It is a beautiful day here on the patio, but we're feeling a bit old this week. Val threw out her hip, and Dori thinks she may need glasses! Don't worry, we won't let that stop us from enjoying the holiday season. We have great tips for keeping your pets safe and we talk a bit about choosing the right Christmas tree. Also, our essential oil of the week is Tea tree.

We have a taste of Tofurkey
Val prepared a tofurkey for us to try. It was quite an adventure. Tofurkey technology has come a long way.

Dori's Finds

• Cheaper Vegi-diesel may change the way we drive. Find out more at Nationalgeographic.com
• Dori found a website that tells where to find alternative refueling stations - Cleancarmaps.com
• An eco-friendly heated bra!!! - Check it out - Click here.

 

Val's Finds

• An eco-friendly wood floor adhesive. Click here for more info.
• Students Design Dinnerware for the Sierra Club - Available in 2006 - productdesign.parsons.edu
• Fast, Easy Holiday Cards - Get them out the door with style and good cheer, no matter how much time â?? or energy â?? you have - From Real Simple
• Make your own stamps (with your own photos). - photostamps.com

 

Beer of the Week
Frambrozen Raspberry Brown Ale- from New Belgium (makers of Fat Tire Ale).

Dori's Keeping the Tree - Fake or Real?
We have actually identified 5 options for your Christmas tree.

1. Tree lot or farmed tree. These trees are specifically raised to be Christmas trees. Surprise - Val likes this option! If you are going for a real tree, using trees that will be replaced and don't hurt the eco-system. You may want to ask if they use pesticides or herbicides. Try to buy local.
2. Get a permit and cut your own. Not our favorite option.
3. Buy a fake tree. - Not recommended. Most of todays trees are made with PVC - which out gas toxins into your home. Also some warn about lead dust that can fall from your tree. Ick! Please read the labels and warnings on your trees.
4. Buy a living tree that can be planted after the holidays. If you do this, you will want to talk to a local nursery and find a living tree that is native to your area.
5. Explore an alternative to the tree.
   • Create a tree out of lights on your wall.
   • Use bows and wreaths to create an alternative holiday display.
   • Create a beautiful gift table.

 

Lights

• Try LED Lights this year. They are more efficient.
• Some cord around the holiday lights contain lead and pvc. Don' let your children handle Christmas lights. Read the article from checnet.org for more information.

 

Pet Safety this holiday season

• Avoid using tinsel.
• Glass ornaments near top of tree or avoid all together.
• Keep pets away from water at the base of tree that may contain pesticides and fertilizers.
• Keep electrical cords away from the pets. Run them under a carpet or through a copper pipe.
• Make sure batteries are kept out of reach of the animals.
• Watch out for chocolate which is very toxic for dogs.
• Know about the plants you have in your home, and remove any toxic plants from within your animals reach.

 

Listener Emails
Have something on your mind you'd like to share with Dori or Val, or their listeners, please email your comments and suggestions to hip@greenfeet.com

Heather - Heather asked a lot of questions about essential oils and getting rid of bugs. For getting rid of mosquitos you can use citronella essential oil or sandalwood. Outside you can use incense coils. Also listen to our June 16th episode of More Hip Than Hippie to learn more mosquito repelling ideas. Heather also asked about fire ants, we know that peppermint essential oil helps to get rid of ants in general. We are not sure about fire ants specifically. Or you can interupt their path by cleaning the area with Dr. Bronner's castile soap.
Constance - Gingerbread essential oil - make sure it is not a fragrance oil.
Martin - Silicone Bakeware - Doesn't get firm when hot. We have not found any reason to think it is not fine to use.
Eileen - Wants information on cleaning with non-toxic products. Mentions Endangered Species organic chocolate (can of worms officially opened). More on all of this on a later podcast.
Lori - Wanted a recommendation for healthy snacks for kids. And as luck would have it, Dori and her kids just tried a product called "Organic Go-Go Grahams" from Barbara's Bakery. Val suggests cheese service, organic corn chips with fresh salsa, fruit and yogurt, or carrots.
Heidi and her kids - Great idea for using old crayons to make new multi-colored crayons. Listen to the podcast to learn how to make them.
Kelly - Happy Birthday Val and Kelly - November 24th.

