The Magazine of The Sierra Club
Are you feeling the pressure to plan the perfect date for Valentine's Day? The good news is that a relaxed, wallet-friendly evening is better for the planet. Whether you have a one-on-one, group, or solo date, let these thoughts inspire you to have a more creative, sustainable night. Just read our simple ideas to put a little eco-love into your date.
Step #1: Stay in. The first thing most people do when they realize Valentine's Day is around the corner is frantically search for dinner reservations. However, it can be hard to know how sustainable a restaurant is and whether ingredients are local and organic. So ditch the dining out and turn your date into a fun night at home.
Step #2: Go home-cooked. Resist the urge to buy a pre-cooked meal from a store and try preparing a dish from scratch. You can even make a date out of going to the farmers' market for the best ingredients. For an extra challenge, try a vegetarian or vegan spread, like this sun-dried tomato and spinach pasta with zesty sauteed kale. Once you have everything you need, head home and cook it together — you'll both have lots of fun and get more time together.
Step #3: Booze it up (sustainably). Regardless of whether you can identify all the flavors in a wine, you can still pick out a green one. Check out Sierra's guide to sustainable wines for some expert advice. If vino doesn't appeal, you can find planet-friendly liquor as well.
Step #4: Make it moody. Turn down the lights and really get the atmosphere going. Dim lighting can make your evening feel romantic in an instant, plus it uses less energy. Make these easy DIY soy candles and light them for the real romance package.
Step #5: Get outside. Whether it's for an intense hike you've both been waiting to try or just to stargaze after dinner, do something that gets you both out in nature together. These moments will clear your mind and fill your heart.
Step #6: Cuddle up. Grab a blanket or two and keep each other warm. There's no need to turn up the heat when you have another person you can snuggle with, so keep the thermostat down and scootch a little closer.
Step #7: Make it a staycation. If you dreamed of a weekend getaway with your sweetie, opt for a staycation instead. Use your dream vacation as inspiration to decorate your abode. It'll be less work for you and the environment will send you a big kiss.
--image by istockphoto/franckreporter
Jessica Zischke is an editorial intern at Sierra. She is currently studying environmental studies at Dartmouth College, where she also works as a staff writer for The Dartmouth newspaper.
READ MORE:
Green Your Valentine's Day: Date Ideas