Organic Farming Chickens

Chickens that are raised free-range are known as organic chickens. They are treated fairly and are not slaughtered  early in their life. Also, no hormones or preservatives are added to the meats. Here are some pictures of happy free range chickens!

Organic milk vs. Regular Milk: The Epic Battle

Many people question the price and value of organic milk. People wonder whether it is worth the money and effort to buy organic milk rather than regular and more reasonably priced milk. Is organic worth the price? Is the product any better? What are the benefits to organic milk? In other words, what is so bad about regular milk?


This article from msnbc.com, contemplates this topic and answers the questions above. Here is an excerpt that takes part in the debate. To read the full article, click the link here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14458802/

Source:Karen Collins, R.D.

People may turn to organic milk for health benefits, or environmental and animal rights’ issues. But when evaluating the health claims, so far, research does not support a health advantage of organic over conventional milk for any segment of the population.

That's because the U.S. Department of Agriculture has four requirements to define milk as organic, and confusion abounds about each.

Milk that is labeled “USDA Organic” must come from cows that have not been treated with bovine growth hormone (BGH) to increase milk production. People who focus on this goal express concern that hormones in milk could raise the risk of hormone-related cancers, or lead to higher levels of an insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) linked with cancer.

But BGH is a protein hormone, which means that if any does appear in milk, enzymes and acid in our digestive tract destroy it. Dale Bauman, a professor of animal science at Cornell University, emphasizes that if IGF-1 is slightly higher in milk from BGH-treated cows, it represents a tiny fraction of the IGF we all produce each day. Bauman reports that we would have to drink 95 quarts of milk to equal the IGF-1 we make daily in our saliva and other digestive tract secretions.

We need to differentiate between levels of IGF in our blood, which some studies link to a possible increase in cancer risk, and levels of IGF in our food. Several organic-related Web sites refer to a study in which vegans (who eat no animal products) showed 13 percent lower IGF than non-vegans. But, a closer look at that study shows that milk consumption was not related to blood levels of IGF. Research shows high blood levels of IGF are linked with overweight, lack of exercise, and diets too high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates or total calories.

What is Organic Clothing?

• Organic clothing is clothing made from materials raised or grown in compliance with organic agricultural standards.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_clothing
• Clothing that is made from materials that are raised or grown without the use of chemicals in the form of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals.mslk.com/reactions/green-fashion-glossary/        

Here is an article from the Organic Trade Association describing Organic Cotton. Organic Cotton is the most popular organic fiber on the market nowadays http://www.ota.com/organic/mt/organic_cotton.html

Organic Cotton Facts Of all organic fibers, organic cotton is one of the most popular. Here are some facts about the growing organic cotton industry. What is "organic cotton?" Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming. All cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations covering how the cotton is grown. How much organic cotton is grown globally?  According to the fourth annual Organic Exchange Farm and Fiber Report 2009, organic cotton production grew an impressive 20 percent over 2007/08 to 175,113 metric tons (802,599 bales) grown on 625,000 acres (253,000 hectares). Organic cotton now represents 0.76 percent of global cotton production. Organic cotton was grown in 22 countries worldwide with the Top Ten producer countries led by India and including (in order of rank) Turkey, Syria, Tanzania, China, United States, Uganda, Peru, Egypt and Burkina Faso.  Approximately 220,000 farmers grew the fiber. Other Organic Fibers include: hemp, wool, cotton, kapok, silk, buckweat/millet hulls. The article below gives a great overview of organic fibers and fabrics. Here is an excerpt:  Introduction to Organic Fibers Source: Christine Chamberlin By now, you may know about the benefits of eating organic food and supporting organic agriculture. But did you know that many of the crops that produce the fibers used to make our clothing and home wares—often those we sleep in every night—account for some of the highest pesticide usage? In fact, it takes roughly one-third of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just one T-shirt, which is why it is important to consider organic cotton and other fibers. Surround yourself with the beauty and comfort of fibers pure and clean, just the way nature intended. You’ll help protect our fragile ecosystem and support small farming communities around the world. Nature’s fibers have kept humans comfortable for thousands of years. Archeologists determined the first remnants of cotton existed about 4,000 years ago. Silk has a rich history of over 3,000 years. Pillows made with buckwheat hulls have been used in Asian countries for centuries to eliminate stiff necks, shoulder pain, and headaches. It was only after WWII and the introduction of dangerous fertilizers and pesticides that fiber crops, like food crops, became treated with chemical toxins with damaging effects on the environment and farm workers who raised the crops. Thankfully, as consumers become more environmentally aware, the growing demand for organic fibers is now on the rise. In 2003, organic fiber sales in the United States grew by 22.7 percent over the previous year, to reach $85 million, according to the Organic Trade Association's 2004 Manufacturer Survey.  http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-224 Silk  Cotton Hemp Plant