The Chocolate of the Week
Terra Nostra Organic Chocolate Bars - you can find them at veganessentials.com. Yummy.

Common Name: Tea Tree

 

Scientific Name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Description of odor: Fresh, clean, slightly camphorous

Method of extraction: Steam distillation

Where it grows: Tea Tree is native to Australia, where it grows primarily in New South Wales.

Introduction:
Tea Tree is an effective remedy for many ailments, and has been used for centuries by the aboriginal peoples of Australia. Extensive research conducted by scientists during the past ten years has resulted in very positive findings. According to Julia Lawless, author of The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Tea Tree has been shown to be effective in fighting against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is also a very powerful immuno-stimulant: when the body is exposed to an infectious organism, Tea Tree helps increase the body's ability to respond. Tea Tree is considered non-toxic, and very rarely is an irritant, making it suitable for nearly everyone.

Tea Tree essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils, and is a must-have for any home medicine cabinet. If you are new to aromatherapy, Tea Tree is an excellent introduction to essential oils. (Another excellent beginner�s oil is Lavender. Click here for more information about Lavender essential oil.)

How to use Tea Tree:

• First Aid. Place one drop of Tea Tree directly onto minor cuts or scrapes before applying a bandage. Tea Treeâ��s anti-infectious properties help to heal the wounds and prevent infection.
• Ringworm. For a small area, simply put one drop directly onto the affected skin. For larger areas, mix 3 drops of Tea Tree with 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil (such as Sesame or Jojoba) and apply it directly onto the affected area. Repeat 2-3 times a day until the infection is gone.
• Acne. Apply sparingly to the affected area twice a day until the acne is gone.
• Disinfectant. Take an 8 oz. spray bottle, fill with water and add 25 drops of Tea Tree oil. Shake well, and spray directly onto faucets, doorknobs, bed linens, or into the air as a disinfectant. This is also an excellent spray to use in a sick room.
• Athleteâ��s foot. Apply Tea Tree oil directly to the affected area twice a day. Remember â�� one drop goes a long way. If the athleteâ��s foot infection is found between all of the toes, use the same dosage as above for large ringworm infections, and apply directly to the affected areas.
• Gargle. To combat sore throat, or for an effective mouthwash, put two drops of Tea Tree essential oil into a glass of water, then swish and gargle. It doesn't taste very good â�� but it's very effective!
• Respiratory aid. For mild coughs or chest congestion, combine 1 drop of Tea Tree oil with 1 drop of Lavender oil, and mix the combination into 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub the mixture onto the chest and back. Repeat every 3-4 hours as needed.
• Itchy scalp. To soothe itchy, flaky scalp, add 15 drops of Tea Tree to your favorite 8 oz. bottle of shampoo. Wash and rinse as usual.
• Sore muscles. Tea Tree helps to flush the body of uric acid build-up. Just add 2 drops of Tea Tree and 1 drop of Lavender to 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil, and rub the mixture onto any sore areas.
• Nail fungus. Add 5 drops of Tea Tree essential oil to a basin of warm water, and soak nails (hands or feet) for 10 minutes. If the problem is acute, try rubbing 1 drop directly into the nail bed.

 

Safety:
Tea Tree essential oil is safe for nearly everyone. We do not recommend that you use Tea Tree oil on babies, and use it only when extremely diluted for children under the age of 5. It is one the few essential oils that is safe to apply neat � or straight onto the skin -- without the use of a carrier oil for individuals over the age of 5.

As with many essential oils, Tea Tree is safe to use as long as it is not abused. Use common sense when using essential oils. When following a recipe that calls for Tea Tree oil, use the exact amount called for by the recipe � do not exceed the recommended amount. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately; if symptoms persist, consult your physician.

Additional Resources:

There are dozens of other Tea Tree oil recipes that help fight a myriad of maladies. Two books you can reference for additional recipes and information are The Aromatherapy Book (by Jeanne Rose) and Aromatherapy an A-Z (by Patricia Davis).

You can purchase Tea Tree essential oil at greenfeet.com.

It's a beautiful day on the patio, Dori's remodel continues, and we are visited by the lovely Leah, our resident vegetarian.

