More Hip than Hippie - Happy Green New Year
This week we are talking about our green resolutions, not tasting beer (Val forgot), but eating fudge. We also delve into some more listener emails, and spend a bit of time on the essential oil of lemon.

In the News

• Top 5 Hybrids for 2006 - from about.com
  • Honda Insight (5-speed manual transmission)
  • Honda Insight (CVT transmission)
  • Toyota Prius
  • Honda Civic Hybrid
  • Honda Accord Hybrid
• Dupont - Fined more than 10,000,000 over Teflon. Check out the full details here.
• Sustainable Industries Journal - Sweden wants to get off of the oil soon.
  This publication is more business oriented, Val found it interesting, and thought you might too.
• We've been approached - Sirius-ly. What do you think? Email us at hip@greenfeet.com
• Don't forget to vote for us at podcastalley, and also if you get to us through itunes, why not post your review of our show.

 

Tiny Steps that will make 2006 a Little more Green
Easy to adopt changes for the new year.

• Just say no to plastic bags - choose reusable bags. Find yours at greenfeet.com, reusablebags.com or chicobag.com. By using reusable bags you can save 300 to 700 plastic bags in a year.
• Eat organic and/or fair trade chocolate and coffee.
• Wear your clothes more than once before washing.
• Rid your house of antibacterial products. Use just good old soap and water.
• Buy a peace lily or spider plant that will soak up VOCs in your home. Check out How to Grow Fresh Air.
• Slowly Rid your house of plastic. Replace a few items at a time and you will be amazed at how much you can get rid of. Let us know what you use instead of plastic.
• Eat locally and seasonally - shop at local farmers market, fruit stands or purchase from stores that are stocked from the local area.

 

Val's Brussel Sprouts Recipe: Slice them thinly and saute them in olive oil, and salt and pepper with a bit of lime.

Listener Emails

• Bob - Drafty apartments - a few ideas - weather proofing the windows with vinyl sheeting, circulation with box fans, and turn heater down during the day and up in the evening.
• Leigh - Honey for a facial cleanser - straight honey with no oil (tea tree or lavender would work).
• Tory - Use Dvd cases for gift giving. Another idea is to donate them to libraries for their less than well cared for cases.
• Scott - Pubmed.gov - for scientific information on essential oils.
• Kevin - Helping us pronounce hard words like Phenylalanine - his pronunciation guide - â��feeâ��-nil-alâ��-a-neenâ��
• Bob - Gingersnaps are just not for dogs. But ginger is very good to combat sea sickness.
• Dawn - Suggests we rate natural cleaners and soaps. She also heard recently that our government might be invoking legislation to "outlaw" homeopathic medicines and nutritional supplements such as vitamins, etc. from being sold freely at health food stores. Was wondering if we knew anything about it (could it just be a rumor?). We're not sure, but we'll look into it.
• Linda - Wants sweet potato recipe - (She hasn't given it to me yet).
• Jarrod - Mobile phone made of corn - engadget.com
• The good girl - lokiland.org - Shout out!

The Winners of the Quiz
Julia, Leigh, Allison, Robert, Liam, and Brian. Congratulations! Enjoy your CD.
Happy New Year!

Common Name: Lemon

Scientific Name: Citrus Limonum

Description of odor: Fresh, clean, bright

Method of extraction: Cold expression of peel or zest of fruit

Where it grows: Although found all over the world, lemon essential oil is primarily produced in Italy and the United States.

Introduction:
Lemon essential oil rightfully belongs in every medicine, cleaning and spice cabinet. The juice and peel of the lemon are used as cooking seasonings in countries worldwide. In Spain, lemon is considered a cure all - especially for infectious illnesses. Lemon has also been used to help break fevers, such as those associated with malaria or typhoid, and it was historically used to fight scurvy aboard British ships. When taken internally (only under the guidance of a licensed aromatherapist), lemon esssential oil helps treat problems such as arthritis and rheumatism and is also helpful in the clearing of the liver.

Suggested Uses for Lemon Essential Oil:

• First Aid. To use lemon as an antiseptic - place 3 drops into a small bowl of water, dip a sterile cloth into the lemon water, then apply the cloth to the affected area. Repeat until the wound is clear of debris. (Lemon water is not recommended for deep wounds - for more serious wounds, seek medical attention.)

   

• Internal Cleansing. Place one drop of lemon oil into a glass of room temperature water and drink to help cleanse and tonify an acidic tummy.

• Acne. Apply sparingly to acne-affected areas twice a day until the acne is gone.

• Disinfectant. Take an 8 oz. spray bottle, fill it with water, and add 25 drops of lemon oil. Shake well, and spray directly onto faucets, doorknobs, bed linens, or into the air as a disinfectant. When combined with lavender essential oil, this is also an excellent spray to use to disinfect a sick room(use 15 drops lemon, 15 drops lavender per 8oz of water).

   

• Warts. Apply 1 drop to the affected area twice a day. Repeat until wart is gone. ·

   

  Urinary tract. Place 2 drops of lemon essential oil into 1 tablespoon of carrier oil such as jojoba, and rub the mixture into the lower back and lower abdomen in a clockwise direction. This aids in the cleansing and toning of the kidneys.

   

• Respiratory aid. To soothe respiratory problems (asthma, throat infections, bronchitis, etc), place 10 drops of lemon essential oil into a vaporizer or diffuser and diffuse the mixture into your room.

   

• Cellulite. To help break down cellulite, add 1 drop of lemon essential oil to one tablespoon of carrier oil such as jojoba oil. Rub into the affected area, working toward the heart. Repeat daily and drink lots of water to help flush your system.

   

• Sore muscles. Lemon helps to flush the body of uric acid build-up. Just add 2 drops of tea tree oil and 1 drop of lavender oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, and rub the mixture onto any sore areas. This mixture can also be soothing for joint aches and pains.

   

• In the kitchen. Add 2 drops of lemon oil to a lemon cookie recipe, or whenever lemon flavor is required. Be aware, however, that lemon essential oil is very potent, and should be used very sparingly. Over consumption can result in serious illness. Consult a cookbook that works with essential oils for additional suggestions on proper measurements.

   

• In the bathroom. For a sparkling bathroom sink or tub, mix 10 drops of lemon oil with one cup of baking soda. Use the mixture to scrub away dirt, grime, and soap buildup. Make sure to rinse well when you've finished scrubbing. This is also a good mixture to use if you need to shine up chrome fixtures. If your bathroom surfaces are colored, we recommend testing for color-safeness in a small, inconspicuous area before applying the mixture over broad areas (lemon can have bleaching qualities).

   

• In the laundry room. When laundering whites, add 25 drops to the rinse water. Do not apply directly to clothing. Avoid adding to colored loads.

   

• Vacuuming. Drop a cotton ball sprinkled with 15 drops of lemon essential oil into your vacuum bag. The scented cotton will add a crisp, fresh scent to the air as you clean, and also will deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

   

• For the spirit. Lemon is a naturally uplifting, clarifying oil. You can either inhale it directly from the bottle or use a diffuser. Lemon is an excellent oil to diffuse in a child's environment, and when placed in a car diffuser, lemon oil can help keep you alert and your spirits high during your daily commute.

Safety:
Although it is non-toxic, lemon essential oil is high in limonene and may result in "prickling" of sensitive skin. It also has the potential of photo sensitization - meaning that you should stay out of the sun when using lemon essential oil because you may burn rather quickly.

As with many essential oils, lemon essential oil is safe to use as long as it is not abused. Use common sense when working with essential oils. When following a recipe that calls for lemon oil, use the exact amount called for by the recipe - do not exceed the recommended amount. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately; if symptoms persist, consult your physician.

Additional Resources:
Two books you can reference for additional recipes and information are The Aromatherapy Book (by Jeanne Rose) and Aromatherapy an A-Z (by Patricia Davis). We also recommend Clean House, Clean Planet found right here at greenfeet.com for additional cleaning recipes utilizing lemon and other common essential oils. You can also purchase lemon essential oil at greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie - How sweet it is!
The Highlights: This week Val found her pants. Dori goes Birthday shopping with her kids. We talk about sweeteners - which ones to avoid, and some natural alternatives.

In the news:

• Researchers convert chicken fat to fuel.
• Kellogg Company plans to reduce trans fats in their foods.
• USDA requires labelling of foods with trans fats.

 

Val's Last Minute Gift Ideas:

• Radius toothbrush - Recycled plastic travel organizer - only $8. - find it at radiustoothbrush.com
• Thamesandkosmos.com - build a car that runs on the power of the sun. - $150
• Solio- Solar powered recharger for your ipod.

