Go Green And Help Women In Need With Peepods GIVEAWAY! 6/17

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples for review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

***WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS TMI *** (What can I say, I am not too shy when it comes to discussing things of a personal nature!)

Okay...Let's be real here. I know what some of you must me thinking. "Those are CLOTH menstrual pads?! Ummm...No thank you!" Really, I understand. I truly do. Before I actually tried such products, I was a bit put off to the whole concept as well. The idea of re-using something that came into contact with menstrual fluids just didn't appeal to me at all, even though I do make many efforts to make more environmentally conscious choices for my family.

But then things changed. After I had my youngest child, Xander, I had my tubes tied. (BIG mistake, but that's a whole other post entirely.) I started to experience extremely heavy bleeding every month, and would saturate a super-absorbency tampon in less than an hour. Every hour. For 5 days. Not a nice scenario. And it got very expensive, very quickly.

So I started looking for ways to combat this issue, without breaking the bank. A good friend of mine suggested I try the Diva Cup, which is re-usable in nature. Once I got the hang of it, I found there were a lot less leaks than with a tampon. Still, I felt I needed some added protection.  That's when I finally broke down and tried cloth pads. After all, I am experienced with cloth-diapering, so why not give cloth pads a shot?

Fast forward a bit...I have switched from the Diva Cup to Softcup, and I am an avid user of cloth pads for added protection and overnight use. Really, it's not as bad as you'd think. Sure, it takes some getting used to, and you do need to take measures to prevent staining. (I just rinse soiled pads right away in cold water, as it completely removes the blood. I also use a wet-bag just like I use for my cloth diapers.)

So when the awesome folks at Peepods asked me to review their line of cloth pads, I hopped right on board. These pads definitely caught my attention because they come in different sizes and absorbencies, and they also have very trend-forward, elegant prints. And let's face it: Women like to feel pretty, so the feminine styling of Peepods is definitely a plus...even if the whole world won't see them! Not only does Peepods carry period pads, they also have incontinence pads, post-partum pads, and even nursing pads!

Another thing that got me interested in Peepods right away is that Amber Givens, the owner, has a huge heart and donates product to women in need. Here's more about Amber and her mission: (taken from the Peepods website.)

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How Peepods Are Making A Big Difference :

Owner, Amber Givens. Photo courtesy of Crimson Rain Photography

In 2012, I started researching ways to better serve my family through healthy eating and chemical-free living.  As I researched, I came across the idea of washable period pads.  At first the idea was so foreign to me that I quickly dismissed it.  After considering the concept for a while, I began to research the options available on the market today.  Nothing seemed to fit my scrupulous requirements for functionality yet dignified beauty.  Thus, research and development of Peepods began.  As our company has evolved, we have not wavered from our original vision of creating something that is not only functional but beautiful.

As Peepods started to gain popularity, I received many inquiries as to whether these pads could be used by women for mild incontinence.  Upon fielding these questions, I began researching the need for a washable incontinence pad.  I could find nothing to meet the needs of a large population of women who suffer daily from mild incontinence.  I found that many women suffer quietly from depression and an altered social life due to the embarrassment of incontinence.

My conviction that all women must be treated with dignity, regardless of their physical condition or age was further reinforced when my grandmother came to live with our family a few years ago.  She was wheelchair bound and completely incontinent, so my 13 year old daughter and I worked together diligently to meet her needs. While performing daily tasks of diapering, bathing, dressing and feeding, it required a lot of thought and creativity to bring dignity to her life, which has carried over into our vision for Peepods.

At Peepods, we want to help make a difference in the lives of women, and we are thrilled to offer a product that is extremely absorbent, beautiful and comfortable all in one!  With your purchase of any set of  Peepods, our company  will send the same item to the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa Ethiopia  – pod for pod!  The women who come to the Hamlin Fistula Hospital suffer from a condition called obstetric fistula due to an overwhelming absence of obstetric care in the country.  Peepods washable pads will make a difference in the lives of these women by providing comfort and dignity as they deal with the socially, emotionally and often physically devastating effects of their condition.

How cool is that?! If you'd like to learn more about Hamlin Fistula Hospital and how they're helping Ethiopian women reclaim their lives, please check out this brief video. I warn you, you might want to break out the tissues for this one!

My Review of the Deluxe Set of Period Pads :

Amber over at Peepods generously sent me their Deluxe Period Pad Set in the gorgeous cranberry color. This set comes with three panty liners, two day pads, and two night pads as well as a Planet Wise wet/travel bag. (I LOVE Planet Wise, and am already familiar with their hanging wet/dry bags, so this was an added bonus for me!)

The Peepod pads themselves are very slim, but highly absorbent. They're not bulky like a typical maxi pad, and you'll never feel like you're wearing a diaper.

The inner portion of these pads is made from a plush, velvety soft fabric in rich cranberry, and the wing fabric coordinates beautifully. They're very easy to use, and because they snap around your panties, they stay in place very well.

Soft inner fabric. Isn't that color gorgeous?!

The "wings" snap around your panty, keeping the pad securely in place.

The Planet Wise travel/wet bag matches the Peepods perfectly. I love the inclusion of this bag, since it allows you to change your pads while out and about with no fear of mess or odor finding their way into your handbag. Planet Wise bags are the absolute highest quality, and are completely waterproof since they're lined with PUL.

This bag even has separate compartments for clean and soiled pads, so they won't come into contact with each other. Here is my bag with all 7 pads tucked inside. It's a perfect fit!

Overall, I am quite impressed with Peepods. These pads are very comfortable, and definitely absorbent. I have worn them overnight on my heavier days, and didn't wake up to soiled clothing or sheets. They're also machine washable, and you can throw them into the dryer as well. One of the things I love the most about Peepods is that they'll remain looking new for quite some time due to the strategic color options. These come in cranberry and also a deep espresso color, which will naturally mask any staining that may occur over time.

Plus, I also love that for every purchase made, Peepods will donate pads to women in Ethiopia to help combat the embarrassment experienced due to their condition. This is life-changing for these ladies, and I feel good knowing that my purchase can help someone who desperately needs it.

So if you've been curious about re-usable pads, I highly recommend giving them a shot. It's really not as "icky" as you might think. It will also save tons of money in the long-run, since there won't be any late night runs to grab feminine products.

Peepods are also wonderful for the environment. These greener alternatives keep so much waste out of our already over-flowing landfills, and also protect our soil and water supply from being contaminated with the harsh chemicals found in feminine products. So really, it's a win-win situation!

How To Connect :

You can check out the awesomeness that are Peepods on their website.

You can also connect with them on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!

Enter To WIN :

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive a  Deluxe Set of Period Pads from the folks at Peepods! Winner chooses color!

How cool is that?!

Simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM June 17, 2013. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

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