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| Requisite pretty photo: a Native American skirt at a NY antique shop. In case you ever wondered what to do with your rick-rack stash. |
Any new baby steps you're taking to be environmentally friendly? You've been a great source of ideas for me.
Monday, November 12, 2018
My Newest Baby Step: Diva Cup
Every year, it seems I find the strength and inspiration to take another baby step in being environmentally-friendly. After reading Cup of Jo's post and talking to a few friends, I bought a Diva Cup (with coupons, duh).
I'm so pleased with it! And sorry I waited so long. I avoid disposables where I can, to be environmentally-friendly, and a menstrual cup is a pretty great switch. Less trash, less fuss, cheaper over the long run. I'm glad I tried it first on an at-home day, because it took a few tries to get it in a comfortable spot.
Any new baby steps you're taking to be environmentally friendly? You've been a great source of ideas for me.
Any new baby steps you're taking to be environmentally friendly? You've been a great source of ideas for me.
My daughter has a diva cup - she's had a hard time figuring it out as well, but I'm going to pass your experience along to her.
ReplyDeleteI just got some beeswax covered fabric at the farmer's market, trying to cut down on plastic. I'm considering some commercially made ones as well, as my daughter claims the handmade ones smell and she doesn't want it near her food. Sigh. I'm also thinking about making some myself.
I also got some reusable silicone bags that are perfect for lunchbox snacks. They've been so popular, a few have walked off with friends.
I've also broken my parchment paper on baking sheets habit by investing in some silicone sheets that fit my pans. They're also great for when I freeze berries - just pick up the edges of the sheets, stick them in a bag and boom! Easy transfer.
So glad you are having a better experience than I did!! I tried it for three months. Two out of the three I got UTIs. And it always felt like I had to pee (I read it can press on your urethra, even with trying to shift its position). So, I’m back to the tampons (without applicators!) and homemade washable pads. Ick. But at least I’m only throwing away about a third of what I used to...
ReplyDeleteI've been using one for the past 5 years or so. I would never go back! My cycle is quite heavy so I use cloth pads for back up.
ReplyDeleteI thought about it seriously a bunch of years ago but now I am 8 years into menopause and that is the best thing ever. No more anything.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom and grandmother used plates as bowl covers and they work great and even a saucer will do sometimes. Put them right side up or they are prone to slide off. We have the silicone bowl covers and also a square and rectangular one but they are heavy in the middle so they sag and stick to the top of what they are covering. And I agree that the silicone baking mats are the best for freezing and then removing to a jar. I love those new squeezable sour cream containers because it keeps so well but that is a big hunk of plastic right in the trash. It has me wondering if anyone has tried reusing them for something else that might need easy dispensing.
I've had a diva cup for about 15 years and love it. I'd use it even if it wasn't saving me money or reducing my rubbish output.
ReplyDeleteI use beeswax wraps too. I made my own in the oven with just beeswax (no resin or jojoba) and they work fine. I made sure I used local beeswax rather than online pellets of dubious origin. A bit more expensive but worth it. My Rainbow Guide unit (like your Daisy Scouts I think) are working towards a Plastic-Free World badge and we're going to make some wraps next week (using a second-hand duvet cover). They'll take it in turns to go in the kitchen, making no-sew cloth bags from t-shirts the rest of the time :-)
I knit my own dish cloths from scraps of cotton yarn, but I think you already do that?
Happily, I am well past the menstrual cycle! Yay for getting old! Lol.
ReplyDeleteI have beeswax wraps, and silicone bowl covers (check your thrift store, I got my bowl covers for $1.49 each). I have a set of glass containers for leftovers (and a plethora of caning jars). Also picked those up at the thrift store. I use a crocheted dish cloth, and made a scrubber pad out of two plastic mesh bags that lemons came in. I'm looking for a wood and natural bristle brush for the kitchen and for fingernails.
Also, like Lana, I have been using a plate as a bowl cover for decades. The real bonus of that is that you can stack something on top of it when space is at a premium!
I love all the suggestions, and love that everyone is becoming aware of the vast tide of waste. Xoxox
This is hilarious. If a person fails to read carefully here, she might get the impression that silicone lids and beeswax wraps and squeezable sour cream containers would work great for her periods.
ReplyDeleteSK - I was momentarily confused as well! LOL
ReplyDeleteI’ve been using The Keeper menstual cup for 17 years. It doesn’t mean I never use liners or disposable pads, but it definitely reduces the amount overall. My next purchase (or project) either needs to be washable pads OR I may try those new period underwear. I like to wear a liner with my Keeper, so I think the underwear may be a good alternative...we’ll see.
ReplyDeleteWe finally bought stainless steel straws this year, and I also made washable zippered snack bags for my children who now pack lunches.
Love my Lena cup. As a bonus it shaved off a good 2-3 days from each cycle, I’m guessing because it collects rather than absorbs.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I'm post menopause, no more cycles! LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't really a baby step, but I recently recycled a bunch of foam pieces from our bed we replaced this year into a new mattress for my 3.5 yo daughter. The bed fram is old - my grandfather and his twin slept in it until they were 9! - and an unusual size. But I couldn't bear to throw that foam away - it still seemed to have so much life and use left. So I fashioned it into a mattress and covered it with a mattress casing and she and I are both so pleased with it! And I'm happy to have saved that foam from the landfill, and to have saved us some money on a new mattress.
ReplyDeleteALL about using a menstrual cup in order to save money and reduce waste. It's also so much better for your health because it doesn't contain all those toxic chemicals.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Margo! Every little bit helps, right?!
ReplyDeleteThis is something I've thought about for YEARS, but have been too intimidated to take the plunge for some reason.