There are many earth-friendly ways to make the beast with two backs, and we’re not even suggesting harnessing the power of your lovemaking to generate electricity for your toaster, but just some simple ways to save money, power and space in the landfill.

According to the Durex Global sex survey, 43 percent of us use sex toys – manual, automatic and everything in between. Some of these toys can contain chemicals called phthalates, which are used to soften hard plastic. And when these toys are used as they’re supposed to, they can release toxins and potentially cause long-term health issues. Because of these concerns, folks on the green side of the bedroom have been moving toward toys made from glass, metal, silicone and hard plastics. It ain’t easy being green, and comfort might be a necessary sacrifice if you want to go that extra mile for Mother Earth.

But if your toy buzzes and swirls with the aid of a AA Energizer bunny, then rechargeable vibrators are the way to go. Some suggestions include the Aphrodite Wand and Acuvibe Softtouch massager, which can be found on Amazon, along with hundreds of reviews of these products. And then there is funfactory.de, based in Germany, which is seemingly the online Wal-Mart of sex toys. Award-winning products are listed on its website, and there is an entire rechargeable section, plus all the products are German made so they’ll hopefully last longer than that North Korean assembled Jack Rabbit collecting dust in your bedside nightstand.
When your lovemaking involves two people but is made just for the fun of it, a condom might be the only thing that separates you and a future filled with dirty diapers and burp cloths. So make sure your love sheath works as advertised. Latex is the material of choice for most and is naturally derived from rubber trees. If you’re of the vegan persuasion, however, a normal condom might not do the trick, as there is a milk enzyme that’s added to the latex. Instead, check out Glyde condoms, the only vegan condom available.

Next stop on the green train are those sheets that you’re rolling around in with your spousal equivalent. The cutting-edge fiber these days is bamboo. It is nothing like the razor sharp reeds taking over your backyard, but instead is silky soft with natural antimicrobial qualities and moisture-wicking properties for when things get sweaty between the sheets. The experts say it’s one of the softest fibers in the world, softer than cotton with a drape like silk. Plus, it’s more mainstream than you might think; you can pick up a set from Bed Bath and Beyond these days. Bamboo isn’t just for the bed sheets either; it is making its way into your pants, literally. Bamboo skivvies and clothes are becoming popular, as well.

So whether you’re having a one-person party or entertaining that lovely lady in your love shack, there are many ways to make sure Mother Earth is protected while you get your rocks off.

~ Todd Trimakas

SJ: Your book was written about the year of the gift — sex every night for a year — you gave to Brad when he turned 40. What made you want to write a book about your sex life?
CM: I did not go into the year even thinking this was going to turn into a book. I thought it could possibly turn into a funny magazine article, but nothing like this. I have a friend (co-author Betsy Thorpe) who had been in publishing in her former life and she thought this would be a great book concept, but the discussions didn’t even happen until after the year of “the gift” was over. I think the way the events unfolded was better than being something contrived, because what I wrote about really happened.

SJ: What made you want to offer up daily sex for a year? I think a lot of guys would be happy with a few more Lewinskys thrown their way and that would be the end of it.
CM: Brad and I had a great life and a happy family, but we had let intimacy fall off our to-do list. This was an honest attempt to reconnect and restart our marriage. It’s not a book about sex, per se; it is about intimacy and how that affects the relationship.

SJ: So no hot sex tips? No wild antics, potions or aphrodisiacs? Are you saying this ain’t the southern version of “The Kama Sutra”?
CM: Right! The book is less about the physical and more about the investment in a relationship. The book will be pretty boring if someone is looking for crazy stuff. It just shows one couple’s way of connecting in some way every day.

SJ: Does sex heal all wounds?
CM: This book is not for someone who is trying to fix a broken marriage and it is not for Beavis and Butt-head husbands who think their wives should just submit. But if you as a couple find yourselves leaving intimacy off the priority list, then you should try it. It will change your game.

