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More Hip than Hippie Podcast by Dori & Val

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nhrisd, February 17, 2006
Reviewer: nhrisd from California

These two irreverent and fun hosts serve up amazingly detailed, serious information about environmental and health hazards from cosmetics to biodiesal. They are enthusiastic and informative without being preachy, and their show is peppered with personal anecdotes and rocking musical interludes. The sound quality and delivery is excellent.

girijad83, February 17, 2006
Reviewer: girijad83 from India

More Hip than Hippie Podcast by Dori & Val is broadcast from California and underwritten by www.greenfeed.com, a site featuring eco-friendly products. This podcast definitely lives up to its title- both in presentation as well as content!

Dori and Val give great tips about how to live a green lifestyle- easy to make vegetarian recipes, simple energy and pollution saving tips, etc. They give a new definition to the word 'hip'- someone who is eco-friendly, aware of environment issues and follows the 'green' way. Most importantly, they infuse a touch of warm humour into their program. Do listen carefully to the opening 'green' rap song!

The audio quality and voice delivery are excellent. I give this podcast 5 stars and recommend it to everyone.

Green People are Cool, February 17, 2006
Reviewer: LOLDavid from Los Angeles, California

For everyone that thinks people who buy organic foods are squares, Dori & Val will dispel that idea. They're fun friends who enjoy living a green lifestyle, talking about eating healthy, being environmentally friendly, gardening, raising healthy kids, and much else. They're from northern California which provides them with a lot of material to draw from since they have a lot of eco friendly options up there. Their show does run an hour so it isn't right to the point, and is more like talk radio. But that's what makes it so fun.

More Hip than hippie, February 17, 2006
Reviewer: kricket from Minnesota

What a fantastic podcast. This high energy, informative podcast is the best I've listened to. The hosts do a wonderful job of keeping me entertained while giving me a lot a great and realistic ways that I can contribute. Buying and using eco-friendly products seem so easy after listening to these lovely ladies.

I listened to the holiday grab bag issue. I highly suggest you do the same! :-)

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More Hip #299 - Foraging Food


Thu, Feb 02, 2012

More Hip Than Hippie #299 - Foraging Food

In the last decade, the celebration of organic foods, farmer's markets, and artisanal producers has dovetailed with a renewed passion for wild delicacies. On the forefront of this movement is longtime "huntress" Connie Green.

Everywhere humans have lived, there is food to be foraged. If you have the desire to be closer to your food and get in touch with nature, you have what it takes to be a forager. The Hipsters chat with 'Huntress' Connie Green about wild food, sustainability and the fungus among us.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listeners are Ewen & Jesamine, who sent us a fab care package all the way from Scotland! Bitter & Twisted Blond Beer from Harviestoun Brewery might well have been named for us. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: They also sent along a bar of Valrhona Grand Cru Abinao. At 85% cacoa, it's billed as Intense and Tannic. We just call it Dessert. Cheers! Dori: 4 hips; Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Java jar. Here's a genius idea: create a recyclable, BPA-free plastic lid that fits on a canning jar...Cuppow! Instant travel mug! Wish we'd thought of it.
• E-waste management. Come on, time to get rid of those old electronics you're never going to use. Gadgetabulous makes it easy to sell, consign, donate or recycle your formerly awesome gizmos.

Hip News

• Oil for one... British Petroleum lost its bid to make contractor Transocean pay part of the damages from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The case goes to court in Louisiana on February 27th.
• ...and one for Oil. Meanwhile, Brazil is mulling criminal charges against Chevron execs after an offshore spill in November.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Beat the Bag Monster! It's time to take the Annual Plastic Bag Challenge. Take a moment to tally up the approximate number of plastic bags you use in a year. Now, solemly swear to cut that number in half this year. Write down your target number and sign it. If you're already below 50, then we Double Dog Dare you to use 10 or less!

Foraging Food

Did you know there's a feast underfoot? Everywhere humans have lived, there is food to be foraged. If you have the desire to be closer to your food and get in touch with nature, you have what it takes to be a forager. 'Huntress' Connie Green has been at it for over 30 years; she literally wrote the book on finding the fungus among us!

• Connie and chef Sarah Scott wrote The Wild Table, "an invitation into the romantic, mysterious, and delicious world of exotic, foraged food."
• She sells a collection of sustainable gathered edibles on her website, Wine Forest Wild Foods.
• Connie works closely with famed chef Thomas Keller, the guy who taught Val to roast a chicken.
• Learn the ropes of foraging from members of your local Mycological Society or Native Plant Society.
• After a tough day of gathering goodies, kick back with a Douglas fir martini!

Listener E-mails

We didn't have to forage for emails! Keep sending your questions, comments, tips, brainstorms and epiphanies to hip@greenfeet.com. You guys rock our world!

• Karen in S. Carolina is ready to make some kombucha tea. We also recommend the soap from Rand Hill Naturals.
• Kelly in Washington shares an article about the dreaded K Cups. Maybe Keurig's Ekobrew K Cup is a better alternative.
• Melissa in Texas needs info on wind turbines. She's also a proud member of her local Surfrider Foundation.
• Tom in England has a new garden and a new blog: The Suburban Allotment! Revisit our show on Permaculture 101 for enlightening info.
• Katie in Texas wants the scoop on baby jammies. Here it is: skip them and get sweats & longjohns! Use an organic crib mattress to stay chemical-free.
• Lacey in Colorado shares lots of green tips and inspiration on her blog.
• Donna in England warns gardeners to Keep Monsanto Out by sourcing your seeds.

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Groundhog 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!

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

More Hip Than Hippie #298 - Citizen Scientists

Scientific research is moving out of the laboratory and into the hands of Citizen Scientists.

Are you a stargazer? Birdwatcher? Ham radio operator? You have the makings of a citizen scientist. The Hipsters investigate the galaxy of opportunites out there for curious minds to contribute to scientific research. Also, Dori deals with 20/50 vision while Val deals with having a hot husband.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: It's beer...it's coffee...it's Cappuccino Stout! Our friends at Lagunitas Brewing Co. continue to impress with this yummy seasonal brew. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener is Donna in England! She sent us make-up chocolate from across the pond, and it was well worth the postage. Montezuma's Very Dark 73% bar scores well in flavor, consistency and mouth-feel. It also pairs perfectly with a hearty beer. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! An insulated, unlined stainless steel water bottle that fits in a cupholder? That's S'well! This stylish bottle is full of good karma, too; 10% of all proceeds are donated to WaterAid.
• The Un-cola. There's more than one way to make soda without the carbonation. Whip up a batch of Urban Homestead Soda! Thanks to Listener Carri for posting this on our Facebook page.
• Will it "Sting"? Scientists have named a new species of Rocky Mountain beetle after actor/environmentalist/dreamboat Robert Redford.
• Sacrebleu! Our Zero Waste amie Bea Johnson is featured in People magazine. But, will she buy a copy?

Hip News

• Grand gesture. Calling it a "national treasure that must be protected", the Obama administration finalized a ban on new mining near the Grand Canyon.
• Hickory Dickory Doom. The Doomsday Clock has moved one minute closer to midnight. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists made the move in response to failed leadership, climate change and Japan's nuclear disaster last year.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Save the Kales! If you have veggies in the fridge that are a bit past their peak, don't toss them out! Val shares her recipe for Veggie Drawer Soup:

Ingredients:

• 5 Tbsp butter (I replace with about 2Tbsp EVOO - adjust as needed)
• 1 lb chopped veggies
• 6 cups chicken or veggie stock
• 24 oz diced potatoes (roughly 4 medium potatoes)
• 3/4 cup cream ( I just use 2% milk - for Paleo, coconut milk works great)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Melt butter, add chopped veggies and simmer to soften but not brown.
• Add stock and potatoes, bring to boil, cook for 20 minutes.
• Puree the soup with an immersion blender or food mill.
• Stir in cream and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Val loves pairing this with grilled cheese on crusty bread.

Citizen Scientists

Scientific research is moving out of the laboratory and into the hands of Citizen Scientists. From astronomy to zoology, there's a project for everyone. You don't need training or a college degree, you just need a healthy dose of curiosity and a desire to help provide answers we can all use!

• Some of the oldest (and coolest) Citizen Science projects are the Christmas Bird Count and SETI@home.
• Where do you begin? Look for a variety of fun projects at places like SciStarter, Scientific American, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and NASA.
• Perform projects on the go! SciSpy and WildLab use mobile technology.
• Tombstones? Frogs? Roadkill? Find an unusual project to suit your tastes.
• DIY projects from MAKE magazine inspired the Maker movement, which is a form of citizen science. Check out a Maker Faire near you!
• For more info, visit the Citizen Scientists League or the Citizen Science Alliance.

Listener E-mails

Our inbox runneth over! Thanks for all the great emails. Send your questions, comments, tips, brainstorms and epiphanies to hip@greenfeet.com. We love to hear from you!

• Mike in Oakland, CA would like to counter arguments that wind power is too expensive. Here's what the EWEA has to say.
• Kristy in Texas has cookware questions. Among other things, we recommend USA Pans, made with recycled steel and aluminum.
• Patrick in North Carolina also has cookware questions. For you, sir, the ManPan.
• Christine in Arizona also has cookware questions. Orgreenic, anyone?
• Amy in San Diego, CA is getting rid of plastic in her kitchen. Read about her progress on her blog, Seven Grey Sweaters.
• Dolores in Cleveland, OH is collecting karma points with her personal mitvah. You'll love Linda Cohen's book, 1,000 Mitzvahs.
• Allison in Kansasgets to travel to Japan! Pack multi-purpose items, reusuables, and quick-drying clothes. Leave some space for souvenirs (and chocolate for your fave podcast hosts).
• Wendy in Tampa, Florida needs to start a farmer's market!
• Allison in Mississippi thinks we'll dig b. organic, a TV show on PBS. We think you're right.
• James in Erie, PA appreciates the 'pay it forward' posts on Facebook. Basically, you offer something handmade to the first 5 people who "Like" your post...but they have to repost and do the same.

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Chinese New Year 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!

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

More Hip Than Hippie #297 - 7 Green Days

No matter where you are on the path toward a lighter footprint, you can gain some inspiration from taking the 7 Day Green Challenge.

Happy New Year! Are you willing to set aside a week to pursue the challenge of a greener life? The Hipsters forego the usual resolutions to bring you a different sort of green inspiration, courtesy of The Environmental Blog. Also, Val climbs the geek ladder while Dori's family prepares for the zombie apocalypse.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Fresh off the beer truck, Ruthless Rye IPA is the latest seasonal offering from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. We're fans of the bold hop flavors and the smooth finish. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Kelly in Washington continues her reign as our Favorite Listener! We tried another Seattle Chocolates fave, the Coconut Macaroon Truffle Bar. The soft, lovely chocolate with minced coconut and sea salt combines for a nice flavor. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 4 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• 'Temp'-tation. Home heating is now sexy! The Nest Learning Thermostat is a user-friendly device designed by the guys behind the iPod. We can't wait to see what they do with the water heater.
• Hip Lit. Rediscover Fix, Freeze, Feast, a fab book by clever Hipster Kati Neville. She'll teach you how to save money while eating real food.
• Chew the moose. Give your pup a piece of Bullwinkle. Moose antler dog chews are delicious, nutritious, and don't splinter.

Hip News

• Hornswoggled. In South Africa, rhino poachingis at an all-time high as the price of rhino horns outpaces gold. Note to Asia: ingesting the horns WILL NOT cure cancer.
• Sock it to me! The US Forest Service needs your socks. They'll fill 'em full of bait so they can photograph the elusive Pacific fisher. Send lonely unused socks to: Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project, 40799 Elliott Drive, Oakhurst, CA 93644.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

What's Your Word? Whether or not you're creating a vision board for the new year, come up with a word that will define your goals. Try to choose an action word and display it where you'll see it every day. It really works!

7 Green Days

With a new year comes a chance to renew your committment to living a greener life. No matter where you are on the path toward a lighter footprint, you can gain some inspiration from taking the 7 Day Green Challenge. Enjoy!

• Day 1: Crafty Day.  Repurpose old items into something new with DIY craft projects. Collect bits & pieces in a craft drawer for future adventures.
• Day 2: Delectable Day.  Freshen up your diet with something new, like an unusual fruit or veggie from the farmer's market. Ask the farmer or grocer how to prepare it or just find a recipe online. Just make sure it's real food, not processed.
• Day 3: Contribution Day.  Put something you have into circulation. Give money to a good cause, donate clothes to charity, bring some groceries to a food bank. Even something small can make a big difference.
• Day 4: Stone Age Day.  Are you ready to unplug your appliances, put away your car keys and abandon the internet for 24 hours? This challenge is about reducing your carbon footprint to nearly zero, just for a little while. Good luck.
• Day 5: Petition Day.  Make sure your voice is heard. Find petitions online at Green America, Care2, Credo and more.
• Day 6: Hippie Day.  Before you can hug a tree, you need to plant one! Find your town at the Alliance for Community Trees or donate a tree through Plant a Billion Trees.
• Day 7: Advocacy Day.  Spread the word to family and friends. Be sure to keep the message positive. Share your favorite tips...and your favorite podcast! (hint hint)

Listener E-mails

Hello? Is this thing on? We need emails! Send your questions, comments, tips, brainstorms and epiphanies to hip@greenfeet.com. Don't make us sing again!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Amelia Earhart 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!

