More Hip Than Hippie - Log Homes

More Hip Than Hippie #240 - Log Homes

Log home living provides a natural energy-efficient habitat with timeless beauty and comfort.

Log homes are often thought to be rustic cabins set on remote mountaintops. They've had a bit of a bad rap from environmentalists, who insist that timber should be left where it stands. The Hipsters get to the root of the controversy with Larry and Sherry Trimboli, owners of Sierra Log Homes in Chico, CA. Also, Val recounts her battle with swine flu (and recommends this to lessen the symptoms)!

Beer and Chocolate:

Beer: We split an easy-drinkin' bottle of Wolaver's Brown Ale from Otter Creek Brewing. Dori took one for the team, quaffing most of the beer for her poor porcine pal Val.

Chocolate: WTF? Another diet chocolate bar? Trader Joe's Simply Lite Dark Chocolate with Almonds wasn't the best low-carb sugar-free bar we've had, but it makes a mighty tasty laxative.

Hip News and Finds

Finds:

 

• Val's Favorite Thing! Looking for an American-made gift with plenty of eco-cred? Snuggle up in a vibrant Winter Knit Scarf. The yarn is spun from reclaimed cotton and certified by both Made in Green and Oeko-Tex.
• Cod almighty. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch helps you make the best choices, so you won't have to flounder around the fish market.
• Moby Dick. For a cool $1.6 milion, you can own an armored, jewel-encrusted bulletproof SUV from Russian automaker Dartz. No, that isn't cowhide on the seats; you're sitting on a whale penis.

Hip News

• In the bag. Two of the country's biggest retailers want you to kick the plastic bag habit. Target and CVS have launched reusable bag programs with financial incentives for shoppers.
• Think Tink. The United Nations has named Tinker Bell as its "Honorary Ambassor of Green". So is Peter Pan the ambassador of peanut butter?

Teenie Weenie Greenie™

Action figure! As the holiday season begins, take the time to list 5 actions you plan to take to reduce your footprint. Use recycled wrap? Offset travel? Compost your waste? Yule be glad you did!

 

Log Homes

Sierra Log Homes provides materials, design and engineering services.

 

• The preferred material for log homes is dead standing lodgepole pines, which dry out naturally before being harvested from forests.
• Log homes maintain moderate temperatures through thermal mass, making them quite energy efficient.
• Any home can incorporate elements of log home living, like siding and rails.
• Western forests are under attack by mountain pine beetles, which leave behind vast stands of dead trees.
• Larry and Sherry will launch the "Planting It Forward" program with the Arbor Day Foundation in 2010!
• Get more info about the log home lifestyle.

 

Listener E-mails

Whew! Thanks for all the e-mails! Send a question or a compliment to [e-mail]. Check out our new blog! And remember to post articles, links and swine flu remedies 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!

• Mary in Memphis, TN wants to recycle her old bras and undies. Bras make great purses and knee pads; undies, not so much.
• Emily in Indiana would like to put CFL globes in her bathroom. Just remember, they take a few moments to warm up!
• Elizabeth in Minnesota (dontcha know!) can't believe the FDA wants us to flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet. Chisago County has a successful takeback program. We agree that manufacturers should step up too.
• Jessica in Washington DC signed up for SmartBrief, a useful (and free) newsfeed focusing on sustainability.
• KC in Korea will cease to be a San Diego Chargers fan if they move to LA! Why is their proposed new stadium exempt from environmental laws?
• Steve in New Jersey loves him some butternut squash soup with spicy green pumpkin seeds, a la Martha Stewart.
• Kate shares the scoop on Seventh Generation's Million Baby Crawl. Join this virtual march to Washington to say "no" to toxins in our homes.
• Alex in Cleveland will argue the case for hemp in his English class essay. Duuuuuude!

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