 

Jill doesn't have a tiara
If you feel like showing Jill some love - email her at jill@greenfeet.com

Beer of the Day: Butte Creek Brewery Christmas Cranberry Ale.

Sweeteners: What to avoid and what to try -
Debra Lynn Dadd has a great website with all the information on sweeteners that Val talked about today. Visit Sweetsavvy.com to learn more. While you're there you'll want to check out Debra's other sites as well. She rocks. She has a lot of well researched resources for you to take advantage of. Don't forget to sign up for her newsletters and get great tips delivered directly to your inbox.

Emails:

• Sarah - She and her husband heeded the warnings about lead in Christmas lights. Because they have a little one they put the lights where she couldn't reach them, and washed their hands after putting up the lights. She has also started to use essential oils in her cleaning products, diaper cream, and is taking cloth bags with her to the store. Kudos Sarah and hubby.
• Brandy - Suggests Burt's Bee's lip balm. Val also suggests Alba cocoanut cream lip balm. Brandy also suggests giving pets a ginger snap before rides in the car to help them not get car sick.
• Michael - Wants the girls to be a bit more scientific in their research. Michael - when they give me that research, I will post it. Also he has a great suggestion on how to get Le Creuset on the cheap. Check out your local William Sonoma and check toward the back of the store for some on sale.
• Heather - Tesco uses "degradable" bags - Degradable = will breakdown over time into smaller pieces of plastic, but do not ever go away. Biodegradable = Breaks down over time due to either bacteria or fungus, and eventually goes away completely. Photodegradable = breaks down due to light. And Oxidative - degrates from oxygen.
• Liisa - She bought tea tree oil, and lavender is next on her list. She bought Sierra Club Christmas cards, and put charitable donations and Natural Home and Garden on her Christmas list (where she learned about mormolium - a natural alternative to lenolium.
• Shari - Meloluca? They sell a lot of products based on Tea tree oil. Read labels and ask for a list of ingredients. Use the consumers guide to cosmetic ingredients by Ruth Winter.
• Doug - He liked the Christmas song. He is involved in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, they are on the quest to find 1,000,000 survivers. Just fill out this form, and send it in.

 

Politically Correct Goodnight Moon

More Hip Than Hippie - Holiday Grab Bag
This week we have started decorating and buying presents. We are in the full holiday swing. Val's favorite jeans are missing. We have a contest and a coupod - a stellar week!

Triple Pundit www.triplepundit.com

- EcoHome Improvement Store - A New Business Launches.

Smell the Lemongrass: For Omni hotel chain, lemongrass makes scents -www.usatoday.com

Chocolate: Equal Exchange

The Beer Moylan's Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale

Santa Clause is a jerk: Learn more here (parental discretion advised). www.i-mockery.com

More Gift Ideas

• Lenox - Special ornament for the pediatric aids foundation. www.lenox.com
• Handmade soap - buy local or make your own.
• Pet gifts - hemp collar and leash, new dog bed, commit to walking your dog everyday.
• Is anyone reading this? Email jill@greenfeet.com
• Kitchen Items - Soapstone, Cast Iron, hemp napkins, potholders or oven mitts.
• For the kids - Storycards, Legos (PVC Free), Board Games, and blocks.
• Decadance - Homemade trouffles or chocolate body wrap. Visit the Hershey spa.
• CPR - Consumer Packaging Reduction - help others reduce their footprint with a reusable bag, stainless steel water bottle and stainless steel coffee mug.

 

Emails

• Ramblings and Musings - Lollygagging with Liz
• Allison - Christmas cards that use recycled paper - conservatree.com
• Kevin - Any controlled studies on essential oils. Essential oils safety
• BJ - Sources for bayberry wax.
• Allison - Reviews the safety of SLS, finding it in Tom's of maine and their thoughts on the issue is stated here.
• Sean - organic home brew website - breworganic.com
• Linda - She wants the recipes we promised on our Thanksgiving show. The cranberries recipe is two cups water, two cups sugar and a huge bag of cranberries. Boil the sugar and the water, then add the cranberries, let it come to a slow boil for ten to twelve minutes and you are good to go. (I still don't have the sweet potatoe recipe). Linda also suggests using Stevia as a sweetener.

   

  The More Hip than Hippie Quiz - A chance to win a Johnny Rome CD.

  Don't forget to listen for the coupod, and Val's Last minute tips.

This week Val is right! It's Dagoba not Dagoba. We are eating chocolate and drinking wine while we're bundled up on the patio.

The Chocolate
Dagoba - Again - No we don't own stock. We just like it. This week we are eating the Lime variety.

The Wine
La Rocca Vineyards. The most widely distributed organic wine in the country (according to Val)Chenin Blanc.

Cherry Pie
Val brought a Wholly Wholesome cherry pie to Thanksgiving. It was a big success.

In the news
About.com - the cardboard box is in the national toy hall of fame. We love the creativity of children.

Charitynavigator.org
Dori got a catalog from Seva Foundation (a Charity gift service). Seva got a two star rating out of four. Charigynavigator.org is a great way to check out different charities.

Lip Balm
Dori's son had a desperate need for some chap stick, but it wasn't easy finding one with out a petroleum base. Finally one was found. Chapstick All Natural. Don't worry we read the ingredients, and it looks good.

"Snow" Covered Pine Cones
Val found this one in Ready Made magazine. Use gum arabic (spray over pine cones) and dust with flour. Because all of the ingredients are biodegradable you can toss the ornaments back in the woods when they are done adorning your home.

Tree Skirt
Also from ready made. Find a festive vintage skirt (the fuller, the better), Remove zipper, cut skirt down the back. Pleat and sew the waistband so it is about 14 inches around. Apply velcro to the opening to allow the skirt to be adjusted to fit the tree. Wrap around the tree and anchor with gifts.

Goodnight Moon
Clement Hurd - the illustrator's cigarette has been air brushed out of newer versions of the book. Let us know your opinion at hip@greenfeet.com

Green Giving - 14 Exceptional Gift Ideas

1. Organic Fair Trade Coffee and Teas - pair it with a recycled glass mug or an electricity free french coffee press.
2. Gift Subscription to the Green Guide - A wonderful source for green home tips, product reviews and environmental health updates. www.greenguide.com
3. Adopt a Tiger. - The Barry Kirshner Wildlife Foundation has a program where you or a friend can be a foster parent to an exotic cat, a coyote or a ring tailed lemur. www.kirshner.org
4. Plant a tree for someone you love. www.sustainableharvest.org - for $40 they plant 100 trees or $150 will plant and help produce an organic garden.
   Or visit the Jewish National Fund at jnf.org. for as little as $10 you can plant trees and green the land of Israel.
5. Purchase the gift of hope at Heifer International . They help families to get training and resources to be self reliant in countries around the world. For $60 you can purchase a flock of chicks, goslings or ducklings for a family. The eggs provide protein, the droppings fertilizer, and they can sell eggs and get other provisions for their household. Check them out at heifer.
6. Make someone's holiday bright with candles. Make sure they are vegetable or beeswax. Also check that the wicks are cotton or paper.
7. Fill your child's stocking with non-toxic toys. Plastic out gasses. Check out these websites for healthy, quality made alternatives: northstartoys.com, ecobaby.com or childsake.com
8. Give a valued possesion. A gift from your heart is a gift that gives forever.
9. Write a letter to your child and place it under the tree. Express why you are proud to have them in your life, why they should be proud of themselves, and even a story that will make them laugh. Date it and sign it. A gift never to be forgotten.
10. Start a family recipe book. Give the book to a few other people, and they can each share a recipe in the following years.
11. Give the gift of cuttings. Find a unique container and share your green thumb with family and friends. Pair it with a gift certificate for gardening lessons if they have a not-so-green thumb.
12. Give the gift of music. Create a complication for that special someone.
13. Interview or video tape the older family members. Find out the family history, about their childhood, and give to your siblings or children.
14. Give the gift of knowledge. A subscription to a great magazine we suggest: Readymade, Plenty, Worthwhile, Real Simple, Utne, or Natural Home and Garden. We feel these offer more than just advertisements.

 

Essential oils How-to
Debunking the myth that essential oils are new-aged. We feel they are economical and practical. If you try them. Please let us know!
Inhalation: You can smell them right from the bottle. Lavender and Vetivir are great for calming a panic attack or even a little extra tension. Hold the oil about six inches away and move it back and forth. Or put a little on a hankie and keep it handy.
Use a diffuser: Use a diffuser to create atmosphere or purify the air.
Use them in massage: Mix about three drops into your favorite massage oil (We suggest jojoba or sesame - a couple of tablespoons). No need for a professional. The hands of your nearest and dearest will work just fine.
Bath: Mix with whole milk to help it disperse in the tub.
A Compress: Put hot water (not boiling) in a bowl. Place ten drops of your favorite essential oil, then soak wash cloth and apply to the affected area.
Neat or directly to the skin. For beginners we suggest lavender and tea tree oil.

