More Hip Than Hippie #269 - Meeting Mr. Wright

Charter Hipster Bob Wright made the trek to Chico to talk about his work at a food bank.

Dori and Val welcome longtime listener Bob Wright to the show this week! Does his name sound familiar? Bob provided those cheesy tiaras and Disneyland antenna balls back in the early days. He was inspired by a previous show to tell us about the efforts food banks make to rescue groceries for the hungry. He also introduces the Hipsters to the concept of the secondary porn star name.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: The sustainable geniuses at New Belgium Brewing cooked up an ancient beer recipe and dubbed it 1554 Enlightened Black Ale. We think it would be fantastic with a hearty meal. Those medieval monks knew how to brew!

Chocolate: Val's FedEx rep went to Europe and brought us back some chocolate! Kinder Maxi is a German treat for milk chocolate lovers, a bit too sweet and gooey for snobs like us. But Leonard, thanks for being our chocolate mule.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Pawesome! Val has launched Operation Greenpaws to help a local animal santuary raise funds for their upcoming relocation. Donate just $5 and you'll receive a pile of great coupons!
• We're so sari. Eco-fashionistas will love the upcycled silk sari scarves and wraps from GreenSewn. Bonus: they plant 10 trees for every purchase.

Hip News

• We got the beet. A federal judge has overturned approval of Monsanto 's biotech sugar beets, pending further study.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Catch some air! It's been a long, hot summer. Have you changed the filter on your air conditioner or swamp cooler lately? Saves energy, saves you money!

Meeting Mr. Wright

Charter Hipster Bob Wright made the trek to Chico to talk about one of his passions--feeding the hungry. As Agency Relations Manager at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Orange County, CA, Bob builds bridges between those with too much food, and those with too little. He thinks of it as a form of recycling.

• Is there a difference between a food bank and a soup kitchen? Yep!
• To find a food bank near you or learn more about domestic hunger relief, check out Feeding America.
• Here are some guidelines for starting a local food pantry.
• By the way, Bob's other passion is his Baseball History Podcast.

Listener E-mails

Attention lurkers: we want to hear from you! Drop us a line just to let us know you're out there. Of course, feel free to add comments, questions and links..we love to get your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Karen in Colorado doesn't like cleaning baby toys with bleach. Try OdoBan or Steramine instead...or, how about a UV Sanitizing Wand?
• Lisa in Chicago loves Intelligentsia Coffee and their Direct Trade program.
• Jessica in Pittsburgh wonders what we think about Vogue Italia's oil-spill fashion shoot. Share your opinion!
• Greg in New Hampshire (Live Free or Die!) shares some tempting ideas from Komforte Chockolates. Yes, your wife rocks and so do you!
• Shout-Out!! A big Hipster Howdy to Meaghan in Canada, who mentions us on her vlog.

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

** FACEBOOK ALERT! ** We'll soon switch from our "Friend" page to a "Fan" page, so get ready to "LIKE" us even more!

Charter Hipster Doug Hilton in Lancaster, PA has been diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He's undergoing chemotherapy and needs some Hipster Mojo to keep his spirits up! Send him some love on his Facebook page and keep him in your thoughts while he kicks some cancer ass. You can also send him a nice email through us, at hip@greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog.

More Hip Than Hippie #268 - Here Comes the Sun

As the solar energy industry evolves, more homes and businesses take advantage of incentives to "go solar".

Thanks to government rebates, it seems easier than ever to afford an array of PV panels on your roof. Does solar energy make sense for your home or business? What is the "trifecta of disaster"? Dori and Val seek enlightenment from Tim Hamor, co-owner of a solar system installation company in Chico. (Tim previously appeared in show #65, Going Solar.) Also, the Hipsters encounter a Beer Pimp and Val goes ape for Adam-12.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listener is Megan in Arizona, who introduced us to the complicated pleasures of Bourbon County Brand Stout from Goose Island Brewery. What started as a potential malt-face mishap, turned into a positively passionate pairing!

Chocolate: Luckily, the simple goodness of Ghirardelli's Twilight Delight complemented the beer perfectly. And this Twilight contained no whiny vampires.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Are you gonna use that teabag? A London fashion student creates compostable clothing from tubs of tea and yeast. BioCouture jackets, t-shirts and dresses go back to nature when they go out of style.
• Changing channels. Val's family has cut the cord on cable TV, opting instead for low-cost Boxee and Netflix. Savings=Beer Money!

Hip News

• Frankenfish. A very special variety of salmon is coming to a market near you, courtesy of AquaBounty. It'll be loaded with Vitamin GMO, but don't worry, the FDA says you don't need to know that.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

From Listener Alex in Cleveland: Be mindful of your water usage! Turn off the tap while you scrub your hands, then turn it back on to rinse.

From Listener Megan in Arizona: Invest in a reusable mug for your visits to the coffee shop! You'll keep paper cups out of the landfill while saving yourself a bit of change.

Here Comes the Sun

Our friend Tim Hamor of Alternative Energy Systems sheds some light on going solar!

• First, the nuts and bolts: how a solar cell works.
• Get an energy profile to determine if solar works for you. Use this calculator to get a rough idea.
• Learn about rebates and incentives to help you get into a solar energy system: DSIRE and SEIA are great resources.
• The 2006 California Solar Initiative serves as a model for the new 10 Million Solar Roofs initiative put forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
• Remote monitoring of your home's solar energy usage? There's an app for that!

Listener E-mails

Attention lurkers: we want to hear from you! Drop us a line just to let us know you're out there. Of course, feel free to add comments, questions and links..we love to get your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Sarah is traumatized after reading her toothpaste tube. Uncle Harry's Tooth Powder to the rescue!
• Barb in Colorado suggests Greener Photography as a resource for eco-friendly brides-to-be.
• Alex in Cleveland has a cool tip for Midwesterners: splurge on Jeni's Ice Creams. They deliver!
• Dolores in Cleveland loves her local Blackout Stout. Hey, hire Alex as an intern at Earth Day Coalition!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Back-to-School or anytime!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

** FACEBOOK ALERT! ** We'll soon switch from our "Friend" page to a "Fan" page, so get ready to "LIKE" us even more!

Charter Hipster Doug Hilton in Lancaster, PA has been diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He's undergoing chemotherapy and needs some Hipster Mojo to keep his spirits up! Send him some love on his Facebook page and keep him in your thoughts while he kicks some cancer ass. You can also send him a nice email through us, at hip@greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog.

More Hip Than Hippie #267 - Pimp My Shrimp!

Shrimp trawling accounts for one third of global seafood bycatch.

Shrimp is the world's most valuable seafood, but many other creatures die in the process of getting it to our dinner plates. Poor practices by fisheries and farms take an unacceptable toll. Dori and Val dive into the effects of bycatch and what consumers can do to protect sea life.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: The angels sing! Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has released their fall offering, Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale. Rich with light malty smoothness, this brew will pair nicely with those warm soups and hearty meals that we can't bear to think about in July.

Chocolate: Val forgot the chocolate. And the angels wept.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! For fans of the farmer's market, ChicoBag presents the new Produce Stand collection. The starter kit includes 3 easy-to-tote reusable bags, each designed to optimize freshness.
• Cold comfort. Do you leave the ceiling fan on when you're not in the room? FAIL! Here are 5 air-conditioning myths, busted.
• Roadkill swill. A Scottish brewer is selling 12 bottles of the world's strongest beer...inside the bodies of dead animals. Hare of the dog, anyone?

Hip News

• Hot, fat and crowded. Due to climate change, squirrels are getting fatter and having more babies. And probably watching more daytime TV.
• Sea change. President Obama has established a new national ocean policy, which will provide a framework for "eco-system based" stewardship of our waterways.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Show off your six-pack! When you finish off that sixth bottled beverage, don't throw out the cardboard carrier--use it as a handy tote for condiments! Fill each compartment with fixin's for burgers and hot dogs, or with spoons and forks wrapped in napkins. Val got this idea from a brewery (surprise!).

Pimp My Shrimp!

Listener Amy in San Diego writes:

I've been reading books about the food system lately, and right now I'm working my way through Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. I wanted to share an interesting tibdit I learned about "bycatch." Bycatch is actually a euphemism for sea creatures that are caught by commercial fisherman that they don't want.

The part that caught my eye was this section on shrimp bycatch. "Shrimp accounts for only 2 percent of global seafood by weight, but shrimp trawling accounts for 33 percent of global bycatch. We tend not to think about this because we tend not to know about it. What if there were labeling on our food letting us know how many animals were killed to bring our desired animal to our plate? So, with trawled shrimp, for example, the label might read: '26 pounds of other sea animals were killed and tossed back into the ocean for every 1 pound of this shrimp."

• Fish, turtles, seabirds and other animals suffer the effects of bycatch.
• Concerned scientists are designing fishing gear to reduce seafood bycatch.
• The Monterey Bay Aquarium points you to sustainable choices with their downloadable Seafood Watch pocket guide. Check out their app for your iPhone.
• Speaking of the Aquarium, Dori found her new favorite sea creature there: the Leafy Sea Dragon!

