More Hip Than Hippie #250 - Say No to GMO

The CEO of Lundberg Family Farms explains his company's opposition to genetically modified foods, and how consumers can avoid GMOs.

As more US crops are planted using genetically modified seeds, consumers increasingly demand to know about the risks of eating GM foods. Lundberg Family Farms takes a stand against GMOs; their CEO, Grant Lundberg, tells the Hipsters why! Also, Dori steps up to the cider while Val deals with a head full of snot.

Beer and Cider:

Beer: Try as she might, Val can't stay away from her new boyfriend Samuel Smith. We give his Organic Apple Cider much Hipster love for its nice flavor. It's a great choice for those who usually find cider to be too sweet.

Chocolate: OK, this was a disappointment. Seeds of Change Organic Dark Chocolate with Mango and Cashew is heavily molested with teensy bits of fruit and nuts, so it's a bit chewier than we like. Worse, all that flotsam and jetsam contributed almost no flavor! If we're going to work that hard to eat it, we want more bang for the bite.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! Looking for the perfect Travel Book Light? Verilux makes a model that folds up flat and shines a glare-free natural light. Best of all, you can power it with rechargeable batteries or a USB port.
• Would you, could you in the dark? Break in your new book light during Earth Hour 2010! Circle March 27th on your calendar and pledge to turn off your lights at 8:30pm for 60 minutes. You'll be in good company.

Hip News

• Caveat empty. Oops! Bisphenol A isn't safe after all, according to the US FDA. But they can't regulate BPA because of a quirk in the rules. So consider yourself warned.
• Car maxed. There are actually fewer autos on US roads these days. A combination of driver frustration and improved public transportation means car usage is on the decline for the first time in decades.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Vote with your dollar! Search for participating companies and verified products on the Non-GMO Project site. Share the lists with family and friends, then go shopping!

 

Say No to GMO

As more US crops are planted using genetically modified seeds, consumers increasingly demand to know about the risks of eating GM foods. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit consortium of retailers, producers, farmers and distributors who want to give shoppers a choice to avoid these foods. Lundberg Family Farms participates in this organization and takes a stand against GMOs.

• GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. GM foods entered the market in the 1990s.
• Frankentomato is the not-so-complimentary nickname given to Calgene's Flavr Savr, the first GM food to hit stores.
• Health risks of GM foods are documented in a report by the Institute for Responsible Technology.
• Rice is one the few largely unmodified major crops. An experiment with LL601 GM rice did not go as planned.
• Lundberg Farms has an extensive list of verified non-GMO products.

Listener E-mails

• Bree in California loves her new Eco Smart washer and dryer, but also wants use a laundry line (her HOA says no). Visit Project Laundry List and fight for your right!
• Sandy in New York wonders if it's eco-friendly to keep charging his beloved Kindle. We think so, especially if you hook it up to a solar charger.
• Lisa in Wisconsin shares a story about therapists reporting an increase in green disputes.
• Chris in Montana (not for long!) wants some Hipster tips! Know any great blogs or mags about gardening and self-sufficiency? Val recommends Mary Jane's Farm.
• Sebastien in Canada (eh!) sent an article about water bottles of yore: revigators. Because radioactive water is good for what ails you.
• Steve in Philadelphia wants us to sample sucky wheat-free beers for him. The things we do for our listeners...

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 #249 - Birdwatching 101

Birdwatching, or birding, is the biggest sport in America.

According to US Fish and Wildlife Service, there are currently 51.3 million birders in the United States alone. You wanted to know more about birdwatching basics, so the Hipsters asked an expert. Birding enthusiast Scott Huber gamely answers your questions about binoculars, feeders, guide books and more. Also, Val inspires Dori to coin a new term: pine face!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listener, Jessica, sent along 3 fine Scottish ales from Williams Bros. Brewing: Alba, Grozet and Fraoch. The more you drink, the more fun they are to say!

Chocolate: Far from Scotland, coconuts grow, and we are thankful. Seeds of Change Organic Dark Chocolate with Coconut is change we can believe in.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• What's not to yike? City dwellers can achieve urban freedom with the electric YikeBike, which is due to hit the market in Europe and New Zealand this year. It's like a unicycle for the Jetsons.
• Fir real? Christmas in SoCal just got a little greener. Rent a living tree for the holidays, delivered to your home and picked up when the fun's over. Living Christmas also has an eco-holiday store; check out the Yeti ornaments.

