» People We Love

All About Greener Motoring with John Voelcker

Green Diva Meg — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:42:10 +0000

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

Raising Kids Healthy and Green with Holistic Moms

Green Diva Meg — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:46:36 +0000

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

The Ultimate Cheapskate on How Being Green is Cheap

Green Diva Meg — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:27:02 +0000

Our 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

TerraScope: Sustainable, Earth-Based Astrology for July 2010

Green Diva Meg — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:34:13 +0000

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!

Solar-Powered Homes: Even in New Jersey

Green Diva Meg — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:20:47 +0000

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

Save Money on Renewable Energy for Home or Office

Green Diva Meg — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:50:26 +0000

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.

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

Kennedy Green House Author, Robin Wilson

Green Diva Meg — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:05:35 +0000

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

Sustainable Food Running Around Your Back Yard

Green Diva Meg — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:06:13 +0000

Image Thanks to My Fine Feathered Friend, Leslie Binch: Head Hen

I have chicken envy. A young couple that we know moved to the ‘country’, which is to say they abandoned suburbia for a cute cottage in the middle of a couple of fields in Western New Jersey. Anything ‘outdoors’ is alien to the young man, and his sweet wife has gently introduced him to the joy of camping and fishing — he went not so gently into that peaceful night, but he survived.

Getting into the spirit of this new rural lifestyle, he met several people through his local, retail business who had chickens and various livestock for sale. His wife had been a little down, so he decided it would be entertaining to bring home a chicken as a gift. So, with little preparation, he got an adult chicken and had it put in a large cardboard box (he wasn’t going to touch it or anything) and brought it home to his unsuspecting wife. Here’s the hilarious video of Cindy Meets the first Chicken.

Of course since then, they’ve both become chicken experts and have built a substantial chicken house and yard and have a few new feathered friends to add to their growing family, which by the way also now includes their adorable 4-month old son.

So, while I don’t have any chickens yet and am reasonably certain my neighbor would have a stroke if I did, I’m convinced that someday soon, I’ll manage to do the backyard chicken thing.

I was thrilled to receive the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raising Chickens to start my education. I’ve been corresponding with the author, JD Belanger and he has agreed to come on the radio show tonight and talk about the expanding backyard chicken craze and the basics of what we need to know to get started and have a fun and healthy experience with our chickens.

Like Jen and I JD is a publisher, having started Countryside magazine in 1969. He also founded sheep! magazine, Dairy Goat Guide, and Backyard Poultry — which is now the leading hobby poultry journal.

CIG to Raising Chickens is JD’s 8th book. CIG to Self-Sufficient Living came out last December, Homesteader’s Handbook to Raising Small Livestock, and Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats are just a few of his books.

Don’t miss this show, which will be eggcellent!

Thursday, May 6, 2010
7 – 8pm EST
HomeGrownRadioNJ.org

Goin’ Green with The Greenzys

Green Diva Jen — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:16:28 +0000

Benjamin with Peat the Penguin

Meet a new green toy and book brand called the GREENZYS that’s arriving just in time for the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day – which is Thursday, April 22, 2010. The creation of New Jersey (Mahwah) homemaker and mother of two, Lisa Keyser, the GREENZYS are an eco-friendly, literary-based brand of high quality books and toys geared towards preschool aged children

The Green Divas will be interviewing Ms. Keyser on their annual Earth Day radio show on April 15th from 7-8 PM EDT at HomegrownRadioNJ.org

The plush toys promote green living and teach eco-friendly practices to youngsters through heartwarming stories and endearing plush toys that are both environmentally safe and fun. They are made in socially responsible factories from soy fibers and non-toxic dyes with packaging made from recycled paperboard.

“The Greenzys” book is a heartwarming tale that teaches the concept of environmental conservation, or “green” living. Characters include Peat the Penguin, an ardent supporter of recycling, reusing and reducing and Willow the Elephant who collects rainwater for her plants and uses her trunk as a water hose. The book and toys debuted in FAO Schwartz and on FAO.com April 5.

Another environmental bonus and in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, for every GREENZYS purchase made between April 5 and December 31, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in our nation’s forests.

For more information about the book, go to thegreenzys.com

Musings from Green Diva Amy in Austin, TX

Green Diva Meg — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:42:06 +0000

We welcome posts from guest ‘green divas’ and this one is from Amy Evers in Austin, TX. She is adorable, honest and has a great sense of humor – she is a perfect geen diva!

Twenty plus years ago I moved to Austin Texas. Almost immediately I gave up my New Jersey hair spray and bought myself a pair of Birkenstocks. I worked at a small coffee shop and rode my bicycle to work. I was a supporter of the hippie feel, and laid back lifestyle.

Then arrived my first child, and along with her a minivan and a multitude of equipment. Still wore the Birkenstocks, but my lifestyle changed.

Forgive me Mother Earth for I have sinned. I have over the years been guilty of using paper towels, paper plates, and store bought diapers.

The convenience has been too tempting for me to resist.

Now that I am at the age where all of my children are out of diapers and I am not yet in them, I have become a more aware of what is going on outside of my own little universe.

I remember a commercial back in the 1970’s that showed a Native American by the side of a littered highway, he looked on in disgust as the collective “we” have soiled his land. A small tear falls from his eye.

That campaign was so successful that recently when my sixteen-year-old daughter was driving and the car in front of her threw a plastic bag out of their window she was appalled. She honked her horn, and when the offenders did not react, my daughter did. She pulled over, got out of the car and picked up the trash herself.

So how come everything else about going green seems so difficult?

I want to help the earth be around for a few more millennia. Barring the Aztecs are wrong, and no immediate asteroid is on its way for a visit.

I began doing some research. With the help of a friend and my fiscally responsible brother we, as a family have made some changes.

I have replaced most light bulbs in the house. We no longer buy paper towels. And most recently we have become champions of unplugging. Anything that holds a charge gets completely unplugged when not in use.

I try to buy organic fruit, but always balk at the price.

My neighbors have compost, and I have looked into making one myself, but does that truly make a difference?

I am fortunate that I live in a city where we have curbside recycling. Each house was given a very large bright blue bin with wheels (were they recycled themselves?). This bin hold two weeks worth of paper, plastic, glass, cans, anything with the numbers one through eight on it inside the little triangle. No sorting, no washing. Throw it in, and voila! Be a good citizen.

There are certain “green” things I absolutely will not do. I will not now, or hopefully ever use an item called a Diva Cup for my monthly flow. I am nowhere near that evolved.

It is a fact that my thumb is black. I can’t grow anything. I have tried. I am not much of a cook to begin with, planting my own garden would be pointless. I have no more idea what to do with rosemary than admire the smell.

I shop at thrift stores, out of necessity rather than consciousness.

When Al Gore’s movie, An Inconvenient Truth, came out I watched it waiting with anticipation to see what changes I can make at home. I was saddened with each new scene of Big Al getting on his private jet. At least I waste fuel in economy.

More disappointing was the only suggestions made were during the credits.

I am taking baby step, starting with Birkenstocks, and maybe someday ending with making my own soup stock.