Lunapads Blog

Moon Mysteries Giveaway
Comment below telling us about why you feel like there’s more to our cycles than shedding uterine linings (ie having your period ;-) for a chance to win.

I have just finished reading Moon Mysteries: Reclaiming Women’s Menstrual Wisdom (order here) and despite having my curiosity whetted for the past couple of years by our good friend and longtime Lunapads supporter Nikiah Seeds, was not disappointed. The book is truly a labor of love, written by Nikiah and Nao Sims, and illustrated and designed by Eyan Myers. There is so much that is rich and beautiful about this book and its authors and illustrator that it’s hard to know where to start.

I have read many useful books on the topic of women’s cycles, however none that inspire in quite the way that Moon Mysteries does. Reading it brought me back to a powerful place of reflection over my own menstrual history, leading me to realize how Lunapads itself can be read as a reflection of my own unmet yearning for honoring and connection as a menarchal girl. Moon Mysteries delivers this gift on numerous fronts, inviting meditation, celebration and awareness raising in every phase of the fertility cycle experience.

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For all those living in Vancouver, I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say – this summer has been quite a disappointment. When June arrived, I had unpacked my short shorts, stringy tank tops, and polka dot bikini (I swear I have one) in anticipation of blue skies and hot weather. Unfortunately, my high spirits were trampled by grey skies and chilly weather. I tried a couple of times to step out in a cute summer dress, only to run back home freezing with my tail between my legs.

Regardless of this un-summer like weather, I have been determined to enjoy my summer! Between our busy schedules, my boyfriend and I have been visiting  water falls, having picnics, enjoying free concerts in Whistler, spending way to much money buying Gelatos on Granville Island and strolling around downtown on the weekends.

As much fun as these activities have been, none of them compare to my favorite summer event: The Richmond night market. 

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Suzanne and I were very inspired to meet Kate Northrup when she was in Vancouver with her Mom, Dr. Christiane Northrup, last year. We are thrilled to be seeing Kate here again this weekend at a very interesting-sounding event for women. We will be there handing out sample organic cotton handkerchiefs, so come on down! If you’re in the Vancouver area and would like a chance at winning a free ticket, please comment below letting us know why you’d like to come.

Sexy Healthy Wealthy Women is a one day event presented by 7 female powerhouse presenters:

• Get your sexual energy flowing with Kim Anami
• Find out about Healthy Sexy Hormones with Dr. Anita Tannis
• Learn How to Live a Healthier, Happier, More Passionate Life That You Love with Dr.Susan Biali
• Stand in Your Power with Sue Dumais
• Hear from author and Medical Intuitive Caroline Sutherland
• Special guest speaker Kate Northrup will present on Women & Wealth

Spend the day with like minded women and start flourishing!

9:30am – 4:30 pm
Sunday May 29, 2011
Centennial Theatre
2300 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC  V7M 3L1

Tickets $50 HST included (or comment below for a chance to win a free ticket!)
To receive a 10 % discount call the box office and mention the code word: Wisdom
To receive a 20 % discount please purchase 10 or more tickets by calling the box office.
Tickets available through the Theatre Box Office by phone: 604-984-4484
For more information click here.

Hope to see you there!

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Ladies Rock Camp Vancouver is a 3-day version of Girls Rock Camp Vancouver, which had its first session in summer 2009. Girls Rock Camp is an international non-profit organization that was created as a forum to help girls ages 8-18 build self-esteem through music creation and performance. But ladies want and need to rock too! At LRC Vancouver, ladies of all ages and skill levels will get a chance to do just that – they will form bands, write songs together, and perform their original songs at an amazing showcase. And the coolest part of all is that all the proceeds from LRC go toward providing food and supplies for Girls Rock Camp Vancouver.

Visit the GRCV website to learn more >>

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Ok, maybe “superstar” is a bit too far.

But tonight, BCBusiness Magazine (we’re pictured here with Editor Matt O’Grady, image courtesy of Dave Roels) announced  that Lunapads  is one of BC’s 20 Leading Innovators for 2011! We’re thrilled at this recognition and honour, and to be in the company of so many other great business leaders. Check out lucky number 17!

To us, innovation means not only doing something original, but taking on a quest that may seem daunting to others. It means creating a vision with an edge of bravery that results in a uniquely meaningful impact.

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March 8, 2011 marks the hundredth anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD). In keeping with our annual tradition, we are celebrating at Lunapads by offering 20% off everything on the site for 3 days as a thank you to all of our fabulous customers. While we’re at it, we are also going to be donating 1% of total sales to Pads4Girls during the sale.

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We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest Lunarevolution sister, Kim Anami. Kim is a life coach who specializes in sex and intimacy, and has some powerful things to say about the connection between our intimate lives, wellbeing and sense of personal power. Stay tuned for some video interviews looking at the intersection of sex and periods, and in the meantime please enjoy this insightful guest blog post about natural birth control and fertility awareness. Those of you in the Vancouver area can attend her upcoming workshop on this topic February 15th.