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

More Hip Than Hippie #296 - Transition Towns

The Transition movement represents one of the most promising ways of engaging people and communities to take the far-reaching actions that are required to mitigate the effects of peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis.

Do you live in a Transition Town? Would you like to? Dori & Val chat with Carolyne Stayton of Transition US to learn why transition is necessary, and fun! Also, the Hipsters rewrite Auld Lang Syne and contemplate Canadian porn.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listener is Blythe in Sonoma County, CA! She kicked down a big-ass bottle of Gold Digger IPA from NorCal's Auburn Alehouse. The robust hop flavor is enough to start another gold rush! Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Blythe also sent along a box of assorted artisan oddities from Sonoma Chocolatiers. We've never experienced goat cheese or garlic in chocolate before. We may never again. But we're Hall of Faming the adventure! (Tip: pair these with red wine, not beer.) Dori: 6 hips; Val: 6 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Klean Kanteen presents their fabulous new Stainless Steel Pint Glass, and Greenfeet offers a 4-pack to get the party started. They're perfect outdoors; unlike a Red Solo Cup, you can use them again and again. Cheers!
• Saddle up. Ready to put away some pasta? I Could Eat a Horse spaghetti measuring tool gauges your noodle needs on a scale of Skinny to Whinny!
• Yule love these. Time for some alternative holiday tunes from Yule Logs and Lascivious Biddies.

Hip News

• Paws for a Cause. This year's biggest superhero is Daniel, the cat with 26 toes. By chipping in a dollar per toe, Milwaukee residents helped to save Daniel's home, an animal rescue center.
• FacePeace. Friend request accepted! Facebook and Greenpeace have agreed to work together promoting renewable energy, after the social media giant agreed to power its data centers with clean energy instead of coal.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Roll Your Own!Val's latest obsession is paper flowers, rolled from old book pages, magazine pages, even sheet music. They make great gifts, and all that rolling keeps your hands out of the candy box.

Transition Towns

"The Transition Movement is a vibrant, grassroots movement that seeks to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. It represents one of the most promising ways of engaging people in strengthening their communities against the effects of these challenges, resulting in a life that is more abundant, fulfilling, equitable and socially connected."

• Carolyne Stayton is the Executive Director of Transition US. Her job: Supporting communities in the US to become more resilient and enjoy doing it!
• The movement's founder, Rob Hopkins, was inspired by the film The End of Suburbia.
• There are 12 Ingredients of the transition model. They are not meant to be implemented in numerical order.
• The Transition Network facilitates initiatives all over the world.
• Great resources for starting a transition initiative in your town include the Transition Handbook, the Transition Companion, and the website's Knowledge Hub.

Listener E-mails

Your New Year's Resolution: email your Hipsters! Let us hear from you at hip@greenfeet.com. Save big at Greenfeet's Holiday Sale! Check out our blog!

• Aimee in New York has an idea for those wanting carbonated water without the messy cartridges: try water kefir. It's a healthy soda substitute.
• Alison in North Carolina shares a story about IKEA installing solar panels in the South.
• Druanna in New York would like an update on the benefits and drawbacks of agave, and turns us on to ethically-sourced True Source Honey.
• Kalah in Oregon warns that genetically modified chocolate is in our future. Look for the organic, fair-trade stuff.
• Ann in North Carolina will be living without a stove, oven or kitchen sink for a while. Take a few survival cues from those who have survived a kitchen remodel.
• Ron in New Mexico shared a TWG on our Facebook page: Instead of using stir sticks in your coffee, just add your cream and sugar to the cup first, then swirl. Ask your coffeehouse to use a sugar dispenser instead of packets, too. Thanks Ron!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Kwanzaa 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #295 - Waste-Free Wonderland

A zero-waste lifestyle can save you money and make a profit this holiday season.

Most of us generate about 25% more trash during the holidays. What if cutting back on waste could put money in your pocket? Blogger Bea Johnson returns with tips to make it happen. Also, Val adopts a Nerf gun and Dori is #winning the Christmas card competition (yes, there is one!).

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: We enjoyed our last beer from Highwater Brewing so much, we decided to go back for more. Good call! Their Pom Cherry Bomb Specialty Ale was a summer release that transcends seasons. The delightful sweet cherry/tart pomegranate combo pairs brilliantly with plain chocolate. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Our New Favorite Listener is Kelly in Washington, who sent a whole care package of her local faves! First up: Seattle Chocolates Pike Place Espresso Truffle bar, a seamless blend of flavors inside a creamy dream. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Grow To Go. Our friends in the UK can send this Edible Festive Bouquet of herbs to foodie folks. Why can't we find this in the US?
• Easy Rider. Daimler is driving into the carshare pool with Car2Go, an all-electric service focusing on convenience. Now in Amsterdam and San Diego, it's going big next year.
• Live and Let Fry. Sir Paul McCartney has released The Meat-Free Monday Cookbook in support of his vegetarian campaign.

Hip News

• Shopping list. The Daily Green gives you permission to pass up the organics aisle when you purchase their Clean 15 foods, which are low in pesticide residue. Save your money for organic versions of the Dirty Dozen.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

From Zero Waste Bea: Use your sink strainer! Keeping bits of food waste out of the garbage disposal saves water and electricity. Empty the contents of the strainer into your kitchen compost bin or feed it to the critters.

Waste-Free Wonderland

Did you know that cutting back on household waste can not only save money, but also make a profit? Our amie Bea Johnson explains. Feel free to gaze at her hunky husband.

• Bea and her family hit the big-time in Sunset magazine!
• On Bea's blog, The Zero Waste Home, she lays out a plan for making it though the holidays waste-free, and making a little cash.
• She is a big fan of using furoshiki and reusable bags instead of gift wrap.
• By using a gift registry, we can make sure our gifts are truly appreciated.
• She makes Elf Yourself videos to share with family and friends.
• Bea uses principles of collaborative consumption, as outlined in the book What's Mine is Yours.
• Her family uses BRB Vacation Rentals to fill their house when they're away.
• Some food for thought from Bea: her posts on Decluttering and Heirloom Guilt.
• She left us hungry for Welsh rarebit and thirsty for Morpho!

Listener E-mails

Hurry! You could win a $100 Greenfeet gift card! As always, you can let us know about your questions, stories or green triumphs at hip@greenfeet.com. Want to be a Greenfeet Ambassador? Reach out and touch Val@greenfeet.com! Check out our blog!

• Kelly in Washington (our Favorite Listener!) loves her insulated Klean Kanteen with the cafe cap. She also recommends Moving Boxes Made Green or a similar service to cut back on waste when you relocate. Hey Kelly, we found Gary Gnu on Facebook! 
• Sophie in England shares the brilliant beer delivery horses used by Wadworth brewery. Eat your heart out, Budweiser!
• Karen in South Carolina wants to make sparkling water at home, but doesn't want to deal with replacement cartridges. Does anyone know of a hand-cranked carbonator?

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Christmas, Hanukkah 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #294 - Hipstah Mitzvah

Linda Cohen is the author of 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change Your Life.

It's the season of Thanksgiving here in the US, so the Hipsters turn to longtime listener Linda Cohen for a lesson in the power of kindness. Find out how a painful loss turned into guide to gratitude. Also, Val gets stuffed on her birthday and a holiday tribute reappears!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Hall of Fame! Highwater Brewing is one of the Bay Area's newest breweries, but they know their stuff. No Boundaries IPA has a fresh hops aroma, no bitterness...and a delicious secondary flavor they won't identify. A big-ass bottle of hoppiness! Dori: 6 hips; Val: 6 hips

Chocolate: You can always count on Equal Exchange to produce a decent organic, fair-trade treat. Chocolate Caramel Crunch with Sea Salt is a new offering that's finely flavored, but lacking that smooth mouth-feel we crave. Dori: 4 hips Val: 4 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Need a truly functional conversation piece for the kitchen? Try the All Forked Up Salt & Pepper Shaker. Made in the USA, these cleverly crafted spoons will 'shake up' any meal!
• Potty mouth. We missed World Toilet Day on November 19th, but Matt Damon didn't. And this isn't the first time we've heard him talk dirty.
• Me talk dirty one day. Author David Sedaris left his mark on Chico too!

Hip News

• Pachydorable. When Chhouk the elephant was found mangled in a poacher's trap, experts fashioned a jumbo false foot. Awwww!
• Wonderful world. The votes are in, and the New 7 Wonders of Nature have been revealed. (Val & Dori came in 8th.)

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Attitude of Gratitude! At Thanksgiving or anytime, let the good feelings flow by hosting a Gratitude Party. Provide slips of paper so guests can write a complimentary note to each other, then put them in individual containers to take home. Gratitude is really the gift that keeps on giving!

Hipstah Mitzvah

It's the season of Thanksgiving here in the US, so the Hipsters turn to longtime listener/new author Linda Cohen for a lesson in the power of kindness. Remember, gestures don't have to be grand, time-consuming or expensive to transform a life!

• What the heck is a mitzvah?
• Jews are commanded to observe 613 mitzvot. Linda provides another 1,000 for good measure!
• Visit her blog and buy her book, 1,000 Mitzvahs.
• If she's inspired you to do good works, get started with VolunteerMatch.
• Linda is also a devoted fan of ChicoBags!

Listener E-mails

We're grateful for our listeners! Let us hear from you at hip@greenfeet.com. Want to be a Greenfeet Ambassador? Reach out and touch Val@greenfeet.com! Check out our blog!

1. Michele in Arizona loves her Fagor Duo pressure cooker/canner, but has a caveat for those ready to pursue pressure canning. Listener Karen tried microwave canning. Can you use a grill?
2. Kevin in Texas found a cool method to spray oils and sauces. And yes, we have the perfect BPA-free bottle!
3. Donna in England shares videos of the Pacific Garbage Patch, and a chap who exemplifies Low Waste Living.
4. Tom in England assures us that a pumpkin is a fruit, not a veggie. (heh heh...you said ovary!)

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Thanksgiving 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #291 - How To Be Car-Free!

Cars are convenient, but they're not always worth the overall cost of ownership.

Cars. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. Or can you? The Hipsters chat with Trystan Bass, Senior Editor at Yahoo! Green, who has never owned a car. How does she do it? (Planning, research and organization!) Also, Dori and Val deliver a Major Announcement.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Ay caramba! Chili Pepper Spicy Ale from Six Rivers Brewery brings the heat! A fine wheat ale made with a blend of real peppers, this brew is in a category all its own. Split the big-ass bottle with a friend and pair it with a plain chocolate. Dori: 4 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Sometimes less really is more. E. Guittard single origin Tsaratana 61% Semisweet is a beautifully balanced bar that melts in your mouth. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Need to clean your cucumbers? Wash your walnuts? Scrub your squash? Try Organic Chico Produce & Nut Wash, a home-grown product making its debut with Greenfeet! A citric acid blend renders your food virtually germ-free without any chlorine. Mix up a batch from concentrate and wash your worries away.
• Placebook. Listener Rob turned us on to OhSoWe, a place where real neighbors can virtually interact to build a sense of community. It's like a 21st-century block party.

Hip News

• Meltdown. The European Union has devised a long-term plan for managing nuclear waste. Unfortunately, it involves shifting the waste to poorer nations.
• Pass on the gas. Washington state is building electric vehicle charging stations as part of an effort to create a West Coast Green Highway from Canada to Mexico.
• Bagging on plastic. The city of Portland, Oregon is the latest to ban plastic bags! Sign ChicoBag's petition to fight the lawsuit brought by the plastic bag industry.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Get the red out! To keep tomato-based sauces from staining your plastic containers, just coat the container with a light spritz of cooking spray.

How To Be Car-Free!

How does one manage to live in the suburbs without an automobile? Hipster Trystan Bass has done so for over twenty years. She utilizes carpools and public transit, telecommutes, and plans her decisions around transportation. Instead of making car payments, she indulges in the things she enjoys. Could you make the leap to a car-free life?

