Welcome to Bugs and Brooms!

I have been more than a little remiss about keeping up with my own No Trash Challenge.  It is not that I have totally blown the plan but I certainly had a couple of weeks that were not worth of discussing (or I was just too embarrassed to admit to the carnage)! 

The main problem that I faced was the preparation for our yard sale and the subsequent cleaning out that ensued.  I won’t bore you with all of the details but it wasn’t pretty!  And the sad thing is, when the yard sale only brought a grand total of 4 customers over 2 days, we gave up.  We packed the clothes back up and took them to Goodwill.  I had a gazillion books that I had accumulated over the years and we donated those to the Monroe County Public Library.  And there are still things in the garage that need to be taken to Goodwill or other charities or given away to friends and family.  But, we have made a significant impact on our clutter and just have a few more things to go through before we can claim victory!

So, I haven’t been able to get down to one container every 2 months but I am still managing one per month (with the exception of the yard sale, clutter clear out, garage organizing garbage).  But I am still determined to do better and we are working on other improvements in our waste generation such as our compost bin.  No longer does our food waste go in the trash - we now have a large container next to the kitchen sink that is used to collect all scraps (with the exception of meat - we try to keep it out of the compost to prevent rodents from moving in).  We are still working to reduce our packaging by buying in bulk, not using plastic bags for every single item, and by reusing as many containers as possible (laundry and dishwashing, etc.).  We have also converted to bar soap for shampoo and bath which will eliminate those plastic containers that we have routinely purchased for personal hygiene.  And DH got a new, double-edge, safety razor for Father’s Day (though back ordered so it didn’t arrive until last week) that will last the rest of his life and only requires the blade to be changed once in a blue moon.

Anyway, that is our update.  I will start doing monthly posts on this instead of weekly (which hasn’t happened in a while anyway)!  And I am still planning on some cool prize drawing for those that are participating so jump in if you want to give it a try!  There are several other posts on ways that we have cut back on our trash that you can read about - just see the links on the Challenge post!

Tags: 'Farm life', Consumerism, Frugal Living, Gardening, Green Living, Simple Living, Simple and Green by
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We went to the drive-in last night to take DD to see the new Disney/Pixar movie Wall-E.  I was a little concerned the first 15 minutes or so - there were few words and those were in a techno-robot dialect making it difficult for little ears to understand.  DD busied herself playing with my phone and I hoped that the words would start flowing from Wall-E and grab the attention of my imaginative toddler.  And, so it was.  She became entranced with Wall-E, his romantic interest Eve, and his best friend - a lovely cockroach (she is familiar with roaches as I have ranted about in previous posts, but I digress).

The story was about a lone robot left on earth to single-handedly clean up the landfill that the planet had become thanks to the endless consumer habits and unsustainable living practices of its previous inhabitants - humans.  The human race had to abandon their once beautiful and life sustaining home in search of other planets to ‘take-over’ and destroy and were still searching for a place to plant some roots after over 700 years in space. 

What is worse is that the entire population had become even lazier, more gluttonous, and more waste generating than their ancestors when they left the earth.  Overweight, eating liquid food, moving around in high-tech wheelchairs and being waited on 24 hours a day by robots only continues to create a society that doesn’t understand the consequences of their actions.  They don’t even know what plant-life is as they just veg day after day on their luxurious spacecraft!  We didn’t seem to learn anything!!

Fortunately, some robots on this mammoth inter-galactic cruise ship, were created to visit other planets in search of some sign of life - Wall-E’s love interest, Eve, is one of those robots.  Wall-E takes the earths’ trash and compresses it, little by little, into small cubes which he then uses to show his creative side.  But he also collects items that interest him and keeps them in his ‘home’.  On one of his clean-up routines, Wall-E finds a small little plant that he adds to his collection.

But enough about the plot of the movie.  It is cute and has a great message - check it out with your children.  But I really don’t know if people will ‘get it’.  I mean, it wasn’t like the earth was completely wiped out - we just went away for several centuries on a high-tech vacation.  Do we really believe that we will be able to do that?  Honestly, my own family thinks I am losing it - they have even asked if I am going to come home one weekend driving a Volkswagen Van!  I just laugh at them and say ‘maybe’.  Does it get good gas mileage? 

Many people don’t believe in global warming.  Ok.  But shouldn’t we still live responsibly and take care of what we have?  Shouldn’t we teach our children and grandchildren that life is precious in all forms and that everything we do has consequences that we may not be able to see right away?  I know that I don’t want to leave my daughter with a dried-up, lifeless planet.  I don’t want to keep adding to the problem with mindless consumerism and unsustainable living practices. 

I really wish this movie would have been released earlier.  It has a similar message to An Inconvenient Truth and Affluenza but it is presented in an easy-to-see format for those who just don’t believe we are making a big mess of the earth.  Although it is a children’s movie, it should really hit home with adults.  Maybe this animated movie will show a few viewers that we have to change our habits.  If not to save the planet, just to do what is right.  They go hand-in-hand.  And one person doing the right thing can have a big impact.  Everything takes baby steps and has to start somewhere.  For my family and my community, it starts with me!  It starts with YOU!

Tags: Community, Family and Friends, Frugal Living, Green Living, Homeschooling, Parenting, Simple Living, Simple and Green by
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Since I started this blog, I have found some very inspiring and mind blowing fellow-bloggers on the scene.  Most have been blogging for a while and really know their stuff.  My blog was not focused on any particular issue - I wanted it to be a general blog that covered the happenings in my life.  Strangely, it has taken on a mind of it’s own with the primary focus being on green and sustainable living.  The main reason for this is my admiration and support of those superhero green bloggers out there - I spend a lot of time writing posts in support of their challenges and projects.  And, as a side-note, blogging is VERY time consuming - more on that in a later post. 

So the latest challenge out there is by Crunchy Chicken.  I have actually signed up for several of Crunchy’s challenges including The Diva Cup challenge and others (one involving bodily fluids that I am not brave enough to write about yet)! 

This particular challenge is ‘Keep Yer Cool - Save the Earth, Skip the A/C June - September 2008′!  That’s right!  It is going to be a super hot summer and we are going to sweat like pigs!  I mean stinky, stinky sweat!  Of course, I am cold natured so this won’t be too terrible for me BUT, DH is a furnace and LOVES his A/C!  And DD is the same.  We co-sleep and I am in the middle of these 2 furnaces!  Even in the dead of winter these two are HOT, HOT, HOT!  And not the sexy hot either (well, DH is sexy hot - oops, I digress)!  Where was I? 

Oh yeah.

In honor of this challenge, I have committed to turning up our thermostat to 80!  This could be a serious problem in the relationship department - men and women usually don’t agree about money and the temperature - but I am going to give it a try!  If a battle ensues, I will relent to 78 but only on extremely hot days or when DH seems ready to bolt!  DD will be fine - she likes to strip done to her skivvies anyway!  OK, she likes to run around butt naked like all of her fellow toddlers!  

So here’s to sweating and Keepin’ Your Cool Naturally!  Just think of all the money we will save by keeping that thermostat up! This one’s for you planet earth!!  And if want in on the fun, just click on the banner and post a comment!  The more the merrier!  I mean, the smellier (or would that be more smelly?) the merrier…

Tags: Frugal Living, Give Back, Green Living, Money Matters, Simple Living, Simple and Green, co-sleep by
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I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about my life and my life’s purpose.  Honestly, I seem to have lost my joy somewhere and I am having a hard time finding it.  There are many reasons that have brought me to this point but what can I do to recover and see the real  beauty in the things around me again? 

I am a huge fan of being grateful for what you have:  Let’s face it, if you are in this country, the US, you have it made compared to people living in undeveloped and even developing countries.  And, even if you think you are at the bottom of the food chain, you should take another look around.  How many people do you know or know of that have cancer or some other terrible disease?  How many people do you know that have enormous financial burdens to the point that they are consumed with worry?  How many people do you know who live in poverty every day and don’t have any idea where there next meal will come from?  Maybe you have some similar problems but you can always look around you to find someone who is in more desperate circumstances. 

The sad reality is that we all get caught up in our own problems.  And yes, these problems are real and they often seem enormous to us - at least until we take a step back and look at the big picture.

For me though, something is missing.  I am not referring to financial independence - I gave that up several years ago to be a stay-at-home mom.  I am also not talking about the materialistic things that I don’t have - those things don’t really matter to me.  I have never been a big spender, I don’t like to shop (I know, strange for a woman), and I don’t really care what the Joneses think about what type of car I drive or the house that I live in.  What seems to be bothering me is my lack of belonging; my lack of community involvement; my need to be around and with people and the fact that I now spend most days with my daughter (not complaining - I love every minute of it) and the occasional phone call from distant friends and family to keep me connected.

Most of my ties in TN have already been severed.  Not by my choice.  That is just how things often happen when people aren’t together on a regular basis. 

Of course, moving away from any place that has been ‘home’ for a while leaves one feeling a little lost.  There is a huge adjustment period.  This is true for everyone even if the move is returning to your own hometown after being away for a few years.  Things change.  People change.  Time does not stand still or wait for anyone.

I know that a lot of people can move around without all of that emotional stress and that has been true for me, in the past.  But now, I am struggling.  I am just a very socially driven person - I really need to fellowship with others on some frequency.  OK.  Maybe needi is too strong.  I mean, how did homesteaders deal with living ‘out’ and not seeing anyone but immediate family for weeks and even months?  It wasn’t like they could load up in the family minivan like many rural families do today, to head to the city park for a play date!  Of course, they did get together regularly for celebrations, deaths, and TO HELP each other with projects and gardening.  They also had regular socials that included food, fiddles, and dancing.  Does this type of living still exist?  I suppose with the Amish.  But I don’t think I can be Amish?  Can I?  Or maybe in other countries?  Maybe those tribes in Brazil that have never been contacted? 

I am involved in some moms groups that have provided some contact with adults recently.  They have some wonderful events and activities that I enjoy.  But I haven’t really clicked  with anyone.  And I am not a big ‘MOMS Night Out’ person.  I like being home in the evening with my husband and daughter.  I don’t think we have enough family time as it is - maybe it is because DH works so much?  Hum?

So what is a girl to do?  With all of my research on improving my health and well-being, as well as that of my family, I have made some minor changes.  You know - organic foods, all natural personal care products, etc..  All of these things seem to have many common and mutual turf.  I have found that people living simply are also living green and vice versa.  The same is true for folks living frugally; simplicity is one of their dear friends.  And us green folk, well, unless we are are arguing amongst ourselves about things like overpopulation (you know, breeders vs. non-breeders), are mostly living simple and frugal lifestyles.  Many of these groups have very similar beliefs (no, not religious beliefs) with an occasional philosophical difference. 

So, where does that leave me?  Oh yeah.  I was considering moving to Brazil, right?  Is that an option?  Probably not.

So that leaves me right here in Bloomington, Indiana with no family, no real friends yet, and a deep longing to feel connected again.  I need to feel wanted and needed by someone other than my DH and DD (not that having them want and need me is a bad thing - far from it)!  I just need a sense of purpose.

I have looked into volunteering in the community but that is almost impossible with a toddler (unless you get a sitter - not really into sitters either especially when I barely know a soul here).  I spend time at the library but you can’t really chat at the library.  You know - SHHHHH!  And park play-days aren’t very good places for bonding - too busy making sure the little dumpling isn’t jumping from the top of the play-set!

But after deep thought and while reading Circle of Simplicity by Cecile Andrews, I have decided to start a Simplicity Study Group in Bloomington.  I checked out the simpleliving.net website and discovered there was not a group in Bloomington.  My original plan was just to join a group already in progress - no luck on that one.  So I just started one myself.  Yeah for me!

I am not sure if anyone will join me but I really hope so.  I am even hoping to have some part of it online for those who want to participate outside the Bloomington area (if anyone wants to).  My next few blog posts will be focused on this group and the process outlined in the The Circle of Simplicity.  If you want to join in, just send me an email or add a comment to this post.

Let’s see what we can do together to improve our own lives as well as the lives of those around us.  Not to mention the positive impact we can have on our wallets and the world.  Just a few of us really can make a difference.

Tags: Circle of Simplicity, Community, Family and Friends, Frugal Living, Green Living, Simple Living, Simple and Green, Simplicity Study Group by
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I am thrilled to report that our garden has been planted!!  It was no easy task and DD made it almost impossible to complete, but we did it!  We have 10 beautiful rows of vegetables and herbs!  Putting all of those little seeds in the ground was so much fun!  That is where I have been the past few days - tilling and planting!

It was hard to keep DD from stepping on our newly buried treasure and she kept laying down and rolling in the dirt!  She is a little tomboy!  She loved playing with the dirt and holding the seeds!

