Greetings!
They say successful
matchmaking is based on compatibility and shared values. After hearing that message
a few thousand times, we got to thinking: might there be a way to
foster values-based connections between our green single friends? Can we imagine a world where couples don't argue about whether or not to compost
and recycle, but instead fight over who gets to do it?
This week we're interested in making
green connections through shared sustainable activities, interests, and lifestyles.
So whether you're single, dating, or happily married, we'll look at how to create the perfect green date, from getting dressed to
getting there. Plus, we've got some great ideas for outings tailor made for fostering some
sustainable love.
Are you ready? Let's get it
on.....
Did you know? SustainLane
never accepts payment for business and product reviews. Our features
are intended to represent the views of the SustainLane community. |
Featured Product: Simple Shoes
|
 When you're on a date, you've got to have cool shoes.
Guys, you know that women are going to check out your kicks and make some
assessments. Gals, you need killer footwear whether the guy notices them or not.
So put your best foot forward with sweet-looking shoes and sandals
from Simple Shoes. Simple produces comfy, stylish footwear from all-natural and
recycled materials such as coconut, inner tubes, and hemp. And because they
apply the highest standards of ethical supply chain management, you'll never do
the walk of shame again. With Simple, it's all about the stride of pride! Click
for Simple Shoes
Sustainably made shoes
 "Green Toe is an offshoot line of shoes from the shoemaker Simple. The
shoes themselves are made from sustainable materials, including jute,
crepe, natural rubber, cork, and rubber based glues. All in all the
overall natural and proclaimed sustainability of the making of the
shoes gives them a huge plus in my book. Stylish..." click to read more
- Daniel R.
Love your Simple Shoes? Prefer a different brand? Write a review at SustainLane.com and share!
|
Featured Story: Your Green Chariot Awaits
|
 We all know great green dates don't happen in a Hummer with
the windows down and the A/C on, but what is appropriate transportation on your eco-outing? And how do you live the green dream while also making a great
impression?
Bikes are great on sunny afternoons, but temperature and
safety issues may come into play at night. On the other hand, a motorcycle or
scooter is a zippy, low-impact way to travel -- and an aphrodisiac to
boot.
Want to really pump up the romance? While getting from A to B using public transit is both fast
and smart, walking is not only carbon free and efficient, it tends to lead to
hand-holding. Highly recommended!
And when you finally get to the door and your date isn't
ready (busy applying eco-friendly cosmetics), you can kill time online by
purchasing renewable energy credits to offset your rendezvous' expected carbon emissions. Your date will be impressed by your random act of kindness.
What do you think of our date friendly transportation tips? Got better ones? Share your wisdom at SustainLane.com!
|
Featured Business: Bamboosa
|
 Imagine:
You and your date at a biodiesel drive-in movie
theater, watching a classic horror flick. The monster strikes and your date
clutches you in terror.
The next thing you hear is a murmur in your ear, "Wow. That
shirt is soooo soft. What is it?"
"That's all-American
bamboo, Baby. Chlorine and formaldehyde free!"
The movie is suddenly the last thing on your date's
mind. A word to the wise: when the windows steam up, don't harsh the vibe by
turning on the A/C!
Click for Bamboosa
Bamboosa clothing
 "Bamboosa makes clothing entirely from bamboo fiber. I've bought clothes
from them twice. The clothes are so silky and soft. They look really
nice. I've gotten complements on them, and when I tell people its
bamboo, they're really ..." click to read more
- G. M.Agree? Disagree? E-mail us at community@sustainlane.com!
|
Spotlight: The Perfect (Green) Date
|
 Now that you have your green stud or vixen, what do you do
on your date? You'll want to pick an activity that speaks to your shared bond
as eco-citizens. To that end, we don't recommend a helicopter tour of the oil
fields.
Why not pick your date up on a freshly-shined tandem
bicycle and head to the local fair trade coffee house for an afternoon tea?
After some delightful conversation, hop back on your bike and pedal over to the
park for a picnic. Spread out that new bamboo blanket under an old tree and
prepare a waste-free lunch of some grapes, local cheeses (stored in a
reusable container, of course!) and a freshly sliced baked baguette. Don't forget
the organic wine, real flatware and cloth napkins!
If you aren't too tipsy after lunch, take a leisurely hike in
nature. Or just do something fun and a little risky. Pretend to be tourists and
crash a guided walking tour. Or head to the local karaoke bar and serenade each
other with, "It's Not Easy Bein' Green".
Go in for a long smooch at sunset if it feels right. But
take your time. There's always more green loving to come!
Think you've got what it takes to plan the perfect green date? Share your own tips and how-to's at SustainLane.com! |
Staff Pick: Organic Bouquet
|
 Most women (and men, though they might not admit it)
love the gift of flowers. Why not make the treat extra special by buying organic? With Organic Bouquet, you can choose from beautiful, fragrant flowers like
lavender, roses and stargazer lilies. These all-natural beauties are the
perfect token of affection for that green-loving babe in your life.
Click for Organic Bouquet
Fabulous Flowers
 "I have always kinda hated Valentines Day because there is really no
room for spontaneity - girls expect flowers and/or chocolate. I'm generally into more personal, meaningful gifts, but for this one
holiday I just kinda go the old school route because it's
what makes my girl happy and that's really what it's all about right?
So this Valentines Day, I decided..." click to read more
-Adam W. |
Eco-Love in the News
|
 Green Speed Dating, Socal-Style (Valet Parking, Anyone?)
