My husband and I are not really Valentine's Day celebrators. When we were kids we got caught up in the hype that we had to do something, or buy gifts for each other, but those days are long behind us. We do not exchange gifts, flowers or chocolates on Valentine's Day, but that certainly does not mean there are no flowers or chocolate in our house right now. Or that we don't show each other how much we are grateful that we have one another, every single day.
Sadly, the industry of both the standard flowers and chocolates are severely polluting our planet. The gifts that are supposed to be about love, are in fact just the opposite. Between the factory pollution from chocolates, and the chemical additives they put in the chocolate, the pesticides they spray all over the flowers to make them pretty for longer, traditional Valentine's Day gifts are not doing their job loving the earth (or us).
If the chocolates and flowers route is the one you just have to take,
don't worry...there is a way to choose delicious chocolates & beautiful flowers that are both good for you and for our earth!!
Instead of visiting a florist, why not go to a nursery like Atlantic Nursery in Freeport, NY. There are plenty of beautiful options to choose from. From a potted plant, to a herb terrarium, to romantic orchids, you can't go wrong. If your sweetheart isn't exactly the potted plant, or terrarium type, why not stop by your nearest Whole Foods for a nice selection of cut flowers that are chemical free!
Onto one of my all time favorite foods
Dark Chocolate!
If you have not heard yet, pure organic, fair trade dark chocolate is actually good for you!!! That is not saying eat a whole bar of chocolate everyday, but a few squares everyday will actually be nurturing your body as well as your mind.
When looking for good dark chocolates be sure to look for organic & fair trade. Organic means the ingredients were grown without harmful chemicals. Since the cacao plants typically grow outside the US, purchasing fair trade means that the farmers and workers who grew the ingredients are treated fairly and not taken advantage of (you'd be surprised how many companies use essentially slave labor to get the cheep price on goods for you).
Every year I can't help but purchase my favorite chocolates from a wonderfully conscience company called Sjaaks Organics.
They have a wide selection of organic, fair trade & gluten-free chocolates, that are simply delicious!!!
Keep your eyes out for organic, fair trade & gluten-free chocolates and you simply can't loose!
Keep sharing the eco-friendly love out there everyone!
Happy Valentine's Day!