Our garden is not very big but it should give the three of us plenty of food to put away for the winter!  But planting is just one of the many milestones or gardening.  Here are the challenges that we will be facing:

• Rain - I don’t think it will ever stop raining here.  I have plans ready to start building our ark!
• I don’t have a green thumb - actually, it is BLACK.  Hopefully DH has some growing skills in him!
• Rain!
• Critters - in addition to the ones I have already posted about, we also have a ton of deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, and other great creatures that we will have to keep out of the garden - somehow.
• Did I mention rain?
• Other pests that I am clueless about.  I am sure I will have more to post on that later.
• DD - She loves the garden but I am afraid she will want to ‘help’ a little too much!  She is really bad about ‘picking’ flowers.  I am hoping that we can make the garden a great little classroom for her as we have with most things we do inside and out.  She is a sponge at this age and it is fun to watch her explore and learn!  I just hope we will have something to harvest at the end of the season.
• Rain - it has started raining again!  I hope it doesn’t wash our little garden away - or the little seeds that we planted.  It is coming down really hard!  Good grief!  Where did I put those ark materials?

And those are just the few I can think of right now.  We definitely have our work cut out for us.  I think our summer will be spent tending the garden but the payoff will be worth it if we can just get something to grow.

Here is a list of all our veggies that we planted:

Herbs:

• Sweet Basil
• Parsley
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Thyme
• Marjoram
• Sage

Veggies:

• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Green and Red Peppers
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Jalapenos
• Peas
• Chard
• Cantaloupe
• Cucumbers
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Beans
• Corn

We are also going to pick up some tomato plants at the Farmer’s Market to add to our seed tomatoes.  Just in case.  And I have some lavender and dill that I want to plant on the edge of the garden.

We weren’t really sure about the design that we used and this is certainly a learning process for us.  We did some research online and found some ideas but we will see if they will work for us. 

I can’t wait to reap the fruits (or veggies) of our labor!  Yummy!

Tags: 'Farm life', Frugal Living, Gardening, Homeschooling, Simple Living, Simple and Green by
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I am very embarrassed to say that this past week didn’t go so well for my No Trash Challenge!  In fact, it was just plain terrible.  DH and I have decided that we need to scale back on our belongings in support of our simple living efforts.  That is great!  But that cleaning out process has generated some not so simple garbage!

I have been something of a pack-rat over the years.  Not really sure why or where that habit came from but I have accumulated a ton of ’stuff’.  Nothing of great value or importance but things that I thought might come in handy one day in the future.  Often, I have been in need of something that has been saved in the event of an ‘emergency’ but 99% of the time when I need a particular something, I forget that I have it stored somewhere or I can’t remember where I put it (if I remember it at all - yes, I am losing my mind)!

On top of the pack-rat mentality, we have moved a lot over the past few years and there are things still unpacked, in boxes, that we have just forgotten about having or needing (ok, maybe not needing).  What all of this boils down to is a lot of JUNK!  But one mans’ trash may be anothers’ treasure so we are planning to have a yard sale in the next few weeks.

But, that still doesn’t help my trash situation.  The cleanup has included the removal of packing materials and other miscellaneous items that either can’t be recycled, broke, or not functional.  I have yet to get a total amount but should have an idea by next weekend.  It will not be good.  As far as regular trash goes, we are doing ok.  But trash is trash and by the time this spring cleaning is all finished, I may have my own little landfill to deal with.  My new goal - no more junk, clutter, stuff!  It only deteriorates over time and then it is worthless to everyone!

• No Trash Week 1
• No Trash Week 2
• No Trash Week 3
• No Trash Week 4
• No Trash Week 5

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Last night, DH and I decided that we needed a ‘night out on the town’.  We are trying to live simply, get out of debt, and cut back on buying so we thought the drive-in movie would be an OK and somewhat cheaper choice than most options - $14 for both of us (DD was free) to see 2 features (not that we could stay around for the second but it was nice to have the option).

The Starlite Drive-inhere in Bloomington is only a few miles from our house and they were playing 2 new shows including Kung Fu Panda (rated PG so not great for DD but she liked the animals - I just prefer G ratings for her right now) and the last Indiana Jones (didn’t stick around for that one).  DD took a very late nap and we had to wake her up to get to the drive-in by dusk.  While DD slept, we popped popcorn and packed the cooler with drinks,  sandwich supplies, and strawberries. 

