This past week was school vacation week for many families on the east coast. We are big alpine skiers and try to spend our vacations out on the slopes. Although there hasn’t been much snow this season, we still managed to get some skiing in. Most of the days were spent gearing up three children in snow pants, ski boots and helmets so we could spend the majority of the day outside on the mountain.

For those of you who are non-skiers, skiing generally entails being outside, in a remote area, for hours at a time. When you need a bathroom break there’s not always a bathroom in close range. Finding one can take a while and then using it can be a big production. The skis need to come off, the multiple layers of ski gear needs to be shed and somehow you need to get to the bathroom in those big, clunky ski boots. Not a small effort. Add changing a tampon or pad to the mix and there’s no question I would have been sitting in the lodge with a cup of hot cocoa (for those of you not interested in hearing about tampons, pads and reusable menstrual cups now’s your chance to opt out of the discussion).

As some of you know, I started using a reusable Softcup a few months ago. I’ve been reporting to you on my progress and it’s been slow and steady. This month I’m feeling a bit more comfortable with it and can finally say that I have successfully greened my period.

What does “greening” your period mean?

Fifty to 70 percent of American women use tampons. A typical woman can use anywhere between 8,000 to 17,000 tampons in her lifetime. The number varies quite a bit since every woman is unique and her cycle is different. The average woman throws away up to 300 pounds of feminine hygiene related products in a lifetime. That’s a tremendous amount of waste. Then there’s the plastic wrapper around the tampon box or pads and the paper or plastic packaging around every box and individual tampon or pad. I haven’t even mentioned the cardboard or plastic applicator. So much waste.

The process to make each and every tampon and pad also involves a lot of waste. The cotton alone is resource intensive as the farming of cotton requires large amounts of water, pesticides and fertilizer.

Using organic tampons and pads reduces the amount of waste on the production end, but doesn’t solve the actual waste of the product and packaging.

Reusable Softcup

Reusable Softcup is a menstrual cup that can be worn for up to 12 hours and reused throughout one menstrual cycle. The cup is worn internally, around your cervix, and it collects rather than absorbs menstrual flow. It’s non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, latex-free and completely safe when used as directed.

Softcup is affordable and an eco-friendly alternative to conventional tampons and pads. Think of all the waste that’s avoided by using a resuable menstrual cup.

Back to skiing

I still have to make the occasional trip into the bathroom with one of my boys, but I don’t have to carry extra, bulky tampons or pads in my ski jacket. The best part-I can stay out for hours and there’s no worry about leaking.

Ready to give it a try? Let me know how you do.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have been hired by Evofem, the parent company for Softcup, in their Softcup Brand Ambassador Program.  This is a “sponsored post.”  Evofem sent me a sample of Softcup and compensated me via a cash payment for this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers and only share my honest opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Photo used under Creative Commons from Laffertyryan/Flickr]

To my parents, in-laws and anyone else who doesn’t want to hear about my menstrual cycle: this post isn’t for you. For the rest of you brave souls, read on…..

A while back I introduced you to the reusable Softcup. Softcup is a flexible cup, worn internally around your cervix that collects rather than absorbs menstrual flow. It replaces the need for tampons and pads if used properly. You can use one reusable softcup throughout an entire cycle…saving you money and helping the environment.

Why make the switch to Softcup from conventional tampons and pads?

• Tampons and pads are wasteful. They are single-use and disposable. They generally come wrapped in plastic or paper which also gets tossed. That’s a lot of waste.
• Conventional tampons are chlorine-bleached and made with synthetic fibers.
• Conventional tampons may contain residues of dioxin, as well as chemicals to aid in absorbency. Think about where you are placing those toxins.
• One of the biggest risks is tampon-induced Toxic-Shock Syndrome (TSS) which is a rare, and potentially fatal, disease.  These risks arise from the synthetic fibers that make tampons and the chemicals used to bleach them.

Not too long ago Kimberly-Clark recalled over 1,400 cartons of tampons, claiming the plastic tubing could contain a bacteria capable of causing “dangerous infections”.