Fruits this season!

Summer and Spring aren't the only times you can eat delicious and colorful fruits! Here is a list of seasonal winter fruits that will be very cheap and ripe in the next few months. To learn more about which season has your favorite fruits, you can look at www.fruitsinfo.com

Winter Fruits- December till February
Bananas Banana is the only fruit that really gets better if it is picked while it is unripe. When choosing a ripe banana, select plump yellow banana with brown flecks. Store ripe bananas outside for 3 days or in the refrigerator for several days. It is rich in carbohydrates, low in fat, high in potassium and Vitamin C.		Grapes Select plump, brightly colored berries that remain tightly in the vine when the bunch is shaked. Store unwashed grapes in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a week. Grapes are good source of Vitamin A.
Mandarin orange Mandarin oranges are mostly available during December and January. Select fruits that are unblemished and avoid those with cuts or soft spots. Bright color is not necessarily a sign of quality as it may be dyed and some naturally have green patches even when fully ripe. These can be stored in a cool, dark place for few days, but prfeerably should be refrigerated. Good source of Vitamin C and Copper.		Blood orange Blood orange is a type of sweet citrus fruit, that contains vitamin C. Sanguinello, Tarocco and Moro is the three most fashionable varieties. Torocco is a medium-sized fruit which is sweet in nature and delicate flavor .It is available from the month of January to May. Moro a dark-flesh fruit which is available from December to March. Sanguinello is a seedless fruit which tends to be deep red color. Blood oranges also reduce the risk of heart diseases, some types of cancer, and cholesterol. Deep red color and ripened oranges are good to pick.
Sweet orange Sweet orange is a fruit which is liked by most the adults. Medicines are made with the peel and juice of sweet oranges. The peel of sweet oranges is used for coughs, colds, breast cancer. It is also used as tonic. Juices are used for the treatment of kidney stones, high cholesterol, and prevention of blood pressure. Stroke can be reduced by the intake of sweet orange juice.		Pomegranate Pomegranate has gained a great pact of fame over the years. It has a citrus taste and is very juicy. There are lots of drinks and even foods that are prepared with the pomegranate fruit. Pomegranates have favorable effect on strokes and heart disease as it helps in lowering of bad cholesterol. It helps to prevent premature ageing as they help in slowing down the formation of wrinkles in one’s skin. Also scientists have proved that eating of pomegranates can be valuable in protecting oneself from skin cancer.
Clementine A Clementine is the variety of mandarin orange which is deep orange color with a glossy and smooth appearance. It’s also termed as seedless tangerines. It is easy to peel and readily split into about 10 to 12 sections, they are a great addition to both fruits and green salads. Clementines are a fine source of vitamin C, potassium, niacin and thiamin. They also restrain fiber and an excellent natural energy boost. Clementines contain almost no fat, and an average Clementine has merely about 35 calories.		Red Grapes Red grapes are the cause of one of the most excellent wines and also an amazing tasting fruit. It also contains 80 percent of water. By Consuming red grapes with his skin we get extreme health benefits. Red grapes are available as fresh fruit as well as juice. When we are buying grapes it is much better to buy with seeds. Red grapes help to control cholesterol, prevent from heart attacks and reduce fever.
Kumquat Kumquats are citrus fruits which is small and oval in shape. The fruits are dreadfully juicy and tasty and typically have a sweet outer skin accompanied by a bitter, inner flesh. It also offers many nutritional benefits. Kumquats are rich in vitamins A and C and provide a good source of fiber. In addition, it also contains lots of calcium and iron. For those on a diet, more or less eight kumquats contain 100 calories which is to be added in salads or to garnish hot or iced tea.		Cranberries Cranberries are mostly available in September and October. It contains nutrients like antioxidants. Cranberries are available in a wide variety of forms including juice, sauce, and dried, fresh fruit. It helps in production of cavity and avoids plague producing bacteria in your mouth.
Kiwi Kiwi is a small fruit which has many surprises. You can eat the kiwi fruit as it is. It is full of fiber and nutrients and also vitamin c. Soft fruits are not good to buy. When buying hold the fruit with your hand and give pressure if it get any wrinkles then that fruit is sweetest one and you can make juice in that.		Passion Fruit Passion fruit are loaded with vitamin A and C. The seeds contain high fiber. When you are buying passion fruit pick the larger fruit which gives more juice. When it ripens store it in a fridge. Keeping in a room temperature will make it ripen in a few days. It is available in both fruit and juice.
Pummelo The pummelo is an exotic large citrus fruit that is a predecessor of the common grapefruit and it tastes like a sweet, mild grapefruit. The skin of a pummelo is commonly used as an ingredient in conserve and in some cultures it is used medicinally. Pummelo skin pieces are given to patients who have a history of epileptic seizures and who are having problems with extreme cough. It also much nutritious and are a very good food source for dieters.		Persimmons Persimmon fruits are almost shiny, round and tough-skinned. They become fully grown from September to October, generally after the tree has lost its leaves. Sweet and yummy persimmon fruits are rich in health promoting nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants that are imperative for most advantageous health. Persimmons are rich in vitamin-C and helps body develop resistance against contagious agents and forage harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals. Dried persimmon fruits are used in cakes, cookies, puddings, salads and as a topping for banquet cereal.
Pear Pears fruit is almost sweet juicy yellow or green fruit and rough in texture with a rounded figure. It contains much water in it that was fresh when consumed. Pear fruits are always good for skin and have plenty of fibers. Vitamin k is rich in pears fruit which helps blood clotting process and also has the likely to prevent the body from a case of severe diseases such as stroke and heart disease. It is also useful for those who are allergic to foods or food bigotry due Pears also turn out to be one of the fruits that can withstand an allergic response to a food.		Rhubarb Rhubarb is in fact a vegetable, not a fruit. But we generally treat it as a fruit, because of its high acidity, but in some cultures they use it as vegetable in savory dishes. It is a comparative of buckwheat and has a sour, earthy flavor. Hothouse Rhubarb is one of the kinds of Rhubarb that you generally see in stores during the winter, will contain lighter-colored stalks and had less sour.
Satsuma orange Satsuma is an unsown and easy-peeling citrus mutant. It also has predominantly delicate flesh, which cannot resist the effects of careless handling. Satsuma oranges have an excellent cold forbearance system. They can continue to exist in temperatures as low as 15 degree Celsius. satsuma fruit contains lots of vitamin C which is enriched with fiber and folate.		Tangelo Tangelo is a citrus fruit which is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, thiamin and dietary fiber. The skin of Tangelo is greenish or yellow-orange in color. The nutritional content of Ugly fruit is perhaps equivalent to that of other citrus fruits. Tangelo fruit reduces weight and also cures cancers.
Ugli Fruit An Ugly fruit is a citrus fruit created by hybridizing a grape fruit. It is easily peeled which is used to make many splendid sweet and savory recipes. Ugly fruit is rich in vitamin C which is extremely juicy, squeeze easily for refreshing drink. The nutritional content of Ugly fruit is perhaps equivalent to that of other citrus fruits. Ugly fruit happen to be exposed to support keep several cancers which includes tumor on the belly and lungs.		Tangerine Tangerines are orange colored and thick skinned juicy edible citrus fruit. It is rich in Vitamin C and Copper and low in saturated fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It also contains a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Tangerines provides a unique juice which is sugary and tangy. It mainly reduces weight and yields good general health.

Are Organic Foods Really Better for your Health?

There is a large debate in the world today about whether organic foods are better for health or not. A lot of people say that organic is definitely safer because it's guaranteed that no chemicals are used in growing the food. Other people argue that all fruits and vegetables are organic and that pesticides help in assuring consumers that no insects have been living in or eating the fruit before they do. Here is an excerpt from an article that argues organic food is all hype and price with no actual benefits:

Proof that organic foods are not more healthy, just more expensive

First it is important to know organic does not mean "healthier." As a matter of fact, the USDA does not affirm that organic is healthier or safer and advises consumers to read nutrition facts on labels to determine the true health benefits of products. Furthermore, natural and organic do not mean the same thing. An apple grown traditionally and an apple grown "organically" are both planted in soil, watered, and nurtured to grow. Find out more about the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service by clicking the link. Notice the word marketing. The organization disclaims any respect to organic as being healthier or safer and defines organic and labeling on their website.

The buzz in the word organic gets its momentum from the idea that no pesticides, antibiotics, or other chemical products are used in the growth and development process. It is important to know however, a certain amount of each can be used and still legally be called organic. In layman's terms, a .001 decrease in the aforementioned can mean the difference in charging fifty percent more!

http://www.examiner.com/frugal-living-in-charleston-sc/proof-that-organic-foods-are-not-more-healthy-just-more-expensive

This article argues the values and disadvantages of organic foods: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/organic-food-better

And lastly, this article argues the benefits of organic foods:

If you are considering the advantages for organic fruits and vegetables, you will discover never-ending benefits. To begin with, did you realize that the environment can be improved by organic fruits and vegetables? They do and this is one thing that many people do not think about first. Farmers, who use pesticides on their crops and foods, are risking people’s health and environmental health also. Now considering the sort of pesticides or other types of chemicals used, the soil and nearby areas can result in environment contamination and deterioration. 

When organic health food are eaten, you are doing a small part, but still providing the environment a bit of support.

Eating organic isn’t just about your health. It is possible to overlook that your choice to go organic puts you into a network and a community of organic farmers and producers. These organic suppliers are few in number and they are usually of quite small means. They try to do the right thing on a small funds, and with many uncertainties as they move ahead. They depend on your support. By purchasing organic foods–particularly by choosing fresh organic fruits and vegetables–you will end up doing your part to maintain America’s organic farmers and suppliers running, shipping great products to market for the rest of us to savor.

Along with this, organic health food can benefit your body and turbocharge your well-being. There’s some evidence that organic foods chelate–that is to say clear away–pollutants and other contaminants. Similarly, organics have antioxidants to blast away at free radicals as well as other toxins. Consuming foods with insecticides or herbicides causes these dangerous molecules to end up in your body. Whenever you stop taking them in by eating organic, those poisonous chemicals will start to be expunged from your body. Eventually you’ll have no more of these products surviving in your body. But staying healthy and free from chemicals means you can’t just eat organics a couple of times. Instead, you need to make natural organic food a permanent part of your lifestyle. This is especially valid for parents. Giving your kid a good life starts off with the choices we make in the kitchen. Organics are among the best and most simple choices a parent can make to get the child off to a great start off.

http://myonline-reviews.com/natural-and-organic-food-makes-your-physique-become-healthier-2937

Organic Health & Beauty Products: Spotlight on Burt's Bees

Most people have heard of Burt's Bees products. The most famous of the company's products would be their beeswax lip balm. The company started about 25 years ago when a beekeeper named Burt started selling honey by the quart, later finding out that the real money was in selling beeswax because it had a natural ability to moisturize skin. Later his business grew and he moved to North Carolina and started experimenting with the beeswax and making it into lip balm. His business boomed from there. To learn more about his story, the company website is www.burtsbees.com. The company is all about creating natural products. Over 150 of their products are 100% natural and they say they are working on improving their products so that all of them are. Also, the company does not test on any animals, which is part of the reason why the products are so popular in the organic market. It seems Burt's Bees has thought their business through very thoroughly and take pride in their mission for organic bath & beauty products:

Additionally, we use only natural colors in our products. Some of these include beta-carotene, chlorophyll, titanium dioxide and mica. These natural colors have been proven safe, unlike many artificial colors that have been banned by the FDA over the years. As far as fragrance components go, we use them only when absolutely necessary, and all of our fragrances are phthalate-free.

Since our products are made from as many natural ingredients as possible, we think it makes sense that most of our packaging is created from recycled materials, or is developed with recyclability and re-use in mind, like our easy-to-recycle aluminum containers.

We don't want to create any additional garbage on the planet, and work hard to reduce, reuse and recycle. For example, before we would launch our world famous lip balm in a plastic tube, it took us years to convince a plastic company to make recycled plastic for us. Now, that very same company is one of the leading manufacturers of recycled plastic.

And by the way, our packages are designed to hold just enough product for you to use up before it expires, so you don't end up throwing out half used tubes and jars. We're full of good ideas, naturally.


Here is a list of some of their common products:

• Beeswax lip balm
• Beeswax Moisturizing Creme
• Beeswax & Banana Hand Creme
• Naturally Fresh Perfume
• Radiance Body Lotion
• Orange Essence Facial Cleanser
• Radiance Exfoliating Body Wash

Cherries: The New Superfruit

The cherry is an amazing fruit packed with antioxidants. Sadly, this fact goes unnoticed by most people. Below is an excerpt from an article from the Chicago Sun Times about new breakthroughs on cherries. The original information can be found on www.choosecherries.com.

Here's how the Web site choosecherries.com, which is sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute, explains the fruit's many health benefits:

» Click to enlarge image

Turns out health benefits do grow on trees, as in the case of tart cherries, which have antioxidant compounds and may even help fight cancer. (AP File)

"A growing body of science reveals tart cherries ... have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants ... compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene [19 times more than blueberries or strawberries], vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.


"Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits -- from helping ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers."

If these claims are true, then tart cherries are on their way to becoming the new super fruit. Pomegranates? So yesterday.

Intro to Organics- First Post!

Hey Everyone! This new blog is about organic foods and organic products available to us everyday and how they can be beneficial to us. The blog will feature specific brands and products used for beauty and health as well as focusing on specific organic foods and snacks. You may be wondering, what exactly makes something organic? Organic scientifically means (according the the Webster dictionary):

"relating or belonging to the class of chemical compounds having a carbon basis;"  But according to the USDA, an organic product is:

• “‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.
• “Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml
In other words, an organic food or product is free of manmade or unnaturally occurring chemicals and/or flavorings. Organic fruits and vegetables can be found at any Kroger or grocery in the local Cincinnati area, in order for a product to be officially organic the label must me "USDA certified organic" an example of this label is below in the blog page. For more general and specific information on certified organic products and foods look at any of the following websites:
http://www.organicsoul.org/
** http://www.organicconsumers.org/
or these two articles:
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/news/2010/11/international-organic-market-on-an-upward-trend.aspx

• The Natural Products Insider has an article (above) about the growing "organic movement" and it gives information on what this entails: organic clothing, products, foods etc. and their expanding popularity.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/recipesmenus/a/organic.htm

• This article about organic nutrition standards gives info about what can be expected from organic food companies and farmers. For example: that farmers add no hormones of additives to their meats and vegetables (especially no pesticides or herbicides).