Appliance Shopping
Dori's been on the lookout for energy efficient appliances; this week she picked out a Maytag Gemini (We love this as she has gemini twins!).
Also if you want to make an offer on Val's antique range, email her at hip@greenfeet.com.

Great Finds

• Treehugger.com - Popular Sciences Best of What's New- Tibersil (Dori wants this for her deck).
• Treehugger.com - Green Mountain Coffee Roasters' Organic, Fair Trade Frappuccino™ Alternative-Double-Bean Elixirs™, carbonated coffee sodas, will be available in original, vanilla, hazelnut, mocha, and almond.
• Buildinggreen.com- Introduces dual flush toilets - one for each kind.

 

Hurray for Lego Val can rest a little easier since she recently found out that Legos are PVC free. Click here to read more.

Tips from Plenty Magazine
Ok, these tips are from Val, but she saw them in Plenty Magazine (one of her favorites). Here are 3 of their six "Nature's Tricks".

• Beer as a Conditioner Ok, it's true we love beer! Let us know if you try this tip and how it worked for you.
• Nightingale Droppings The nightingale droppings are supposed to reduce the appearance of pores and give you a fresh look. Please let us know if you try this one! We're a bit scared of it actually. If you want to try it, and wondered where you might get some nightingale scat, well search no more - just click here.
• Lemon Juice as deodorant - A great natural way to freshen your underarms. (Women - we suggest you don't do this immediately after shaving).

 

Beer of the Week This week we tasted (ok drank) Golden Monkey Tripel from Victory Brewing Company.

Essential oil of the Week: Lavender - Click here for a detailed posting on lavender essential oil.

Leah's Alternatives to Turkey

• Tofurkey
• Roasted Squash stuffed with cornbread stuffing
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Pumpkin Pie (We tried Truly Natural Pumpkin Pie: this is an extremely yummy pie with no synthetic preservatives, artificial colors, flavors and additives. What else is it missing? Conventionally refined sugars or synthetic sweeteners. It's downright tasty.
  Learn about their product at www.whollywholesome.com)
• Vegetarian Gravy - Leah's Nutritional Yeast Gravy (adapted from The Farm Cookbook)
  1/3 cup nutritional yeast (available in the bulk section of your natural foods market)
  1/3 cup organic flour
  1/4 cup canola oil
  Water
  Tamari, fresh ground pepper and Tabasco to taste.

  Lightly brown the flour in a heated pan. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add water to right consistency (your preference). Season with tamari, fresh ground pepper and Tabasco to taste. Enjoy!
  

 

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Common name: Lavender

Scientific name: There are roughly 30 different species within the botanical family Labiatae. Several varieties are used medicinally, but the most common is "true" lavender, or Lavendula angustifolia.

Description of odor: Sweet, fresh, herbaceous, slightly floral

Method of extraction: Steam distillation

Where it grows: "True" lavender grows wildly in France, Italy, and parts of Spain. It also thrives in certain climates in the U.S., specifically those with rocky soil and cool weather (although many other varieties tolerate heat very well).

Who should use lavender: Lavender essential oil is suitable for everyone, ranging from children (ages 2 and up) to seniors.

Safety: As with many essential oils, lavender is very safe to use as long as it is not overused or abused. If used in high concentrations, lavender can be stimulating. Follow aromatherapy recipes exactly, and do not exceed recommended dosages. If any allergic reactions occur, discontinue use immediately; if symptoms persist, consult your physician.

 

Lavender is an herb that has been used for many generations, by people in many cultures. It is valued for its beauty and fragrance, as well as for its many medicinal uses. Consequently, lavender is the one essential oil that should be a staple in every home's medicine cabinet. It is also the best oil with which to become acquainted with the practice of aromatherapy.

French perfumer Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (1881-1950) is credited with the modern-day interest in the medicinal value of lavender essential oil. After suffering severe burns on his hand while working in his laboratory one day, he desperately sought something to cool the wounds. By chance, he applied pure essential oil of lavender directly to the burns. He discovered not only that his wounds cooled off, but moreover that his hand healed quickly, and without scarring.

Gattefosse published a paper about his discovery in 1932, and later wrote two books regarding the use of essential oils in medicine (Aromatherapie and Antiseptiques Essentiales) that had a tremendous impact on the scientific world. It is, in fact, Gattefosse to whom the term 'Aromatherapy' is credited.

