Here’s a fun new video about Lunapanties. There are 2 parts: first, the basics of what’s special about them and what styles they’re available in, and second, about how to use Liners with them (same as Lunapads as it happens, so it’s worthwhile to watch as a refresher there as well) - enjoy!
Seeing the video below was the final push in getting around to writing a post that we have been talking about for ages. For all that we’re about putting a “happier” face on menstruation, there has been some concern expressed that perhaps we make the picture seem a little too rosy, to the exclusion of the reality for many of us (myself included) that sometimes periods aren’t such a party after all. “The Period Fairy” is a funny-in-a-painful-kind-of-way take on how unpredictable, inconvenient and painful menstruation can be.
To be clear, our slogan “Happier periods, naturally”, is intended as an affirmative counter response to a social climate where menstruation and menstrual products aren’t traditionally on the top of everyone’s “woo hoo - let’s talk!” list. The notion of negativity around menstruation reminds me of sexism in general - some people insist that it’s over, others that it’s dwindling in a glass-half-full sort of way, and still others are hopping mad at its current manifestations (see my previous post about menstrual activism!) In the sixteen years that I have been doing this I have seen everything from polite curiosity, to overwhelming joy, to abject rudeness as people’s reaction to learning about our work.
They say that there are no coincidences, but we still find it pretty incredible that Suzanne and I have ended up “starring” in 2 different recently released video projects at almost exactly the same time.
Suzanne is the subject of this video by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC, and the plot is basically that you can be a razor-sharp, bean-counting CA (or CPA in the United States) and still do all kinds of progressive, groovy things like be a key Board member of a local environmental not-for-profit organization and make it all happen here at Lunapads. Thanks to knowing Suzanne, I have come to think of CAs as the Jedi Knights of business: trained experts in this powerful aspect of the Force that can be used for either good or evil purposes. Watch the video to learn how you too can apply your obsession with balanced books towards saving Earth!
As for me, while it’s been far too long since I actually showed up live and in-person, I make a guest appearance in this video about the Social Venture Institute (SVI) at Hollyhock. To be fair, I have attended it half a dozen times in the past (and bravely presented Lunapads case studies twice - aak!) and plan to again in 2010, so it’s not like I’m making it up. In case any of you progressive entrepreneurial types out there need any further encouragement to attend, do yourselves a favor and just go. Suzanne went last year and will be attending again this year, along with a slew of other notables in the green/progressive business scene here on the west coast.
The stylish video, created by photographer Jaime Kowal, also co-stars David Van Seters of SPUD! organic delivery, Lauren Bacon of Raised Eyebrow web studio (one of our longest-term collaborators) and Michael Ziff of Hip Baby - enjoy!
In Lunapads mythology, Once Upon A Time there was a fair young maiden (yours truly!) who aspired to make the loveliest washable menstrual pads in the land. She toiled endlessly at her sewing machines day after day, week after week, and (natch) month after month, until she created something she was satisfied with. She asked her mirror, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, which are the fairest pads of all?”, to which the mirror replied “All pads that are made with love and respect for women’s bodies are truly fair and lovely.” Love that mirror! I passed along the task of sewing Lunapads to our noble production partners many years ago, but I continued to sew all manner of clothes and household linens right up until my daughter was born just over 4 years ago.
Since that time, I must confess that gardening has captured my creative heart (easier to do with a 4 year old, as well!), and so I was a bit nervous to pull out my rulers, scissors and 20 year old domestic single-needle machine to make this video - did I still have the magic? That verdict will have to be in the eyes of the beholder of the video, but for my part it was really fun in a “blast from the past” kind of way.
Part 1:
Part 2:
The videos and pattern download were created in response to two needs: first, as a possible option for those who can’t afford Lunapads, or to support those who prefer to make things themselves, just because. Second is to offer it as an instructional tool for women in Africa to make pads for themselves and/or as commercial products, as well as for crafters in this neck of the woods who want to make pads to contribute as donations to Pads4Girls (more on that in the next post - stay tuned!)
A note on the video: it is not about how to make Lunapads, which requires a far more complex sewing process (not to mention 3 different fabrics and 2 different sewing machines - eek!) Rather, it is an easy, adjustable pattern that can be made with a single-needle domestic machine and a wide variety of fabrics. You can download the pattern here. I encourage you to experiment with different fabrics and closures, and have fun!
