Urban life, with its hustle and bustle, heavy traffic and on-the-go mentality may not seem like green living, but don’t be fooled. From public transportation to farmer’s markets to organic alternatives to eyebrow waxing, cities like Philadelphia offer an array of sustainable choices. It only takes a few simple lifestyle tweaks and a little heightened awareness to achieve the inner peace that comes with embracing sustainable, local and organic living.
One way to get your green on in the city is to swap out big-box stores for small, local retailers. For example, eating at restaurants that serve locally-sourced, organic or raw food supports sustainable farming, as well as local business. Even a one-day-a-week switch will have a big impact: Changing up your Tuesday night taco run for a wholesome meal from a healthy restaurant will make serious changes in your carbon footprint, not to mention your health and radiance. And eateries aren’t the only types of sustainable business that you can support in your city. Each city has its spots with well-kept secrets to their “greener” products and services. Green City Beauty offers sugaring , a simplified, sustainable approach to hair removal, right here in Philadelphia (just across the river from New Jersey): Sugar, water and lemon juice is all it takes for our clients to get smooth, hair-free results.
If you commit to greening your lifestyle, some other daily choices may gravitate towards natural, organic and local products. Get yourself started by thoroughly examining what’s in your kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanity. Label-conscious isn’t just a fashion term: Be mindful of ingredients listed on foods, shampoo, detergent, lotion, toothpaste, face wash and dish soap. If they contain artificial or harsh chemicals, it’s time to switch to healthier, gentler versions. You don’t have to replace everything at once, but try to choose one or two common products and replace them with locally-made, sustainably-packaged versions. Then you can gradually transition away from artificial chemicals for good.
At Green City Beauty, we carry several of our favorite lines (like QiQi Naturals, Annmarie Skin Care, and our proprietary brand) of sustainable beauty products. Being good to your skin is one of the greenest things you can do, since the healthiest products for your skin—like shea butter, jojoba oil and organic plant oils—are also ones that are raw, natural, healing ingredient and packed with antioxidants. Plus, eating colorful fruits and veggies and foods like honey and green tea gives you the chance to support local food producers in your city. Say goodbye to packaged foods and start shopping at the farmer’s market to get not just green, but glowing. Can’t eat all that produce in one week? Freeze it for later, whether as-is or in soups and stir-fries.
Finding alternatives to a mainstream lifestyle and embracing sustainable city living isn’t hard. All it takes is thinking out of the box—or just making the box more sustainable. Learn about how Green City Beauty stays organic and natural in Philadelphia by visiting our website.