Hip News

• Gung hay cheap crap. Hey parents, don't buy cheap Chinese-made toys for your kids! This public safety message is courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Wheels of fortune. Lady Luck has smiled upon Ford Motor Co. Their Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect were named 2010 Car and Truck of the Year in Detroit; now they've announced plans to build lithium ion batteries in Michigan. Meanwhile, Toyota unveils the FT-CH hybrid concept car.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Feather your hair! Scott suggests collecting the hair from your brushes (including pet hair) and saving it until springtime. Once the weather clears a bit, toss those tresses into the yard for birds, who'll happily use it to build their nests.

 

Birdwatching 101

You wanted to know more about birdwatching, so we asked an expert! Birding enthusiast Scott Huber gamely answers your questions about binoculars, feeders, guide books and more. He also explains the difference between a birder and a twitcher. Thanks for all the questions on our Facebook page!

• Who is Scott Huber? He's the Education Director for Altacal Audubon and a board member with Audubon California.
• What is that bird? Consult a trusty field guide like or Kenn Kaufman. For kids, start with the Golden Guide.
• When should you start birding? Now! Attend a local bird festival to find experts and info.
• Where can you birdwatch? Anywhere, with a pair of binoculars or an app like iBird or birdJam.
• How can you attract birds to your yard? With a fantastic birdhouse and birdbath.
• Why support the Audubon Society? So future generations will have birds to watch.

 

Listener E-mails

You are the wind beneath our wings! Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and bird droppings at our MHTH forum!

 

• Shayna in Idaho reminds us to wash those reusable bags regularly. Bad things grow in there.
• Jessica in Pittsburgh can't stand it when people say cold weather disproves global warming. Memorize this article, or just steer clear of the topic. We feel your pain.
• Jenny in Canada (eh!) is allergic to onions and can't find an organic soup that doesn't have them. Make your own Tomato Soup or Chicken Soup, and hold the onions!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Groundhog 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 #248 - From Odwalla to Adina

Odwalla founder Greg Steltenpohl is back in the beverage business with Adina for Life, a drink company with a social conscience.

Sometimes an opportunity comes along that you just can't pass up. Greg Steltenpohl helped to bring natural and organic beverages to consumers worldwide with Odwalla. Now he's bottling sustainability and social responsibility with a new line of beverages. As co-founder of Adina, Greg shares his progressive vision and his entrepreneurial tips with the Hipsters. Also, Dori and Val say goodbye to Julie Andrews and hello to John Coltrane, while their hometown of Chico joins the mile-high club!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Stop the presses! Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. just released their seasonal Glissade Golden Bock. We could taste a glimmer of springtime in its brisk bouquet. Another winner.

Chocolate: Back we go to World Market, for their Pomegranate Dark Chocolate bar. With a bit of juicy fruit flavor in a crisp 64% cocoa bar, it's not a fave of ours...but it's still a good value at $1.99.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Val's Favorite Thing! First the dryer, now the washer has balls! The Ionic Laundry Ball lets you do up to 700 phosphate-free loads of wash without using detergent. Just toss it in with the dirty clothes, then sit back and count the money you've saved!
• Right turn, Clyde. Sick of the canned voice on your GPS? The Garmin Voice Studio allows owners of their Nuvi model to voice their own navigation tips...or whatever. Check out their new ecoRoute cable if you want to track your fuel efficiency.

Hip News

• Fresh air. The US EPA has proposed stricter health standards for smog, which could place many more communities out of compliance. Big Oil hates it, so it must be good.
• The need for seed. Mark your calendar for January 30th, National Seed Swap Day. Organize your own with gardeners you know or use a free site like Seed Swaps.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Plan to scan! Cut through those piles of paper by scanning recipes, schedules, receipts, reference documents or whatever you can into your computer. Be sure to back them up regularly. Don't have a scanner? Try to find one second-hand and save a little cash!

 

From Odwalla to Adina

Greg Steltenpohl is back in the beverage business! Adina for Life, Inc. produces drinks with a social conscience.

• Drink No Evil. That's the tagline for Adina beverages, which include Fair Trade certified coffee & tea drinks as well as organic juices.
• Holistics. This line of Adina fruit drinks is formulated with the principles of Ayurveda in mind.
• Odwalla was Greg's baby from 1980 until 2001, when it was sold to Coca-Cola.
• Interra Project is another of Greg's ventures. This non-profit project rewards consumers for shopping locally with a Community Card.

