The Green Familia » Guest Posts

Guest Post: Are You Furnishing a Green Office Environment

Brenda — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:47:13 +0000

If your small business has been looking for a way to save money and do something positive for the environment, purchasing green office furniture is a great way to go about that.

For the business owner that is considering buying environmentally-friendly office furniture, keep in the mind that there are a number of benefits that go with such decision making. Among such benefits:

Furniture produced with lower emissions and a reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOC);
Furniture that is built with sustainability in mind, especially that which is built with recyclable materials;
Furniture that over the long haul will save the company money;
Furniture that you can promote as using to your clients. Showing yourself to be a pro-environment business owner can only help your image among customers.

If your business is considering purchasing green furniture, keep the following in mind:

Seek furniture built from sustainable certified or reclaimed wood. It is best to avoid furniture made of non-certified exotic woods;
Furniture and fabric coming from the plant bamboo is a great option;
Look for furniture that comes from recycled metals and plastics;
Purchase durable furniture you will be able to repair. By doing so, you improve your long-term investment.

If you want to buy refurbished furniture for the office, you can find such items that are refinished from a manufacturer and then resold as new. This can turn into a great option in the event you require a large quantity of furniture pieces such as desks, chairs, cabinets, bookcases and more.

Also, in the event you don’t want to spend the money on brand new green furniture for your business, you can also search for recycled furniture. If you choose this route, look for furniture that can be found in second-hand and antique shops, along with yard sales, and online sites/forums.

Lastly, adding new green furniture to your office means that you will likely have some items to get rid of in order to make room for the new products.

When you have office furniture you want to do away with, look for a furniture liquidator that will purchase the items from you, then turn around and resell to other businesses that can reuse it. By doing so, you are getting some money in return, plus aiding the environment at the same time.

At the end of the day, making for a greener office environment allows you to improve both the health of your employees, along with that of the environment.

Photo credit: o5.com

Dave Thomas, who writes on subjects such as business plans, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.

Guest Post: Our Guide to Planning the Perfect Family “Staycation”.

Brenda — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:10:48 +0000

The term ‘Staycation’ first came into use in the UK around 2009, as the value of the pound dropped and the savings to be made by holidaying at home just kept rising. There are many brilliant holiday locations right here in the British Isles, so if you are smart enough to ‘staycation’ this summer you will be getting great value for money, whilst benefiting the environment by reducing carbon emissions and getting to know your own Isle that little bit better. With the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee just around the corner, making this a special summer of celebration, there is no better time to start staycationing!

Before you begin it is useful to decide what you want to get from your staycation. Is it great walking in the hills, time by the coast, or cultural activities and excursions? Perhaps food and eating out are the most important things for you, or visiting historical sites? Then pick an area that has plenty of what you are looking for. If you want hill walking try the Peak District or the Lake District. If your holiday simply must be about time by the sea, look to the Southwest, try Cornwall or the lovely Devon or alternatively if these are too far from you the Gower Peninsula in South Wales is fantastic too.

Image Credit

If you are looking for cultural activities, you could try a staycation in one of Britain’s cities. London has more free art galleries and museums than anywhere in the world, but don’t forget to check out Liverpool, home to the Liverpool Tate gallery, and Birmingham which has a lively theatre scene and many interesting museums. We really like the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The gallery is home to the largest public Pre-Rapaelite collection in the world, as well as art from over seven centuries. It is home to such a varied and broad selection of artefacts that there is sure to be something there to interest everyone.

Image Credit

Edinburgh is a great city to head to if you are looking for culture and history and being over the border will also give you a feeling of being a little further away from home! Whilst you are there try a visit to the famous castle, built upon its own volcanic rock – listen for the one o’clock gunfire, which has gone off daily since 1861. Hit the city centre for a spot of shopping at Edinburgh’s brilliant range of shops. There is an area for everything, from high street brands to the top designer stores. After that how about a visit to the National Museum of Scotland, where you can see everything from the complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex to rare specimens collected by Charles Darwin, all under one roof.

If you are into historical sites, Wiltshire is a great location – home of Stonehenge and many other ancient relics, and a number of great National Trust properties as well. These sites can be great to explore and learn more about the history of Britain, and the properties offering indoor access can also be useful if the weather doesn’t hold its own! We love the magnificent Bowood House and gardens and the lovely Wilton House, made famous by the films Sense and Sensibilty and Mrs Brown.