We arrived a few minutes before the first movie started and set-up our spot with a blanket and our camp chairs.  Then we settled in for the feature presentation.  The sky was growing darker by the minute and then the weather siren went off!  Nothing like feeling you have just stepped into the movie Twister!  We have heard the sirens a few times since we moved to Indiana but they were much louder at the drive-in!  DD handled it well and continued to play seemingly unfazed by the sound or my anxiety.  When we became concerned that the weather was only going to get worse and started talking about going home, DD got upset - she didn’t want to go home - she wanted to watch the moobie!  So, we stuck with it and talked to some of the local people who were also at the drive-in.  The storm moved to the north fairly quickly and we ended up just getting a few intermittent sprinkles - nothing that dampened our evening (at least not until we got home later in the evening - then the storm really hit).

We had a great time and the lightning, thunder, and wind added an extra treat with mother nature’s own fireworks!  A great night and a lot of fun for everyone with minimal cost.  We hope to make the drive-in a monthly event for our family and bringing our own food and drinks kept us from spending extra money at the concession stand! 

Anyone out there have other ideas for family fun on the cheap?

Tags: Family and Friends, Frugal Living, Money Matters, Parenting by
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For those of you out there who have bottles and sippy cups that contain BPA, you can call your local Babies R Us or Toys R Us store to find out if they are taking these products back.  Although there has been no official recall of products that contain BPA, TRU/BRU are, in my opinion, doing the right thing for their customers! 

If you have been living under a rock and have not heard about BPA, check out the recent post That Water Bottle Contains Toxins for more information.

Not all of the stores are participating in this offer so make sure you call ahead and speak with a manager.  In addition, the stores that are participating are following different procedures; some are offering store credit, others are offering like for like exchanges, etc.  Some stores are not participating at all and have decided to wait until there is an official recall by the FDA - that may or may not happen so take advantage while you can.

I do not have any bottles - DD would never take a bottle so I gave any that I had to friends and family not long after she was born.  BUT, we have a few sippy cups that I would like to exchange at some point. 

For those folks who live in Bloomington, Indiana, the Greenwood Babies R Us (8800 US ROUTE 31 SOUTH
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227 Phone:(317)885-7700) is taking back bottles for an exchange - bottles for bottles.  They may also take sippy cups but you may have to speak with the manager on site.  The Greenwood store does not require receipts and items can be used without any original packaging.  Some stores have indicated that they will only be accepting returned bottles for a short period of time, so get your supplies together and get to the store as soon as you can.  This can add up to a lot of money for those with numerous bottles so don’t miss your chance to replace your toxic bottles with those that are BPA free.

Please leave comments here of any problems or successes that you have in your return efforts.  I am curious to know how the stores handle this situation but I am still impressed that they are offering this to their customers without a mandatory recall by the FDA! 

Tags: Frugal Living, Green Living, Health, Miscarriage, Parenting by
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OK - I am a little late getting this post out this week but I don’t have A LOT to report (thank goodness).  We are still really low on trash and quickly approaching week 6 of the No Trash Challenge. 

One thing that I would like to point out this week is my recent conversion to the Diva Cup which has prevented the unnecessary accumulation of garbage in my bathroom this month and, therefore, my main container. 

I still have some things that come pre-packaged but I am working on alternates for those items as well.  After the second month of the challenge is complete, I am going to double (or should I say decrease by half) our efforts and shoot for only one container in 2 months!  Am I getting brave or what?!  Well, at least it will give me some motivation to really improve my on progress.

Anyone want to join me?  If not, how are you doing on the regular challenge?  Just report in so we all know the good and bad and can offer each other some support and ideas for improvement!

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 6

Tags: 'Farm life', Frugal Living, Green Living, Health, Parenting, Simple Living, Simple and Green by
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WARNING!  This post is not for the guys out there!  Just skip this one unless you have a loved one that you want to pass the information on to!

WARNING!  This post contains information about feminine hygiene!

So what the heck am I talking about?  Well, I know it might sound, uh, gross, but it is TRUE!  I have lived my whole life (at least those years that included menses) using disposable feminine hygiene products!  I never thought about the materials that were required to make the pads and tampons that millions and millions of women use every single month!  In the US alone, there are billions of pads and tampons that are sent to the landfill or flushed into the sewage system.  Now, if you think about it, that is what is really gross!  And I really have no idea what natural resources are destroyed making pads and tampons.  But I have seen the light at the end of the tunnel (or should I say cup?)!

