Making "That Time of the Month" Eco-Friendly and Body-Friendly

Men beware - this one is just for the ladies, unless you would like to hear about "that time of the month". :)

Okay, now that I've made that disclaimer, today I'm going to discuss menstrual cups. A few months ago I switched from tampons to a Lunette Cup, and I absolutely love it. It's so great because, my "lady time" seems to be shorter, I save a lot of money not having to buy tampons,I don't have to rush to the nearest gas stations when I forgot to get them, there is no waste (applicators and wrappers), it is non-toxic, you can wear them all day, and I don't even feel like I am on my "lady time" when I use it. I hope to help other women realize the convenience, health, and environmental benefits of these wonderful tools.

I believe there is a taboo about menstrual cups because the average woman is taught that their cycle is a dirty, smelly, gross, embarrassing, and disgusting time; and that the disposable, one-time use convenience of scented tampons is the best and easiest way to deal with it. Thanks to large corporations and those pesky commercials tampons have always seemed to be the only option, when in fact menstrual cups have been around just as long as tampons. Knowledge of the cups is spreading by word of mouth and gaining popularity; in the past few years we have gone from having four cup companies to at least twelve. Women should embrace the fact that "lady time" is part of who we are and what makes us the goddesses we are, what makes us WOMAN! Accepting the fact that IT HAPPENS for every woman, is a great step towards women feeling comfortable in their bodies. We don't have to be afraid of being close with the way our cycle works. The cup allows you to become more familiar with the duration and flow of your "lady time".  Once you realize how bad those disposable, bleached, trash producing tampons are for your body and the environment, the cup seems like a no-brainer.

Why tampons are bad:

• Women use up to 15,000 tampon in their lifetime. There are nearly 4,000,000,000 women on this planet. Think about all of those plastic applicators and wrappers.
• Tampons are chlorine-bleached to get them super white, which can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
• Many tampons can contain Dioxin which is known to cause cancer, endometriosis, damaged nervous system, pelvic inflammatory disease, and reduced fertility. - Especially with repeated contact. - Does wearing 3-5 tampons, 3-7 days a month for 40 years count as repeated contact?
• They can tear your vaginal lining when being removed.
• They leak.
• You have to change them 3-5 times a day.

Why cups are good:

• They are reusable!
• The Keeper brand is made from natural rubber, so it is biodegradable. (My next one will be a Keeper.) The others are made of medical grade silicone, which is incredibly durable, hypo-allergenic, does not absorb anything including bacteria or your natural moisture. So no worries about it tearing your vaginal lining.
• They come in many different sizes, so you can find one to meet your needs.
• Lasts up to 10 years! The average cost, $30, over 10 years is only 30 cents per month. Buying tampons, not including pads or liners, over a course of 10 years would cost nearly $500.
• You usually can wear them all day, unless you have a very heavy flow. Which means you can wait until you are in the comforts of your own home before you have to deal with it. I only have to empty mine once a day before bed, but it is different for everyone.
• Once you learn how fast yours fills up, you don't ever have to worry about leakage. You also know how long you have before you have to empty it.
• No risk of TSS.
• You don't have to worry about finding places to buy tampons while traveling.
• You can wear it when you think your "lady time" is about to start so you don't have to mess with it in some inopportune moment.
• You can't feel it.

Some help for those already using cups or wanting to try:

• Practice putting it in and taking it out a couple of times before you are actually on "lady time".
• Folding it and inserting upward and back slightly is the easiest way. Here are 2 methods of folding:
  
• Once it is in, feel around the sides of the cup to make sure it is open completely, then you know the seal is made and there will be no leaking. :)
• To remove, pull the tab and sort of push with your stomach. Once it is pulled down far enough, pinch the bottom of the cup to release the seal, then you should be able to pull it out keeping it upright so you don't spill. Then you can dump it out.
• You can cut the tab on the cup to your liking, but I'd wait to make sure it doesn't move up in your vaginal canal after you have been wearing it for a while. If it is a flat tab, cut it in a U shape instead of straight across.
• To clean initially and between "lady times" you should boil your cup for the time recommended by your cup manufacturer. Here's a good idea ------------------------>
• To clean during "lady time" you can just use a mild unscented soap and cold water, cold water does not cause staining. Or if you are in a hurry, you can wipe it with toilet paper.
• There are some disposable/one-time-use cups available. Of course, I don't like the idea of them because they are disposable. They also seem to be more difficult to maneuver into place because they are bigger around, and are made out of thin plastic so they would be more prone to leakage without the proper seal. (It is the bigger one with the pink ring in the photo above.)