• It's never been easier to plan your life around the bus or subway schedule. Try the SMART-WAY public transit app.
• For out-of-the-way trips, rent a Zipcar.
• Find out if your town is easy to navigate on foot. Walk Score has done the legwork.
• Rather than lugging groceries around, try an online shopping and delivery service like Peapod.
• Studies find that shopping online is greener than traditional retail, in most cases.
• Subway commuters in South Korea use a virtual supermarket for shopping on the go!
• Greenfeet's new Eat & Drink category is filled with goodies that will be delivered to your doorstep.
• Can you stand to know what your car is really costing you? Try the TCO calculator.
• One thing Trystan likes to do with all that extra money: Travel!

Listener E-mails

We may be on hiatus, but we'd still love to hear from you! Ask a question, share a story or gloat about your green triumphs at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Donna in the UK has discovered the joys of hemp! She now loads up on goodies from the Hemp Shop. Anyone know a natural product to waterproof her backpack?
• Kathleen in California found evidence that flushing kitty litter is harmful to sea otters. Back in the box, Fluffy!
• Kelly in Washington gives her Nook that "book smell" with a cool leather cover from Oberon Designs, made in the USA.
• Ridley in Idaho has a Hipster Call to Action: Encourage Fed Ex Office stores to recycle paper, by contacting district and regional managers. Vote with your dollar!
• Jeff in Vermont has the scoop on InsectShield. Its active ingredient is Permethrin, a derivative of the daisy plant.
• Michelle in Pennsylvania recommends reading Chick Days by Jenna Woginrich. Another good chicken book is Joel Salatin's Pastured Poultry Profits. Have fun at the U2 concert!
• Karen in South Carolina is concerned about maggots in her compost. Just tighten the lid and keep the flies out.
• Lynda in Florida wonders if we still hate all canned beer. No, we've come to love a few. We also love your chickens, One and Two!

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More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #290 - Fueling the Future

Looking thirty years into the future, fossil fuels will no longer be able to power our world. What is likely to replace them?

The Hipsters face a post-petroleum world with an overview of current energy sources and their future prospects. Also, Farmageddon comes to Chico!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: As fruity beers go, Abita Brewing Co.'s bland Strawberry Harvest Lager didn't offer much punch. Perhaps it pairs well with cheese, but it lacks the flavor to stand alone. Dori: 3 hips; Val: 4 hips

Chocolate: Tony in Chicago continues his reign as Our Favorite Listener with another winning dark chocolate bar. Kallari 75% Single Source Organic Chocolate is bold but not bitter, and big enough to share! Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! She learned to swirl, sniff, slurp and swallow California Olive Ranch EVOO. Now she's carrying it at Greenfeet! Check out the Everyday EVOO, Select Artois and Select Oroville for a flavorful and nutritious kitchen staple.
• Can they make a tiara? Those jaunty metal caps are the crowning glory of any bottle of beer. Now, the Craft Beer Cap Hat Band lets you wear them atop your own crown.
• Just one more thing... Val's boyfriend Peter Falk passed away, and PETA saw fit to honor him for his animal rights activism. On another note, they also named 2011'a Sexiest Celeb Vegetarians (Columbo wasn't on the list).

Hip News

• A-fjordable healthcare? A Swedish study finds that pollutants are linked to diabetes. We find that Swedish studies are linked to Muppet impersonations.
• The future's so bright... Our local Butte Community College made history this month by going grid positive with solar energy. Maybe that's how alum Aaron Rodgers got that megawatt smile!

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

In the bin! Make it easy for your summertime guests to recycle. Set up clearly-marked outdoor bins in your yard and leave them in place all season.

Fueling the Future

Looking thirty years into the future, fossil fuels will no longer be able to power our world. What is likely to replace them? In the article Energy: the new thirty years war, world security expert Michael Klare sizes up the current prospects.

• The governor of New York is poised to lift a ban on fracking in the state.
• Flood waters have breached the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station in Nebraska.
• Coastal areas can tap the technology of wave energy.
• Several governments are interested in Malta's smart grid, implemented by IBM.
• The bottom line for us all: maximum energy efficiency, all the time. Do the work!

Listener E-mails

It doesn't take much energy to send us an email! Ask a question, share a story or just unlurk at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Lee Ann in Texas bought a fuel efficient car with the help of a program called AirCheck Texas, dedicated to getting gas-guzzlers off the road. She gave her new car an amazingly awesome name.
• Elizabeth in Minnesota wonders what to do with her compost during the frigid winter months. Let it freeze, and consider starting an indoor system too.
• Christine in Arizona accidentally bought a buff treated with Insect Shield. Ask for the MSDS and let us know what's in it!
• Sebastian in the Netherlands is thrilled that his employer, Capgemini, is encouraging green living. Could they be Hipsters?
• Alison in N. Carolina was one of several listeners to share the story of in.gredients, a zero-packaging grocery store in Austin. Neat-o indeed!
• Katie in Texas is taking green steps with her new Teenie Weenie Greenie, and learned that drinking Guinness encourages breast milk production. Slainte!
• Whitney in Colorado wrote a post about us in her blog, Trust Your Gut Nutrition. Mwah!
• Samantha in Missouri unlurked to share her green lifestyle changes. We love you and your beer-brewing hubby!

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

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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 #289 - Olive Oil 101

A new study questions the purity of some common brands of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Look for high quality oils to add healthful nutrients to your diet.

Do you EVOO? Why is it important to cook with high quality olive oil? The Hipsters look for the answer in their own back yard, courtesy of California Olive Ranch. The state's largest olive oil producer sent Chief Marketing Dude Mike Forbes to sniff, swirl, slurp and swallow the truth about EVOO. Also, Dori gets her Bono on as U2 comes to NorCal!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Need to drown your sorrows? Submerge them in Alimony Ale IPA from Buffalo Bill's Brewery. Then change your relationship status to "Bitter, Party of One!" Dori: 5 hips; Val: 4 hips

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener is Tony in Chicago, who sent along a bar of Equal Exchange Panama Extra Dark 80%. Don't be intimidated by the cacao number; this is a supremely tasty treat, with plenty of good karma! Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! It's pottery...it's plastic...no, it's a Bamboo Flower Pot! These stylish pots are biodegradable and petroleum free; even the pigments are natural.
• Soil mates. Gardeners needing land, meet landowners needing gardeners at Shared Earth. This non-profit website cultivates productive relationships.
• Loverboy. He's no Bono, but Brett Dennen is coming to Chico and Val is excited to check out the show.

Hip News

• Driven. Ford Motor Company dreams of electric cars. They'll deliver 5 new Ford EVsin 2013, tripling their current level of production.
• Gonna make you sweat. A new report concludes that unprecedented summer heat will be the norm this century, due to rising greenhouse gas levels.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Lather up! Stretch your detergent dollar by refilling those soap dispensers only 3/4 full, then topping them off with water. The diluted soap works just as well, and your soap supply lasts longer.

Olive Oil 101

What's so great about high quality olive oil? The Hipsters look for the answer in their own back yard, courtesy of California Olive Ranch. The state's largest olive oil producer sent Chief Marketing Dude Mike Forbes to sniff, swirl, slurp and swallow the truth about EVOO.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is the unrefined oil derived from the first pressing of the olives. Check the bottle for a harvest date and a 'best by' date.
• The UC Davis Olive Center studied the quality of EVOO on store shelves and found it lacking.
• Mike took us through an olive oil tasting experience. It was unexpectedly yummy...and noisy!
• Try this summer dessert: Olive Oil Ice Cream.

Listener E-mails

Hey, it's our 6th anniversary! Send us an email at hip@greenfeet.com to share ideas, ask questions or just unlurk yourself. Check out our blog!

• Rick in Virginia hit up our Facebook page with a great piece of advice: subscribe to Weather Channel alerts targeted by ZIP code.
• Andrea in Washington DC needs a safe flea and tick treatment for her pooch. We don't have an alternative to recommend; however, Val finds that better quality food seems to keep her dogs healthier. Try Taste of the Wild grain-free food.
• Kelly in Washington lives in a green community and works in an energy-efficient hospital. Feel free to send along that Theo Sipping Chocolate!
• Sandy in New York needs a cup for his iced coffee. Consider the insulated Klean Kanteen.
• Andrea in California travels the country as a volunteer for AmeriCorps, which is an excellent service program.
• James in Pennsylvania inspired us to find this video of a cat flushing the toilet.

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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 #288 - Twisted Hipsters

Tornadoes happen all over the world, but significantly more in the United States. 2011 is already the deadliest year for twisters since 1950.

Tornadoes in California? Yep. Turns out, every US state is at risk of a twister touching down. The Hipsters recently experienced this violent weather phenomenon and decided to learn more about why they happen, how to stay safe and whether climate change is to blame for this epically awful season.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Porter in a can? Yes indeed, thanks to Maui Brewing Company. Their CoCoNut Porter sounds like a yummy concoction, but the flavor fell a bit flat. Dori: 4 hips; Val: 3 hips

Chocolate: Bacon. Maple. Chocolate. If you want the real deal, try the Snake & Butterfly Maple Syrup Bacon Brittle bar. Authentic flavors are packed into high-quality organic chocolate. Val scored this treat at the Paradise Chocolate Fest and sent it to our Hall of Fame! Dori: 5 hips Val: 6 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Best dressed nest. For the avian who has everything, how about a hand-felted wool birdhouse? Crafted sustainably by a women's NGO in South Africa, these all-weather nests provide upscale housing for your favorite feathered family.
• Food is your Friend. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will spend the next year eating only meat from animals that he has personally killed. "I think many people forget that a living being has to die for you to eat meat, so my goal revolves around not letting myself forget that and being thankful for what I have." Like!

Hip News

• Plastic peril. Another reason to give up plastic bags: dead whales. Support ChicoBag in their fight against an outrageous lawsuit by 3 big plastic bag companies.
• Batten down the hatches. As a terrible tornado season winds down, a horrific hurricane season begins. That really blows!

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Wipe out waste! Listener Tim in Wisconsin has a new teenie weenie greenie girl in the house, and the baby wipe tubs are piling up. Tim uses them to cart home compostable food scraps from work or school.

Twisted Hipsters

This was the view just outside Chico, CA on May 25, 2011, when 3 tornadoes touched down in Butte County. The Hipsters don their ruby slippers and learn a thing or 2 about these violent storms.

• Twisters have been spotted on every continent except Antarctica. We should all know the basics of tornado safety.
• While this is an especially bad season in the US, we can't blame climate change.
• Check out this footage of a twister near Butte College!
• Did you hear about the doggie that crawled home on broken legs after a tornado? Here's a tissue...

Listener E-mails

• Amy in San Diego shares a cautionary tale about teaching your cat to use the toilet. Her cat Neko (above) is back in the litterbox.
• Gina in Virginia is furniture shopping. If you have the budget for sustainably-made new stuff, go for it! Otherwise, look for used pieces with timeless syle, and maybe invest in slipcovers.
• Ashley in Colorado loves to read real books, which she finds for free at PaperbackSwap. If you sign up, tell 'em ayata@allstate.com sent ya!
• Jessica in North Carolina grossed us out with the story of in vitro meat. What, are we running out of animals?
• Giovanna in the UK is on a quest for a plastic-free electric kettle. Look for new products coming out of Germany and let us know what you find!

There's no place like Hip! Send us an email at hip@greenfeet.com to share ideas, ask questions or just unlurk yourself. Check out our blog! Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Flag 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #287 - Burial at Sea

Burial at sea is an ancient tradition. While modern navies will perform the service for veterans, more civilians are opting for a watery grave.

With the demise of Osama bin Laden came word that his earthly remains had been consigned to the sea. Is this burial option available for the average non-terrorist ocean lover? Is it environmentally friendly? What the heck happens down there? The Hipsters go fishing for answers. Also, Val acquires buns of steel, while Dori's daughter acquires more mental scars.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Hall of Fame! Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee has a winner: Bridge Burner Special Reserve Ale. This full-bodied Strong Ale is hopped to perfection, from its foamy head to its flavorful finish. Dori: 6 hips; Val: 6 hips

Chocolate: From the jungles of Guatemala comes Rain Republic 70% Dark Chocolate bar. Nice bold flavor, and apparently teen-friendly as well. (Thanks for leaving us a couple of bites, Aislinn!) Dori: 4 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! There's lots to love about the 4-piece Full Circle Green Cleaning Kit. But the built-in citrus squeezer is genius. Why didn't we think of that?
• Super groupers. If you enjoy those deal of the day sites, MNN found a few that are good for people and the planet. We also like Wigibuy and, of course, Today's Greenfeet Value!
• Groom and Doom. Paul McCartney is engaged, Rick Springfield is enraged. Sigh.

