All About Greener Motoring with John Voelcker

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Are you as baffled as we are about the confusing mix of news whizzing through the airwaves and websites about greener cars like AFVs, EVs, hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars, hybrids, biodiesel, the ethics of ethanol . . . ahhhhhhh!!!!! Sometimes I just think of Fred and Barney on the Flintstones racing along on their foot-powered, canopy car – hey if Ed Begley, Jr. can power his toaster by peddling his stationary bicycle, why not?

Well, we’re glad John Voelcker, senior editor with High Gear Media will be calling in tonight to give us the 411 on what’s going on in the rapidly evolving ’green car’ tech world.

If you have any questions (and we know you do), please IM us during the show: YahooIM – green.divas OR you can email us: info@thegreendivas.com OR BEST OF ALL, become a ‘fan’ on our FaceBook page and post there during the show: Green Divas Radio Show

Tune in and turn on a friend!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

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Green Divas are Wicked Fresh – Thanks to Toms of Maine

Great Green Products

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I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine toothpaste, dental and personal care products since . . . well, for longer than I care to admit here, but let’s just say that I was an early adopter.

Back in the last century (1980s), when I was just a babe, I was publishing the first version of Relevant Times and running a small marketing agency.  There were a handful of socially conscious and sustainably minded businesses coming into their own and Tom’s of Maine was one of them. We used to dream about doing marketing for companies like this, but back then, there wasn’t enough money to support our growing families . . . so we lamented.

Now, WOW, companies like Tom’s of Maine are leading the way in raising the bar in creating and maintaining corporate standards for sustainability and corporate social responsibility. While the company was purchased by Colgate-Palmolive  in 2006, Tom and his wife Kate stipulated that their socially responsible corporate policies be retained. To their credit, the company seems to be doing a great job of continuing and even expanding on the fundamental philosophies of no animal testing, natural and healthy ingredients, sustainable sourcing and environmental manufacturing practices, employee and fair trade consciousness and extensive community outreach, awareness and give-back programs.

My family has used so many of the Tom’s products and while I’ve personally pretty much always used the toothpaste, I’ve never been attached to any particular flavor and sort of rotate through a couple of the regulars and add new ones to the rotation as they appear. However, when I got an opportunity to review their new ‘Wicked Fresh’ toothpaste and mouthwash, I was curious, but without much expectation of finding anything too different than I’m used to from Tom’s.

I am quite surprised at how much I like this new ‘flavor’ and how attached I think I’ll be now to this one particular product line. If you go to the website, you can see the ingredient list and THAT is refreshing . . . it is nice to see not only a simple chart of pretty clean ingredients, but where they are sourced and what they are used for!

I’ve always loved Tom’s of Maine, but now I’m a devotee of the Wicked Fresh line. Check it out!

eat. blog. be merry!
gd meg

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Raising Kids Healthy and Green with Holistic Moms

nancymassottoHMN

Green Diva Jen is also a holistic mom and one of the early members and founders of our local chapter of the Holistic Moms Network. We have definitely found that conscious moms who are concerned about natural health and wellness for their children and families, tend to be green moms and be more willing to adopt and teach their families sustainable living practices.

The Executive Director of the Holistic Moms Network, Nancy Massotto, will be calling into the Green Divas Radio Hour tonight. She’ll talk about what’s new with this fast-growing network of smart sustainable moms and all about their upcoming annual even this Fall.

Try IMing us on our new Yahoo IM handle during the show: green.divas@yahoo.com!

Tune in and turn on a friend!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

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The Ultimate Cheapskate on How Being Green is Cheap

cheapskate_book2Our friend, Jeff Yeager, the Ultimate Cheapskate has been a very busy guy. His new book, The Cheapskate Next Door, is out and he is zig zagging across the country promoting it and from all the accounts we see on FaceBook, it looks like he’s having a fun, but inexpensive, time!

Jeff will be calling in tonight on the Green Divas Radio Hour to update us on his travels, talk about his book and of course talk with us about how cheap being green is.

Tune in and turn on a friend!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

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Ease the Heat with Watermelon Gazpacho

watermelon gazpacho

My sister-in-law made this divine summer soup for a family gathering last year.  It was absolutely amazing, indescribable – delicious.  I can’t say enough about it.  It’s a raw food – which is ideal for summer eating, gluten-free, vegetarian,  AND it’s so simple.  This is almost the ideal time to make it – I would wait until the Jersey tomatoes are in full swing – but I’m sure you could find some good smaller local tomatoes in season now.

