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2001 » Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | Special Edition
2002 » Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | Special Edition
2003 » Winter
Inside this issue:Welcome to the new and improved Newark Community Cooperative! Same Values, New Look. The Grand Re-opening will be a day filled with food demos, gift give-a-ways, face paintings, live music, member specials, and savings throughout the store.
Staff and volunteers worked, many for over ten hours straight each day, on the reset in mid-September. We accomplished many of our goals. For example, we increased the linear footage for merchandise. This will allow us to carry more variety and give us more bang for our buck regarding sales per square foot. We now have the ability to move shelving around to efficiently and properly display product. We have moved the theft prone items in eye view of the register. We were able to make the check out time more comfortable for cashiers and faster for the customer. We have two more aisles than we had before!
Store flow was improved, with the exception of the shopping cart issue. We plan to have a cart corral in the parking lot, where customers can take the carts down a ramp and unload right at their cars. If you have further suggestions on how to improve YOUR co-op, please place a note in the suggestion box located in the front of the store on the table with the special order slips.
Our work is not yet complete! We are getting murals done by a couple of Newark's finest artists. We are getting additional lighting for some of the darker aisles in the store, and we have yet to put check writing stands and credit card machine holders in the check out lanes. Our staffed Member Services desk is also still in the works. We have some tiles to replace, pipes to shorten, holes to patch, bulletin boards to hang, and shelf sets to design.
Thanks to all that helped in the reset! There will be a reset party for all participants, with a raw food and vegetarian buffet, held at Sinclair's Café on one Sunday in the near future. Please let Jennifer or Mary in the office know if you would like to attend.
We hope you like the new look and continue to support your Co-op.
"Are you in the know?" "Your lab partner is totally hot. O.K., your period is no big deal, but if HE found out, you'd change schools." Sometimes it seems like advertisers think only teenagers get periods. Actually, they simply know, along with credit card and tobacco companies, that if they hook 'em when they're young, then they are likely to have a customer for life. Unfortunately, they are often correct. People often stay with the same faulty products that they choose in their youth and accompanying insecurities. The insults don't end at the age when people really should know better. The ads continue to promise that if you buy their tampons, "No one will ever know you've got your period" No one, least of all you, will have to think about the fact that you're a human animal, a woman, with a woman's body and woman's biology (or that the life of pads and tampons don't start at the store and end at the trash can). The ads lie, of course. Nobody forgets that they're on their period. But the ads do play on a shame that helps to keep many women from making informed decisions that affect their health, finances and environmental impact.
Sometimes shame, however deep-rooted, is not enough to maintain the silence, and money and censorship are employed. When Kelly of New Greenwich, Connecticut wrote into the (now defunct) magazine Sassy's "It Happened to Me Column" about her dramatic bout with Toxic Shock Syndrome, tampon advertisers threatened to boycott. The article, although well written, was never published. Consequently, Sassy readers, along with most of the rest of us, are not very knowledgeable about this rare but potentially fatal disease. The symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome, or TSS, include nausea, quick onset of high fever, and dizziness. Although potentially fatal, it may be underreported because many only suffer flu-like symptoms. TSS is associated with tampon use, particularly high-absorbency ones. All of the major brands contain rayon and other synthetics, which have been shown to amplify the growth of Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1, or TSST-1, which causes Toxic Shock Syndrome. This does not mean you can't get TSS with all cotton tampons.
Tampons also pose other health risks. Dioxins can be created from the bleaching process used in tampons. Dioxins are considered a probable carcinogen, or cancer causing, agent and have also been linked to endometriosis; depressed immune systems and low sperm count in men. The FDA has found "trace" amounts of dioxins in tampons. Tampon manufacturers and the FDA do not consider this amount alone a health threat. However, tampons, while they have lengthy contact in a porous mucous membrane, are not the only source of dioxins. A major source of dioxins is water pollution from the paper industry. Dioxins accumulate in the body and up the food chain, and dioxin poisoning symptoms may not show up for many years, making it hard to trace the cause.
