A Green Valentine is a Red Valentine
So does that make green the new red? Whatever.
This is such a simple concept that has been taken completely out of context that it is shameful to participate. Diamonds, Gold, Flowers, Dinner out, Cards, Champagne and Strawberries, Chocolate. What are you to do?
Let's go simple again.
Don't Buy Jewelry.
Like a friend of mine says, it doesn't keep your stomach full and doesn't keep you warm (although some would say it can make you hot). Besides, new studies are showing women are more likely to want high tech gadgets (not that it's a green choice), than jewelry. Diamonds may be forever, but they aren't rare. They have had the most well-executed marketing plan ever to make you believe they are rare and are to be coveted. They aren't.
If you must, consider buying an heirloom piece from a jeweler. Since the energy has already been used to create the piece, you're effectively recycling it. So many of the settings from years past are far more elegant than anything you can find now that it only makes sense to purchase an heirloom.
Don't Buy Flowers
The floral industry has a horrid record of using pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers to maintain their industry. They also grow in false, forced conditions that are anything but energy saving. When was the last time a rose smelled like a rose?
If you must, buy a living plant - which will help filter the air in the home/office. You can also ask your florist about organically grown flowers. This part of the industry is growing rapidly and like Christmas tree growers, ends up being a sustainable market which improves the environment rather than degrading it.
Don't Eat Out
The service is almost as bad as New Year's Eve because so many other couples are eating out. Why do that to what should be a relaxed evening? Besides, restaurants are right up there for energy consumption - along with steel and aluminum production factories. If looking at it per square foot, they may actually pass these two industries. The energy wasted is appalling.
If you must, seek out a location that uses locally grown food stuffs. The chain restaurants use highly processed foods that are shipped in from hundreds of miles away. This only contributes to damaging your body and the environment. The best answer to this is to cook your own meal for your heart's desire.
Don't Buy Cards
World-wide, over 1 billion Valentine cards are given each year. And you thought Christmas was bad! What more is there to say?
If you must, seek out cards printed on recycled card stock, that use biodegradable inks, and is made by a local artist. You support the environment and your local economy. Sending an e-card is even better!
Don't Buy Champagne and Strawberries
Yes, it's supposed to be the ultimate in luxurious combinations. But strawberries aren't in season, which means they must be forced to grow in less than ideal conditions (proven by the latest freeze in FL) - and must be shipped from far away (like, say, FL to NY).
True champagne is only from France, so shipping is a concern. Sparkling wines made in the champagnoi method are often shipped from CA and many growers use a large number of chemicals to keep their vines 'healthy'.
If you must, buy only champagne. You can buy a local sparkling wine variety - particularly here in NY. Look for an organic wine, of which there are a growing number. Don't throw the rest of that magnum away! Use it in your cooking - it's superb when added to any sauce. And don't buy the strawberries - save that luxury for when they are in season. The wait is more than worth it.
Don't Buy Chocolate
Chocolate isn't native to North America. Face it - it's a luxury we've made into a staple. So giving it for Valentine's Day just isn't as special as it should be anymore. And because of over farming, pesticide, herbicide and fertlizer use, cocoa plant varieties are becoming rare or extinct. How sad for the Earth!
Make a white cake with an orange glaze. Make a cinnamon coffee cake. Yes - MAKE it. I know it's a stretch, but making something is far more loving than running into your local drug store and buying the first box of chocolates you come to.
If you must buy chocolate, there are many food clubs in the area that sell fair trade chocolate. Find one and buy from them. While you're at it, buy a pound of coffee to go with that chocolate and support organice fair-trade organizations.
What Else Can You Do?
There are many things you can do for your sweetheart that would probably be more appreciated than any amount of chocolate or cards.
Do something for each other - clean the house, do the laundry, take the kids out for awhile, give a foot rub, give a back rub, make a cake, make brownies, make dinner, take a walk with each other, vacuum the car out, wash the car windows.
Write "I Love You" in unexpected places - like half way through a roll of toilet paper or paper towels.
Little things done because you care mean far more than anything big or preplanned. So think small!
