex tips and sex quizzes (I'll take that, thanks). I have to admit, while it seems like a small thing, if you're a woman who's into aesthetically appealing apps and such for your phone, Eve fits the bill with this too. It's almost like a magazine layout that's clean and easy to read.
Eve App
It Looks At Your Health From All Angles
The Eve app is a great one solo. But when it's paired with the Glow Health App, it takes things even further and tracks everything from your steps to your cervical mucus (aka that discharge we all have had so many questions about). It's like all of your favorite health apps combined into one. The website is also a major win, as it provides blogs for topics like IVF and freezing eggs. So, feel free to delete the others and go with Eve (we can all probably use more storage on our phones anyway) and start living your best life.
The app costs $7.99 a month if you want to pay month-to-month, or $47.99 for a year. If you know you're going to need Eve for a lifetime, it's $59.99.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
This Former Stylist Quit Her Job to Follow Her Purpose of Helping Homeless Women on Their Period - Read More
I Tried Whoopi Goldberg's Weed Products for Period Pain - Read More
The Best Period & Ovulation Tracker Apps in the Game - Read More
I Almost Lost My Life During My Battle with Endometriosis - Read More
Featured image by Getty Images
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RELATED
Taja, an actress known most for her role on BET’s The Oval, and businessman/model Ryan Easter tied the knot on July 27 in an intimate and beautiful wedding in LA - surrounded by friends and family. During our 40+ minute conversation, the newlyweds opened up about the inner work journey they both went through individually to become their best selves.
Taja revealed that her grateful and light spirit came after being in a depressive state and doing a great deal of healing and education. And Ryan shared how losing a parent as a youth affected how he showed up in the world and the truths he had to face to embrace who he is wholly.
The pair also chatted about the power of intention, the importance of working through trauma, and the work they do every day to honor their partnership. There’s a reason their glow is so beautiful! It comes from the inside.
“You're meeting me now after I've done all this work, but I had to go through it to get to that space and be in a very happy, healed relationship,” Taja says. Check out the layered conversation below.
xoNecole: I’ll start with the most obvious question: how did you two meet, and what were your initial feelings about each other?
Ryan Easter: We connected through friends. At the time, I was in New York, and she was back and forth between LA and Atlanta. But our mutual female friends were together and decided they needed to set me up. So they confirmed I was looking for something serious and then sent me her picture.
And I was like, "Okay, she looks good - a chocolate drop." But then I thought, "What's wrong with her? So, I called them up, and one of them was messing with me and said, "Oh, she's a little crazy." I was like, "Whoa, I can't do crazy anymore. I've dealt with that before. I’d rather stay by myself than deal with that again." Then she clarified, "No, I'm just kidding. She's crazy in a good way. She's a lot of fun and has her stuff together. That’s how it started for me.
Taja Simpson: I was just going about my life, getting ready for another season of The Oval, when I got a text from my friend Natasha. She said, "Hey, I don't think you're dating anybody, but I have a friend I think you should meet. He's a great guy." She gave me this huge pedigree, saying they had been friends for 19 years. I thought, "Wow, he sounds amazing." But when she sent me a photo, I didn’t like it.
Later, I thought about it and figured it could just not be a good picture. So she sent his Instagram which had all these modeling fitness pictures and stuff. And then I was like, wow - you had my whole husband this time and didn’t tell me - now I told her she could give him my number.
"I was just going about my life, getting ready for another season of The Oval, when I got a text from my friend Natasha. She said, "Hey, I don't think you're dating anybody, but I have a friend I think you should meet. He's a great guy." She gave me this huge pedigree, saying they had been friends for 19 years. I thought, "Wow, he sounds amazing." But when she sent me a photo, I didn’t like it."
Taja Simpson & Ryan Easter
Photo by @jorgemezaphotos
xoN: I love that because, you know, there's all these conversations about the ways people meet, and I still feel like friends and family are one of the best ways. It’s like they know you! What are your thoughts?