SJ: What did you learn throughout your year?
CM: When I offered my husband, Brad, “The Gift,” I really thought he would be thrilled because I thought guys just always want sex, but that isn’t really the case. I was surprised to learn that sex is just as much about reconnection for men as it is for women. It was nice to know that, with all the people out there in the world, even on my worst day Brad still thought I was pretty neat. That was a confidence booster to me. The other thing I learned is that women are the gatekeepers to intimacy in a relationship. There was a therapist I met on the book tour who said that sex stops happening in a relationship when the man stops asking. That has stayed with me. Every time we had sex, whether I had been in the mood or not, I never regretted it. The year of “The Gift” was truly the most transforming year of our marriage. Who wouldn’t want to try it?

Charla’s Tips for Bringing Sexy Back

Make it a priority; be intentional.
Remember: there is no magic number. Maybe every night seems daunting, so just double up whatever you’re doing now. (If it’s 2x a week, try it 4x; you get the picture, Einstein.)
Let your inhibitions go. (Did you know the Victoria’s Secret models have the same amount of sex as you? Don’t you feel better?)
Basic grooming is important (that includes nose hair).
Sometimes you just gotta do it! (You can always DV-R “Grey’s Anatomy.”)

~ Sheri Joseph

Need a boyfriend
There is nothing sexier than desperation.  Think about when you go into a store at the mall.  It doesn’t matter if you’re browsing, looking for something specific, walking in with intent to purchase, or simply killing time.  If a salesperson approaches with an eagerness that suggests she works solely on commission and you’re the first customer to come in all day, it’s an instant turnoff and many times, a deal breaker.

You are now justifying to yourself – But I don’t need a boyfriend, I just want one.  If you spend more than an hour a day on match.com; if your friends, co-workers, and hairdresser know exactly how long you’ve been single and the sagas of the last three dates you went on; if you are a member of multiple online dating sites, are a part of an organized social outdoor activities club, and none of the TV remotes works because you’ve hijacked the batteries for your vibrator – you are sending the message that you need a boyfriend.

Text/call/e-mail him
Text him something cute two hours after exchanging numbers.  Don’t wait for him.  Time’s a wastin’.   Rob him of the thrilling experience of trying to woo you.  Emasculate him by eagerly suggesting plans rather than allowing him to ask for your company.  Make him overly confident, thereby encouraging his laziness, by always being the first to reach out.

Don’t take care of yourself.
Rock 3-inch roots.  Sleep an extra 10 minutes and throw your hair into a ponytail rather than style it.  Wear baggy clothes that don’t fit you perfectly because they’re comfortable and allow you to fool yourself into thinking you’ve been to the gym this month.  Your personality will grab him from across the room.

Take what you can get
Don’t be demanding.  Don’t be clear about what you want.  Don’t set any standards for yourself and what you expect from a man if he wishes to date you.  I mean, you might scare him off.  Instead, take whatever you can get.  I can almost guarantee he’ll give you just that.

Inspire the world around you
Putting up inspirational quotes on your Facebook page about attitude, opportunities, doors/windows opening/closing, paths, big pictures, or how you have the greatest friends and family sends the sexy message that you’re miserable and trying to talk yourself out of it.  But if you can fool yourself into believing your world is full of sunshine and rainbows, maybe you can fool him, too.

Take advice from those in the same boat
If you want what someone else has, do what they do.  This applies to all circumstances in life except dating.  When it comes to finding and keeping a man, it is best to consult your fellow single gals struggling with the same challenge.

Think that you are owed something.  And react accordingly
If he asked for your number, took you to dinner, or you chose to sleep with him, then he owes it to you to make you happy and act in accordance with how you wish him to.  Any deviation from these things simply makes him a complete asshole worthy of frequent public slander.

~ Amanda Pagliarini

Click here to view the embedded video.

What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t?
Charlotte has an incredibly sunny disposition that is absolutely sexy. Her people are exceptionally friendly and welcoming. There’s everything you could ever want here: food, festivals, football. What’s not sexy: Charlotte hasn’t embraced just how truly cool, hip and fun she is!

Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out?
Hands down the best place to live is Uptown. We can walk to Bobcats, Panthers, and Checkers games. We’ve got hot clubs, cool bars, and cuisines to please any palate! There are greenways and dog parks. What’s not to love?

What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning?
I just finished my three-year tenure at WSOC and I’m currently looking for my next gig. And what I have always loved about my job is that I get to tell a person’s story. It wasn’t an accident, it wasn’t a murder, and it wasn’t a home invasion. Every single incident meant there was a victim, a family, a story.
I’m calling my time in between jobs my “sabbatical.” And these days, I’m working on a book, telling a story in paper form as opposed to video. Now every morning, I’m excited to see where my characters will take me.

What’s something not many people know about you?
I’m the daughter of Chinese immigrants and my first language was Mandarin-Chinese. I’m the first one in my family to go to college. I don’t like to cook but I love to eat. I curse—a lot. My friends tell me, pound for pound, I’m the loudest person they know.

What do you think the future holds for the Queen City?
I think Charlotte’s future is very bright. My husband and I moved here from Boston three years ago and we absolutely love it. There’s a palpable sense of optimism and I love the idea we’re part of this growth.

Susan’s Prize Package to be Auctioned off at Enso on Oct. 29 from 7-9p.m.
Four day / three night stay at one of Bermuda’s fine hotels including two roundtrip airline tickets courtesy of the Bermuda Department of Tourism, bermudatourism.com.

~ Bryan Reed

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What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t?
The thing about Charlotte that makes it a sexy city is the diversity it has. The thing about Charlotte that isn’t sexy is when people are judgmental based only on the way a person looks.

Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out?
The best spot to live for me, at the moment, is South End. I just moved in the area to a luxury high-rise called Ashton South End. I love that I can walk to the light rail and local restaurants like Sullivan’s Steakhouse. It’s hard to think of just one great place or area to live in since Charlotte has so many great spots to live. The best spot to go out is EpiCentre, hands down. It’s a hot spot that Charlotte has needed for a long time. There is so much to do at the EpiCentre: shop, eat, dance, play, and watch your favorite movie—my favorite new spot at EpiCentre is Enso.

What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning?
I love what I do. I’m the Leasing Director for Ashton South End, managed by the Hanover Company. I have never been more passionate about any job than this one. Hanover is great to their employees and I work with the best team ever. I also enjoy my residents and being able to find people their new home is very rewarding.

What’s something not many people know about you?
I love fishing! I enjoy the time I can spend with my husband on our family’s pond, and having a cold beer every now and then, too.

What do you think the future holds for the Queen City?
As time passes, we are going to see more growth in our city, and that growth will be exciting for everyone that lives here. I love watching my city grow and look forward to my kids one day seeing that as well.

Olivia’s Prize Package to be Auctioned off at Enso on Oct. 29 from 7-9p.m.
SilverFox Limos: Three to four hour chauffeured limousine service. Valid Sunday through Friday only. Tip not included. Donated by James Weymann. silverfoxlimos.com
Carolina Panthers: Autographed authentic pigskin signed by #17 Jake Delhomme and an autographed authentic jersey signed by #87 Muhsin Muhammad. Donated by April Smith and Bernadette Washington. panthers.com
Neiman Marcus gift certificate for a day of pampering. Enjoy a facial and makeup lesson from one of Neiman’s cosmetic lines. Donated by Maggie Snipes, neimanmarcus.com
Diamonds Direct South Park: $500.00 Gift Certificate. Donated by Itay Berger with special thanks to Kelsey Halford, ddusainc.com
Varji & Varji Salon & Spa: Spa package for two facials, two massages, two manicures, and two pedicures. Donated by Max and Susan Varji, varji.com
Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Experience a dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse for an unforgettable dining experience. For 4 people, a $250 value. Donated by Chris Whelpton, sullivansteakhouse.com
Aloft Hotel at the EpiCentre: Celebrate in style with a weekend stay at Aloft Hotel at the EpiCentre, in the heart of Uptown Charlotte.  Donated by Rob Cote, aloftcharlotteuptown.com

~ Bryan Reed