Thanks to Crunchy Chicken and her Diva Cup Challenge, I have been enlightened and put on the road to cleaner (yes, cleaner and reusable - oxymoron, I think not), safer, greener, road!  Thanks Crunchy!  And now back to what I am talking about:

It is the Diva Cup.  Now I could write several pages on how to use this device but I will leave all of those details to the experts (lots of information available at www.divacup.com).  What I will give you is my brief (this is my first cycle using the Diva Cup) experience!  And, just to sum it up, it is GREAT! 

It is shaped like a little funnel (though it looked enormous to me when I first opened the box - I wasn’t sure how I was going to get the thing in place)!  It is made of soft, silicone material (NO, not breast implant gel) that you compressed to insert and then it opens up to catch your flow.  When the cup is full, you remove it, empty the contents in the toilet, wash it with soap and water, and then reinsert.  And, don’t worry, you can use this when you are out in public, camping, and hiking (or wherever)!

When I first read about the Diva Cup I was very skeptical of it.  I mean, YUCK!  BUT, once I really understood the concept I thought, what the heck, it is worth a try.  My interest became intense when I started the No Trash Challenge for this year.  I mean, how could I reduce my own trash when, once a month, I was generating excessive garbage from all the packaging and disposables associated with my period!  Enough was enough - literally!  So, I asked DH for a Diva Cup for my birthday and he obliged. 

I have had the cup in my bathroom closet waiting for my next cycle to start so that I could give it a ‘test drive’.  And the day finally arrived this past Sunday!  I read the directions a couple of times and then gave it a try!  I wasn’t sure if I had inserted it correctly at first but I did follow the directions and it was comfortable.  In fact, after a few minutes, I didn’t even know it was there!  A HUGE improvement over the pads and tampons of my past!  So getting it ‘installed’ went smoothly but I began DREADING the nest step - emptying the thing!  OMG!

But it wasn’t bad at all!  Yes, a little getting used to was certainly in order and I was grossed-out a bit but after a few times, I looked down at my little bathroom trash can to the see bottom!  What a great thing!  It was completely empty!  YEAH!  So, I was determined to ’stick’ with it - the Diva Cup that is.  Removing it is a little weird (a vacuum is created with the cup) but I am sure with more practice I will have that down to an art as well.

What about exercising, swimming, sex?  Well, I can vouch for the fact that it doesn’t leak AT ALL but I am not a very heavy bleeder!  I have been running with it in place and it is comfortable and secure!  I haven’t been swimming but the website says it is OK!  But no sex!  Not sure about the rest of the world but I am not really interested in sex during those few days anyway!  Plus, would you have sex with a tampon in place?  UGH!!

What about nighttime ‘coverage’?  I have worn it 2 nights and it was not a problem.  Again, very comfortable and no leaks.  I wish I could say that I have worn it all 3 nights of my cycle so far but I can’t - I was too chicken the first night (so now there is some garbage in my trash can - drat)!  But I have learned!!  My experience has been so good that I am thrilled to report that I will never buy another pad or tampon!  WOW!  Can you imagine a life without all that waste?  And the money you will save!!!!  A one time purchase that handles all of your period issues from light to heavy flow, exercise, nighttime!  Incredible!  And to top it off, this thing doesn’t dry you out like tampons and pads!  It only catches the flow.  Tampons and pads use absorbency to, well, absorb everything including your natural, non-menses fluids.

So, get online or visit your local health food store!  For you ladies in Bloomington, Indiana, I know that Bloomingfoods and Sahara Mart both carry the Diva Cup.  You can get a better deal online and it is SO worth it - remember, you won’t need tampons or pads again (the cost is between $16 and $35)!  Read the information at www.divacup.com to make sure you get the right size (only 2 to choose from and it is very straightforward).  You owe it to yourself to give this a try!  You may not like it but you PROBABLY WILL! 

And here is something else for me which just shows how great I think this concept is:  When DD starts her cycle (hopefully in a VERY LONG time) this is what I will teach her to use!

Please let me know if you are already using a Diva Cup or similar device or if you give it a try, and what you think - good and bad!  I am curious about what other women think about this product!

Tags: Frugal Living, Green Living, Health, Parenting, Simple Living, Simple and Green by
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