More Hip Than Hippie #243 - Dirty Laundry

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.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: We pop across the pond to merry old England for this flavorful brew. Ripon Jewel Amber Ale from Daleside Brewery pays tribute to the Yorkshire cathedral of the same name.

Chocolate: "Let chocolate change your world", says the label. Done! The Lake Champlain Raspberry Truffle bar featured an elegant fruity ganache and yummy chocolate, but at a paltry 54% cocoa still proved to be a bit too sweet for our bitter palates.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Pig out! If a Bacon Wrapped Turkey is wrong, we don't want to be right.
• Pickin' and Grinnin'. Greenfeet's popular Pick A Present promo is back! Go ahead, get yourself a little something this season. And share a giggle too; the official Bad Joke Contest is underway! Win a Greenfeet prize pack with your nice clean joke. Email your entry to ThePrez@greenfeet.com by Dec. 4th.

Hip News

• Remote control. The California Energy Commission approved the nation's first energy-efficiency standards for TVs. Next up: making SNL funny again and putting music back on MTV.
• Jolly good fellows. Forty conservationists have been singled out for TogetherGreen Fellowships this year. Check out our past show about this joint venture between Audubon and Toyota.
• Big dork. After receiving angry e-mails from Greenpeace and Pamela Anderson, Russian automaker DARTZ will forgo using whale penis leather in their new armored car. Must've been a hard decision.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Tag, you're it! Make your own gift tags this year using cookie cutters as patterns. Once you've finished baking your holiday sugar cookies, trace the cutters on some festive paper. Cut out all those stars and snowflakes for instant gift tags that are Santa-approved!

 

Dirty Laundry

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. Washing, drying, ironing and dry cleaning can all be adapted to help green your jeans!

 

• Detergent. Look for products that are biodegradable and free of phosphates. Save on packaging with concentrated and powdered detergents like Nellie's Laundry Soda.
• Washer. Save water and money with a front-loading machine bearing the Energy Star label.
• Dryer. The 2nd biggest energy hog in your home, dryers should be used sparingly. Cut costs by employing the moisture sensor and cleaning the lint screen regularly. Use a clothes drying rack or clothesline whenever possible. Here are some tips for softening those crunchy line-dried garments.
• Bleach. Non-chlorine bleach brands like Seventh Generation are safe and non-toxic. You could also add half a cup of borax to your wash load.
• Dryer sheets. Avoid the stinky chemicals. Mrs. Meyers uses plant-based softeners and essential oils.
• Dry cleaning. Just say no to dry-clean-only clothing! Earth911 has the scoop on wet cleaning.
• Laundromat. Surprisingly eco-friendly, since commercial machines tend to be more energy efficient. Some are even switching to alternative energy.
• Reuse. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, wearing your jeans at least three times before washing them results in about 5 times more energy savings.

 

Listener E-mails

We're thankful for great listeners like you! Keep sending your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and dirty laundry at our MHTH forum!Send Val at least 25 beer caps for her patio project, and get a free MHTH bottle opener! Mail them to More Hip Val, 275 Fairchild Ave. #107, Chico, CA 95973. No Sierra Nevada please!

• Tina in Texas is ready for her annual cold. She found Better for Grownups reusable cotton sateen tissues in a box. Gesundheit!
• Ann in NC recommends GoodSearch for finding worthy charities to support. They donate to every charity you search!
• Melinda in SC loves Melissa and Doug products because, unlike Mattel and Disney, they don't make toxic toys.
• Alison in NC teaches us something new about the non-toxic claim on labels.
• Kevin throws down a challenge to fellow Hipsters: when you're out at a restaurant or coffee shop, give 'em your porn star name to call out! Way to work it, Glitter!

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

More Hip Than Hippie #242 - About a Bird

This Thanksgiving, gobble up a sustainably farmed organic or heritage turkey.

According to the National Turkey Federation, 48 million turkeys were eaten at Thanksgiving last year. 99% of all turkeys raised in the US are factory-farmed Broadbreasted Whites. The Hipsters offer some alternatives to eating the "Dolly Parton of turkeys" this year, and explore the vegetarian Thanksgiving experience.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Val found another cute doggie label! Ellie's Brown Ale from Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder, CO is "Lab tested". That's doggone funny.

Chocolate: Yes, they're in the Hipster Hall of Fame, but Dagoba Chai bar is a smidge too sweet for true dark chocolate snobs. Nice spice, though.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Love to bake, but hate to burn? Get out of the oven! With the Oven Rack Push Pull you can stand safely to the side while handling that pie, pot roast or paella. Makes a handy hostess gift or stocking stuffer too.
• Melt with you. This candle will really light up your love life! The clean-burning Ember massage candle melts into spa-grade scented massage oil. Pour it from the porcelain container's spout onto your sweetie's skin. Wax on, wax off!

Hip News

• See? Gull! After spending a half-century on the brink of extinction, the brown pelican is finally off the endangered species list.
• Draft notice. Are you willing to risk Life & Limb? This ale is the highly anticipated collaboration between Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head breweries. Be warned: just one big-ass bottle of this 10% brew left both Val and her hubby reeling!

