In February we have thoughts of love for those close to us, and want to express that sentiment to them.  We buy cards, candy, flowers and jewels for them.  Here are some thoughts about how to show your love to  those close to you; for mankind; and the whole earth, in ways that are more profound than anything you can buy for them.  You can let them know that your choices are made in part for their benefit, that they inspired your choice, or that you are glad they can be there with you.

In your home-show your love by:

Cooking healthy meals served at a table.  Use fresh produce from your own backyard, fresh herbs to add flavor and nutrients to your homegrown vegetables.  Keep herbs growing in the kitchen window.

Use fresh flowers and herbs you grow as aroma therapy in your home.  Nothing is more welcoming than fresh flowers or live plants in the entrance way or on the dining table.  Grow plenty of flowers and herbs around the house to have handy for using this way.

Make the entrance to the house attractive using plants.  Some herbs that overgrow their boundaries and get touched as you walk by will give off their scent, creating memories in the mind that will last a lifetime.  These are the memories that are talked about, inspire choices and are past down.

Make up a pitcher of an herbal tea or lemonade and serve your family on the porch on warm days.  Making an event out of an ordinary day makes people feel loved and valued.

Install a whole house water purifier system.  Your drinks and food will taste better.  Housework is easier when you start with cleaner water.  You may be more inclined to drink more water if it tastes good.

In your yard show love by:

Not using toxic chemicals and fertilizers on the lawn that could harm or irritate young children and the environment.  Lawn chemicals are mostly washed down the gutter and into the water system of most towns and cities.  The result is local tap water that stinks like chlorine, or worse, and tastes lousy.  Very few people have tasted a water that is good enough to drink plain with enjoyment.

Garden organically using compost you make yourself with a compost maker.  It will benefit the family with better tasting vegetables, herbs and prettier flowers.  It will benefit the earth by not adding to the chemical destruction of Mother Earth and actually be part of the solution in restoring the natural balance.

Scrape up the lawn and plant flowers that require less water and no mowing!  Someone will love not having to mow the lawn or drag the sprinklers around.  Low growing ground covers, once they are established, will still give you a place to put the hammock and more time to be in it.  Someone will love you for making it happen.

In your neighborhood show love by:

Encouraging others to garden without chemicals that contaminate the environment.  Start up a community composting center, community garden, or a recycling momentum.  Involve other groups or organizations to benifit more people and share the work load.

Join a garden club or existing community clean up group to learn how to be greener.  Involve the whole family in the recycling bug.

In your world you can show love by:

Learning about and helping to support conservation efforts.  There are a lot of them, but still not enough.  Learn how precious our water resources are and what we need to do to maintain them.  The internet is chock full of information about this subject.  Find out what your local area is doing to assist the environment and pitch in.

These are just a few of the many ways a person can show their love.  Start at home and then reach further out.