Listener Emails
Patricia: She hates wrapping paper - order the bolts of newspaper that are left over at the printers (called end rolls). Just call your local paper to find out what's available in your area. There may be a fee.
Chris: Red White and Blue Podcast (shout out!) - Thanks for the info on Citgo.
Amanda: Top ten ways she has changed her life since listening to More Hip Than Hippie!

• Bought a very expensive piece of Le Creuset cook ware (ouch) and love it (yeah!)
• I am kicking myself for just throwing out an old bottle of lavender, because I figured it went bad.
• I now have three reusable shopping bags that are quite the envy of my fellow shoppers.
• I have looked at hemp clothing online (Still pondering).
• I am going to redo my bathroom next year and I have started researching earth-friendly tile and a low flow toilet.
• I look forward to my walk to work on Monday mornings when I listen to your podcast along side people who think I am clinically insane as I laugh out loud periodically.
• I have always recycled, but now I am a recycling zealot.
• I picked up a packet of organic extra firm tofu in the market. Then I put it back down. It still scares me. Small Steps, you know.
• I smelled vetiver.
• I wrote this email. The first piece of fan mail I have written since I wrote a letter to Simon LeBon of Duran Duran.

And she works at an internet company called organic.com.

 

The Christmas Song! Have a happy holiday!

It is a beautiful day here on the patio, but we're feeling a bit old this week. Val threw out her hip, and Dori thinks she may need glasses! Don't worry, we won't let that stop us from enjoying the holiday season. We have great tips for keeping your pets safe and we talk a bit about choosing the right Christmas tree. Also, our essential oil of the week is Tea tree.

We have a taste of Tofurkey
Val prepared a tofurkey for us to try. It was quite an adventure. Tofurkey technology has come a long way.

Dori's Finds

• Cheaper Vegi-diesel may change the way we drive. Find out more at Nationalgeographic.com
• Dori found a website that tells where to find alternative refueling stations - Cleancarmaps.com
• An eco-friendly heated bra!!! - Check it out - Click here.

 

Val's Finds

• An eco-friendly wood floor adhesive. Click here for more info.
• Students Design Dinnerware for the Sierra Club - Available in 2006 - productdesign.parsons.edu
• Fast, Easy Holiday Cards - Get them out the door with style and good cheer, no matter how much time â?? or energy â?? you have - From Real Simple
• Make your own stamps (with your own photos). - photostamps.com

 

Beer of the Week
Frambrozen Raspberry Brown Ale- from New Belgium (makers of Fat Tire Ale).

Dori's Keeping the Tree - Fake or Real?
We have actually identified 5 options for your Christmas tree.

1. Tree lot or farmed tree. These trees are specifically raised to be Christmas trees. Surprise - Val likes this option! If you are going for a real tree, using trees that will be replaced and don't hurt the eco-system. You may want to ask if they use pesticides or herbicides. Try to buy local.
2. Get a permit and cut your own. Not our favorite option.
3. Buy a fake tree. - Not recommended. Most of todays trees are made with PVC - which out gas toxins into your home. Also some warn about lead dust that can fall from your tree. Ick! Please read the labels and warnings on your trees.
4. Buy a living tree that can be planted after the holidays. If you do this, you will want to talk to a local nursery and find a living tree that is native to your area.
5. Explore an alternative to the tree.
   • Create a tree out of lights on your wall.
   • Use bows and wreaths to create an alternative holiday display.
   • Create a beautiful gift table.

 

Lights

• Try LED Lights this year. They are more efficient.
• Some cord around the holiday lights contain lead and pvc. Don' let your children handle Christmas lights. Read the article from checnet.org for more information.

 

Pet Safety this holiday season

• Avoid using tinsel.
• Glass ornaments near top of tree or avoid all together.
• Keep pets away from water at the base of tree that may contain pesticides and fertilizers.
• Keep electrical cords away from the pets. Run them under a carpet or through a copper pipe.
• Make sure batteries are kept out of reach of the animals.
• Watch out for chocolate which is very toxic for dogs.
• Know about the plants you have in your home, and remove any toxic plants from within your animals reach.

 

Listener Emails
Have something on your mind you'd like to share with Dori or Val, or their listeners, please email your comments and suggestions to hip@greenfeet.com

Heather - Heather asked a lot of questions about essential oils and getting rid of bugs. For getting rid of mosquitos you can use citronella essential oil or sandalwood. Outside you can use incense coils. Also listen to our June 16th episode of More Hip Than Hippie to learn more mosquito repelling ideas. Heather also asked about fire ants, we know that peppermint essential oil helps to get rid of ants in general. We are not sure about fire ants specifically. Or you can interupt their path by cleaning the area with Dr. Bronner's castile soap.
Constance - Gingerbread essential oil - make sure it is not a fragrance oil.
Martin - Silicone Bakeware - Doesn't get firm when hot. We have not found any reason to think it is not fine to use.
Eileen - Wants information on cleaning with non-toxic products. Mentions Endangered Species organic chocolate (can of worms officially opened). More on all of this on a later podcast.
Lori - Wanted a recommendation for healthy snacks for kids. And as luck would have it, Dori and her kids just tried a product called "Organic Go-Go Grahams" from Barbara's Bakery. Val suggests cheese service, organic corn chips with fresh salsa, fruit and yogurt, or carrots.
Heidi and her kids - Great idea for using old crayons to make new multi-colored crayons. Listen to the podcast to learn how to make them.
Kelly - Happy Birthday Val and Kelly - November 24th.

The Chocolate of the Week
Terra Nostra Organic Chocolate Bars - you can find them at veganessentials.com. Yummy.

Common Name: Tea Tree

 

Scientific Name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Description of odor: Fresh, clean, slightly camphorous

Method of extraction: Steam distillation

Where it grows: Tea Tree is native to Australia, where it grows primarily in New South Wales.

Introduction:
Tea Tree is an effective remedy for many ailments, and has been used for centuries by the aboriginal peoples of Australia. Extensive research conducted by scientists during the past ten years has resulted in very positive findings. According to Julia Lawless, author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Tea Tree has been shown to be effective in fighting against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is also a very powerful immuno-stimulant: when the body is exposed to an infectious organism, Tea Tree helps increase the body's ability to respond. Tea Tree is considered non-toxic, and very rarely is an irritant, making it suitable for nearly everyone.

Tea Tree essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils, and is a must-have for any home medicine cabinet. If you are new to aromatherapy, Tea Tree is an excellent introduction to essential oils. (Another excellent beginner�s oil is Lavender. Click here for more information about Lavender essential oil.)

How to use Tea Tree:

• First Aid. Place one drop of Tea Tree directly onto minor cuts or scrapes before applying a bandage. Tea Treeâ��s anti-infectious properties help to heal the wounds and prevent infection.
• Ringworm. For a small area, simply put one drop directly onto the affected skin. For larger areas, mix 3 drops of Tea Tree with 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil (such as Sesame or Jojoba) and apply it directly onto the affected area. Repeat 2-3 times a day until the infection is gone.
• Acne. Apply sparingly to the affected area twice a day until the acne is gone.
• Disinfectant. Take an 8 oz. spray bottle, fill with water and add 25 drops of Tea Tree oil. Shake well, and spray directly onto faucets, doorknobs, bed linens, or into the air as a disinfectant. This is also an excellent spray to use in a sick room.
• Athleteâ��s foot. Apply Tea Tree oil directly to the affected area twice a day. Remember â�� one drop goes a long way. If the athleteâ��s foot infection is found between all of the toes, use the same dosage as above for large ringworm infections, and apply directly to the affected areas.
• Gargle. To combat sore throat, or for an effective mouthwash, put two drops of Tea Tree essential oil into a glass of water, then swish and gargle. It doesn't taste very good â�� but it's very effective!
• Respiratory aid. For mild coughs or chest congestion, combine 1 drop of Tea Tree oil with 1 drop of Lavender oil, and mix the combination into 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub the mixture onto the chest and back. Repeat every 3-4 hours as needed.
• Itchy scalp. To soothe itchy, flaky scalp, add 15 drops of Tea Tree to your favorite 8 oz. bottle of shampoo. Wash and rinse as usual.
• Sore muscles. Tea Tree helps to flush the body of uric acid build-up. Just add 2 drops of Tea Tree and 1 drop of Lavender to 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil, and rub the mixture onto any sore areas.
• Nail fungus. Add 5 drops of Tea Tree essential oil to a basin of warm water, and soak nails (hands or feet) for 10 minutes. If the problem is acute, try rubbing 1 drop directly into the nail bed.