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Green to go! Listener Leslie in Buffalo, NY reminds us to bring our own containers for leftovers when going out to eat. We promise, no one will mind if you take along a small reusable tub and lid. Plus, it'll keep you from getting stuck with another plastic bag or worse...styrofoam!

 

About a Bird

According to the National Turkey Federation, 48 million turkeys were eaten at Thanksgiving last year. Since 99% of all turkeys raised in the US are Broadbreasted Whites, chances are your family celebrated the holiday with the "Dolly Parton of turkeys". These birds are raised in crowded factories, fed a diet of grains with antibiotics, and are often injected with oils and saline. Ew! This year, gobble up a different kind of bird...or go vegetarian. No harm, no fowl!

 

• Industrial turkeys live in uncomfortable conditions on factory farms. You can do better.
• Heirloom turkeys, also known as heritage turkeys, are descended from the wild North American turkey.
• Organic turkeys are free from antibiotics and other additives. Local growers often produce free-range organic birds. Just ask!
• Flavor is influenced by 4 factors: the animal's age, its genetic stock, how it was raised and what it ate.
• Roasting the bird can be a challenge. Butterball has some tips for preparing the perfect turkey dinner.
• Vegetarians love Thanksgiving too! Learn to accomodate veggie and vegan guests. Tofurky is not the only option.

 

Listener E-mails

Aw shucks, you still like us! Thanks for sending your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and turkey tales at our MHTH forum!Send Val at least 25 beer caps for her patio project, and get a free MHTH bottle opener! Mail them to More Hip Val, 275 Fairchild Ave. #107, Chico, CA 95973. No Sierra Nevada please!

• Molly in Cincinnati wonders how to care for leather in an eco-friendly way. Ideas, Hipsters?
• Ethan in Santa Monica often forgets his ChicoBags and his supermarket club cards, he cleverly combined the two. He also shares some love for the Lorax.
• Trystan at Yahoo! has the scoop on underwear recycling. Patagonia turns their old undies into new ones!
• Laura in England supports bra recycling too! In the US, try the Bosom Buddy program. In the UK, there's BreastTalk. Our cups runneth over!
• Miles in Toronto (eh!) would like to hear a show on green college degree programs. Congrats on your PhD!
• Michelle in New York had fun wasting time with these creative green ads.
• Patrick in NC sent along a story about military vets and their influence on the green movement.
• Eileen in Florida loves her some Larabar!
• Tina in Texas was perhaps a bit too happy to share the terrifying story of vermicomposting gone horribly wrong.

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Val's birthday (Nov. 24) or anyday!Twitter goes green on #EcoMonday! Follow us on Twitter: GrnDiva, MoreHipDori and JRich9 at your service! Add us to your friends on Facebook and MySpace!Remember to vote for us at Podcast Alley, and leave a glowing review at iTunes! More Hip Than Hippie is sponsored by Greenfeet.com.

More Hip Than Hippie #241 - DIY Decor, Part 2

"House Whisperer" Christine MacShane returns for another round of spectacular holiday decorating tips.

Plunging headfirst toward Thanksgiving and the holiday party season, the Hipsters seek inspiration from their favorite local TV star, Christine MacShane. The Audacious Aussie delivers fresh ideas for green, frugal decor and hostess gifts! Also, Val imperils her friendship with Dori by threatening to eat...a goat.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Val's Portland roadtrip yields another goodie! Saison-Brett Limited Release Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co. packs lots of unique flavor into a big-ass bottle. Cool label, too.

Chocolate: Christine provided two of her faves. The Cadbury Crunchie has that yummy honeycomb center, while the Nestle Yorkie bar claims it's "not for girls". Bite us.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

 

• Al-literate. Val's Christmas card buddy, Al Gore, released his new book last week. "Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis" offers solutions to our most pressing planetary problems.
• Feed a fever. Keep the influenza bug at bay with these foods that fight the flu. Hey, they forgot beer and chocolate!
• The Red Diva? Join Val on Mars! She signed up with NASA to put her name on a microchip carried by the Mars Science Lab rover.

Hip News

• Toxic tins. Canned food often contains hazardous levels of Bisphenol-A, according to tests by Consumer Reports. Yes we CAN switch to fresh foods instead!
• Trick or treat? Kraft Foods is trying to get a piece of the market for sustainable sweets. Cote d'Or contains cocoa certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Hmmm...very Krafty.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Rack 'em up! As those cookies, cakes and holiday breads roll out of your oven, you'll need a place to set the pans while they cool. If you're short on metal racks, check in with your local appliance recycling center. Chances are they'll let you raid their fridges for little or no cost!

 

DIY Decor, Part 2

The Hipsters welcome "House Whisperer" Christine MacShane back for another round of spectacular decorating tips. Do you love her pink toolbelt and hardhat? Moxie Trades carries perfect gifts for the tradeswoman in your life!