The road to green love may be paved with good
intentions, but a few eco-conscious speed daters took heat from NPR for their
transportation choices.
Watermelons May Improve Male Performance!
Cardio-pulmonary benefits from watermelons may be the new Viagra for men and
women.
Speaking of eco-conscious clothing...
Last week's Project Runway episode was all about creating high
fashion with green materials. The beautiful Natalie Portman dropped by to cast
her vote -- and promote her vegan shoe line too!
Who Needs Pick-up Lines When You Know Organic Wines?
For a crash course in organic, vegan, and
biodynamic wines, revisit April's newsletter. Then work your knowledge and
watch your date swoon.
Strategies For Getting Green Lovin' Online
Check out these five killer tips for improving your
green dating game.
Share the news with your favorite folks. Forward this email or have them sign up for our weekly newsletter. |
Story: Dating Online The Green Way
|
 We've all heard the good, bad and the ugly
of online dating. But what about online dating green style? New green social networks
and dating sites are springing up all over in an effort to unite caring,
conscious singles around their ecological passions.
When (and if) you're ready
to take the leap, we suggest you visit a few sites that seem to promote ideas that are in-line
with your philosophy. Then do a
test search in your desired location and age range. If you like what you see
and feel the options are plentiful, it might be the right site for you.
A few good options for green daters:
green-passions.com
A popular green dating site with just under 3,000 members to
date. The site is owned by a green-loving couple who provides a 100% free
service with chat and forums (the site is sponsored - banner ads galore!).
greensingles.com
Green Singles hosts over 13,000 singles with paid
membership. An interesting feature of the site is the Green Marketplace, which
is much like a mini green Craigslist.
Still not convinced? Maybe a little motivation will help.
check out these reasons to go for it, direct from Idealbite.
Tried any of these sites? Got some others you think our readers might like? Share your reviews at SustainLane.com!
|
Video: Date Night Tips For Eco-Lovers
|
 In this Today Show segment, sustainability expert and author, Elizabeth
Rogers, gets serious about going green for date night. From selecting the right
razor and shaving cream to sipping tap water at dinner, the focus is on
reducing waste and helping the planet thrive -- while keeping the romance
alive! Click to view.
Comments on this week's video? Please e-mail us at community@sustainlane.com and let us know! |
Take Our Survey and Win a Water Bottle!
|
 We want to know more about you - our users. What green action do you brag about most often? What aspect of "being green" is still the most unpleasant for you? To find out, we created a quick, nine question survey highlighting some aspects of being green we want to know more about. In return, we are going to give one lucky respondent a New Wave Enviro Stainless Steel Water Bottle donated by Nubius Organics. Two runner-ups will each receive a Wrap-N-Mat. All you have to do to enter is answer our quick survey. Click here to take it now!
|
| Upcoming Events
|
Land to Sea: A Celebration of Local Foods
Please join us for a wonderful dinner at the farm, featuring food grown and
harvested in Essex County. Meet the people who are responsible for providing it,
and dine with others who appreciate it. August 16 Boston, MA www.gmfarm.comSolFestThe world's premier two-day celebration of renewable energy and sustainable living. August 16 - 17 Hopeland, CA solarliving.org
E.C.O. Trade Show
ECO Wholesale Trade Show. Eco is the acronym for environmentally
conscious and organic. ECO's invitation is for exhibitors
from around the world that support sustainable lifestyles. August 24 - 27 Las Vegas, NV www.globalecoshow.comSlow Food Nation
An event is designed to show how food and
agriculture are interwoven with the larger issues of the environment,
health, education, community, the global economy and long-term
sustainability. It includes tastings, forums, workshops, films,
exhibits, music and hundreds of the most respected farmers and
food artisans from across the country.
August 29 - September 1
San Francisco, CA
www.slowfood.com
GreenFest Philly
Over 200 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors will fill the streets to learn and share
how easy it is to be green!
September 7
Philadelphia, PA
www.greenfestphilly.org
Eco Palooza
One of the best
sustainable art, product and fashion shows of the season.
Sept 13
San Diego
www.ztarc.com
Green Festival DC
Enjoy renowned
authors, leaders and educators; how-to workshops; cutting-edge
films; activities for kids; organic beer and wine; and a unique
marketplace of more than 300 eco-friendly businesses. Nov 8 - 9 Washington, DC
greenfestivals.orgGreen Festival San Francisco
Enjoy renowned
authors, leaders and educators; how-to workshops; cutting-edge
films; activities for kids; organic beer and wine; and a unique
marketplace of more than 300 eco-friendly businesses.
Nov 14 - 16 San Francisco, CA
greenfestivals.orgAustin Green Living & Home Products
Expo
This Home & Garden style show features green building, organic
gardening/native landscaping, sustainable interiors, renewable energies,
alternative fuels, organic and fair trade productsJanuary 9 - 11
Austin, TX
ShowTechnology.com
Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show
Over 250 commercial & educational
exhibits, exclusively marketing sustainable, healthy, natural and earth-friendly
products, services and businesses. Enjoy local music, healthy & organic
foods, and over 40 eco-seminars, featuring national & local green
build/design speakers, northwest garden authors, and sustainable living experts.
January 23 - 25
Eugene, OR
www.eugenehomeshow.com
Do you have any upcoming green events that you would like to have posted here? Please e-mail us at community@sustainlane.com and tell us about them.
|
|
|
|
|
| Our Sponsors |
|
|
|