Image Credit

A great option for accommodation whilst staycationing can be self-catering holiday lets. You can really relax in a space that is set out for your comfort and it can be great value for money as it enables you to cook for yourself. This is a lovely way to really unwind and enjoy the company of your friends and family.

A staycation really is a great way to beat the check in queues and enjoy your holiday with a little less impact on the planet this summer. So we think you should get out there and explore the best of what the UK has to offer!

This post was written by Late Lettings who offer a brilliant service for listing and finding the best last minute cottage deals at discounted prices.

Guest Post: How to Get Started Recycling Old Electronics

Brenda — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:00:33 +0000

There are all manner of household items that you may choose to recycle, from the cans and bottles that once contained your food and beverages to the clothing, furniture, and home goods that are still in good enough shape to be useful to someone else (even though you’ve outgrown them in one way or another). But when it comes to your old electronics; the televisions, tape decks, and computer components that comprise e-waste; you might be scratching your head as to how to go about getting rid of them. You’re pretty sure they can’t go in the trash, but you don’t have the first clue as to how to recycle them. So here are just a few tips to help you get started and put you on the right path when it comes to discarding used electronics.

The first thing to consider is whether or not these items are still usable. If they are still working (albeit outdated) you may be able to do away with them through donation. There are all kinds of charitable organizations that will accept goods. Many have thrift stores that they use to sell these items at a low cost to underprivileged individuals that can’t afford to buy them new. Or they may sell or auction the items to receive some amount of cash value for their organization. In some cases, they will simply pass such donations along to needy families for free. Whatever happens to your old electronics after you donate them, you should get a receipt to see if you can claim them as tax deductions.

Of course, you could also opt to sell used electronics that are still operational in order to see some return on the money you put into them. You’re not likely to get anywhere near what you spent on them, but you might just recoup a few quid to use toward the purchase of newer items. Just list them on classified sites like Gumtree or Blazing Monkey and wait for interested parties to email you. If you want to get rid of items quickly, just list the price as “you haul”. Otherwise, set your price and see if you get any nibbles. And don’t forget that you can also try to pawn electronics or simply set them out as part of your annual garage sale.

Okay, so what if your old electronics are no longer in working order? If they only need simple repairs but you just don’t want to pay for them, you may be able to drop them off with vendors that specialize in refurbishing and selling antique or retro electronics. But these retailers could be hard to find. It might end up being easier to simply call the trash company for a hazardous materials pickup. Although this service generally comes with a cost, you may be able to take advantage of one free pickup each year (just ask your trash company if they offer this) or annual free drop-off days.

No matter how you choose to recycle or dispose of your old electronics, there are ways to scratch your eco-friendly itch and possibly even make a little moola in the process. It probably won’t be enough to cover your new TV or get you the best broadband service, but keep in mind that switching to energy-saving modern electronics will save you money. So you’ll likely be ahead on both your utility bills and your carbon debt.

Guest Post: Enjoy the world around you while saving it too with green travel

Brenda — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:21:49 +0000

We all want to make an effort to get greener, but many people are unwilling to sacrifice their precious holidays in order to save the environment. However, with the advent of green travel, people are no longer forced to make the difficult decision between saving the world around them and enjoying it.

When it comes to eco-friendly travel, thinking about the actual transportation you are using has got to be the first port of call. If it is at all possible, swapping planes for trains will do wonders for your carbon footprint, and with the Eurostar up and running, there is no reason you cannot get to most places in Europe by rail. Some travellers may be deterred from using trains by time constraints, but why not think about the journey as part of the trip?

Plane passengers see nothing on their journey other than the inside of an airport and a plane, as well as plenty of duty free shops. However, on a European train journey, people can watch the diverse scenery rushing by, observe how it changes, walk around and stretch their legs in the cabin, interact with other passengers and spend some time in a variety of cities. All in all, train travel is not just more environmentally friendly, it is more daring, and getting around this way, you are sure to have some adventures to write home about.

As with all holidays travel insurance is essential, and you can still keep this green too! If you have an email address you can use a travel insurance provider that only emails your policy documents to you, cutting down on the costs of postage as well as all the paper involved.

Upon arrival at your destination, is your first step usually a trip to the car rental shop to pick up a motor? You’re on holiday, so why not take a break from behind the wheel and rent a bicycle instead – a thoroughly much more enjoyable, and healthy way to travel. You never know, you might like it so much that you decide to invest in a cycle back at home too.

