The expression "wear your heart on your sleeve" comes from a Middle Ages Valentine's Day tradition? Young men and women would draw the name of their Valentine from a bowl. They would wear their selected name on their sleeves for one week.
February 11, 2009
Ways to Green Your Valentine's Day
Each year, millions of greeting cards are bought for Valentine's Day. Be original, and save a tree, by channeling your inner Martha Stewart and making your own work of art for your sweetie. Dig out last year's cards, cut out some paper hearts, raid old magazines lying around the house. Or, if you lack that DIY spunk, declare your love with sentiments on recycled paper from companies who specialize in eco-friendly products like Loose Petals (check out the adorable Love Doves card) and Greenfield Paper (buy a card, then plant it and watch wildflowers grow). www.loosepetals.com.
Flowers are a staple of Valentine's Day, there's no getting around it. How about this year, though, you go for the dramatic by presenting your love with a single, organic long-stemmed beauty from your local flower district, instead of pesticide-filled bouquets? Or go to the local nursery and buy her an entire rose bush she can plant and enjoy for much longer than any ol' cut flowers. If you must order online, check out eco-responsible dealers like Organic Bouquet and remember to look for the VeriFlora "Certified Sustainably Grown" label. www.organicbouquet.com
Steal your loved one away on their lunch break for a romantic picnic. If the weather allows, walk to a nearby park. If not, reserve a conference room and lock the door. Then impress your date by unpacking the green feast you so thoughtfully brought in your reusable Chico bag: Goodies from the local farmer's market; cloth napkins, real silverware (waste not!) and a bottle of organic wine. www.chicobag.com, www.theorganicwinecompany.com
Your significant other will feel pampered and adored when she receives spa products like Sumbody's all-natural Sex On The Beach Sugar Scrub or Butter Me Up Body Balm from Cactus and Ivy. Roll up your sleeves and volunteer your masseuse services to add to the occasion. www.gigglefishgifts.com and www.cactusandivy.com
Pull out all the stops and fix a romantic, candlelit dinner for two. Reduce your carbon footprint, stay home and show your devotion by ditching takeout tonight. Go to the library or surf online for aphrodisiac menu ideas from cookbooks like "Romantic Dinners for Two" or "The Seduction Cookbook." www.amazon.com
Chocolate - It pairs well with champagne, is often classified as an aphrodisiac and is considered a basic necessity of life for many people. Stick with this classic for Valentine's Day, but give it a green twist by sampling something different like Endangered Species Chocolate, a 100% ethically-traded, sustainable and eco-conscious treat that strives to educate chocoholics about the plight of plant and animal species that are disappearing from Earth and donates 10 percent of its net profits to help support species, habitat and humanity. (www.chocolatebar.com). Or go with Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a company that uses 100% renewable energy, green packaging, organic products and partners with green organizations, all while providing elegant and interesting choices such as candied violet truffles or the Mo's Bacon Bar. www.vosgeschocolate.com.
He can't live like Hugh, but you can at least let your guy dress like him with this stylish organic, bamboo bathrobe from Fresh & Green, a green-living company. www.freshandgreen.com
Does green lingerie exist? And can it be sexy? Yes indeed - Check out these ooh-la-la fashions from Green Knickers, eco-friendly Urban Fox and eco-fashionable By Nature. www.greenknickers.com, www.urbanfoxeco.com, www.bynature.co.uk
Romantic candlelight is always a good idea for romancing your loved one. Check out the Earthly Body Candles from Natures Own Store. Heart-shaped and made from organic soy oil, they melt into a warming, silky massage oil to boot. Choose from fragrances like Skinny Dip, Dreamsicle, Lavender and Naked in the Woods, for the perfect candle to help set the mood. www.naturesownstore.com/product/EB-02
If the flames of your passion get a little out of control, cool them down in a decadent way with Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. This well-loved company has introduced a new line of organic flavors that will cause your tummy to send you love letters. They support sustainable agriculture, small-scale farming, fair trade and environmental awareness in every way. Recently, Ben & Jerry's became the first company in the United States to begin testing on a new kind of clean, green freezer using alternative refrigerants that, unlike current freezer gases, do not contribute to global warming nor the deterioration of the earth's ozone layer. So for this Valentine's Day, you and your lover can indulge in your frozen passion and still feel green all over. www.benandjerrys.com