 

• Mini pumpkins are often discounted or free after Halloween. Clean them out to hold votives, flowers...even the first course of a meal!
• Wreath forms can be adapted to each season. Just tuck in decorations instead of gluing them down.
• Large napkins are easy to make, provide great "coverage" during meals and can be used to wrap leftovers, furoshiki-style!
• Unmatched earrings make terrific wine charms.
• Local food products serve as ideal hostess gifts, as well as backup gifts for unexpected guests. Assemble them into attractive gift baskets!

 

Listener E-mails

Nice to hear from you! Send a question or a compliment to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and pleas for goat clemency at our MHTH forum!Send Val at least 25 beer caps for her patio project, and get a free MHTH bottle opener! Mail them to More Hip Val, 275 Fairchild Ave. #107, Chico, CA 95973. No Sierra Nevada please!

• Emily in Ohio wants to whiten her teeth safely and naturally. OK, try mixing baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to form a paste, or maybe brushing with cider vinegar. You could try rubbing your teeth with strawberries too. We prefer Uncle Harry's method.
• Patrick in NC found an article linking BPA to the "terrible two's", particularly in little girls.
• Lisa in Wisconsin shares the story of an eco-friendly pub with a worm bin and a "Low-Power Happy Hour". Cheers to the Bittercreek Alehouse in Boise!
• Rick in Virginia believes Canadians got the right idea when it comes to cough etiquette, eh?
• Sebastien enjoys this video trailer for next year's Going Green Film Festival in Beverly Hills.

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

More Hip Than Hippie #240 - Log Homes

Log home living provides a natural energy-efficient habitat with timeless beauty and comfort.

Log homes are often thought to be rustic cabins set on remote mountaintops. They've had a bit of a bad rap from environmentalists, who insist that timber should be left where it stands. The Hipsters get to the root of the controversy with Larry and Sherry Trimboli, owners of Sierra Log Homes in Chico, CA. Also, Val recounts her battle with swine flu (and recommends this to lessen the symptoms)!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: We split an easy-drinkin' bottle of Wolaver's Brown Ale from Otter Creek Brewing. Dori took one for the team, quaffing most of the beer for her poor porcine pal Val.

Chocolate: WTF? Another diet chocolate bar? Trader Joe's Simply Lite Dark Chocolate with Almonds wasn't the best low-carb sugar-free bar we've had, but it makes a mighty tasty laxative.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

 

• Val's Favorite Thing! Looking for an American-made gift with plenty of eco-cred? Snuggle up in a vibrant Winter Knit Scarf. The yarn is spun from reclaimed cotton and certified by both Made in Green and Oeko-Tex.
• Cod almighty. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch helps you make the best choices, so you won't have to flounder around the fish market.
• Moby Dick. For a cool $1.6 milion, you can own an armored, jewel-encrusted bulletproof SUV from Russian automaker Dartz. No, that isn't cowhide on the seats; you're sitting on a whale penis.

Hip News

• In the bag. Two of the country's biggest retailers want you to kick the plastic bag habit. Target and CVS have launched reusable bag programs with financial incentives for shoppers.
• Think Tink. The United Nations has named Tinker Bell as its "Honorary Ambassor of Green". So is Peter Pan the ambassador of peanut butter?

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Action figure! As the holiday season begins, take the time to list 5 actions you plan to take to reduce your footprint. Use recycled wrap? Offset travel? Compost your waste? Yule be glad you did!

 

Log Homes

Sierra Log Homes provides materials, design and engineering services.

 

• The preferred material for log homes is dead standing lodgepole pines, which dry out naturally before being harvested from forests.
• Log homes maintain moderate temperatures through thermal mass, making them quite energy efficient.
• Any home can incorporate elements of log home living, like siding and rails.
• Western forests are under attack by mountain pine beetles, which leave behind vast stands of dead trees.
• Larry and Sherry will launch the "Planting It Forward" program with the Arbor Day Foundation in 2010!
• Get more info about the log home lifestyle.

 

Listener E-mails

Whew! Thanks for all the e-mails! Send a question or a compliment to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and swine flu remedies at our MHTH forum! Send Val at least 25 beer caps for her patio project, and get a free MHTH bottle opener! Mail them to More Hip Val, 275 Fairchild Ave. #107, Chico, CA 95973. No Sierra Nevada please!

• Mary in Memphis, TN wants to recycle her old bras and undies. Bras make great purses and knee pads; undies, not so much.
• Emily in Indiana would like to put CFL globes in her bathroom. Just remember, they take a few moments to warm up!
• Elizabeth in Minnesota (dontcha know!) can't believe the FDA wants us to flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet. Chisago County has a successful takeback program. We agree that manufacturers should step up too.
• Jessica in Washington DC signed up for SmartBrief, a useful (and free) newsfeed focusing on sustainability.
• KC in Korea will cease to be a San Diego Chargers fan if they move to LA! Why is their proposed new stadium exempt from environmental laws?
• Steve in New Jersey loves him some butternut squash soup with spicy green pumpkin seeds, a la Martha Stewart.
• Kate shares the scoop on Seventh Generation's Million Baby Crawl. Join this virtual march to Washington to say "no" to toxins in our homes.
• Alex in Cleveland will argue the case for hemp in his English class essay. Duuuuuude!

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