If you’re staying in a hotel, there are plenty of ways you can contribute to saving the environment here too, from turning down the heating and air conditioning, switching appliances off standby and using towels and sheets for more than one day in order to reduce laundry. Other ideas are to use your own toiletries instead of the expensive miniature ones provided by your accommodation, and minimise waste by using recyclable bags, as well as recyclable batteries for cameras and gadgets. You can also give the hotel feedback, suggesting ways it could improve its green credentials.

As people who are dedicated to green travel will tell you, there are also plenty of eco-friendly hotels and lodges around the world. These accommodations typically pay a high level of attention to recycling programs, energy expended on laundry, contributing to local communities and other methods of energy efficiency.

Guest Post: Top 5 Green Dorm Decorating Essentials

Brenda — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:00:01 +0000

The dormitories of tomorrow will no doubt be formed entirely from recycled plastics and metals, with desks and dressers made from some sort of super-resilient, compressed corn byproduct that will biodegrade within weeks if left outdoors. Natural sunlight will filter in through fiber-optic cables connected to the outside and the gray water from showers and sinks will be used to water rooftop gardens, conserving water while combatting the urban heat island effect. But until then, students seeking a brighter future will simply have to content themselves with the eco-friendly amenities of today. And here a few dorm essentials that every student should have.

Tablet. Whether you opt for the Kindle Fire, iPad, or Xoom, you should definitely consider getting a tablet while in college. Okay, so it’s not exactly a decorative item, but it is a far greener way of accessing books (even textbooks) that requires zero deforestation. If you use it in place of a laptop, it also requires less energy to charge (and you can get a solar panel backpack to charge it on the quad between classes). And of course, it could certainly become decorative if you populate a slide show with pics of family and friends and use it as a virtual photo frame.
Wall decals. Since you can’t paint your dorm room (and you wouldn’t want to anyway), consider decking the walls with some peel-and-stick decals instead. You’ll find all kinds of options to suit any style on sites like Blik (whatisblik.com), which has partnered with t-shirt site Threadless to bring you some truly awesome and original graphic art (in addition to standards like plants, animals, and Super Mario Bros.), and online artist commune Etsy. But if you really want to get eco-friendly, check out the options from weeDECOR. Yes, it’s for kids, but they have some neat options that even college-age kids will appreciate (if owls and octopi don’t do it for you there are some seriously stylish hot air balloons featured in the “transportation” section, along with sailboats, which are totally trending). Plus, these decals are PVC-free.
Mirrors. Hit up Craigslist or some local garage sales to find yourself a few cool mirrors to hang on your walls. They will help to bounce the limited natural light in your space so that you can conserve electricity, and the fact that you’re buying them second-hand keeps them out of the landfill and reduces demand for new manufacturing. Reclaiming items is an eminently eco-friendly practice that will also save you some money on dorm décor.
Organic linens. There are organic options for everything from sheets and blankets to pillows and curtains, so there’s no reason to purchase textiles smothered in chemicals and burdened with a history of pollution and waste. And if you opt for organic bamboo, you’re also selecting a fabric that is made from a sustainable, fast-growing, drought-resistant crop.
Plants. It doesn’t take an ma in political science to know that environmentalism is a hot issue these days, so anything you can do to green up your décor is sure to be a politically correct move. And it doesn’t get much greener than adding plants. While you could certainly get yourself a finicky fern or ficus, you’re better off planning a container garden of herbs and veggies so you can do double duty by spicing up your space and growing the organics you’d normally get at home.

Guest Post: Tips to Help College Students Go Green on Campus

Brenda — Sat, 05 May 2012 11:00:21 +0000

Most college students have a lot on their plate. You have many expenses to worry about between tuition, books, lodgings, food, and more. And with all the pressure of classes, studying, and possibly even holding down a job while you’re in school you barely have time to think about yourself, much less the environment. But by adopting just a few eco-friendly practices you could save both time and money while doing something good for the planet and improving the outlook for your future (which is what you’re working toward as a college student). So here are just a few ways to make your life easier even as you reduce your carbon footprint.

There are three main ways to go green, and you probably know them as the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. All of these can be employed in a variety of ways during your college career, so let’s jump right in with “reduce”, which is basically embodied by the concept of conservation. One of the best ways to reduce on campus is to stop using a car. In all honesty, you can easily get by without a car if you live on campus (or even nearby). Many students give up a personal vehicle in favor of mass transit, a bicycle, or Fred Flintstone’s mode of transportation (that would be your own two feet). This will not only cut down on hydrocarbon emissions, but you will also save some money. No more paying for gas, parking, and all of the other costs that come with a car. And many campuses offer discounts on bus passes for students so you can save there, as well.