Ryan: Yeah, absolutely! You feel a great sense of obligation to be the best version of yourself because you’re not just representing yourself; you’re also representing the person who referred you. I can’t go out there acting like a fool and have them looking at their friend like, "Why did you hook me up with this clown?" It’s like, we're gonna be clear and honest about our intentions. And if it works, great, and if it doesn't, it's okay.
Taja: Exactly. When he called, we spoke that day for like, an hour. The rest was history. We just connected, and it was great. After that, we started talking every day, and now here we are.
xoN: Okay, so tell me about your first date! Do you remember where you went? What did you do? How was the vibe?
Taja: Our first in-person date was two months after we met over the phone. This was during COVID, so we got introduced in July 2020 but didn’t meet until September. From July to September, we were doing video dates and phone calls, building up this excitement about meeting in person. I was really nervous. I thought, "Oh my God, is it going to be like it was over the phone?" We really connected and vibed. I was there to pick him up at LAX, and I felt like this was it. I thought, "God put this brother in my life to be this good, this perfect." It felt too good to be true.
I actually had a friend meet us at the airport to film our meeting without him knowing. I told her to stay in the corner and keep the camera hidden. When he was coming down the escalator, I had this whole plan to run up to him in slow motion and jump into his arms. When I saw him, I froze. I was so nervous that I couldn’t move! He came up to me, gave me a big hug, and swung me around, and I just thought, "Wow!" Everything I planned went out the window.
Ryan: I was really excited to meet her, too. Technically, our first date was at Firestone Brewery. After the airport, we went back to her place to drop off my stuff, and then she said, "I like to drink beer," so she took me to a brewery nearby.
I remember being there, and we were kind of embracing, but not too much since it was technically the first time we were in physical proximity. You still have to play it cool, even after talking for a while. But every time I touched her, it felt good. I thought, "Yeah, this is it." When we hugged at the airport, I felt like, "Yo, this is home." At that moment, I knew she was the one.
xoN: Ugh, I love that. So when did the courtship start to develop into a relationship? Did y'all have that conversation?
Ryan: Initially, we were very clear about our intentions. We were both dating with purpose and had similar aspirations of eventually finding someone to marry, start a family, create businesses together, and live our lives to the fullest. We knew from the beginning that this was our goal and checked in with each other to see if we were on the same page.
After establishing our intentions, it was about having those small conversations. We discussed what was important to each of us—our needs, wants, likes, dislikes, triggers, and traumas. All those details are crucial for building a solid foundation for a healthy relationship. We spent a lot of time getting to know the real person, not just the representative we might present to the world.
Sometimes, it’s difficult because it requires us to be extremely vulnerable. For men, especially in our society, vulnerability is often frowned upon, making it hard to expose that sensitive side. You never know how people will react—some might use it against you, while others might protect you.
I think for her; it took her understanding that mentality that men have and use that to her advantage to make sure she's like, look, this is a safe space for you to allow me to see the full person that you are. I appreciated that because, like, I would tell her, if you really want a man to value you, he has to feel safe with you, right, not necessarily in a physical capacity but more so from an emotional standpoint; I need to feel like I can be safe with you emotionally.
So that courtship was a lot of just having those serious, sometimes difficult conversations about things we're going through in the past to things we aspire to accomplish in the future, to things that we're currently dealing with, and started to gain that understanding about who we are and what we aspire to be, and just continue to flow.
"So that courtship was a lot of just having those serious, sometimes difficult conversations about things we're going through in the past to things we aspire to accomplish in the future, to things that we're currently dealing with, and started to gain that understanding about who we are and what we aspire to be, and just continue to flow."
Taja: I mean, that's exactly right, and a lot of it we spoke about even before we met. Because it was this free thing where we didn’t know each other. We didn't have to be a representative. I was just my authentic self. It’s like - I'm an actor, and I got five or six characters that may come out in our conversation. I'll be funny, then the next moment, I'll be serious. It just happens.