Tampons can seem scary. So you think you want to switch to pads? The average woman may use 11, 000 pads in her life. To find out approximately how many pads you will use this lifetime, you can go to www.menstruation.com for a neat little program. That makes a really big pile in a landfill. The bleaching process used on most pads can also produce dioxins.
However, you don't have to use bleached, disposable tampons or pads. For women who choose to use tampons, there are, 100% unbleached, certified organic cotton ones from Natracare and others. There are also unbleached pads.
For an approach that is both saner and more radical, there are reusable cloth pads, which I personally use and love. They are much better all around in terms of personal, planetary and and financial health.
They do not cause TSS or dioxin exposure. They are much more comfortable than disposable pads; they feel like you are wearing comfy underwear. They rarely seem to leak. They last for several months, so they don't fill up landfills or empty your wallet. For an even cheaper alternative you can make your own.
Glad Rags come in unbleached and organic cotton and have two parts, a snap around hollow outer liner and cloth inner liner. You can use as many of the inner liners as you need, depending on your flow. Luna Pads come in patterned or unbleached organic cotton with a slightly different snap around design, whereas the ones that have inner liners have elastic strips on top to hold them facing your body.
The care of the cloth pads is nowhere near the drudgery that you may think. You can throw the pads in a bucket of water, with a lid if you have squeamish roommates. At the end of your cycle you can throw the water on your houseplants and the pads in the washing machine. The total labor equals about five minutes. There have also been times when I have just thrown the pads in with my dirty laundry, forgot about them until laundry day, and pre-treated and soaked them in some cold water and soap before throwing them in the wash. If you are away from home you can simply put the used pad in a plastic bag until you return.
For women who prefer tampons to pads there are also two kinds of reusable products that are worn internally: the menstrual sea sponge and the menstrual cup. Because they are reusable they lessen your environmental impact, save you money and prevent you from the panicked, late night trips for tampons. Because they are worn internally, there are more personal health issues involved than with cloth, just as there are more with tampons than with pads.
Menstrual sponges are small sea sponges worn like a tampon. The Sea Pearl Silk Sponge Tampons insert says that they are same texture as the vaginal wall, usable for 6 - 8 menstrual cycles, and do not contain dioxins or rayon. Regarding Toxic Shock Syndrome, the insert claims that conventional tampons create small wounds in the vagina, which allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing TSS, while Sea Pearls do not have the same abrasive, drying effect. The FDA website, meanwhile, claims that menstrual sponges are an unsafe product. Other users' writings range from using them for years (not recommended) to finding them fine for lighter days but unsuitable for a heavy flow.
Sea Pearls can be cut to the size you need; I cut mine in half to make two. After some research, I initially boiled mine in water for five minutes. At the start of your period, the sponge can be dampened, wrung out, and inserted. Every three hours the user should take it out, rinse, squeeze out excess water, and can reinsert. Most women probably go to the bathroom about that often anyhow. Menstrual sponges cannot be worn overnight, but tampons really should not be either unless you always wake up immediately after eight hours or less. The sponge can be disinfected with water and tea tree oil, vinegar or colloidal silver. It can also be boiled for several minutes between cycles, which can kill microorganisms, (some claim it is the only way to make them safe) but it also makes the sponge tougher. Sea Pearls are more comfortable than any tampon I have ever used. There is no comparison between damp sponge and dry cotton. I don't find the need to rinse particularly inconvenient, but women may feel uncomfortable in a large public restroom.
Another alternative internal product is The Keeper menstrual cup. Unlike other products that absorb the flow, the Keeper simply holds it, and must be emptied and rinsed at least every twelve hours. It is made of natural rubber and can last for ten years. On their website they say that they tested The Keeper and it was considered "low risk" for TSS. It only comes in two sizes, pre- and post-childbirth. I have heard anecdotes of mixed results ranging from not fitting right and leaking to women who love it.