Listener E-mails

• Emily in Tennessee knows that the one thing missing from your martini is...seafood! No problem, thanks to Alaska Distillery's Smoked Salmon Vodka. Go ahead, drink like a fish.
• Meredith in New Orleans wants PJ's for her teenie weenie greenie, but doesn't want flame-retardant chemicals. Check out Carter's, or just stick with t-shirts and sweats!
• Gabrielle in Oregon needs ideas for inexpensive trinkets for her summer camp. Try making necklaces from recycled wine corks or recycled wood blocks. Send pics!
• Elizabeth in St. Paul, MN shares another side of the raw milk debate.
• Brigid in Chicago watched Fast Food Nation and now wonders where her organic grass-fed beef is processed. Organic meat is processed separately; ask your farmer for details.
• Katie in Toronto (eh!) wants to feel good about eating bananas, and hopes this article will help.
• Amy in Massachusetts cuts her sugar usage by mixing it with a bit of stevia. Her fave tea recipe: 5 bags of Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea, 2 bags of Peppermint tea, a little stevia. Amy, look at this!
• Suzana in Canada (eh!) is looking for tips on green entertaining. Try some of Trystan's Tips, and stayed tuned for an upcoming show on that topic.

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

** FACEBOOK ALERT! ** We'll soon switch from our "Friend" page to a "Fan" page, so get ready to "LIKE" us even more!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog.

More Hip Than Hippie #266 - Fair Trade Coffee

Do we pay a fair price for fair trade goods?

Consumers don't pay enough for coffee. That's according to Amy Louis, a wholesale coffee distributor who has experienced life at the origin of our cuppa joe. Amy makes the case for fair trade while explaining the difference between good coffee and great coffee.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Val's hubby returned from a roadtrip to the coast with a selection of beers from Six Rivers Brewery. We sampled their India Pale Ale this week, finding it pleasant but unremarkable. Rob swears it tasted better on tap.

Chocolate: Keeping with our coffee theme this week, we revisited Sweet Riot Flavor 65 dark cacao nibs dunked in dark chocolate. We like how you get loads of crunchy sweet caffeine in a cute reusable tin.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• If it makes you hippie... Greenie Sheryl Crow releases her latest album on July 20th, followed by an eco-friendly tour. We played a clip of her new single, "Summer Day".
• Eggscellent. Slug bait? Face mask? Learn about 12 things you can do with eggshells.
• Viva Val! The Green Diva treated her pals to a decadent Chocolate Chile Cake a la Viva Daisy.

Hip News

• Ray of Flight. In Switzerland, a solar-powered plane successfully completed a 24-hour flight last week. It won't replace conventional planes yet, because it landed on time and no luggage was lost.
• Yes they can! Congrats to the Washington couple who set out to pay for their wedding by recycling aluminum cans. Peter Geyer and Andrea Parrish collected 400,000 cans and now have $3800 to spend on their DIY green wedding. That's uncanny!

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Trim your waste! According to the EPA, "yard trimmings and food scraps result in 26% of the US municipal solid waste stream." So make the committment to compost those scraps, whether it's in a pile in your yard or in a worm bin under the sink.

Fair Trade Coffee

Do you think Fair Trade coffee is too expensive? Meet Amy Louis of Six Degrees Coffee Service, who makes the case that we're not paying enough! After visiting Nicaragua and seeing the benefits of fair trade for herself, Amy believes that a grass-roots campaign to educate consumers will make a world of difference. She also gives the Hipsters her take on beans, baristas and "cupping". (No, it isn't naughty.)

• The coffee we drink comes from two types of beans: Arabica and Robusta.
• Amy believes we'll agree to pay more for coffee when we get the facts about Fair Trade. Transfair USA is a great resource.
• Starbucks Coffee has developed its own set of standards called C.A.F.E. Practices.
• Amy's favorite coffee roasters include Thanksgiving, Equator and Peet's.
• Want to know more about coffee? Contact the Specialty Coffee Association of America, or SCAA.
• Just don't ask about the civet poop coffee.

Listener E-mails

• Margie in California is lactose-intolerant, but she and her hubby can enjoy dairy products again since they switched to raw milk.
• Elizabeth in St. Paul, MN is following the story of an e-coli outbreak linked to raw milk.
• Eileen in Dominica completely disagrees about the safety of raw milk. Val recommends reading this article by the Nourishing Gourmet. And congrats on the upcoming Teenie Weenie Greenie!
• Melanie in Lansdale. PA is full of questions! A few answers: for cars, look into the new Nissan LEAF; for pressure cookers, anodized aluminum seems to be safe; for beeswax candles, see your friends at Greenfeet!
• Greg in Lancaster, PA has advice for taking caffeine out of your tea, courtesy of the New Tea Lover's Treasury.
• Julie thinks Hipsters will enjoy the Nourished Kitchen blog, which has a page devoted to dark chocolate!
• Jenny in Ontario, Canada (eh!) fears we've fallen victim to greenwashing by Haagen Dazs. Au contraire! We just think it's a darn tasty treat.

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

** FACEBOOK ALERT! ** We'll soon switch from our "Friend" page to a "Fan" page, so get ready to "LIKE" us even more!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #265 - Raw Milk

Proponents of raw milk believe that we should reap the health benefits of drinking milk in its natural state.

Did you know that drinking a glass of raw cow's milk could put you on the wrong side of the law? The Chicken Chick, Carol Albrecht, spills the facts about this controversial subject. Also, as the Chico summer starts to sizzle, Val's talkin' trash and Dori's waiting for an egg.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: As summer heats up, go Rogue with a mild, unfiltered Somer Orange Honey Ale. It's a big-ass bottle of sunshine.

Chocolate: If you require dairy-free, gluten-free treats, here's your Dream come true! The Dark Chocolate Raspberry Dream bar is creamy and smooth enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Your perfect pie deserves a Perfect Pie Plate, right? Bake up a bounty of berries in this old-school enamelware pan, available in 3 marbled colors.
• Spamalot. Until the end of August, Chipotle wants you to forward your junk emails to them; in return, they'll donate cash to The Lunch Box. And they'll order Ciali$ with their winnings from the Nigerian lottery.

Hip News

• Moby Sick. Scientists report stunningly high levels of toxic heavy metals in whales all over the world.
• Brown goes green. Eight major US cities will soon see hybrid gas-electric UPS trucks on the streets, as the delivery company makes plans to add 200 of the vehicles to its fleet.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

From Listener Carrie in Rockledge, FL: When you are cleaning your microwave, just use a large glass Pyrex and fill it with 1/4 cup of vinegar and a cup of water. Nuke it for 2 minutes and it will steam and loosen all the gunk on the inside of the oven. Wipe away with an old cloth. No more chemical sprays or wasted paper towels!

Raw Milk

Have you ever tried raw milk? Chances are, you've grown up with homogenized, pasteurized milk from the supermarket. Proponents of raw milk, like Carol Albrecht of Chaffin Family Orchards, argue that you should reap the health benefits of drinking milk in its natural state...trouble is, that mouthful of moo-juice might put you on the wrong side of the law!

• First, we need to understand what homogenization and pasteurization do to milk.
• Carol recommends reading Dr. Weston A. Price's classic book, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, to learn about the dangers of processed food.
• The Campaign for Real Milk helps you find local sources for raw milk, as well as a summary of laws in your state governing raw milk consumption.
• You can follow the legal battles of raw milk advocates Max Kane and Michael Schmidt.
• To learn more, Carol suggests viewing the upcoming documentary film "Farmageddon".
• Get cooking with a copy of Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions!

Listener E-mails

Tell No Impact Man you'd love to hear him chat with the Hipsters! Send him a nice email. Don't forget us...we love to hear your questions and compliments at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog!

• Shanan in New Hampshire (live free or die!) needs some tips for recycling canning lids. She also found family fun on a potty break in Vermont.
• Jenn in North Carolina shares an idea to help Coca-Cola become EcoCoke.
• Sarah in NYC has more baby-related tips: read Growing Up Green by Deirdre Imus and find an eco-friendly baby registry.
• Alex in Cleveland, OH recommends that Hipsters read "Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America's Energy Future" by Jeff Goodell. Anyone up for a new Book Club?
• Kate in Wisconsin sent a link about high levels of lead found in children's juices.
• E. W. in Kentucky wants to see More Hip t-shirts in size "jumbo petite" (2X) to accomodate his curves. We'll work on that, because we love Hipsters of all shapes and sizes!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Independence Day or any day!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

** FACEBOOK ALERT! ** We'll soon switch from our "Friend" page to a "Fan" page, so get ready to "LIKE" us even more!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #264 - Happy 5th Anniversary!

Dori and Val celebrate 5 years of podcasting "More Hip Than Hippie".

The Hipsters have hit another milestone! This week marks the end of their 5th year as co-hosts of your favorite eco-funny podcast. After more than 200 beers quaffed and chocolates nibbled, they find time to respond to a few listener requests. They also come up with a name for their imaginary lovechild.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: If life leaves you wondering "WTF?", open up a big-ass bottle of Wilco Tango Foxtrot Brown Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Co. You'll discover why they're one of our favorite breweries

Chocolate: Our 5th anniversary is golden! Green & Black's Maya Gold is sensationally smooth with just the right mix of spicy and sweet. A Hipster classic.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• High Five! Need a special treat for our 5th anniversary? Haagen-Dazs Five is a new line of scrumptious ice creams containing only 5 ingredients, all of them found in nature. Try the lemon.
• Party on wheels. Chico recently hosted a Bicycle Music Festival, a mobile concert that literally runs on pedal power.