These websites are really informative if you need more help:

• http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/ - forum style website that has categories along the right side of the page
• http://menstrualcup.co/ - Great info, also has a forum
• There are also lots of Youtube videos that have comparisons of size and flexibility of the different brands of cups.

Another thing I'd like to mention is washable, reusable, cloth pads and liners. There are many available for sale on Etsy, or there are lots of tutorials and patterns online if you want to sew your own. I have found I don't even have to use these though because the cup works so well! :)

These are from sewfussy on Etsy.

Ooo, and I wanted to mention I love chamomile tea for cramps. I like to hold the warm cup on my belly, too.

Please share your thoughts!!

love & light,
Claire

Earthwise in the Bathroom

When I decided to start reducing and cleaning out rooms in the house, I realized that a lot of household waste came from the bathroom. I got rid of all the unnecessary stuff and started looking for other options. Here are some alternatives I've found to reduce waste and eliminate disposables:

Toilet Paper - Try to buy rolls individually wrapped in paper, or larger packages with recyclable plastic wrappers. I've found Walgreen's Ology brand toilet paper to be great! It's made from sugar cane husks and bamboo, TREE FREE! WOO!

Body Wash - Make your own and put it in a reused spray bottle. See my recipe here. Or just use straight castile soap.

Shampoo & Conditioner - Try the "no-poo" method: wash your scalp with baking soda, then rinse with vinegar for conditioner and shine. With my long hair, I didn't have the patience to get through the transition period where your hair is more oily for a while. I've read lots of testimonials and some people love it, and I believe it's easier with short hair. I want to try it again, but for now I buy shampoo & conditioner in bulk, in reused containers.

Shaving Cream- Most of the time, I'm lazy and just use the body wash. I've made some shaving cream, and I liked it, because sometimes I just crave a good lather. I'll share the recipe soon.

Razors- Switch to a reusable old fashioned safety razor. I got mine in perfect condition on Ebay, and it's from 1963! That says a lot for it's durability and quality. If you take out the razor blade and dry it between each use, it should last about 2 months. Which means a pack of 10 blades could last you 5 years!

Deodorant-  I've been making my own with a combination of baking soda, coconut oil, and arrowroot powder in a reused glass container. I haven't gotten the consistency perfect yet, so I'm waiting to share.

Toothpaste- Try your making your own. Here's mine. Or if you don't like dipping into the jar, you can make a powder to sprinkle onto your toothbrush with baking soda and stevia.

Toothbrush- I haven't found any amazing alternatives yet, but I have high hopes for the Bogobrush and The Environmental Toothbrush.

Floss- Try a reusable gum stimulator or biodegradable silk floss.

Hairspray- I very rarely use it, but when I do I'm going to try strained lemon water with a splash of vodka, in a spray bottle of course. ;)

Cotton Swabs- Avoid using them altogether, but if you can't, try to find some that have paper tubes/sticks and a cardboard container (no plastic.) I found some at Family Dollar in a cute decorative box.

Feminine Products- Switch to a menstrual cup and/or reusable(washable) pads. The Diva Cup is the most popular, but there are many other brands out there. Don't freak out yet, I won't go into any more detail right now, but I plan to do a separate post about it. I swear you won't go back if you try it.

Make-Up-  Reduce what you use. I only use mascara, brow liner, and Burt's Bees Lip Balm. I want to try making my own version of all of these. This would be awesome to try; maybe I can do a product review.

Face Wash- Rinse your face, rub gently with honey (avoiding eyes and hair), let sit for 30 seconds if you wish, then rinse. That's it. Honey is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, moisturizing.

Plastic Band-Aids- Instead, use gauze and paper surgical tape. You can cut the gauze to the size you need.

Antibiotic- Avoid drugstore antibiotic ointments. They usually contain Triclosan, which can cause bad bacteria to become stronger. Try using honey, 100% tea tree oil, or thieves oil.

Bathroom Cleaning:

• Baking soda for scrubbing
• Vinegar for disinfecting
• A mixture of both baking soda and vinegar for cleaning the toilet and drains
• Microfiber cloths for mirrors.
• 2 or 3 drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil in the toilet to keep it fresh

Water Conservation:

• Put a brick in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used to fill it up
• Collect water in a bucket while your shower heats up, then use the water for plants
• Install a shower head that puts out less water
• Install a shower head with a shut off valve for the in-between times when you step out of the water such as lathering hair, shaving legs, etc.
• Don't run the water while you are brushing your teeth
• I'll say it again, "If it's yellow, let it mellow."

I hope you have found these tips helpful. Please share any changes you have made!!


love & light,
Claire