Lunapads

While not quite a guest blog entry, this doesn’t quite qualify as one of our ‘regular’ entries either. Krisztina is what you might call a Lunapads alumni. She worked here for quite some time, leaving us for other adventures about 3 years ago, and I have her to thank for helping me get this job here. She’s still a dear friend of mine and keeps in touch with all of us at Lunapads regularly. Read on for her ruminations on choosing a name for your child…

I’ve been thinking a lot about baby names these days. You know, like that game we used to play as kids, conjuring up our top 5 names for girls and boys for when, in the distant future, we’ll have babies.

Well, the distant future has arrived and many of my friends are now with child. Which leads to discussions of names; which names are popular, which are to be avoided, which seem obscure now but might end up being overdone in a few years. Like Isabel. I know about 5 newborn Isabels, I kid you not. When my little sister Isabella was named in 1992, people would scrunch up their noses and say “Isabella? That’s my grandmother’s name!” It’s 14 years later and she’s now got one of the most popular names around.

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I am writing to tell all of your readers and customers about a FANTASTIC book—if they haven’t already heard of it and read it because it’s taking North America by storm. It’s Ami McKay’s ‘The Birth House’. I picked up this book because I had the good fortune to hear and be wowed by the author read and answer questions at Halifax’s first International Writer’s and Reader’s Festival last spring. Ami McKay is as delightful and intelligent in person as she is in her ability to tell a story.

Among the many reasons I, and my book club mates, enjoyed this book is the attention McKay pays to women’s ways of being. The connections we create through birthing rituals, knitting circles or book clubs are historicized, validated and celebrated in the author’s first novel. Equally impressive is the attention McKay pays to bringing to light the long road women have had to journey to have control over their health care and birthing processes. Through delightful accounts of a mechanical tool’s ability to make the main character heal on her own (who knew the history of the vibrator?!) to a well-developed cacophony of local characters up against an equally brilliantly-illustrated circle of women friends, McKay’s story of Dora Rare is one of historical and contemporary significance.

I’ve bought the book for friends and family living in the US, Canada, and Northern Ireland. While set in Canada’s rural Nova Scotia, Dora Rare reaches across borders not only because of the universal social themes but also because it’s a darn good yarn!

Best wishes from Canada’s East Coast, DeNel S.

In keeping with the theme of the last post (“We’re listening”) Lunapanty thongs are back! A quick history: Madeleine created Lunapanty Thongs over 10 years ago, and we started selling them online 2 years ago when we introduced our best selling Lunapanties line of products. However, with cash flow being tight, we made the decision to discontinue our thong line last year to lower inventory levels. Since then, many of you have pleaded with us to bring them back. So here they are, but on a trial basis. Your feedback and demand will determine if we keep them, and what sizes and colors we will carry. For more about why our thongs are so amazing (especially if you don’t think that you’re a “thong person”), read on…

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We are proud to introduce our new Lunabalm, a travel-safe version of Lunablend. It’s got orange, lavender and geranium essential oils to soothe your cramps and PMS or just make you smell real pretty any ol’ time! Our good friend Heather Martin, whom you all met in a recent guest blogger post (our number one fan), gave us the idea one day when she mentioned how much she loves her Lunablend but how she wanted a balm so she could throw it in her purse or suitcase without worrying about leaking oil. We loved her idea and jumped into gear creating Lunabalm, realizing it was a product other women would love as well. - Thanks for the idea Heather!

Your feedback and ideas are important to us. If you have a great idea for Lunapads, please send us an email and help us to continue offering products that work for the women of today.

I first heard about lunapads from a good friend of mine. She gently nudged me toward the website… maybe a couple times… and told me how much she liked the DivaCup especially (life-changing I believe was the term she used).

I received my DivaCup a few months ago, and unfortunately, it was eaten by my cat. (True story. Remember, ladies, to keep it out of reach of kitties. I have NO idea what possessed her - she’s usually not a chewer.) My SECOND cup arrived not long ago, and I’m looking forward to figuring it out.

