I love Michigan!

The State of Michigan has gotten a bad rap lately...

But, there are many great people that live and work here, and I want to showcase some more talent from around the state.

We'll start off with MoonMaidenSoaps. I just purchased a few things from this shop, and what great service! I received my package two days after I ordered. The packaging is gorgeous - and love the products!!!

First I ordered a bar of the Bergamot and Chamomile Goats Milk Soap. I've been looking for calming, soothing scents lately and this sounded right up my alley. It smells so good!!!

I also ordered a gift set, since I couldn't decide if I wanted soap, lotion, or lip balm, so why not get all three? :-) This came beautifully packaged, and I chose lavender for the soap and lotion, and Dreamsicle for the lip butter - which is FABULOUS. I've used it so much the last few days, I think I'll have to buy more soon!

I have also discovered a great store for dog lovers - which I am one! FannieAndSprout has some great dog related items, including these great magnets!

I would also suggest searching Etsy.com for the "Michigan Trolls" group - there are lots of great items from many shops - all made in Michigan!!!!

Spotlight on Michigan!

I've been meaning to do this all week, and I'm finally getting around to it. I've found some fantastic shops on Etsy.com, and I have decided to feature two great shops I've found in Michigan, and I hope you'll consider buying from (I know I am or have!!)

First up is YouStinkSoap from the West Side!!! The products in this shop are all vegan and smell great.


I've purchased soap and lip balm from this shop. I love the vanilla velvet buttercreme lip balm - I've been using it all this week.










I also have two soaps in scents named Harmony and Kismet. And, with my order, I received a sample of the Bergamot Mandarin soap - took it to Tulsa with me, and loved it!

Next up is pjturner's shop - she's from Kingsley, near Traverse City. She has great woodwork, including pens, bottle stoppers, and keyrings.

Here's my favorite from her shop!











I hope you find some great items in these shops! I'm going to attempt to do this as a weekly feature, though it may be more sporadic than that. But, be on the lookout!

Wow - Michigan has a long way to go...

Before I write this, I'd like to point out that I am not necessarily the most eloquent of writers. With that said, onward.


The Guttmacher Institute has put out some interesting statistics on contraceptives.

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/state_data/states/michigan.html




Now, some things in this struck me. A few of them are below:

1) In Michigan, 1,204,060 women are in need of contraceptive services and supplies. Of these, 582,140 women need publicly supported contraceptive services because they have incomes below 250% of the federal poverty level (406,230) or are sexually active teenagers (175,910).

These figures are just amazing to me - over 1.2 million women need contraceptive services and supplies, just in Michigan alone!!!


2) Every public dollar spent on family planning services saves the federal and state governments three dollars in Medicaid costs for prenatal and newborn care.


I would like to think this is a great argument in favor of family planning services, yet there are still people in Michigan that believe abstinence is the only way...


3) Michigan ranks 48TH in laws and policies - whether their laws and policies are likely to facilitate access to contraceptive services and information.

While I'm not surprised by this, it just makes me sad. If we want fewer unintended pregnancies, then why would we make it harder for women to have access to contraceptives and family planning?


And the another bit of information that is in this fact sheet:

About half of unintended pregnancies occur among couples who were using a contraceptive method in the month the woman became pregnant; either the method did not work properly or the couple did not use it consistently or correctly. Because the likelihood of pregnancy in the absence of contraception is high, the other half of unintended pregnancies occur among the one in 10 sexually active, fertile women who were not using any birth control method even though they were not trying to become pregnant.

So, does anyone want to tell me why we shouldn't teach people the proper way to use contraceptives or that they are important? Otherwise, we can continue to deal with the medical, social, economic, and personal tolls of unintended pregnancies in Michigan.