 

Safety:
Tea Tree essential oil is safe for nearly everyone. We do not recommend that you use Tea Tree oil on babies, and use it only when extremely diluted for children under the age of 5. It is one the few essential oils that is safe to apply neat � or straight onto the skin -- without the use of a carrier oil for individuals over the age of 5.

As with many essential oils, Tea Tree is safe to use as long as it is not abused. Use common sense when using essential oils. When following a recipe that calls for Tea Tree oil, use the exact amount called for by the recipe � do not exceed the recommended amount. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately; if symptoms persist, consult your physician.

Additional Resources:

There are dozens of other Tea Tree oil recipes that help fight a myriad of maladies. Two books you can reference for additional recipes and information are The Aromatherapy Book (by Jeanne Rose) and Aromatherapy an A-Z (by Patricia Davis).

You can purchase Tea Tree essential oil at greenfeet.com.

It's a beautiful day on the patio, Dori's remodel continues, and we are visited by the lovely Leah, our resident vegetarian.

Appliance Shopping
Dori's been on the lookout for energy efficient appliances; this week she picked out a Maytag Gemini (We love this as she has gemini twins!).
Also if you want to make an offer on Val's antique range, email her at hip@greenfeet.com.

Great Finds

• Treehugger.com - Popular Sciences Best of What's New- Tibersil (Dori wants this for her deck).
• Treehugger.com - Green Mountain Coffee Roasters' Organic, Fair Trade Frappuccino™ Alternative-Double-Bean Elixirs™, carbonated coffee sodas, will be available in original, vanilla, hazelnut, mocha, and almond.
• Buildinggreen.com- Introduces dual flush toilets - one for each kind.

 

Hurray for Lego Val can rest a little easier since she recently found out that Legos are PVC free. Click here to read more.

Tips from Plenty Magazine
Ok, these tips are from Val, but she saw them in Plenty Magazine (one of her favorites). Here are 3 of their six "Nature's Tricks".

• Beer as a Conditioner Ok, it's true we love beer! Let us know if you try this tip and how it worked for you.
• Nightingale Droppings The nightingale droppings are supposed to reduce the appearance of pores and give you a fresh look. Please let us know if you try this one! We're a bit scared of it actually. If you want to try it, and wondered where you might get some nightingale scat, well search no more - just click here.
• Lemon Juice as deodorant - A great natural way to freshen your underarms. (Women - we suggest you don't do this immediately after shaving).

 

Beer of the Week This week we tasted (ok drank) Golden Monkey Tripel from Victory Brewing Company.

Essential oil of the Week: Lavender - Click here for a detailed posting on lavender essential oil.

Leah's Alternatives to Turkey

• Tofurkey
• Roasted Squash stuffed with cornbread stuffing
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Pumpkin Pie (We tried Truly Natural Pumpkin Pie: this is an extremely yummy pie with no synthetic preservatives, artificial colors, flavors and additives. What else is it missing? Conventionally refined sugars or synthetic sweeteners. It's downright tasty.
  Learn about their product at www.whollywholesome.com)
• Vegetarian Gravy - Leah's Nutritional Yeast Gravy (adapted from The Farm Cookbook)
  1/3 cup nutritional yeast (available in the bulk section of your natural foods market)
  1/3 cup organic flour
  1/4 cup canola oil
  Water
  Tamari, fresh ground pepper and Tabasco to taste.

  Lightly brown the flour in a heated pan. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add water to right consistency (your preference). Season with tamari, fresh ground pepper and Tabasco to taste. Enjoy!
  

 

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Common name: Lavender

Scientific name: There are roughly 30 different species within the botanical family Labiatae. Several varieties are used medicinally, but the most common is "true" lavender, or Lavendula angustifolia.

Description of odor: Sweet, fresh, herbaceous, slightly floral

Method of extraction: Steam distillation

Where it grows: "True" lavender grows wildly in France, Italy, and parts of Spain. It also thrives in certain climates in the U.S., specifically those with rocky soil and cool weather (although many other varieties tolerate heat very well).

Who should use lavender: Lavender essential oil is suitable for everyone, ranging from children (ages 2 and up) to seniors.

Safety: As with many essential oils, lavender is very safe to use as long as it is not overused or abused. If used in high concentrations, lavender can be stimulating. Follow aromatherapy recipes exactly, and do not exceed recommended dosages. If any allergic reactions occur, discontinue use immediately; if symptoms persist, consult your physician.

 

Lavender is an herb that has been used for many generations, by people in many cultures. It is valued for its beauty and fragrance, as well as for its many medicinal uses. Consequently, lavender is the one essential oil that should be a staple in every home's medicine cabinet. It is also the best oil with which to become acquainted with the practice of aromatherapy.

French perfumer Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (1881-1950) is credited with the modern-day interest in the medicinal value of lavender essential oil. After suffering severe burns on his hand while working in his laboratory one day, he desperately sought something to cool the wounds. By chance, he applied pure essential oil of lavender directly to the burns. He discovered not only that his wounds cooled off, but moreover that his hand healed quickly, and without scarring.

Gattefosse published a paper about his discovery in 1932, and later wrote two books regarding the use of essential oils in medicine (Aromatherapie and Antiseptiques Essentiales) that had a tremendous impact on the scientific world. It is, in fact, Gattefosse to whom the term 'Aromatherapy' is credited.

10 Ways to Use Lavender
Lavender is one of two essential oils that are considered safe when applied directly, or neat, to the skin (tea tree is the other).

Essential oils typically come in 1/3 or ½ ounce bottles with built in dropper tops. To get a perfect drop, simply tip the bottle over and gently tap the bottom of the bottle.

1. First Aid
   For minor cuts and scrapes, apply one drop of pure lavender essential oil directly to the wound (after the wound has been cleaned), then dress with an appropriate bandage. For deep cuts or wounds, consult your doctor or a licensed clinical aromatherapist before applying essential oil. Lavender helps to regenerate tissue and can cause healing from the outside in if used too quickly - again, make sure to consult your physician or a licensed clinical aromatherapist for advice.
2. Burns
   For mild burns, place a few drops of lavender essential oil onto the dressing that will be placed over the wound. Also be sure to use any appropriate salve as directed by your physician.
3. Insomnia
   To help reduce problems with insomnia, simply apply one drop of lavender essential oil to the edge of a pillowcase. Take deep breaths, and relax from your toes all the way to your head, focusing on all the major body parts along the way. Eventually, your body will become "trained" to the effects of the essential oil - usually within a week or two -- and you will notice a significantly faster reaction with continued use.
4. Stress
   Place 20 drops of lavender in a warm bath and relax. 5-10 drops may also be used in a vaporizer for inhalation. If a bathtub or vaporizer isn't available, simply apply 3 drops to a cotton ball and inhale as needed. If you face a stressful daily commute, car diffusers work wonders: place 5 drops of lavender essential oil onto the pad and plug the unit into your cigarette lighter.
5. Sunburn
   Lavender's analgesic properties help to reduce sunburn pain, and lavender is also useful in the sunburn healing process. For large, lightly burned areas, use about 15 drops of lavender essential oil to 1 tbsp of distilled water and dab gently over the entire affected area. For smaller, more severe sunburns, apply lavender essential oil neat (directly) to the area - but make sure that you only use a drop or two, since essential oil is extremely potent.
6. Household disinfectant
   Lavender has superb antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, making it a great household disinfectant. For cleaning sinks, tubs, or toilets, sprinkle baking soda and 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil onto a sponge and scrub away. After you're finished scrubbing, rinse the area well. For washing floors, countertops, etc., simply add 60 drops of essential oil to a bucket of warm water, and wipe or mop as needed.
7. Bruises
   Lavender helps to reduce inflammation, regenerate skin tissue, and promote healing of bruises. To ease inflammation, place 5 drops of lavender essential oil into a bowl of cold water, wet a washcloth in the lavender solution, and apply as a compress to the affected area. After using the initial compress, apply a drop or two directly upon the bruised area once a day until the area has healed.
8. Colic or tummy aches in infants
   Place 1-3 drops of lavender essential oil into 1 tsp of carrier oil (such as jojoba or sesame). Rub the oil mixture gently onto your baby's tummy and lower back in a clockwise direction. Repeat this procedure every few hours until the symptoms subside.
9. Fatigue
   After a long day, place 10 drops of lavender essential oil into a hot footbath and soak for 30 minutes. Lavender has a well-earned reputation as a restorative - you'll be surprised how much better you'll feel!
10. Insect bites/bee stings
    Place one drop of lavender essential oil directly onto insect bites or bee stings. Lavender's anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling, its analgesic properties reduce pain and itch, and its healing properties encourage tissue repair. Frequently, you'll hardly notice the bite at all if you apply the oil immediately after being bit or stung.