Hip News

• Sun-chronicity. General Motors is building a giant solar array to power the Chevy Volt assembly line in Michigan.
• Ya want flies with that? A third of the food produced in the world each year is lost or wasted, according the UN Food & Agriculture Organization. In Europe and North America, we waste 209-253 lbs. per person annually.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Daily Dump Diary! No, not that kind of dump! Keep track of your trash for 4 weeks so you can identify areas to reduce. Food waste? Packaging? Recyclables? It all begins with awareness.

Burial at Sea

With the demise of Osama bin Laden came word that his earthly remains had been consigned to the sea. That got the Hipsters wondering about this increasingly popular burial option. Is it available for the average non-terrorist ocean lover? Is it environmentally friendly? What the heck happens down there?

• An excellent article from Mother Jones provided much of the info for this topic.
• Brad White's company, New England Burials at Sea, offers the service as well as a specially designed sea shroud.
• The US Navy requires that bodies be embalmed beforehand. The rest of the world disagrees.
• Don't try this at home.

Listener E-mails

Hipster Roll-Call! If you're also a Greenfeet customer, drop us an email by May 22nd for a sweet surprise! Send your name and the email address you used to register on Greenfeet, to hip@greenfeet.com. Val will respond with a special sumthin' for ya. Check out our blog!

• Juliet in Spain will soon return to PA to begin college. Green tips: stock up on reusable shopping bags and water bottles, shop at thrift stores, reduce packaging and beware the Freshman 15! Juliet's Travel Blog.
• Timnah in Chicago wrote a honey of an email! It seems that local honey does NOT mitigate seasonal allergies, though a more specific approach may be promising. Honey is still sweet stuff, though. Hope you feel better soon!
• Chelsea in Georgia is shaken by the lack of good salt & pepper grinders out there. Quick fix: Trader Joe's refillable grinders. Style points for these salt & pepper shakers.
• Meredith in New Zealand needs BPA-free freezer bags for her homemade goodies. (Have you checked out Hipster Kati's Fix Freeze Feast?) She also needs new eco-friendly kitchen countertops. Wood is good.
• Tom in the UK is a big fan of Litter Kwitter, a potty-training system for cats. Hipster Hugs to our longtime listener!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Victoria 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #286 - Go Paleo!

The Paleo Diet is at once the oldest and newest concept of food: eat only what you evolved to eat.

Cook! Walk! Sleep! Does this sound like a diet you can get behind? Then you may be ready to go Paleo. The Hipsters chat with author Robb Wolf about this surprisingly sustainable lifestyle. Also, Dori starts her garden, Val contemplates life without beer, and lucky listeners get a great deal on Klean Kanteens!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: When is a beer not a beer? When it's Midas Touch Ancient Ale. Leave it to Dogfish Head Brewery to come up with a beer made from honey, saffron and grapes. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: It's not for wimps, but Godiva 85% Santo Domingo is an intensely pleasurable dark chocolate that ROCKS with beer. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Bloomin' good. Just in time for Mother's Day, FTD has announced a new line of Fair Trade Certified bouquets. If you prefer pretty posies with a smaller footprint, check out Chico's California Organic Flowerstoo.
• Drink up! Val is so excited about the new Klean Kanteen Reflect, she's offering a More Hip discount! Save 20% on any KK branded water bottle at Greenfeet with promo code BLS5074. Offer expires 5/7/11.

Hip News

• Happy Oiliversary. It's now been a year since the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf, and BP marks the occasion by slapping lawsuits on its business partners.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Visit with Val! Take a look at Val's blog post about the 3 Reasons to Adopt a Sustainable Lifestyle. Chime in with your thoughts and comments. The watch her Earth Day TV appearance on our local news!

Go Paleo!

Chico's Robb Wolf is many things: scientist, personal trainer, dark chocolate lover. He's also the author of the best-selling book The Paleo Solution, which advocates returning to "the original human diet." Robb takes a break from his day job at NorCal Strength & Conditioning to help the Hipsters understand the concepts of Cook! Walk! Sleep!

• Use the Quick Start Guideto begin your Paleo journey.
• Take Robb's Shopping Listto fill your cupboards with no-fail food.
• Keep the Food Matrixhandy for fresh meal ideas.
• With an emphasis on local, sustainable food, followers of the Paleo diet embrace the idea of Liberty Gardens.
• Robb's friend Sarah Fragoso provides recipes and tips in her new book, Everyday Paleo.
• For his next trick, Robb heads to New Mexico to work with the founder of MovNat, Erwan Le Corre.

Listener E-mails

Why haven't you emailed us? Do you live in a cave?!? Join the More Hip conversation by sending us an email at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Aimee in Rochester, NY wants to know if she should rinse her soaked grains. In a word, no! But beans are another story. Hey Aimee, do you know Jason?
• Jason in Rochester, NY wonders if the colorful paint on Klean Kanteens is safe. He also shared a story called "How Wasteful the Older Generation Was..."
• Shout-outs! We loved hearing from Val in Alaska, James in PA, Erin in Portland and Rebecca in Corvallis, OR (hang in there)!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for May 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #285 - Straw Bale Gardening

Straw bale gardening is a form of container gardening that's used successfully all over the world.

Who knew? You can grow veggies inside a bale of straw! Joel Karsten wrote the book on the subject and gives the Hipsters the quick 'n dirty scoop on this eco-friendly gardening method. Also, Val's bike breaks down before she does, and Dori's daughter sits in on the show to get a fresh set of psychological scars.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: In honor of the upcoming Royal Wedding, we tipped a pint or 2 of Fuller's London Pride. This understated medium-bodied ale is jolly good indeed.Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Despite its pleasant mouth-feel, Chocolove's Almonds & Sea Salt bar was just too heavily molested. The love poem was a nice touch though! Dori: 4 hips Val: 4 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! The only thing greater than a cool new product is one with a heartwarming story to go with it. The Reusable Sandwich Bag Chalkboardis the brainchild of an 11-year old entrepreneuse named Alex, who has a bright future in front of her!
• No Daddy. Not a fan of senseless slaughter? Migrate your web domain from GoDaddy to Venovix or Canvas Dreams to protest GoDaddy's CEO hunting an elephant.
• Hoppy Birthday Rob! Val gifted the hubby with a pair of Hop Tulip Imperial Pint Glasses from Sierra Nevada Brewery.

Hip News

• The need for weed. Canny engineers in Canada (eh!) developed the Kestral hemp electric car. Don't drive too fast, you'll get a weeding ticket!
• A-Pole-calypse. Climate scientists report that the Arctic ozone hole is larger than ever, setting a new record this year.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Green Thumbs Up!Listener Ashley shares her tips for gardening with repurposed items:

1. Plant seeds in yogurt cups and egg cartons

2. Transplant seedlings to old bottles & containers

3. Support the seedlings with used chopsticks

Challenge yourself to find new purposes for everything before tossing it out!

Straw Bale Gardening

Straw Bale Gardening is essentially another type of container gardening. The twist? Your container turns to compost as your crop grows! Best of all, this method works anywhere in the world. Joel Karsten of Roseville, MN wrote the book on the subject and gives the Hipsters the quick 'n dirty scoop on straw. (Hey, it ain't hay!)

• First of all, learn the difference between straw and hay.
• An avid gardener and trained horticulturist, Joel encourages Straw Bale Gardening on his website and Facebookpage. The photos are great!
• Check out Joel's handy book, Guide to Growing a Straw Bale Garden.

Listener E-mails

Sign up for the Greenfeet newsletter so you can get in on a very very very special Earth Day offer!! Join the More Hip conversation by sending us an email at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Alyssa in SoCal is contemplating college and has set her sights on CSUChico! The Orion is part of the award-winning journalism dept. You can volunteer at the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundationwhile you're here.
• Melanie in Chicago wonders if Green Planet plant-based plastic water bottles are as green as they seem. Josh provided the answer with this informative article by Beth Terry at My Plastic Free Life.
• Lisa in New Jersey wants a natural tooth whitener; we recommend Uncle Harry's. Here's a little info about the hazards of too much fluoride.
• Stacy in Los Angeles wonders if Scanpan nonstick cookware is safe. Unlike Aeturnum, the surface can still scratch and flake.
• Melinda in South Carolina found a fun tutorial for turning recycled plastic bagsinto totes.
• Amy in San Diego decided to eliminate soy from her diet after reading The Whole Soy Story. She's a believer in The Paleo Solution by Chico's own Robb Wolf. Hmmm, future guest on the show?

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Earth 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #284 - Soak Your Nuts

The traditional practice of soaking grains, legumes, nuts and seeds can enhance the nutritional qualities of these foods.

Do you soak your nuts? If not, you're missing out on a lot of important nutrition. The Hipsters invite Carol Albrecht back (by listener request) to talk about the how and why of soaking and sprouting your nuts, grains and seeds. Also, Dori's daughter turns another year older while Val's son checks into the Hormone Hotel!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our homies at Sierra Nevada Brewery have teamed up with God to produce Ovila Abbey Ales. We're Dubbel happy! Dori: 4 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Vegans, rejoice! Angell vegan organic Fair Trade chocolate bars don't taste like cardboard. Eat No Evil! Dori: 4 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Flower Power. Just in time for Earth Day, here's a pair of comic crimefighters with plantable pages. The Gardener and April Showers are more powerful than pollution!
• Plantstic? Pepsi says they've cracked the code for making plastic from plants, and they're testing new petroleum-free bottles.
• Sounds good! Hit up iTunes for the new Songs for Japan album benefitting the Japanese Red Cross.

Hip News

• So long, and thanks for all the fish. The US government is withholding info about the investigation into dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists have been told to keep their findings confidential.
• Hold the veggies. In Greece, a couple has been barred from adopting a baby because of their vegetarian diet.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Sheet happens! Listener Ashanti in Texas needs to find a way to reuse dryer sheets. OK, let's 'bounce' a few ideas: scrub your shower door, dust your blinds, repel insects & rodents, freshen drawers & luggage...Hipsters, toss in some more suggestions!

Soak Your Nuts

From Listener Sarah in New York City:

I would love to see you bring back the Chicken Chick to talk about sprouting and soaking grains/seeds/nuts. What's the best way to grind the seeds into flour after sprouting? How can you get different consistencies of flour?

• Learn why it's important to soak and sprout nuts, seeds and grains.
• Do it yourself with some wide-mouth jars and a sprouting screen.
• Keep this Soaking and Sprouting Chart handy.
• You can order sprouted flour and foods from places like Shiloh Farms, or grab some Trader Joe's sprouted breads and pasta.
• Grind your own sprouted berries with a grain mill.
• Carol Albrecht is co-leader of our local Weston A. Price Foundation chapter.

Listener E-mails

We love to hear from you, and we love your photos too! Join the More Hip conversation by sending us an email at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Roy in Alaska thinks we're hot, so we researched Oregon Tilth for him. He also recommends Midnight Sun Brewing Co beer. Send us a bottle of Meltdown, would ya?
• Erin in Washington found a cool site for recycled bottle crafts. We may have a bottle or 2 lying around...
• Stephanie in California seeks some Earth Day projects and crafts for kids.
• Donna in England is greening her world after her husband's bouts with cancer. Check out her handmade soaps at The Soap Folk.
• Chelsea in Georgia feels her eco-mojo flowing. Thanks for listening!

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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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #283 - How to Choose a Greenhouse

Learn to choose the proper type of greenhouse so you can grow a garden year-round.

So you want a greenhouse, eh? What type? Where will you put it? How will you control the temperature? There are lots of decisions to be made. The Hipsters have done some basic research to help you determine which greenhouse will work best for you. Also, Val talks coconut oil, Dori talks yogurt, and St. Patrick's Day is on the way. Sláinte!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Dori's Irish eyes aren't smiling much at that can of Wexford Irish Cream, but Val enjoyed the flavor of this light-bodied ale. Dori: 3 hips; Val: 4 hips

Chocolate: We're cuckoo for coconut, so we tried a raw organic Fearless Chocolate bar called Exploding Coconuts. With 70% cacao and only 4 ingredients, it has a lot going for it; but is it worth the price? CocoNOT. Dori: 4 hips Val: 3 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Finally, a non-toxic nonstick pan that really cooks! Aeternum pans are lightweight, durable and attractive. They also pass the "Bourdain Test": if you hit someone over the head with this pan, which will dent, the head or the pan? Better cover your cranium.
• Geo-tag, you're it! Need to ID a tree? There's an app for that, courtesy of the Arbor Day Foundation.
• Slice of sunshine. Sacramento band Cake recorded their latest album in their own 100% solar-powered studio. Sweet.

Hip News

• Oil slick. Looks like Chevron won't have to pay billion$ for polluting the Ecuadorian Amazon, after all. A judge is afraid it might hurt their reputation.
• Hive of horrors. A new report by the United Nations identifies a dozen different factors for Colony Collapse Disorder. Bee very frightened.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Tag it and bag it! Listener Chris in Montana shares a clever way to remember your reusable bags when you go shopping. Just punch a hole in your supermarket loyalty card and attach it to a ChicoBag. Save money while you save the world!.

How to Choose a Greenhouse

From Listener Karen in South Carolina:

I was wondering if you could offer some advice regarding greenhouses. My wonderful fiancee gave me a 10x12 greenhouse. We are unsure exactly how much direct sunlight it needs to receive. Can I use it year-round without having the expense of heating costs during the winter? Is indirect sunlight okay?

• We found an excellent guide to Planning and Building a Greenhouse from West Virginia University.
• Build your own with a Greenhouse Kit.
• Buy greenhouse seeds to get a jump start on the growing season.
• You can start small with MyGroFarm mini greenhouse.

Listener E-mails

Hello? Is this thing on? We want to hear from you! Join the More Hip conversation by sending us an email at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!!

• Trystan at Yahoo! Green shared an article about plastics leaching hormone-like chemicals, other than BPA. We hope you're drinking from a Klean Kanteen by now.
• Patrick from North Carolina sent a very thoughtful letter to both of his state senators, regarding efforts to dismantle the EPA. You'll have to listen to the show to hear it!

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

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

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #282 - The Buzz on Bees

As people become more concerned with healthy eating and self-sufficiency, there's a nationwide surge of interest in beekeeping.

Do you fancy yourself an apiarist? If you're intrigued by the idea of keeping beehives and collecting raw honey, you're certainly not alone. Dori and Val chat with beekeeper/Hipster Rick Kennerly about his passion for pollinators. Oh yes, there will bee puns. Also, Dori prepares to meet the Spice Girls, Val pops her cork, and we all learn a new word: graupel.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Remember when Val's family found themselves locked inside Eel River Brewing Co.? Now we know why. Their smooth Organic Porter is tough to put down Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: We may need to bring sleeping bags to the TCHO Chocolate factory in San Francisco. That Fruity 2.0 bar is hovering near the Hall of Fame. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• HOPE floats. Singer Brandon Boyd of "Incubus" will lend some of his watercolor-and-ink drawings of sea life to surf clothing brand Hurley, all benefitting the HOPE chartity. Did we mention that he's hot too?
• Come together. Passionate about the planet? It's time to apply for your TogetherGreen Conservation Fellowship or Innovation Grant. If you'd rather have an internship, the Sierra Club has the best one on Earth.
• Divine wine. Our favorite sustainable winery is Fetzer, right here in NorCal. But please, dump the plastic cork!

Hip News

• The good news. Yet another investigation exonerates those climate researchers whose emails were leaked in 2009. This time it's the Commerce Dept. who found no evidence of wrongdoing.
• The bad news. New research claims that a new organism cropping up in Monsanto's Roundup Ready seeds can cause miscarriages in farm animals.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Disconnect from the Yellow Pages! If you're using the internet to find the numbers you need, hang up on that big paper phone book. We know, it's too late this year, but be sure to opt-out of next year's phone book before it darkens your doorstep.

The Buzz on Bees

Bees are in the news these days, and the news isn't good. With the advent of Colony Collapse Disorder, our little pollenating pals are facing serious threats to their survival. What can we do to help? Keep backyard bees, that 's what! Dori and Val turn to Charter Hipster Rick Kennerly, a longtime beekeeper who's buzzing with information about this unique hobby.

• Rick recommends Beekeeping for Dummies and Backyard Beekeeper as good guides for beginners.
• Since about 60% of the fruits & veggies nationwide are pollinated, everyone should be concerned with keeping honeybees healthy.
• You'll need a few pieces of equipment to get started. Dadant is a popular supplier.
• The most popular type of hive is the Langstroth, but the Top Bar is gaining fans.
• You don't need a big backyard to keep bees. Urban beekeepers maintain hives in the middle of major cities.
• Rick suggests finding a local group to mentor you as you start out. He belongs to the Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia.
• Avoid Killer Bees.

Listener E-mails

You can't save the world all by yourself! Join the More Hip conversation by sending us an email at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog and our mention on Open Forum!!

• Sarah in New York City awaits her teenie weenie greenie with a gift registry on Wishpot. She also got some tomato seeds from our buddy April Davila, and needs some Hipster help to make a hanging planter. Anyone? Bueller?
• Kevin in Dallas extols the virtues of making butter in a food processor, as shown in Butter Rocks. Easy indeed, but unlike Dori's butter maker, it requires electricity.
• Jessica in North Carolina shares a cool article about the Treasure Coast Re-use Center. Hey, we've got a cold Sierra Nevada Ale waiting for ya!
• Chris in Montana finds that Clorox is disclosing its products' ingredients, including the "Green Works" line. It's a start.
• Liz in Pennsylvania wants to put Val's double-dangs to work as generators. Glad you enjoyed your neighborhood brewery!
• Patrick in North Carolina reminds us that when you phase out the incandescent light bulbs, you can choose LEDs instead of CFLs.

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

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

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #281 - Aloha from Jackson Nash

Jackson Nash founded the SuperForest blog and the Zero One permaculture node in Hawaii.

"You are the environment." What does Jackson Nash mean by that? A lot, as the Hipsters discovered. Listen to his inspirational stories from the idyllic Zero One on the island of Kauai. Oh, and did we mention that Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers is our homeboy? We're proud to be Chico Cheeseheads!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Val's tastebuds are in a coma, so Dori shoulders the responsibility of rating Wells & Young's Banana Bread Beer. This subtle brew infused with tasty Fair Trade bananas has a flavor you'll go ape for! Dori: 5 hips

Chocolate: Another treat from Favorite Listener Mandy in Nashville, TN. Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co. does it again with their Southern Artisan 75% Dark single origin bar. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Flash back to the pre-plastic days of yore. The Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray delivers BPA-free ice and will keep doing it into the next millenium.
• How now? Dori is making a moooooove toward real milk by signing up for a cow share.
• Germ warfare. Feeling under the weather? Val recommends a pre-emptive strike with Oscillococcinum. She also swears by Calms Forte on sleepless nights.

Hip News

• Frackdown. The EPA proposes an examination of the effects of hydraulic fracturing on the nation's drinking water.
• Zip it good. Keep those plastic baggies out of the landfill. Ziploc and Recyclebank are teaming up to put collection bins in neighborhood stores.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Plant a seed! Spring really is out there somewhere, so make a commitment to grow something edible this year. Whether you have a windowsill or a full blown garden, you can cultivate some fresh food yourself. Look for non-GMO seed providers like Baker Creek Seeds.

Aloha from Jackson Nash

Jackson Nash is "a permaculturist and a propangadist for Love and Togetherness." He chats with the Hipsters about his positivity blog and about his idyllic lifestyle at Zero One in Hawaii.

• Jackson's SuperForest blog is a collective effort to chronicle sustainable achievements around the world.
• He calls the Zero One permaculture node "a garden for children of all ages."
• Want to make your own 'tree machine'? Consult the Humanure Handbook by Joseph Jenkins.
• Jackson has a show biz background. (You may have heard of his famous dad.)

Listener E-mails

Be a part of our green community! Join the conversation at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Keelie in New Hampshire (Live Free or Die!) wonders which brands of herbal tea we recommend. Numi is a good brand; check out Zhena's Gypsy Tea too.
• Blythe in California happily shares some green tourist tips from Crater Lake and Yosemite National Parks. More importantly, she tipped us off to Sierra Nevada's Knightro ESB. Want!
• Katie in Texas is our hero. She held her baby shower at Austin's Black Star Co-op brewery. Congrats on your little girl! (You named her Dorival, right?)
• Rebecca in Oregon schools Val about Ducks and Beavers. Here's some video of Bea Johnson and her hot husband!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for President's 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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #280 - Turning Green TV

Videographer Bruce Jans produces an internet series highlighting sustainability.

Bruce Jans sees sustainablity all around him. He decided to explore and document the grassroots efforts of people and organizations in his part of the world (which happens to be our part of the world). The Hipsters chat with him about using a camera to build a green community.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: We're loving all things Pennsylvania this week. Downingtown's Victory Brewing Co. is the home of Hop Wallop, a mighty fine flavorful beverage with a bite. For hop lovers like us, it doesn't get much better. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener is Melanie in PA, who sent along a bag of Romolo's Famous Sponge Candy. This Erie-based confection is a nice snack treat, but it didn't really satisfy our inner choco snobs. Dori: 4 hips Val: 4 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Eco-damy Awards. Three documentaries to root for at the Oscars this year: Gasland, Waste Land and Sun Comes Up. We don't know who they'll be wearing.
• Hot list. What do the President of Bolivia, Ford Motor Co.'s CEO and Brad Pitt have in common? They're all Green Giants, according to a British newspaper. Also making the cut: our new buddy Joel Salatin, star of the upcoming film "Fresh".

Hip News

• Seeds of discord. The USDA will fully deregulate Monsanto's GE alfalfa. Planting could begin this spring. Cross contamination will follow shortly.
• Caveat emptor. You'll soon see items labeled as "USDA Certified Biobased Product". Buy them if you want, but don't assume they're eco-friendly.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Pitch the pine tree! Make your own chemical-free air freshener for your vehicle. Cut a piece of cardboard in the shape of your choice, then attach an old piece of cloth to it. Soak the fabric in your favorite essential oil and enjoy that new car smell!

Turning Green TV

Videographer Bruce Jans sees sustainablity all around him. He decided to explore and document the grassroots efforts of people and communities in his part of the world (which happens to be our part of the world). Turning Green is the name of his internet video series.

• Bruce had his camera on hand at Chico's Bicycle Music Festival. Bring this fun festival to your town!
• He produced the Creative Spirit video series for Chico's annual "Artoberfest" celebration.
• His next video will showcase the green efforts of AS Recycling at Chico State University.
• If you have any questions or ideas for Bruce, contact him via Green Light Productions. Ask him about his hot green Puma sneakers!

Listener E-mails

Be a part of our green community! Join the conversation at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Karen in South Carolina wants advice about her greenhouse. We're familiar with MyGroFarm, but...um...you've inspired us to find out more! Stand by for a future show on this topic.
• Katie in Toronto (eh!) debunks some myths about the North Pacific Garbage Patch.
• Sarah in New York City gives us the heads up on the all-electric Prius and made us look up snow thunder. OK Sarah, is there a Teenie Weenie Greenie on the way?

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

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

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #279 - Sticker Shock

Stock up now on those items that are likely to cost more in 2011!

Just when you thought you'd started living within your means, it looks like your means have, well, less meaning. The Hipsters prepare you for the sticker shock with a list of things that are likely to be more expensive this year. Also, Val goes on a rampage (possibly fueled by New Year's junk food), and Dori promises to save her a seat at Joel Salatin's local appearance.

Beer: Our first beer of 2011 is the seasonal Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale. While it has a cool label and is definitely more welcome than winter, this English brew didn't make a big impression. Dori: 4 hips Val: 4 hips

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener is Amanda in Nashville, TN. She provided 2 bars from her local chocolatier, Olive and Sinclair. We sampled the Southern Artisan Salt & Pepper bar and found it delightfully spicy, though a tad too crisp. Overall, an excellent treat. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! It's time for a revolution in the way you drink water. The innovative design of this Drinking Cap for stainless steel water bottles provides a pop-up straw and a leak-proof seal. Best of all, it fits most of your favorite bottles, including the classic Klean Kanteen.
• Get Up, Brand Up. Bob Marley's kids are launching a line of eco-minded products called Marley & Co. No, you can't smoke the hemp headphones.
• Free parking. Plan your vacation around the National Park Service's 2011 free admission days. Just keep an eye on your pic-a-nic basket.

• Feeling lucky. Kudos to Google, who handed over a $4 million grant to NatureBridge for environmental eduation.
• Shock to the system. At the CES, Ford Motor Co. announced that it'll market an electric Ford Focus sedan by the end of this year.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Sew clever! Stuck with stacks of wax? Repurpose your old candles as pincushions. Toss that taper into the sewing basket so you can take a stab at it. Bonus: Needles and pins will slide through fabric more easily when lightly coated with wax.

Sure, prices are always on the rise. But 2011 may bring some nasty surprises. The Hipsters consult dealnews.com to get the latest predictions for budget-busting items. Remember, forewarned is 4-armed!

• Withdraw all your money from the bank and find the nearest gold vending machine! Hurry, prices adjust every 10 minutes.
• Still using snail mail? Stock up NOW on those Forever stamps.
• If health insurance premiums are killing you, look into a Health Savings Account (HSA). You can save pre-tax income for medical expenses.
• Movie ticket prices going up? Hello, Netflix and Redbox!
• You'll have to pry our chocolate and coffee from our cold, dead hands.