 

Listener E-mails

Your New Year's resolution is to email your favorite Hipsters, right? Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and juicy stories at our MHTH forum!

 

• Trystan at Yahoo! Green is a reusable bag ninja! She and her husband used only 7 plastic bags in 2009, thanks in part to their plentiful cache of ChicoBags. Even better, her hometown voted to ban plastic bags starting in 2011!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for MLK Jr. 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 #247 - Eco-Resolutions

Happy New Year! Start the new decade with a plan to lighten your footprint on the planet.

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? Maybe you prefer to call them "intentions". Either way, set forth some clear, specific, measurable goals. The Hipsters are tackling food and waste in their quest for a greener 2010!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Our new Favorite Listener is Jen in Portland, who personally delivered Santa's Butt! This tasty porter from Ridgeway Brewing in England is definitely the finest Butt we've seen this winter.

Chocolate: Sticking with store brands, we sampled World Market Chipotle Chili 64% dark chocolate bar. Nice spicy kick and a great value at about $2.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• Dori's Wedding Update! The big event happens in sweltering July, so Dori & Chris chose an indoor venue with air conditioning. This vintage Chico building will easily hold about 75 guests under it's vaulted roof. Green because the wedding and reception will happen in one place, eliminating extra travel; frugal because the rental rate for 8 hours on a Saturday is only $400, tables & chairs included!
• Web sight. You can look an endangered species in the face every day this year, thanks to the IUCN. They'll post a daily feature detailing a Red List species of animal, bird or plant that's under threat of extinction.
• Will work with food. Need a career change? Use your mad farming skillz to land a Sustainable Food Job.

Hip News

• Cash for Clunkers, Part Deux. Get your US government rebate for replacing old appliances this year. Check the Energy Savers chart to see when your state's program begins.
• Bug 'em! Tell the EPA to require pesticide manufacturers to disclose inert ingredients in their formulations. They're accepting public comments until late February.

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Teach, don't preach! Pick one green issue you'd like to share with your friends and family this year. Teach them about the merits of reusable bags, composting, fair trade...whatever you're passionate about. (Probably best to avoid political hot potatoes like global warming, though.) Educate yourself and lead by example!

 

Eco-Resolutions

For 2010, the Hipsters set some solid green goals. Val: reduce household waste by 25%; source food within 100 miles; use less than 10 plastic bags. Dori: plan a low-waste or waste-free wedding; produce more food at home with a garden and chickens; start blogging about both. A big thanks to all our listeners who shared their goals with us on Facebook!

• Reduce your use of plastic bags. Sign up for Big Ed's Pledge and get support from like-minded Hipsters.
• Eat locally. Learn more about the 100 Mile Diet.
• Waste not. Plan events using compostable plates and flatware, real glasses and linens, recycling bins and local and/or organic food & drinks. Here are more tips for a green wedding.
• Produce some of your food. If you love fresh eggs, think about adding backyard chickens.
• Hot wire fencing with a solar charger is an energy-efficient way to keep dogs (Val) and goats (Dori) from destroying your garden.

 

Listener E-mails

Your New Year's resolution is to email your favorite Hipsters, right? Send your questions and compliments to hip@greenfeet.com. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and green goals at our MHTH forum!"The Legend of Dori's Engagement Ring" Contest is over! Read the winning entry here!

• Gwyneth in New Brunswick (eh!) found a great vintage engagement ring on eBay and some cool wedding dresses on Etsy. Congrats to you and your frozen fiance!
• Eileen in Florida wonders if Tetra Paks contain BPA or phthalates. Nope! They use #2 plastic plus paper and aluminum; check to see if your town will recycle them.
• Tina in Texas isn't sure if she should use an old energy-hog clothes dryer 3 months of the year, or get a new one? Tough call; we think you should use it sparingly while you save up for a more efficient model.
• Kristi in Michigan visited China and shares her green observations. World-travelling Hipsters, feel free to do the same!
• Sebastien in Canada (eh!) was the first of several Hipsters to send along the story of the Japanese man making edible sake bottles out of squid skin. Hey, how about beer bottles made of chocolate? Genius!

Show the world you're More Hip Than Hippie! Grab some merch for Elvis's birthday 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.