There are endless uses for this wonderful, healing oil. For more information and additional recipes, check out The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless, or The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.

Lavender Recipes
Anxiety:
Anxiety creates tension in the body and can trigger other stress-related symptoms. Ease your anxiety by using these calming and uplifting oils.

to calm the nerves: lavender 10 drops, geranium 5 drops, sandalwood 10 drops. Blend into 2 oz of base/carrier oil such as jojoba. Massage into chest, back, and neck.

for anxiety and fear: lavender 6 drops, frankincense 8 drops, sandalwood 6 drops. Blend into 2 oz of base/carrier oil such as jojoba. Massage into chest, back, and neck.

Insomnia:
To help battle insomnia try 6 drops of lavender and 4 drops of cedarwood in a vaporizer. Or place a bowl of dried rosebuds in your room and sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil to help promote sleep. Remember, if you are having trouble sleeping, create a haven in your room with relaxing colors, fabrics and no TV to promote a relaxing environment.

For more essential oil recipes click here.

This week we have some great holiday tips, extra yummy food, and Val gives us the low down on aromatherapy and essential oils.

Dori's Remodel
The remodel is going well. The bones of the house are in place, and it is looking good. Dori just bought herself (and her 4 kids) a new washer and dryer from LG (Life's Good).

The Beer
This week we are trying Prohibition Ale from Speak Easy Lagers. You can find out more information about them at goodbeer.com.

The Chocolate
We are sampling one of Val's favorite chocolates, Chocolove Raspberries in Dark Chocolate Bar. We highly recommend you try this one.

The Popcorn?
Dori brought us a new product (at least new to us) to try. It is Orville Redenbacher's Organic Popping Corn. It is so new we couldn't find it on the web (perhaps Chico is a test market). Tell your local supermarket you want to try it. We did find a bit more information on it, so hopefully you will find that useful. Click here to learn more.

Holiday Tips
Getting your Silverware Clean - Easy to make cleaning recipes - We got these from Natural Home and Garden Magazine
Silverware Cleaner
Items Needed:

• Large glass baking pan
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• Recycled Aluminum Foil
• Boiling Water

Boil the water. Line the Pan with the recycled aluminum foil (regular foil will work, too). Put the silverware in the pan, making sure it's touching the foil. Cover the silverware with the baking soda. Immerse the silverware with the boiling water. Dry with a soft cloth. This should get rid of 80-100% of the tarnish.

Silverware Polish
Items Needed:

• 1 Cup Baking Soda
• 1/4 Cup Water

Place Baking soda in a non-reactive container, add water and mix well. Lightly dampen a cotton cloth and work a generous amount of paste into the surface, rub tarnished area, rinse and dry.

Wrapping Presents - We got this one from Natural Home and Garden too.

• Crush old wrapping paper, then open it back up. Do this a few times until the wrapping paper is soft. The texture is beautiful on the packages.
• Wrap your present in old sheet music from garage sales or antique stores.
• Use brown paper and stamps to decorate your package.
• For large items consider a pillow case with ribbon.
• Recycled wallpaper (We recommend not using vinyl wallpaper).
• For Baubles, beads and tags use game pieces, antique keys, seashells, beads, soda bottle tops, string raphia, or recycled yarn.

Send your holiday tips to hip@greenfeet.com.

Essential Oil Basics
Defining the Term Essential Oil Essential oils are concentrated aromatic liquids extracted from a variety of aromatic plant material through the process of steam distillation, cold-press or CO2 methods. Essential oils are organic substances that the plant produces to protect itself from disease and pests and in some cases, to attract pollinators such as bees.

An example of a plant producing a number of essential oils would be the bitter orange tree. The leaves produce Pettigrain essential oil, the blooms produce Neroli essential oil (one of Val all-time faves) and the skin of the fruit produces bitter orange essential oil.

What are Essential Oils good for? Everything. We'll be getting into more specific details in future shows, but in general essential oils are used for everything from cooking to stress reduction, treating colds and flu to treating depression. They're truly amazing.

How do you smell an Essential Oil? Remember that essential oils are concentrated forms of the plants volatile compounds - in other words, they're potent. Simply hold the bottle 4-5 inches away from your nose and move the bottle back and forth gently inhaling the contents. Essential oils can also be used on the skin - we'll cover that in future shows.

To find out more about essential oils visit the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy at www.naha.org

Listener Emails
As always thank you so much for all of your emails. We love hearing from you and appreciate your feedback, even if you don't agree with us... like Michael.
No to CFLs? Michael emailed us and told us his opinion on why we should not be using CFLs. We appreciate his point of view, but we are sticking by our reasoning.
Reusable Bags: Mike (a different Mike) told us he likes to use his man purse (backpack) as a replacement for paper or plastic. Dori also told us about another option made from recycled Sails. Check them out at seabags.com.
Coffee Beer: JanesDaddy told us about this one. We don't know what to think about this, but anything to do with beer is worth investigating further.

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This week we're wearing tiaras from Bob, drinking an interesting beer, talking about the conundrum over paper vs. plastic, and giving you some easy energy saving tips.

The Tiaras
We finally have tiaras! Thanks to Bob from Orange County, CA for sending them! We decided we might wear them at the Portable Media Expo, so now you will know us when you see us. We will be the ladies at the bar wearing tiaras!

The Beer
OK! This is quite a beer. Great Sex Brewing - Adam & Eve Ale. They do have a website!

Gnomes?
Dori tells us all about the great gnome caper going on in Yorktown. Read the article yourself - Click Here. If you think that gnomes get a bad rap, visit freethegnomes.com, where you have a good chance of finding a sympathetic ear.

Halloween - Bad for Plumbers?
Plumbers apparently are called on quite a bit during the holiday season. The pulp from our great jack-o-lantern creations can clog the drain. Throw your pulp out. Don't put it down the drain.

Walmart - A step in the right direction?
While we are always skeptical of the jolly-not-so-green-giant that is Walmart, we do want to give credit where credit is due. Walmart seems to be making the switch from petroleum based plastic bags to a more environmentally friendly corn based bag. It will be interesting to see if this is a true change of colors, or if it is a bit of greenwashing. The full article can be found here.

Paper vs. Plastic There is a reason there is a debate over paper vs. plastic, and that is because there is no clear winner. On the show today we talk about what it takes to make both bags, and what happens to them after they have been used by consumers. We also offer other alternatives that last longer, and use less resources from beginning to end. Some of those alternatives are listed for you here:

• String Bags
• Collapsible crates
• Hemp Shopping Bags
• Recycled Billboard Bags
• Compact Nylon Shopping Bags
• Don't take a bag for small purchases

If you have more ideas, email them to us at hip@greenfeet.com.

 

Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bill

1. Switch to washing clothes in cold water with low phosphate detergents
2. Do full loads of dishes and laundry, and do them at night when cost is lower
3. Clean dryer link filter every time you use it.
4. Install a low flow showerhead
5. Install a Soak/Soap valve or a shower timer to help you use less water
6. Install aerators on your faucets to use less water
7. Insulate your water heater and hot water pipes
8. Turn off items you aren't using (computers, lights, radios etc). Use a Kill A Watt to see how much energy each item is using.
9. Change the 4 most used lights in your house to Compact Fluorescent Lights
10. Change or clean air or heater filters monthly (buy the filters in bulk).

 

Listener Email
Vetiver - for combatting panic attacks. We know greenfeet.com carries it, but couldn't find it on their website. Feel free to call them at 1-888-5-Nature. Tell them we sent you!
Hemp Clothing - Places to find heavy duty hemp clothing

• Rawganique.com
• Hempy's
• Hemptown
• Ecolution

Shout Outs

• Sarasota Livin'
• Robbhendershot.com
• No Credit Needed

  
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Stick a Fork in It! This week the remodel on Dori's house begins, Val attends a "Green Wedding", and we are "joined" on the patio by David Zutler from Biota Spring Water. We finish up our green building topic by focusing on indoor air pollution and cutting your energy costs through your green building choices.