So cool the heat – here’s the recipe.  Enjoy!  Green Diva Jen

Watermelon Gazpacho

3 Cups watermelon chunks, seeded and pureed in a blender
1 Cup watermelon, coarsely chopped (take seeds out first)
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 Cup red or green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 small jalapeno, seeded and chopped

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
small handful of cilantro leaves
black pepper to taste

1 scallion (white and 1-inch of green), chopped

1 Tsp sea salt, to taste

In a large glass bowl, combine the watermelon puree, chunks, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, lime juice, cilantro, ginger, jalapeno, scallion, and salt. Stir well, add pepper and more salt, if you like.

Ladle into 4 chilled bowls and serve.

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TerraScope: Sustainable, Earth-Based Astrology for July 2010

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TerraScope for July 2010

July is rapidly approaching and if you missed the show last night, you’ll want to find your TerraScope for July below. Green Diva Jean Brookwell offers us a unique (and wickedly accurate) twist on a traditional horoscope using her own special earth-based astrology. Look for your traditional astrological sun sign below and see what’s in store for July!

 

 

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in the stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” Julius Caesar I, ii 140-141
 
The Path Forks
Yogi Berra said, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it.”
 
ARIES (March 21-April 19)  Almost always you have a choice, even if it is a choice between two undesirables.  You may choose to worry or transcend.  You may take to the couch or bike across country while waiting for conditions to change.  Before deciding on your course of action, study your alternatives.
 
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)  You can stay trapped or you can cut free.  There are penalties for both choices.  You may choose the plan of action that you’ve been taught, or you may follow your heart’s inclinations.  The question you could ask yourself is, “Do I want to make my grandmother’s mistakes or my own?”
 
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)  This month is about having your own way.  The fact is that you do always have your own way.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  Sometimes you trample over others’ wants in order to achieve your own way.  In other situations, you yield for a higher cause: still your own way.
 
CANCER (June21-July 22)  You’re coming to a fork on the road to success.  You can go rushing down the road that promises easy money and quick success.  Or, you can stand at the fork over analyzing each possible decision.  Only you can choose the path that is right for you.  Others’ “helpful” hints aren’t!
 
LEO (July23-August 22)  Your choice is between long held wishes and dreams.  You have the power and ability to make them all come true.  As you stand at the fork don’t waste time or energy deciding which path is more valuable.  It is impossible to know that now.  Choose that which  makes you glad.
 
VIRGO (August 23-September22)  You are at a many tined fork in the road.  The choice is not which path shall you take, but will this path bring about the needed change.  You need a real change and a peaceful change.  Your change needs to be interior rather than exterior.  Change yourself not conditions.
 
LIBRA (September 23-October 22)  You may take either fork in the road.  It doesn’t matter which you choose.  You will have a certain amount of success at anything you do, as you have always had.  However, until you stop being critical of yourself, all success will be limited.  Cease all criticizing and undermining of yourself.
 
SCORPIO (October 23-November 21)  There are easy ways to make money and there are very difficult ways to make money.  The method is not the same for everyone.  You need to be sure that your plan of earning is not one that makes you sad.  Sometimes a slight adjustment changes sorrow to joy.
 
SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21)  If you have been disappointed in the path you’ve been on, look ahead to the upcoming fork.  There is another way for you that combines several enjoyable aspects of your life.  By choosing the more pleasurable situations of work and home you are able to make a new satisfying whole.
 
CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19)  You can go it alone or you can take a companion along on your path.  You make the choice.  Both situations work.  Fast cash and new friendships await you.  You achieve new heights professionally and socially.  However, your sense of mission is so strong, you may elect a solitary path. 
 
AQUARIUS (January20-February 18)  For you there is no fork in the road.  You are on a straight path of faithfulness to yourself.  As long as you trust yourself and refuse to bow to outside pressure, you remain in a safe zone.  Difficulties only arise when you let others force their opinions on you.
 
PISCES (February 19-March 20)  You can have what you want.  The only question is: How are you going to attain it?  The path offers you two choices.  You may take a very active role and shake things up as you try to attain your goals. Or, you may simply sit back and await similar results. 

 

GD Jean Brookwell lives in Maine and does private readings (by phone if you can’t get to Maine).

Email memphjean@yahoo.com to find out more!

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Recycled, Pre-Loved Fashion is Easy Online

instAccBG

This is one of GD Jen’s ideas in action . . . while we love the new gadgets and getting new clothes, we don’t talk enough about buying less NEW stuff and sharing what is already produced. 

