Views:
476
Green Diva Mom Top 6: Green Valentine’s Day Gifts
476
Posted by Janet Harriett on Feb.14, 2010
©iStockphoto.com - borchee
6. Vintage Jewelry
Reduce the demand for newly-mined precious metals and gemstones by choosing vintage jewelry from antique dealers and pawnshops instead of newly-made baubles from a jeweler. Some vintage jewelry, particularly at lower price points, are made from a mix of metals that may contain lead. Pewter is a tin alloy that is often made with lead. Test jewelry for lead and keep items secured away from small children.
5. Live African Violet
Violets, rather than roses, are the flower traditionally associated with St. Valentine. While the african violet is from a different botanical family than the violet of St. Valentine’s story, it is a hardy and beautiful houseplant. Live plants, in general, are a better choice than cut roses.
4. Organic Chocolate
Aside from being a tasty indulgence, chocolate contains beneficial flavinoids. Choose organic chocolates with a high percentage of cacao for the healthiest chocolate hit.
3. Massage Gift Certificate
Massage is relaxing and boosts both blood and lymph circulation; abdominal massage can even help digestion. Massage oils also give a light all-over moisturizing. While most massage therapists are booked well in advance for Valentine’s Day, many provide gift certificates. If your Valentine is reluctant to go to a spa for a massage, try one of the many independent massage therapists. Look for state licensing or national certification to ensure that you’re getting a professional, trained massage therapist.
2. Healthy Cooking Classes
Enrolling in a cooking class for two can be a fun shared experience and teach you healthy food preparation methods that you can take to your own kitchen. Classes can give you a chance to test out ingredients and methods you might not try on your own, and usually include sampling the results at the end.
1. Something Personal
A thoughtful, well-chosen gift that takes your loved one’s interests into account is one of the greenest gifts of all. It doesn’t matter how green-certified, organic, or energy-efficient something is if it just sits on a shelf unused. Surprise your Valentine with that thing they’ve had their eye on.
Posted under Eco-Friendly Ideas, Living.
Article By: Janet Harriett
Profile: Janet Harriett, Green Diva Mom's fomer editor, has been a writer and editor for print and online media, specializing in education and environmental issues since 1999. She lives on 2 acres in central Ohio with her husband, a 275-square-foot backyard garden and a home orchard growing 25 varieties of fruit. Janet holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing.
Latest posts by Janet Harriett
- Pumpkin Flour - November 1st, 2010
- Get Your Whole Grains In - October 12th, 2010
- Recipe: Apple Pie Oatmeal - October 8th, 2010
- Nature Encounter: Wolf - October 6th, 2010
- Seven Food Ingredients with Industrial Uses - October 4th, 2010
- Five Food Additives that Sound Scarier than They Are - September 28th, 2010
- Autumn: Preparing for Winter - September 25th, 2010
- Happy Autumn! - September 24th, 2010
- Rebranding Corn Syrup as Corn Sugar - September 16th, 2010
- What to Do With Too Much Produce - September 13th, 2010