Uplifting Hip News

• Sit. Stay. Sniff. Man's Best Friend is now saving endangered animals by locating their poop in the wild. Good boy!
• Montana gives a dam. In an effort to save the endangered Kootenai River white sturgeon, officials are releasing water from Libby Dam so that the ancient creatures can spawn. Believe us, they're not as cute as a dog

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

From Listener Melanie in Lansdale, PA: Take control of what you eat! If you have little ones in your life, give them homemade food whenever possible. For babies, the Fresh Baby So Easy baby food kit is a great start. Bigger kids love homemade ice pops. Try your hand at making yogurt!

Happy 5th Anniversary!

It was a dark and stormy night...well, not really. It was a warm spring evening in 2005 when we hatched the plot for our little podcast. Now, 264 shows later, it's time to look back at 5 beer-and-chocolate-soaked years of interviews, e-mails and really bad songs. Bottom line: we love you, man!

Top 5 Breweries:

1. Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, CA

2. (tie) Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR and Lagunitas Brewing Co. in Petaluma, CA

3. Butte Creek Brewing Co. in Chico, CA (RIP!)

4. (tie) New Belgium Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, CO and North Coast Brewing Co. in Fort Bragg, CA

5. Samuel Smith Brewery in Tadcaster, England

Top 5 Chocolatiers:

1. Dagoba Organic Chocolate

2. Trader Joe's

3. (tie) Green & Black's and Seeds of Change

4. (tie) Endangered Species and Newman's Own

5. Zazubean

Listener E-mails

Tell No Impact Man you'd love to hear him chat with the Hipsters! Send him a nice email. Don't forget us...we love to hear your questions and compliments at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and More Hip memories at our MHTH forum!

• Catherine in Utah has a great green gift idea for new moms: a gift certificate for a lactation consultant or a postpartum doula.
• Jimmie in Los Angeles is craving a good Chipotle burrito after seeing the chain's founder addressing the Senate on PAMTA.
• Christine in Florida shares a video with some fun facts about disposable coffee cups. Yes, she brings her own mug.
• Kara from Czechoslovakia wonders if decaf tea is full of chemicals. Depends on the method used to remove the caffeine. By the way, your English doesn't suck.
• George in Minnesota invites Hipsters to participate in the Odwalla Plant a Tree program. You betcha!
• Sarah in NYC did something gnarly to her hand, then asked doctors to put in biodegradable corn plastic anchors to hold the stitches. She's green to the bone!
• Patrick in NC points out that beer can make a good hair rinse. Like we need an excuse to take a bottle of beer into the shower.

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Summer Solstice or any day!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

** FACEBOOK ALERT! ** We'll soon switch from our "Friend" page to a "Fan" page, so get ready to "LIKE" us even more!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #263 - A Zero Waste Home

Blogger Bea Johnson tells how her family has learned to live without generating household waste.

After moving into a smaller house, Bea and her family needed to simplify their lives. They began a quest to eliminate unnecessary packaging and other trash...and ended up with a Zero Waste Home! Bea regales the Hipsters with her tale of reducing, reusing and refusing waste. She also reveals her unusual alternative to chocolate.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Dori's boss ordered her to finish off half a growler of Silver Peak Brewery's Peavine Porter, one of the house brews from that Reno resort. It's a long story with a reasonably happy ending.

Chocolate: Our quest for a guiltless Mounds bar is over! Sunspire has created a Coconut Almond Bar that is rich, gooey and delicious. It's also full of natural ingredients that we could identify and pronounce. Win!

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! It stirs, its scoops, it scrapes. The bambu Spoontula is actually a set of 3 different utensils, each designed to do a variety of kitchen jobs. Old Spoontulas never die--just compost 'em when you've worn them out!
• Let's talk about Rx. Just in time for summer, our friends at MNN present 5 first-aid essentials for the eco-friendly home.
• Want to be like Paul McCartney? Sign Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution petition!

Hip News

• Pulp friction. In a deal with environmentalists, paper companies in Canada agreed to keep their paws off 75 million acres of boreal forest for 3 years.
• Burning question. Is it still OK to use sunscreen? According to the Environmental Working Group, only 8% of current products are recommended, including TerraSport SPF30.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Grain of truth! The next time you get food stuck on your cast iron pan, try adding water and a handful of chunky salt. Bring it to a boil, then scrape away the schmutz!

 

A Zero Waste Home

18 months ago, Bea Johnson and her family decided to start cutting down on household waste. By tackling one item at a time, they were able to achieve The Zero Waste Home. Now she offers tips and ideas in her blog about dealing with everyday waste challenges. The fabulously French Bea poured a glass of rosé and shared her story with the Hipsters.

• Look at your trash. Pick one item to eliminate, figure out how to do it. Repeat.
• Find your staples. Take note of items you use regularly (rice, noodles, etc), then find a way to buy them in bulk. Shop with reusable containers.
• Use a pressure cooker to speed up meal preparation, so you won't be tempted to buy packaged food.
• Use furoshiki instead of gift wrap. Include a card with instructions so your recipient can pass it on.
• Pig's ears? Vraiment, Bea?

Listener E-mails

• Melissa in NC wonders if "eco" hair dryers are worth the money. Val's Silent HP is energy efficient AND comes with a lifetime warranty.
• Tommi in Iowa has a Teenie Weenie Greenie on the way (congrats!) and would love some Hipster tips for an eco-friendly baby experience. Cloth diapers and glass bottles are a good start.
• Patrick in NC shares good news: moderate drinking may protect the brain from Alzheimer's. Sorry pal, no new photo of Val's Double Dangs, but thanks for asking!
• Gary in Oregon sent the story of a squabble outside a strip joint, centering on suspicious swine. (We love alliteration!)

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #262 - Makin' Bacon

Llano Seco Rancho manager Dave Sieperda touts the benefits of sustainable farming and organic pork.

Oh yes, there's a difference between organic and conventional meats. The Hipsters chew the fat with ranch manager Dave Sieperda as he explains how his sustainable operation works, why organic meat is more expensive and why it's better to produce bacon from happy pigs. Also, Val talks uniboobs and rock star toes while Dori searches for a bottle opener.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Don't hate us because we're Chicoans! Sierra Nevada has finally bottled their Crystal Wheat, calling it Old Chico...but it's only available here. Um, road trip?

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener, Brenda in Minneapolis, made our day with healthy, organic Fair Trade Innercalm In-Fused chocolate from Intelligent Nutrients. Thank you for sending along copies of David Wagner's "Life as a Daymaker".

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Vampire slayer. The adorable Bugplug uses sensors in its "eyes" and "tummy" to power down your energy-sucking gadgets. This award-winning concept won't hit the market until a company adopts it.
• Oil for one, one for oil. Aspirin? Dice? Umbrellas? Check out the Daily Green's list of 60 surprising products made from oil.

Hip News:

• Nonscents. Top-selling fragrances for men & women often contain secret chemicals that could harm you, according to a new report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. That's right, Halle Berry and J. Lo could be disrupting your hormones.
• Power pants. Japan's population is aging, which means fewer baby diapers and more adult diapers. One company is turning the grand-nappies into biomass fuel pellets for heating.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Branch out! If you need a trellis in your garden, fashion one from tree branches and jute twine. Grab some shapely branches from your own or a neighbor's tree, string twine between them and let your vines climb.

 

Makin' Bacon

Consumers know that organics usually taste better, but there's more to the story. Dave Sieperda is the manager of Llano Seco Rancho, a sustainable farming operation here in Northern California. Dave explains how his operation works, why organic meat is more expensive and why it's better to produce bacon from happy pigs!

• Dave manages the beautiful 18,000 acre Llano Seco Rancho in Butte County, CA. The ranch has been family-owned since 1861.
• Dave follows organic practices that are better for the animal, the land and the consumer.
• Can organic farming feed the world? The debate continues.

Listener E-mails

• Rob in Kentucky posted this cartoon on our Facebook page. We had to share.
• Carrie in PA fears that her beloved soy candles source back to Monsanto. Sorry to say, it's probably true...can you learn to love beeswax?
• Annie in Calistoga bought a recycled vinyl bag from Elbow Grease Designs and loves it!
• Sarah in NYC needs a big Klean Kanteen and some good glass containers. She also shares Green My Parents for the kiddos, and 1BOG for group solar discounts.
• Chrissy in NC is excited to find a great way to reuse non-stick pans: cool birdhouses!
• Elizabeth in Minnesota uses rhubarb in lentil soups and dal. That sounds yummy...and so does this pie! (Thanks Janis!)
• Melinda in SC passes along recipes for making your own soap, lotion and deodorant.
• Sebastien in Montreal (eh!) watched "Food Inc." and promptly joined a CSA and a co-op. Bon idée!
• Emily in Tennessee discovered a delectable delicacy in a homebrew magazine: Bacon Beer. Let the angels sing.

 

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #261 - Life Without Monsanto

In March 2010, April Davila embarked on a quest to live a Month Without Monsanto.

So how tough could it be to avoid all Monsanto products for one month? After spending 30 days naked, starving, drunk and hairless (OK, not really!), April answers that question and explains her motivation for doing it. Also, Dori's chickens get names and Val takes to the stage for ChicoEatLearnGrow.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: We found much to enjoy in this big-ass bottle of Decadence Pomegranate Saison from Valley Brewing Co. The hint of fruit juice added a tart freshness to the Belgian-style ale.