I was very vocal about how I foresee my life going. Also, because I'm in entertainment, that played a part. I had met people before who couldn't handle that. They wanted a woman with a nine-to-five, a teacher, or just somebody with a very strict schedule. But that wasn't me. So I think we were super intentional when it came to dating and making sure we can build and grow together. So, we made that commitment prior to him leaving. He came to LA for a week, and the day before he left, it was like, okay, so this is it.
xoN: I’ve noticed that intention and vulnerability are both powerful words that you two keep using, which I think is essential for any long-term relationship. What are some of your other shared values?
Ryan: Also, we both understood the power of mindset. When you see successful or unsuccessful people, sometimes others will attribute their state to their family or money. And I'm not saying that that doesn't help. But there are a lot of people who have come from very humble beginnings and very troubled past that have gone on to do great things, and it all had to do with their mindset. They had to leave and see themselves doing what they desired to do before it became a reality in the physical realm.
I think a lot of those beliefs and mentalities that we shared was refreshing because, you know, we've all known people that every time you talk to them, something bad is going on. And it's such a drag because they can bring your energy down. We don't subscribe to that. Not saying that we don't go through tough times. But when we do, the question that we always ask ourselves is, what is it that I'm supposed to learn from this? I think those type of elements of just being in alignment mentally about how we view the world definitely help to solidify our relationship and our connection.
Taja: When we met, I was in a headspace of growth. We now call it believe, evolve, become because you have to believe that thing right in order to show up. We both understand that your vibration precedes your manifestation, so you have to vibrate and believe at a certain level. Act as if you have to be in that space, that energy, in order for that thing to come so you can evolve and then become whatever that said thing is. But I was in that headspace before we met, and I was clearing out people in my life.
I was really intentional with finding someone that was in that headspace, too. I was not okay with anyone being stagnant.
Taja Simpson & Ryan Easter
Photo by @jorgemezaphotos
xoN: You two seem so evolved individually and collectively. I'm curious, were there any challenges that you two had to get through together, and what did you learn from that experience?
Ryan: Being parents. And if your partner doesn't have a great pregnancy, then it can be tough, and it stretches you in a lot of ways. But I would definitely say the first five months of being new parents was a lot because we were both exhausted. And she's also trying to heal her body because giving birth puts a tremendous amount of stress on the woman's body. It gives you a different respect for the strength of femininity because I wouldn't want to go through that. And I was there the whole 29 hours.
So during that time I'm getting snappy because I need to rest. I have not been able to rest, and I'm sleep-deprived, and I don't feel like I got my foot in yet. And, and then, on top of that, you have this, this really small human that's completely dependent upon you. They can't do anything for himself, and that, even psychologically, that's a lot to carry. But the thing that I think that has helped us is that we understand that we won't always be on the same page. It's okay to have disagreements, but you always have to lead with love, meaning that if I'm upset with her or she's upset with me, we focus on what the issue is.
Taja: I had a horrible pregnancy and was still feeling like I want to be productive; it’s just part of who I am. And during the newborn phase, like he said, we were exhausted. We were zombies. I'm getting whiny. I need sleep. He's getting snappy and short, and we're having to figure out us. The hardest thing is trying to still learn how to effectively communicate in the midst of this space where you are exhausted; you don't feel good, nothing's going your way.
But I'm a big believer of being accountable, especially for women, because women are not always accountable. But we encourage each other to address the trauma and encourage positive self-thought and talk. Because what you think, speak, and do creates power for better and worse.
xoN: Were there any past traumas you had to heal from in order to love each other correctly, and do you feel comfortable discussing them?
Ryan: For me, the biggest thing was my father’s death at nine. You’re young, and you don’t know how to process the loss. It’s one of those things I thought I dealt with, but when I got into my adult years, I realized it didn’t. I always felt like I had to go above and beyond because I didn’t have my father there to be a man - I excelled in sports and academics, but it was based on an inadequate feeling.