10 Ways to Use Lavender
Lavender is one of two essential oils that are considered safe when applied directly, or neat, to the skin (tea tree is the other).

Essential oils typically come in 1/3 or ½ ounce bottles with built in dropper tops. To get a perfect drop, simply tip the bottle over and gently tap the bottom of the bottle.

1. First Aid
   For minor cuts and scrapes, apply one drop of pure lavender essential oil directly to the wound (after the wound has been cleaned), then dress with an appropriate bandage. For deep cuts or wounds, consult your doctor or a licensed clinical aromatherapist before applying essential oil. Lavender helps to regenerate tissue and can cause healing from the outside in if used too quickly - again, make sure to consult your physician or a licensed clinical aromatherapist for advice.
2. Burns
   For mild burns, place a few drops of lavender essential oil onto the dressing that will be placed over the wound. Also be sure to use any appropriate salve as directed by your physician.
3. Insomnia
   To help reduce problems with insomnia, simply apply one drop of lavender essential oil to the edge of a pillowcase. Take deep breaths, and relax from your toes all the way to your head, focusing on all the major body parts along the way. Eventually, your body will become "trained" to the effects of the essential oil - usually within a week or two -- and you will notice a significantly faster reaction with continued use.
4. Stress
   Place 20 drops of lavender in a warm bath and relax. 5-10 drops may also be used in a vaporizer for inhalation. If a bathtub or vaporizer isn't available, simply apply 3 drops to a cotton ball and inhale as needed. If you face a stressful daily commute, car diffusers work wonders: place 5 drops of lavender essential oil onto the pad and plug the unit into your cigarette lighter.
5. Sunburn
   Lavender's analgesic properties help to reduce sunburn pain, and lavender is also useful in the sunburn healing process. For large, lightly burned areas, use about 15 drops of lavender essential oil to 1 tbsp of distilled water and dab gently over the entire affected area. For smaller, more severe sunburns, apply lavender essential oil neat (directly) to the area - but make sure that you only use a drop or two, since essential oil is extremely potent.
6. Household disinfectant
   Lavender has superb antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, making it a great household disinfectant. For cleaning sinks, tubs, or toilets, sprinkle baking soda and 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil onto a sponge and scrub away. After you're finished scrubbing, rinse the area well. For washing floors, countertops, etc., simply add 60 drops of essential oil to a bucket of warm water, and wipe or mop as needed.
7. Bruises
   Lavender helps to reduce inflammation, regenerate skin tissue, and promote healing of bruises. To ease inflammation, place 5 drops of lavender essential oil into a bowl of cold water, wet a washcloth in the lavender solution, and apply as a compress to the affected area. After using the initial compress, apply a drop or two directly upon the bruised area once a day until the area has healed.
8. Colic or tummy aches in infants
   Place 1-3 drops of lavender essential oil into 1 tsp of carrier oil (such as jojoba or sesame). Rub the oil mixture gently onto your baby's tummy and lower back in a clockwise direction. Repeat this procedure every few hours until the symptoms subside.
9. Fatigue
   After a long day, place 10 drops of lavender essential oil into a hot footbath and soak for 30 minutes. Lavender has a well-earned reputation as a restorative - you'll be surprised how much better you'll feel!
10. Insect bites/bee stings
    Place one drop of lavender essential oil directly onto insect bites or bee stings. Lavender's anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling, its analgesic properties reduce pain and itch, and its healing properties encourage tissue repair. Frequently, you'll hardly notice the bite at all if you apply the oil immediately after being bit or stung.

There are endless uses for this wonderful, healing oil. For more information and additional recipes, check out The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless, or The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.

Lavender Recipes
Anxiety:
Anxiety creates tension in the body and can trigger other stress-related symptoms. Ease your anxiety by using these calming and uplifting oils.

to calm the nerves: lavender 10 drops, geranium 5 drops, sandalwood 10 drops. Blend into 2 oz of base/carrier oil such as jojoba. Massage into chest, back, and neck.

for anxiety and fear: lavender 6 drops, frankincense 8 drops, sandalwood 6 drops. Blend into 2 oz of base/carrier oil such as jojoba. Massage into chest, back, and neck.