Softcup has never had a reported incidence of Toxic Shock Syndrome. More good news: it doesn’t contain any of the following:

• Bleached cotton
• Pesticides
• Residual fibers
• Dioxins
• Carcinogens
• Latex
• Polycarbonates (PCB)
• Bisphenol-A (BPA)
• Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
• Phthalates

Softcup: the greener option during a workout

I’m a workout-a-holic. I like to be active most days-could be a run, cycling, kickboxing, yoga or skiing (finally there’s snow!). During my workouts I’m moving at a relatively high intensity-jumping around. When it’s that time of the month I used to dread my workouts for fear that my tampon would need to be changed during class or wouldn’t stay where it was supposed to stay. This was especially worrisome when I was a teenager. I have vivid memories of the fear of leakage at an inopportune time. There have been too many times to count when I’ve forgotten my trusty supply of tampons. I’ve had to seek out tampons in some pretty embarrassing situations (haven’t we all?).

I’ve been using Softcup for about 2 months and my learning curve continues. I’m still not perfect at placement (I’m at best awkward), but I’m certainly more comfortable. It’s not easy, but practice will hopefully payoff. One of my favorite Softcup features is that you can wear it for up to 12 hours during any activity. If it’s in properly, you won’t even know it’s there. Softcup is reusable so there’s no need to bring a carton of tampons along. Since I was constantly forgetting them, this was a huge relief.

Ahh-that wasn’t so bad. I think my parents and in-laws could have handled that.  This isn’t the end of my Softcup journey. Thanks to the kind people at Softcup, my Softcup adventures will continue and I will be sharing more not-so-gory menstrual cup details with you.

Have you tried Softcup or any reusable menstrual cup?

[Photo used under Creative Commons from lululemon athletica/Flickr]

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have been hired by Evofem, the parent company for Softcup, in their Softcup Brand Ambassador Program.  This is a “sponsored post.”  Evofem sent me a sample of Softcup and compensated me via a cash payment for this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers and only share my honest opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Brace yourselves.  I’ve decided to ring in the new year by going out on a limb. The topic I’m about to discuss is a bit outside of my comfort zone and could be outside of yours: a menstrual cup. I know that I just lost some of you, but please stick with me. This is for women and men (because you know women who might want to hear about this) and you can handle it.

What is Softcup? Bye bye tampons and pads.

Never heard of a menstrual cup? Softcup is a flexible cup, worn internally around your cervix (do you know where your cervix is?), that collects rather than absorbs menstrual flow. It replaces the need for tampons and pads if used properly.

There are two Softcup options:

1. Disposable which can be worn for up to 12 hours and is then discarded, and
2. Reusable which can be worn for up to 12 hours and reused throughout one menstrual cycle.

My Softcup experience (without being too graphic)

When I was asked by Softcup to try out their product I have to admit I was a little apprehensive. I have birthed children and been using tampons for many years, but I wasn’t sure I knew where my cervix was! I was also pretty happy with my box of organic tampons. Recently a few friends made the switch to a menstrual cup and swore they would never go back-so I was curious and open to giving it a try.

I decided to go with the reusable Softcup (rather than disposable) because it was the greener option. The first attempt at putting it in was pretty awkward-to the point where I had tears of laughter streaming down my face. A deep breath was required and it actually helped. My biggest fear was that once the Softcup was in it wasn’t coming out. Thankfully that’s impossible. Whew! There’s definitely a learning curve and I’m proving that practice makes perfect when it comes to Softcup. I have to say once it’s in properly (took me a few attempts) you can’t feel it at all.

Softcup is a green and eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads

I spend a lot of my time sharing small, simple ways to make a big difference. Switching from disposables to reusable products-napkins, bags and lunch boxes-are simple ways to make a change that has a big impact on our pocketbook and the planet. According to Zero Waste Lifestyle:

A woman who uses tampons is estimated to go through nearly 10,000 in her lifetime. The thousands of applicators disposed of every day contribute to over-clogged landfills and blockage problems at some municipal sewage treatment plants……….Disposable pads have environmental implications….. Often they have plastic backing and are laced with perfumes and odor neutralizers, and may even have a rayon content.

Not only are the tampons and pads wasteful, but they generally come wrapped in plastic or paper which also gets tossed. That’s a lot of waste.

After using Softcup for one cycle I’m hooked. Going forward into 2012 I’m a Softcup convert.

There, you made it through my not-so-gory discussion. Are you hooked or at least open to giving it a shot (or passing the info on to any women in your life)? Thanks to the nice people at Softcup, my Softcup adventures will continue and there will be more info to come.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have been hired by Evofem, the parent company for Softcup, in their Softcup Brand Ambassador Program.  This is a “sponsored post.”  Evofem sent me a sample of Softcup and compensated me via a cash payment for this post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers and only share my honest opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post is sponsored by Social Moms and Seventh Generation.

