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

15 lovely ladies are feeling a bit sore after the first ever Beach Body Bridal Bootcamp presented by GetFitCharlotte.com and Carolina Wedding Design.  We start with a run around the pond at the beautiful Freedom Park on one of the best weather days of the year yet. The Spring’s green grass, tulips, daffodills, weeping willows, and spouting fountains are sure signs… wedding season is upon us!  As the ladies are panting from their early morning start… a mother of a bride takes the lead and sets the tone… if the young ladies can’t catch her… their egos are shot… way to go Mom… thanks for raising the bar.  Wowza… look who ate her Wheaties this morning!

After a good stretch… we shake our booties to warm up a bit more… Lil Jon’s “KRAZY” and Sean Paul’s, “So Fine” get us groovin… Time to take it up a notch with Turbo Kick (a cross between kickboxing and hip hop dancing).  The brides are looking like they need a little high quality H20… so we take five and chill.  I hand out Shakeology samples and tell them it’s a product I swear by… a great mix of protein, vitamins, minerals… that keeps you trim since it’s low in calories and sugar.  The girls get the most excited about the Shakeology recipes that will let them eat chocolate covered strawberries and peanut butter cups with out the guilt!  Enough fantasizing about the finish… and getting to relax for the holiday weekend… it’s time for sprints ladies!  Whistle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These brides are gonna be lookin even hotter in no time!  Wind sprints, push ups, bicycles, burpees, high knees, squats…. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  Water break…. Pfeewwww.  Only 10 more minutes… A little more booty bouncin to cool us down… Beyonce’s, ‘Sweet Dreams’… and a special TURBO version of ‘Everybody on the Dance Floor.’  A few more prizes are handed out for who can do the most pushups in 60 seconds… and who brought the most bootcampers… Tell em’ what they’ve won Johnny! An elastic exercise resistance band and two Shakeology workout DVD’s. But the best part… everybody leaves with a smile and knowing they did something healthy for their minds and bodies.

I can’t wait for the next one ladies… you’re not tired are you!?!

~ Anna Kooiman

GetFitCharlotte.com

In the name of sex, art, and Valentine’s Day gift giving, I visited photographer Jeremy Igo of charlotteboudoir.com to take part in the growing trend of boudoir photography (read: slutty, for-his-eyes-only photos, justifiable by the everyday lady for their artistic nature). While this type of photo shoot had always sounded like a fun idea, I never really understood what motivated women to take the leap and have such photos taken of themselves. I maintained the standard concerns: What if the recipient doesn’t react well to them? What if I look utterly horrifying and/or learn of cellulite I never knew existed? What if the photographer is a complete sleaze ball and/or publishes my photos on some seedy Internet site?

Despite arriving at Jeremy’s NoDa studio at 11 a.m. on a Monday, I was offered a cocktail after only a few minutes in hair and make-up artist Kymm’s chair. The mere offer, of which I readily accepted, made me relax and trust him immediately. The Zach Braff lookalike sat and chatted with me while I sipped wine and had my hair and make-up done, helping to make me comfortable so that an hour later when he told me to arch my back and put my ass in the air, I didn’t turn red.

I went in with strict guidelines of what I was and was not comfortable with. After all, I’m a girl who feels as if my eyeballs are being doused with rubbing alcohol when I have to get a headshot taken, never mind standing around in my underwear. Once we got started, Jeremy eased my self-conscious trepidations with his charming direction, kind authenticity, and a little Dave Matthews pumped through the studio sound system. By the end of the shoot I was practically dancing around the studio naked – third glass of wine in hand, of course.

I learned that many women have one of these photography sessions for no one but themselves. It seemed a little self-indulgent to me prior to my shoot, but afterward, I could understand why. I left feeling giddy, playful, and a bit naughty – a frame of mind my boyfriend later told me was his favorite part of the whole gift. And even if I didn’t have anyone to give the photos to, they would serve as excellent motivations to keep my ass on a Stairmaster for the rest of my life.

But I did have someone to give my photos to. My photographer and new BFF sent me his two favorite shots later that same afternoon. I forwarded them to my boyfriend at work at 4:45. He was home by 5:03. And from 5:04 on, it was Happy Valentine’s Day to me.

To contact Jeremy Igo, click here. Find hair and makeup artist Kymm here.

~ Amanda Pagliarini

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

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