Places to Purge Your Belongings

• Freecycle.org
• Throwplace.com

 

In the News

• The Most Fuel Efficient Cars of 2006
• NicoShot - Beer with Nicotine

 

The Interview - David Zutler - Biota Spring Water
David "joins" us on the patio via the phone, and fills us in on why Biota (Blame it on the Altitude) Colorado Spring Water is different from the other bottled waters on the market. Here's a hint: It has a lot to do with the compostable, biodegradable PLA plastic bottle. Visit their website, biotaspringwater.com to see the demonstration of how this bottle decomposes in 80 days under the right conditions.

The Beer of the Week
As promised, in honor of Halloween, we are trying a Pumpkin Ale from Buffalo Bills Brewery in Hayward, CA.

Green Building - Part 4
Indoor Air Pollution - Watch out for indoor air pollutants

• Carpeting and Wood laminates
• Joint Compounds
• Paint
• Cleaners
• Air Fresheners
• Mildews and Molds
• Wallpaper (Vinyl)
• Blinds and Window Coverings
• Press Board or Particle Board
• Plastics
• Salt Treated Lumber
• Bedding and Mattresses
• Radon
• Damaged Chimney Flues
• Malfunctioning Appliances

How Can You Tell if You Have a Problem?

• Unusual odors in your home.
• Stuffy
• Poor Venelation
• Lack of Air Movement
• Faulty Equipment
• Headaches or Nausea that dissipate when you leave, and return when you come home.
• Excessive Humidity
• Visible Mold

Improve Your Air Quality

• Open Your Windows
• House Plants
• Natural Cleaners
• Get a Bagless Vacuum with Hepa Filter
• Choose Healthy Natural Candles
• Choose Flooring other than Carpet (Check out Debra Lynn Dadd's Book Home Safe Home for more information).
• Choose Less Toxic Paint (Safecoat, Benjamin Moore, Bioshield)
• Avoid Pest Control Treatments

 

Ways To Cut Your Energy Bill

• Reduce the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees.
• Install an insulating blanket around your water heater
• Use Energy Saving Settings on appliances
• Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Replace filters in heaters and air conditioners
• Caulk windows or use film covers for insulation
• Seal up air leaks
• Install Clock Thermostat
• Water Saving Showerheads
• Use the Kill A Watt to check your appliances.

   

Chocolate of the Day: Dagobachocolate.com

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This week we are out on the patio and Val thinks it's a little chilly. She even wore a sweater. Besides tasting beer and organic chocolate chip cookies, we also taste water that's packaged in a bottle manufactured from a 100% renewable resource, corn. We share green choices for Halloween treats, and talk about some extremely interesting dog items. We get down to business with xeriscaping, choosing quality materials, and incorporating salvaged or reclaimed materials for green building. We finish up with some of your great listener emails.

Biota Spring Water: This water is great, doesn't taste like plastic. That's because of its great bottle.

Beer of the Day: Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale - Find this great Ail at Eurobrews

Chocolate of the Day: Ok actually a cookie with chocolate in it... Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Back to Nature.

For the Dogs: The Wow Car from Honda - built especially with your dog in mind and artificial testicles for dogs, really.

Green Halloween: Green Halloween Treats that kids will really enjoy.

Programmable Thermostats: A great easy way to reduce your costs during the winter. With a programmable thermostat installed, you will decrease the amount of energy used to heat your home, by keeping your home cooler during the hours no one is home.

Lighting: A great way to save money on your Electricity bill is to use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs as an alternative to traditional light bulbs. Very Hip.

Cool Music: Our very cool music today was by Johnny Rome. We played part of two of his songs - Sail and Green Girl. You can get information about his music and his podcast at JohnnyRome.com.

Xeriscaping Links
Establishing a Waste Efficient Landscape:
What is Xeriscaping?
Garden Flowers:

Links for Incorporating Reclaimed Materials:
Green Floors
Northwest Green Directory

The Dyson!

The National Green Pages from Coop America.

Listener Email Links:
An Easy to make Worm Bin.

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More Hip Than Hippie - Green Building (Part 2) (AKA Hair of the Dog Episode)
In this episode we celebrate Dori's Birthday, taste some more beer, and read some more great listener emails. We also take a closer look at our first green building core value - passive systems. We are joined on the patio by Val's cousin-in-law Jill (blame her for the rap idea!).

Beer of the Day: Raging Rapids Ale from the Feather River Brewing Co. This one got the first ever 6 hips! It's got to be a winner!

Dori's Halloween Fun Finds: Halloween tips from Frugalfun.com. Cavity free trick-or-treat ideas.
And a great Pumkin Seed Roasting recipe from Earthyfamily.com.

Val's Podcast find: The Free Lunch Show with Nate and Di. Make sure to go and take a listen. If you stop by their website make sure to tell them you heard about it on More Hip than Hippie.

Green Building Referce Books:
Green Building Guidelines: Meeting the Demand for Low-Energy, Resource-Efficient Homes
Solar Living Sourcebook: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies & Sustainable Living
Green Building Products: The GreenSpec® Guide to Residential Building Materials
The New Independent Home: People and Houses That Harvest the Sun

Solar Tubes:
For more information about Solar Tubes as passive lighting visit green-rated.org.

Sustainable Building Materials:
Here's a great resource for types of sustainable building materials. This is a link to the insulation chapter.

Green Building Info: If you want find out about green building, here you go... Rocky Mountain Institute

Listener Links:
New Belgium Brewing Co.
Juiceguys.com
Obviously.com

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Break out the hammer – it’s Green Building time! This week we cover the six basic core values of green building (see below). We have a great interview with a local green contractor and answer lots of listener email. This is the first of a few shows on green building so sit back and enjoy the show!

The wonderful stain remover that Val mentioned that takes out all things puppy is Bac-out. Call Greenfeet at 1-888-562-8873 to order (the dorks don’t have it up on the web yet).

Lagunitas Brewing Co.: We sampled the Maximus IPA. Really good stuff!

Pamela's Products: Grab some of their awesome Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies made with organic rolled oats and chocolate chunks. The ROCK!!!

USGBC.com: The website for the United States Green Building Council. This is a great resource to learn about the qualifications for green building certification.

Global Green.org: Global Green U.S.A. Great Information

EPA.gov The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Habitat For Humanity: Type in your zip code to find a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store near you.

Here are the 6 core areas of building green:

1. Incorporate passive systems.
2. Xeriscape. Landscape with native plants & using water efficiently.
3. Durability. Build quality, durable structures that will last.
4. Sourcing materials: Incorporate salvaged, recycled, & sustainably harvested materials to minimize construction waste
5. Maintaining healthy indoor and outdoor air quality with appropriate building techniques & materials
6. Buy Energy Efficiency. Choose energy-efficient & water-saving appliances & fixtures.

Green Wedding Planning:

• OrganicWeddings.com:A comprehensive resource for planning your green wedding.
• GreenKarat.com: Ecologically responsible jewelry. They also have great info on recycling gold and conflict diamonds.
• VegTravel.com: Vegetarian and envirnomentally friendly travel.

Shout-out!: Check out Bruno and The Professor.com.

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This week we discuss sustainable farming. You'll find tips on buying sustainable foods and we have a great interview with Brice Lundberg of Lundberg Rice Farms. We cover tons of listener emails (you all rock) and it's overall a jolly good time. Come join us!

This week, we're tasting Bear Republic Special XP Pale Ale.

Ideas? Feedback? Email us!

Links:

FarmAid.org: 20 years of Farm Aid.

Lundberg Family Farms: Check out Lundberg Family Farms and their fine products.

Banana Slug String Band: Dirt Made My Lunch

Supersize Me: Everything you need to know about fast food.

Re-usable bags:

• Re-usableBags.com: BYOB - Bring your own bag™
• EcoBags.com: Choose to create change.
• Greenfeet.com: Eco-friendly Products for Everyday Living

 

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Recycling is this week's topic of conversation. We cover the basics and discuss the importance of shifting our attitude towards reducing our consumerism as well as how buying recycled closes the loop and actually increases the demand for recyclables. Val's recovering from a nasty bug and Dori's got another crime caper. Enjoy the show!

Ideas? Feedback? Email us!

Links:

Earth911.org: Probably the best place to start. They have tons of information about recycling and a fairly comprehensive directory of recycling locations. The resources listed are for the U.S. and Canada.

Grass Roots Recycling Network: A great source for general information on recycling and recycling activism.

RecycleForLondon.com: Here's a UK recycling resource. If you know of a good resource in your location, shoot us an email.

Re-use! The following links provide exchange services where you can get rid of what you don't need and find something that your looking for - all for free.

• FreeCycle.org
• ThrowPlace.com
• ABC Free.com

 

Shout Outs:

• FairHemp.com: Check out listener Alex's company's web site.
• The Run-Off Groove: Listener John Book writes a weekly music column for Music For America. Check it out.