Chocolate: Speaking of decadence, hello? $6 for a little chocolate bar? Earthsource Righteously Raw Acai Cacao had a nice truffley texture but a bit of a bitter finish. On the plus side, it's organic and soy-free, so it probably hasn't been touched by the icy hand of Monsanto.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Reusable bag, supersized. If you do a lot of home improvement projects, consider getting a Bagster instead of renting a metal dumpster. Buy it, store it, use it when you need it, call Waste Management to dump it for you.
• What's in Season? Find the answer with Real Simple's handy online guide. Learn to buy, store and prepare all those fresh goodies you see at the farmers' market.

Hip News

• Winds of change. America's first offshore wind farm gets the green light. Cape Wind will power homes in Massachusetts and piss off the rich people in Nantucket.
• Bye bye birdies. Species of plants and animals continue to be lost at an alarming rate, so world leaders have failed to keep biodiversity commitments made in 2002.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

I think I can! To protect seedlings in your garden, remove the top and bottom from a coffee can (or other large can) and place the metal cylinder around your delicate sprouts. The can provides shade and shelter; just recycle it at the end of the season!

 

Life Without Monsanto

In March 2010, April Davila embarked on a quest to live a Month Without Monsanto. She thought it would be as simple as avoiding GM corn and cotton; however, she soon realized that the agribusiness giant is much more deeply entrenched in our daily lives. Faced with having to source the seeds of her food, April found few choices available in the supermarket and even fewer companies willing to take a stand against GMOs. April maintained a blog about her experiences and hopes to turn it into a book.

• April's quest began when she read this report about the dangers of genetically modified corn.
• Her search for GMO-free foods led her to Lundberg Farms and Massa Organics.
• April wore only organic cotton, since Monsanto controls much of the cotton seeds in production. Learn about the disastrous failure of their bt cotton in India.
• Avoiding Monsanto's GM soy in personal care products, April washed only with Dr. Bronner's soap.
• At least she could still drink! April chose 15-year-old whiskey and biodynamic wine.
• Two of April's favorite resources are Vandana Shiva and the Center for Food Safety. You'll find other resources on her blog and her Facebook page.
• If you want to avoid Monsanto seeds, consult the Garden of Eatin'.
• Yep, there's an app for that! iPhone users, get the ShopNoGMO app.

Listener E-mails

• Theresa in NC wonders if Quorn is a good product. It's made from a fungus but isn't a mushroom; it's a good source of protein but is also an allergen. You decide.
• Colleen in Buffalo, NY is appalled by the wasteful new Kleenex Hand Towels. As for audiobooks, wait for Michael Perry's "Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs & Parenting".
• Miles in Toronto (eh!) is writing about the evils of HFCS on his website, Miles Ahead. Thanks for the shout-out!
• Sarah in NYC is ready to upgrade her TV and found some good info about LED TVs. She also wants to get rid of her old scented candles without tossing them out. We recommend keeping 'em for an emergency, or just burn them outside. Oh, and we'll check out your blog!
• Patrick in NC did the legwork and found that LED bulbs work best as rapid on/off "pee" lights.
• Emily in Indianapolis shares a link to an Ode magazine article about our buddy Ken Grossman. Dig around the site, you'll find a tidbit about Val!
• Nancy in Arizona makes her own reusable bags from old sheets and jeans, and loads them up with local goodies at the farmer's market.
• Shout-Out! Check out listener Patti's podcast, PregTASTIC!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #260 - Backyard Chickens

Thousands of ordinary folks are raising backyard or urban chickens as a source of sustainable food.

The "Chicken Chick" is in the henhouse! Carol Albrecht from Chaffin Family Orchards joins the Hipsters to discuss the ins and outs of chicken ownership. She also explains why we should avoid "battery eggs" and how to use roadkill to your benefit, then tackles questions from our Facebook friends!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Holy Homegrown Hops! The Chatoe Rogue Dirtoir Black Ale is a delightful limited-edition brew not to be missed. "Dedicated to Farmers and Fermenters. GYO is a Rogue Ales term for Grow Your Own."

Chocolate: No, those aren't dog turds, they're Next Organics Dark Chocolate Coconut pieces. Nice flavors, but the brittle bits of coconut are a shock if you're expecting to bite into a Mounds bar.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Here comes sandal weather, so freshen your feet with Peppermint Foot Scrub. With natural pumice and walnut shells, this organic scrub exfoliates and invigorates.
• Toys R 'X'. They've banned pthalates from kids' toys, but what about adult toys? Find a selection of body-safe products at Ethical Sex Toys.

Hip News

• Et tu, TJ? After Greenpeace outed their fishy seafood practices, Trader Joe's has announced plans to clean up their act.
• Watt a deal! Guests at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Copenhagen can earn a free meal by generating a few watts of electricity on a stationary bike.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Put a lid on it! Shanan in New Hampshire writes: "Another way to reuse yogurt containers with lids is to punch a bunch of holes in the top and put baking soda in them. I pack one at the bottom of storage containers when I put my winter things away. Add a few drops of essential oils and put them in closets and drawers too; great way to freshen the house!"

 

Backyard Chickens

The "Chicken Chick", Carol Albrecht, is in the henhouse! She's part of Chaffin Family Orchards, a sustainable 5-generation family farm in Northern California. Carol has been raising chickens for 35 years and shares her wealth of knowledge about the care and feeding of backyard poultry. Her farm is currently home to about 500 chickens!

• Heirloom breeds help protect genetic diversity in livestock. Try to support endangered chicken breeds.
• When ordering chicks by mail, use a no-kill hatchery like Sandhill Preservation Center.
• Carol recommends Harvey Ussery's Modern Homestead to get great tips for raising chickens on a small scale.
• If your town doesn't allow backyard chickens, get support from groups like CLUC.
• Carol started a local chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation, which is dedicated to "Food, Farming and the Healing Arts".
• She teaches cooking classes based on Sally Fallon's "Nourishing Traditions".

Listener E-mails

• Maggie in Madrid wants the truth about CFLs. Yes, they save energy! Use a dimmable CFL to extend the bulb's life in a dimmer switch.
• Sarah in NYC wonders about her acrylic drinking glasses. The bad news: they are indeed non-recyclable plastic. The good news: they don't contain BPA and you can buff out the scratches.
• Brian in Tennessee thinks NASA scientist James Lovelock is rightfully glum about our future prospects, but hopes we'll geoengineer Mars first. He also shares a story about self-pollinating almond trees.
• Ashanti in Austin, TX loves Dirt Girl World, an animated show about real food, coming soon to the Sprout Network.
• Katie in Toronto (eh!) wants everyone to watch the Story of Stuff and a shorter segment about Bottled Water. As for rental cars, go with something small and lightweight with cruise control and A/C.
• Heidi in New York can't believe the ticket price for a 3D movie! You should be able to Train Your Dragon on DVD by Christmas.

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #259 - Beautiful Butterflies

Butterflies play a vital role in maintaining earth's ecological balance.

Do you take the time to notice butterflies? There are more than 17,000 species found everywhere in the world except Antarctica. Dori and Val get to know these amazing insects a little better, busting a few myths along the way. This week's show also has a bass soundtrack as the Hipsters share studio time with Chico faves The Yule Logs!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our favorite Mexican restaurant brew is Negra Modelo. This dark beer not only puts out a jalapeno fire, but also pairs well with chocolate.

Chocolate: Ah, Ghirardelli, if only your Milk & Peanut Butter bar were made with dark chocolate! Great texture, nice creamy filling...just a tad too sweet.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Greenhouse effect. Designers in New Zealand have created the Plant Room so apartment-dwellers can have their own garden in the sky.
• Seed money. Ready to start a Farmers Market in your community? The USDA is offering a grant program, so hurry and apply by April 15th.

Hip News

• The good news. The EPA moves to curb mountaintop removal mining by tightening water quality standards.
• The bad news. Obama reversed a ban on oil drilling off most US shores.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Three times a lemon! From Frugal Homemaker Plus: "I got three uses out of the lemons today! The zest and a bit of the juice made excellent lemon poppy seed bread. I then sprinkled baking soda in them and scrubbed my shower walls with them. (Some vinegar on a sponge took care of the spots the lemon/baking soda combo did not take care of.) I then ran the peels through my garbage disposal for that lemon fresh scent. Not bad for a couple of humble lemons!"

 

Beautiful Butterflies

One of nature's greatest pollinators, the butterfly leads a fascinating life. Learn how to attract these legendary creatures into your garden, how to assist a butterfly in need and how to help threatened butterfly populations.

• Butterflies are great indicators of a healthy environment.
• From egg to chysalis, the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly is a wonder of nature.
• If you touch a butterfly, will it die? Nope, that's one of the myths about them.
• Bring butterflies to your home with a nice spa. No room? Whip up some butterfly bait!
• If you have space, grow these butterfly-attracting plants.
• We found step-by-step instructions for giving an injured butterfly first aid.
• It's been a bad winter for Monarch butterflies. Find out what you can do to help them at MonarchWatch.

Listener E-mails

• Paige in New York loves No Impact Man. She also heard that rabbits are the new urban chickens. OK, but only kill the ugly ones.
• Sarah in Maryland needs disposable plates for her green wedding. Check out Bambu, Preserve and Bagasse, or just go with the real deal!
• Patrick in NC wants to eat fish with a clean conscience. We recommend you roll with Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch.
• Jenny in Ontario (eh!) is proud of her green city, Windsor, which is hosting an Environmental Expo this month. Keynote speaker: Bill Clinton.
• Erin in New York doesn't want to use bleach to clean moss off her brick patio. Try Oxy-Boost and a whole lotta elbow grease instead.
• Kathy in Pittsburgh, PA found that a Klean Kanteen full of ice makes a great long-lasting icepack. But it couldn't make Rick Springfield less hot, right?
• Jason in Rochester, NY wonders where to recycle batteries and whether to start composting. He also enters the Porn Star Name Hall of Fame!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #258 - No No Nanofood!