Have you ever noticed that certain scents from nature bring back childhood memories? Most memories of specific scents come from the first time we smell something, which is usually when we were children. I can think of quite a few scents that trigger incredible childhood memories, however nothing transports me back to my childhood like the smell of the ocean.

The Smell of the Ocean

I spent the majority of my childhood in the lovely city of Madison, Wisconsin. If you take a look at a map you will quickly notice that Wisconsin isn’t anywhere near an ocean. There are many beautiful lakes and other bodies of water in and around Madison, but getting to an ocean is a long trek.

The ocean was still a big part of my childhood. To this day the smell of the salt water and ocean air takes me to a very special place where I spent almost every vacation as a child.

Here are a few clues to help you guess where I was vacationing all those years:

• It was H-O-T and humid, making my hair do all sorts of funny things the minute I stepped off the plane.
• Restaurants opened for dinner at 4:30 and the lines started forming around 3:30 (and we were usually in them).
• Shuffleboard was our afternoon activity. Relatives were hopeful I’d meet that special someone on the shuffleboard court or laying by the pool (didn’t happen).
• When the vacation ended I was very tan (there was a lot of baby oil and very little sunscreen being applied).

If you guessed FLORIDA you were right on.  I was very fortunate to spend almost every vacation with my grandparents on the east coast of Florida. The smell of that salty, thick air brings back incredible memories of the time we spent together.  It was a happy time-a time when my grandparents could spoil me rotten and share stories about coming to America.

The smell of the ocean makes me feel safe and relaxed and reminds me of the many years I spent with my grandparents. I live closer to the ocean now and each trip to the beach is a trip down memory lane. As the smell of the air hits I am reminded of the fabulous times I shared with all four of my grandparents.

Seventh Generation knows that scents are powerful. That’s why Seventh Generation has created a line of dish liquids featuring natural scents from real lemons, clementines and lavender.  To celebrate their new line of dish liquids Seventh Generation is offering a giveaway: you can enter to win a trip for two to one of the regions where lemons, clementines and lavender grow, including France, Italy and Vermont!

What are some scents from nature you love, and where do those scents take you?

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program and I was compensated for this post. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

[Photo used under Creative Commons from epSos.de/Flickr]

It’s impossible to keep up with the latest and greatest cell phones. It seems as though every week a new and improved version of a smart phone is released. As new versions hit the market old phones start to pile up. The average American holds onto a cell phone for 12-18 months.  And then what? E-waste.

E-waste has become a big issue with old cell phones accounting for a large chunk of the problem. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans discard 125 million phones each year, creating 65,000 tons of waste.

An old cell phone tossed into the garbage will end up sitting for years in an overflowing landfill, leaching toxic chemicals (lead, nickel, cadmium, lithium) into the ground.

Reasons to recycle your cell phone and earn some money back

SellCell.com is a price comparison site-they compare prices from all the top phone buyers and let you know how to get the most cash for your old cell.

When SellCell.com contacted me to spread the word about their service I was interested to to find out what they do with the old phones that are sent to them. SellCell.com repurposes phones in a few different ways:

• Used cell phones are refurbished and shipped to developing countries and reused
• Refurbished phones are re-sold, giving them a new life and reducing the need for the manufacture of new phones, which benefits the environment
• Old phones are used to make new ones – benefiting the environment by eliminating the need for manufacturing new parts.

How it works

• Search for your phone on the SellCell site.
• SellCell.com compares prices from all the top cell phone recycling programs so you are guaranteed top dollar for your old phone.
• Mail in for free-SellCell.com only features companies that offer free shipping.
• Payment will be mailed to you once the phone is received.

Before donating or recycling your cell phone, there are three things you need to do:

• Terminate your service.
• Clear the phone’s memory of contacts and other stored information.
  • Manually delete all information, and follow instructions from your wireless carrier or the product manual on how to conduct a factory hard reset;
  • Use data erasing tools that are available on line.
• Remove your SIM card and shred or cut it in half. If you are not sure if your phone uses a SIM card or if you need assistance removing your SIM card, contact your service provider or manufacturer.

Go green and recycle your cell phone. You’ll do something good for the environment and earn yourself some cash at the same time.

Full disclosure: SellCell.com is a sponsor of this site and I did receive compensation in exchange for my honest opinion about their services . The content and opinions are 100% my own and always will be. Promise.

[Photo used under Creative Commons from Yutaka Tsutano/Flickr]