Just When You Thought I Couldn't Get Any Crunchier...

Every person I know who subscribes to the "Earthy-crunchy-granola" kind of mentality has some addendums.

In other words, they have a few things that, no matter how you slice it, they can't give up, no matter how "un-hippie" they are.

Perhaps they dye their hair.

Or perhaps they love fried food.

Perhaps they want a boob job or drive a gas-guzzling SUV or own a fur.

Whatever it is, every hippie has their hang-ups. We all have something we hold dear that doesn't fit in with the rest of our lifestyle, and often, we're pretty unapologetic about it.

Me? Well, I've got a few.

I do dye my hair. I give in to my cravings for hot wings, sometimes. And, when something starts to sprout mold in the fridge, I throw the whole darn container out instead of cleaning and re-using it.

Oh, and I own bleach. And when things get really nasty, I've even been known to use it. Gasp!

Like I said, a girl has her limits.

One such aforementioned limit for me had to do with Aunt Flo.

Or the Crimson Tide.

My period.

It started back when I was exploring around Etsy a few years ago, when I came across a concept called "mama cloth."

Basically, it's sanitary napkins.

Pads.

Made of cloth.

As in re-usable sanitary napkins.

I gave them a quick glance and clicked away with a resounding "No thank you!"

I'm all for natural, green, and chemical-free, but I felt no need to "handle" my period anymore than I already had to.

Fast-forward a few years, and I've just had a baby.

A baby who I cloth diaper.

I chose to use re-usable cloth diapers mainly for health reasons. After reading what's in disposable diapers and the possible side effects of disposable diapers*, I had a mini-freak-out and worried about putting said ingredients up against my kid's gentle, private areas.

Not to mention that cloth diapers would save us a boat-load of money.

So we made the switch, and we never looked back. It's been great; we've saved cash, and I feel better about my child's rear.

Anyhow, all was well in my hippie little world until I was strolling through the health-food store one day and came upon them again.

Mama cloth.

Re-usable, organic cotton pads right there in the natural healing section.

I thought about those suckers all the way home. When I finally put Ella down for a nap, I decided to do some research.

And there lies my first mistake. Once you're informed, it's hard to go on as you were, blissfully unaware.

As I read what was in sanitary pads and tampons, etc., just like Ella's diapers, I freaked.

I did not want said ingredients up against my gentle, private areas (or inserted in them!) No sirree Bob.

But, also, um, ewwwww.

I mean, I was already man-handling and washing my child's pee and poo.

Now you want me to add blood to the mix? I knew I'd have to think this one over.

Then, a few days later, I got an e-mail from one of those deal-a-day sites, and they were selling mama cloth at a great rate, made by a company that also makes cloth diapers I already buy for my daughter.

So, you can see where this is going.

I bought in, and my daughter and I officially own matching "diapers."

And this month, I finally got to use them.

Well, ladies, I have to tell you.

I don't know why I didn't jump on the boat sooner. Years ago, in fact.

I have literally forgotten I'm on my period every day. These suckers are so absorbent, there's no residual wet-ness. (Some research says that the natural cloth actually makes you bleed less than inserting a tampon or using a absorbent, paper-based sanitary pad, due to the chemicals used for maximum absorbency, which supposedly draw blood out faster. I'm not sure if that's true, or if it's the quality materials in the mama cloth, but man! It works, regardless!)

I'm comfortable; they don't leak. And the wash out so clean, with a little hot water and vinegar and baking soda, that they don't even look like you used them.

I tote around a little wet-bag in my purse if I need to change on the go, and it's as easy as pie. No more work than changing a regular pad or tampon.

I am a believer.

An earthy, crunchy, granola-eating, mama-cloth-wearing believer.

Years ago, I didn't think I had it in me. I thought even this hippie had her limits.

But today, I stand before you, re-crunch-ified.

Mama cloth is here to stay, and I am a believer.

***

I realize that, for a lot of people, this is just too much. Not everyone is "that hippie."

Which I totally get, and I totally respect.

But if you're at all on the fence about it; if you've heard of this, and your curiosity was peaked, I suggest you give it a whirl.

I wasn't endorsed for this post. This is one of those rare circumstances where I want to blog about a product because it worked so well, even I was amazed.

It was so not gross, either. Like, at all. I expected it to be a bit of a messy situation, every time I went to the bathroom, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Just like cloth-diapering, it's easier than you'd ever think.

That being said, if you want more specific information, e-mail me or comment below. I can forward links, etc., if you'd like.

***

*I don't consider myself a cloth-diapering expert, nor do I think everyone is cut out to cloth-diaper (or wear mama cloth.) So I don't want to launch into the whole "This is why we do this" saga again.

As it is, a lot of people don't want to read about it, so they can continue disposable-diapering their child in peace. Which I totally get and respect.

It's why I never Google the side effects of hair dye. I just won't wanna know.

But if you are curious, let me know, and I'll forward you my research.

***

Happy Thursday, everyone!