The New Age of Reusable Menstrual Pads - How green is your period?

After switching to the Diva Cup (you can also check out another called The Keeper) to reduce the amount of bleached cotton that I was putting into my most absorbent "Lady Parts,"  I began wondering what other alternatives there were for woman looking to reduce their environmental impact and chemical exposure.

Aunt WhOO? Reusable Menstrual Pad

 After searching for the right pattern, I found a reusable menstrual pad that I tested and critiqued and have claimed it as my Aunt WhOO? Reusable Menstrual Pad. I have made two sizes, one for my neices  (Little Lady) and  a momma size (Lady).

I love the Gravenhurst Farmer's Market, most of the ladies who shop there are from the big city and are accustomed to plastic, bleached and easily disposable menstrual tools, who usually scoff and turned their noses up at the thought of having to be closer to their own menstrual blood (or moon juice) than they prefer. I love it when, after they make their rounds, they end up stopping back at my booth to pick up three or four of the pads before they leave!!! I guess actually taking the time to think about the idea and the practicality of a reusable menstrual pad, not only on your wallet, but  your body as well, they usually come around to the idea.

Back in the days before midwives and herbalist were deemed witches and burned at the stake by religious worshipers and patriarchal scientific followers, women had for themselves a cotton rage (where do you think the term "on my rag" came from?!) that they would fill with moss to absorb the blood. Thanks to Dr. Lister, "the great English proponent of antiseptic surgery," absorbent pads intended for wounds were re-designed and advertised for use for menstruating women. Probably seemed like a great idea at the time, however, thanks to their availability, 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons wind up in landfills EVERY YEAR!!

So sisters, finish up that pack of store-bought bleached cotton and either sew or buy your own reusable pads...and honestly, check out the diva and keeper......another alternative?.... Do what cleopatra did, use a sea-sponge....

Until next time Ladies....

The WOOly Owl

Clueless to the topic?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation

Here are a few good reads on the subject:

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/feminineproducts/a/tampondebat.htm

page 54-8 in Ecoholoc Home (the whole book is actually an amazing read (especially the Canadian version)

I also found another great pattern for you to make your own if able:

http://pms.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=pms&cdn=health&tm=26&f=00&su=p284.12.336.ip_p1051.2.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.manymoonsalternatives.com/make_your_own_pads.php

Something NEW coming this week...........

Just wanted to let you know that I am adding something new to my list of Wooly Owl Items, a refreshed take on something OOpsy.........



       STAY TUNED!

The NEW WOOly Owl - COmforting upcycled Owls with Oganic flax seed and lavender

wOOly Owls 

Filled with love, wool, organic flax seed and soothing herbs

These one-of-kind wOOly Owls were made especially for your little owlets:

Each wOOly Owl carries on his back a sachet of organic flax seed and herbs which can be put into the microwave or freezer to cool or calm your restless baby. Becoming a little pillow that one can rest their little head upon or something to be clutched in the night, wOOly owls take on a personality of their own.

From their filling to their eyes, every part of your wOOly owl is made with natural fibres that one can eventually lay to rest in the compost ~ Back to which it came.

From my hands to yours ♥

At the Gravenhurst Farmer's Market

Princess the wOOly Owl

Tesla The wOOly Owl

Snotz The wOOly Owl

Aunt whOO? Reusable Menstral Pads

Throughout a woman’s lifetime, it’s believed that she will use an average of 16,800 pads or tampons. Tampons and pads can be cheap, but what if you could eliminate having to purchase them each month?  You’ll be saving so much money over your lifetime, and also eliminating thousands of tampons and pads from making their way into our landfills

Aunt whOO? reusable pads aremade from flannel, and are nice for women that prefer pads to tampons.  Cloth menstrual pads are used like a regular disposable pad, and are much more comfortable.  A large benefit of cloth menstrual pads over disposable pads is the fact that you are not exposing your feminine parts to toxins by direct contact.  Disposable pads are made of chemically treated wood pulp!  Yikes!!

Aunt whOO? Reusable Menstral Pads........

 A pocket on the bottom side allows additional inserts (available as well at www.etsy.com/shop/thewoolyowl.com ) to accomidate varying flows

Reusable Menstral Pads

Snaps ensure a secure pad that won't float. (Also makes for a perfect and discrete package)

Love and Care:

Rinse off then soak in cold water. Machine wash; lay flat to dry.

Random Acts - Farmer's Market Season Opening (May 18th)

          "The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead." 

The idea that by "passing it on" to three people, they in turn will "pass it on" to three more people and on and on and on......

 

 The idea that one good act of kindness in turn reciprocates further acts as a consequence is an inspiring way to begin a season of natural goodness at the Gravenhurst Farmers' Market starting this May 18th in the Muskoka Wharf Events Field. 

I thought it would be best  to take this idea and transfer it into one that will assist an unknowing mother in need in the town of Gravenhurst.  Individuals can submit a name of a deserving mother  who will be chosen to receive a  wOOly Owl Care Package which  includes a wOOly sOaker, Reusable Organic Nursing Pads and even a calming, herb-filled wOOly Owl. 

 Please take the time now to think about this particular Momma-in-need of some natural loven (of a wOOly kind:) and bring her name to my tent. 

And do your part....pay it forward.

From my hands to yours,

{o,o}  The wOOly Owl

 |)__)

  -”-”-

ecocentric: Just Unpacked: wOOly Owl

ecocentric: Just Unpacked: wOOly Owl: "The wOOly Owl products are now available at Ecocentric.


Excited to be blogged about!!!