You can also conserve on energy by using natural lighting as much as possible, installing CFLs, and turning off electronics when they’re not in use (or unplugging them to stop phantom drain). And when it comes to water consumption you may not have low-flow toilets or aerated faucets at your disposal, but you can cut back on time spent in the shower and wait until you have a full load to do laundry (also a money-saver).

As for reusing and recycling, these are two sides of the same coin. For example, you might think that recycling only relates to the aluminum, plastic, and glass that contain your soft drinks. And while throwing these in recycle bins on campus rather than trash cans is a good start, the truth is that you could be doing a lot more. Start looking at how many disposable items you use. Could you opt for a reusable water bottle rather than purchasing a Dasani from the vending machine every day (again, save some money)?

And when you clear out your closet or upgrade your furnishings, don’t leave these items on the curb for trash pickup. Call a charitable organization (like Goodwill or the Salvation Army) for a pickup (or to find a drop-off location). Call your local trash company to find out about turning in broken electronics (which are often considered hazardous waste). And don’t buy newly manufactured products, either. Look for reclaimed (and refurbished) items instead. You’ll keep perfectly usable goods out of the landfill and give them a second life (at less cost to you). It doesn’t take a master of social work to see that these eco-friendly options are good for you and the global community. All are easy to implement even when you live on campus; and in addition to helping the environment, they could help you to save time and money, something that every student can appreciate.

Guest Post: How would you furnish your garden?

Brenda — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:00:21 +0000

Just like furnishing your home, choosing what’s right for a garden is a matter of individual taste and preference, but most people just require an attractive outdoor space in which to relax during fine weather. The garden’s overall design makes an important difference of course when furnishing your garden. Is there a favourite spot on the lawn, a terrace or a patio area or perhaps a pond as a garden feature? Some houses may also have a balcony or a small veranda that is ideal for potted plants, and some have French windows leading from a conservatory directly into the garden.

Good garden design considers its relationship to the house and its intended use. In just the same way, garden furnishings also reflects these elements – a garden for a young family might need spaces for play equipment and a sand pit; adults might need a barbecue area and formal gardens might include statuary and water features.

Water features

Fountains are enduringly popular and there are some very imaginative contemporary designs available as well as the more traditional, tiered varieties. Sometimes these are solar powered, providing an eco friendly alternative to those requiring a mains electrical supply.

Furniture

Even the smallest outdoor space generally has room for a few items of garden furniture and there’s now a breathtaking range available of chairs, tables, parasols, sofa sets and dining sets. Village Garden Furniture supplies fabulous spherical pods with a removable roof and room inside for relaxing on banks of cosy cushions. Larger gardens and patios will benefit from some sun loungers and swing seats, which now come in several different styles – those with awnings or an arbour are generally big enough to seat two people and solo hanging chairs are gaining in popularity, as well as freestanding hammocks.

Potted plants and hanging baskets

Whether furnished in traditional or contemporary style, patio areas benefit enormously from the introduction of some greenery and some colour, and garden planters now come in a range of fashionable shapes, colours and materials. These are big enough to take some taller shrubs, and a sunny patio area is an ideal place to grow dwarf varieties of fruit trees – oranges and lemons, for example – or even olive trees. Hanging baskets and wall sconces provide a splash of colour and there are now plants available to provide year-round interest, including during the winter months. Of course, with the theme of growing your own in mind, strawberries have become popular plants for including in hanging baskets, and there is nothing more delightful than watching their pretty flowers give way to luscious ripe fruit towards the end of the summer.

Making it personal

When furnishing a garden space the most important thing to remember is that this is a place in which to relax – a pergola covered with scented flowers might be ideal, or listening to the sound of water in a fountain, or watching birds come and go from a feeder. Making it comfortable is the key to success when furnishing a garden.

Guest Post: Moving to the UK? Some things you should know

Brenda — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:47 +0000

I relocated to the UK from the US for work reasons over two years ago and it has proven to be a very positive move for me. I hope that my observations will be helpful to you if you are considering making such a major change in your life.

