Despite all of the progress the environmental movement has made, being both chic and sustainable is still often seen as a frivolous combination. Apparently, growing your own food and wearing stylish, eco-friendly fashions are two separate worlds that we shouldn’t combine.

Not anymore!

Impressively experienced writer Christie Matheson just released her 5th book titled Green Chic: Saving The Earth In Style with Illinois-based Sourcebooks publishing company. Even with the ridiculous influx of eco-living books available in stores, it is safe to say that there is nothing like Green Chic on the shelves. Christie explains it best: “It’s not about buying your way to being green - or just appearing green - it’s about shifting your mindset, changing your attitude, and developing a personal style that is green.”

This is quite a statement to make in a country of citizens who hate to change their personal habits. But if anyone can get through to the superficial yet sustainably curious masses, it’s Christie and Green Chic. Always the thorough writer, Christie personally tried all of her own tips and openly explains the ins and outs of living sustainably and stylish at the same time. Not only is fashion and beauty covered their own chapters, but she also covers: dining, drinking, home, transportation, travel, parties, big and small changes.

It wouldn’t be much of a green book if it wasn’t printed on recycled paper, no? Green Chic’s publisher, Sourcebooks, used 100% post-consumer recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewartship Council and vegetable-based inks to print the book. If that wasn’t enough, the author herself is donating 50% of her royalties from the book to organizations like the Alliance for Climate Protection, Roots & Shoots, and the Central Park Conservancy among others.

Talking about green living without being preachy is a fine line that all of us journalists dance. Christie seems to have found the perfect balance, helping Green Chic to come off as more of a leisurely, informative chat with one of your girlfriends instead of a manual to transform your life. Her accessible writing style is what makes Green Chic one of my all-time favorite green living books - one that I believe will continue to draw in readers for at least the next 5 years.

As luck would have it, Christie also has a piece in the most recently issue (April 2008) of Body+Soul Magazine, which I will be reviewing next week. If you already have a copy, check out “Food for Thought” on page 142. Otherwise, stay tuned for my review of the issue - it will make you want to hit the newsstands lickity split!