Bianca Alexander with Conscious Living visited the ABC7 studio to talk about eco-friendly alternatives to Valentine's Day gifts.
1. Save the trees
Use Valentine's Day cards made from recycled paper for a hand-written love note. The Chicago non-profit Womancraft created a stationary. The group trains at-risk and homeless women to make cards from recycled paper and reclaimed flower petals. These cards are also plant-able and will grow into gorgeous wildflowers.
2. Give pesticide-free organic roses
Buy organic roses, for example from Whole Foods Market, which come from the first USDA-certified organic farm in the world. A dozen roses cost about $17.99, and they'll gift-wrap them for free.
Also, Whole Foods Market is a great place pick up some fair trade, organic chocolates and a bottle of organic wine to enjoy at home
3. Give Eco-Friendly Lingerie
Why should the men have all the fun? Ladies, pick up a pair of fun underwear for your beau. Junk Drawers makes underwear from reclaimed remnant fabrics that would otherwise end up in a landfill. The best part: they are designed to be unisex, and colorful enough to be a swimsuit bottom, so you can pick up a pair for yourself, too!
4. Give a sensual massage with essential oils
Give your valentine the gift of touch, a massage using natural oils hand-blended from Peaceful Parlour. Create your own custom blend to get your sweetheart in the mood.
Peaceful Parlour
212 South 3rd St.
Geneva, IL 60134-2768
630-232-6300
5. Go for a romantic dinner out
Treat your sweetheart to a delicious gourmet vegetarian dinner at a "green" restaurant,
Karyn's on Green in Greektown. This Saturday, Sunday and Monday they are offering a Prix Fixe Special along with their regular menu: a four-course dinner plus champagne for $99/ couple. They are also featuring a sexy eco-lingerie fashion show all three nights, where you can see the Junk Drawers in action.
Karyn's on Green
130 South Green Street
Chicago, IL
312-226-6155
