More Hip Than Hippie #71 - Good Fish, Bad Fish

It's a well known fact that the omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish have a number of healthy benefits. However, the growing pollution problem is causing rising mercury levels in seafood. How do you know how much is too much when eating fish, and do the health benefits outweigh the risks? We'll help you nagivate these murky waters by giving you tips for making healthy choices and reducing your mercury intake.

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: Oktoberfest from Joseph Brau Brewery, by Trader Joe's. You can't get it online, but if you're lucky you can find a Trader Joe's near you!

Chocolate: Java Truffle filled Dark Chocolate by Lake Champlain Chocolates. Thanks for hooking us up, Laura!

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

• What can you do to make a difference? Saturday October 28 is Make A Difference Day, a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Take a look around your community and see how you can help make it a better place. By taking on one small project or deed to help out, you contribute to the big picture of making the world a better place!
• Get your organic on the run. A new restaurant and catering chain, Organic-To-Go, is tapping into a market that is often overlooked by traditional fast-food joints. Now you can have your favorite organic treats and eats, like organic roasted, herbed potatoes, while you're out running errands. Or if you're too busy to get out, you can have it delivered right to your doorstep in a recycled plastic bag. Why didn't someone think of this before?

 

News:

• Seeing red. Popular retail chain the Gap has launched a new clothing line called (Product) Red, with a percentage of sales going to The Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Pick yourself up a shirt, it will make you feel good inside and out.
• Who tops the list? The EPA just published its annual list of the best workplaces for commuters among the Fortune 500 companies.
• Have you had a ghostly experience? Since Halloween is just around the corner, we're asking you to share your otherworldly experiences with us. Have a good story? Skype us at "morehip" and leave us a message with your story. Don't have Skype? Get it here or you can call +1 530.554.2605 and leave a message.

 

Essential Oil

Pick up your Ginger essential oil at Greenfeet, it's great for treating a number of ailments. Here are just a few of its uses:

• Reduces motion sickness and morning sickness.
• A good preventative remedy for infectious illnesses.
• Treat arthritis, aching muscles, and poor circulation.

 

Good Fish, Bad Fish

Don't let fish leave a bad taste in your mouth! Despite the health benefits associated with eating fish, mercury levels in commercial fish and shellfish are raising concerns. Have no fear, with a few tips and a little knowledge, you can make healthy choices on your next trip to the market.

• Calculate your Mercury in-take at GotMercury.org.
• Make healthy choices when buying seafood with the Eat Smart Guide.
• Learn more at OceansAlive.org.
• Find out how mercury in fish is regulated at RealMercuryFacts.org.
• Check out the EPA's list of mercury levels in commercial fish and shellfish.
• Read some of these About.com articles on the health benefits and risks of eating seafood:
  • Mercury in Fish: Does Eating Seafood Help or Harm Your Health?
  • Good Fish, Bad Fish.

 

More Hip Book Club

We hope you're enjoying our first book, Fast Food Nation! We'll be talking about the first section "The American Way" on next week's show and look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Listener Emails

Once again, we have a bunch of great listener emails. Keep 'em rolling in at hip@greenfeet.com. And don't forget to post articles, links, and speak your mind at our MHTH forum!

• Golf anyone? Shayna found this article about how some people are turning to souped-up golf carts for their full-time ride. They are considered alternative-fuel vehicles, which means serious federal tax breaks for the drivers. Maybe you can spend the money you save on those expensive greens fees!
• Walk the line. Rebecca from Boston was looking for some information about line drying clothes. Check out LaundryList.org.
• Queue up for The Snailwell Gazette. Elizabeth just launched the new website for her publication The Snailwell Gazette. It's all about the antics of an American family living in jolly old England and is sure to have you laughing!
• Vroom Vroom. Paul wanted to let us know about Diesel Secret Energy, a kit that can have any diesel engine running on a vegetable oil based fuel in as quickly as one day. Sounds like a great idea to us!
• Wood is good. Aimee in San Francisco found Suissa Computers, a company that uses wood casings for their computers. They're cool looking and eco-friendly!
• Crazy for cacao! A listener found an article in The Seattle Times that gives chocolate lovers the lowdown on cacao content.
• Do you use CFL's? A thread in the forum was discussing the mercury content in the energy-efficient bulbs. To learn more, read this fact sheet.

Email us at hip@greenfeet.com. Don't forget to vote for us at podcastalley.com and podcastpickle.com. Send us a voice message at our Skype address "morehip" or +1 530.554.2605. Don't have Skype ? Get it - it's free!