Eco-Friendly Living Integrating Style with Substance By Caren Henry-Glatcz ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

    Do you like the idea of doing right by our planet but worry that in doing so you will have to sacrifice your creative flair to make amends with Mama Earth? You are not alone. Thankfully, finding a way to balance your personal taste and earth-friendly beliefs is less challenging today than in the past. When it comes to your home – and even your wardrobe – you can be both stylish and savvy about our planet's natural resources. Whether you call it “eco-chic,” “green living,” “sustainable style” or “eco-friendly living,” if this or other wellness-oriented choices appeal to you, you are an official member of the LOHAS segment.

    LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) consumers comprise almost 30 percent of U.S. adults, and their numbers are growing rapidly. LOHAS membership consists of a significant number of “Cultural Creative” types – those “who make conscientious purchasing and investing decisions based on social and cultural values,” according to sociologist and researcher Paul Ray. The website, www.LOHAS.com states that the purchasing power of this market segment is estimated at $228.9 billion and includes industries such as alternative health-care, organic foods, fitness and wellness services, socially responsible investments, alternative energy and transportation and eco-friendly tourism, clothes and furnishings.

    As far as style is concerned, there is no single “look” that the LOHAS group goes for. Although members are all individuals striving to achieve greater personal and spiritual fulfillment, they are very diverse. For some, the approach to living simply is both satisfying and inspiring. For others, finding a way to meet the basic needs of living in a fashionable or trendy manner is preferred. Either way, the LOHAS group expresses its individual sense of style through an eco-friendly lens. Luckily, the range of options to fulfill its creative and conscientious vision is growing and evolving. Currently, most options are available through online vendors offering responsibly fun ways to express any style.

    There also are books available for inspiration when creating a “sustainable style.” For example, leading environmentalist and lifestyle expert Danny Seo authored the book Conscious Style Home. In this book, Seo demonstrates how he used a variety of eco-friendly building and décor products – along with an eclectic mix of recycled, refurbished or repurposed items – to convert his parents' home into a cozy, efficient and functional sustainable space. Soon, he will be sharing his thoughts on eco-entertaining in his book Simply Green: Parties, which is due out in June. Seo's shared knowledge can serve as an impetus to achieving your own balance and help you find the best ways to integrate style and substance into your life. Seo and many other LOHAS experts can be found on the Sirius satellite network channel called Lime (channel number 114), which is dedicated to those interested in a “healthier, greener, more balanced life.”

Here are six more tips to help you create an eco-friendly lifestyle:
• By starting with the premise that small changes add up over time, you will find the transition to “going green”    less overwhelming. While it probably cannot happen overnight, small changes certainly can – and should – be    done.
• Think about your purchases as an environmental vote for what you believe in for yourself and for future    generations. Consider these questions: What material(s) make up the item? What is its life cycle? Where will it    end up when you are finished with it? You may decide that you do not need it or decide to look for a better    alternative.
• Consider the source of the products you purchase. We all have budgets, and we often are tempted to buy the    lowest-priced goods. In some cases, low pricing works for all involved. In other cases, you might discover that    you are supporting unkind social and/or environmental manufacturing practices when you shop price. The Co-    op America web site www.responsibleshopper.org provides insights on hundreds of companies and their    records on sweatshops, pollution, ethics, discrimination and more. They also offer a list of resources on where    to buy responsibly. Visit www.coopamerica.org and follow the link to its National Green Pages then do your    best to buy from responsible sources.
• Ask questions. By simply inquiring about a company's social and environmental practices, you are    demonstrating a heightened awareness and interest in more than the face value of the products or services.
• The internet is your eco-friendly pal. Simply key in “organic sheets,” “responsibly harvested wood furniture” or    “recycled tableware” to find a source for these products.
• There are many learning opportunities in Northeast Ohio. Expand your knowledge by visiting websites for    locally based organizations. For a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.greencitybluelake.org. You can find    information on the green building industry at www.clevelandgbc.org. For opportunities to get involved with the    local sustainable economy go to www.e4s.org. Plan to attend or volunteer at the Earth Day Coalition's    EarthFest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many regional    community groups and service providers will be exhibiting, educating and entertaining visitors throughout the    day.

Eco-friendly living is not a study in fashion or trends, but a dedicated approach to thinking differently about yourself and your surroundings. Choose to express this in whatever way you desire. The outcome will be a more beautiful and sustainable world for us all.

Caren Henry-Glatcz is opening EcoKiss, a store of eco-friendly décor and gifts, inside Mustard Seed Market in Solon in early April. It will offer a selection of self-proclaimed stylish goods that she loves (and she hopes others will, too). As a 2005 Northeast Ohio Business Plan award winner, member of Entrepreneurs for Sustainability, board member of Earth Day Coalition and an experienced marketer, she aspires to combine her passion for sustainability with her entrepreneurial drive. You can reach her at caren@ecokissstyle.com.