Care should be taken with any reusable internal product. Use clean hands, clean the devices and let them air dry between cycles. They can be awkward to use at first, just as tampons were. The Keeper has a three-month guarantee for cups that have not been damaged or misused, and Sea Pearls cost about the price of a box of tampons. Unless you feel that they are not safe for you, then these products are probably worth trying.
Personally, I think these alternative internal products are better than tampons, but I don't feel that there are enough women who use these products to determine whether they are completely safe. I still think cloth pads are the best bet in most situations. However, if it has not been totally obvious, I am not a doctor, I am not a health professional, and I am not an expert on anything. I would urge you to consult a health practitioner (or several), do your research and become your own expert. Take responsibility for your choices and your health rather than letting shame, Tampax, the coop, your mother, the FDA, or me do it for you. Here are some places to start:
Few of us can lounge endlessly on the beach, enjoying the sun and surf, fully relaxed and happy. For most of us, real life does not involve many beach days, but rather a hectic lifestyle. Time to pick up the kids from soccer practice. Time to make dinner. Another load of laundry? Ugh, the house is a mess and the boss is a jerk. Can anyone relate?
Stress is a natural part of the mechanical 'get it quickly' age. It is defined as a physical or mental state resulting from 'pressure, tension, and excess strain'. It comes in many forms and may be directly related to physical problems. In fact, stress affects every part of our body system, with a focus on the weaker areas such as the adrenal glands, easily overstimulated in stressful situations.
As the endocrine system in the body releases hormones called corticosteroids in stressful situations, the immune system is unable to perform its best. There are many symptoms of stress, including loss of self confidence, becoming accident prone, forgetfulness, irritability, and tense muscles. Insomnia, nervous exhaustion, or panic attacks are more symptoms of stress.
While most medical doctors will prescribe drugs to alleviate stress, these may only temporarily relieve the problem. Prozac is a well known drug prescribed commonly. However, there are many natural ways to fight stress, including an anti - stress diet, exercise, and the ability to learn how to relax. The anti - stress diet includes fresh raw fruits and vegetables, steamed vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean white meat and fish, raw nuts and seeds, and olive, canola, and flaxseed oil. You want to avoid caffeine, nicotine, unnecessary medications, high sugar foods, alcohol, high fat snacks, and fatty dairy products. Changing your diet can help keep you well nourished and less susceptible to stress. In addition, you can supplement your diet with vitamins and herbs to help fight stress. Vitamin A is quickly depleted in times of stress, which helps the body fight infections and promotes tissue growth. Fortifying the immune system can be done with a Vitamin B complex. Other recommended vitamins are folic acid, panothenic acid, and vitamin C to stimulate adrenal function.
Minerals that help the body fight stress are calcium, potassium, and zinc, to name a few. Herbs can be helpful, too. Siberian Ginseng and Licorice Root is recommended, along with Golden Seal and Kelp support your glandular system. Some natural tranquilizers include Mullein, Scullcap, Hops, and Lobelia to relax nerves and support the nervous system. There are a variety of herbal remedies to improve circulation as well.
Exercise is a powerful tool against the effects of stress. While creating neurochemical changes in the brain, even light exercise, like walking around the block, can release tension. Endorphin discharge, oxygen level enhancement, and the removal of toxins are just a few benefits of exercise that may cause a sense of well being and invigoration. Getting in an exercise routine that is right for you will help reduce stress.
It is possible to battle the stressed-out times in our lives. Find ways to relax. Also, a healthy diet, the right supplements, and routine exercise are important in enjoying a stress free life. For more information on controlling stress, check our reference and book sections.
The inspiration for this article was from the book STRESS, by Louise Tenney, M. H, Woodland Publishing, © 1996, and is located in our Book Department.
"In every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." - From the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy
In recent polls, 90% of Americans name greed and selfishness as one of America's biggest concerns for the sustainability of our culture. The deteriorating environment and communities are other top concerns (Harwood Group Poll). I believe smart consumerism is one solution to these problems.