The kitty did NOT eat the Mini Pantyliners I bought, however. These are the greatest. They really are SO much more comfortable than those sticky, disposable things. Nothing like adhesive where NO adhesive should be… In the past, I’ve hidden all my supplies from my husband (my issue, not his). It was all taboo stuff. Who wants tampons and pads around your new husband? So embarrassing. Though we dress together, I’d never consider gluing in a panty liner with him in the room. But now that I have the Lunapads, I have no qualms buttoning one on with him around. I’m comfortable having them in the laundry (which he does, bless his soul), or having them around in general. It just seems so much more natural. These things aren’t taboo - they’re cute (his words) and fun. I don’t think I could ever describe tampax that way!

Melissa L.
East Providence, Rhode Island

In Chinese culture we celebrate the baby’s first month birthday. A few weeks ago, we held such a party for Garret (who is now 6 weeks old) at our house, where family and friends gathered for a Chinese feast. Since my parents come from mainland China, they still honor many Chinese traditions, and I’m usually keen to adopt them. Another tradition (that I didn’t stick to) is the expectation that mom and baby stay indoors for 30 days to rest and be safe from potential germs and illness. After 30 days, parents introduce their baby to friends and relatives; kind of like a coming out party for mom and baby.

Before guests arrived, Garret was bathed and dressed in new clothes and adorned with juniper leaves and given red envelopes (lycee, or lucky money). Then, we lit incense, made an offering of food and conducted a blessing ceremony for him with prayers for a happy and harmonious life.

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I never, ever, ever thought I would find something that I am so enthusiastic with as I am with Lunapads. I mean, who talks about their period, right? Let alone what they use?! Of course not! Well, that was what I used to think. Like many people, I was led to believe that I was stuck with either pads or tampons, and I so don’t like tampons. I never thought much about it. I know now that I am not alone with those thoughts. So, here is where my personal story begins…

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It’s been a while since I’ve updated this little Lunablog about myself, updating instead with other ladies’ guest entries (stay tuned for more by the way!!). I guess part of it is that I’ve been a bit timid and part of it is I’ve been at a loss for what to write about. But I’ve decided to forgo my apprehension and post about the same kind of stuff that I write about in my other personal blog - what is going on with me and what I’m thinking about.

These days, I’m thinking a lot about nature and growth, plants and gardens to be more precise.

One main reason for this is that I’ve been reading this really incredible book written by Patrick Lane called There is a Season: A Memoir in a Garden (though I believe the American title is What the Stones Remember: A Life Rediscovered, don’t ask me why it had to change). It’s a wonderful memoir weaving together gardening, recovery and rememberance. A well-known Canadian poet who is almost as well-known for his Vancouver Island garden, Lane is also recently sober after 40+ years of serious addiction and alcoholism. The book chronicles his first year sober, much of it spent getting back to his garden while also reflecting back on his early life and his family. Oh, and did I mention he’s also my uncle?

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Thank you Lunapads! How can I thank you for making that time of the month so much more comfortable! This is my 3rd cycle with my DivaCup and Lunapanties/ Lunapads! I actually look forward to my periods now. No more stinky, sweaty, uncomfortable, loud pads for me! I find that the Lunapanties/ DivaCup combination is perfect for my lifestyle. As a flight attendant I am on duty sometimes 14 hours a day. With the DivaCup and Lunapanties, I basically don’t have to worry about a thing all day long (except to remind myself that its there, because I can’t feel it). I typically fly the Carribean and Central America and was always worried about the “smellies” because of the heat and humidity. Well, not anymore! And I have to say that the Lunapanties are the softest panties I’ve ever worn. I’ve also ordered a starter kit and several extra minis for when I’m at home. I love the patterns! I just wish I had known about you sooner! I will continue to be a loyal Lunapads customer, as it seems everytime I look at the website, there is something else I want to try!

Julie B.
Bel Air, Maryland

Further to my “this is harder than it looks” entry a few weeks ago that covered some of the stresses and strains of floating the Lunapads boat, I’d like to fill in the rest of the story: why I love it. Where to start? I love our work here because it matters to us - this in & of itself feels like a kind of luxury. We get to be creative and political and close to some very intimate aspects of our customers’ lives. The freedom for me personally is incredible - I get up and have the choice of either going to the office or working from home, taking Genevieve with me if I like - how many people have this kind of flexibility? At work I find a group of amazing women who are completely committed to what we do, do fantastic work, and are more than happy to lend a hand with whatever small people happen to be around. It makes me wonder what work was like prior to the industrial revolution - women have always had kids and always worked after all, so I’m guessing that a lot of their enterprises were small, community-based, and involved having their kids running around - maybe kind of like this?

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