Moving to live and perhaps work in another country can be exciting if a long-held dream is coming true. It can also be inspirational if a new course of study at college is involved. Unfortunately it can also be stressful, as the task of sorting everything out preparatory to the move can seem overwhelming. Here is some information that will help to make the experience of moving to the UK a positive and enjoyable event.

Making the move

Often it is the process of relocating itself that is most daunting. Whether a single individual or a whole family is involved, it makes good sense to find a furnished house or flat to rent until such time as the option to buy or to move somewhere more suitable has been decided. Your own furniture and other personal effects can be held in storage until a more permanent property has been acquired. Oxford storage can provide space for everything from a few small boxes of goods to the contents of a whole house.

Information

Assuming that a place to live and work or to study is secured, and that speaking and reading English is not a major problem, the first thing to do is to get to know the immediate geographical area that you are going to reside in a little better – this can be done virtually by using maps and online local information, before arriving. In the UK, individuals register with a local doctor (general practitioner or GP) for their healthcare, a dentist for oral care and also often with an optician for eye care. Sometimes these services are free, as with National Health GP services; sometimes the providers offer only private services, which are chargeable. Other useful locations to identify are the nearest bank and post office. Both will change currency and provide financial advice and services.

Getting around

Try to choose a place to stay/live that is served by public transport. In London there is a normal railway system that is served by several mainline stations from where you can gain access to any other part of the UK. London commuters also benefit from the Underground railway system known as the Tube. There is also a tram service in the London docklands area. Excellent and convenient bus and coach services are easy to find in the capital.

Many other major UK cities have good transport links and tram and/or bus services. In the more rural areas, bus services may be infrequent, so it is worth being clear about transport availability before you decide where to live. Using public transport, rather than running a car is much better for the environment, and cities with a tram service are among the most eco-friendly places to live in the UK.

Traditions and lifestyle

Generally, people living in the UK are polite and respectful in their social dealings with others; they queue patiently in shops, for example, and when they walk their dogs in the park or along a street they have to, by law, clear up and dispose of any dog mess. Plastic bags are used for this purpose and deposited in a dog waste bin, which is generally coloured red.

UK police officers are approachable if you need help or are seeking directions. If you are unfortunate enough to need a hospital you will find that the care you receive will be of a high standard.

Being eco-friendly

The best cities in terms of protecting green open spaces, reducing carbon emissions and promoting recycling are Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle in the north; Coventry, Leicester and Birmingham in the Midlands; Bristol, Brighton and Plymouth in the south. London is improving year on year, and the city of Edinburgh in Scotland is now a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.

Guest Post: Comparing The 4 Types Of Organic and Natural Mattresses

Brenda — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:27 +0000

Organic mattresses have been a big growth market over the last decade as eco-friendly and health conscious consumers strive to make their sleeping environment clean and green.

This has meant that new types of products are being created or different combinations with different materials are being tried. Ultimately it means more choice for the consumer.

The four types of organic mattress available are wool, cotton, latex and memory foam. It needs to be noted that latex and memory foam are not “certified organic” because there is no 3rd party certification organisation that exists. Therefore the products must be labelled as “natural” even if they are actually organic.

Organic Wool Mattress

In order to be classified as organic wool there cannot be any chemicals for feed crops. There can’t be any synthetic hormones and the sheep need to be able to wander and roam naturally. Only natural medicines can be used and there is no dipping or carbonization. The wool is only washed with vegetable oils, ensuring that the natural lanolin is retained.

Wool is the best breather and regulates moisture most effectively. The natural lanolin is also dust mite resistant.

Wool mattresses can come freeform, without a core or they can have a latex core to provide additional support, for example the mattresses produced by naturalmat.

Organic Cotton Mattress

This is the traditional innerspring mattress with cotton fill. The only difference is that organic cotton is used instead. There is quite a wide variety of quality available in organic cotton mattresses and they are getting more and more common.

Cotton is one of the heaviest users of herbicides and pesticides in the world. So by purchasing organic cotton you are doing your bit for the environment, probably more so than any of the other materials because the environmental impact of synthetic latex and treated wool is less.

The problem with this type of mattress is that the innerspring unit can create pressure points. Many people are moving away from innerspring units and onto latex or memory foam for that exact reason. So this mattress will not provide any additional comfort or support – it is merely a more eco-friendly option.

Natural Latex Mattress

Natural latex refers to the fact that the material comes from the sap of the rubber tree, not synthetic latex tat was created in a lab from chemicals.