I understand the importance of fathers in children’s life but you still have the power to be the best version of yourself whether your father is there or not. And I believe the almighty Creator will put people in your life to be the best version of yourself. I wanted to be that confident person for her and our children - and I didn’t want to carry that trauma into our relationship or our son. So I worked on it before us and I continue to now.
Taja: Mine was colorism. I grew up where the brown paper bag thing was a thing. There were kids I couldn’t play with because “I was too Black.” I had a family member who called me “Ew.” Like she’d literally say, come here, Ew, you ugly thing. And my family, for a long time, didn’t realize how it was breaking me. But eventually, my mom noticed and taught me more about self-esteem and then I started to do the work. But it still shows its head. I still would have thoughts that I’m not good enough because of how I look. I’ve literally not tried out for roles because of that. One of my friends’ friends has literally called out once that I was the only dark person at an event.
So when I started doing the work, I noticed the ways it showed up, like I just wouldn’t want to be in the sun long. I mean when I was younger, I used to pray to God to make me “better” or lighter. It took a long time to really get over that. There’s a book I wrote called Women Who Shine - where I got my thoughts out about this.
So he knows my sensitive spots and speaks to the little girl in me. It's so interesting how the things we go through when we’re young affect us in adulthood. Mental health is as important as physical health - and I’m grateful that he understands the importance of both of those.
xoN: Thank you for your vulnerability. I hope it helps someone else. Finally, I’ll close with this: what’s your favorite thing about each other?
Ryan: Definitely her mindset. She doesn’t have a victim mindset; she’s empowered. That’s so attractive. I believe that she prides herself on being a good, great communicator. She moves with integrity, you know, I think that's important. And you know, she also understands the importance of taking care of her physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
Taja: There’s so many. Where do I start? My husband is supremely supportive. I absolutely love that about him. Also, I love his intention. I love how effectively he communicates. I love how he fathers our child. I love how he looks. Because, praise God. Okay, I'm just gonna put that out there.
But you know what, my favorite thing about him is that I love that he's a man of integrity.
Integrity was the highest things on my list when I’d write out what I wanted in a partner. Because it’s everything. And so I love that I feel the level of safety that I feel with him, that I can completely be my 100% authentic self. I know that he's taking care of me, my heart, and our family. We're good.
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Feature image by @jorgemezaphotos
Hopefully, that will already take some of the pressure off so that you can enjoy some of your favorite dishes with a bit of ease. At the same time, though, if you want to make sure that you walk into 2025 with as little “extra” as possible, here are some proven holiday eating tips that will help you do it.
How To Enjoy Holiday Meals Without Guilt
1. Enjoy the “Fun Stuff” Earlier in the Day
GiphyC’mon. Let’s not sit here and act like “the fun stuff” isn’t made of mostly carbs because carbs consist of things like starches, dairy, and fruit. And, while we’re here, let’s also not lie to ourselves and pretend that we’re gonna deny ourselves some of the richest dishes and desserts that the holiday season has to offer.
The key to holiday indulgence without guilt is to consume them earlier in the day. That’s when you tend to be more active, your metabolism is higher, and you are better able to digest your food properly. That said, no one told you that you have to go without a slice of sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie — just don’t have three slices at midnight, is all.
2. Sniff Some Mint
GiphyIf self-control is something that you know that you struggle with, here’s a hack that can take some of the stress and pressure off. According to science, if you sniff a bit of essential oil, such as peppermint or spearmint, it can actually help to suppress your appetite naturally. And since mint essential oil can also help with any potential digestion issues that you may have while sitting at your mother's, aunt's, or grandma’s table, that’s even more of a reason to keep some in tow.
3. Have a Glass of Water for One Glass of…Whatever Else
GiphyI once read an article that said that the most fattening drinks of all time include eggnog, hot chocolate, and mulled wine. Well, hell, just bring us down when it comes to all of the delicious holiday-themed drinks, why don’t you? SMDH. Not to mention that pretty much all alcoholic drinks can pack on the calories, too. A trick? Drink a glass of water for every glass of whatever else you plan on throwing back.