"Officially, the FDA says there aren't any nano-containing food products currently sold in the U.S. Not true, say some of the agency's own safety experts."

75% of American adults know little or nothing about nanotechnology, yet it affects our everyday lives. A three-part series by AOL News entitled The Nanotech Gamble spells out the science as well as the money behind it and the risks it poses, especially in food. The Hipsters put on their lab coats and examine the issue. Also, Dori books the Chicken Chick, Val sings her favorite song ever and Joan Jett still rocks!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: How can you go wrong with something called Hop Juice? This potent 9.4% Double IPA from Left Coast Brewing Co. is a big-ass bottle of delicious!

Chocolate: We love, love, love the creamy magnificence of Dagoba Chocolate. However, we've learned not to mix beer with Mint in any way. After quaffing our Hop Juice, we merrily munched the dark chocolate and organic mint with rosemary essence. And it was good.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! If you have a toddler, you need a Munchie Mug. This spill-resistant snack cup keeps those cereal nuggets out of your seat cushions with a soft fabric flap that's easy on little hands. No more picking pretzels off your pants! (Unless you enjoy that sort of thing...)
• Big screen green. When you head to the movies this summer, look for biodegradable, compostable 3D glasses. Let's hope they don't cost as much as a ticket to a 3D movie.

Hip News

• Pop secret. PepsiCo is on the lookout for the next sweet thing. They're racing to find a calorie-free natural sweetener for carbonated drinks before lawmakers put a tax on sugary beverages.
• Bad buzz. After a bad winter, honeybees are still in decline. A new study shows their pollen and hives are laden with pesticides.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Banish the bugs! If ants are invading your home, try putting out some corn meal. They'll take it back to the nest for a family feast...and a fatal case of indigestion.

 

No No Nanofood!

'Nanofood' describes food which has been cultivated, produced, processed or packaged using nanotechnology techniques or tools, or food to which manufactured nanomaterials have been added. Untested nanotechnology is being used in more than 100 food-related products currently on the shelf.

• Nanotechnology is the science of matter that's too tiny to see.
• Potential benefits of nanotech include the ability to trace outbreaks of foodborne diseases.
• Nanotech particles are already found in products such as sunscreen, bandages and clothing.
• A British report called for more studies of the risks of nanofoods, citing safety shortfalls and corporate secrecy.
• A poll by Hart Research indicated most Americans are unaware of nanotechnology or its use in food.

 

Listener E-mails

 

 

 

 

• Brian in Tennessee shares the latest bad news about HFCS. Liver scarring? Really?
• Katie in Texas loves her round sock dryer and gives a plug to Austin's own Yarn Harvest.
• Shaun in Australia offers a clip from Futurama that solves global warming! He also recommends watching Bill Gates' energy discussion at the TED talks, and extols the virtues of the KeepCup.
• Jay found an article about new designs for fish farms that use other sea creatures to consume waste.
• Sara in Virginia sent us 9 Surprising Uses for Beer. Yes, we remember Body On Tap!

 

 

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow Val on Twitter: GrnDiva, at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

 

More Hip Than Hippie #257 - Farmed Salmon Exposed!

Salmon farming imperils the environment, the fish and the health of the consumer.

Crowded feedlots filled with feces? Overuse of antibiotics and pesticides? Greedy corporate disregard for regulations? No, we're not talking about the US ag industry. Salmon farms in Norway, Canada and Chile (and the US) employ these spurious means to feed America's appetite. The Hipsters dive into the murky waters with both eyes open. Also, Dori contemplates chicken ownership while Val coins a new More Hip slogan!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: This noble gent is the Hop Czar from Bridgeport Brewing Co. We're normally fans of the Imperial IPA, but Dori found herself making "hop face".

Chocolate: The chocolate pairing may be to blame. Q.Bel All Natural Chocolate Covered Wafers are light and flaky like non-toxic Kit Kats, but that subtle hint of mint doesn't work well with beer.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Id-vertising. Val recommends the BBC series Century of the Self, a documentary examining the use of Freudian psychology by advertisers and marketers. Bring your own cigar.
• Farm to fork. Students at the University of New Hampshire can study both food and sustainability in the new EcoGastronomy program. Eat Free or Die!

Hip News

• iPoison. Those shiny touch-screens on your Apple gadgets may cost more than you think. Chinese factory workers exposed to n-hexane are suffering nerve damage, paralysis or worse.
• Sticker shock. Need a little help choosing a home? The Energy Performance Score (EPS) is a new labeling system that lets you compare houses based on energy consumption, similar to miles per gallon for vehicles.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Stay sharp! Tired of dealing with dull shaving razors? For disposables, James in PA suggests drying the blade after each use to extend its life, or employing a pair of jeans. Glenn in Texas sends his straight razor to a 'honemeister' and recommends the Straight Razor Place for tips and info (for women too)!

 

Farmed Salmon Exposed!

Two-thirds of the salmon consumed by Americans is farm-raised. A farmed salmon's life is very different from that of their wild counterparts. Learn how these fish farms impact their environment and your health.

• The lifecycle of a wild salmon is fascinating!
• Salmon farms crowd thousands of fish into open net-cages in coves along the coast.
• Multiple antibiotics are fed to the fish, along with treatments for sea lice.
• Until recently, Chile was the biggest supplier of farmed salmon in the US. Disease killed their industry.
• Buyer beware: there's no such thing as organic salmon. Not even from Loch Duart.
• Make good choices with the help of Seafood Watch. Find businesses who don't sell net-cage farmed salmon at Salmon Supporters.

Listener E-mails

• Veggie Liz in NYC is bummed to hear that bamboo fabric and agave nectar aren't as green as we thought. Raw agave? Um, not so much. Sorry!
• Tina in Texas found a plant-based Easter Egg Coloring Kit from Eco-Kids.
• Adele in Ontario (eh!) wants to get the skunk smell off her dogs. Most home remedies have hydrogen peroxide, so your pooch may go blonde!
• Rob in Kentucky will try his hand at growing stevia, but wants to avoid the licorice taste. Any Hipster tips?
• Leanne in Vancouver, BC (eh!) fervently hopes she can feel good about buying the delicous tenderloin at Costco. We give it a thumbs up!
• Elan in New York loves Klean Kanteen but misses his CamelBak spout. Keep your eyes peeled for cool new spouts from KK this year.
• Chrissy in Charlotte, NC shares a couple of gems--applique with used dryer sheets and a Chocolate Guinness Cake from Nigella Lawson. WE KNOW!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

Stevia - The Bittersweet Story

Stevia-based sweeteners are touted as "natural", but often don't bear much resemblance to the plant itself.

You've seen "stevia" in the supermarket and on beverage labels, under a variety of names. Is it safe? Who put these sweeteners on the market? The Hipsters respond to a listener request for details and discover a bit of controversy. Find out how a little plant from Paraguay became the object of corporate lust and regulatory wrangling!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Rejoice! Sierra Nevada Brewery celebrates 30 years of excellence with the first in a series of collaborations. Fritz & Ken's Ale is a smooth dark stout produced with Fritz Maytag of Anchor Brewing Co. We're in heaven!

Chocolate: The beer paired very well with a bar of Endangered Species Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs. Rich in texture, this ethically traded treat is perfect to share with a friend.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Get glowing with an exfoliating Honey Face Mask. Made from unfiltered orange blossom honey and pure essential oils, this truly natural mask hydrates skin and even tastes great! Coupod: Save 15% on this product by entering Greenfeet promo code BEESKNEES at checkout! Order by March 31, 2010.
• Where the wild things are. Ready for "Rebel Monkeys" and "Thunderbeast"? The Nat Geo Wild channel premieres in the US on March 29th. Rawr!

Hip News

• Fanplastic. Scientists have developed a new plastic that can be recycled more than once.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Purl of wisdom! From Listener Liz: "Knitters, check out local thrift stores for sweaters you can recycle! There are a ton of tutorials online for this. Many stores don't know what they have, and you can find good quality cashmere, wool and other fibres that can be dismantled and reknit into wonderful new projects!"

 

Stevia - The Bittersweet Story

Adam in Sevierville, TN writes:

"I heard your podcast on fake sugars, and know to stay away from them. But I've been wondering about the no calorie natural sweeteners like the Stevia plant. Are these safe? Will they destroy my insides, or are they like some crazy drug?"

• A member of the chrysanthemum family, Stevia rebaudiana is also known as sweet leaf.
• Stevia is sold only as a dietary supplement, not a sweetener, because the FDA says it's an unsafe food additive.
• Two popular sweeteners, Truvia and PureVia, are produced by processing a part of the stevia leaf, rebiana (or Reb A).
• When the FDA granted their petition to approve rebiana as a sweetener in 2008, food giant Cargill Inc. partnered with Coca-Cola to make Truvia, while sweetener giant Merisant partnered with PepsiCo to make PureVia. Enliten Reb A sweetener is made by Corn Products International.
• A study by WHO found that stevia is not only safe, but also potentially beneficial for treating hypertension (page 45).
• You can find pure stevia extract in products like NuStevia. Better yet, grow your own!

