MoneySavers & Green Products...

During my Wednesday 10:45 am yoga class that I have been taking religiously for about two years I noticed a new guy in the corner wearing some sexy pants that show off his perfect abs and practicing on a funky looking mat. Trying to maintain my practice and "keeping my eyes gazing upward toward my third eye" I kept catching myself staring at his shoulders. It was a spiritual experience… of the earthly variety.

At the end of class we were both in line for the bathroom. I saw this as my opportunity to strike up a conversation. "Nice mat" I said. Nice mat? Real original, Shari. I was hoping my eyeliner wasn’t smudged under my eyes making me look like a football player.

"Thanks, it’s green".

"Call me crazy but it looks blue and white to me." At least he gave me a sympathy chuckle.

"It’s called the Naked Mat", he tells me. Ok, now my mind’s racing and I picture him naked on his mat. Very nice.

"Next thing you’re going to tell me is that your pants are made from hamp".

"It’s called hemp, with an ‘e,’ and, yeah, they are. For 2008 I’ve made the commitment to go as green as possible".

I noticed he had the most beautiful mouth. I totally hear what he’s saying and before I know it I blurt out, "Oh yeah? Me too. It’s really important to me".

What am I saying? I don’t know anything about being green! I’m from New York! I called his pants ‘hamp’! The most ‘green’ thing I’ve ever done was to pick up my dog’s poop and recycle my Smart Water bottle.

"I’m Dave and I can tell you where I got my mat over a cup of green tea at the coffeeshop next door?"

I believe Dave the green hottie just asked me out!

"Sure. Let me just get my act together" I say gathering my so un-green water bottle and environmentally un-cool PVC sticky mat. I suddenly became extremely aware ofhow un-green I’ve been living and felt kind of ashamed. I mean I support environmental awareness, Al Gore, organic coffee and sometimes I even buy that ’Seventh Generation’ toilet paper.

On the way to get tea Dave told me about this website called greenyoga.org where they have these great ‘Naked Mats’ made from Indian cotton with a latex underside. They also have cute hemp yoga mat bags.

Over our Jasmine Green tea Dave told me he’s an architect. An architect! I love that. I almost jumped up and down and did a little happy dance. It gets even better. He designs, develops and constructs sustainable living housing, schools, and office buildings.

"Oh, and I love to cook…" he tells me. I think I’ve found the perfect man, until he finishes the sentence "…all vegetarian food, of course".

Is he serious? I mean I gave up cigarettes for my last boyfriend, but I was ready for that. I got a tattoo once because of a guy. But give up Chinese Pork Ribs and Chili Cheese Dogs? I don’t know if I can.

"I’d love to cook you dinner sometime."

"That would be great ".

There’s that voice again. I can just see myself choking down some chickpeas. Instead I say," I’ll bring the wine. Wine’s ok, right?"

"Wine’s great", he says and flashes the most dazzling smile. Thank God he drinks.

I run home and hit the web. First I need to find some organic wine. Then I have to find some hot hemp clothes. Does this even exist? All I know is I am not wearing Birkenstocks. I wonder if anyone makes a ‘green’ platform stiletto?

If I have to go green by my next date with Dave, the hot green architect, pass the recycled notebook ‘cause I have a lot of homework to do!

RiverWired's (Slightly) Green Reality Series: This is the first in a series of blogs in which our heroine grudgingly learns about the brave new world of living (slightly) greener.