More Hip Than Hippie #246 - French Kiss

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

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

Beer and Chocolate:

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

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

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

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

Hip News

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

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Check your vision! For 2010, create a vision board with images of the things you want to accomplish or attain. Use a shadow box if you want 3D images, or just put together a simple collage. You can make one for your personal goals, one for your professional goals...as many as you want! Just make sure to hang it where you can see it every day and turn those visions into reality!

 

French Kiss

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

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

 

Listener E-mails

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

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

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

More Hip Than Hippie #245 - A Drinking Problem

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

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

Beer and Chocolate:

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

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

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

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

Hip News

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

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Tap into the truth! Figure out what's floating around in your drinking water. Go to the EPA website and locate data about your local water quality. There's also lots of great info about water, so dive in!

 

A Drinking Problem

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

 

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

 

Listener E-mails

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

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

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

More Hip Than Hippie #244 - Natural Pet Treats

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

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

Beer and Chocolate:

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

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

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

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

Hip News

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

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Sock it to me! Americans generate 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, and gift wrap comprises a good chunk of that. Get creative this year; use socks, t-shirts and other bits of fabric instead of wasteful paper. A ChicoBag makes great wrapping for a gift within a gift!

 

Natural Pet Treats

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

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

Listener E-mails

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

Happy Holidays! Keep sending your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and clever giftwrap ideas 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!

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

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.