Listener E-mails

• Sandy in New York defuzzes his face with an eco-friendly straight edge razor, plus the old-fashioned soap mug and brush. We approve.
• Bridget in Chicago is excited to volunteer at the Green Festival in May. She also needs to find green attractions in the Napa/Sonoma region...anyone? Bueller?
• Rich in San Diego wants students to know they can buy and sell textbooks at online marketplace ValoreBooks.
• Kate in Wisconsin shared a funny and inspiring article about Bea, a blogger who lives with zero waste.
• Alex in Denmark returns! He and his girlfriend Inger created this animation video to promote his environmental art exhibition in Odense. Wish we could be there!
• Liz in Ottawa (eh!) unlurked herself with a novella about progressive dinner parties, upcycled art and DIY weddings. Thanks for the Teenie Weenie Greenie too!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #255 - Geoengineering

As the rate of global warming accelerates, more politicians and pundits propose geoengineering as a possible remedy.

Fighting pollution with pollution? That's the idea behind Solar Radiation Management, which is a form of geoengineering. At the request of a listener, the Hipsters shine a light on this somewhat controversial concept and its consequences. Also, Val prepares to entertain a houseful of stinky 12-year-olds, while Dori gets her Beatlemajesty on!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: To say that our beer and chocolate didn't pair well this week would be an understatement. Kirin Ichiban Special Premium Reserve's light flavor might taste great with an Asian meal, but it's not one we'd grab out of the cooler.

Chocolate: On the other end of the spectrum is Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's 85% cacao chocolate bar. Highly edible and much smoother than you'd think. Thanks to Charter Hipster Alison in NC, who sent this along with some lovely handcrafted goodies. Mwah!

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Colored bowtie. That's one of the things to watch for when you play Oscar Bingo during the Academy Awards show. We got that square, thanks to Robert Downey Jr.
• Frozen assets. What do candles, batteries, panty hose and cheap booze have in common? Among other things, you can freeze them to save money!

Hip News

• Hot air. Our hard-working reps in Congress are trying to gut the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases. We can't let the poor coal industry suffer, right?
• Orange crush. Officials in the city of Orange, CA get a big raspberry! They're suing a couple for replacing their water-guzzling lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Sow there! Spring is coming, so take the time to plant something. Whether it's a starter for your garden or some herbs in your windowsill, it's a valuable opportunity to begin sourcing your own food.

 

Geoengineering - The Sky is Falling

Christy in Bend, OR writes:

I have a potential show idea for you. I have recently been learning about cloud seeding or "geoengineering" and all of the aluminum it is introducing into our water tables. There is a movement afoot in the government to fast track legislation that would encourage more of this short-sighted solution to global warming. I am really surprised so few conscious and conscientious people know about this issue.

• Definition. "Geoengineering is the intentional large scale manipulation of the global environment..."
• Method. Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is a controversial cloud-seeding technique used to mimic volcanic eruptions.
• Effects. Any attempt to artificially mitigate climate change will have ramifications.
• Politics. The Obama administration and other governments haven't ruled out using it as an emergency measure.
• Statement. The American Meteorological Society calls for more research and urges caution.
• Alarm. Some people feel strongly that the government is already using SRM, as evidenced by chemtrails in the sky.
• Support. Proponents of geoengineering research include billionaire Bill Gates.
• Solutions. Other ideas for climate mitigation include carbon scrubbers and biochar.

Listener E-mails

• Rachel in Virginia wants to start a CSA with a grant from Pepsi Refresh. Vote for her project!
• Jenn in NC discovered she's a "yellow D" when it comes to energy efficiency. Find your score by taking the quiz at A Simple Switch.
• Tom in the UK think aspiring vegetarians will love DeliciousTV. He also shares info about town dollars and plugs his buddies at the Broken Spoke in Courtenay, BC, Canada (eh!).
• Lisa in New Jersey loves cloth napkins and shows you how to make them on her blog.
• Sara in Virginia found a cool way to reuse old fur coats: donate them to the HSUS for wildlife in need.
• George in Colorado wonders if Greenfeet will start selling chocolate soon. Sweet idea!
• Sue wants an update on biofuels. Our last stab at the topic was an interview with Springboard Biodiesel. (Vote for their Pepsi Refresh idea too!)

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #254 - Sustainable Community

Sustainability: A Personal Journey to a Built Sustainable Community...and an Amazing Picture of What Life Will Soon be Like by Stuart W. Rose, Ph.D. offers guidance on how and why to live sustainably.

The Hipsters chat with Dr. Rose (we get to call him Stu!) about his sustainable community of homes in Virginia, as well as his ideas for navigating societal changes that may be coming our way. Also, Dori and Val prepare for the release of 4 new beers from Sierra Nevada Brewery! Life is good.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: More easy-drinkin' brew from the Big Easy. Abita Beer's Fall Fest has a great taste for any season.

Chocolate: Mouthgasm! In the name of all that is sacred, get yourself some truffles from Pix Patisserie in Portland, OR. Each piece is a scrumptious work of art. Thanks, Jillicious!

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Need a great lunchbox for grown-ups? Try the stainless steel Lunchbot, a safe plastic-free option that's just the right size for your yummy leftovers. Go ahead, glue on a picture of Scooby-Doo or the Brady Bunch.
• Fear of fur. Love the look of fur, but hate the cruelty? Sport faux fur by Imposter, a new line that donates 10% of sales to saving animals. Look for the IM logo.

Hip News

• How sweet it ain't. Fake sweetener aspartame now wants to be called AminoSweet, so you'll forget it's bad for you. Skip the agave nectar too; it's processed like HFCS. Bitter is better.
• Olympic metal. Kudos to Vancouver! Their Olympic medals are the first in history to contain gold, silver and copper recovered from end-of-life electronics, eh!

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Break the mold! Instead of using bleach to clean up areas affected by mold, try this chemical-free alternative: mix a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with 2 parts water. Put it in a spray bottle and blast away the mold safely and inexpensively!

 

Sustainable Community

Sustainability: A Personal Journey to a Built Sustainable Community...and an Amazing Picture of What Life Will Soon be Like by Stuart W. Rose, Ph.D. offers guidance on how and why to live sustainably. He strives to show a way to reduce the depletion of Earth's natural resources and to predict global changes which could occur in the next few years. Rose hopes that Sustainability will help suppress the fears connected to living on Earth's natural resources by sharing how sustainability has worked in an actual housing development.

"My goal in writing this is to provide a real, practical and positive picture of what we can do to make it through the coming transition - and realize a fantastic new way of living."

• Guidance. Dr. Rose's book details his experience with starting a housing development and offers tips for living sustainably.
• Community. Stu and his wife live in Garden Atriums, their housing development in Virginia.
• Inspiration. The writings of Lester Brown, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, led Dr. Rose to pursue life in a sustainable community.

Listener E-mails

• Annie in California found PeopleTowels, a green company helping us cut waste by bringing own towels to public restrooms.
• Carri in Kansas recommends checking out Mother Earth News, which she reads cover to cover. She also tipped us off to non-GMO Baker Creek Seeds.
• Megan in Montana wants to stop using plastic bags at the bulk bins. Try these mesh bags for everything except flour.

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #253 - Snowmageddon

A succession of powerful winter storms pounding most of the US this month has been dubbed, among other things, Snowmageddon.

The sun is shining at More Hip HQ in Chico, but winter has a tight grip on much of the country. The Hipsters check in with snowbound blogger Robin Shreeves to find out how she and her family are coping in the winter wonderland of New Jersey, then get a lesson in climate change from Jon Stewart. Also, Dori and Val mark a More Hip milestone!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: In honor of the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints, we try a little brew from the Bayou: Abita Beer's Turbodog Brown Ale. Another reason for Louisiana to be proud.

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener is Tony in Chicago, who shared the Chocolove for Valentine's Day. It even came with a love poem.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Green on the go. Everything about the Green Silence running shoe from Brooks has an element of sustainability. Recycled materials, water-based adhesives and non-toxic dyes keep you on the right track!

Hip News

• A new leaf. Looks like Europeans can agree on something! In an online vote, they chose the Euro-leaf as the new logo for organic foods produced in the EU. It must be placed on all their pre-packaged organic food after July 1.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Support wildlife! When it's time to replace that worn-out bra, give it a new life...as a bird feeder! Fill the cups with seeds and drape it over a tree branch. Snowmageddon

South Jersey resident and Mother Nature Network blogger Robin Shreeves has used her weather-related captivity to cook, read, make crafts, play board games and organize photos. And shovel snow.

• Eat. Robin's informal poll of frostbitten friends revealed a spike in the consumption of chocolate chip cookies.
• Drink. Wine is the beverage of choice because it won't go bad when the power's out, nor does it require chilling. Plus, as Robin found, you can't make beef bourguinon without it.
• Read. Robin loved Julia Child's My Life In France; Val recommends Seth Godin's Linchpin; Dori enjoyed Joanne Harris's follow-up to Chocolat, The Girl With No Shadow.

Listener E-mails

• Katie in Toronto (eh!) takes reusable Envirosax when she goes shopping. She also discovered TerraCycle's fun products and brilliant fundraising program.
• Mike in Oakland shares a story about Bill Gates funding GMO research. Nope, Bill is no Hipster.
• Michele in Arizona is wearing 4-year old undies, because she washes them in cold water and hangs them to dry. She also has good ideas for your old shower curtains.
• Kamille in California sent a story about Brita filters being recycled by Preserve Products. Blogger Beth Terry should be pleased.
• Patrick in NC found t-shirts recycled into custom laptop sleeves, for a good cause.
• Cynthia in Los Angeles discovered the only non-profit stop-junk-mail organization, 41pounds.
• Whitney in Texas sent us a simple recipe for pumpkin soup. Can Val eat it with her spoon earrings?

