More Hip Than Hippie #72 - I'm Hatin' It

We're talking about what it's like living in a Fast Food Nation. Did you know that fast food tends to be cheaper because of lower quality and unhealthy ingredients? Fast food could be a driving force behind a growing obeseity problem in lower income families.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale from - gasp!- Anheuser-Busch.

Chocolate: Dark Belgian Chocolate by Lake Champlain Chocolates.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Be sure to pick up the first official piece of More Hip Than Hippie merchandise - the More Hip Bottle Opener made from a recycled bicycle chain.
• Giant blueberries or purple tomatoes? Oregon State University researchers are in the process of developing a hybrid tomato that has dark purple skin. The new pigment is contains nutrients thought to reduce the risk of cancer.
• "You'll shoot your eye out," was the response young Ralphie would receive when he revealed the present he wanted most, a Red Ryder BB gun, in the classic movie "A Christmas Story". Now fans of the movie can tour the famous Cleveland house where much of the movie was filmed.
• Get crafty by making one-of-a-kind gifts from your old woolen sweaters!

News:

• Don't drink the water! An investigation by the Environmental Working Group has discovered that public water supplies in 42 U.S. states are contaminated with 141 unregulated chemicals. Which state with the most contaminants in their drinking water? Tune in to find out!

More Hip Book Club

This week we dive into Fast Food Nation, and will be talking about the first section, "The American Way". We hope everyone is keeping up with their reading! The next section we will be covering will be through the chapter "The Most Dangerous Job".

I'm Hatin' It

Learn how too much corn in your diet can result in some serious health problems. Read the article I'm Hatin' It at about.com!

Listener Emails

Once again, we have a bunch of great listener emails. Keep 'em rolling in at hip@greenfeet.com. And don't forget to post articles, links, and speak your mind at our MHTH forum!

• Over the shoulder boulder holders. Melanie from Chicago shared Dori and Val's frustration with underwires until she discovered Decent Exposures. None of their bras have wires, instead they turn to a wide elastic band for support. They even are available in organic cotton! Thanks for the great tip Melanie!
• Greenwashing. Kellie found this article about a new low cost, energy-efficient laptop that will be sold at Wal-Mart. Why are we not surprised?
• Polluters pay high price. New forum member BluPoet03 wanted to let us know about a London proposal that would raise the price of parking permits for drivers of the most polluting cars. The car owners could potentially be charged up to three times more for permits to park outside of their homes.
• Is there anything hemp can't do? While doing some online shopping at Natural Collections Tom discovered products using hemp plastic. Just another reason that the industrial use of hemp should be legal!

Email us at hip@greenfeet.com. Don't forget to vote for us at podcastalley.com and podcastpickle.com. Send us a voice message at our Skype address "morehip" or +1 530.554.2605. Don't have Skype ? Get it - it's free!