 

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We've got a show that is jammed pack! It's all about healthy cookware - what's safe to cook on and what to avoid. There's also the issue of lead in lunch boxes, helping animal victims of hurricane Katrina, Dori's rip on Yogurt Cheerios and Val's lame joke. We also tackle some great listener emails - keep 'em comin'!

Ideas? Feedback? Email us!

Katrina Relief for Animals: (Courtesy of listen Sara)

• Vegan.org:
• Network For Good.org: for a list of animal organizations.

 

Lead Found in Lunch Boxes: Center for Environmental Health issues a back to school warning.

Nature's Path Organic Oatmeal: Dori & kids recommended.

Organic Flowers:

• FlowersForChange.com
• OrganicBouquet.com

 

MaryJane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook : For the Farmgirl in All of Us by Maryjane Butters

Recycling Web Sites:

• Earth911.org: Find resources in your area where you can recycle things.
• New American Dream: More fun, less stuff, great resources.

 

How Walmart Is Destroying America And The World: And What You Can Do About It by Bill Quinn

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This week we're more hemp than hippie! We'll explore the history, facts and dispel fiction of industrial hemp. We're sampling (again) some hemp foods and, of course, hemp ale. Dori's reports on her trip to see John Mellencamp and Val has trouble pronouncing the word 'bauble'. Check out the resources below to learn more about industrial hemp and it's more than 25,000 uses (and none of them include smoking).

Ideas? Feedback? Email us!

Links:

VoteHemp.com: A great site full of hemp facts and legislation. See what's going on in your state.

Hemp Industries Association: ...a non-profit trade group representing hemp companies, researchers and supporters. Lot's of info.

The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant

Lifestream Hemp Plus Toaster Waffles: ...from Nature's Path.

Hemp Seed Nut Butter: ...from Manitoba Harvest.

Organic Hempseed Original Bar: ...from Nutiva.

Shout outs:

• LearnOutLoud.com: Thanks for the feature!
• PodFinder: Guest host Dave Fox featured us in episode V of Adam Curry's PodFinder podcast on iTunes. Thanks!

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This week we're giving tofu a chance. You'll meet Leah, a lifetime vegetarian who promises us that tofu can taste really good. We're skeptical but open minded. We'll talk a bit about easy ways to introduce vegetarian meals into your diet and what you should be concerned with - everything from taste and texture to ease of preparation. Enjoy - we think you'll like what you hear.

Bison Brewing: This week, we try Bison Organic Red Ale.

Leah's Honey Tofu (Dori, Val and Kid approved)

 

Ingredients:

• 1 block of tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes
• Honey
• Tamari

Directions:

• Get a cast iron pan hot with enough olive oil to coat the bottom.
• Add the cubes of tofu to the hot oil.
• Let the tofu cook for a while and get crispy on each side, turn it gently.
• When the tofu is cooked, pour about 2 tablespoons of honey (+or-) over the tofu.
• Note that the honey will thin out and melt.
• Next, pour about 1-2 tablespoons of Tamari over the tofu and honey.
• You'll notice everything sizzling and splattering - so be careful.
• Turn the tofu gently to completely coat.
• Let the tofu cook for a bit, until it gets to the texture you are happy with.
• Enjoy!

 

Ideas? Feedback? Really good tofu recipe? Email us!

Links:

Cookbooks:

• Linda's Kitchen by Linda McCartney: Simple and Inspiring Recipes for Meatless Meals.
• Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook: The vegetarian style of eating is a culinary adventure.

 

More Recepies:
For easy and tasty recipes and to learn more about a healthy you and planet, Leah recommends that you check out these websites:

• Tofu.com: "World of Tofu"
• VegSource.com: "Friendly support 25 hours a day, 8 days a week for your healthy vegetarian lifestyle"
• SmallPlanetInstitute.org: "...to bring to light the emergence of "living democracy," a rewarding, inclusive, learned practice that creates communities that work for all."
• SustainableTable.org: "...a new way to learn about healthy food for you and your family."
• EdibleSchoolyard.org: "The Edible Schoolyard, in collaboration with Martin Luther King Junior Middle School, engages 950 public school students in a one-acre organic garden and a kitchen classroom."

 

Prepared Foods:

• Cedar Lane Natural Foods: The meatless lasagna was great.
• Ethnic Gourmet: The Pad Thai was tastie!

 

Personal Care Brands:

• Jason Natural Personal Care Products
• Alba Botanica
• Avalon Natural Products (Available at greenfeet.com)
• Osea Skin Care (Available at greenfeet.com)
• Ecco Bella Botanicals
• Larenim Mineral Makeup

 

Shout outs:

• Madichan: Thanks for the kind words and we liked your blog. (Propylene glycol freaks us out too!).
• PodFinder: Guest host Dave Fox featured us in episode V of Adam Curry's PodFinder podcast on iTunes. Thanks!

 

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It's the kitchen sink show. We discuss a little of this, a little of that, and a lot of great things related to living green. Dori's back from the Magic Kingdom and Val attended a baby shower gone wild. There's never a dull moment around here.

Sprecher Brewery: This week, we try their Abbey Triple Ale.

Plenty Magazine: It's like Wired for recyclers.

CatherinesPita.com: Handmade, recycled, and cool iPod holders.

TranslationsInTupperware.com: Clean out your cupboard and enter this global design contest.

Real Simple Magazine: Easy solutions for everyday life.

Green Hotel Association: Use this guide to "green" hotels when planning your next trip.

Better World Club: An alternative automobile club.

Shout outs:

• SustainableStyle.org: Sustainable Style Foundation - look fabulous, live well, do good.
• Sustainablog: Sustainablog is dedicated to news, information and personal meanderings related to environmental and economic sustainability, green and sustainable business, and environmental politics.
• GreenBusiness.net: A discussion list for eco-entrepreneurs.

 

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It's back to school and from a parent's perspective - it's about time! While we love summer and spending time with family, getting back into a routine is comforting. This week we cover some easy, basic ways to send your child (or yourself) off to school that are a bit more planet friendly. And Dori dares Val to... well, you'll have to listen to find out more. Oh yeah, we also sample Moose Drool by Big Sky Brewing Company from Missoula, Montana.

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This week we're avoiding toxic chemicals in personal care products and cosmetics. We also discuss vacations, the elusive moose and John Irving. And at the end, we have a treat you won't want to miss.

Links:

Cosmetic Chart: This handy reference lists a few of the ingredients to watch out for in personal care products.

Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients: A great book every consumer should own.

FlyWithMe: Hear from flight attendants and pilots as they tell what goes on behind the galley curtain (and behind the cockpit door).

The Lascivious Biddies: An awesome all-girl quartet.

beppeblog: ...a simple blog about Quakerism, religion, politics, culture, sexuality, health, tutti italiani, family, friends, & Joe. Thanks for the kind words.

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This week it's roasting on the patio. Dori has her Wonder Woman cape on, Val has her wizards hat and we're taste testing organic ales. Biodiesel finishes off with a bang by interviewing Jenna of the National Biodiesel Board. Then it's on to Hydrogen 101 and Citgo.

Links:

www.BioDiesel.org: Here's a great source to learn about biodiesel and check for local fueling stations.

www.eere.energy.gov: More information about hydrogen.

U.S. Secret Service: How to spot counterfeit U.S. currency.

Shout outs:

• www.TheNewHomemaker.com: Check out Lynn's blog and life in the "Domestic Renaissance"
• www.JakeLudington.com: Check out Jake Ludington's Mediablog on the "Digital Lifestyle"

 

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This week it's Biodiesel 101. We'll introduce you to one of the best alternative fuel options for your vehicle. It's sustainable, renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, reduces greenhouse gases, and can be produced domestically. Biodiesel is interchangeable with petroleum diesel so you can switch back and forth between the two or even blend them together. Devin O'Keane (devino@care2.com / www.veggiebus.com) of the Chico Biodiesel Collective provides details on using biodiesel in your vehicle and "home brewing" it yourself (and saving big cash).

Links:

This week's organic brew: Butte Creek Organic India Pale Ale ("Butte Creek every week" - DJ Inna Dance by Mystic Roots. Listen to clip - Click here)

Biodiesel Link:

• VeggieBus.com: Driving Change - touring the country to spread the word about biodiesel.
• BioDiesel.org: Official site of the National Biodiesel Board.
• VeggieAvenger.com: Information on biodiesel and veggie oil.
• BioWillie: Willie Nelson's biodiesel web site.

