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You can soon expect for Eco-Chic lifestyles to be all the chatter among African-American women, marked by a the renewed commitment to fitness, Bikram yoga obsessions and natural hair–it seems Green is the new Black.  Eco-Chic living includes eating right, working out, being body mindful and thinking about the impact of the products you use personally and in your household.

From Tia Mowry’s search for the perfect gluten-free birthday cake for her son’s birthday on the recent season of the Style Network reality show Tia & Tamera, to the rise of organic products at your local drugstore–earth and body friendly lifestyles is a trend that, hopefully, is here to stay.

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Whether you are trying to improve your energy level, or aiming to support companies that mind the chemical impact of their products, here are five starter steps that will surely get you hooked on the Eco-Chic lifestyle.

  1. On Saturdays, hunt in your local farmers market for low cost and locally grown foods. Very often, allergic reactions have to do with where foods come from. In fact, locally produced honey is said to be the best cure for allergies. And this time of year, there is no better place to find an amazing cup of apple cider. Check out farmersmarket.com to find a location near you. Challenge: make a veggie heavy, zesty dinner fresh from the farmer’s market.
  2. Try one eco-friendly product out as a decorative item. This cute, bold print light-weight throw from Fab.com is a wonderful way to start and it also gets you winter-ready.
  3. Replace one product you use on your body for a month and see how it impacts your energy. I recommend Frederick Benjamin grooming (something for him that you will love too) and Hair Rules for your hair care. I find that removing sulfates from my hair products has helped my hair shine brighter, grow fast and feel so good that I cannot stop playing with it. I like to wear my hair pressed, but as someone who plays with different looks, my most valuable assets for healthy hair are Frederick Benjamin’s Shampoo and Hair Rule’s Finishing Cream. Other body loving brands include anything Shea butter with almost no scientific-sounding ingredients and my favorite is the Organic African Black Soap Shea Butter Wash by Shea Moisture available at Drugstore.com.
  4. Refute styrofoam! It is so bad for the earth, no matter how cheap it is. While not buying it won’t stop them from making it right away, changing the demand may have a big impact on future generations. Garbage disposal will become a challenge and climate change will become a greater reality. So while you are recycling and composting if you are ambitious, mind the carbon imprint of the disposable products you most often use.  Next time you need a disposable plate for your party, try bamboo, like this set featured on Amazon.com.
  5. Shop everywhere with your reusable shopping bag, especially when can avoid plastic bags. Check out this stylish, eco-friendly shopping tote from Etsy.com.

Follow me on Twitter @thejennabond!

More Tips To Be Eco-Chic:

What Does “Eco-Friendly Beauty” Mean?

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