Some Creative and Earth friendly Ways to Show Our Love This Valentine’s Day

By Jenny Wonderling

There are so many unique ways to celebrate love in the Hudson Valley, whether you are honoring a loved one, bestie, co-worker, neighbor, and/or especially yourself!
Featured Photo above from Miss Tea in Beacon NY.

But first…

Did you know: roughly 200 million roses are grown annually just for Valentine’s Day in the US market, generating more than 9000 metric tons of CO2 emissions? Since 90% are grown beyond our borders, fossil fuels for refrigeration and transportation are up the wazoo for this holiday alone, not to mention pesticide use. While our team at Inside + Out absolutely loves giving and receiving flowers, as well as supporting our local florists, we wanted to offer some options to this traditional show of love. Even if we all just gave a few less flowers it could make a difference, while also celebrating our loved ones with original gifts and fun activities, while also supporting some of our favorite small businesses.

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Taste the sacred and sustainably harvested, Fair Trade cacao at Cacao Lab Kingston. This mineral rich superfood boosts moods and energy, supports cardiovascular health and so much more. Not to mention, it’s a sexy and decadent nectar from mama nature. If you’d like to learn more about their practices at Cacao Lab | Ceremonial Cacao] check out their YouTube series that shows how the brand was started, the practices with their farmers, and so much more.

Books and journals for your beloved from Inquiring Minds in New Paltz and Saugerties or for the more esoteric and ethereal variety, check out Mirabai in Woodstock. They also have tarot and oracle decks, incense, and oh so much more.

Dreaming about your soon-flourishing garden? Hudson Valley Seed Company has the most beautifully designed veggie and flower seed packs containing organic, non-gmo heirloom goodness. Light up your woodstove, partake in some homemade fare, and plot out your generous technicolor harvest together.

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What is more romantic than candlelight? Consider the non-toxic, paraffin free varieties…

> Blend your own signature candles made from 100% soy in Hudson at Poured Candle Bar while having a drink with your date, sister, pals, or solo.

> Hill Valley Candles in Kingston offers up handmade beeswax candles–which you can either buy in their shop or make yourself in their candle making classes.

> Miss Tea in Beacon has hand blended organic teas, herbal infusions and tea paraphernalia to warm things up.

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What about some good old fashioned wintry fun? Try snow tubing at Hunter Mountain and for inside fun, try Wood’n Wheels.

What about private beekeeping classes at Hudson Valley Bee Supply–powerful nourishment for the (love) birds, the bees, and the earth.

The Hudson Valley Healing Center has a dreamy Salt Cave and sauna, wellness classes, treatments, Akashic Records readings, and this workshop just in time for Valentine’s Day: Hypno-Meditation: Manifesting Love with Elisa Gwilliam.

Lovewild Design in Woodstock is a family and woman-run studio that makes all kinds of super cute, handcrafted, sustainable gifts. Their signature paper products are embedded with seeds that grow when planted, they have divine bath goods, smudge bundles, and don’t forget the Pussy Potion.

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A great gift for anyone, imagine you or a loved one learning how to create a handmade Shaker box, an Adirondack chair, or even a guitar! Woodworking classes at Kingston’s Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM) offer all that and there’s also a three-day ukulele workshop, a week-long kayak-building course and much more.

It’s time to fly and dance, Goddesses! Try Flexibility in Flight Aerial silks, Belly Dancing and Pole Dancing at Embody in Chester NY.

And last but not least, don’t forget to get a gift certificate or some fab art supplies to honor your inner and/or outer muse at the Hudson Valley Artist’s Shop in both New Paltz and Rhinebeck. Or, Catskill Art Supply in Kingston.

Happy Shopping. Happy Valentine’s Day. Happy Life.