Pumpkin Struesel Muffins

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PeriodConfidence #TryTheDivaCup #CollectiveBias

During that time of the month, I always gravitate to comfort, so when aunt flow makes a visit, it's all leggings, cozy throw blankets and comfort food! Especially when autumn rolls around. So this month I've whipped up a batch of my favorite pumpkin struesel muffins and they're seriously too good share, oops, I meant too good to not share. Lol. Though I might secretly want to keep them all, I just have to share the recipe with you so you can try them too (I'll be sharing the recipe towards the end of this post). Another new addition to my life is The DivaCup! My mom and friends have been trying to get me to make the switch for practically forever, so I finally decided to go for it, and am I ever glad I did.

The DivaCup is available at most retailers nationwide (this handy store locator will help you find your nearest retail location) and I grabbed mine at Rite Aid the other day in the feminine care aisle! Maybe you're one of my friends reading this and you're like "it's about time she switched lol", or maybe you're wondering "what is The DivaCup?", well I'm here to share a little more about it below ladies!

The DivaCup is a reusable, bell shaped silicone menstrual cup that is made for women and girls of all ages! Menstrual cups have existed since the 1930's when women were searching for alternatives to the choices of the time, but though menstrual cups have been around for awhile, their breakthrough into the feminine hygiene market has been more recent, really only in the past 2 years or so. What are some reasons to choose The DivaCup over other feminine care options? The DivaCup offers 12 hour leak-free protection (sign me up for that, seriously), it's made from 100% healthcare grade silicone to ensure comfort and durability, it's also better since it's free of all chemicals, plastics, BPA, latex and dyes. The DivaCup is a great option for period care since it's easy to clean, is reusable which makes it more convenient so you don't run out of pads or tampons, just wash it off and reinsert! Since it's reusable, it's also eco-friendly because it not only saves money (the average cost for feminine care per year is $150, but with The DivaCup, it's only $39.99) but also cuts down on waste since there are no strings, wrappers or plastic.

The DivaCup is ideal for every activity, and can be worn wherever life takes you, from sports to sleep, dancing, hiking, swimming, reading, cooking, sitting at your desk, hiking, biking, whatever your passions in life may be. It's also great for traveling if you're an adventurer! The DivaCup sits low at the base of the vaginal canal for easy insertion and removal and it actually collects menstrual flow, rather than absorbing, which means it doesn't dry out or disrupt the vaginal pH, so no chafing and also leaves no residue (those scented tampons are the worst). The measurement lines on the cup are super handy if you're tracking your flow and to clean The DivaCup, just wash with warm water and the DivaWash! Suggested cleaning is every 10 to 12 hours, or around 2 times a day every day during your cycle. Further instructions for washing can be found here. The great thing about the DivaWash is that it's gentle, fragrance free formula is ideal for sensitive skin, it's naturally pH balanced, has a concentrated formula that helps reduce our eco impact, is manufactured with no animal testing or animal ingredients of any kind, and with it's 100% plant based formula it's better for your body with no added parabens, sulfates or petrochemicals.

A few other things to know about the DivaCup: It's available in TWO sizes, the DivaCup Model 1 is Recommended for women under the age of 30 who have never delivered vaginally or by caesarean section; and the DivaCup Model 2 is Recommended for women age 30 and over, or for women who have delivered vaginally or by cesarean section. Even though I'm not 30 yet, since I'm a mama and have had a vaginal birth I went with the Model 2 and it's been great! Seriously so much better than tampons and pads, and much better for vaginal health since as I mentioned above, it's made from healthcare grade silicone which means you're not coming into contact with chemicals such as surfectants, adhesives and additives that the other alternatives have.

If your flow is regular, you can insert the cup on the day you'll start so you are worry free (because let's face it, many a good pair of undies have been ruined by that time of the month). An interesting fact that I learned recently is that the average woman's monthly flow is between 1 and 2 ounces. Since The DivaCup holds 1 ounce over the course of 12 hours, most women seem to find the cup is not even half full when they go to remove and clean it. When positioned correctly, the cup is leak free and you can't even feel the cup. Yep here I am wishing I'd have switched to the cup sooner.

If you still are on the fence about switching or have any questions, it's always a great idea to consult with your healthcare provider first and also to read over the user guide (found here). Another reason I love DivaCup is that their care team is available to answer any questions and concerns via email (support@divacup.com), phone (1-866-44-3482) and even on their social networks! If you're new to DivaCup, their awesome and super helpful team is the best team to contact and they'll even talk you through insertion, removal and any other questions or concerns you may have! You can also find the store locator here!

Anyway, as I mentioned above, I found the absolute best comfort food muffins that you'll definitely want to whip up as soon as aunt flow makes her next arrival. Here's the recipe below!

Pumpkin Struesel Muffins

STREUSEL TOPPING INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoon light brown sugar

2 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

MUFFIN INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon black-strap molasses

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon all spice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground clove

2 cups all purpose flour

GLAZE INGREDIENTS:

6Tbsp powdered sugar

1 Tbsp milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin pan with some cute cupcake or muffin liners. Combine streusel ingredients in a bowl and set aside. When fully combined, transfer to a baking sheet to break up chunks into no larger than pea size. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix in egg, vanilla and pumpkin until mixture is smooth. Add remaining dry ingredients, stir until mixed well. Pour or scoop into your cupcake/muffin liners and sprinkle well with the streusel mixture. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes. Cool completely in pan. While muffins are cooling beat together powdered sugar and milk and drizzle over your cooled muffins. Enjoy!

These muffins are seriously so good you won't want to stop eating them AND they're perfect for any comfort food cravings you might have during that time of the month. Do you crave comfort foods during that time of the month too? What do you love most about the DivaCup?