Happy New Year! 2011 brings news of hook-ups, babies and success. Join the conversation at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Jeromy in Arkansas is a "scared little closet hippie" who has created Operation Green Thumb to spread green awareness in his area. Attaboy! Got any tips for him?
• Kelly in Maryland saves all of her veggie scraps in the freezer, then boils them up to make a healthy vegetable stock. "Soup"er idea!
• Chris in Montana shares news about officials in Paris testing a ban on SUVs in the city core. Magnifique!
• Sandy in New York raises a WTF? about Monsanto's Neotame molecule in organic foods. Happily, it looks like this could be a hoax.

More Hip Than Hippie #278 - Turn It Up to '11!

Experts forecast green trends for 2011.

Taking those tiny green steps can lead to big changes. The Hipsters take a look at the year ahead to see how consumer demand and the economy have influenced the decision-makers. Also, Val proposes a new tax and reveals her home plumbing FAIL!

Beer: We've got that Christmas glow with a holiday ale from Batemans Brewery. Their Rosey Nosey could have been named after Val's stuffed-up schnoz!

Chocolate: It's a catchy idea, but we decided that Komforte's Ramen Noodle bar would have been just as good without the novelty noodles inside.

Finds:

• Drill, Baby, Drill! Nothing should come between you and your wine. Put some torque on that cork with the Bosch IXO Vino Cordless Lithium-Ion Screwdriver with Corkscrew Attachment. Keep it charged; it's going to be a long winter.
• Holidon't. When you're done counting down the 12 Days of Christmas, take on the 12 Unhealthiest Wintertime Drinks. Ho Ho Heartattack.
• Drink this, not that. Need a beverage that will boost your immunity without busting your calorie budget? Val recommends tulsi tea. No corkscrew required.

• Baby, it's hot outside. NASA says 2010 is on pace to be the warmest year on record, surpassing 2005. The year was marked by extreme weather events globally and gusty blasts of hot air from Washington DC.
• California greenin'. The Golden State leads the nation's effort to address global warming by approving rules for the world's 2nd-largest carbon market.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Conquer! That's Val's Word of the Year for 2011. Think about your own word or phrase to inspire you during the year ahead. Focus on one green task to achieve; just don't call it a resolution!

Taking those tiny green steps can lead to big changes. Electric cars? Curbside recycling? You asked for them and they appeared. Now the Hipsters take a look at the year ahead to see how consumer demand and the economy have influenced the decision-makers.

• Food. Expect to see more home-based food businesses, natural sweeteners and smaller desserts. Also pimentos, hay and necks.
• Garden. Eco-scaping, sustainable containers and succulents lead the trends.
• Building. Green building construction starts have increased in value by 50%, and that growth is expected to continue.
• Cars. Look for a wealth of electric car options in 2011. Leading the way, Green Car of the Year, the Chevy Volt.
• Weddings. Keep planning those green nuptials. Instead of gifts, ask for charitable donations.
• Fashion. Everything old is new again! Vintage styles from the 30s to the 80s are back.
• Travel. Don't just see the world, live in it. Voluntourism and slow travel connect you to culture and the environment.

Well, that's it for 2010! What would you like us to talk about in the New Year? Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Dale in Seattle has a word of warning about those dual flush conversion kits, and sings the praises of the Solatube. Um, Dale, write back soon to tell us whether you're a boy or a girl, mmmk?
• Emily in Tennessee thinks creative Hipsters might be interested in Dogfish Head's Off-Centered Film Fest. Get those entries in by March 1st!
• Patrick in North Carolina sends up the alarm about flame retardants in butter. Would that be ass-bestos?
• Erica found the ingenious Chocolate Calculator, proving once and for all that you can't fool cacao.

More Hip Than Hippie #277 - Digging Deep

Writer April Dávila's new campaign, Digging Deep, will help to unearth facts about food.

You think you're busy? Hah! They lovely April Dávila returns to the show to talk about her full plate of projects, including a book based on her "Month Without Monsanto" blog, a novel, a new baby (any day now!) and the launch of an exciting website called Digging Deep. Also, Dori brings home a suicidal Christmas tree and Val cleans up a crime scene.

Beer: We've been bad girls this year, so we got a Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout from Ridgeway Brewery in our stocking. Beer Humbug!

Chocolate: We braved the third and final Kallari Chocolate bar from Amy in San Diego:85% Single Source Organic Ecuador. It's not for pansies.

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! It's a pint glass...it's a shot glass...it's a votive candle holder. The Beer & Shot Glass Set provides an evening of endless options for you and a friend.
• Wanna cup? Greenfeet now offers Thanksgiving Coffee. Not just a cup, but a just cup.

• Grin and bear it. Threatened populations of polar bears now have some federally protected stomping grounds in Alaska, thanks to the Interior Dept. Sorry, no drills allowed.
• Oil of Olé. The feds shut down more than 4,000 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico to deepwater shrimping, after trawlers pulled up tar balls in their nets. Tests will determine if the oil belongs to BP.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Stuff it! From our friend Danny Seo's book, Simply Green Giving: When sending out packages, look for natural box fillers instead of styrofoam. Fresh pine needles, pillow stuffing, real peanuts or fresh straw make great recyclable or compostable alternatives!

Cool chick April Dávila returns to the show to talk about her full plate of projects, including a book based on her "Month Without Monsanto" blog, a novel, a new baby (any day now!) and the launch of an exciting website called Digging Deep.

• April and her friend Cassie Gruenstein have teamed up to form the Digging Deep Campaign, a resource to help you make informed decisions about food.
• If you enjoyed hearing about her Month Without Monsanto, you'll love her upcoming narrative non-fiction book, Nonsanto: How Living for a Month Without Monsanto Changed How I Eat, Shop and Garden. Watch April's blog for updates.
• She is pleased about the passage of the revised Food Safety Modernization Act. Listener Mark provided us with highlights.
• April stays on top of food issues on her Facebook page.
• If you're a writer (or aspire to be one), follow April's professional progress on The Unfolding Tale.

Just one more show until we stick a fork in 2010! Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Meredyth in Texas has a teeny weeny greeny on the way and wants a good diaper option. We like Bummis system of washable covers with disposable liners. Congrats on new your little guy!
• Sebastien in Montreal shares a crafty idea for upcycled Christmas bows. Very clever and quite lovely, too.
• Jenn in Minnesota sounds off about invasive earthworms in her area. One word for you, Jenn: Tremors.
• Trystan at Yahoo! Green checks in with good news (beer for dogs!) and bad news (Dagoba Chocolate recall).
• Jess from New Jersey (aka the Dirty Jerz!) puts in a plug for Cloud Cult's music and eco-friendly ways. She also wants more green book suggestions. Anyone?

More Hip Than Hippie #276 - eBooks vs Books: Who's Greener?

A new study finds that e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry.

According to Amazon, sales of eBooks have outnumbered sales of hardcover books for the first time ever. Will e-readers spell the end of books as we know them? The Hipsters read between the lines to find the greenest way to turn the pages. Also, Val blows out the candles and Dori has a barrel of fun!

Beer: In the foothills above Chico lies the sleepy town of Magalia, home of Feather River Brewing Co. Their Dark Canyon Ale is a pleasing brew that would probably pair well with a hearty meal.

Chocolate: Round 2 of that Kallari Chocolate from Amy in San Diego. The 70% Single Source Organic Ecuador delighted Dori, while Val sent it to the Hall of Fame!

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! When the kids are chomping at the bit for something to do, break out Glee Gum's Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit! Made in the USA, this fun kit comes with everything you need to make 50 pieces of gum...if you stick to it, that is. Check out the chocolate and gummies kits too.
• Polar Excess. Stuff his stocking with eco-friendly luxury condoms this holiday season, then bring on the Ho Ho Ho's!
• Earth and All Her Friends. Coldplay announced they've become patrons of ClientEarth, a non-profit environmental law watchdog.

• Watt a car! Congrats to General Motors, whose Chevy Volt was named 2011 Car of the Year by Green Car Journal.
• Egg Foo Lung. The air in Beijing was so dirty last week, the US Embassy officially described it as "crazy bad". Chinese officials prefer to call it "breathtaking".

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Go for a spin! Now that you've turned on the heat, it's time to reverse your ceiling fan. The blades should be revolving in a clockwise direction to push the air up against the ceilings and down the walls. A ceiling fan can help lower energy consumption in the winter by up to 10%; just don't run it when no one's in the room!

• According to Cleantech, e-readers are greener than books...if you really use them!
• The impact of books and e-readers is measured in a variety of categories.
• More people read eBooks on laptops than on e-reader devices. Of course, if you prefer using your phone, there's an app for that.
• If you're giving an e-reader gift for the holidays, you're not alone!
• Amazon has an excellent program for recycling the Kindle.
• The folks who brought you The Story of Stuff made a quick primer on the environmental impact of electronics.
• Chin up, technophobes. PC World has 5 reasons you don't need an e-reader.

OK music lovers, let us know which holiday song we should lip-synch for your viewing pleasure! Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Sarah in NYC needs coffee! We like the French press, percolator and Melitta manual drip for a variety of reasons. As for seasonal essential oils, try cinnamon, clove, orange and peppermint.
• Alex in Cleveland discovered a cool, convenient water bottle alternative: the Vapur Anti-Bottle.
• Trystan at Yahoo! Green chilled us to the bone with a story about a possible chocolate shortage in the future.
• Sarah from Wisconsin employed ChicoBags to make clever shoebox gifts for kids around the world, thanks to Samaritan's Purse.
• Laurel in NYC called our attention to Broadway Green Alliance and their fab fundraisers to help 'green' the theatre industry. Check out Broadway Bands!
• Kati in Chile is spreading the word about us in her adopted country. ¡Gracias!

More Hip Than Hippie #275 - Zero Waste Holidays

Zero Waste Home blogger Bea Johnson shares her ideas for simplifying the holiday season.

Each year, at least 25% more waste is generated during the holiday season than any other time. Stop the madness! Our bonne amie Bea has some tips to help curtail the clutter and trim the trash. Also, Val is caught cupping with the president of Thanksgiving Coffee!

Beer: Healdsburg sits in the heart of CA's wine country, but Ricardo's Red Rocket Ale from Bear Republic Brewery makes a good argument for planting hops instead of vines! It's "aggressively hopped", much to our delight.

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener, Amy in San Diego, sent us Kallari Chocolate's 75% Single Source Organic Ecuador. It's a riot of rich flavors in a smooth, creamy bar. Did we mention their good planet-saving karma? Hall of Fame!

Finds:

• Launderlust. Crank out small loads of dishtowels, diapers or delicates quickly and efficiently with Wonder Wash. This hand-powered machine saves water and requires no electricity. Look for it on Greenfeet soon!
• Jack of Hearts. Congrats to Hipster Hero Jack Johnson, recipient of Billboard's 2010 Humanitarian Award. Will her ever come on our show? We're Sitting, Waiting, Wishing...

• Lead us not... The US EPA has decided not to ban lead in fishing gear, despite support from 70 organizations in 27 states. Um, Happy "National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week" to you, too!
• Dutch treat. The Netherlands is the first country to commit itself to using only sustainable palm oil, by 2015. Goed werk!

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Chalk it up! You love to buy fresh produce, but sometimes forget it's in the fridge crisper, right? Try affixing a chalk board or white board to the door of the fridge, then keep a list of the goodies as you load them inside. When you use up that celery or spinach, erase it from the list. No more veggie mush in the produce drawer!

Each year, at least 25% more waste is generated during the holiday season than any other time. Who better to offer tips on trimming the trash than our waste-busting French friend, Bea Johnson? She's gearing up for the holidays with her mantra in mind: Keep It Simple. From food to gifts to decor, let's rethink our rituals!

• Holiday cards and gifts are a major source of trash. Try a Reusable Card with a fabric Wrapsack instead. Bea is a big fan of furoshiki.
• Create new decorations at home! Melt down old candle pieces to make recycled candles. Color them with melted crayons.
• String your popcorn garlands on a living Christmas tree, then plant it in your yard. You can even rent a tree!
• Bea has blogged about papermaking. She recycles scrap paper into stationery, then gives it as gifts.
• A homemade Christmas stocking is perfect for holding small gifts and treats, NOT useless crap!

OK music lovers, let us know which holiday song we should butcher for your listening pleasure! Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Charter Hipster Doug Hilton wants everyone to know he's had his last round of chemo and is cancer-free! That Hipster Mojo is a powerful thing.
• Katie in Texas paid 23¢ for electricity last month, thanks to her solar panels. See if Sungevity can help you go solar at home.
• Chelsea in Georgia stumbled across a clever concept for plastic spray bottles: Replenish.
• Patty in Rhode Island is a frugalista Hipster who finally un-lurked herself. Nice to meet ya!

