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.

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