So often, when I clean out my closet, I find clothes that have barely or never (sadly) been worn. Consigning is great, but I’ve found it to be a lot of work for very small return. I usually donate my clothes and feel good about it. However, BigWardrobe.com is one of the new online clothing swaps that is making it easier to trade and share or cash in on unwanted clothes and other items that are worth swapping.

This is such a Green Diva thing . . . We’re thrilled to be talking to the co-founder of BigWardrobe.com, Jamie Hutchinson, who will be calling in from the UK tonight.

Don’t miss tonight’s show and learn more about sustainable fashion frugality!

Tune in and turn on a friend!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

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Solar-Powered Homes: Even in New Jersey

CIG_Solar_Home1

I have always loved the idea of having solar panels smiling up at the sun while absorbing its awesome power to help generate at least some of the electricity in my home. I’ve definitely become addicted to electricity and while it has the capacity to save lives and give immeasurable comfort and ease, it (or the excessive use of it) is one of the primary reasons we are experiencing such environmental trauma.

I don’t think like an engineer – AT ALL – and need books like The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solar Power for Your Home. Every time we’ve considered how we would incorporate solar energy into our home energy system, we get bogged down with what is or isn’t available for Federal and State incentives, rebates, grants, loans, exemptions, etc. Wayne gets the whole kilowatt thing and how it all operates (he’s an electrical engineer!), so I don’t even bother my pretty little head about the functionality of it all. phew.

In my attempt to do a tiny bit of research for this interview, I was glad to see there does seem to be a number of programs available from the Feds and various states, including my own New Jersey, which has had some significant incentives in the past. Here’s some reasonably updated, comprehensive and consolidated information I found on current Federal and State incentives for solar home and renewable energy for home and business.

We’ll be interviewing David Hughes, one of the author’s of the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solar Power for Your Home tonight – if you have thought about it, want to consider it, are confused about any aspect of it, don’t miss the show tonight!

David Hughes is the president of the Affordable Solar Group and has a degree in renewable energy. He is also a certified energy auditor and has been in the energy biz for 20 years. According to his bio, he started Affordable Solar Group in the back of an Airstream trailer – now it is one of the fastest growing companies in New Mexico. (remind me to ask him about the Airstream thing)

You can send us any questions in advance via info@thegreendivas.comor IM us during the show (and for those who are friends on FaceBook, you can get in touch during the show that way).

Tune in and turn on a friend!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

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Save Money on Renewable Energy for Home or Office

If you are interested in running your house or office on renewable energy sources AND you want to save money while doing it, you need to check out Viridian Responsible Energy! So far, Viridian serves sustainable-minded folks in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and now New Jersey.

Michael Fallquist, Founder and CEO of Viridian will be on the Green Divas tonight to give us all the details. So, if you have questions (like we do), email us before the show, IM us during the show or send us a message through Facebook or Twitter.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!!!

We’ll be having the crew from the now annual Medicine Wheel community garden celebration at Lusscroft Farm in-studio to tell us about the fun events coming up this weekend. The event runs on Saturday, May 22 and Sunday May 23 and has an long list of fun things going on: plant sale, photo and art exhibit, music, food, dancing, drumming, and of course the Medicine Wheel concert.MedWheel2

On Friday, May 21, 30 5th and 6th grade students from the nearby Ridge and Valley charter school will be participating in the creation of the new “Sister Moon Garden” in conjunction with students from the Montclair State NJ School of Conservation at Stokes.

Tune in tonight to learn more!

Thursday, May 20, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

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Kennedy Green House Author, Robin Wilson

KennedyGreenHouse

I’ve dreamed about renovating a house like this . . . using sustainable, recycled, non-toxic materials and practices. Of course, it should be in the Hamptons and it should’ve been a fairly cool house to start with . . .

Robin Wilson, a nationally recognized eco-friendly and healthy home interior designer, has recently finished a book that beautifully illustrates her work on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s home, which needed a total renovation after a serious bout of black mold.

I am a personal fan of Mr. Kennedy and the work he has done on behalf of the environment and can’t wait to hear from Robin all about working with him and his family on this project. The book is called Kennedy Green House and is due out any minute.

Robin Wilson will be calling into the show tonight, so don’t miss this interview! Please contact us with any questions about green design and renovation – info@thegreendivas.com or IM us during the show!

Thursday, May 13, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

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