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #252 - Carbon Offsets

Carbon offsets offer companies and consumers the ability to neutralize a portion of their greenhouse gas emissions by investing in clean energy sources.

Since the first program was launched in 1989, carbon offsets have become a billion dollar industry. How do they work? Should you buy them? Dori and Val follow up on a listener's request to shed light on the subject. Also, Hollywood beckons! The Hipsters offer their services as Academy Awards hostesses, while Kleen Kanteen spends a day at The Office.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Really, we thought Dick's Brewing Company would provide a satisfying mouthful with their IPA. Sadly, there was so much, um, head, we had to bring in backup. Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale gave us what we needed.

Chocolate: We had a complicated relationship with our big ass bar of Divine Mint Dark Chocolate. We love that it's Fair Trade Certified, and the mint was nice and subtle. But the chocolate wasn't as smooth as we might have liked.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Whether you prefer red or white wine, you can keep it green. Tote your vino in an insulated NeoGreene Wine Bottle Carrier. Made from non-toxic materials, it's lightweight, adjustable and comes in fun color combos.
• And the Oscar goes to... an environmental film? Both Food Inc. and The Cove are nominated for Best Documentary. See who wins on March 7th.

Hip News

• Shamboo? The FTC is warning retailers to stop marketing rayon textiles as bamboo. Turns out bamboo fiber isn't smooth and silky, after all.
• Fried eggs. If you're having trouble getting pregnant, your mattress could be to blame! Flame retardant chemicals called PBDEs are found to decrease fertility in women.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Warm and cozy! Remember those stretchy wrist bands you wore during your workouts in the 70s and 80s? Turns out, they make great coffee cup cozies! Dig them out of that box with your Jane Fonda workout videos and slip 'em into your glove compartment for easy access. Now when you drink your coffee, you won't "feel the burn"!

 

Carbon Offsets

Hi Dori and Val,

My husband and I recently took the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii. I planned to buy carbon offsets for the flights. The whole trip was crazy expensive. So I expected the carbon offsets to cost a fortune as well. We racked up 20,000 miles and emitted over 6,000 lbs. of CO2. I was amazed when the offsets cost only $41.65! We probably spent that much on two salads at the airport!

Kelly in Annapolis, MD

• What is it? A carbon offset is a "financial instrument representing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions." One offset equals one metric tonne of reduced carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
• Size matters. A metric tonne of CO2 would fill the average family home. Most households produce 15 tonnes each year.
• Do the math. Figure out your carbon footprint using the EPA's Household Emissions Calculator.
• Choose. A report from Tufts University ranks the best offsetters. Kelly and Val both use TerraPass.

Listener E-mails

• Lisa in Michigan stuns us with the news that it's cold up dere in da north! Happily, she's found plenty of local beer in da Mitten to give her a warm glow.
• Chelsea in Georgia has indeed spotted sushi in Target, but hasn't been able to bring herself to try it.
• Robin in New Jersey wisely took us along on a long car trip. We still enjoy you on MNN!

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #251 - SoupCycle

SoupCycle in Portland, OR exemplifies the best features of a green business with a local sensibility.

Since the summer of 2008, SoupCycle has cooked and delivered over 10,000 tasty organic soups, saved 3,000 car-miles by using bicycle delivery and funneled $33,000 to local farmers. Co-owner Jed Lazar dishes with Dori and Val about their recipe for success. Also, the Hipsters welcome two luminaries to Chico this week; Dori's fiance Chris, and Oprah!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Kudos to Lost Coast Brewery for using restraint when creating their Raspberry Brown Ale. Nice fruit flavor without that syrupy sweetness.

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener is Megan in Arizona, who swiped samples of Starbucks' latest offering. TCHO chocolates offer delightfully satisfying mouthfeel with subtle flavors.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• iWhat? Apple finally debuted the new iPad tablet. It was obviously named by a panel of clueless men, but we're happy to report that it's a pretty green Apple.
• REMedy. The 1993 hit "Everybody Hurts" has been chosen for Simon Cowell's upcoming charity single to benefit Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Bono & Sir Paul are involved, so it won't suck.

Hip News

• Sportswear, Stereos & Sushi? Target is eliminating all farmed salmon from their seafood offerings nationwide.
• Weight and see. The CEO of Whole Foods has started a program offering bigger discounts to healthier employees. What do you think?

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Can the coins! Organize and contain those parking meter coins with an old prescription pill bottle or film canister. Stow it in your glove compartment and keep the meter maid away!

 

SoupCycle

A couple of business school students came up with a great green idea and made it happen. Jed and Shauna started SoupCycle in Portland, OR in the summer of 2008; since then, they've cooked and delivered over 10,000 tasty organic soups, saved 3,000 car-miles by using bicycle delivery and funneled $33,000 to local farmers. Jed Lazar spills the beans about his successful business (and his New Age porn star name). Souper!

• School. Jed and Shauna met while they were students at Bainbridge Graduate Institute in Washington, which offers an MBA in Sustainable Business.
• Social Media. Follow their SoupCycle exploits on Twitter and Flickr.
• Shazam! That's just one of the many amazing desserts available at Jed's favorite chocolate shop, Pix Patisserie.

Listener E-mails

• Ann in North Carolina (y'all!) needs an eco-friendly dry cleaner for her soon-to-be-worn wedding dress. Hopefully this green cleaner is close by. Congrats!
• Shayna in Idaho found the 12 Greenest Cars of 2010.
• Amy in Idaho gives a shout-out to the new Mary Jane's Farm retail store in nearby Moscow. We agree, the magazine rocks.
• Rob in Kentucky needs a booklight; they should be in stock any day now! He also doesn't want us to turn into CNN or Fox News. We can respect that.
• David in New York sent us a More Hip poem on Facebook. OK, enough sucking up...here's a plug for your friend's book about sustainabiity.

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #250 - Say No to GMO

The CEO of Lundberg Family Farms explains his company's opposition to genetically modified foods, and how consumers can avoid GMOs.

As more US crops are planted using genetically modified seeds, consumers increasingly demand to know about the risks of eating GM foods. Lundberg Family Farms takes a stand against GMOs; their CEO, Grant Lundberg, tells the Hipsters why! Also, Dori steps up to the cider while Val deals with a head full of snot.

Beer and Cider:

Beer: Try as she might, Val can't stay away from her new boyfriend Samuel Smith. We give his Organic Apple Cider much Hipster love for its nice flavor. It's a great choice for those who usually find cider to be too sweet.

Chocolate: OK, this was a disappointment. Seeds of Change Organic Dark Chocolate with Mango and Cashew is heavily molested with teensy bits of fruit and nuts, so it's a bit chewier than we like. Worse, all that flotsam and jetsam contributed almost no flavor! If we're going to work that hard to eat it, we want more bang for the bite.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Looking for the perfect Travel Book Light? Verilux makes a model that folds up flat and shines a glare-free natural light. Best of all, you can power it with rechargeable batteries or a USB port.
• Would you, could you in the dark? Break in your new book light during Earth Hour 2010! Circle March 27th on your calendar and pledge to turn off your lights at 8:30pm for 60 minutes. You'll be in good company.

Hip News

• Caveat empty. Oops! Bisphenol A isn't safe after all, according to the US FDA. But they can't regulate BPA because of a quirk in the rules. So consider yourself warned.
• Car maxed. There are actually fewer autos on US roads these days. A combination of driver frustration and improved public transportation means car usage is on the decline for the first time in decades.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Vote with your dollar! Search for participating companies and verified products on the Non-GMO Project site. Share the lists with family and friends, then go shopping!

 

Say No to GMO

As more US crops are planted using genetically modified seeds, consumers increasingly demand to know about the risks of eating GM foods. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit consortium of retailers, producers, farmers and distributors who want to give shoppers a choice to avoid these foods. Lundberg Family Farms participates in this organization and takes a stand against GMOs.

• GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. GM foods entered the market in the 1990s.
• Frankentomato is the not-so-complimentary nickname given to Calgene's Flavr Savr, the first GM food to hit stores.
• Health risks of GM foods are documented in a report by the Institute for Responsible Technology.
• Rice is one the few largely unmodified major crops. An experiment with LL601 GM rice did not go as planned.
• Lundberg Farms has an extensive list of verified non-GMO products.

Listener E-mails

• Bree in California loves her new Eco Smart washer and dryer, but also wants use a laundry line (her HOA says no). Visit Project Laundry List and fight for your right!
• Sandy in New York wonders if it's eco-friendly to keep charging his beloved Kindle. We think so, especially if you hook it up to a solar charger.
• Lisa in Wisconsin shares a story about therapists reporting an increase in green disputes.
• Chris in Montana (not for long!) wants some Hipster tips! Know any great blogs or mags about gardening and self-sufficiency? Val recommends Mary Jane's Farm.
• Sebastien in Canada (eh!) sent an article about water bottles of yore: revigators. Because radioactive water is good for what ails you.
• Steve in Philadelphia wants us to sample sucky wheat-free beers for him. The things we do for our listeners...

Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!

Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #249 - Birdwatching 101

Birdwatching, or birding, is the biggest sport in America.

