Breastfeeding is a subject close to my heart. I loved nursing my daughter. While pregnancy was an amazing experience, it was sort of an invisible process. Sure, I got as big as a house growing my 9 pounder but I couldn't see her change from day to day – only my rounding body was visible. However, once she was out,  I watched her grow, change, and thrive before my very eyes while nourished on nothing but the milk from my breasts. The invisible magic became visible. Some of the most wonderful memories in my mind are her adoring eyes looking up at me while she was nourished and comforted.

Lucky for me, I had some strong role models in friends, family, and Mothering Magazine to tell me I was doing the right thing. But many women not only don't have that support, they are in fact discouraged from nursing, given outdated advice by medical professionals, undermined by free samples of formula, and stigmatized by a society that continues to consider the breast a sex symbol instead of an infant's best source of food delivery. (Don't forget the ongoing Hey Facebook, Breastfeeding is not Obscene campaign.)

It riles me that more women and babies don't get to experience the pleasure and good benefits of breastfeeding, because it is good for both – mothers also have lasting health benefits from nursing. And it is the rare instance where nursing doesn't really work. It is more often a choice arrived at by poor information, or economic and social situations that don't support children and mothers.  The first week of August was World Breastfeeding Week and the organization of the same name has lots of great info. There are breastmilk banks (this link is about the one in Portland)  where moms with extra milk (yes, most women do have extra) can donate to babies in need. And the La Leche League is a great support organization for women who are having difficulties with the process. I got some great advice from them when my daughter began to try out her sharp little teeth. The photo above is my baby about 18 years ago. Oh, how time does fly!

My friend Melody works for another great Portland company, Emerita . They make the healthy lube we sell as well as other great women's bodycare products. She travels all the time and recently had an encounter with a fellow air traveler who happened to be a Greenpeace employee. Thanks for spreading the word, Melody!

  –Brenda

The other day I educated a Greenpeace canvasser on the importance of reusable menstrual products. It was really a ‘preaching to the choir’ moment, but still something well worth documenting.

What started out as the Greenpeace canvasser’s pitch, (I’ll call him Greg), on the evils of Kimberly Clark cutting down old growth trees quickly extended into my diatribe on how we should all stop the use of paper towels, use hemp toilet paper despite the likely roughness we may experience and demand that Kimberly Clark seek sustainable supply chains or halt their paper business altogether. Greg was a taken back, but engaged in my oration.

The segue into reusable menstrual products came when I compared a local Portland company’s business model to Kimberly Clark’s agenda of waste and massive scale environmental destruction. I told Greg about GladRags, and how the company’s concept of using soft, washable, reusable cloth for a woman’s menstrual cycle is an idea that can bring us back to earth, to living more sustainably.

“Greg!” I excitedly exclaimed, “This is something every woman can do to cut down on her environmental impact! Does Greenpeace know about GladRags?!”

Greg nodded in agreement and appreciated that I was passionate about alternative menstrual options. He politely interrupted me as I started to give details about my GladRags pantyliner experience on a recent flight back East, by asking if would consider renewing my Greenpeace membership.

Noticing the wedding band on his ring finger I confirmed that Greg was indeed married and obliged to renew my Greenpeace membership on one condition, that he pledge to tell his wife and other women in his life about GladRags and we can use our menstrual cycles to save the planet, one GladRags at time.

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8/10/09 – WOW! We have received an amazing number of responses in just three days!  Thanks to everyone who submitted their questionnaire and shared their stories with us.  We'll contact our picks for Monthly Friends within the next few days.  Make sure to look for them on the blog in the coming months and thanks again to everyone who participated!

Hi GladRaggers!

Here at GladRags we love hearing from our customers and friends about their experience with alternative menstrual products. In the past we've introduced you to some of our fabulous GladRags users in our Monthly Friends feature (like the awesome Michelle and Rose) and now we want to get to know you!

 To be featured, just send an email to tracy@gladrags.com with your answers to the Monthly Friend Questionnaire (below) and attach a photo of yourself.  We'll be picking nine GladRaggers to appear on the blog and receive a free regular cotton color pad sampler kit!

Name: Hometown: Current location: Age: Occupation: Interests: Dreams: How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: Reason for making the switch to reusables: Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you'd like to share:

Hi!  My name is Tracy and I'm new here at GladRags — although you may recognize me from my brief moment of fame as one of last year's monthly friends.  I've been using reusable menstrual products for about two years and I'm so excited to join the GladRags team!

I grew up here in Portland and last year earned my BA in Social Science at Portland State University.  In the past I have worked in childcare and provided employment support for adults with developmental disabilities.  Outside of work, I enjoy knitting, spinning, eating delicious meals, reading, riding my bicycle, and spending time with family and friends.  I'm a Leo (Scorpio rising) and I share my home with two lovely housemates, two cats, one Australian Shepherd and a French Angora rabbit.

I'm looking forward to spreading the word about GladRags and making a positive impact on our feelings surrounding menstruation.  Thanks for reading and look for more blog posts from me soon!

August Monthly Friend: Sarah Sliva

Age: 29 Hometown: Tully, NY Current location: Salt Lake City, UT Occupation: Emergency physician (ER doc!) Interests: Telemark skiing, hiking and camping, the great outdoors, knitting and crochet, brewing beer, travel, my two Labrador retrievers Dreams: Nothing too far out there, just a lifetime of happiness, great friends and enjoying the world around me! How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: Two months Reason for making the switch to reusables: Once I heard about the product, it just made sense!  Menstruation is a natural process, and should not be another venue for adding waste to our landfills.  Now, I feel more in tune with myself and with mother nature! Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you'd like to share: Gladrags work great for backpacking! Much more sanitary than carrying out your disposable pads. Just a quick rinse, and pack them away until you get home and do laundry!