 

"Home Brew" Books:

• From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank: by Joshua Tickell, Kaia Tickell, Kaia Roman. One of the most popular books on brewing biodiesel. (We recommend buying through this independent book retailer that sells this book at the same price as Amazon)
• Biodiesel Home brew Guide: by Maria 'girl Mark' Alovert. Highly recommended by Devin.

 

Posthumous Options:

• LifeGem.com: Converting your remains into diamonds.
• BioPresence: Implant human DNA into the DNA of an apple tree.
• Promessa: Returning the body to the soil.

 

Other Links:

• GreenerChoices.org: Consumer Reports rates products that are friendlier for the environment.
• Plenty Magazine: A cool magazine for hipsters.

 

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This week we discuss eating green while eating chocolate. We cover the eight steps to eating healthier and tips on how and what to eat organic. There's Dori (a.k.a. Wonder Woman) and the great surrey caper, updates on Fair Trade, Hoodia, Citgo and the now infamous whale burgers.

Links:

For more information on eating green, please visit these sites:

• OrganicFood.co.uk: for our U.K. Listeners.
• Mindfully.org - Why Eat Organic Food?: provides some food for thought.
• ChecNet.org: information on reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals in your food.
• OrganicConsumers.org: top ten reasons to eat organics.
• Panna.org: The Pesticide Action Network.

 

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This week we're are a bit more long-winded than usual. However, the topics that we cover - Fair Trade and Sweatshops - are a passion for both of us so we have a lot to share. You'll experience comedy, drama, Val's 45 second rant, and we talk radishes! Did we spend too much time in the sun this weekend? You decide. We'll also cover the question of the week.

And don't forget to email us right away with your answer to the new question of the week: Do you make it a priority to buy organic foods? If so, what are your top choices?

Links:

Topics covered in their chat:

• www.yourlawyer.com: For more information on the concern with Teflon.
• www.thehealthfactory.com: For information on Hoodia - the natural supplement that Dori is taking for weight loss.

 

Fair Trade and Sweatshops:

• CoopAmerica.org: Features the National Green Pages filled with companies that support fair trade. You'll also find the retailers score card that we discussed on the show.
• RugMark.org: A global nonprofit organization working to end illegal child labor and offer educational opportunities for children in India, Nepal and Pakistan.
• TransFairUSA.org: Find information on Fair Trade Certification
• FairTradeFederation.com: Is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide.
• CoopAmerica.org (again): Help to put a stop to sweatshops!
• Verite.org: Independently monitors factories for proper working conditions.
• FairLabor.org: The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is a non-profit organization combining the efforts of industry, non-governmental organizations, colleges and universities to promote adherence to international labor standards and improve working conditions worldwide. Covers some major retailers such as Nordstrom, Lands End and Adidas.

 

Community Supported Agriculture:

• CSAcenter.org: A complete national directory of Community Supported Agriculture. See if there's one in your area!
• Greenfeet: Here are some delightful radish recipes picked especially for listener Sven. Enjoy!

 

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It's the time of year for outdoor entertaining - BBQ's, parties, picnics, camping and sporting events. Dori and Val share some ideas and tips on how you can make your next outside event a tad more earth friendly. There's something about whale burgers in there tooâ?¦ The girls also respond to listener emails and offer up the question of the week. Check out the show notes for links to coupons and additional information.

Links:

Coupons:
Here is a list of websites to visit for coupons and special offers relating to organic foods. Note that some do require that you subscribe to their e-newsletter so we recommend that you peruse their privacy policy before giving out and information. Happy Shopping!

• MamboSprouts.com: A great source of coupons and offers from all companies natural.
• Stonyfield Farms: Awesome company, great coupons.
• Cascadian Farms / Muir Glen Organics: Website for Cascadian Farms and Muir Glen - manufacturers of wonderful natural and organic foods.
• TheGreenApple.org: They offer a coupon book loaded with value for a fee. One caveat - mostly centered in the NYC area, however, some coupons are valid nationwide. Worth a look.
• CoolSavings.com & AlexsCoupons.com: Both of these websites offer coupons on organic foods as well as tons of non-organic foods (heck, you might as well save everywhere to give extra budget for a few more organic items!). Again, we recommend perusing their privacy policy.

 

Are Plastic Waterbottles Safe?: New research has shown that these plastic sports bottles may pose serious health hazards.

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Summer vacation is here! We're talking fuel - rising costs and how it's affecting summer travel. Dori's got a new car and Val's chasing moose. We'll also chat with Brad Berman of HybridCars.com.

Links:

Val's adventure's buying a Prius

UFX Travel: Offers green alternatives to travel plans.

More about hybrids...
HybridCars.com: Everything you want to know about hybrids.
Break The Chain: Break America's dependence on oil.
HowStuffWorks.com: How hybrid cars work.

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Greetings Hipsters! We hope you've been bitten by our bug. Now that we're spending more time outdoors, we take a closer look at mosquitoes and West Nile Virus. Dr. Doug Garrison (AKA Superman) shares the sources and the symptoms of West Nile Virus and helps us cut through the hype. We also discuss the mosquitoes themselves - covering basics such as life cycle, breeding grounds, prevention, and treatment (if you happen to get bitten by a skeeter).

Links:

Picture of chain saw murderer

Where to unload your cell phone...

• call2recycle.org: Gives a list of places in your area to recycled cell phones and rechargeable batteries
• eiae.org: Here's a whole bunch of places to donate (wahoo!)
• happyhollowparkandzoo.org: Save an Orangutan - recycle your cell phone or pager!
• collectivegood.com: Help them collect 1 million cell phones for their recycling program this year!

Dr. Doug: Visit Dr. Douglas Garrison, D.O. and check out our entry in the "Dean Cain Look-a-like" contest

Iowa State University Study: Using catnip as an effective mosquito repellent

From greenfeet.net...

• West Nile Virus: Here's the Scoop
• Bats: The Truth Revealed

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On today's show, it's all about fun in the sun. We'll tell you the in's and out's of sun screen. We'll tell you all about UVA, UVB, and UVC (Yes, "C"). You'll learn what to look for and where to watch out. We'll also talk to OPT for Fit Kids (www.optforfitkids.org). They'll offer plenty of ideas on how you and your family can get active in order to be healthier

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Hi, we're Dori and Val. If you're craving a granola chewing, off-grid podcast - you're probably in the wrong place. Instead, we'll show you how to be more sustainable and earth-friendly without sacrificing convenience, style, and affordability.

Hey! Nobody's perfect. (Hell, we're certainly not) But we're here to show you how small steps in the right direction can make a big impact. We like our podcasts to be fun, upbeat, and around 30 minutes. Give us a listen - it beats a kick in the head.

Click on one of the links to hear a promo for our show so you can get a sense of the flavor. We think you'll want to subscribe. Oh, and be sure to tell your friends about us.

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What is a podcast?
A podcast is a radio show deployed over the internet instead of the airwaves. With the aid of some free software, you can subscribe to your favorite shows, have them downloaded automatically when there's a new episode, and listen to them whenever and wherever you want. Some people listen at their desk, but many people load them on their iPod (or other MP3 player) and take them on the go. Podcasts are a perfect way to pass the time while commuting, working, exercising, lounging, etc. There are tons of podcasts out there with interests for just about everyone.

How much does it cost?
Nothing. Podcasts are free. The software that you download them with can also be found for free. Not bad, eh?

How do I get started?
Getting started is simple:

1. Get a Podcatcher
   This is software that manages your subscriptions and downloads your podcasts automatically. Many are free. In fact, the latest version of iTunes has podcatching capabilities built in. See Resources below.

    

2. Subscribe to Podcasts
   We recommend that you start with More Hip Than Hippie. All you need to do is copy the RSS feed into your podcast receiver. The RSS feed for More Hip Than Hippie is "http://www.morehipthanhippie.com/rss". You can seach for other podcasts by searching one of the directories listed under Resources. If you have iTunes, it's even easier. Just click here to go to the More Hip Than Hippie page in iTunes and press the "Subscribe" button. (it's free!)

    

3. Listen to Your Podcasts
   You can listen to your podcasts right on your desktop with any mp3 software (such as Windows Media Player, etc.). You can also load it on your iPod or other mp3 player and take it with you. It's all flexible. You can listen to your favorite shows whenever you like.

 

Resources
Here are some links to get you started:

Podcatchers
• iTunes: (Windows & Mac)
• iPodder: (Windows & Mac)
• iPodderx: (Mac)
• PlayPod: (Mac)

Podcast Directories
• PodcastAlley.com
• Podcast.net
• ipodder.org
• PodcastPickle.com

Podcast Information
• PodcastNews.com
• Tidbits.com

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