However it cannot yet be certified organic although hopefully that will be available in the future.

Latex comes in two types – talalay and dunlop. Talalay is generally regarded as being the superior of the two, providing better comfort. Although many people cannot even tell the difference.

Natural latex has an elastic and springy feel. It is well regarded as a good mattress for back pain because it does not allow the shoulders and pelvis to sink too far into the mattress, but it has enough give to let your back form its natural arch. It is also a motion isolator meaning that movement from one person on one side of the mattress will not affect the person on the other.

Natural Memory Foam Mattress

Currently only one company in the world makes natural memory foam. That is because it is still under patent. They are Canadian company Essentia, although their mattresses are available in the UK via Absolute Beds.

Natural memory foam uses natural latex as its base material and along with other organic ingredients creates natural memory foam using its unknown patented process. The excellent thing about these mattresses is that they have all the benefits of Tempurpedic and other memory foam brands but with the tendency to sleep hot or the abundance of toxic chemicals.

Memory foam is widely regarded as the most comfortable sleeping surface and the best for back pain. Having said that there is no one size fits all and for some people memory foam just doesn’t suit. However it is brilliant that an eco-friendly and healthy option for memory foam is now available.

About The Author

Thomas writes about how to create healthy bedrooms. He focuses on how to get better sleep, overcoming back pain and organic bedroom products, including an organic mattress comparison.

Guest Post: Eco Friendly Date Ideas for Couples

Brenda — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:15 +0000

There’s a good chance that if you asked someone, “Where can I take a person on a first date that is eco-friendly?” that they might translate that to mean, “Where can I take a person on a first date that’s cheap?”

No doubt about it, the “go green” movement definitely makes things easier on the wallet. But what a lot of eco-friendly dates may lack in cost, it certainly makes up for in creativity. In other words, “the less you spend, the more imagination you usually have to use.” In many ways, when it comes to making a good first date impression, that can actually work out well into your favor.

So what are some eco-friendly date ideas for couples? How about trying out a few of these?

A picnic. You can never really go wrong with a picnic basket and a bottle of (organic) wine. Sure, it may seem a tad bit predictable, but you can always put your own spin on it. Maybe have a picnic at sunset. Or fill the basket with your date’s favorite things (you can ask them or perhaps connect with one of their relatives on Facebook if you’d like it to be a surprise). Seasonal picnics are pretty special too. For instance, you can have one at winter by bringing along some soup, hot cocoa and a new scarf and pair of gloves. (Etsy.com has some really cute eco-friendly gloves and arm warmers.)

Bike riding. Some couples enjoy hiking, especially on a first date, because it’s a great way to build communication while getting in some cardio at the same time. You can take it up a notch by going bicycle riding, instead. Either you can bring your individual bikes along as your ride along a promenade or in the park. Or, you can look into renting a tandem (side-by-side) bicycle for the day. A lot of sporting stores offer that as a reasonably priced option.

Take a local road trip. One of the best things you can do for the environment is to cut down on the amount of emissions that goes into the atmosphere. You can do that by opting to carpool or to ride the bus instead of using your car on a daily basis. Along this same theme, a fun date can consist of a similar concept. Simply get a couple of tourist brochures and hop the MTA, Marta, subway, trolley or a taxi for a day. You and your date can stop at all of the places that either you like best in your city or that you’ve never seen before. If you take a long a camera, it’s a wonderful way to preserve some lasting memories.

Cook an organic meal. It still continues to be a really romantic thing when someone cooks for their significant other. So, why not do a bit of research into some great organic recipes? OrganicAuthority.com and OrganicKitchen.com are two websites with loads of them. To go along with the organic theme, decorate the table with some soy candles and gerbera daisies (they’re wonderful for purifying the air) and make sure to serve everything on some eco-friendly dinnerware (everywhere from Crate and Barrel to Amazon carries some).

Go for a walk. From a divorce in Austin to one that’s filed in England, one of the leading causes for divorce is a lack of communication; that usually is due to many couples not developing effective ways of talking with one another. A simple way to remedy that is to go on walks with one another. It could be in your neighborhood, along the beach, window shopping at a mall…anywhere where you both feel comfortable to just be yourselves. You can even sweeten the deal with some gelato from a local eatery or toast one another with some champagne or sparkling cider upon your return (Korbel has an organic champagne that’s available at a really reasonable price.). Besides, a good walk together is pretty symbolic, wouldn’t you say? It represents going somewhere…together.