This is such a simple concept that has been taken completely out of context that it is shameful to participate. Diamonds, Gold, Flowers, Dinner out, Cards, Champagne and Strawberries, Chocolate. What are you to do?
Let's go simple again.
Don't Buy Jewelry.
Like a friend of mine says, it doesn't keep your stomach full and doesn't keep you warm (although some would say it can make you hot). Besides, new studies are showing women are more likely to want high tech gadgets (not that it's a green choice), than jewelry. Diamonds may be forever, but they aren't rare. They have had the most well-executed marketing plan ever to make you believe they are rare and are to be coveted. They aren't.
If you must, consider buying an heirloom piece from a jeweler. Since the energy has already been used to create the piece, you're effectively recycling it. So many of the settings from years past are far more elegant than anything you can find now that it only makes sense to purchase an heirloom.
Don't Buy Flowers
The floral industry has a horrid record of using pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers to maintain their industry. They also grow in false, forced conditions that are anything but energy saving. When was the last time a rose smelled like a rose?
If you must, buy a living plant - which will help filter the air in the home/office. You can also ask your florist about organically grown flowers. This part of the industry is growing rapidly and like Christmas tree growers, ends up being a sustainable market which improves the environment rather than degrading it.
Don't Eat Out
The service is almost as bad as New Year's Eve because so many other couples are eating out. Why do that to what should be a relaxed evening? Besides, restaurants are right up there for energy consumption - along with steel and aluminum production factories. If looking at it per square foot, they may actually pass these two industries. The energy wasted is appalling.
If you must, seek out a location that uses locally grown food stuffs. The chain restaurants use highly processed foods that are shipped in from hundreds of miles away. This only contributes to damaging your body and the environment. The best answer to this is to cook your own meal for your heart's desire.
Don't Buy Cards
World-wide, over 1 billion Valentine cards are given each year. And you thought Christmas was bad! What more is there to say?
If you must, seek out cards printed on recycled card stock, that use biodegradable inks, and is made by a local artist. You support the environment and your local economy. Sending an e-card is even better!
Don't Buy Champagne and Strawberries
Yes, it's supposed to be the ultimate in luxurious combinations. But strawberries aren't in season, which means they must be forced to grow in less than ideal conditions (proven by the latest freeze in FL) - and must be shipped from far away (like, say, FL to NY).
True champagne is only from France, so shipping is a concern. Sparkling wines made in the champagnoi method are often shipped from CA and many growers use a large number of chemicals to keep their vines 'healthy'.
If you must, buy only champagne. You can buy a local sparkling wine variety - particularly here in NY. Look for an organic wine, of which there are a growing number. Don't throw the rest of that magnum away! Use it in your cooking - it's superb when added to any sauce. And don't buy the strawberries - save that luxury for when they are in season. The wait is more than worth it.
Don't Buy Chocolate
Chocolate isn't native to North America. Face it - it's a luxury we've made into a staple. So giving it for Valentine's Day just isn't as special as it should be anymore. And because of over farming, pesticide, herbicide and fertlizer use, cocoa plant varieties are becoming rare or extinct. How sad for the Earth!
Make a white cake with an orange glaze. Make a cinnamon coffee cake. Yes - MAKE it. I know it's a stretch, but making something is far more loving than running into your local drug store and buying the first box of chocolates you come to.
If you must buy chocolate, there are many food clubs in the area that sell fair trade chocolate. Find one and buy from them. While you're at it, buy a pound of coffee to go with that chocolate and support organice fair-trade organizations.
What Else Can You Do?
There are many things you can do for your sweetheart that would probably be more appreciated than any amount of chocolate or cards.
Do something for each other - clean the house, do the laundry, take the kids out for awhile, give a foot rub, give a back rub, make a cake, make brownies, make dinner, take a walk with each other, vacuum the car out, wash the car windows.
Write "I Love You" in unexpected places - like half way through a roll of toilet paper or paper towels.
Little things done because you care mean far more than anything big or preplanned. So think small!
posted by Leslie at
10:44 AM
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