“In 1973 I set out to do drawings of women’s genitals for use in sex education groups. I wanted the drawings to be lovely and informative, to give pleasure and affirmation. I organized the drawings into a coloring book because a major way we learn to understand the world, as children, is by coloring. As adults many of us still need to learn about our external sexual anatomy.” -Tee Corinne
We often get asked what the difference is between The DivaCup and tampons. As is the case with disposable pads and Lunapads, it really is a bit of an apples and oranges situation, however this video answers some important questions about differences in size and respective amounts of waste generated.
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:
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!
It is fabulous to see the response to the previous post about holistic options for yeast infections. Author and Medical Herbalist Katolen Yardley has taken the time to respond to readers’ comments and provide more detail, in particular to questions about the safety and effectiveness of douching, yoghurt, Tea Tree essential oil and common OTC (over the counter) mainstream remedies.
K
atolen writes:
Reviewing some of the comments from readers it is apparent that clarification is needed regarding certain terminology and to ascertain whether we are at the same starting place. Of course an accurate diagnosis should always be sought before ANY steps are taken with remedying one’s ailment, always. The purpose of the post is to provide numerous tools and resources for women – not only just pharmaceutical options – once she knows that a yeast infection exists.
Effectiveness is easy to assess. Yeast infections are disruptive, uncomfortable and annoying. If one has a yeast infection, ANY relief is welcome and one will quickly be able to assess what is helping and making a difference and what is not. Perhaps one of the best ways to assess how home remedies work, is to try them out and have a personal experience. Feedback from clients, students and customers all indicate that herbal remedies DO WORK.
Many women have encountered the endless cycle of using OTC medications and find that they are NOT addressing the problem, and the yeast infection comes back – this is when many women become frustrated with mainstream medical treatments and often start investigating other holistic options. Herbal remedies are tried and true (they do not work for everyone all the time, yet they are an option) – their effectiveness is known through trying them. They are gentle and one will quickly know if they are providing relief.
 |
Suzanne and I happened to meet Katolen Yardley MNIMH, a Medical Herbalist, a few weeks ago at a dinner party. She caught our attention immediately with her vibrant personality and passion for women’s health. She is also the owner of the Alchemy & Elixir Wellness Centre in downtown Vancouver. We were thrilled when she agreed to provide her expertise as a holistic medical professional on helping women deal with a common issue, yeast infections. Check out her easy and effective natural tips below!
 |
A typical yeast infection, also known as candida albicans, is a fungus normally present in the body in small amounts. The presence of other healthy flora keeps the bodies levels of candida albicans in check, however the vaginal flora is very sensitive, responding immediately to any changes in our environment. If any triggers disrupt the sensitive balance of good and bad bacteria, candida albicans can flourish.
I am really excited about this video, and hope that it will be the first of several about how women connect with their fertility cycles on a spiritual level.
Back when I first started making Lunapads, I was intrigued by Goddess spirituality and would often participate in women’s rituals around Vancouver in the company of my Goddess-loving BFF, Signy Wilson. They were very moving and beautiful and I fondly remember the power and magic of being in community with other women in this unique way. What has stayed with me from those experiences is a profound sense of Sisterhood (chief among Lunapads’ core values) as well as a deep awareness of my connection to Nature’s other cyclical mysteries via my menstrual cycle.
As if we weren’t already jealous and mildly tweaked when we saw Kotex’s progressive “U by Kotex” campaign last year engage millions of girls and women to talk positively about periods – the folks at Kotex have done it again. But this time, with the help of a celebrity fashionista, Patricia Field of Sex and the City fame.
In their latest campaign, called “Ban the Bland“, with the help of a cool online tool, budding artists are asked to help design a limited edition fashionable menstrual pad and win a trip to New York Fashion Week. Wait a minute: a fashionable menstrual pad? Isn’t that what Madeleine set out to do 18 years ago when she made her first set of Lunapads? Sheesh, we’re really starting to feel like Kotex is taking a page from everything Lunapads has done to make periods cool, stylish and fun.
Kudos to Kotex for investing in positive messages about periods (in a way that we could never afford to do!) and revitalizing the feminine hygiene product category. But let’s not forget that at the end of the day they are still pushing disposable pads and tampons (that happen to be priced up to 50% higher than other disposables.) Disposable feminine hygiene products are an ugly environmental blight to our planet; according to E-magazine, Franklin and Associates reports that over 12 billion pads and tampons go into North American landfills every year. I haven’t worn a disposable pad in a decade but remember how they feel: sticky, sweaty and made from plastic and other synthetic materials. Is that cool? I don’t think so.
What’s your take? Do you like what Kotex is doing? What ideas do you have for us to help get our message out to girls and women that Lunapads have always made beautiful menstrual pads that are better for your body and the earth? We want your ideas!
Always on the look out for great products that embody eco-positive messages, it made perfect sense to introduce Hathor Lubricant to our collection of “Extras” (the category name we use for additional great products we love).
Hey, wait a minute! Am I really talking publicly about lubes? Yup, I have become such a fan of this product that I’m willing to go all out and publicly attest to its outstanding quality and efficacy for it’s intended purpose (wink!).
Further to my earlier post in this series about women’s “hip” (read inner mojo) power, I’d like to share a couple of examples from a more creative perspective.
I recently revisited Lucille Clifton’s classic poem “homage to my hips” and felt compelled to share it for those who have not yet had the pleasure. Please check it out – this is such a powerful message about women’s power and body positivity.
Today is an exciting day at Lunapads: we’re sending out our largest Pads4Girls shipment ever!
Pads4Girls is an in-house project where we sell cost-priced daily hygiene kits to customers and non-profit groups to give to women and girls in developing countries. It can be hard to imagine, but lacking something as everyday as panties, pads or tampons is preventing girls in many parts of the world from going to school. Girls can miss up to 20% of their education, which can spiral into earlier dropout, marriage and childbirth, increased chances of maternal mortality, reduced career choices and wages, and a less empowered life overall.
