The Wellness Quotient

From seduction to sex, individuals are becoming more planet-friendly as well as body-friendly. Lovers are getting involved in “green dating,” “vegetarian porn” and “green weddings.”

These days, lovers are also more concerned about what they’re putting on, in or up against their bodies, but great rewards can be found in experimenting with the following:

1. Organic Lubricants

Companies are starting to make lubricants free of parabens and petro-chemicals, like Babeland Naturals Organic Lube. Kissed with skin-healing aloe and organic flowers, such products get away from anything artificial. Some people are turned off by the color (brown), but all things considered, this dark shade is a lot sexier than putting petroleum products on your body.

2. Bamboo Sheets

Make over your bed with silky bamboo fabric. These eco-friendly, luxury sheets come from a renewable source and are usually grown without pesticides and harsh chemicals. They also contain natural, antimicrobial properties (meaning they can kill or inhibit the growth of things like bacteria or fungi). They can be purchased at stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond.

3. Eco-Lingerie

Slippery and stylish, eco-undies and other fine undergarments are now made of hemp silk, organic cotton, bamboo, and other renewable fibers, from companies like American Apparel Organics and the United Kingdom’s Enamore.

4. Environmentally Friendly Condoms

Contraceptives, in general, are a great idea for keeping the Earth’s population under control. So if you use condoms, and all you and your partner have to worry about is pregnancy, you may want to consider the sheep skin condom.

This condom is biodegradable. It does not, however, protect lovers against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

5. Sustainable Wooden Paddles

Into spanking? Coco de Mer makes top of the line sustainable wooden paddles complimented with fair-trade leather wrist cuffs.

6. Phthalate-Free Vibrators

In the last few years, consumers have become increasingly concerned about chemicals called phthalates, a substance of phthalic acid used to soften plastics for more of a jelly-feel. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, high doses of phthalates can change hormone levels, causing birth defects.

The concern is so great that the European Union banned a number of phthalates fromchildren’s toys in 2004. Consider, too, that a study conducted for Greenpeace Netherlands found that the ratio of sex toys that tested positive for phthalates was 7:8. (They ranged in concentration from 24 to 51 percent).

In response, the sex toy industry has started to make vibrators out of elastomer, a latex-free material that doesn’t contain phthalate. When it comes to sex toys in general, look for those made of hard plastic, Lucite, acrylic, glass, metal or elastomer. Rechargeable or solar-powered help the planet even more.

7. Certified Fair Trade Chocolate

This sweet treat has long been a delight of lovers looking to seduce one another. What many don’t know, however, is that its production involves the exploitation of cocoa farmers and childlabor in harvesting the cocoa beans. So go for chocolatiers who practice fair trade, using cocoa from companies like Cocoa Camino. Your money will help to improve farming practices and schools in developing countries.

8. Local Flowers

When wooing your lover, try to use locally grown or seasonal flowers. They’re right there and don’t require using as many fossil fuels by coming from miles away!

9. Sex Kits

All-in-one kits, like the Eco-Sexy Kit, are packed with a body-friendly, rechargeable vibrator and all-natural spa products, like soy-based massage candles.

10. Organic Wine

According to the USDA’s National Organic Program, organic wine is “made from organically grown grapes without any added sulfites.” This does, however, limit your selection since so few U.S. winemakers do this.

So when wining and dining each other, go for wines made from certified organically grown grapes. These are grown without any chemical fertilizers, insecticides, weed killers and other synthetic chemicals. And don’t forget to recycle the bottle!