Green Valentine's for your Sweet

Traditionally Valentine’s Day makes us think of reds, pinks, and white, and giving gifts to express amore.  And although card companies promote Valentine’s Day as a day of giving gifts, the gifts don’t have to be red, pink, and white, or expensive…instead they can be thoughtfully green.  How can Valentine’s gifts be green?  If you are in a quandary for a last minute gift, read on for a dozen ideas.  

1. Instead of buying one of the ONE BILLION paper cards that appeal to the eyes, how about a Valentine that appeals to the stomach and won’t end up in the landfill?  Perhaps some homemade cookies or cupcakes would be appreciated in the your child’s classroom, or by your sweetheart?  You can add notes with icing to sweeten the “card” even more.  Sweethearts always appreciate something sweet.  
2. Instead of a paper Valentine that in all likelihood will not be recycled as it should be, how about starting a tradition that continues for years?  Reuse one special card from year to year.  Each year, date and write a special message.  How sweet will it be to look back when you are both 90 and read them to each other?  That's a Green and Sentimental gift. 
3. How about making a green recycled gift that kids will love making and giving?  Check out Family Fun’s idea to make cute recycled hearts out of crayon scraps!  http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crayon-hearts-671639/   
4. What about flowers?  Many people associate flowers with Valentine’s Day, right?  And although I LOVE flowers, and think they bright up any space, I like them outside in the spring and summer even better because some of the flowers make me sneeze!  How about flowers that keep on giving and beautifying such as bulbs or a potted plant for a greener floral Valentine’s present.  Since I'm very lucky, and hubby is very romantic (and you hate to squelch that), I let him know that if he wants to buy me flowers, to buy them before or after Valentine’s Day and save some major green!  Speaking of green flowers, you can always indulge in organic flowers that are grown without the added chemicals used to grow traditional flowers.  Try http://www.organicbouquet.com/
5. What about chocolates?  Chocolates are synonymous with Valentine’s Day, and if you are a chocolate lover (I like chocolate any day, not just Valentine’s Day!), you might want to consider a greener chocolate alternative.  Try certified organic chocolate, or chocolate grown without chemicals, and without destroying the rain forests where cocoa beans are grown.  Additionally, chocolate that is Fair Trade certified ensures that the cocoa farmers are paid fair wages to provide us with the greenest sweet treat.                                                     
6. If you think of jewels as a Valentine staple, think about green bling such as the beautiful recycled, functional artistic jewelry by Artsy Fartsy.  Not only is this jewelry unique, it is as green as jewelry can be - it’s made from recycled plastic, but it’s funky, whimsical, and functional all in one.  http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/2011/02/green-bling.html
7. Dim the lights…use less electricity, and set the romantic mood  with romantic candlelight.  BUT, you don’t want to pollute your indoor air with pollutants that are expelled by many candles.  Instead choose, soy or beeswax products to enjoy the glow of eco-friendly candlelight. 
8. Speaking of candlelight, if you choose to go out to dinner, choose a green restaurant.  Check out Green Restaurant Association’s website, www.dinegreen.com to find a certified green restaurant.
9. Whether dining out, or dining in, try organic (grown without fertilizers or organic chemicals) and/or locally-produced wines.  See what you can find at http://www.organicwinefind.com/ and download their free mobile app while you’re there!
10. How about making a delicious organic dinner, and eating in with organic wine, and beeswax candles, and organic chocolate for dessert?  Nothing says, “I love you like” taking the time to make a romantic home-cooked meal.
11. So now that you are content from eating a delicious dinner, sipping some organic wine, and spending quality green time with your sweetheart, you may want to give him a gift?  However, buying for your man can be difficult for some, especially if you are in the market for a green gift for him.  Might I suggest a gift that you don’t have to buy, and you have on hand?  It’s the greenest, yet most intimate of all gifts. Yourself!  Slip into a sexy negligee, or don’t…maybe all you need is a nice red bow…dim the lights (saving electricity), light those soy candles, put on some sweet music…you get the picture ;)  If you need help spicing things up, head to the kitchen in nothing but your apron in search of a few groceries.  Read why cornstarch, tomatoes, avocados, chocolate, and buttermilk are 5 sexy ingredients you might want to introduce him to!  http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/green-sex-natural-aphrodisiacs.html 
12. And if you are feeling super sexy, you might want to give him something to enjoy for a bit longer.  For more details, on this seductive green gift, read more at http://planetgreen.discovery.com/fashion-beauty/boudoir-photos-valentine-gift.html

 I hope you have a wonderful GREEN Valentine’s Day with the one you love!  

A is for Air Quality

A is for Air Quality...

Indoor Air Quality can actually be more polluted than the air outdoors.  Most people have heard about the indoor allergen type pollutants such as mold, dust, and dander.  But smoke from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, and fragrances from perfume, incense, air fresheners, and candles are often forgotten and overlooked.  Cleaning supplies can also contribute to indoor air pollution. 

According to the EPA, Radon is an odorless, "naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than pressure in the soil around your home's foundation. Because of this difference in pressure, your home acts like a vacuum, drawing radon in through foundation cracks and other openings."  

Other less obvious indoor air pollutants include "off-gasers" from things we bring into our homes like vinyl shower curtains, furniture, carpet, cabinets, and paints.  Chemicals that off-gas from these items are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and  formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen.

So what can be done to improve indoor air quality?

To help with mold issues, visit epa.gov/mold for more info.  Tackling the moisture problem that allows mold to grow will be key.  Smaller mold problems can be scrubbed off with a hot water and bleach solution (depending on the surface).  Porous materials will probably need to be thrown out.  

Dust and dander are omnipresent.  Even the act of cleaning -- dusting or vacuuming can lead to the release of particles into the air.  When vacuuming and dusting, wearing a dust mask; de-cluttering and minimizing stuffed animals and excessive chotchkes can also be helpful.  Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters and air purifiers are also recommended.  To protect against dust mites that live in pillows, mattresses, and bedding, use protective covers, and wash linens weekly in hot water.  

Some love the "fresh aromas" of a candle, room "fresheners", and can't live without their cologne or perfume.  However, fragrances can irritate the nose, eyes, and throats of those with chemical sensitivities or allergies.  So think twice before adding these "fresheners" to your indoor pollutant load.  
For a more information about testing for and remediating radon, check the EPA site http://www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html. 

Low VOC paints are now available, as well as carpet with silver particles that have anti-bacterial properties, and eco-foam padding. http://peaceloveplanet.blogspot.com/search?q=carpet Material shower curtain liners are also readily available, last longer, and are washable.  

On the bright side, simply opening the windows, and airing out the house can be beneficial.  Easy to make green cleaners or green cleaners such as Greenworks, Ecover, Seventh Generation, and Mrs. Meyers will also help you to green your indoor air quality.  

So make a few green changes to your indoor air quality and breathe a little bit easier :)