More Hip Than Hippie #274 - SOS (Save Our Stuff!)

Save money by extending the life of things you already own.

We're all trying to economize these days. Frugalistas know that it's better to use up what you have than to blow big bucks replacing it. The Hipsters share some tips on making your stuff last longer. Also, Val prods Dori to put out for NaNoWriMo!

Beer: From Chico air and soil springs an organic brew beyond compare. Sierra Nevada Brewery's Estate Homegrown Ale is everything we love about beer, in a big-ass bottle. Find some, bite your way through the wax, enjoy!

Chocolate: Pairing nicely with our beer was a bar of Chocolate Santander Columbian Single Origin. At 65% cocao, this dark chocolate would be great to shave over cheesecake or another rich dessert. Thanks again Chris!

Finds:

• Strung out. Rock your wrists with cool bracelets made from the guitar strings of rock gods! WearYourMusic donates a portion of the price to the artist's charity of choice.
• Val's Favorite Thing! A stylish bottle brush that's eco-friendly and easy to use? Got it! The Reach Bottle Brush is made from recycled materials, and cleans inside and out at the same time. Use it on travel mugs, water bottles, jars, even musical beer bottles...
• Play 'Freebird'! While we think Southern Bells is a cool idea, it seems likely that our beer bottle band would disappear faster than Taylor Hicks.
• Give Bees a Chance. A young Washington lad is single-handedly saving the bee population (OK, his mom is helping too). They've created Henry's Stingers, spicy honey varieties that benefit bees.

• Agra Cadabra. A new report by Green Century ranks food and beverage companies in their efforts to remove BPA from product packaging. Props to Heinz, Hain Celestial...and ConAgra?
• What the Dell? Newsweek released their green rankings of the 500 largest publicly traded companies in the US. Techies are leading the way.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Bake it easy! Cranking out cupcakes? Instead of expensive paper liners, pour the batter into squares of parchment paper. Costs less, no mess, and all the calories disappear! (OK, we made up that last part.)

We're all trying to economize these days. One way to keep from spending too much money is to extend the life of things you already own. The Hipsters found some spiffy tips for saving stuff like clothing, food, wine, car tires, razor blades, even your Christmas tree!

• Could you go 3 months without washing your jeans? The United Nations hopes so! Instead of machine washing, try soaking them in a tub of mild soap, like Dr. Bronner's.
• Air-drying your clothes on a drying rack is easier on fabric and thread. If you need to wear them right away, throw a couple of dryer balls in the machine to speed up the process.
• Keep your fruits and veggies fresh by figuring out where to store what.
• Leftover wine? Hey, it could happen! Keep air out of the bottle with a specially designed vacuum pump. Or just drink faster.

There are only a few more shows in 2010. What would you like us to talk about? Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Sandy in White Plains, NY is flushed with pride at his latest eco-find: the HydroRight Dual Flush converter kit.
• Leanne in Washington is making great green purchases, including Fire & Light recycled glassware for her Thanksgiving feast. Scoop up the lavender pieces before they disappear!
• Leslie in Buffalo, NY managed to make many green choices while biking across the country. (Example: the Diva Cup.) We salute you!

More Hip Than Hippie #273 - Living the Dream

With a desire to return to her country roots, Becka Silva turned her backyard into Girasole Farm.

Girasole is the Italian word for sunflower; literally, it means "turning toward the sun". That's what Becka Silva is doing with her life. Her backyard has become "a place where vegetables grow, fruit trees blossom, and flowers bloom abundant." She also makes aprons and blogs about living the dream!

Beer: Hallelujah! Buckbean Brewing Co. has arrived in Chico. Val's passionate love for their deliciously delicate Orange Blossom Ale resulted in her targeted harassment campaign all the way up the supply chain, to the President himself. Yes we CAN!

Chocolate: From Chris's care package comes another Andrea Stainer Origins chocolate bar. The Peru 65% Cocoa is strong & fruity, but not a great pairing with this week's beer.

Finds:

• Birdbrain. Former BP CEO Tony Hayward receives the 2010 Rubber Dodo Award for his tireless work assisting endangered species in their goal of becoming extinct.
• Kiss off. Step away from that Hershey bar! When it comes to keeping child labor out of chocolate, Green America gives the PA-based company a great big 'F'.
• Snack attack. Sun Chips is dumping its compostable bags because they're too loud. Stephen Colbert weighs in. By the way, the Rally to Restore Sanity will be televised! Where will you be on October 30th?

• No more BP,eh! Canada's very wise government has declared bisphenol A to be a toxic substance. That almost makes up for Justin Bieber.
• Expect more, pollute less. OK Target, why were you routinely dumping hazardous waste into California landfills for 5 years?

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Get your just rewards! October is Fair Trade Month, so make the commitment to purchase at least one piece of FT chocolate and one bag of coffee or box of tea.

Girasole is the Italian word for sunflower; literally, it means "turning toward the sun". That's what Becka Silva is doing with her life. Upon becoming a grandma, she decided to go back to her roots and turn her 3-acre property into Girasole Farm. Becka chats with the Hipsters about gardening, gourds and living your dream!

• One of Becka's goals is to supply produce for a local CSA. Find one near you at Local Harvest.
• For research, Becka prefers books over the internet. Among her faves are Sunset's Western Garden Book of Edibles and the American Horticultural Society's A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.
• You can still order one of her custom-made aprons in time for Christmas!
• The sunflower photo you see above is an award winner! Congrats to Becka for taking 2nd place in the 7th Annual Renee's Garden Photo Contest.

There are only a few more shows in 2010. What would you like us to talk about? Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Janis in Florida would like a good dark brown mascara that's eco-friendly, waterproof and sweatproof. OK, good luck with that! Try Ecco Bella for a fairly good alternative.
• Meredith in New Zealand found a quick and easy DIY compost bin made of pallets. Looking forward to the NZ chocolate!
• Kamille in CA combats hard water by adding borax or baking soda to her washing machine. Cheap and effective.
• Kevin in Dallas has a good solution for those days when he forgets his resuable bags. He also loves Carrotmob, and so do we.
• Tommi in Iowa celebrated her green wedding with sticks and stones! We're waiting for pics, please.

More Hip Than Hippie #272 - Helping Hands

"Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows." ~ Moliere

Did you know that Australia is the most charitable country in the world? Or that lower-income Americans give proportionally more of their incomes to charity than do upper-income Americans? The Hipsters look at ways to lend a helping hand, by listener request. They also discuss airplanes, olives and the annual ritual of Dori's purse.

Beer: Congrats to Anderson Valley Brewing Company! Their Brother David's Double Abbey Style Ale scored a silver medal at the Great American Beer Fest. And Val didn't make malt face.

Chocolate: Smooth and simple Chocolate Santander Columbian Single Origin Dark Chocolate paired nicely with the beer. Thanks again Chris!

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! The next time you throw a big feed, load up on Disposable Birch Utensils. They're sustainable, sturdy and easy on the pocketbook...a pack of 100 for under $9! See how they fed a wedding party at Style Me Pretty.
• Deep sleep. Now you can spend eternity sleeping with the fishes. Encase your ashes in a bereavement ball and you'll become part of an underwater reef.
• Boneless. Actress Emily Deschanel's wedding was a vegan affair, right down to the s'mores.

• Herbicide. One-fifth of all plant species are at risk of extinction, mostly in the tropics, as humans convert their habitat for agriculture. You want a side of rainforest with that burger?
• Sticker picker. You can weigh in on the proposed designs for new fuel economy labels. The DOT and EPA aim to put them on 2012 model year vehicles.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Press for success! We're getting ready to break out the holiday gift wrap, right? You can still reuse that wrinkly recycled ribbon; just press it flat with a warm iron. It's as good as (re)new!

• To get a good idea of which organizations are worthwhile, start with Charity Navigator and Charity Watch.
• Groups like FEED Projects and Hands Up, Not Hand Outs offer products made by those in need. Kiva empowers entrepreneurs by making microloans.
• To invest in sustainable communities, support The Water Project or Heifer International.
• Some companies just do the right thing. Gilden Tree promotes environmentally-friendly textile manufacturing in Pakistan. Greenfeet carries their bath and body products.
• It's true, the poor give more than the rich, and Australia really is the most charitable country in the world.

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!

• Leanne in Washington wonders if she should switch to phosphate-free dishwasher detergent. Find what works best with your water; we like Mrs. Meyers scented dishwashing packs.
• Melanie in Pennsylvania is a nutritionist, and she recommends the Moderation Nation promo for free consultations. Check out her site, Fresh Start Nutrition.
• Eileen in Florida shares a study linking PFOA in non-stick coatings to higher cholesterol levels in kids.
• Maggie in Madrid wants to know which material is best for recycling: glass, plastic or aluminum?

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

More Hip Than Hippie #271 - Conscious Cooking

Author Anni Daulter discusses the joys of conscious cooking for babies and toddlers.

The Hipsters meet author/cook/mom/cool chick Anni Daulter, who has released a book and a baby this year. Anni discusses ways to prepare food for your family that nourishes both body and soul. Also, Dori and Val hit up a Brewfest, and Val puts out an APB on Malloy!

Beer: Need another reason to love autumn? You got it: Hoptober Golden Ale from New Belgium Brewing. Featuring a medley of fall flavors, this seasonal brew is subtle enough to pair with your favorite fall fare.

Chocolate: We bust out another offering from Chris's care package. Andrea Stainer Origins Java Milk Chocolate, Hint of Vanilla. Despite its measly 38% cacao content and slightly chalky consistency, the bar had a nice mild flavor.

Finds:

• crApp. They say the unexamined life is not worth living. Reach your full potential with the Poo Log, an iPhone and iPad app that'll have you loving your leavings.
• Poo-per. Odorless, eco-friendly Poo Poo Paper helps to keep elephant, horse, cow and panda potty out of the waste stream. (Thanks Ashanti!)

• Zone defense. Remember when countries could agree on things and change the world? In 1987, the Montreal Protocol phased out the use of aerosol CFCs. Now, as a result, the UN reports that Earth's ozone holes have stopped growing and will return to pre-1980 levels before the middle of this century.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

You're in hot water! Pay a visit to your water heater. Adjust the temp down to 120 degrees, the ideal setting to maximize energy efficiency. If you do this before winter hits, it'll be easier to adjust to a slightly cooler shower!

The Hipsters meet author/cook/mom/cool chick Anni Daulter, who has released a book and a baby this year. In Organically Raised: Conscious Cooking for Babies and Toddlers, Anni discusses ways to prepare food for your family that nourishes both body and soul. Between parenting 4 kids and writing 4 new books, Anni takes time to share tips for creating meaningful mealtime rituals and more.

• Anni introduces the Fundamental Five principles for feeding little ones. Check out some of her tips and recipes.
• Coming in March 2011, her new popsicle book, Ice Pop Joy!
• Anni's husband Tim has a blog called Practicing Happy.

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!

• Jeromy in Arkansas is right; you can polish a turd, but it's still a piece of sh*t. So it is with corn sugar, formerly known as HFCS.
• Erica in Connecticut wants to join a CSA but doesn't want want to waste the surplus. Start with a half-share, and consider canning the rest.
• Amy in San Diego peels back the layers of packaging to reveal the true carbon footprint of bananas.
• Audrey in Texas wonders if she should line her trashcan with BioBags or just let it go commando.
• Jason in New York is troubled by stories of Nike sweatshops in Asia. He also thought of us when he heard about deep-fried beer. Thanks Jason! (Best. Porn Star Name. Ever.)
• Ridley in Idaho will never again travel without her Klean Kanteen.
• Sandy in New York wonders why stores don't give us 5¢ back when we use no bag at all. Yeah, what's up with that?

More Hip Than Hippie #270 - The Dumpster Diva

Designer Tiffany Threadgould returns to remind us that garbage has feelings, too.

The Hipsters welcome the delightful Dumpster Diva,Tiffany Threadgould, back to the show! Our favorite design junkie has been busy with several exciting projects lately. Tiffany took a break from moving into her new Brooklyn workspace to reveal all the details of her trashy life. Also, Dori opens her Piehole to spill some bitter news.

Beer: Half a world away, delicious hops are grown and harvested with this beer in mind. Sierra Nevada flies them fresh from New Zealand to Chico for their final destination: Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale. The flavor of this hoppy brew is perfect, and you can't even taste the carbon footprint.

Chocolate: Thanks to listener Chris in Montana (long story) for the huge care package o'chocolate! This week we sampled Andrea Stainer Origins Ecuador 70% Cocoa, Floral & Sweet. A simple bar with a subtle flavor, this paired nicely with our beer.