Insomnia:
To help battle insomnia try 6 drops of lavender and 4 drops of cedarwood in a vaporizer. Or place a bowl of dried rosebuds in your room and sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil to help promote sleep. Remember, if you are having trouble sleeping, create a haven in your room with relaxing colors, fabrics and no TV to promote a relaxing environment.

For more essential oil recipes click here.

This week we have some great holiday tips, extra yummy food, and Val gives us the low down on aromatherapy and essential oils.

Dori's Remodel
The remodel is going well. The bones of the house are in place, and it is looking good. Dori just bought herself (and her 4 kids) a new washer and dryer from LG (Life's Good).

The Beer
This week we are trying Prohibition Ale from Speak Easy Lagers. You can find out more information about them at goodbeer.com.

The Chocolate
We are sampling one of Val's favorite chocolates, Chocolove Raspberries in Dark Chocolate Bar. We highly recommend you try this one.

The Popcorn?
Dori brought us a new product (at least new to us) to try. It is Orville Redenbacher's Organic Popping Corn. It is so new we couldn't find it on the web (perhaps Chico is a test market). Tell your local supermarket you want to try it. We did find a bit more information on it, so hopefully you will find that useful. Click here to learn more.

Holiday Tips
Getting your Silverware Clean - Easy to make cleaning recipes - We got these from Natural Home and Garden Magazine
Silverware Cleaner
Items Needed:

• Large glass baking pan
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• Recycled Aluminum Foil
• Boiling Water

Boil the water. Line the Pan with the recycled aluminum foil (regular foil will work, too). Put the silverware in the pan, making sure it's touching the foil. Cover the silverware with the baking soda. Immerse the silverware with the boiling water. Dry with a soft cloth. This should get rid of 80-100% of the tarnish.

Silverware Polish
Items Needed:

• 1 Cup Baking Soda
• 1/4 Cup Water

Place Baking soda in a non-reactive container, add water and mix well. Lightly dampen a cotton cloth and work a generous amount of paste into the surface, rub tarnished area, rinse and dry.

Wrapping Presents - We got this one from Natural Home and Garden too.

• Crush old wrapping paper, then open it back up. Do this a few times until the wrapping paper is soft. The texture is beautiful on the packages.
• Wrap your present in old sheet music from garage sales or antique stores.
• Use brown paper and stamps to decorate your package.
• For large items consider a pillow case with ribbon.
• Recycled wallpaper (We recommend not using vinyl wallpaper).
• For Baubles, beads and tags use game pieces, antique keys, seashells, beads, soda bottle tops, string raphia, or recycled yarn.

Send your holiday tips to hip@greenfeet.com.

Essential Oil Basics
Defining the Term Essential Oil Essential oils are concentrated aromatic liquids extracted from a variety of aromatic plant material through the process of steam distillation, cold-press or CO2 methods. Essential oils are organic substances that the plant produces to protect itself from disease and pests and in some cases, to attract pollinators such as bees.

An example of a plant producing a number of essential oils would be the bitter orange tree. The leaves produce Pettigrain essential oil, the blooms produce Neroli essential oil (one of Val all-time faves) and the skin of the fruit produces bitter orange essential oil.

What are Essential Oils good for? Everything. We'll be getting into more specific details in future shows, but in general essential oils are used for everything from cooking to stress reduction, treating colds and flu to treating depression. They're truly amazing.

How do you smell an Essential Oil? Remember that essential oils are concentrated forms of the plants volatile compounds - in other words, they're potent. Simply hold the bottle 4-5 inches away from your nose and move the bottle back and forth gently inhaling the contents. Essential oils can also be used on the skin - we'll cover that in future shows.

To find out more about essential oils visit the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy at www.naha.org

Listener Emails
As always thank you so much for all of your emails. We love hearing from you and appreciate your feedback, even if you don't agree with us... like Michael.
No to CFLs? Michael emailed us and told us his opinion on why we should not be using CFLs. We appreciate his point of view, but we are sticking by our reasoning.
Reusable Bags: Mike (a different Mike) told us he likes to use his man purse (backpack) as a replacement for paper or plastic. Dori also told us about another option made from recycled Sails. Check them out at seabags.com.
Coffee Beer: JanesDaddy told us about this one. We don't know what to think about this, but anything to do with beer is worth investigating further.

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