Shawna Lee Coronado, author of Gardening Nude, believes that getting in touch with nature provides the key to healthy bodies, minds and communities, as well as a healthy planet.

After years of chronic bad health, Shawna began digging into the earth and found a whole new lifestyle. She's now an author, blogger, speaker and activist, as well as a wife and mom. She called the Hipsters from her home in Chicago, where she took time out from shooting a local TV feature to share her passion for gardens, people, community, naked clowns and buffalo poop! Also this week, Dori goes to the movies and Val gets Topsy Turvy.

Beer: We enjoyed a big-ass bottle of Hefeweizen from Cica's Blue Frog Grog, just a hop away in Fairfield, CA. Nice and light for a summer's day, though Dori found the flavor "frog-gettable". (sorry!)

Chocolate: Wow, a surprisingly tasty Mocha Milk Chocolate from Newman's Own Organics. Normally we'd scoff at a measly 34% cocoa, but Nell and "Pa" packed a lot of luscious into this bar. RIP, Blue Eyes!

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Here it is, a garden hose that's tough, kink resistant and eco-friendly. The GatorHyde Recycled Garden Hose replaces all those flimsy hoses that break every year, and the water that comes out the nickel-plated nozzle is actually safe to drink! (No gators were harmed in the making of this hose.)
• Waterworld. After the smashing success of "Earth", Disneynature is diving into the Oceans for Earth Day 2010. You've got to sea it to believe it!
• Pucker up. May is National Vinegar Month, so get your Heinz in gear with these useful tips for the inexpensive elixir.

• Polarizing issue. The Obama administration says the Endangered Species Act is not the right tool to control global warming, so polar bears will receive no special protection under the Act. Sarah Palin is gassing up her helicopter.
• Pick your poison. Good news for those of us who like to eat food: the EPA is banning the use of the pesticide carbofuran on food crops. A few million dead migratory birds can't be wrong!
• Free range beef. A black heifer named Molly could find sanctuary after escaping from a New York City slaughterhouse. Start spreadin' the mooos...

Mother knows best! Pick up a copy of the Mother Earth News Guide to Living on Less. The issue is part of their Wiser Living Series, and features articles on saving energy, starting a garden, building a home, preserving food, raising backyard chickens, even brewing your own beer. It's so full of great ideas, we couldn't pick just one!

The Casual Gardener, Shawna Lee Coronado, believes gardening gives life not only to plants, but also to those tending them. After years of chronic bad health, Shawna began digging into the earth and found a whole new lifestyle! She's now an author, blogger, speaker and activist, as well as a wife and mom. She called the Hipsters from her home in Chicago, where she took time out from shooting a local TV feature to share her passion for gardens, people, community, naked clowns and buffalo poop.

• Blog. The 2009 Casual Gardener Get It Garden Challenge is on! Create a garden that makes a difference in your life and your community.
• Garden. As a member of the Garden Writer's Association, Shawna encourages you to Plant a Row for the Hungry.
• Book. You can leave your clothes on while you read Gardening Nude, Shawna's story of how getting back to nature saved her health.
• NSFW. Or, if you'd rather take your clothes off, mark your calendar for World Naked Gardening Day on May 2nd.
• Calendar. One thing that never goes out of season: Naked Clowns. For a good cause, of course.
• Buffalo. Something about their poop makes Shawna giddy with pleasure.

Be a part of our show! Send an e-mail to hip@greenfeet.com. And remember to post articles, links and nude gardening photos at our MHTH forum!Send Val at least 25 beer caps or labels 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!

• Melinda in South Carolina shares a story about Konarka, a solar company that plans to fit transparent solar cells into windows.
• Rick in Virginia wants us to read The End of Overeating, an important new book by Dr. David Kessler.
• Diane in San Diego is excited about a beer and chocolate event hosted by Chuao. Hey, we love your Yard Fairy blog!
• Sean in Roseville, CA recommends the tasty brews at Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB), Portland's first eco-brewpub. We'll add it to the list.

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