More Hip Than Hippie #278 - Turn It Up to '11!

Experts forecast green trends for 2011.

Taking those tiny green steps can lead to big changes. The Hipsters take a look at the year ahead to see how consumer demand and the economy have influenced the decision-makers. Also, Val proposes a new tax and reveals her home plumbing FAIL!

Beer: We've got that Christmas glow with a holiday ale from Batemans Brewery. Their Rosey Nosey could have been named after Val's stuffed-up schnoz!

Chocolate: It's a catchy idea, but we decided that Komforte's Ramen Noodle bar would have been just as good without the novelty noodles inside.

Finds:

• Drill, Baby, Drill! Nothing should come between you and your wine. Put some torque on that cork with the Bosch IXO Vino Cordless Lithium-Ion Screwdriver with Corkscrew Attachment. Keep it charged; it's going to be a long winter.
• Holidon't. When you're done counting down the 12 Days of Christmas, take on the 12 Unhealthiest Wintertime Drinks. Ho Ho Heartattack.
• Drink this, not that. Need a beverage that will boost your immunity without busting your calorie budget? Val recommends tulsi tea. No corkscrew required.

• Baby, it's hot outside. NASA says 2010 is on pace to be the warmest year on record, surpassing 2005. The year was marked by extreme weather events globally and gusty blasts of hot air from Washington DC.
• California greenin'. The Golden State leads the nation's effort to address global warming by approving rules for the world's 2nd-largest carbon market.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Conquer! That's Val's Word of the Year for 2011. Think about your own word or phrase to inspire you during the year ahead. Focus on one green task to achieve; just don't call it a resolution!

Taking those tiny green steps can lead to big changes. Electric cars? Curbside recycling? You asked for them and they appeared. Now the Hipsters take a look at the year ahead to see how consumer demand and the economy have influenced the decision-makers.

• Food. Expect to see more home-based food businesses, natural sweeteners and smaller desserts. Also pimentos, hay and necks.
• Garden. Eco-scaping, sustainable containers and succulents lead the trends.
• Building. Green building construction starts have increased in value by 50%, and that growth is expected to continue.
• Cars. Look for a wealth of electric car options in 2011. Leading the way, Green Car of the Year, the Chevy Volt.
• Weddings. Keep planning those green nuptials. Instead of gifts, ask for charitable donations.
• Fashion. Everything old is new again! Vintage styles from the 30s to the 80s are back.
• Travel. Don't just see the world, live in it. Voluntourism and slow travel connect you to culture and the environment.

Well, that's it for 2010! What would you like us to talk about in the New Year? Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Dale in Seattle has a word of warning about those dual flush conversion kits, and sings the praises of the Solatube. Um, Dale, write back soon to tell us whether you're a boy or a girl, mmmk?
• Emily in Tennessee thinks creative Hipsters might be interested in Dogfish Head's Off-Centered Film Fest. Get those entries in by March 1st!
• Patrick in North Carolina sends up the alarm about flame retardants in butter. Would that be ass-bestos?
• Erica found the ingenious Chocolate Calculator, proving once and for all that you can't fool cacao.

More Hip Than Hippie #277 - Digging Deep

Writer April Dávila's new campaign, Digging Deep, will help to unearth facts about food.

You think you're busy? Hah! They lovely April Dávila returns to the show to talk about her full plate of projects, including a book based on her "Month Without Monsanto" blog, a novel, a new baby (any day now!) and the launch of an exciting website called Digging Deep. Also, Dori brings home a suicidal Christmas tree and Val cleans up a crime scene.

Beer: We've been bad girls this year, so we got a Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout from Ridgeway Brewery in our stocking. Beer Humbug!

Chocolate: We braved the third and final Kallari Chocolate bar from Amy in San Diego:85% Single Source Organic Ecuador. It's not for pansies.

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! It's a pint glass...it's a shot glass...it's a votive candle holder. The Beer & Shot Glass Set provides an evening of endless options for you and a friend.
• Wanna cup? Greenfeet now offers Thanksgiving Coffee. Not just a cup, but a just cup.

• Grin and bear it. Threatened populations of polar bears now have some federally protected stomping grounds in Alaska, thanks to the Interior Dept. Sorry, no drills allowed.
• Oil of Olé. The feds shut down more than 4,000 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico to deepwater shrimping, after trawlers pulled up tar balls in their nets. Tests will determine if the oil belongs to BP.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Stuff it! From our friend Danny Seo's book, Simply Green Giving: When sending out packages, look for natural box fillers instead of styrofoam. Fresh pine needles, pillow stuffing, real peanuts or fresh straw make great recyclable or compostable alternatives!

Cool chick April Dávila returns to the show to talk about her full plate of projects, including a book based on her "Month Without Monsanto" blog, a novel, a new baby (any day now!) and the launch of an exciting website called Digging Deep.

• April and her friend Cassie Gruenstein have teamed up to form the Digging Deep Campaign, a resource to help you make informed decisions about food.
• If you enjoyed hearing about her Month Without Monsanto, you'll love her upcoming narrative non-fiction book, Nonsanto: How Living for a Month Without Monsanto Changed How I Eat, Shop and Garden. Watch April's blog for updates.
• She is pleased about the passage of the revised Food Safety Modernization Act. Listener Mark provided us with highlights.
• April stays on top of food issues on her Facebook page.
• If you're a writer (or aspire to be one), follow April's professional progress on The Unfolding Tale.

Just one more show until we stick a fork in 2010! Give us your input at hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our blog!

• Meredyth in Texas has a teeny weeny greeny on the way and wants a good diaper option. We like Bummis system of washable covers with disposable liners. Congrats on new your little guy!
• Sebastien in Montreal shares a crafty idea for upcycled Christmas bows. Very clever and quite lovely, too.
• Jenn in Minnesota sounds off about invasive earthworms in her area. One word for you, Jenn: Tremors.
• Trystan at Yahoo! Green checks in with good news (beer for dogs!) and bad news (Dagoba Chocolate recall).
• Jess from New Jersey (aka the Dirty Jerz!) puts in a plug for Cloud Cult's music and eco-friendly ways. She also wants more green book suggestions. Anyone?