Super Eco

Photo credit: Endless

A little while ago, a colleague mentioned that encouraging your man to live greener was relatively straightforward. In fact, getting him to give up his earth-destroying chemical ways is as easy as 1-2-3 and involves something that rhymes with "hex" (and a fair bit of ego-stroking).  

Alas, women (and a fair number of men) —straight, gay, or in between—are usually not this easily be-greened. This complexity requires far more than 3 tips, but it's a start.  If your girl insists on driving down the block to get the mail, or refuses to eschew the shoes, these 3 tips are for you and employ many tricks some of the men in your life would enjoy as well.

1. Natalie Portman Vegan Shoes. They're real. They're expensive, but they are not made of leather.

2. Services. Rather than giving stuff, give her services. Show her that love can't be found in another Coach purse. And in this economy, who has the money for a fussy little expensive spa day, anyway? Give her instead your time, your adoration, your devoted and hardworking muscles applied to cleaning the kitchen floors (with green cleaners of course), washing and folding the laundry, a sweet quiet foot massage with no further agenda. An hour or two of computer and BlackBerry-free time. Enough said.

3. Girlfriends. Set up a date for her and a girlfriend to spend time together without kids, pets, or chores pulling at them. This *could* be a nice reservation at an affordable vegetarian restaurant, or time set aside to walk through the farmer's market, or a high tea. Show her that you understand how important girl-love is to her happiness.

And there is absolutely nothing more eco than non-consumer love and happiness.