According to US Fish and Wildlife Service, there are currently 51.3 million birders in the United States alone. You wanted to know more about birdwatching basics, so the Hipsters asked an expert. Birding enthusiast Scott Huber gamely answers your questions about binoculars, feeders, guide books and more. Also, Val inspires Dori to coin a new term: pine face!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listener, Jessica, sent along 3 fine Scottish ales from Williams Bros. Brewing: Alba, Grozet and Fraoch. The more you drink, the more fun they are to say!

Chocolate: Far from Scotland, coconuts grow, and we are thankful. Seeds of Change Organic Dark Chocolate with Coconut is change we can believe in.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• What's not to yike? City dwellers can achieve urban freedom with the electric YikeBike, which is due to hit the market in Europe and New Zealand this year. It's like a unicycle for the Jetsons.
• Fir real? Christmas in SoCal just got a little greener. Rent a living tree for the holidays, delivered to your home and picked up when the fun's over. Living Christmas also has an eco-holiday store; check out the Yeti ornaments.

Hip News

• Gung hay cheap crap. Hey parents, don't buy cheap Chinese-made toys for your kids! This public safety message is courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Wheels of fortune. Lady Luck has smiled upon Ford Motor Co. Their Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect were named 2010 Car and Truck of the Year in Detroit; now they've announced plans to build lithium ion batteries in Michigan. Meanwhile, Toyota unveils the FT-CH hybrid concept car.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Feather your hair! Scott suggests collecting the hair from your brushes (including pet hair) and saving it until springtime. Once the weather clears a bit, toss those tresses into the yard for birds, who'll happily use it to build their nests.

 

Birdwatching 101

You wanted to know more about birdwatching, so we asked an expert! Birding enthusiast Scott Huber gamely answers your questions about binoculars, feeders, guide books and more. He also explains the difference between a birder and a twitcher. Thanks for all the questions on our Facebook page!

• Who is Scott Huber? He's the Education Director for Altacal Audubon and a board member with Audubon California.
• What is that bird? Consult a trusty field guide like or Kenn Kaufman. For kids, start with the Golden Guide.
• When should you start birding? Now! Attend a local bird festival to find experts and info.
• Where can you birdwatch? Anywhere, with a pair of binoculars or an app like iBird or birdJam.
• How can you attract birds to your yard? With a fantastic birdhouse and birdbath.
• Why support the Audubon Society? So future generations will have birds to watch.

 

Listener E-mails

You are the wind beneath our wings! Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and bird droppings at our MHTH forum!

 

• Shayna in Idaho reminds us to wash those reusable bags regularly. Bad things grow in there.
• Jessica in Pittsburgh can't stand it when people say cold weather disproves global warming. Memorize this article, or just steer clear of the topic. We feel your pain.
• Jenny in Canada (eh!) is allergic to onions and can't find an organic soup that doesn't have them. Make your own Tomato Soup or Chicken Soup, and hold the onions!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Groundhog Day or anyday!Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes! More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #248 - From Odwalla to Adina

Odwalla founder Greg Steltenpohl is back in the beverage business with Adina for Life, a drink company with a social conscience.

Sometimes an opportunity comes along that you just can't pass up. Greg Steltenpohl helped to bring natural and organic beverages to consumers worldwide with Odwalla. Now he's bottling sustainability and social responsibility with a new line of beverages. As co-founder of Adina, Greg shares his progressive vision and his entrepreneurial tips with the Hipsters. Also, Dori and Val say goodbye to Julie Andrews and hello to John Coltrane, while their hometown of Chico joins the mile-high club!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Stop the presses! Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. just released their seasonal Glissade Golden Bock. We could taste a glimmer of springtime in its brisk bouquet. Another winner.

Chocolate: Back we go to World Market, for their Pomegranate Dark Chocolate bar. With a bit of juicy fruit flavor in a crisp 64% cocoa bar, it's not a fave of ours...but it's still a good value at $1.99.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! First the dryer, now the washer has balls! The Ionic Laundry Ball lets you do up to 700 phosphate-free loads of wash without using detergent. Just toss it in with the dirty clothes, then sit back and count the money you've saved!
• Right turn, Clyde. Sick of the canned voice on your GPS? The Garmin Voice Studio allows owners of their Nuvi model to voice their own navigation tips...or whatever. Check out their new ecoRoute cable if you want to track your fuel efficiency.

Hip News

• Fresh air. The US EPA has proposed stricter health standards for smog, which could place many more communities out of compliance. Big Oil hates it, so it must be good.
• The need for seed. Mark your calendar for January 30th, National Seed Swap Day. Organize your own with gardeners you know or use a free site like Seed Swaps.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Plan to scan! Cut through those piles of paper by scanning recipes, schedules, receipts, reference documents or whatever you can into your computer. Be sure to back them up regularly. Don't have a scanner? Try to find one second-hand and save a little cash!

 

From Odwalla to Adina

Greg Steltenpohl is back in the beverage business! Adina for Life, Inc. produces drinks with a social conscience.

• Drink No Evil. That's the tagline for Adina beverages, which include Fair Trade certified coffee & tea drinks as well as organic juices.
• Holistics. This line of Adina fruit drinks is formulated with the principles of Ayurveda in mind.
• Odwalla was Greg's baby from 1980 until 2001, when it was sold to Coca-Cola.
• Interra Project is another of Greg's ventures. This non-profit project rewards consumers for shopping locally with a Community Card.

 

Listener E-mails

Your New Year's resolution is to email your favorite Hipsters, right? Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and juicy stories at our MHTH forum!

 

• Trystan at Yahoo! Green is a reusable bag ninja! She and her husband used only 7 plastic bags in 2009, thanks in part to their plentiful cache of ChicoBags. Even better, her hometown voted to ban plastic bags starting in 2011!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for MLK Jr. Day or anyday!Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes! More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #247 - Eco-Resolutions

Happy New Year! Start the new decade with a plan to lighten your footprint on the planet.

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? Maybe you prefer to call them "intentions". Either way, set forth some clear, specific, measurable goals. The Hipsters are tackling food and waste in their quest for a greener 2010!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listener is Jen in Portland, who personally delivered Santa's Butt! This tasty porter from Ridgeway Brewing in England is definitely the finest Butt we've seen this winter.

Chocolate: Sticking with store brands, we sampled World Market Chipotle Chili 64% dark chocolate bar. Nice spicy kick and a great value at about $2.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Dori's Wedding Update! The big event happens in sweltering July, so Dori & Chris chose an indoor venue with air conditioning. This vintage Chico building will easily hold about 75 guests under it's vaulted roof. Green because the wedding and reception will happen in one place, eliminating extra travel; frugal because the rental rate for 8 hours on a Saturday is only $400, tables & chairs included!
• Web sight. You can look an endangered species in the face every day this year, thanks to the IUCN. They'll post a daily feature detailing a Red List species of animal, bird or plant that's under threat of extinction.
• Will work with food. Need a career change? Use your mad farming skillz to land a Sustainable Food Job.

Hip News

• Cash for Clunkers, Part Deux. Get your US government rebate for replacing old appliances this year. Check the Energy Savers chart to see when your state's program begins.
• Bug 'em! Tell the EPA to require pesticide manufacturers to disclose inert ingredients in their formulations. They're accepting public comments until late February.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Teach, don't preach! Pick one green issue you'd like to share with your friends and family this year. Teach them about the merits of reusable bags, composting, fair trade...whatever you're passionate about. (Probably best to avoid political hot potatoes like global warming, though.) Educate yourself and lead by example!

 

Eco-Resolutions

For 2010, the Hipsters set some solid green goals. Val: reduce household waste by 25%; source food within 100 miles; use less than 10 plastic bags. Dori: plan a low-waste or waste-free wedding; produce more food at home with a garden and chickens; start blogging about both. A big thanks to all our listeners who shared their goals with us on Facebook!

• Reduce your use of plastic bags. Sign up for Big Ed's Pledge and get support from like-minded Hipsters.
• Eat locally. Learn more about the 100 Mile Diet.
• Waste not. Plan events using compostable plates and flatware, real glasses and linens, recycling bins and local and/or organic food & drinks. Here are more tips for a green wedding.
• Produce some of your food. If you love fresh eggs, think about adding backyard chickens.
• Hot wire fencing with a solar charger is an energy-efficient way to keep dogs (Val) and goats (Dori) from destroying your garden.

 

Listener E-mails

Your New Year's resolution is to email your favorite Hipsters, right? Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and green goals at our MHTH forum!"The Legend of Dori's Engagement Ring" Contest is over! Read the winning entry here!

• Gwyneth in New Brunswick (eh!) found a great vintage engagement ring on eBay and some cool wedding dresses on Etsy. Congrats to you and your frozen fiance!
• Eileen in Florida wonders if Tetra Paks contain BPA or phthalates. Nope! They use #2 plastic plus paper and aluminum; check to see if your town will recycle them.
• Tina in Texas isn't sure if she should use an old energy-hog clothes dryer 3 months of the year, or get a new one? Tough call; we think you should use it sparingly while you save up for a more efficient model.
• Kristi in Michigan visited China and shares her green observations. World-travelling Hipsters, feel free to do the same!
• Sebastien in Canada (eh!) was the first of several Hipsters to send along the story of the Japanese man making edible sake bottles out of squid skin. Hey, how about beer bottles made of chocolate? Genius!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Elvis's birthday or anyday!Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes! More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.