1) Meet your match online. Dream of saving the planet with Mr. Right, The Eco-Friendly Edition, by your side? Log on to find your greener half: dating sites like ecodater.com and greenfriends.com cater to singles looking for an eco-minded partner.
2) Slip into organic undergarments. Look for sexy and sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp silk, or bamboo. Brands like Stella McCartney and Cosabella have plenty of eco-friendly options. Or hit your favorite vintage store, where you can almost always find sexy, retro styles (think pinup-inspired corsets and flirty slips).
3) Take care of a hairy situation. You don't have to go au naturel to get in touch with Mother Nature. Save the planet on silky-smooth gams by shaving with the Preserve razor-it
uses replaceable heads and an ergonomic handle made from recycled
plastic (mostly Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups). Or pick up the Razor Saver, a device that resharpens dulled blade cartridges.
4) Swap your sheets. Consider redecorating your bedroom, the eco-friendly way. Trade Egyption cotton for organic cotton, or consider bamboo bed linens. They may cost a little more than their cotton counterparts, but bamboo's ability to last makes up for any price differences. Plus, unlike cotton sheets that feel rougher as their threads break down, bamboo sheets actually feel softer and silkier the longer you use them.
5) Tantalize your taste buds. Enjoy a candlelight dinner packed with aphrodisiacs. Stefanie Iris Weiss, author of Eco-Sex,
recommends turning up the heat with chili peppers. Sauces, sides, and
dressings made from chili peppers (such as hot sauce or salsa) contain
the chemical capsaicin, whose effects mirror the signs of arousal
(sweating, tingles, rapid heart rate, and flushed cheeks). And serve up
organic chocolate for dessert. According to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association,
a compound in dark chocolate called phenylethylamine releases the same
triggered by sex and increases the feelings of attraction between two
people.
6) Choose the right lube. Lubricants are a great way to add a
little fun to the bedroom-as long as you pick the right one. Look for
glycerin-free water-based lubes. Glycerin is a sugar alcohol, which can
promote yeast infection in some women. It can also contribute to the
sticky and tacky feeling left after the water evaporates.
7) Reduce, reuse, recycle doesn't apply to condoms. To avoid clogging up pipes and treatment plants, toss condoms in the garbage, not the toilet. And before you pick up biodegradable lambskin condoms, make sure you and your partner have both been tested-they only protect against pregnancy, not STDs.
8) Set the mood. If you're going for candlelight, why not pick a product that does double-duty? Jimmyjane's massage oil candles make for sleek standalone candles and melt down into a silky massage oil, should the mood strike.
9) Play safely. Most sex toys are considered a "novelty" item
so the ingredients aren't regulated-and many contain phthalates,
chemicals commonly used to soften plastics, which have been shown to
change hormone levels and cause birth defects. Look for toys made from
glass, metal, silicone, or hard plastics, and buy rechargeable styles
from eco-friendly brands. Jimmyjane's Form 6 Waterproof Vibrator is a wireless, rechargeable option, and their Little Something line is made from medical-grade gold, platinum, and steel.
10) Protect yourself and the environment. If you've thought
about switching from the Pill-which may have a harmful effect on marine
life once it passes through your system-consider going greener.Glyde's vegan condoms
are certified by the Vegan Society and PETA's Caring Consumer Program.
Diaphragms are even more eco friendly since they're non-disposable
(they're also less effective, so keep that in mind!). If you're in a
monogamous relationship and have both been tested, an IUD may be a great
option. But think twice before switching your birth control method for
the sake of the environment: a baby may be a bigger eco burden in the
long run.
11) Hop in the shower-together. Save water by lathering up and
washing off together. Just make sure to move it into the bedroom if
things get steamy, or you'll end up paying for it when your next water
bill arrives.
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