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Don't you love it when a simple product makes your life better? That's how Val feels about her Dechlorinating Shower Filter. By softening water, it enables your personal care products to work more effectively and leaves you feeling cleaner. Plus, Val no longer smells like a public swimming pool.
• Yogi and Boo-Boo approve. Pack a quick planet-friendly meal and eat it al fresco with a Boxsal compostable picnic kit. Pick the style that suits you and leave no trace behind.

• Plastifornia. The Golden State has failed in its attempt to ban single-use plastic bags. Despite widespread support for the bill, the state Senate couldn't close the deal. To paraphrase the Governator, we'll be back!
• Are we there yet? A new study finds that the average male drives an extra 276 miles lost each year because he won't ask for directions. Honey, just pull over at that nice clean gas station...

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Socks on the rocks! Feel that chill in the air? Time to take the woolens out of storage...and freshen them up with a spritz of vodka! Put some of the cheap stuff in a spray bottle and apply liberally to musty coats and accessories. Don't worry, you won't smell like you had a martini for breakfast (you didn't, did you?).

The Hipsters welcome the delightful Dumpster Diva,Tiffany Threadgould, back to the show! Our favorite design junkie has been busy with several projects, including a new "ReMake It" kit--the Plastic Bag Trash Can. Tiffany took a break from moving into her new Brooklyn workspace to spill all the details of her trashy life.

• Tiffany's company, RePlayGround, continues to create fun recycling projects for all ages. Take a look at their popular ReMake It kits.
• She's a designer for TerraCycle, a great company that turns trash into cool products.
• Catch her Garbage Moguls show on the National Geographic Channel.
• You can pick up Tiffany's first book, "ReMake It", on Earth Day 2011! Until then, check her out on YouTube.
• Want to hire her for an event? She's available for corporate workshops, parties, bar mitzvahs...
• You can probably find Tiffany at a Maker Faire near you!

• Christine in Flagstaff, Arizona spotted this house made of shipping containers in her neighborhood, and wonders if this is a new trend in green building. The answer is yes! We think it's a great way to repurpose these tough containers when they're out of commission. Send us a photo of the finished product, OK?
• Adam in Tennessee wants to know if the new Ten Thousand Villages store in his town is the real deal, and if Equal Exchange coffee is truly a fair trade product. Yes and yes, so go shopping!
• Ashanti in Austin, TX recommends Beer Wars, a film about the struggles of indie beer makers. She also yearns to keep a few farm critters, which we heartily support.
• Andrea in Houston, TX is planning her nuptials, and would love some green wedding tips. Congrats!
• Kristin in New Hampshire is a restauranteur with a trashy dilemma. We suggest using BioBags.
• Lurker Alert! A big Hipster Howdy to Michelle in Colorado and Meghan in Virginia, who have officially unlurked themselves!

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: 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.

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.

• 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!

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.

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.

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: 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.

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?

• 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!).

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.

• 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!

• 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.

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: 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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: 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.

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.

• 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 Greenieâ„¢

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!

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!

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!

More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

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: 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.

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.

• 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 Greenieâ„¢

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!

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

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

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!

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: 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!

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!

• 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™

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?

• 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!

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: 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".

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.

• 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™

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: 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.

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.

• 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™

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.

• 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!

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: 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.

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.

• 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™

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".

• 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!

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: 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.

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.

• 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™

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.

• 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!

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!

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: 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.

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!

• 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™

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.

• 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!

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: 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.

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!

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

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

• 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!

• 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!

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: 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!

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!

• 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™

• 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!

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: 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!

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.

• 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™

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.

• 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!

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: 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.

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!

• 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™

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.

• 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!

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: 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.

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.

• 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™

• 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.

• 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!

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: 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.

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.

• 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™

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.

• 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!

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: 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.

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.

• 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™

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.

• 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!

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: 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.

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.

• 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 Greenieâ„¢

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

• 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 Greenieâ„¢

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

• 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 Greenieâ„¢

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.

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.

Renowned documentary filmmaker Gerard Ungerman discusses his passion for truth, justice and environmentalism.

Frenchman Gerard Ungerman recently moved to Chico (for l'amour!) and found an enthusiastic community of like-minded green folk. The Hipsters delve into his past work, current projects and his latest endeavor: chronicling the life of the Green Diva herself! Also, the final show of 2009 affords Val the chance to fulfill her fantasy of naming an episode after a Meg Ryan movie.

Beer: We keep the cold at bay with another full-bodied ale. Winter Seasonal Imperial IPA from Mendocino Brewing Co. is a crowdpleaser, so bundle up and make a beer run; this Limited Edition brew won't be around for long.

Chocolate: Store-brand goodness! Safeway Select Dark Chocolate with Lemon and Pepper is full of lively flavor, if a tad bit sweet. We thinks it's made by Lindt; the packaging gave us a hindt.

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Give your skin a buzz with Honey Face Cleanser by Rand Hill Naturals. It's just raw honey with a blend of essential oils. Use it daily, you'll bee thrilled with the results!
• Common cents. The Audubon Society helps to "change" the world with their Pennies for the Planet campaign, focusing this year on endangered coastlines.
• Roadkill. Yes, Dori found it.

• Nopenhagen. No big results came out of the COP15, just a vague promise to do better. So long, and thanks for all the fish.
• Tapped out. Looks like bottled water sales are slipping. Is it because the economy's down, or could it be the result of Hipsters like you choosing reusable bottles? Depends who you ask.

Teenie Weenie Greenieâ„¢

Renowned documentary filmmaker Gerard Ungerman recently moved to Chico (for l'amour!) and found an enthusiastic community of like-minded green folk. Now he's involved in several new projects, including Green Transition Chico. But his latest endeavor may be his boldest: chronicling the life of the Green Diva herself!

• Films. Gerard's work is created without corporate money or outside grants through his company, Free-Will Productions.
• Education. Gerard hosted the Green Film and Solutions series through CSU Chico.
• Community. Since making Chico his new hometown, Gerard has become part of the movement to create a Transition Town here. Interested? He recommends the Transition Handbook by Rob Hopkins.

Dear Santa, can we have some more e-mails please?! Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and naughty French phrases at our MHTH forum!Win a Greenfeet Prize Pack! "The Legend of Dori's Engagement Ring" Contest is on until 12/25/09! Just come up with a history for her 1930s-era ring; most creative tale wins! E-mail your entry to us today!

• Ashanti in Texas wants to find a green job now that she's made the move to Austin. Try Greenopolis and Grist, or the Yahoo! resource list. Check out show #196, Green Around the Collar.
• Maggie in Spain seeks inexpensive green freebies. Google "eco-friendly promotional products" and be sure to choose something useful!
• Jen in Portland geeks out on Val's clean ducts. She says to check dsireusa to find tax credits for weatherization improvements. She also promises to bring us beer in the new year. Don't threaten us with a good time!
• Elsie in Moss Landing, CA shares an article about the downside of carbon trading. Sounds like someone should film a documentary about this...
• Brooke in New York left us a message on Facebook about the Rat Fan Club, which is based here in Chico! Who knew?

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Boxing 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.

Despite federal regulations, you can't take drinking water safety for granted.

Prozac and makeup and lead, oh my! We all want to trust our tapwater. Unfortunately, more than 20% of US water-treatment systems have broken some of the rules of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Hipsters flush out the facts and provide some solutions. Also, Val spews (off-air) expletives as winter descends upon Northern California!

Beer: We're staying warm with another heady brew. Old Plowshare Stout from North Coast Brewing Co. has enough rich flavor to take the chill off a December night.

Chocolate: Our new Favorite Listener, KC in Korea, supplied a pair of pleasurable treats. Lotte Ghana bar is smooth & sweet; Jeju Orange Chocolate and Cactus Chocolate are fun candies. Komapsumnida!

Finds:

• Beer Magazine. This month's articles: Beer and Chocolate Pairings; Green Brewing; An Interview with George Wendt (Norm!). Really, do we need to say more?

• Hot in herre. A new report ranks 2009 as the 5th warmest year on record, and this decade was warmer than the previous two. Let it hang all out.
• Copenhatin'. GOP lawmakers will go to the COP15 to promise the world no new US climate laws until "scientific fascism" ends.

Teenie Weenie Greenieâ„¢

We all want to trust our tapwater. However, as many as 19 million Americans are sickened by it each year. What the heck is in it? How do we find out if our water is safe? Can we do anything to purify it? H2OMG!

• The EPA has identified at least 9 Unexpected Things in Drinking Water.
• The Safe Drinking Water Act passed in 1974 to ensure the quality of Americans' drinking water.
• The Environmental Working Group released its list of cities with the best and worst tap water. Congrats to Arlington, TX!
• Find out what's flowing from your faucet with a water test kit.
• Household systems like Brita can filter out most contaminants. Be sure to change the filters regularly.
• Turn your tap water into a science project! Teach kids to reclaim dirty drinking water with a fun kit.

What, are your fingers frozen? We need e-mail! Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and Christmas lists at our MHTH forum!Win a Greenfeet Prize Pack! "The Legend of Dori's Engagement Ring" Contest is on until 12/25/09! Just come up with a history for her 1930s-era ring; most creative tale wins! E-mail your entry to us today!

• Alisa in New York is in a lather about laundry! She recommends a cup of baking soda in the wash to soften hard municipal water. It won't harm clothing or the water supply. Win.
• Patrick in North Carolina is bloated with BPA after a chicken soup binge, and would like an alternative to canned soup. Try those aseptic packages or spend a little more for glass. He also shares a TED moment and disses Julie Andrews. Does someone need a spoonful of sugar?

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Christmas 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.

Animal lovers can extend their pets' lives by adding homemade natural supplements to their regular diet.

Responsible pet owners insist on good nutrition for their furry family members. The Hipsters talk to Tammy Furmanski and Richard Holmes, who have researched the best foods for healthy nutritional supplements that are tasty, too. (Um, we'll take their word for it...) Also, Val goes into wedding-planner mode as Dori and Chris make it official!

Beer: Gotta love a beer that looks like motor oil when you pour it! Dark but not heavy, Porteus Porter from Elysian Brewing Co. warms a wintry day with its slightly smoky flavor.

Chocolate: Dori's new fiance(!) supplied a box of yummy handmade chocolates from The Parrot, a cool retro shop in Helena, MT. We loved their ginger crystals dipped in either dark chocolate or milk chocolate.

Finds:

• Dori's Engagement Ring! She and Chris chose a vintage 1930's piece as part of their green, frugal wedding. Concoct a legend for the ring and email it to us by Christmas; most creative story wins a Greenfeet prize pack!
• Val's Favorite Things! A collection of Green Science Kits inspire creative play, using recycled materials. With 7 to choose from, these clever kits will keep the kids busy, in a good way!
• Urge to surge. Spark some geeky romance with the Candlestrip, a "power strip" candleholder with "power cord" candles.

• Hopenhagen. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) is underway this week. Stay informed so you'll know who to blame.
• Leading the charge. It's official: the Chevy Volt will launch in California late next year. Partnering with the state's utilities, Chevy plans to set up charging stations and collect performance data before rolling out nationwide.

Teenie Weenie Greenieâ„¢

Responsible pet owners insist on good nutrition for their furry family members. Tammy Furmanski and Richard Holmes researched the best foods for healthy nutritional supplements that are tasty, too!

• Purpose. Tammy and Richard's goal is to provide healthy treats for cats and dogs via Chico Pet Company.
• Passion. Resources for their recipes include OnlyNaturalPet.com and the book Food As Medicine.
• Pet food. They recommend a raw food diet including healthy table scraps. Wellness and Wysong products also get thumbs up.
• Problems. Unfortunately, commercial pet food recalls are all too common.
• Press. Tammy and her business were profiled in the Chico News & Review.

• Rob in Kentucky keeps us supplied with eco-funny comics like the one above. He also has a laundry tip: clean out the lint trap halfway through the drying cycle to speed things along. Thanks y'all!
• KC in Korea wonders what to do about older Nalgene bottles, which may contain BPA. Err on the side of caution; repurpose them as dry good containers and go for safer bottles, like Klean Kanteen.
• Tina in Texas makes her own cheap 'n easy laundry detergent. Great idea, but be careful with the Fels Naptha soap.
• Keith in Hawaii reviewed our Biodiesel 101 show for his Environmental Politics class. Mahalo!
• Katie in Toronto (eh!) is still alive and still listening! We love you man!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Winter Solstice 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.

Eco-friendly clothing goes beyond organic cotton and hemp. Your laundry habits are more important than your fashion sense.

If you're trying to be more eco-conscious about your wardrobe, you should know that the fabric you choose is only a small part of the equation. The energy used to care for your garments accounts for about 2/3 of their carbon footprint. The Hipsters air out some tips for washing, drying, ironing and dry cleaning that'll help you green your jeans! Also, Val turns another year older and offers to slip Dori the pickle.