**This post contains Honest Company affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.** 

Ok, ladies this one is for you. After attending a Red to Green session at Mommy Con Columbus, I decided this topic was an important one to touch on in this series. We are chatting about Aunt Flow and the the many options we have out there to help get us through that time of the month. That being said, I will not be focusing on anything graphic. This crunchy journey will look at how we can be more green when we are menstruating. 

How about a few facts:

• Tampons and pads with odor neutralizers and artificial fragrances are chemicals, conatining artificial colors, polyester, adhesives, polyethylene (PET), polypropylene and propylene glycol (PEG), all linked to hormone disruption, cancer, birth defects, dryness and infertility. 
• In general, mass marketed tampons and pads contain genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and numerous pesticides. 
• Chlorine bleach is what is used to make pads and tampons so white, which can create Dioxin.  Dioxin has been linked to: Abnormal tissue growth in the abdomen and reproductive organs, abnormal cell growth throughout the body, immune system suppression, hormonal and endocrine system disruption Note: Dioxin has been found in Breastmilk which means not only are mamas exposed but so are their nurslings
• Since menstrual pads and tampons are classified as “medical devices,” ingredient disclosure is not mandatory.
• And then there is the waste. An average woman in the US will use more than 16,800 in her lifetime. 
• Approximately 20 Billion (with a B) menstrual pads, tampons and tampon applicators are sent to landfills each year – maybe that’s why we see them in our streams, lakes and beaches. Gross. 

So, what are our options?! I mean, we do want options right? We are talking about the most sensitive parts of our body and we are willing to blindly put all kinds of chemicals there. Yikes. As far as alternatives to disposable all together; you’ve got mama cloth (reusable cloth pads and tampons) and menstrual cups. This earnest mom has fully converted to cups and mama cloth, no more waste here.  I have included some links below where you can get some great cloth pads and cups online. If reusable is just not your thing, which is okay – there are companies that offer chemical and bleach free, organic cotton disposal options, check the banners and stay tuned, I will be giving away an Honest Organic Pad Set, be sure to enter!

My earnest ladies, I encourage you to not just take my word on it; do your own research. Be informed, these ate the only bodies we have and we’ve got to take care of them!

Curious about cups but not sure where to start? Kim Rosas of Put a Cup In It has a great website that really helped me with my cup usage and information. Let’s work together to become more healthy, have less chemical exposure and less waste!  

Enter to win an Honest Company Organic Pad Set (one 10 pack of regular and one ten pack of super pads) at the link here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: You must be a resident of the US or Canada to be eligible to win!
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Have questions about what I use, suggestions or thoughts about turning red to green? Please email me, I’d love to keep this #detoxthebox conversation going, and please if you are going to comment let’s refrain from being too graphic as I would like to keep my blog as earnestly wholesome as possible. 

UPDATE: Still in the fence about trying Honest?! Use this code to get $10 off your first order of $25 or more! Use: GET10

x. 

earnest mom. 

Some cloth and cup links:

The Pink Lemonade Shop

Lunette Cup

The Diva Cup

Organic Disposable Options: