THE HEALTHY WAY

Water World

2011-11-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from an article by Allan Richter and Linda Melone

Drinking Water Safely

No wonder so many health advocates recommend that people drink eight glasses of water a day, or more when you exercise. Water helps flush out toxins, carry nutrients to cells, ease digestion, regulate body temperature and is important for blood flow. Identifying our cleanest water sources, however, can be difficult—some tap water has been found to contain traces of prescription drugs and chemicals, while bottled water can leech chemicals in plastic and the containers needlessly occupy space in landfills.

The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org), an advocacy organization, advises consumers to choose filtered tap water over bottled water largely because more details from governing agencies are available about tap water. The Food and Drug Administration oversees the bottled water industry but does not require suppliers to disclose where the water was sourced, what contaminants might have been found in it or how the water was treated or tested, observes Nneka Leiba, an EWG research analyst and the group’s lead water investigator.

In October 2008, the EWG tested ten major bottled water brands and found 38 pollutants. “Many are the same pollutants found in tap water—disinfecting byproducts, fertilizer residue and other industrial contaminants, even the pain medication acetaminophen,” Leiba says. In about half of its tests, the EWG found that bottled water is sourced from tap water. “Sometimes it’s further filtered and purified, and sometimes it’s not,” Leiba adds, “but it’s really hard to tell when you pick up a bottle of water. With tap water, you know that it’s tap water, and you can treat it appropriately to lower those contaminants.”

The Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees tap water, requires utilities annually to provide a consumer confidence report with details that can be found at the EWG’s database:www.ewg.org/tap-water/home. After establishing what contaminants need to be removed, consumers can visit the group’s online filter guide to select an appropriate device at www.ewg.org/tap-water/getawaterfilter.

Distilled water is another approach that Leiba recommends; consider adding minerals if you use this method. Another idea, deionization, can help remove excess calcium salts from so-called hard water, Leiba says. And a whole-house filter can filter all the water coming into a home.

Reverse osmosis and activated carbon are the two main types of filters (versus styles of filters, such as pitchers or faucet-mounted). Activated carbon models tend to be less expensive; you can buy a pitcher or faucet-mounted filter for about $15 to $50. “They will remove many of the contaminants that are widely distributed, such as chlorine, and some will even get out asbestos and lead,” says Leiba. Reverse osmosis systems will remove inorganic compounds such as fluoride, chrome six, perchlorate and arsenic, as well as the contaminants that activated carbon filters remove.

“Not everybody has chrome 6 in their water, not everybody has perchlorate,” Leiba says. “So you want to get the appropriate filter. No matter what, you always want to use a filter. Many utilities say they provide safe water but in case there is a break in the system line or your pipes are leeching lead, you always want to have that safety zone of a filter.”

The EWG also recommends shower filters for consumers who are concerned about contaminants such as trihalomethanes (THMs) or other disinfection byproducts. THMs form when the chlorine or bromine used to disinfect drinking water mixes with human or animal waste from sewage.

Consuming THMs is like taking excess antibiotics, observes Jeffrey A. Morrison, MD, author of Cleanse Your Body, Clear Your Mind: Eliminate Environmental Toxins (Hudson Street Press). In high concentrations, Morrison adds, THMs can be carcinogenic.

Adds Leiba, “We want consumers to know that when you take a shower a lot of these contaminants are vaporized into the air and may be inhaled, but the main concern is drinking water.”

From Energy Times.

Best Foot Forward

2011-10-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

Jumping into summertime fun is much easier when your feet don’t hurt.

An Article by Lisa James

It’s warm outside and people are jogging, hiking and playing sports. Yet here you sit on the sidelines, soaking your achy feet.

Millions of Americans are limping through life. “After 30 years in practice, I am still amazed at how many people are willing to tolerate foot pain,” says Robert Kornfeld, DPM, founder of The Institute for Integrative Podiatric Medicine and The Kornfeld Center in Manhasset, New York.

Foot problems may sound minor. But they can diminish your quality of life—and limit your exercise capacity. What’s more, a number of ailments can leave marks on the feet that are discernible to the trained eye.

Mirrors of Health

Besides injuries such as fractures, strains and sprains, feet are subject to a long list of painful ailments. Tendons can become inflamed as can the plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. The big toe can become deformed, creating a bunion, while the small toes can become bent, forming hammertoes (which may develop callus-like corns where they rub against the shoe).

Benign tumors called neuromas can develop when nerves in the foot become irritated. The skin (especially between the toes) is subject to athlete’s foot, a fungal infection; toenails can be attacked by fungus or become ingrown.

In some cases, reduced foot pain can actually be hazardous. Neuropathy, often caused by diabetes, occurs when nerves lose their ability to sense pain or temperature extremes. Injuries may go unnoticed as a result and gangrene, or tissue death, can set in, which in turn may lead to amputation.

Diabetes isn’t the only disorder that affects the feet. “A foot exam can reveal circulatory, kidney and lung problems, along with thyroid disease, neurologic disorders and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus,” says Kornfeld.

Two ailments that can have a considerable impact on the feet are osteoarthritis and obesity. Kornfeld says that because they’re always being used, feet generate a large amount of cell-damaging free radicals, which the body fights with antioxidants. “We see arthritis in older individuals because the immune system is slower to repair damage. In addition, the delivery of antioxidants is impaired because circulation to the feet decreases with age,” Kornfeld explains.

In a similar manner, “obesity decreases the body’s ability to detoxify. In addition, it impairs circulation to the feet,” Kornfeld says. Obesity may also affect foot structure. Increases in body mass index (BMI) have been linked to increases in plantar fascia thickness (Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 9-10/08).

Biomechanical faults are another source of foot pain. Most involve pronation, a rotation of the foot inward and downward; abnormal pronation can cause aberrant pressures within the foot. “This sets off a chain reaction. A callus will form on the skin under the affected bone, causing it to become even more inflamed and bruised,” says Glenn Copeland, DPM, consulting podiatrist for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team and author (with Stan Solomon) of The Good Foot Book (Hunter House). He says the resulting imbalance can travel upwards to cause knee and hip pain.

Keeping Feet Happy

Many people believe the answer to foot problems is to go barefoot whenever possible. “I cannot overstate what shoes are doing to us. They change the biomechanics of walking and running,” says Daniel Howell, PhD, associate professor of biology at Liberty University and author of The Barefoot Book (Hunter House). If you’re new to outdoor barefooting, Howell recommends starting slowly until your feet have time to adjust. (Visit the Society for Barefoot Living at www.barefooters.org.)

Howell says urban environments are no problem for bare feet, but Kornfeld is dubious. “Nature did not intend for us to walk barefoot on concrete and asphalt, which do not provide shock absorption,” he says. Kornfeld also worries about wounds from foreign matter, although Howell insists that navigating around such hazards as broken glass is fairly easy.

If you stick with shoes Howell suggests wearing “minimalist” models, which mimic the bare foot. Copeland says the three most important factors in selecting shoes are flexibility, stability and shock absorption. “The one type of shoe that comes closest to meeting all three criteria is the modern running shoe,” he says. Biomechanical faults can be treated with orthotics, which Copeland says are “designed to properly redistribute weight on the foot and to correct any abnormal foot motions.” Bunion sufferers should look for shoes with a wide toe box to accommodate the displaced joint.

One way to avoid instability is through prompt attention to ankle injuries. “After treating patients with chronic ankle pain from untreated sprains, I would suggest that all sprains be seen by a professional,” says Kornfeld, who adds that proper first aid for a sprain requires rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Natural remedies can help ease the inflammation associated with ankle and foot injuries. Herbalists employ arnica cream to prevent swelling and bruising. Other remedies include willow bark, the original source of aspirin, and bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples. Grape seed helps reduce ankle swelling associated with circulatory difficulties.

Turmeric, devil’s claw and ginger are three herbal inflammation fighters traditionally used to treat arthritis. Many people with arthritis also turn to the joint-nourishing supplements glucosamine and chondroitin, which can be found in formulas that also include MSM, esterified fatty acid carbons and black cherry extract. Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus may respond to tea tree oil, an all-purpose microbe fighter.

The best way to deal with foot problems is to avoid them in the first place. Strengthen your ankles by doing squats against a wall and scrunching a towel with your toes five to 10 minutes a day. Gently stretch your calves and hamstrings before walking; whenever possible, walk on grass or dirt paths. Wear breathable socks—an especially important point if you have diabetes. Apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet. To avoid athlete’s foot, wear flip-flops in communal pool and shower areas.

There’s a world of activity waiting for you. Don’t let foot pain knock you off your game.

An Article from Energy Times.

The Microbe Fighter

2011-10-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

Tea tree oil, Australia’s best-known natural remedy,
is a skincare multi-tasker—and more.

An Article By Karen Tenelli

In the Australian state of New South Wales, on the country’s southeastern coast, there is a lake the color of tea. Lake Ainsworth is a popular recreational spot, but that’s only part of its story. The lake had long been revered by the Bundjalung aborigines for its healing powers. It was place where women went to cleanse themselves after giving birth. Anyone with sores, wounds or skin afflictions would bathe to find relief. Modern Australians still go to Lake Ainsworth for rejuvenation, their skin and hair softer and smoother when they emerge from its brown waters.

The lake takes its color from the surrounding trees, which are in the Melaleuca family—better known as the tea tree. Today the tea tree is grown on carefully cultivated plantations, its leaves distilled into an oil valued worldwide for its antimicrobial properties.

A New “Tea”

Australia’s swampy pre-colonial coastland was a rugged place to live; cuts and scrapes were common. The aborigines found that tea tree leaves, crushed and bound to wounds, could clean out even injuries that had become infected. Inhaling the steamed leaves helped ease colds and coughs; steeping them in water yielded a brew that soothed rashes and sore throats.

The first Europeans to discover the tea tree were British explorer James Cook and his crew in the HMS Endeavor, which reached the Australian coast in 1770. It was Cook who gave the tree its common name after seeing the aborigines brew its leaves into a tea-like liquid. (M. alternifolia is not related to Camilla sinensis, the plant from which standard tea is taken.) Colonists in the area started using tea tree to replace medicines that were difficult to obtain from faraway Britain.

In the 1920s A.R. Penfold, chemist and curator of the Government Museum of Technology and Applied Sciences in Sydney, began evaluating the essential oils found in various Australian plants. He found tea tree oil to have 12 times the antimicrobial power of standard antiseptic preparations. As a result, tea tree became a common household remedy throughout Australia.

When World War II broke out, tea tree oil was supplied to every Australian soldier as an antiseptic, fungus fighter and insect deterrent. In fact, it was considered so vital to the war effort that oil producers were exempt from military service. However, the development of penicillin and other synthetic antibiotics pushed tea tree into the background and oil production collapsed during the 1950s and 60s.

Tea Tree Rediscovered

Tea tree oil made a comeback during the 1970s. It began when Eric White, a movie cameraman who had became fascinated by the idea of a natural antiseptic, planted a stand of tea trees in northern New South Wales. After several years of hard work in the Australian bush, White’s health failed—but not before he was able to produce oil from his trees.

In 1978 White’s stepson, Chris Dean, developed a severe toenail infection while trekking through Africa. After five months of consulting with conventional doctors and folk medicine practitioners, Dean, who had gone to England, was told that the only cure would be to have the nail surgically removed.

At that point Dean’s brother Michael arrived in London on a business trip, bringing tea tree oil with him. Dean applied it to his foot and found that the itching and pain lessened within 10 minutes; within four hours, the swelling and redness had largely subsided. Dean, realizing the value of his stepfather’s project, moved back to Australia to take up White’s work. Today tea tree oil is distilled under controlled conditions from plants grown on large plantations.

Outer Defenses

Tea tree’s ancient role in easing skin problems of all sorts remains its most widespread usage. “Tea tree oil is used for many dermatologic conditions, including athlete’s foot, eczema, lice, psoriasis and as an antiseptic,” says Jeanette Jacknin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and author of Smart Medicine for Your Skin (Penguin Putnam). “Applying it topically to acne lesions has been found to kill Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria involved in causing acne.”

Tea tree is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium responsible for boils. What’s more, the faith of Australia’s original residents in the ability of tea tree oil to clear skin infections is now backed by scientific studies in which the oil has proved capable of dispersing infectious material and debris trapped within wounds.

Tea tree is once again finding a place in first-aid kits. “It is a multi-purpose remedy to apply to cuts, mosquito bites, rashes, stings and burns, including sunburn. Antifungal and antiviral, tea tree is one of the best non-irritating antiseptic essential oils,” says herbalist Brigitte Mars, AHG, author of Beauty by Nature (Healthy Living Publications). She says it can also be dabbed onto the skin as an insect deterrent.

In cream or ointment form, tea tree can be massaged into aching muscles or rubbed onto areas affected by sprains, arthritis, bursitis and other painful conditions. Tea tree is available as cotton swabs preloaded with oil and soothing aloe vera, and is also used in natural soaps, skin washes and deodorants.

Fungi and yeasts are responsible for many external miseries: infected nails (the kind that plagued Dean); athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch and vaginal infections. Tea tree has been found effective against all of these conditions in the form of full-strength oil for external applications and suppositories for vaginal use.

The scalp and hair also benefit from tea tree oil, which can “help dandruff and even prevent head lice,” according to Mars. In one study, a tea tree-based product eliminated nearly all head lice in one day (BMC Dermatology 8/10). Tea tree helps clear the scalp of dead cells and encourages the normal flow of sebum, which keeps hair properly moisturized. As a result, shampoos and conditioners that contain tea tree oil may reduce itching and flaking while helping to correct either dryness or oiliness.

As news of tea tree’s antiseptic powers became known in the 1920s dentists in Australia started using it to treat the bleeding, inflamed gums associated with gingivitis, a usage supported by research at the University of Adelaide Dental School (Australian Dental Journal 6/04). Tea tree toothpastes and mouthwashes help maintain oral health by reducing the number of bacteria associated with gingivitis and cavities; oil-infused toothpicks make tea tree’s dental protection more portable. In addition, tea tree lozenges can help ease minor throat irritation and coughs. (The oil itself should not be taken internally.)

Nearly 90 years after Penfold’s original studies, researchers around the world not only continue to substantiate tea tree’s known healing powers but to also discover new ones. For example, in studies tea tree has been found to help ease warts, inflamed eyelids and an itchy skin infection called scabies.

Breaking New Ground

It is the ability of tea tree oil to battle the most dangerous of microbes that has particularly intrigued scientists. One of the biggest dangers posed by the overuse of modern antibiotics is resistance, in which bacteria become immune to such drugs. The best-known example of antibiotic resistance is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a potentially fatal skin infection that can cause widespread tissue destruction.

Synthetic antibiotics are susceptible to resistance because they are highly specific in the way they attack a micro-organism; once the microbe learns how to thwart the drug, it can pass that knowledge onto its offspring and the antibiotic becomes much less effective.

On the other hand, as a natural substance, there’s no one way tea tree works to disrupt a microbe. As a result it is difficult for bacteria to outwit tea tree, which researchers are studying as an agent to help stop the spread of MRSA in hospitals (Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery 10/09).

Another relatively new avenue of tea tree research is its use against cancers of the skin and underlying tissues, a major health concern in sun-soaked Australia and in the US. In one study, tea tree oil was able to help reduce the growth of aggressive, chemo-resistant tumors in mice (Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 11/10). Tea tree oil may also help fight melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer (Planta Medica 1/17/10 online).

Researchers have discovered dozens of chemical components in tea tree oil, the most strongly antibacterial of which is terpinen-4-ol. High-quality oil is standardized to provide more than 35% terpinen-4-ol. To preserve its strength, store tea tree oil in a dry place away from light and temperature extremes. As with all essential oils, you should test tea tree oil by applying it to a small patch of skin first.

From disinfecting the wounds of an ancient people to fighting the latest battles in humanity’s ongoing war on microbes, tea tree has promoted healing and wholeness for centuries.

An article from The Energy Times

Supplements Are Foods

2011-10-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

The USDA’s omission of nutritional supplements continues a disturbing trend.

This month, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) dismantled its Food Pyramid and replaced it with a graphic of a plate—cleverly named MyPlate. What does this accomplish? In theory, the new graphic makes it easier for consumers to adhere to a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy. Unfortunately, the USDA forgot to include the one daily food serving that Americans may need the most: nutritional supplements.

When Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994, it classified nutritional supplements as foods. Puzzlingly, despite this classification supplements were never included in the USDA’s Food Pyramid...and now that snub continues with MyPlate’s omission of supplements. This is particularly egregious considering the nutritional state of our food supply, which could make supplements more important than ever.

Hollow Foods

According to the Earth Summit Statistics meeting of 1992, farmland in the United States is over 85% micronutrient depleted—a figure that may be considerably worse in 2011. That means the fruits and vegetables on MyPlate may be nutritionally diminished by factory farming. In addition, some experts suggest that these foods may be depleted even further by processing, microwaving, canning, cooking and freezing. Ultimately, the USDA’s MyPlate graphic might be more like an empty plate, loaded with food that simply isn’t as nutritionally vital as we expect it to be.

If our foods are diminished, what about our bodies? Drugs are increasingly known to interfere with the absorption, synthesis and utilization of nutrients in the body. And as we age, we have an even harder time absorbing and using nutrients, which increases our risk of nutritional deficiency. Supplements are a solution.

Elephant in the Room

MyPlate appears to be following the same trend set by the American Dietetic Association’s National Nutrition Month. Here are two official organizations that are supposed to be steering Americans toward healthy dietary choices. But both these groups seem to pretend that dietary supplements do not exist.

Nutritional supplements are widely accepted by health experts for their usefulness in making up potential nutritional shortfalls in regular diets. That alone is reason enough to include supplements on MyPlate. The real elephant in the room may be the discrepancy between what the USDA believes about the nutrient levels in produce and how much nutrition is actually present. Perhaps the funds spent on changing a pyramid to a plate would have been better served in finding out exactly how nutritionally deficient our food supply might be.

With superior-quality nutritional supplements that provide independent laboratory assays, Americans get guaranteed nutrition at precisely calibrated levels. Can that bunch of broccoli or shiny apple say the same? Despite the USDA’s slick new MyPlate graphic, factory farming in depleted soil continues to make the actual nutrient content of conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables a mystery. And while milk, cereal and even salt are fortified with nutrients, the USDA refuses to fortify its daily diet recommendations with safe, natural nutritional supplements.

Do you feel the USDA should include supplements as part of a daily recommended diet? Make your voice heard! And always fight for your right to take nutritional supplements. Patronize the natural health food stores that are committed to providing you with quality products and reliable information. Take control of your health knowledge, and transcend the USDA’s simplistic MyPlate graphic with a truly healthy diet, one that includes supplementation. For more information on health freedom, visit www.nha2011.com.

An article from Energy Times.

Forbidden Rice

2011-10-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

Forbidden Rice® is Lotus Foods’ top-selling product due in part to recentpublicity about the high antioxidantcontent of black rice. “With the studygiven by Dr. Xu and the AmericanChemical Society Conference a fewweeks ago showing that black rice hasmore anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants) than blueberries, we have had asurge in interest in this product,”explained Levine. This medium-sizeheirloom rice is treasured for its delicious roasted nutty taste, soft textureand beautiful deep purple color. Therice is also rich in iron and, according toChinese herbal medicine, considered tobe a blood tonifier.

See the oprmagazine for more details.

A Healthy Hair Style

2011-10-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

Aubrey Organics has introduced its new USDA and NOP (National Organic Program) certified NuStyle Organic styling collection, which includes two new hairsprays (MSRP $9.95, 5-oz.)

Formulated with nutrient-rich organic quinoa protein, which works as a natural shine booster, these products strengthen and protect hair while keeping any style looking great all day.

Immune Balance™ Gluten FREEze™

2011-10-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

Immune Balance™ Gluten FREEze™is a dynamic, broad-spectrum enzyme, probiotic and targeted nutrient formula that provides multidimensional immune and digestive support for gluten-free and dairy-free lifestyles. Gluten FREEze contains the clinically-studied immune activator Dipeptidyl Peptidase (DPP. IV) which has been shown to aid in the digestion of hidden gluten and dairy in the diet.

Kicking GMOs Out of the Marketplace

2011-10-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from an article by Jeffery M. Smith

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Concern about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food supply is attracting a lot of attention these days: FDA’s attempt to fast-track approval of genetically engineered salmon has resulted in unprecedented media coverage; “GMO-Free" was the fastest growing claim for store brands in 2009; it’s now the fifth fastest overall health and wellness claim; and Supermarket News predicted 2010 would see an unprecedented upsurge in consumer concern about GMOs.
While it would be great if awareness spurred action to regulate GMOs, don’t hold your breath. FDA doesn’t require GMO labeling and this is unlikely to change soon.

Consumers Can Kick Out GMOs

The good news is when it comes to making changes in our food supply, consumers are in control. Since GMOs don’t offer a single consumer benefit, if even a small percentage of shoppers stopped purchasing products containing them, they’d be dropped by food companies.
This is what happened in Europe. In 1999, the biotech industry was projecting GMO seeds would replace 95 percent of commercial seeds within five years. But when a gag order was lifted on a top scientist who discovered GMO health dangers, a media firestorm ensued. Ten weeks and 750 articles later, most European food companies had committed to stop using GM ingredients.
In the United States, consumers forced GM bovine growth hormone (rbGH) out of most dairy products and dairy cases, including Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Dannon and Yoplait.

Starting a Revolution in Natural Products Stores

Although medical organizations, such as the American Public Health Association and American Nurses Association routinely condemn rbGH, the backlash didn’t begin with them. The tipping point was the reaction of health-conscious shoppers, especially parents, who shop at natural products stores.
This same demographic can push out GMOs. Experts estimate only about 5 percent of non-GMO shoppers are needed in the United States to achieve the tipping point. Already 28 million Americans, or 9.3 percent, buy organic products regularly. That’s more than we need.
Although most of these folks say they would avoid GMOs if they could, many aren’t sure which products are genetically modified, and how dangerous they can be. Retailers can provide this information and empower this trend-setting force to launch the non-GMO tidal wave. Here’s how.

Identifying GMOs and How to Avoid Them

The majority of soy (91 percent), corn (85 percent), cottonseed (87 percent, used for oil), canola (85 percent) and sugar beets (95 percent) are GMOs. Their derivatives are found in more than 70 percent of foods in the supermarket. All five crops have varieties that are spliced with bacterial genes to allow them to withstand deadly weed killers like Roundup.
Most Hawaiian papaya is genetically engineered to resist a virus, as are some zucchini and yellow crook neck squash. There’s also milk from cows treated with rbGH, and dairy and meat from animals fed GM feed. Aspartame is made from a GM micro-organism, and there are GM enzymes used in food production that aren’t even on the label.
Organic products don’t allow the use of GMOs, and plenty of other products are labeled as non-GMO.

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Why Avoid GMOs?

Although most natural products shoppers say they would avoid GMOs if given a choice, it helps to give them compelling reasons to switch brands. That’s easy. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine cites animal feeding studies linking GMOs to reproductive, immune, gastrointestinal, organ and aging disorders. They are urging all doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets.
To help retailers educate shoppers, our Institute offers GMO Health Risk Brochures that summarize the risks. These, as well as Shopping Guides, books and DVDs, are part of our Non-GMO Education Centers, designed by and for retailers.

About GMOs

2011-08-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Short for genetically modified organisms; also known as genetically engineered foods. To create a GMO, scientists inject a host organism (a plant with a foreign gene that will help resist pesticides, pests or freezing. Scientists also inject a virus or bacteria to encourage the foreign gene's invasion and an antibiotic marker gene to determine if the process worked. Because debate over the safety of GMOs continues, the FDA provides testing and regulation updates but the U.S. government doesn' require labeling of genetically modified foods. The only way to be sure you're not eating GMOS is by choosing products from certified organic producers who, compliant with USDA guidelines, do not use genetically modified seeds or ingredients. -Jessica Rubino

Misti's Fabulous Cookies

2011-08-05T07:26:00.002-07:00

1/2 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. peanut butter
2 c. sucanat
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sea salt
3 c. sprouted spelt flour
1/2 c. coconut flour
1/2 c. flax meal
1 c. chocolate chips
3/4 c. coconut
1 c. walnuts

Cream together butter, coconut oil, and peanut butter with sucanat. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix flours, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Blend with creamed mixture. Add chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Shape dough into balls. Place balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 12-16 minutes, or until slightly brown on edges.

Enjoy!

Calcium/Magnesium with Vitamin D Recall Update

2011-08-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

An update from Michael Leiah, Ph.D., Technical Director of NOW Foods

We recently recalled several lots of Calcium/Magnesium with Vitamin D Softgels (items 1251 & 1252) because of high levels of Vitamin D. The problem came to our attention when we received two adverse event reports from consumers who underwent a regular blood screening and were found to have high levels of Vitamin D. We immediately started investigating. Like most manufacturers, we outsource our softgels, because softgel manufacturing is a very specialized process. Our specifications to our manufacturer were checked and were correct. However, we found that the manufacturer made a mistake in the batch calculation. The day we confirmed the mistake we issued the recall. Corrective actions are now in place to prevent the possibility of a similar error. As of mid-June, a new batch of Cal/Mag with Vitamin D Softgels was released and is now available. It is easy to identify this batch as the phrase "Easily Absorbed" was added to the upper left hand corner of the label. This new batch has been double and triple-checked to assure formulation accuracy.

The question some of you are asking is how did the error occur in the first place? The answer is that it is extremely difficult to accurately test for low concentrations of Vitamin D in the finished product using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) because of "matrix interference" from the other ingredients. We were testing these products for the two primary ingredients, calcium and magnesium, but due to the matrix interference issues we weren't able to test for the secondary ingredient Vitamin D. Vitamin D in the product can only be tested by coupling HPLC with research-grade detection equipment generally not available in most commercial labs. WE have located and are working with a contract laboratory with the sophisticated analytical instrumentation necessary to test for Vitamin D in low levels, and are using this instrumentation to ensure that what is on our label is in the product. We've also implemented additional in-house quality assurance for this product, but also for other products we outsource for manufacturing.

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We are working very hard to retain your trust in our brand. I welcome suggestions and comments that can help make us even better.

In Good Health,

Michael Leiah, Technical Director
NOW Foods

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**An update from THE HEALTHY WAY - **

We now have new inventory of the NOW Cal/Mag with Vitamin D. Two sizes available!
120 count = 12.99 S.R.P. & 240 count = $23.99 S.R.P.
And remember...we still give a 15% discount on all NOW supplements!

The Power of Coconut

2011-04-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

History and Legend

For more than 4000 years, history and folklore across the tropical world have revered coconut water as a natural source of nutrition, wellness, beauty and hydration.

Coconuts were called the "tree of life' in Sanskrit and the "staff of life" in Hawaiian legend and both cultures believed coconut water had magical healing powers.
During WWII coconut water was used as a natural saline dip saving the lives of many Allied soldiers.
The World Health Organization promotes coconut water as a natural treatment for dehydration.
Today coconut water is used across continents to cure digestive ailments, as a beauty aid, to relieve cramps, to re-hydrate athletes and nourish post-partum moms.

Nature is Smarter than Science

A coconut tree draws water from the earth enhancing and storing it in the coconut's hard, airtight shell. We harvest our coconuts while they're still young (before developing any "meat' or "milk"), precisely when the water inside reaches a peak level of potassium and essential electrolytes with no fat and a low level of acidity. Our unique processing and packaging captures the nutritional benefits and taste of pure coconut water for you to enjoy anytime and everywhere.

Health Benefits

From yogis to tri-athletes, many now see coconut water as the natural sports drink. They know that coconut water builds blood volume post-exercise as well as sports drinks. And since increased blood volume helps you replenish, avoid muscle cramps, maximize heart output and improve endurance, coconut water can be used "for whole body rehydration after exercise induced dehydration."

Before and during your workout, coconut water provides the energy you need for optimal performance.
After your workout, coconut water replenishes and re-hydrates you to speed recovery and avoid cramping.
Coconut water is also great in smoothies, for a mid-day boost, in cocktails, mocktails and as a natural hang-over remedy.

All Natural Coconut juice is the "water" from young coconuts. It is pure, clear, and one of the most concentrated sources of electrolytes known. A refreshing slightly sweet isotonic beverage, coconut water has more potassium than a banana and several times more than most sports drinks. when consumed before or after exercise it helps to combat dehydration and fatigue.

In Asian countries, where coconuts are common, coconut juice is considered one of the healthiest drinks available. It absorbs quickly into the body because it is very similar to our body's own chemistry.

Historically, coconut juice has been used:

To prevent malnourishment and dehydration
To promote urinary tract health
To promote digestive health

Why Coconut Milk?

Well, because it tastes delicious and is a rich source of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs)! MCFAs are recognized as "good fat" readily absorbed, digested and utilized as energy by the body, unlike long chain fatty acids which the body stores as fat. Two of the primary MCFAs found in coconut milk, lauric and capric acid, are known for supporting the body's immune system. And, coconut milk is naturally cholesterol free.

Tapping the Sap

Coconut palms are one of the oldest flowering trees in the world. For centuries throughout the tropics, the traditional practice of "tapping" coconut trees for their prized "sap" is a time-honored art form. The nutrient-rich sap that exudes from the blossoms before they mature into coconuts, is used to make many unique and nutritious food products.

The principles of tapping the coconut tree blossoms for their sap, bears only minor resemblance to the practice of tapping maple trees for maple syrup production. Containers used to collect the sap are made out of hollow bamboo tubes that are fastened onto the thick fleshy stems covered in small flowers .

The freshly gathered coconut tree sap is oyster white in color, has a nearly neutral pH, and is already inherently sweet tasting by nature. Whereas, the sap from a maple tree (as well as the juice from an agave cactus) has very little readily available sweetness, and requires long heating times in order to produce the sweet syrup you purchase in the bottle.

The nutrient-rich coconut sap comes right out of the tree naturally abundant in 17 Amino Acids (the building blocks of protein), broad-spectrum B Vitamins (especially rich in Inositol, known for its effectiveness on depression, high cholesterol, inflammation, and diabetes), Vitamin C, Minerals (high in Potassium, essential for electrolyte balance, regulating high blood pressure, and sugar metabolism), as well as FOS (a prebiotic that promotes digestive health).

The most remarkable blessing about tapping a coconut tree, is that once it is tapped, it flows its sap continuously for the next 20 years. From a sustainability viewpoint, the harvestable energy production from tapping coconut trees for their sap (which yields 5,000 liters per hectare), rather than allowing them to produce fruit, is 5-7 times higher per hectare than coconut oil production from mature coconuts.

Coconut Secret

*Available at the Healthy Way*

Organic
Raw
Vegan
GMO-Free
Gluten-Free
Rich in Amino Acids, Vitamins and Minerals.

Coconut Aminos- Non-Soy Sauce Seasoning - 65% Less Sodium than Soy

Coconut Nectar- Low Glyceminc Liquid Sweetener- More Nutrient-Rich than agave

Coconut Vinegar- More Nutritious than apple cider vinegar- High in FOS

Coconut Crystals- Low Glycemic Alternative to cane sugar

Coconut Flour- Gluten-Free, High Fiber, Low Carb, Low Calorie, Unheated

via So Delicious, Amy and Brian, Coconut Secret, and Zico

Essential Oxygen+ Food Grade Oxygen Peroxide

2011-04-02T13:05:00.001-07:00

IT WORKS!

Effective For:

Household disinfectant
Laundry brightener
Fruit & veggie wash
Plant fertilizer
Oral rinse
First aid

IT'S CLEAN!

Free Of:

Toxins (as in non-food grade)
Hazardous handling for 35 percent
Tetra sodium phosphate
Sodium stagnate
Acetanilide
Phenol

USES:

Body:

Mouthwash & Gargle
Tropical anti Fungal, Viral, Bacterial

First Aid:

Cuts & Scrapes

Food:

Veggie Wash
Sprouts

Garden:

Spray with water to nourish plants!

Pets:

Doggie Oral Hygiene
Skunk Odor
Aquarium

Kitchen:

Surfaces
Dishwasher

Bathroom:

Tub and Shower

Laundry:

Wash Load Brighter and Disinfectant

Household:

Humidifiers
Gray Water System

http://www.rawessentials.org/

Want More Recipes?

2011-04-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

The Healthy Way has a huge collection of magazines and books with recipes available at the store. Check it out!

Extaordinary Health Monster Muffins

2011-04-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Fiber is important for healthy digestion. The following recipe is perfect for getting some of that essential nutrient. All credit goes to the Extraordinary Health Magazine for this Fiber-licous Recipe.

Makes about 12-18 large muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups sprouted spelt flour
1 cup ground flaxseeds
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup raisins
1 cup oat bran
1 cup sucanat
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup organic whole milk
2 omega-3 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 cup shredded carrots
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and shredded

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease large muffin pan with coconut oil. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, flaxseeds, pecans, raisins, oat bran, sucanat, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, whole milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix until just blended. Stir in the pumpkin, shredded carrots, and apples. Mix thoroughly. Fill each large muffin cup 2/3 full of batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Cool.

No Upcoming Events Scheduled

2011-03-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

Please check back often for updates!

Email Splash

2011-02-19T08:33:00.000-08:00

If you would like to be updated on various Healthy Way news and events please contact us and give us your email!

THE HEALTHY WAY - SOMERSET, MASS.

2010-07-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

THE HEALTHY WAY IS A UNIQUE STORE IN SOMERSET, MASS. WE HAVE A GOOD VARIETY OF ORGANIC FOODS, BODY CARE, MAKEUP, AND HIGH QUALITY WHOLE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS. THE HEALTHY WAY IS NOT ONLY A STORE, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE. *** OUR GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL WELLNESS, SO
PLEASE COME SEE US AT:
476 READ ST, SOMERSET, MA. 02726
TEL. 508-679-3737

The Healthy Way website is BACK!

2010-07-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

We recently celebrated our 5th anniversary! Thanks for all your support! This website hasn't had too many updates in a while but now we hope we can update every month! Please check back every month for exciting updates! Thank You!

Children Need Omega-3s

2010-07-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Numerous studies have reported on the role of Omega-3 fatty acids in support if children's brain and eye development, as well as improved mood, IQ, calmness , and ability to handle stress. Check out our children's section for fish oils and vegetarian Omega-3s that children find delicious and effective.

What's Living In Your Mouth?

2010-07-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

There are over 500 bacteria strains in the mouth - some beneficial and some detrimental. A handful of those bacteria lead to foul breath due to the sulfurous odors they produce, with the anaerobic bacteria at the back of the tongue contributing the most to halitosis.

Everyone can and does have bad breath at some point. Halitosis can be caused by:

• The breaking down of food remnants around the teeth and gums

• Less saliva in your mouth

• Tobacco or alcohol use

• sinus problems

• Dental issues such as decay or periodontal disease and personal hygiene.

A dry mouth can fe an especially ripe environment for dead cells to accumulate on the tongue, gums and teeth, causing odor as they decompose.

Food can be a factor too. After foods are digested they go into the bloodstream, where they are carried to the lungs and come out through your breath. Onions and garlic, for example, can cause bad breath for 72 hours after eating them, while high-protein foods and dairy products can provide a breeding ground for bacteria to grow, increasing your risk for bad breath.

On the good side, foods such as nuts and seeds, parsley, mint, crunchy fruits and vegetables and raisins assist in combating dragon breath. Drinking plenty of water and tea or a bit of cranberry juice can be beneficial as well.

Eat Wild

2010-07-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

According to www.eatwild.com, there are numerous benefits provided by grass-fed beef dairy and eggs.

Grass-fed beef is naturally leaner, lower in fat and calories, than grain-fed beef. Animals fed on grass also have significantly higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids - two to four times as much - than their grass-fed counterparts. The effect of pasteurizing is even more pronounced in chickens. The eggs from chickens who are allowed to pasture contain up to ten times more omega-3s than those fed exclusively grain.

Grass-fed meat and dart products also contain higher amounts of CLA, or conjugated linoleum acid. In fact, they may be the richest sources of CLA, a healthy fat that is missing from many diets.

Finally, grass-fed animals are a better source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a great antioxidant, and grass-fed cattle can have up to four times the vitamin E levels as conventionally raised cattle.

The following was taken directly from the eatwild.com website, a great source for increasing your knowledge of, and finding access to, grass-fed meat and dairy products.

Score Ten for Grass-Fed Beef

Grass-fed beef is better for human health than grain-fed beef in ten different ways, according to the most comprehensive analysis to date. The 2009 study was a joint effort between the USDA and researchers at Clemson University in South Carolina. Compared with grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef was:

1. Lower in total fat

2. Higher in beta-carotene

3. Higher in vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)

4. Higher in the B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin

5. Higher in the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium

6. Higher in total omega-3s

7. A healthier ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (1.65 vs 4.84)

8. Higher in CLA (cis-9 trans-11), a potential cancer fighter

9. Higher in vaccenic acid (which can be transformed into CLA)

10. Lower in the saturated fats linked with heart disease

S.K. Duckett et al, Journal of Animal Science, (published online) June 2009, “Effects of winter stocker growth rate and finishing system on: III. Tissue proximate, fatty acid, vitamin and cholesterol content.”

DIANE and MISTI

2010-07-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

DIANE has always been passionate about inspiring people to make changes in their lives that will lead to a healthier lifestyle. She understands how overwhelming all of the information can be so she put her fifteen years of business experience and her years of working in the alternative health field to use by opening THE HEALTHY WAY. She has always believed that you must take charge of your health, and knowledge is power.

MISTI has been in the health food industry for many years. She strongly believes that what you put in and on your body, as well as maintaining a toxic free environment in your home, is vital to achieving optimal health. She is an "Ingredient Detective" and is always happy to help others find the answers to their health related questions.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you with your health needs.

STORE HOURS

2010-07-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 10AM - 6PM
SATURDAY 9:30AM - 4PM

PHONE: 508-679-3737

THE HEALTHY WAY SOMERSET, MASS. 02726

LET US BE YOUR EYES...

2010-07-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Although we do not carry every brand of body care, supplements and food in The Healthy Way, be assured that we only carry top quality products. We make sure we check all of the ingredients, and we will not sell you anything that does not meet our approval. Your money will be well spent on high quality items in our store.

SUPPLEMENTS * FOOD * BODY CARE

2010-07-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Healthy Way carries a wide variety of Supplements, Health Foods, and personal Body Care Products. From our Supplement and Vitamin section we offer products from various companies such as Garden of Life, New Chapter, Renew Life, Solgar, Natures Plus, Kyolic, Natrol and more. We currently carry products for men, womwn and children. From our Grocery section, we offer various dairy items, including Arruda's Green Pastures award winning milk from Tiverton, frozen breads and organic veggies and fruit, flash frozen salmon, and healthy snacks for children and adults. We also carry various flours, oats, brans, meals, many gluten free items, and a whole wall of herbal teas. In our Body Care section, we carry a full line of products, including Ecco Bella makeup, Aubrey, Badger Balm, homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy supplies and many herbs. Obviously, it's impossible to list the hundreds of items in our store, so feel free to call about the products you're interested in.

What's the difference between shelf-stable and refrigerated probiotics?

2010-07-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

Comment: Amy Fitzpatrick, RD, dietitian and consultant to the dietary supplements industry.

While it would seem that refrigerated products are more likely to retain their potency, some nonrefrigerated probiotic pills, particularly those with specific technology to protect the bacteria from heat, light and oxygen, can also remain viable for an extended period of time.

Manufacturers of high-quality, nonrefrigerated probiotic products place a guarantee of probiotic content at the time of manufacture. They should also include an expiration date. Whether selecting a refrigerated or nonrefrigerated product, retailers should steer customers toward a pill with a high dose of probiotics, and preferably one that also contains probiotics. This helps ensure viable amounts of bacteria remain at the time of purchase. I look for pills that contain a minimum of 1 billion colony-forming units per dose, but I prefer 10 billion CFUs or more.

The reality with probiotics is that the choice is not just between what’s in the fridge and what’s on the shelf.

4 Terms to Know: Beauty Products

2010-07-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

Phthalates

Found in lotions, perfumes, deodorants, shampoos and cosmetics, phthalates make fragrances last longer and help ingredients penetrate the skin. Scientific studies show they may disrupt the endocrine system, and phthalates have been linked to atopic allergies and asthma, reproductive-health issues such as decreased semen quality, and even obesity. On the ingredients label, these chemicals often appear as “fragrance.”

Lactoperoxidase

This natural enzyme obtained from milk is commonly used in moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners and skin cleansers for its antibacterial properties.

Retinyl palmitate

A form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate is an antioxidant and fat-soluble nutrient used in antiaging skin products to promote cellular renewal and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Extended use can lead to dryness and peeling for those with sensitive skin, and may also increase sensitivity to sunlight.

Tocopherol

The antioxidant and moisturizing effects of tocopherol (a naturally occurring compound in vitamin E) make it beneficial in treating eczema, atopic dermatitis, superficial burns and other inflammatory skin conditions such as ultraviolet damage after sun exposure. Tocopherol is also used in foods as a natural preservative to keep oils from going rancid.

Clean Cuisine

2010-07-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to eat clean in a dirty world? We say yes! you can avoid polluted food and eat a (mostly) pristine diet. Clean up your act with these simple steps:

Be a (Mostly) Vegetarian

Saturated fat, added antibiotics, genetically engineered hormones, and the potential for pathogens—meat’s a pretty scary proposition these days. Eat only organic, grass-fed animals, and with great restraint; there’s no specific formulation borne out by scientific research, but a 3- or 4-ounce serving of meat is more than enough, and twice a week is plenty. Best yet, skip the flesh foods altogether or even go vegan. It’ll keep you off milk and cheese, further cleaning up your diet.

Eat Organic

It’s the best way to minimize your chances of consuming pesticide residues and genetically modified ingredients. Certain produce is more likely than others to be contaminated with pesticides; these include apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries. If you can’t find organic versions of these, look for frozen—or avoid them altogether.

Skip the White Stuff

Eating organic foods won’t save you from salt, sugar, and white flour—none of which are especially clean. High salt intake is associated with significantly increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Sugar is linked with obesity, high LDL cholesterol, and increased risk of diabetes. White flour—and even whole-grain flour—has a similar impact on blood sugar levels as white sugar. Avoid flour altogether and stick to less-processed whole grains, such as sprouted breads, quinoa, amaranth, wild rice, millet, and buckwheat.

Count the Ingredients

If you run out of fingers, skip the food. Highly processed grocery items—those with more than three or four ingredients—often contain saturated fats, trans fats, refined oils, sodium, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, stabilizers, and other nonfood ingredients. Then there’s the packaging issue. Besides the environmental impact, foods packed in plastic jars, containers, or cans may be contaminated with endocrine disruptors, compounds that are linked to reproductive abnormalities.

Identify It

Look through each ingredient on the label, and make sure you know what it is. If you can’t identify it, don’t buy it. Some chemicals, such as sodium nitrite, propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), have been linked to cancer. Others, such as sulfites, can cause severe allergic and respiratory reactions.

Eat the Whole Thing

Olive, coconut, and flax oil are considered healthful, but all three are highly concentrated sources of calories, with no protein or fiber. It’s best to get your oil from cleaner-burning sources. Focus on the whole plant—olives, coconuts, flaxseeds—instead of the extracted oil, and rely on avocados, nuts, and other whole foods to supply healthful fats your body needs.

Ban the Brew

Sorry, coffee lovers: it’s just not clean. One cup a day is probably okay—that’s an 8-ounce cup of organic coffee with a splash of organic cream, not a 24-ounce sweetened latte. Any more than that can upset insulin, raise cortisol levels, and increase abdominal fat. Green tea delivers a milder caffeine fix and body-healing antioxidants, and also appears to decrease belly fat. While you’re at it, skip the alcohol. It’s hard on your liver and kidneys, and upsets blood sugar. The cleanest beverage is water; invest in a high-quality filter, and drink at least 64 ounces a day.

The best advice is to eat an organic diet of mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains.

American Produce: Nutrient-Poor?

We think we’re shopping healthfully when we load up on fruits and vegetables each week, right? But the shocking news is that conventionally grown produce is cheating us of our nutrients. A study published last year in the Journal of HortScience reveals that produce in today’s American supermarkets has 5—40 percent fewer vitamins and minerals than it did in 1950. A typical example is broccoli, which, according to USDA calculations, contained 130 milligrams of calcium in 1950. Today? 48. We may be seeing bigger, prettier produce these days, but it contains more “dry matter” (carbs) than anything else—the dozens of nutrients and thousands of phytochemicals haven’t increased along with the size.

But there is a solution: buy organic. Hard evidence that organically farmed foods contain more nutrients is mounting rapidly. Organic fertilizers, derived from living matter, increase the organic content of the soil and enable it to provide more essential nutrients. The soil remains airy, retaining water, absorbing oxygen, and providing adequate drainage. Organic fruits and vegetables have to work harder for their nutrients—and we’re the ones to benefit. —Tina Rubin

The Dirty Dozen

2010-07-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

This month marks the Organic Trade Association's 10th Annual Organic Harvest Month. Two popular lists from the Environmental Working Group -recently updated- can help you in your quest to eat more organic fruits and vegetables.

Dirty Dozen

Buy These Organic:

Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Cherries, Kale/ Collard Greens, Potatoes, Grapes (imported)

Clean 15

Lowest in Pesticides:

Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mangos, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet Potato, Honeydew Melon

Lifefactory Spotlight

2010-07-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Lifefactory
Glass Beverage Bottle

Features and Benefits:
⁃ Silicone sleeve is free of plastics and is non-toxic
⁃ Designed by a pediatric feeding specialist and an integrative designer
⁃ BPA, phthalate, PVC and polycarbonate-free
⁃ Eco-friendly/recyclable/reusable as a snack or juice container, perfect for lunch boxes
⁃ Dishwasher safe
⁃ Minimal packaging
⁃ Food grade silicone sleeve helps prevent breakage

We have 9, 16 and 22 oz bottles available in multiple colors.

lifefactory.com

Debunking Detox Myths

2010-07-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

Debunking Detox Myths

Fact: The liver is the body’s primary detoxification organ and a major channel of elimination. A typical four-pound liver manufactures 13,000 different chemicals, maintains 2,000 enzyme systems, filters 100 gallons of blood daily and produces one quart of bile daily— and this is just one of the body’s seven channels of elimination.

Fact: Approximately 80 per- cent of the body’s natural immune defenses (i.e., the immune system) are located in the digestive tract, so maintaining an ideal balance of good/neutral to harmful bacteria there is the key to achieving and preserving optimal digestion, and therefore optimal health—since our health depends largely on our ability to effectively break down the
foods we eat, absorb valuable nutrients from those foods and eliminate waste efficiently.

Fact: It is not recommended for a nutritional newcomer to begin with a detoxification pro- gram. Someone just beginning to support their bodies nutritionally can become alienated because the process of detoxification can sometimes cause temporary physical discomfort as toxins are being removed and the organ systems are adjusting and re-balancing themselves. Headaches, fatigue, constipation, joint pain, muscle aches or cravings for sugar or starches can be common during the detoxification process. It is not unusual for old injuries or inflammations to show themselves.

Fiction: Claims like “removing toxins cures cancer” and others like it are obviously false, but unfortunately they are responsible for a lot of the bad press surrounding herbal cleansing and detox. Using an herbal detox program won’t cure cancer, but cleansing will help reduce the amount of stored toxins in the body and help restore regularity, thereby taking the burden off many of the body’s vital organs and helping to promote a solid foundation of health. Science has really only revealed the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of natural detox, and new studies are emerging daily that confirm its positive effects on the human body.

Fiction: The idea of using natural diuretics and/or laxatives to detoxify. When only elimination is stimulated, the body might actually become depleted of vital nutrients, and more harm than good will be done. It’s important to engage in a complete nutritional plan that includes a food guide for the most optimal support and effective cleansing. Damage can be done if the consumer is using a product that does
not balance the metabolism and support the body nutritionally while supporting the natural detoxification mechanism.

Fiction: Detox can cause rapid or significant weight loss. Again, it’s important to remember that natural detox is no magic bullet, especially when it comes to weight loss. Many companies will make false claims about the “amazing” weight loss power of their detox products, or worse—use ingredients that can be harmful or even fatal to consumers. One of the biggest trends recently has become “diet cleansing,” but unfortunately most companies have neither the knowledge nor the resources to research, develop and manufacture a safe and effective product. The best advice to give consumers is: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So it is best to do your research, read labels and product literature, and select a reputable company with a history of providing safe, high-quality products made with only proven natural ingredients.

www.vitaminretailer.com

Taming the Fire Within

2010-07-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

by Marcia Zimmerman
excerpts from the original The Zimmerman File

Allergies, asthma, arthritis and arterial plaque – what do these conditions have in common other than beginning with the letter “A?”

Inflammation has often been described as the fire within because it’s usually not visible on the surface. Swollen sinuses, mucous membranes, bronchial, and alveolar tissues in your lungs may be irritated but not obviously inflamed. Arterial linings that are inflamed cause no pain initially, yet this is the first phase of cardiovascular disease and stroke.1 By contrast, swollen red joints that are painful, hot to the touch, and obviously “fiery,” cue us they are inflamed. To overcome these and many other chronic conditions, we must first tame the fire of inflammation.

Inflammation is a natural protective response to environmental, infectious, or psychological stress. The acute response is a short-term life saving event. It may become chronic – persist for long periods of time – and cause great discomfort and disability. Chronic inflammation is basically a hyperactive immune response that is heavily influenced by stress.

The Basic Anti-inflammatory Program

Large numbers of oxidative free radicals are generated as a natural by-product of an acute immune response and they are a major concern in treating inflammation.

A colorful diet will provide free-radical fighting antioxidant phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals. The sooner in life a person chooses such a diet, the better. A 2009 study investigated the connection between adolescents who ate a variety of fruits and vegetables and inflammation levels. Among 285 boys and girls aged 13 to 17 years, those with the highest intake of fruits and vegetables had the lowest levels of inflammatory indicators.4 No surprise there, and it is generally accepted that adolescent overweight (a hidden inflammatory condition) and other inflammatory conditions are linked.  

A Multiple vitamin supplement – An iron-free multiple vitamin with a green food base and a natural mineral combination from red algae provide basic supplements to ensure optimum antioxidant protection. 

Taking an omega 3 fatty acid supplement is the most effective natural way to reduce inflammation.  

Vitamin E is the primary fat soluble antioxidant. It is a combination of several forms (isoforms) including four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. While alpha tocopherol is the most potent antioxidant, gamma tocopherol is better at detoxifying certain free radicals. Gamma tocopherol, but not alpha tocopherol, possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Taking alpha tocopherol alone can deplete gamma tocopherol and reduce the balancing effects of the two isoforms. Natural dietary sources of vitamin E isoforms include nuts, seeds, and seed oils and it may be one way nuts appear to stave off cardiovascular disease. According to a new study, adding sesame seeds to salads, vegetables, lightly stir-fried items may be an important way to maintain consistent blood levels of this important antioxidant.

Vitamin C and Pycnogenol

Vitamin C stimulates synthesis of collagen, the most prevalent protein in the body. It makes up body structures and connects them together. Ascorbate prevents further damage to injured tissues, and protects macrophages, the immune fighters charged with promoting healing.

Lipoic acid shares and enhances some of the biological actions of vitamin C and it protects the vitamin C recycling process. Actions of vitamin C and lipoic acid include preventing dysfunction of endothelial cells (those lining body cavities, organs and blood vessels).  

Pycnogenol® is an extract of French Maritime pine bark. Over 230 scientific studies have been published in the past twenty years on the bioavailability and effectiveness of this remarkable water soluble natural substance.15 It reduces inflammation, fights oxidative free radicals, chelates toxic metals, strengthens blood vessels, and blocks the enzymatic activity of COX-1 and COX-2. It is a non-toxic and bioactive alternative to aspirin, ibuprophen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).

Pycnogenol® doses used in human studies vary from 60 mg to 300 mg per day, depending on how quickly a response is sought. Higher doses are desirable for acute cases and initializing a response.

Chronic Inflammatory Conditions – A natural approach

Allergies and Asthma are chronic hyper-immune responses that inflame the airways and lungs. The aroused immune system recruits an array of cells and other fighters to eliminate the antigen (offending substance). Swelling, itching, burning and reduced ability to breathe are natural by products of this process. Allergies can be triggered by seasonal pollens, inhaled irritants, weather changes, foods, and some environmental contaminants. Allergic symptoms involve primarily the nose, but often include sinuses, ears, eyes, throat and skin. Gut inflammation is present in most cases. Asthma is a more severe inflammatory airway condition that is closely related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Long term inflammation in asthma and COPD damages lung tissue causing irreversible loss of function. Let’s consider three factors in airway inflammation, namely stress, immunity, and free radicals.

Role of stress on the central nervous system, CNS.

Neuronal cross-talk is involved in neuro-immune interactions. Wheezing, chest tightness, cough and shortness of breath, which characterize asthma stem from airway nerves going awry. Not surprisingly, scientists are looking at compounds that specifically target neuronal messengers.

Marc A. Riedl, M.D. and colleagues at UCLA found that sulforaphane found in broccoli sprouts, triggered an increase in inflammation fighting phase II enzymes in the upper airways of volunteers. Dr. Riedl says that “compounds in broccoli sprouts have a very potent effect in boosting the airway’s self-defense system against oxidative stress.”

Immune Response

Immune T-cells can either promote inflammation or suppress it. A balance between these two subtypes of immune cells is controlled by a group of so called “co-stimulatory molecules.” These molecules are a promising new avenue for treatment of severe lung diseases. Preventing loss of function by reducing oxidative stress is a viable option for those susceptible to airway disorders.

Oxidative Free Radicals

Persistent airway inflammation leads to increased formation of oxygen free radicals. Glutathione (GSH) is an important antioxidant in the fluid lining airway tissues. A new study by scientists at Emory University found that glutathione levels were significantly reduced in the bronchial tissues of asthmatic children and this presumably left them less able to stave off inflammation. Glutathione levels may be increased by supplementing with either GSH and/or lipoic acid which protects glutathione.

Arthritis and Arterial Plaque

Osteoarthritis (OA), which is expected to affect over 59 million people in the U.S. by 2020, is a degenerative joint disease that stems from mechanical stress, primarily on knee and hip joints. Over time, metabolic and structural changes occur in the cartilage, bone and articular surfaces. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first choice for providing relief from symptoms including pain, stiffness and loss of function. However, many people experience side effects from these drugs including gastrointestinal distress, ulcer formation, and cardiovascular problems.

This has led researchers to look for alternative treatments that are better tolerated but still effective. A recent study at the University of Utah School of Medicine compared symptom relief in 1583 OA patients who were randomly divided into four treatment regimens plus a placebo group. One group took 1500 mg. of glucosamine daily, another took 1200 mg of chondroitin, a third group took a combination of the two and the fourth took 200 mg of celecoxib (Celebrex) daily for 24 weeks. Only patients with moderate to severe knee pain taking the GS/CS combination had a significant benefit. It was noted that treatment with CS alone or in combination decreased joint swelling and fluid accumulation.

  Rheumatoid arthritis differs from OA in that it stems from inflammation. The cornerstone of complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy is dietary modification, manipulation of dietary fats, and the use of antioxidants and proteolytic enzymes. Serrapeptase is an anti-inflammatory, proteolytic enzyme isolated from the microorganism of the Serratia species. Proteolytic enzymes enhance tissue repair, and remove cellular debris associated with injury and inflammation. Serrazimes Tocotrienols are another important CAM therapy for inflammatory conditions.

Inflamed arteries Until recently doctors regarded arterial plaque as nasty fatty deposits that reduce blood flow and trigger clot formation. Now it is known that inflammation infiltrates deeper fibrous layers of arteries and is the root of acute coronary events such as heart attack and stroke. A condition specific recommendation for prevention of cardiovascular events is Nattokinase. Fibrin is a protein involved in blood clot formation and Nattokinase is a potent fibrin busting proteolytic enzyme. Along with omega-3s, Nattokinase carries a powerful preventive tool against stroke.

Product Spotlight

2010-07-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

Barlean's

Olive Leaf Complex

is an herbal extract made directly from fresh-picked olive leaves. According to Julian Archer, olive tree grower for the company, it is a very powerful antioxidant - 400 percent more powerful than vitamin C. "In a recent university study, it was found to have the highest antioxidant value (ORAC) of 55 antioxidant herbs studied. It has also been shown to have a Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) up to 28 times more powerful than some of the antioxidant 'super juices' such as acai, noni, mangosteen and gogi, and is 500 percent more potent than the best of them," he said.

"The unique advantage of barlean's Olive Leaf complex versus other olive leaf products is that it is a liquid which is immediately fresh pressed to capture full-spectrum nutritional potency," added Andreas Koch, Barlean's marketing director."It's derived directly from the olive leaf. Full spectrum means that its unprocessed an unrefined and thus still possessing its inherent range of nutrients. There's no storage, no drying or damage to the leaves - just as nature intended"

Allera Health Products

Immune Extra

is a vegetarian capsule that contains Proligna brand pinecone extract," said Tufaro, "Pinecone extract, developed originally in Japan and the subject of over 35 research publications, is protected by 12 patients and uniquely has the ability to help 'balance' the immune system, which normally becomes unbalanced as we age. In particular, scientists recently discovered that pinecone extract can reduce the presence of an antibody called IgE circulating in the body of mice and man. IgE is the allergy trigger in over 60 million people and the ability to reduce IgE may prove to be an important component of the effectiveness of pinecone extract."

Gaia Herbs

Throat Shield

is available in a lozenge and a throat spray. "The body's first encounter with immune triggers often occurs on the throat mucous layer. The throat can also become irritated and inflamed when exposed to common, everyday irritants such as dry air, allergens and germs," explained Keri Marshall, MS, ND, medical director with Gaia Herbs. "When the throat is irritated, mucilaginous herbs such as those found in the proprietary blend in Throat Shield, help to restore a normal protective lining in the membrane of the throat by providing hydration and immune support."

Quick Defense

was created based on a five-year Gaia Herbs study of echinacea, that was made possible with a 2.2 million dollar federally funded researched grant from NIH/NCCAM, that found that E. angustifolia and E. purpurea contained alkylamide fractions, specifically isobutylamides that have anti-inflammatory and immunne ssupportive properties. "When the immune system is initially challenged, the muccous membranes undergo an inflammatory reaction, which in tern results in mucous production. When this product , which is rich in isobutylamides, is taken in high frequency at the first sign of symptoms, the inflammatory and immune pathways in the body are effectively managed."

Garden of Life

Vitamin Code

Oftentimes, the best ideas are defined by what the aren't. In the case of the Vitamin Code multivitamins, this couldn't be truer. Vitamin Code multi vitamins aren't cooked, treated or adulterated. They contain no binders or fillers and they are gluten-and dairy-free with no soy allergens. Simply put they are raw. They also contain a lot of what you do want: bioactive probiotics, enzymes, antioxidants and other "Code Factors" that are missing from the majority of multivitamins today. Vitamin Code goes beyond organic.

Dr. Bronner's

Magic "All-One"
drbronner.com

Natracare

healthier by nature

Feminine hygiene products contain a very long list of environmentally damaging materials including plastics and super absorbing chemicals manufactured from crude oil, surfactants, lubricants and chemical fragrances, however Natracare is very different - free from plastics, chlorine, synthetics, latex, fragrances, and all other undesirables. Only pure organic cotton next to the skin!

natracare.com

Beyond Gourmet

Currently, Beyond Gourmet coffee filters, parchemnt paper and baking cups are the only products of their kind to bear the "GREEN SEAL" OF APPROVAL based on the fact that they are the least harmful to the enviroment because no bleach is used to make their products.

Homeopathy Recommended by Your Body

2010-07-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Homeopathic medicines are often mistaken for herbal or food supplements, when in fact they ARE drugs,. Sincemost homeopathic medicines are micro-dosed, they don't cause side effects and they don't combine dangerously with other medicines (no contraindications). therefore, there is no such reason to delay taking medicines for fear of developing other problems, such as upset stomach, drowsiness or dizziness.

Because of their inherent safety, homeopathic medicines are frequently used for treating self-diagnosable conditions. These medicines are best taken at the first sign of illness, which is the best time to help you body fight a disorder.

They are body-friendly. They are body-compatible. In other words, they are "Recommended by your body!"

Sprouting For Health

2010-07-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

by Maire Bouvier-Newman

We often talk about the best foods to eat and where to get them. We also see food prices rising out of control and wonder if we can afford the best quality, yet we really want to eat a healthy diet. Well, did you know that there is a simple way to ensure high nutritional value with incredible savings by growing your own nutritious food? No, not a garden. I am talking about growing nutritional food year round with very little effort. It is called sprouting. It was popular in the 1970’s but is experiencing resurgence as people become more aware that their food comes from different countries and that even domestic produce is often harvested before the full nutritional value can develop or spoils on its way to you.

Sprouts are baby plants that have just begun the growing process. They are completely organic because you buy the seeds organically then grow them with pure water and daylight; nothing else. The benefits of eating sprouts are many. They are loaded with nutrients because as a seed begins to grow it releases enzymes, proteins and all of its vitamins and minerals in order to sustain its full potential as a large plant. The nutrient value is best once the first two leaves appear separated from each other. According to Steve Meyerowitz, author of “Sprouts, The Miracle Food”, biologists tell us that in the first 5-10 days, young plants achieve the maximum nutrient density.

What kinds of seeds can be sprouted, you ask? All kinds. From alfalfa (the most common sprout) to radish to red clover (a great blood purifier) to lentils and mung beans (bean sprouts in Chinese food) to green peas to sunflower seeds, many “seeds” can be sprouted and consumed. Grains can also be sprouted then dried and ground into flour to make nutritious breads, bagels, and crackers.

Do you have to be a master gardener to grow sprouts? Hardly. All that’s needed is an adequate container, good organic seeds, a small space on the counter, and about a minute a day for rinsing and draining. That’s it! And it’s inexpensive too.

There are many things to do with sprouts. They can be eaten as is or added to sandwiches, salads, or even juices. They are crunchy which satisfies much like chips do. Well, maybe not quite like chips, but they are crunchy, taste good, and are good for you. That’s more than you can say for a bag of chips.

Within no time you can become an expert “sprouter”. See for yourself. You will be pleased with the results and the health benefits.

http://riwellnessguide.com/Sprouting_for_Health.html

Companies with a Cause

2010-07-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

Eden Foods
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."

In the late 1960s, a group of young health nuts launched Eden Foods as a fledgling co-op in Ann Arbor, Mich., with two goals: Find the purest, most vital foods for themselves, and make these products available to everyone else.
What’s changed?
“The best thing about Eden Foods is that we’re doing exactly what we set out to do,” says company Founder and President Michael Potter. “And we’ve gotten pretty good at it.”
So good, in fact, that Eden Foods’ canned beans, soymilks and pastas are regulars on natural products store shelves. In 2009, Eden was selected as the third best company on the planet—and the best food company—by betterworldshopper.com, which ranked businesses based on their social and environmental responsibility record over the past 20 years.

In order to stick to its standards, the company, ironically, has carefully made changes through the years. For example, more than 10 years ago Eden switched to cans that weren’t coated in the chemical bisphenol-A, which has been linked to a host of health issues ranging from infertility to cancer. “We began using BPA-free cans before anyone heard of BPA,” Potter says. Despite the high investment—the company pays 14 percent more for the chemical-free cans—Eden never promoted the BPA-free packaging in order to boost profits. The can swap was simply the right thing to do, Potter says.
Some things at Eden are unlikely to change, however. The company could rightfully adorn its products with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic seal, but the emblem is conspicuously absent from Eden labels. “The seal’s not a symbol of the epitome of purity, which is what we pursue. It’s a paperwork system,” Potter says. Eden Foods goes beyond organic regulations, according to Potter, by getting to know all its growers and studying the soil where they plant the crops that end up in Eden products.
Fred Kirschenmann, owner of Kirschenmann Family Farms in Windsor, N.D., attests to the company’s personal and long-term commitment to its farmers. In 1992, Kirschenmann first agreed to grow durum wheat for Eden Foods’ then-new pasta, but heavy moisture that season overwhelmed wheat crops, causing fungus to damage Kirschenmann’s entire yield. He couldn’t make good on supplying durum wheat to Eden. Instead of washing its hands of the deal, Eden agreed to try rye, which happened to be in ample supply at Kirschenmann’s farm. “To me, that’s an indication of the company’s values,” says Kirschenmann, who has grown durum wheat and rye for Eden ever since. “They’re not going to walk away from something. They’re going to find a way to make it work.”
Remaining steadfast to its founding values has not always been a profitable strategy for Eden Foods. At 10 to 50 cents more a can than other brands of organic beans, Eden products don’t necessarily appeal to bottom-line consumers. “As far as being price competitive, it’s hurt us because it costs more to do what we do,” Potter says. “As far as being a principled company that our customers can rely on, it strengthened us.”

Gaia Herbs
"Leading the way in supplements self-policing"

Gaia Herbs is one of the best-kept secrets in supplements aisles, according to a company survey of 2,100 herbal-medicine users. But the finding didn’t please the herbal products manufacturer.
“We don’t really want to be a secret,” says Keri Marshall, ND, medical director of Brevard, N.C.-based Gaia Herbs. “That doesn’t work for us as far as growing the company and supporting the message we’re trying to relay.”
That message emphasizes a long-time commitment to research, sustainability and quality. For example, Gaia endows a botanical chair at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and contributes to scientific wisdom by supporting studies on herbs like echinacea. The company helped create EarthBottle, a plant-based packaging material for supplements and body-care products. Gaia also grows 40 to 50 crops a year on a 250-acre organic farm in western North Carolina, and has supported an 800-acre botanical sanctuary and medicinal plant research farm in Costa Rica.
But what really sets Gaia apart from other herbal supplements companies is its traceability and transparency efforts. Marshall said after the company discovered that 83 percent of the consumer-survey respondents said they prefer products that offer traceability, “we scratched our heads and thought of what we can do to show people that we have nothing to hide.”
The answer: MeetYourHerbs. As the industry’s first traceability program, MeetYourHerbs allows consumers to type a product identification number into Gaia’s website (gaiaherbs.com) or mobile application, and track the geographical source and potency of ingredients, check the genus and species of plants used, study purity testing results and more.
“People also will be able to view the Certificate of Compliance, which is our internal regulatory control that our labs have to sign off on for every batch of every product that goes through,” Marshall says. The check ensures that all Gaia products are free of heavy-metal toxicity and pesticides, and are within acceptable limits for bacteria, molds and yeast.
“We were already doing these things [before MeetYourHerbs], but we want people to have that empowerment and education and proof of what we’re doing,” Marshall says.
That effort hasn’t gone unnoticed—the American Herbal Product Association chose Gaia for the 2010 Herbal Industry Leader award. “When the committee that recommends award winners to the [AHPA] board of trustees discussed why Gaia should be honored as a leader in the herbal industry, the reasons fell into three categories: commitment to research, commitment to sustainability and commitment to quality,” says AHPA President Michael McGuffin. “In each of these areas, Gaia Herbs has provided leadership in moving the industry forward above and beyond normal business practices.”

Nature's Path
"A healthy planet is as much of a priority as healthy food"

Nature’s Path was founded on the principle that nutritious foods don’t have to be boring and tasteless. A quarter-century later, the company is now proving that sustainability doesn’t have to be tedious and expensive.
The Canadian manufacturer of organic cereal, granola, bars, cookies, waffles and baking mixes was one of the first companies to sign onto the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association’s Declaration of Sustainability to promote sustainable practices in the food industry. Over the years, Nature’s Path’s green initiatives have included everything from retrofitting lighting at all its facilities and reducing packaging to working with colleges on a technology to cut the amount of natural gas used by the company’s ovens. Employees get a $1,000 subsidy toward the purchase of a hybrid vehicle, and the company has even developed a system to capture the condensate in its manufacturing plants and reuse it in washing equipment.
“We’re living in an increasingly resource-restrained world,” says Jyoti Stephens, Nature’s Path’s director of sustainability and stewardship. “As a company striving to make a positive impact, [the initiatives] are just core to who we are.”
Stephens, daughter of founder Arran Stephens, consults with Nature’s Path’s 350 employees to further the company’s goal of developing and sustaining organic agriculture as well as minimizing its carbon footprint. Staff suggestions the company has implemented include:

An experimental green roof on the headquarters building
Zero-waste certification this year and complete carbon neutrality by 2020
A worker-managed organic garden and compost program
Donation of 1 percent of sales from Nature’s Path EnviroKidz line to species and habitat conservation programs worldwide
$25,000 grants this year to two U.S. nonprofit organizations to establish organic gardens for communities and people in need

The results of Nature’s Path’s sustainability efforts read like an environmental statistician’s dream. The company says its new, smaller eco-pacs—cereal packages with a block bottom that can stand on shelves and are recyclable—save 825,540 gallons of wastewater, 437 tons of paperboard, 7,464 million BTUs of energy and 1.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide. Nature’s Path’s new, smaller granola boxes conserve more than 34 tons of cardboard and 65 tons of paperboard, and its reduced-size granola-bar boxes save 472,000 gallons of water and 50 tons of waste.
But what does a company’s carbon footprint have to do with its customers? Plenty, says Debby Swoboda, a Stuart, Fla.-based retail marketing consultant and founder of askdebby.com. “If I’m wondering whether to buy this cornflake or that cornflake, which do I choose?” she says. “I think a lot of people are interested in sustainability, and sharing the company’s story can push them over.”

What you need to know about the SIMILARITIES and DIFFERENCES between LOCAL and ORGANIC

2010-07-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

It is summer time, which means farmers' markets are in full force and consumers are on the hunt for the freshest products available. They are also faced with a tough choice: should they spend their dollars on locally produced items, or should they make buying organic their top priority?

In fact, this is a false choice. Local and organic are not in competition with one another. On the contrary, they embrace many of the same values. They both emphasize support for farmers involved in food production. And they both encourage people to consider the environmental impacts of their purchasing decisions. Plus, as more and more local farms make the shift to organic, the choice between local and organic disappears: to buy one is to support and reap the benefits of both.

What should you advise customers to do, then, if they are in the grocery store and the option to purchase locally grown, organic products does not exist? Which type of product should you advise them to chose?

When faced with such a choice, encourage your customers to consider the following: organic offers a range of benefits that non-organic local products do not. because they are regulated by the federal government, products bearing the organic label must meet a strict set of production/handeling guidelines. They must be made without the use of toxic and persistant pesticides, sewage sludge, hormones, antibiotics, and genetic engineering. Additionally, they must not undergo irradiation or contain ingredients made from cloned animals. Local products are not held to any such standards, and therefore cannot be counted on to meet any of the aforementioned criteria. And, because the term "local" is itself undefined, no guarantees can be made about whether a product is, indeed, local!

Organic products are also distinct with respect traceability. In order to meet federal regulations, careful records must be kept about every phrase of organic production and handeling. This means that everything from the source of the seeds through the processing of products by certified businesses must be documented. Moreover. each of these steps must verifiable by a third party. Local products, by contrast, are neither required to provide such documentation nor to undergo third-party review. As such, no guarantees can be made about where local products come from or how they are handled.

Does this mean you should advise your customers to abandon buying locally made products? Not at all. Instead, it means you should encourage them to be thoughtful about local products they choose to buy, If they are labeled organic, consumers can feel confident that they have been produced in a manner that not only supports personal and environmental health, but also helps to ensure product integrity from the farm to their families.

Why Fair Trade?

2010-07-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

You may not realize it, but the little Fair Trade Certified label you see on some packages brings benefits to the people who work to produce what's inside. The fact is, when you buy Fair Trade products, your supporting sustainable and equitable business practices all over the world. Fair Trade certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by allowing them to invest in their own farms and communities, and by helping them develop the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. These workers are guaranteed above-market prices and wages, plus an additional "premium payment" which they can invest in projects that create measurable benefits for their communities.

And since Fair Trade certification ensures that farms have compiled with rigorous environmental standards - which govern crucial elements of farming like pesticidal use, water conservation, wastewater treatment, and ecosystem protection - farmers and growers have a chance to become true stewards of their land. They learn to use sustainable processing methods that strictly limit or eliminate the use of agrochemical and drastically reduce other threats to the environment.

There are many wonderful success stories from Fair Trade farms all over the world. At the Agrogana Farm in Ecuador, flower growers have developed a housing fund, computer training courses and a scholarship for their children. Tea growers in Sri Lanka were able to buy a new ambulance for the community. Cocoa farmers in Belize bought schoolbooks and uniforms for their kids. In other words, by choosing Fair Trade Certified products today, we allow thousands of hard-working people across the globe to lead fuller, healthier lives, and to create communities that will thrive in a competitive global economy.

DISCLAIMER

2007-08-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Products sold through this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any statements about specific products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided by this site is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or health care professional. It is your duty to consult your physician before starting any supplemental program, especially if you have or suspect that you might have a health problem.

A HEALTHY WAY REMEDY FOR INFECTION

2007-08-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

EAT SMART

2007-08-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

Article by Jean Carper:

First the news wa that too little vitamin D makes you more prone to cancer and fragile bones. Now researchers say people with low blood levels of vitamin D are more apt to have cardiovascular problems.
In an analysis of more than 15,000 Americans those with low blood vitamin D were 30% more likely to have high blood pressure, 47% more apt to have high triglycerides, 98 % more likely to be diabetic, and 129% more apt to be obese. Researchers noted that low level vitamin D also may be a culprit in fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Where to get D:
Foods high in D are oily fish (like salmon), egg yokes and liver. Vitamin D are safe up to a daily dose of 10,000 IU, experts say.

DEPRESSED -- CHECK YOUR BONES

2007-08-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

If you're taking an SSRI antidepressant (such as Prozac or Zoloft) ask your doctor about getting a bone density test. A study recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that older women who took SSRI's for about five years lost more bone density in their hips than those who used another type of antidepressant or nothing at all. SSRI's may interfere with the cells that break down and rebuild bone. Several other studies have also confirmed the link between antidepressants and osteoporosis. - by Barbara Brody

Did You Know that The Power of Sprouts gives Health and Vitality to your life?

2007-07-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

What happens during the sprouting process...
First, all vital substances reside in the seeds. By supplying water, oxygen and light, those vital substances are transported into the germ to provide energy to the growing plant.

At this time the nutrients are accumulated in a complex, stable and therefore long-lasting form.

During the sprouting process the complex nutrients are transformed into easily accessible nutrients. Mineral substances are released from their chemical bond of bioavalability of the minerals improves dramatically.

Carbohydrates are rebuilt during the sprouting process. This is why sprouts are more digestible than seed, pulses, or grains.

Protein quality increases tremendously because the proteins are broken down into amino acids. Thus essential amino acids, which have a vital importance for the human body, are increased.

Additionally, as complex nutrients are transformed into ready-to-use components, vitamins, hormones and enzymes quantity and quality are enhanced, while growth inhibitory substances, such as phytic-acid, are reduced.

In all, sprouts are a holistic natural product, containing a high number of biologically active substances including proteins, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, polyphenols, phytohormones and many other secondary plant substances which are associated with promoting health and vitality.

Have You Tried an ORGANIC FOOD BAR?

2006-11-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Organic Food Bars are alkaline-forming, enzymatically-active organic whole food with sprouted superfoods and antioxidants. Just what your body needs to be its best.

A perfect nutritional balance!

100% Organic
High Energy
Gluten Free
Up to 100% Raw
No Trans Fats
100% Vegetarian
GMO free
Cold Processed
No High Fructose Corn or Rice Syrup
No preservatives, additives, salt, coatings, refined sugar, soy, peanuts, or dairy.

10 Reasons Why ORGANIC FOOD BAR is the Best (and Best-Selling!)

10. What you see is what you get.
These days, energy and food bars are like a “box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get!” Companies make a lot of claims, but often cannot back up those claims. Not Organic Food Bar. They say they're 100% USDA organic – and they are. They say they don’t include refined sugars or preservatives – and they don’t. They say they're free of trans fats – and they are. At Organic Food Bar, they believe promises made should be promises kept…especially when it comes to your health.
9. Just like mom's fresh apple pie.
If you’re like most people, you’ve had this experience at your local grocery store: faced with myriad choices, you decide to choose a “healthy bar.” After all, you’re trying to be healthier! Outside the store, you cautiously, but hopefully, take a bite – and it tastes like you’re biting into … the sole of your shoe! As we like to say, your taste buds don’t lie. Organic Food Bars taste freshly prepared, because they are freshly prepared. Each morning, they whip up a fresh, new batch of delicious Organic Food Bars right there on site. Then they package them immediately to lock in that one-of-a-kind, fresh-made taste. These are the freshest-tasting food bars in the world. Bar none!
8. Better for the planet.
Organic Food Bar believes that organic farming is better for the environment because organic farms do not release synthetic pesticides into the environment; organic farms are better than conventional farms at sustaining diverse ecosystems; and, organic farms use less energy and produce less waste), which is better for producers. Even when pesticides are used correctly, they still end up in the air, underground water and bodies of farm workers. And, perhaps most importantly: Organic Food Bar believes without reservation that organic food is better for you. No study has shown pesticides to be healthy and almost all find them to be harmful to human health. Organic Food Bars are 100% organic. They always have been and always will be.
7. Better for you.
Organic Food Bar knows it's the healthiest food bar in the world, because they use the healthiest ingredients. Don’t believe it? Try this experiment: Visit your local grocery store. Stroll the energy and food bar isle. Pick up an Organic Food Bar and hold it in one hand. Now, pick up any other energy or food bar you see and hold it in your other hand. Compare the features and ingredients. Our bet is that once you see how much better they are – with your own eyes – you’ll put the other bar back and dig into the Organic Food Bar! (Um, just be sure to pay for it, first!)
6. The finest ingredients.
At Organic Food Bar, they begin with what’s inside: they travel the world to find the finest, most wholesome ingredients to handcraft Organic Food Bars. All of their ingredients are certified organic, kosher and purchased as fresh as possible. They prepare our Organic Food Bars with lots of love in house. They don’t “contract out” the preparation of our bars, because they prefer to know exactly what goes on, at every moment, when Organic Food Bars are being made. That’s the only way to ensure the finest quality. Their ingredients are mixed, blended, packaged and stored at room temperature to preserve the natural qualities and enzyme activity of the ingredients. Making Organic Food Bars is like making a gourmet, wholesome home-cooked meal. It’s simply healthier because you have control over ingredients; it tastes better; and, it’s just got more heart and soul to it!
5. No GMO’s.
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using techniques in genetics generally known as recombinant DNA technology. Nobody can claim that they definitively know the long-term effects of GMOs on human health; there haven’t been any peer-reviewed long-term studies. So, Organic Food Bar prefers to play it safe when it comes to your health. Mother Nature knows best. In the past, we humans have gotten into trouble when we meddle too much with the natural order of things. At Organic Food Bar, they stick to all-natural, pure and unprocessed, organic whole food ingredients -- and by doing that they know they’re delivering the very best to you with no possible risks of harm to your health.
4. No refined sugars.
Fact: Americans are eating too much sugar. Way too much. Unbelievable as it may seem, according to the USDA, in 1999 the average American consumed the following: 134 pounds of refined sugar excluding honey, 365 servings of soda pop (638 cans per year for people aged 12-29), 200 sticks of gum, 22 pounds of candy, 63 dozen doughnuts, 60 pounds of cakes and cookies and 23 gallons of ice cream. While you are not likely “average” these numbers speak to the ubiquity of sugar in our diets. Organic Food Bars contain relatively small amounts of organic sugars, and those organic sugars are “slow-release” sugars from ingredients like organic premium agave nectar, which are a great deal better for your moods, your body and your overall health.
3. No hydrogenated oils.
Did you know that the National Institutes of Health recently set a “safe level of consumption” for hydrogenated oils. Can you guess what that is? “Zero.” In other words, no amount of trans fats are healthy. From the National Institutes of Health website: “Foods made with hydrogenated oils should be avoided because they contain high levels of trans fatty acids, which are linked to heart disease.” Read the ingredient list of many energy and food bars and you’ll see “hydrogenated oils” in most. Not in Organic Food Bar.
2. The Organic Food Bar family.
Working for this company is dreamy. It’s a team of talented, creative people dedicated to a common goal: producing the healthiest bar for you. The company is led by a man of manifest integrity, Dr. Jack J. Singh. He believes your health is your most precious asset. He believes everyone can improve their health and that the smallest changes can have profound impacts. And he believes many food companies, particularly in the food and energy bar categories put profits over people, and that some are indeed disingenuous about how they market those products to adults and children. It’s why he founded this company. Dr. Singh believed there was a better way. A much better way. That is why he brought the gift of Organic Food Bar to the world.

…and the #1 reason why Organic Food Bar is better than the rest (drum roll, please!):

1. It’s just “feel good food” -- and your body knows it!
Let’s face it: Most energy bars are little more than glorified candy bars. A simple review of the ingredient list will tell you that. The body tells the whole story. Listen to it. Eat a high-sugar bar, and within minutes you can feel that inevitable “energy crash.” Eat an Organic Food Bar, and you will feel balanced and sustained for hours. As we say: “Organic Food Bar: It's What's Inside That Counts.”

-From the Official Organic Food Bar Blog.

BEST VEGAN FOOD BAR

Make Organic Food Bar
a part of your daily diet ...
a live your best life!

Healthy Fats are essential for mental clarity, extended endurance, cardiovascular health, improved immunity and hormone balance. The body needs good fats to be healthy! Organic Food Bars are rich in poly-unsaturated fats, mono-saturated fats are essential, Omega-3 fatty acids-all important for their critical health benefits that cannot be achieved on a low or no fat diet.

Healthy Carbohydrates provide sustained energy and satisfy the appetite. Energy and satisfaction are good things! Organic Food Bars give you just the right amount of slow-release carbohydrates to sustain optimum physical and mental energy throughout the day.

Enzymes are preserved in the Organic Food Bars due to cold processing. Organic food Bars are rich in enzymes that are helpful in digestion and utilization of the nutrients at a cellular level. It is vital to include fresh, raw, unprocessed foods in your diet. Organic Food Bars help you do that in an affordable, convenient and delicious way!

Phyto-nutrients promote overall health, immunity and resistance to disease. Organic Food Bars provide a healthy array of phyto-nutrient rich superfoods including:

Organic Bio Sprouts Flax, Quinoa, and Broccoli
Organic Spirulina
Organic Wheat and Barley Grass Juice Powders
Organic Blueberry, Raspberry and Cranberry