More Hip Than Hippie #295 - Waste-Free Wonderland

A zero-waste lifestyle can save you money and make a profit this holiday season.

Most of us generate about 25% more trash during the holidays. What if cutting back on waste could put money in your pocket? Blogger Bea Johnson returns with tips to make it happen. Also, Val adopts a Nerf gun and Dori is #winning the Christmas card competition (yes, there is one!).

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: We enjoyed our last beer from Highwater Brewing so much, we decided to go back for more. Good call! Their Pom Cherry Bomb Specialty Ale was a summer release that transcends seasons. The delightful sweet cherry/tart pomegranate combo pairs brilliantly with plain chocolate. Dori: 5 hips; Val: 5 hips

Chocolate: Our New Favorite Listener is Kelly in Washington, who sent a whole care package of her local faves! First up: Seattle Chocolates Pike Place Espresso Truffle bar, a seamless blend of flavors inside a creamy dream. Dori: 5 hips Val: 5 hips.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Grow To Go. Our friends in the UK can send this Edible Festive Bouquet of herbs to foodie folks. Why can't we find this in the US?
• Easy Rider. Daimler is driving into the carshare pool with Car2Go, an all-electric service focusing on convenience. Now in Amsterdam and San Diego, it's going big next year.
• Live and Let Fry. Sir Paul McCartney has released The Meat-Free Monday Cookbook in support of his vegetarian campaign.

Hip News

• Shopping list. The Daily Green gives you permission to pass up the organics aisle when you purchase their Clean 15 foods, which are low in pesticide residue. Save your money for organic versions of the Dirty Dozen.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

From Zero Waste Bea: Use your sink strainer! Keeping bits of food waste out of the garbage disposal saves water and electricity. Empty the contents of the strainer into your kitchen compost bin or feed it to the critters.

Waste-Free Wonderland

Did you know that cutting back on household waste can not only save money, but also make a profit? Our amie Bea Johnson explains. Feel free to gaze at her hunky husband.

• Bea and her family hit the big-time in Sunset magazine!
• On Bea's blog, The Zero Waste Home, she lays out a plan for making it though the holidays waste-free, and making a little cash.
• She is a big fan of using furoshiki and reusable bags instead of gift wrap.
• By using a gift registry, we can make sure our gifts are truly appreciated.
• She makes Elf Yourself videos to share with family and friends.
• Bea uses principles of collaborative consumption, as outlined in the book What's Mine is Yours.
• Her family uses BRB Vacation Rentals to fill their house when they're away.
• Some food for thought from Bea: her posts on Decluttering and Heirloom Guilt.
• She left us hungry for Welsh rarebit and thirsty for Morpho!

Listener E-mails

Hurry! You could win a $100 Greenfeet gift card! As always, you can let us know about your questions, stories or green triumphs at hip@greenfeet.com. Want to be a Greenfeet Ambassador? Reach out and touch Val@greenfeet.com! Check out our blog!

• Kelly in Washington (our Favorite Listener!) loves her insulated Klean Kanteen with the cafe cap. She also recommends Moving Boxes Made Green or a similar service to cut back on waste when you relocate. Hey Kelly, we found Gary Gnu on Facebook! 
• Sophie in England shares the brilliant beer delivery horses used by Wadworth brewery. Eat your heart out, Budweiser!
• Karen in South Carolina wants to make sparkling water at home, but doesn't want to deal with replacement cartridges. Does anyone know of a hand-cranked carbonator?

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