Question: What is the sexiest, easiest and safest form of birth control?

Answer: Your finger.

I’m often shocked at how many people haven’t heard of this method. It’s is also called the Billings or cervical mucous method, having been discovered by Australian husband and wife team, Dr. John and Evelyn Billings. It’s a simple, fast, body-safe and even sexy way to diagnose fertility.

It makes sense that since every other female on the planet of other species gives clear signs of fertility, that humans ought to as well.

We do.

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For the past few years, I have had the pleasure of attending what I consider to be one of the best business leadership retreats for mission-based entrepreneurs and social change leaders.  Hollyhock’s Social Venture Institute is a unique blend of business, inspiration, education and fun.  Situated on picturesque Cortes Island overlooking the coastal waters of the Strait of Georgia, Hollyhock is a little piece of paradise.

While it can be quite a trek getting there, I make the effort (and my family makes the sacrifice) to attend this five day retreat so that I can connect with other social entrepreneurs, learn and become inspired by successful leaders, give back to the business community by offering my time to others, and rejuvinate my soul.

This year, I managed to pack into one particular day, what could be described as the ultimate SVI experience: nourished on a delicious vegetarian buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner (read: no cooking or cleaning!), gathered valuable business tips from an interesting case study about Sprig Toys (cool recycled plastic toys), took a refreshing swim in the ocean, indulged in a craniosacral massage therapy treatment, received some kick-ass business advice from some seasoned strategists (watch out world, here we come!), provided some one-on-one advice for a start up entrepreneur, collaborated with some colleagues on e-commerce and social marketing strategies, feasted on raw & barbequed Cortes Island oysters, and listened to the success story of the first female CEO of Canada’s largest credit union.  Phew!  Yes, that was a rather jam packed day, but it is those types of experiences which makes SVI so special.

Another great outcome at SVI is the strong sense of community that builds up during the conference, and endures well beyond the retreat.  While many of us have travelled from all over the world to attend this conference (including SAWA hero Seleman from Rwanda) we quickly discover, after spending 5 meaningful days together, that the world is really quite small and that, in spite of the enormous challenges we individually and collectively face, if we stay connected and support each other, we can still make a measurable impact on the world.
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In Vancouver, while there are many lovely stores to purchase mama, baby and earth friendly products, one of my favourites is Little Earth, located right beside my midwives clinic.  Run by Mariska and Flavia, Little Earth carries unique, high-quality childrens clothing and toys, as well as consignment clothing for mamas-to-be and children.

In honour of Mother’s Day and to thank the amazing Mamas who have supported them, Little Earth will be hosting a Free Mommy Make Over Day.  So, if you are a local Vancouver Mama, consider treating yourself to some pampering.  While you’re there, please consider doing some shopping that day for the little ones in your life, as Little Earth is generously donating 10% of all sales on this day to our very own Pads4Girls program! Deets below…

Join us for a day of well deserved pampering and treats!

There will be professional make up artists, hair stylists and Indian head Massage all for you!  10 % of all sales on this day will be donated to Pads4Girls.

You can pre- book to secure your spot, but walk-ins are always welcome.
Where: Little Earth
When: Sat May 9 noon-4 pm
Who : Beautiful Mama’s and Mama’s to be
How :  Pre-book 778-737-7004

littleearthvancouver@gmail.com

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It’s April and we’ll be kicking off an exciting month focused on Pads4Girls and community outreach.

To help support some of our current partners going to Africa, we’ll be holding a Pads4Girls Benefit Tea with Peggy O’Mara at Lunapads on Friday, April 17th.  More details forthcoming in a future post as we finalize our plans.  Needless to say, I am buzzing with excitement about having Peggy here at Lunapads.  I have been a reader of Mothering Magazine for 6 years and a huge fan of Peggy’s books.  The magazine and website has been a constant source of information and inspiration for me as a mother.

Also this month, Lunapads is a sponsor and exhibitor at the Healthy Families conference in Vancouver.  In addition to key note speaker Peggy O’Mara, this two day event will feature speakers and workshops with topics to help build community for our children at home and in school.  I am looking forward to establishing new connections and gathering ideas on how to strengthen the relationship between family, children and community.  The event is April 18 – 19th and you can get tickets here.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes in our global community, momentum is building for projects like AfriPads.  Over the next few months, we will be closely following the journey of a young couple (Paul Grinvalds and Sonia Klumps) who are working in Uganda with plans to make cloth pads.  We were introduced to Paul and Sonia by Carrie-Jane Williams, who is also busy networking with other folks to help make her dream of pads being made in Africa happen.  Next week, Madeleine and I are attending a benefit dinner for Partners in the Horn of Africa, a not for profit organization that works in Ethiopia to provide infrastructure improvements, health and welfare and women’s anti-poverty projects.  We hope to learn more about how individuals and organizations are helping to make the lives of girls and women in Africa better and how Lunapads can help.

In the meantime, please continue supporting our partner organizations in our Donate section.  Thank you!

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