Philadelphia’s on the fast track to becoming one of the greenest cities.  You’ve carpooled, recycled all those shiny plastics and even made your dog eco-friendly. Before you can get to plan your green wedding, you gotta conquer another hurdle to lessen your carbon impact: dating.  Dating can be done quite well with an eco-friendly touch.

Here are some ways to lessen your impact on the earth while getting to know someone a little bit better:

• First impressions do count. Dress to impress with some eco-friendly threads off Arcadia Boutique’s
• For a traditional first date dinner, dine on meat- free selections at Horizon’s fine vegan restaurant
• For a quick lunch, visit Maoz Vegetarian has delicious choices to top falafel pitas & other quick treats
• Support restaurants that use locally sourced food – check Philly Homegrown’s website for a complete list.
• Ditch the car: Make sure to take public transit, bike or walk to your Philly destinations
• Stroll under the stars & take a view of nature (preferably on a hill, grass or bench)
• Volunteer to plant trees, help a soup kitchen or other local non-profit
• View some local gardens & plants – either at a botanical garden or nature preserve, or Fairmount Park
• Choose eco-friendly brews that don’t travel too far from brewery to tap – such as Victory Brewing, Yards, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Nodding Head & more
• If you want to get physical, rent or ride a bike and hit one of Philly’s bike trails – Choose from the Schuylkill bike trails, Manayunk, or Valley Forge
• Enjoy the nice weather outside by bringing some organic cheese & local wine to a picnic.You can find many local choices of cheese and snacks from one of Philly’s many Farmers Markets.

Click here for the full Philly Hot List Guest post. (Readers, there’s still time to vote on the Philly Hot List)

Posted by Julie

(Image: Graeme Weatherston/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Featured image: by Dave Meier

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher