The Lean Green Family is two of my favorite things - as their name would suggest they are committed to living a eco-friendly lifestyle and finding cost-effective ways to do it (the blog was formerly called Suddenly Frugal). After all being environmentally conscious shouldn't necessarily have to break the bank.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Leah (The Lean Green Mom) has posted some great suggestions for making the occasion green. I'm completely sold on the idea of hunting through antique stores for jewelery, except I'm not entirely sure how much I would find for other people! Read Leah's ideas and be sure to visit The Lean Green Family for more wonderful lifestyle tips.
Forget red on Valentine's Day. This year I think you should go green for Valentine's Day. Here are four ways that you can green your Valentine's Day gift ideas and/or your celebration plans.
1. Choose Organic or Locally Grown Flowers
A rose is a rose is a rose, but on Valentine's Day, you can expect about 214 million roses to be the flower gift of choice. In fact, according to the Society of American Florists, fresh flowers are the number one gift choice for Valentine's Day. But if you'd like to give a green floral gift, try to choose either locally grown flowers or those that are grown organically. If you live in a warmer climate, where farmer's markets are still up and running (not so much in the northern half of the United States), buy your flowers this way.
"Organic flowers are easy to find online and often at boutique flower shops in large cities," suggest Courtney Hamilton, a spokesperson for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NDRC). "Why buy jet-lagged flowers at the cost of the environment or the health of workers, when you can get fresher cleaner ones down the street?" I just heard of a new organic florist and gift shop in New York City called Gardenia Organic, and I'm sure other major cities have similar kinds of shops. I'll bet you can find locally grown flowers in small towns, too. Where I live there is a shop that has its own greenhouse that operates year-round, meaning that I can get locally grown orchids and hydrangeas whenever I want. As far as online options for organic flowers, check out Organic Bouquet.
2. Share a Sustainable Meal Together
By now you've heard about the 100-mile diet and folks who eat locally grown foods and call themselves locavores. This Valentine's Day, why not take a page from their culinary book and share a sustainable meal together. You can cook this meal at home or dine out at a nearby restaurant known for its local and/or organic fare.
One such restaurant in Philadelphia is the White Dog Cafe. Its commitment to the Earth and to good causes is exemplary-the restaurant buys from local, organic farmers, uses alternative energy and recycles religiously. Is there a restaurant like this near you? Make a reservation for Valentine's Day dinner there--and walk or take public transportation to get there, if you can.
3. Raise a Glass to a Local Spirit
These days you can get great wines from places other than California and France. If your goal is to enjoy a fine, green wine, try looking in your own backyard (or at least a nearby state) for your spirit of choice. Local wines "don’t travel as far, from grape to table," says the NRDC's Hamilton. A hot trend in wine growing is doing so organically (no surprise there). "Organic wines don’t cost much more, particularly in the era of discount wine markets," Hamilton adds. "As an added bonus, organic wines are made without added sulfites, which makes them more friendly to people with asthma and those who are allergic to the common vino additive." Google "organic wine" and the area where you live, and see what you come up with. I'm confident you will find lots of local options. Once you find a great bottle of local wine, remember: after you've enjoyed it, don't forget to recycle the bottle.
4. Green Your Jewelry Gift
I'm not talking about giving a ring that turns your finger green. No, this year why not shop for jewelry in a consignment or antique shop? This would totally qualify as reusing and recycling. Or how about purchasing jewelry made from recycled materials? One of my favorite companies is Uncommon Goods, which sells a ton of jewelry made from recycled materials. How cool is that?
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