What is smart consumerism? To me, that means exactly what the Iroquois believe. It means planning a sustainable future today. A new world view is developing in our society. No longer do the majority of Americans feel that progress is defined by increasing material wealth. In fact, 'Cultural Creatives', i.e. people who look beyond everyday decisions to consider a larger whole, are growing in numbers. You are not alone.
Smart consumerism means supporting a sustainable economy, healthy lifestyles, alternative healthcare, personal development of yourself and others, and ecologically friendly lifestyles. We have a choice to support businesses and manufacturers who share a vision of sustainability. You can't buy that at the local pharmacy!
With scientists genetically modifying our food, Fortune 500 businesses polluting our waters, and toxic chemicals in our generic household products, smart consumerism is not only important for our families, but for their families and generations to come. By choosing value based purchasing, you can join the 'Cultural Creatives' in solving some of the biggest problems facing America today. You can choose to shop the Coop first. You can choose to support your local farmers. You can choose to ride a bike instead of drivng. You can avoid big business and buy organic. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Yes, the Coop is different from your local grocer, even our natural food competitors. Our difference is a cooperative one. We try to educate consumers, support local businesses, and try and build community. We make decisions with social responsibility in mind. In today's society, money equals power. Educate your friends and family about how their choices affect society as a whole. We can change the world together, one purchase at a time.
Take a look at these websites to find more information on 'green' businesses.
The Slate Roof Bible and The Humanure Handbook, established Joseph Jenkins' reader friendly writing style on very practical topics. His new book, Balance Point, takes the form not of instruction manual (as had his two previous works), but of a story. It is his story, of a quest reluctantly entered into to discover his personal point of balance between himself and the living universe, between self-importance and selfless devotion, and to see more clearly how finding that balance point is the first step in healing our injured relationship with the earth.
Before the story's through, Jenkins leads his readers from his home in Pennsylvania to Montana, Ohio, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Peru to meet with a deceased aunt, a coven of witches, an entomologist, a medical doctor, a pair of researchers, a shaman, an accountant, and an economist. All of whom add a piece of understanding to the author's query into our culture's destructive treatment of our environment and the seemingly nonchalant attitude most people display toward impending environmental crisis. In other words, the question long plaguing my own mind, what is wrong with us?
Joseph's answer, could it be simply that we are no longer balanced, that we have lost our point of reference? In any case, the reader is led to a unique and dynamic view of humanity's ecological crisis and how each individual's actions are a part of the larger picture. One begins to understand that healing the earth must truly begin with first changing our own perspectives and aligning our actions with a sense of responsibility for a sustaining relationship with our environment.
If you're intrigued, Balance Point is available for sale in our book department, along with The Humanure Handbook (an excellent resource for anyone interested in composting human excrement, thusly keeping it out of the water supply).
By the way, whether or not you decide to read Balance Point, make be sure to check out a very interesting website referred to in the book. www.deoxy.org/sciwarn.htm is the site of a public statement made in 1992 and signed by over a thousand scientists from countries all over the world. This World Scientists' Warning to Humanity strongly urges us to take seriously our need to address issues of ecological catastrophe.
The Newark Free Library has a magazine - SHARE INTERNATIONAL that may be of interest to Co-op members. This magazine presents World news of sustainability, environmental, and non governmental activities from around the world.
SHARE INTERNATIONAL is advertisement free and is published in The Netherlands with articles by interesting and prominent people from around the world. Share International is a non governmental organization in association with the Department of Public Information at the United Nations.
Some articles in the June issue include an editorial about "The Great Mother" (Earth), why industrial competition is detrimental to sustainability, the real story behind the Bush push for national missile defense, environmental heroes who won the Goldman Prize for their work, and family values with a Hindu perspective. There is much more in this magazine that publishes 10 issues per year. Take a look!
The current month and the previous month are with the periodicals at the Newark Free Library. Older issues can be borrowed using your library card. This is a rare discovery, a magazine that supports sustainable life on Earth and prints articles of what people around the world are doing to help our "Mother".
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