Because of this, Seventh Generation has teamed up with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) to dedicate one day as “Let’s Talk… Period” Day which aims to place more focus on this important issue and to educate women about ovarian cancer. Another goal of this event is to raise the donations needed to help educate women on the signs of ovarian cancer.

If you go to the “Let’s Talk… Period” Day website on September 1st (yes tomorrow) and register your email address, Seventh Generation will make a $1 donation to the OCRF, with an overall donation of $22,000 representing the women that will be diagnosed this year. The website has information on ovarian cancer signs, symptoms, risk factors and prevention, because the best way of prevention is through education.

As a thank you for logging in and participating, Seventh Generation will be giving each registrant a coupon for their organic cotton tampons that are not bleached with chlorine, free of rayon and don’t contain added perfumes or dyes. See the video below to find out what’s in most tampons…

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The bad news - there can only be two winners. Bummer. However, If you’re not a winner, I urge you to check out Moonpads anyhow – they’re a great deal in the long run, and Annie Rose (creator of Moonpads) even has seconds offered up at times.

Now, just as a recap here’s what our two winners will receive: a great starter gift pack from Moonpads Reusable Menstrual Pads. Each of our winners will get to choose her choice of 3 reusable pads in any style or color available.

And our two randomly drawn winners are…

Samantha Pruitt who said, “i think this a pretty interesting idea, ever since i heard about it i’ve been wanting to try it out. The materials of usual pads sometimes irritate my skin, so i think this would really help with that.”

AND

Melissa D who said, “I have to admit the idea of reusable Menstrual Pads is something I’ve never imagined! And now you have me thinking about all the waste involved in disposable pads. What a fabulous green idea!”

Congratulations to Samantha and Melissa! I’ll be emailing you with further details by tomorrow. I’ll need to hear back from you within a week or I’ll have to choose an alternate winner.

Again thanks to everyone who participated and many hugs to Annie Rose of Moonpads for sponsoring such a successful green giveaway here at Tree Hugging Family.

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• They don’t carry the cons of conventional products.
• In your life you’ll go through just how many pads and tampons. Tossing all those in the trash is such a huge shock to the planet. in your life.
• Reusable pads save you time. No running to the store at the last minute – or even each month.
• Need a $ shock about non-reusable pads: Disposable Pad or Tampon Cost Pad Calculator. You’ll save BIG bucks going with reusable pads.
  
• Good reusable pads last forever. As I’ve noted here before, in eight some odd years I’ve bought new exactly twice, and only twice because I bought two different kinds. That’s a huge monetary savings.

Here are some non-disposable options:

• Moonpads
• Glad Rags
• The Keeper
• Luna Pads
• The Diva Cup
• Make-It-Yourself Menstrual Pads
• Pleasure Puss Menstrual Pads – Singles
  
• Sckoon Organic Cotton Cloth Reusable Menstrual / Postpartum Pads

You can also find plenty of other reusable options on Etsy – just do a search for reusable pads.

If you’ve got any other pros of reusable pads, let me know in the comments. Next up winners of the Moonpads Reusable Menstrual Pads Giveaway.

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Kasper Organics carries a large selection of affordable organic clothing from sleepwear and tights to bras!

The sock selection includes everything from crews, argyles, dress socks, sport socks and even tie-dyes. Kasper Organics also offers a very nice selection of organic hankies, which are nearly impossible to find in stores.

Do you have problems finding organic socks, hankies and underwear in stores?

Images via Kasper Organics.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in August 2008

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If you’re looking for an organic cotton version of the standard brown paper bag, these come close with a little added flair.

Wildly Organic from I’m Organic. Other designs available. 100% certified organic cotton, Fair Labor. $17

Organic Lunch Bag from Hero Bags. Made in USA. Personalize with name area on back. Certified organic. $24.95

100% Certified Organic Cotton Lunch Sack from EcoBags. $7

Do you prefer uninsulated lunch bags?

Images via I’m Organic, Hero Bags and EcoBags.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in August 2008

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Though they carry adult sizes, their focus seems to be mainly on kids — from infants all the way to youth. Since I don’t have a kid to stick a shirt on, you’ll have to do with my adult review. Yet, I should mention Mine Organics also sent me a little girl’s tee that was very adorable. I gave it away, and the recipient found it to be one of the softest tees ever.