It will help to fill your stomach up (so that you don’t overdo it as far as drinks are concerned), make the digestion process easier, keep you hydrated (because alcohol can lead to dehydration), and make it easier for you to sleep once you’re ready to turn in for the evening.
4. Eat Something Healthy Before You Go (Elsewhere)
GiphyIf you already know that you’re going to be eating some food that’s not the healthiest at someone else’s house, try and have a healthy snack before you head out. For one thing, if you’re not starving when you walk through someone else’s door, you won’t just eat everything in sight. Plus, if you consume foods like nuts, seeds, eggs, chickpeas, or even a cup of coffee or some tea, they will help boost your metabolism so that you’ll be able to burn calories quicker and easier later on.
5. Portion Control, Please
GiphyYou really don’t have to deny yourself the foods that bring you joy around this time of year. The key is to implement some form of portion control. You can do this by putting your food onto smaller plates (or eating out of a bowl), using your hands to measure your portions, and not eating “junk food snacks” from a bag or box. For instance, if you’re eating caramel popcorn straight out of a bag, it’s so much easier to consume the entire bag while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or A Christmas Story. Instead, put some into a small bowl, so that you can still have some without going overboard.
6. Focus on Protein-Rich Meals
GiphyA part of the reason why many people who regularly exercise consume things like protein shakes is because it’s been proven that protein helps to do things like satisfy your appetite, lower your body fat, and help you to feel full for a longer period of time. So, as you’re trying to figure out what to indulge in the most, don’t feel bad about having a turkey leg or some potato casserole. Foods high in protein tend to work for you more than they do “against” you.
7. Consume Fibrous Snacks
GiphyAside from the fact that fiber is able to do things like lower your type 2 diabetes and cancer risk and help you eliminate waste more fully and consistently, it’s also beneficial when it comes to controlling your weight and keeping your gut in tip-top shape. And when it comes to what we’re talking about today, fiber can also help you to feel full for a longer period of time, so that you don’t eat more than you want to or should.
So, if you are taking a break from eating before heading towards the dessert table, snack on some popcorn, an apple, a banana, or even some hummus or guacamole with some kale chips. All of these foods are full of fiber, tasty, and will help you to keep your sweet (and carbs) tooth under control.
8. Don’t Take a Break from Exercising
GiphyListen, just because you may be taking a few days off around the holidays, that doesn’t mean that you should go on a vacation as far as your workout routine goes. Indeed, if you want to either lose weight or keep from gaining back the weight that you’ve already lost, many experts say that you need to devote 300 minutes a week to exercise.
And since your body doesn’t know when Thanksgiving and Christmas fall on the calendar, well…stay on that treadmill, stair climber, or whatever is your workout of choice. Oh, and if you’re traveling, at least try to do some lunges and squats or take a walk around the neighborhood after dinner.
9. Avoid Stressing Yourself Out
GiphyAlthough most people say that their stress level increases during the holiday season, around 41 percent claim that it’s higher during this time of the year than any other. When it comes to weight gain, this isn’t something to ignore because stress has the ability to throw your hormone levels off which can lead to high blood sugar levels that can cause you to eat more and pack on more pounds. You know what this means, right? Whatever — or whoever — tends to stress you out around this time of the year? SET. SOME. BOUNDARIES. Your waistline depends on it.
10. Get a Good Night’s Rest
GiphyHoliday parties. Road trips. Staying up all night to wrap presents. Talking to (or arguing with) relatives for hours on end. All of these things, understandably, can lead to a lack of sleep. Just keep in mind that when you are sleep-deprived, you throw your hormones off, increase your appetite, tempt you to eat more, and make it easier for your body to store up abdominal fat. So, at least try to get 5-6 hours in during the holidays. Your metabolism — and health overall — will be so glad that you did. Happy holiday eating, everyone! Literally.
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Featured image by da-kuk/Getty Images