I thought that this was an interesting video, pointing out that we often treat the Earth the same way that our culture objectifies and disrespects women.
It was with interest that I learned of Grist.org’s “Screw Earth Day!” campaign, as I agree (at least in principle) with the idea that our collective responsibility is a 24/7/365 commitment, not just a day. Same goes for Earth Hour, which, although impressive with respect to its results, in my mind can engender the idea that it’s enough to do it just for an hour, rather than making a permanent practice of reducing our energy consumption (SED!’s premise.) The neo-eco movement can feel at times like a form of cultural greenwashing, what with all the new dubiously “green” products and marketing campaigns that seem to be cropping up everywhere one turns these days.
But then I take a second look - where does my cynicism come from, is it useful, and how does it square with my belief in small efforts and gestures having a potentially enormous impact? Isn’t it better than doing nothing, or at least worth trying, considering what’s at stake? Maybe if I stopped debating whether or not it’s a perfect solution or not and just got on board then we’d all be the better for it? Seems a timely question, given the current political debate here in B.C. over carbon tax. Further to the “not arguing about perfect solutions and just getting on with it as we are able at the moment” observation, as a parent I appreciate the critical value of educating our children and being role models to them (Suzanne is doing this as I write, and I feel certain we will be hearing about it here!) Events like Earth Day and Earth Hour are great ways to do this, particularly in participation with our communities.
For me, in the end it all comes back to personal responsibility. Am I an eco-perfectionist? Not by a long shot. But I also believe that we can all try harder. On that note, a little shout-out to the Lunapads staff, all of whom are great examples of various green practices: as cycling activists and commuters, vegetarian and veganism advocates, conscious consumers and DIY crafters. Thanks ladies - you’re making a difference in so many important ways.
As a final antidote to my skepticism, I’d like to highlight some of my favorite green organizations and reading lists. The Environmental Working Group is a vast repository of information about everything from safe cosmetics to pesticide use in commercial produce, and has an excellent newsletter. The Vancouver Public Library has compiled an extensive list of books about sustainability, and our pal Annemarie Templeman-Kluit (aka Yoyomama - Vancouver’s source for everything anyone with kids needs to know about in this town) has posted some of her family’s fave green reads in her new blog here. Our friends and colleagues over at SPUD and NatureBag have teamed up with Lavish and Lime to offer an incredible eco-products giveaway contest - find out more here. Last but not least, Mindful Mama has just launched a great new natural parenting website in honor of Earth Day - way to go, everyone!
I hope that you all find a meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day - today and every day.
This post is about a few random things, but is mostly just a bit of background on the funniest video we’ve made so far. It’s probably best to just go ahead and watch it first, then come back to read the rest of the post to learn how it all happened.
Was that funny or what? My favorite part is the soundtrack in the elevator. Seriously, go there - the food is really good, too!
Some background: when I first started dating my husband, he was living in LA, so I often flew down for little visits with him. We headed to the Encounter restaurant in LAX for dinner one time after he picked me up and loved it. Subsequent trips to LA have not allowed for repeat visits, but it always provokes fond memories and a laugh when we happen to be there. Suzanne and I were recently passing through LAX and I told her the story about it, not realizing that we would be stuck waiting for 5 hours there 2 days later. When that happened, I insisted that we head over for lunch. To our delight we discovered that the Encounter was still going strong, lava lamps, kooky elevator soundtrack and all!
Inspired by a magnificent red lava lamp, we decided to make a video with a new product that we had just discovered: Wysi Wipes. In case you don’t have the patience for the video, Wysi Wipes are handy-dandy little personal wipes that require only a bit of water to work their magic, and are biodegradable to boot.
As DivaCup users and Moms, we immediately appreciated their potential usefulness. One of those situations where what looked bad a first actually turned into something pretty good. Enjoy, and don’t forget that for April we are offering 2 free Wysi Wipes (packaged in a Pochette) with all orders over $50, plus Wysi Wipe 12 packs are intro-priced at $2.99!
Sandra was just saying how the term “transportation options” could be humorously misunderstood as being about whether to walk, drive, fly, train or cycle, as opposed to answering the burning question of what to do with your Lunapads and DivaCup when you’re out of the house. Let me know if you think of a better title, and in the meantime I hope that you enjoy these “expert” tips on managing your natural menstrual products when you’re on the go!
You are currently browsing the archives for the Videos category.