Why this is my favorite tee of the summer:

• Extremely breathable and lightweight. I’m suffering though days of triple digit temps, and this shirt is one of the coolest I’ve ever worn.

• Durable. I’ve washed and worn this shirt about a dozen times now. It still looks and feels great.

• Soft! My tee is made of 100% certified organic cotton. I can feel the difference.

• Cute designs. Not only does Mine Organics offer a variety of earth-friendly messages on their tees, there’s also a cute little earth on the back of the shirt. That’s me in the photo!

• It comes with a handmade recycled paper tag embedded with wildflower seeds. Water and grow.

Mine Organics was started by two sisters and parents, Kim McLeod and Nikki LaBelle. They strongly believe that “one person or child doing even the simplest thing will help our environment.” And Mine Organics is one way the sisters chose to spread their message.

Mine Organics tees are available in a few retail locations, or you can order online.

Image by Michael Rowland.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in August 2008

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I choose three organic cotton canvas Eco-Bags. They’re plain, soft and lovable. Well, I didn’t name them or anything, but I do like them a lot. I paid around $8 a bag at reusablebags.com, but I don’t think they carry this exact bag anymore. You can still purchase them at Eco-Bags.

What do I love about my Eco-Bags?

• Nice long handles fit over my shoulder with ease. I sling one or two over each shoulder, then carry another dual-handled tote like Jennifer’s in my hands with the short handles.

• They machine wash right up as good as new. They also haven’t stained at all, even though some raspberries got a little juicy in one of them. Since I put these bags in the cart, and they get handled a lot in general, it’s so nice to be able to wash them for real, no wiping with a damp cloth.

•These are some durable dears. I haven’t noticed any wear on my bags yet. The handles are still very firmly attached, and there’s no sign of becoming threadbare. I use them on average two times a week.

• Hold it Suzy! Well, if Suzy were the bagger I’d tell her not to fill them quite so full. These bags hold a lot, a little more than I like carrying on one shoulder. This is one reason I bought a fourth bag to discourage the heavy packing. It hasn’t worked as the bagger usually hands me an empty bag at the end! (Hmm, does this one belong in the “love” or “change” section? I do like the slightly smaller size of the dual-handled tote.)

• Sometimes plain is beautiful. I’ve gotten several compliments on my bags and requests to know where I got them.

Some things I’d perhaps change

• Since I’ve had the dual-handled tote, I must admit it’s rather handy. These bags would be a tad more versatile if they came with shorter handles as well.

• As I discussed in Reusable Bags with a Message, some baggers don’t yet get the reusable bag habit. For these times, it would be nice if the bags had an earth-friendly message. On the plus side though, I can customize them however I want.

•They don’t have a flat, gusset bottom. It doesn’t bother me, but I think the baggers would enjoy them more if they stood up a bit.

If I had it to do over, I’d still get these bags. They are affordable, organic, fair wage, practical and actually rather soothing to look at – very natural.

If you’ve been using your bags for several months, how are they holding up?

Photo by me.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

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Spiffy Baby has an organic corner featuring organic cotton clothing, socks, towels, blankets, toys and gifts.

I think this organic cotton recycle-symbol baby tee is very cute, and not bad for $10.95. It’s naturally dyed. Check out Spiffy Baby’s other organic cotton clothing for babies up to 24 months.

Do you like baby clothes with a green message?

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

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Want to see a video of the bag with Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson (pictured right), partners in the FEED 100 Bag project? Then, go to ecorazzi!

Some info on the FEED 100 Bag:

•Organic cotton with three pockets inside
•Comes folded up in a burlap “purse” with a zipper closure
•Once unzipped, the burlap serves as a sturdy bottom for the bag
•Easy to fold back up for storage

Why is this bag important? A meal provided at school is often the only meal a child in Rwanda may receive all day. Some children in Rwanda eat mud mixed with sugar to help curb hunger.

Watch the FEED 100 video below for more details:

Image of Lauren and Ellen from Newscom. Used with permission.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

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From Under the Canopy, choose between several 100% organic cotton tees with green messages and a nice modern fit. Oh, I’m sure you noticed they are literally green — a soothing shade. But they have white and black as well.

What do you think of the organic tees?

Images shown: Naturally Green and Green is Groovy are from Under the Canopy.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

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