This is for the ladies
If you do not want to read about menstruation, or the tools involved, please skip to the next entry on your friend's page.
Awhile ago I checked out a nonfiction book from the library about a British woman who tries to be more eco-conscious in her life, gradually changing various aspects of everyday living. There were changes one might expect, such as subscribing to a veg box scheme, relying on organic, locally-grown foods, composting, organic/fairtrade everything, etc.... and then there was The Mooncup. This is above and beyond anything I've ever considered doing in the name of helping the environment. I get veg boxes every week. I use public transportation exclusively. I recycle. I shop at Marks & Spencers, and practically everything there is Fairtrade! I thought I was doing pretty good... but the more I thought about it, the more I realized The Mooncup is like the ultimate way of saying, "You know what, Mother Earth? I'm gonna take one for the team... for you."
And so I bought my very own Mooncup from Boots a few days later, not sure what to expect. I gave myself time before I would need to use it. Time to prepare... to read and re-read the instruction manual fifty times... to decide if I was really committed to saying, Nay! I will not use over 10,000 disposable tampons and pads in my lifetime which will ultimately end up in a landfill, possibly never to break down into some sort of organic material again!
Time passed, and I had all but forgotten about my little Eco-friend, until another *ahem* friend came to visit yesterday. It was finally game time, and I wasn't sure I was ready to do this. I hadn't practiced... I'd forgotten the instructions... I hadn't sterilized it yet! But I said to myself, it's now or never. Besides, my husband isn't home to get all grossed-out. So I re-read the booklet, I boiled my Mooncup for the recommended 5-7 minutes, and I did something for the Earth that I never imagined I would do. I was a little fearful. Would it be messy? Painful? Unhygienic? Would it stay in place? What if I could NEVER get it out?
But after a day of use, you know what? It's pretty awesome. There is a definite technique involved, but it's much more comfortable than either tampons or pads, and at £20 it's far cheaper, since you only ever need one in your lifetime (or possibly two if you are under 30 and haven't had children), and it's totally green. The only side effect I've noticed is that I have to pee more often..but that could just be me.
I never imagined the day would come when I would tell someone, "My vagina is being SO eco-friendly right now!!"
Awhile ago I checked out a nonfiction book from the library about a British woman who tries to be more eco-conscious in her life, gradually changing various aspects of everyday living. There were changes one might expect, such as subscribing to a veg box scheme, relying on organic, locally-grown foods, composting, organic/fairtrade everything, etc.... and then there was The Mooncup. This is above and beyond anything I've ever considered doing in the name of helping the environment. I get veg boxes every week. I use public transportation exclusively. I recycle. I shop at Marks & Spencers, and practically everything there is Fairtrade! I thought I was doing pretty good... but the more I thought about it, the more I realized The Mooncup is like the ultimate way of saying, "You know what, Mother Earth? I'm gonna take one for the team... for you."
And so I bought my very own Mooncup from Boots a few days later, not sure what to expect. I gave myself time before I would need to use it. Time to prepare... to read and re-read the instruction manual fifty times... to decide if I was really committed to saying, Nay! I will not use over 10,000 disposable tampons and pads in my lifetime which will ultimately end up in a landfill, possibly never to break down into some sort of organic material again!
Time passed, and I had all but forgotten about my little Eco-friend, until another *ahem* friend came to visit yesterday. It was finally game time, and I wasn't sure I was ready to do this. I hadn't practiced... I'd forgotten the instructions... I hadn't sterilized it yet! But I said to myself, it's now or never. Besides, my husband isn't home to get all grossed-out. So I re-read the booklet, I boiled my Mooncup for the recommended 5-7 minutes, and I did something for the Earth that I never imagined I would do. I was a little fearful. Would it be messy? Painful? Unhygienic? Would it stay in place? What if I could NEVER get it out?
But after a day of use, you know what? It's pretty awesome. There is a definite technique involved, but it's much more comfortable than either tampons or pads, and at £20 it's far cheaper, since you only ever need one in your lifetime (or possibly two if you are under 30 and haven't had children), and it's totally green. The only side effect I've noticed is that I have to pee more often..but that could just be me.
I never imagined the day would come when I would tell someone, "My vagina is being SO eco-friendly right now!!"