Let's Talk Organic 101!

I thought I would take the time to discuss a very important topic that a lot of people seem to find confusing and overwhelming.

I often get asked the following question: What constitutes a food organic?

In this post, I hope that I am able to clear things up for those of you who are unsure about the organic industry. Whether you're new to organic agriculture or have supported it your entire life, this information should put you on the right track into making a difference for your health and our planet's well-being.

What is organic food?

 

Organic food is food that is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, insecticides, growth hormones or antibiotics. Organic food cannot be irradiated, contain genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and cannot be grown using sewage sludge fertilizer.

Is organic food more nutritious than conventionally grown food?

 

Yes. Organic farmers practice crop rotation. This means that they will grow different crops each year to preserve and nourish the soil and to promote biodiversity. Traditional farmers may grow the same crops on the same soil year after year and use toxic chemicals, both of which result in nutrient depletion of the soil.

The nutritional value of food is strongly correlated to the nutritional value of the soil.

Here are a few studies that talk about the nutritional advantages of organic food:

• A 2010 report by Washington State University said that organic strawberries have higher levels of antioxidants, last longer and taste better than conventionally-grown strawberries.

• A 2009 report by the French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) says that organic food has greater levels of polyphenols in fruits and vegetables (protect against cancer), polyunsaturated fatty acids in meats and milk and more nutrients in whole grain cereals than traditional food.

• In 2007, the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry Research published findings from a ten-year study at the University of California-Davis which showed flavonoid levels increase over time in organically-grown crops. Flavonoids are antioxidants found in plants which can be very beneficial to the human body.

• As reported in the 2006 Journal of Dairy Science, a three-year study conducted by the Universities of Liverpool and Glascow found organic milk contained 68% more Omega-3 fatty acids on average than conventional milk.

• A 2003 study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry reported that organically-grown raspberries had 50% more antioxidants than conventionally-grown raspberries and organically-grown strawberries had 19% more antioxidants than conventionally-grown strawberries. The study also said that organic produce had higher levels of ascorbic acid, which the body converts into Vitamin C.

 

Why does organic food cost more than conventionally-grown food?

This is due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, most organic farmers do not have enough funding to compete with large corporate conglomerates. Secondly, organic food producers must go through a rigorous, expensive and time-consuming process to receive organic certification.

Even though conventional food may cost less, it does not deliver the same amount of mineral nutrition.

With a lower cost comes a lower nutritional value.

You should think of it as putting your money into preventative health care. Instead of having to pay exorbitant medical bills in the future, you are investing in your body's health.

Why does organic food not last as long as conventionally-grown food?

 

This is because organic food does not contain artificial colorants and preservatives to extend its shelf life. Having these preservatives results in an inferior taste, nutritional value and mineral content.

If I am new to the organic lifestyle, do I have to eat absolutely everything organic?

 

Switching to a 100% organic diet is simply not realistic for most people. If you are new to the organic lifestyle, below are a few different suggestions on how to get started:

• Go to your local health food store or farmer's market and look for products with the USDA Organic Seal.
• Look for fruits and vegetables that have labels starting with the number '9' (ex. 9201)
• If you have young children, buy organic milk and organic cereal as much as possible.
• Substitute your regular soda with organic soda, organic juices or invest in a good quality juicer.
• If you are not a vegetarian, buy organic poultry, beef, game and fish.

Start off slowly. Don’t buy too much at first and try to see what products work best for you. Also, you will need to understand the short shelf-life of organic fruits and vegetables so you don’t waste any food or money.

What are the different categories of organic?

 

There are three different types of major organic labeling:

100% Certified Organic

 

This means that 100% of all ingredients in a product (except salt and water) are organic. 100% Certified Organic products may use the USDA Organic Seal.

Organic 

 

 

This means that 95% of all ingredients in a product (except salt and water) are Organic. Certified Organic products may use the USDA Organic Seal.

Made with Organic Ingredients

 

 

 

 

This means that 70% of all ingredients in a product (except salt and water) are organic. These products may not use the USDA Organic Seal.

Also look for the ECOCERT, CCOF, Canada Organic-Canada Biologique, Soil Association Organic Standard, Demeter Certification and AB logos.

How do I know the food I am eating is organic?

Organic food is certified by an independent, third-party certification agency. The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) approves organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit, that wish to be official certification agencies.

USDA Certified employees work with farmers to make sure that:

• The soil used has been chemical-free for at least 3 years.
• The farmer is practicing and adhering to organic standards.
• All operations of the farm are in compliance with organic standards.
• An extensive log is in place and is being used to record all activity.

Food processors and manufacturers are held to the same standards as farmers. Inspections take place at least once every year.

There are many small farmers who practice organic farming but do not participate in the certification process because the cost and time expenses are too great. Therefore, they are not legally allowed to display the USDA Organic symbol on their foods' packaging.

An organic food product lists the certification agency on its label. The largest agency is the Quality Assurance International.

What is the difference between organic and natural?

Natural products are supposed to contain no artificial ingredients or added colors and be minimally processed. Natural products do not have near the regulation, standards or enforcement as do organic products.

Overall, there is a lot of widespread abuse of the word 'natural' and there is tremendous confusion about what the word means and the value it provides.

Munchin' on Kale Chips!

I have a new obsession in the world of snacks...

Once it was dark chocolate, then raw nuts and now kale chips!

I first picked up a bag of them at my health food store, reading the label thinking 'imitation cheese flavouring'? Really?!

Let me tell you that they are so addicting, once you eat one, pretty soon half the bag is gone. It's the same with homemade, organic popcorn. You're watching that movie and pretty soon you realize how much is actually gone from the bowl. When your mind is elsewhere, scary things happen...

I've seen the kale flavoured with all-vegan style ranch dressing, lemons, cheese and even hemp!

The kale is very thin and crunchy, not to mention nutritious and heart-healthy.

All organic, vegan and gluten-free of course!

So go ahead, don't be shy. Pick up a bag and you'll see what I mean. For the raw foodies already out there, you probably know what I'm talking about.

I've even included a homemade recipe you can do right in the comfort of your own kitchen! Made with love and much more cost effective!

Ingredients:

• A bundle/bag of Organic Kale torn into bite size pieces
• 2-3 Tablespoons of Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (cold-pressed)
• Pink Himalayan Salt and Organic Pepper
• A pinch of Organic Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 4-5 Tablespoons of Nutritional Yeast (if you're not a vegan and don’t want to use Nutritional Yeast, you could put finely grated Organic Parmesan on top instead and that would be equally delicious).

Preparation:

1. Place your torn kale into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and massage oil into the kale. You want it to get a nice coating so the nutritional yeast will stick to it.                
2. Line a baking sheet with eco-friendly parchment paper and place the kale leaves on the sheet, not layering too much. You may need to do two batches. Sprinkle the Nutritional Yeast over each leaf to your liking.
3. Bake on low temperature for up to 10 minutes until dry. Keep an eye on them as they brown quickly! Serve hot or at room temperature.

Try one and you won't be able to resist the taste and crunch kale chips have to offer.

I think I got one too many crumbs on my keyboard while I was typing and snacking away. Oops!

Follow Me On Twitter @TheEcoChicDiva!

If you are new to the blog, be sure to check out my twitter page for more tips and articles on green living!

http://www.twitter.com/TheEcoChicDiva

Sign EWG's 'No More Bottled Water' Petition!

Let's start out 2011 by adressing an important cause.

You may have already read my previous post talking about how unnecessary, wasteful and expensive bottled water is. If not, check it out here.

I thought I would mention that the EWG has come out with a petition encouraging men and women to refrain from purchasing bottled water and buying reusable containers.

Investing in a water filtration system might be expensive at first, but think about how cost-effective it will be over the years.

You will actually spend more money buying a 24-pack every month then you will doing a one-time installation under your sink.

You can make a difference and sign the petition here.

If you do not live in the United States of America, you can simply choose/find any US zip code.

We're trying to raise awareness for this cause, so don't let country restrictions stop you from voicing and spreading your word.

Zuii Organic Cosmetics

As I was buying some produce at my health food store, I was chatting with a good friend who has been working there for a few years.

She told me that they were in the process of expanding their personal care line and incorporating more cosmetics.

I was about to pick-up a back up of Sibu's 100% Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil, when I came across the cutest display of cosmetics.

I had never heard of Zuii Organic Cosmetics and was very intrigued to check out their line of products.

The company is based in Australia and prides itself on being animal cruelty-free and USDA Certified Organic.

They are the first company to use USDA Certified Organic flowers as bases for their formulas. Organic jasmine, rose and chamomile are the ingredients responsible for soothing the skin and gliding/blending effortlessly to create that perfect finish. I was sold, to say the least.

As far as what is offered, they carry everything you would imagine a cosmetics company would -- from foundation to lip gloss. The packaging is very eco-friendly, sleek and elegant.

I'm a fan of simple elegance and Zuii has done a wonderful job of combining simplicity with quality.

The foundations (pressed-powder and liquid) come in a range of colours. For a lighter coverage, I suggest you go with their Organic Flora Liquid Foundation which is beautifully rose-scented. Then, top it off with a light dusting of the Organic Flora Pressed Powder Foundation in the t-zone.

As far as blushes and eyeshadow goes, they offer a variety of colours. What really impressed me about these pressed pigments was the vibrancy and payoff. They are extremely pigmented and the eyeshadows can even be used wet as eyeliner for a bolder look.

The blushes come in flattering shades of matte and highlighting, shimmery finishes. The possibilities are endless when it comes to blending colours together to create your favourite look.

Lipstick and lip gloss shades are pigmented, stay put and come in a variety of shades. From the most innocent pinks to the dark and daring purples, Zuii's lip products have it all!

I haven't had a chance to try out the mascara as I'm still going strong with my current one, but I'm eager to try out the formula with a cobalt blue tint. Rockin' that 80's look!

You can order their products from the website here or let your local natural beauty store know you're interested.

To put it short and sweet, I can honestly say that I am very impressed with this line. I've been using the products for the last couple of months and I look forward to testing out more colours from future collections.

Product Rave: Weleda's Calendula Baby Face Cream

I thought I would do a quick post on a great moisturizer by Weleda which I have been using for a few years when my skin needs a pick-me-up.

I have always been a huge fan of Weleda.

When I think 'timeless' and 'natural', Weleda comes to mind as the ruler in the world of holistic beauty.

Everything from abiding fair trade practices to their respect for biodynamic farming made me fall in love with the brand.

To give you a little background, Weleda was founded by an Austrian philosopher named Rudolf Steiner, who was a pioneer in the anthroposophic movement.

Their products use only the highest quality ingredients grown in their own biodynamic gardens.

The creams and oils are natural and plant-based making them a healthy choice for sensitive skin.

I have tried and tested just about every Weleda product and have never been disappointed. Nothing can compare to their Calendula Baby Face Cream.

Made from Biodynamic Calendula Flower Extract, Beeswax and Almond Oil, it is the ultimate gentle moisturizer for sensitive skin.

I have quite fair skin and it often gets red or irritated in the wintertime from cold winds and lack of humidity.

This cream does just the trick. It's light, smells wonderful, absorbs quickly and is targeted for babies, so you know only the best ingredients are going into it.

And it's affordable!

What's your favourite product from the Weleda line?

*Congratulations to Weleda on their 90th Anniversary of Sustainability!*

The Best & Worst Bottled Water Brands

I used to be no saint when it came to drinking bottled water. It must have been that pretty packaging with those serene ponds, hibiscus flowers and elegant waterfalls.

Marketing, baby.

Buying bottled water at the store became a habit for me, as it now is for the majority of the population.

We instinctively reach for that 24-pack in the supermarket for a football game or camping trip.

The clever television adverts, colors and design trick us into thinking that bottled water is somehow better than the tap water in our homes.

Let me give you the reality of the situation.

It's expensive, wasteful and, contrary to popular belief, not any healthier for you than tap water. 

Not to mention bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year.

That's a lot of plastic, people.

The worst of it is that major companies, like Coca-Cola (who owns Vitamin Water, Dasani and Powerade), have recently admitted, following many complaints by customers, that they basically 'sell' packaged tap water.

You may have heard about the Coca Cola controversy concerning their brand, Dasani, a few years ago.

To summarize, they were marketing their bottled water as 'pure, still water' which, if you really think about it, does not give us any indication about the mineral content, contaminants removed and the filtration system used.

Now, you may wonder well, is there such thing as 'good' bottled water? 

Luckily, thanks to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), you can now check the toxicity level of each major brand and make the wise choice for you and your family.

For those of you who don't want to give up the luxury and convenience of 'new' sanitary bottles, here is a list of the best and worst bottled water companies according to research done by the EWG:

The Safest Bottled Water Companies:
1)     Gerber Pure Purified Water
2)     Nestle Pure Life Purified Water
3)     Penta Ultra-Purified Water

The Worst Bottled Water Companies:

1)     Whole Foods Italian Still Mineral Water
2)     Vintage Natural Spring Water
3)     Sahara Premium Drinking Water
4)     'O' Water Sport Electrolyte Enhanced Purified Drinking Water
5)     Market Basket Natural Spring Water
6)     Cumby's Spring Water

I personally gave up water bottles entirely. You just can't rely on other people to check for toxins in such a necessary element for life.

We need clean water to live. The purer it is, the better for our vital organs. 

Instead of wasting money on bottled water, I have a reverse-osmosis filter installed in my home from which I get my water supply. I do everything from cooking with this water to washing my fruits and veggies daily.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to invest in a good reusable water bottle.

When it comes to buying a reusable bottle, sky's the limit in terms of accessories, styles and colors.

I searched high and low and found my two favourite brands: LifeFactory and Klean Kanteen. 

I have reusable bottles from each company which I use every single day.

LifeFactory has a fantastic line of glass, reusable bottles for babies, kids and adults alike! They have an innovative silicone sleeve to protect the glass, water-tight seal and a BPA-free lid. Not to mention they are built durably for cycling, hiking skiing, running, etc.

Klean Kanteen's are made out of food grade, high quality stainless steel. They are stylish, durable and do not leach chemicals into you water.
 
I purchased a SIGG bottle a few years ago, but found the aluminium very malleable, being prone to dents and scratches. Not fond of my experience. 

Which ever bottle you choose, make sure it's eco-friendly, non-toxic and BPA-free.

But remember, the bottle is only as good as the water you put in it.

Are Organic Beauty Products The Real Deal?

As you very well know, everyone is buzzing about the benefits of organic things these days.

We know the logos by heart and can recite the Dirty Dozen, but as of recently, people are asking questions about organic makeup.

A few brands appear to be making their way, here and there, to your local department store. Toting a heavier price-tag and boasting health benefits, organic makeup seems pretty legit, huh?

Let's investigate.

First off, let’s take a second and define what it means to be organic.

Organic products are products that are produced without pesticides or other chemicals. They are also produced in a way that is environmentally friendly, as toxins are not released into the air.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has now made standards that regulate which foods can be deemed organic. Although usually more expensive, organic foods are better for you, so the same should be true for organic makeup right?

Turns out, not so much.

I decided to check out Sephora, a pretty accessible store to most people, just to see what organic products they have to offer.

Sephora is stocked with three “organic” brands: Care by Stella McCartney, Juice Beauty and NVEY Eco. Each brand claims to be pure, luxurious, and certified organic. Looking through their products they look pretty great: Care by Stella McCartney is big on moisturizing skincare and NVEY has some really pretty eyeshadow kits.

Too bad that upon further research, the term 'organic' seemed like quite the hoax when used in the beauty industry…

According to OrganicConsumers.org (it’s a .org, so I trust it), it turns out that there are no standards for organic beauty products!

The Organic Consumers Association is doing its best to alert buyers that “Certified” labels are not actually set to a specific government standard unless they actually say “USDA Organic Certified.”

Unless these products are certified with that specific label, they often still contain the same chemicals as their non-organic counterparts.

Oftentimes, the carcinogenous chemical 1,4-Dioxide is still put in makeup products falsely labeled as organic.

Don't be 'greenwashed' into thinking that just because it has the words 'made with organic ingredients' or 'natural', that it is the right choice.

Check out a list of more approved beauty products from the OCA here.

I guess the bottom line is: if you’re gonna buy organic makeup be aware that many companies make false claims and often offer products that are equivalent to regular or 'natural' makeup lines.

Stay in the know and save your dough!

The Wonders of Manuka Honey

 

I remember it like it was yesterday when I first read my copy of Gorgeously Green, by the lovely Sophie Uliano, and came across a chapter mentioning a special honey whose name I had no clue how to pronounce. I wondered to myself, "What the heck is a MA-NU-KA Active Factor?"

Manuka honey isn’t your average honey. Aside from being savored with the most exquisite teas, it can also be used on cuts, wounds, for sore throats, acid reflux and to kill bacteria that causes excess stomach acid.

The honey is also antifungal and has natural antibiotic properties.

The 'Manuka' Factor refers to the percentage of antiseptic solution contained inside the honey. So, when you see Active 16+ printed on the label, it means that the product contains a naturally occurring antiseptic solution of 16%.

Now, I have tried a few brands of Manuka honey before, but this brand impressed me very much. The texture was thick, but smooth and had real definition to it. The taste was complex and sweet. It was so much better than any other honey I had. I don't know if my brain automatically thought: Higher Price Tag=Yummier. But, I can really assure you that it blew me away.

The Wedderspoon Manuka Honey is raw, certified organic and comes from the South Island of New Zealand where bees feed and pollinate the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium).

(FYI: Be aware that there are some companies based in New Zealand that use heavy pesticides to produce their Manuka honey. Only trust certified brands and just to be safe, check out the companies' website. They often have a wealth of information under 'FAQs')

I like to use it in my morning tea or oatmeal, but it is such a universal product that there really is no wrong way to use it. Some people use it for a luxurious facial mask, swearing it cured their acne. Others give it to their kids to prevent the flu virus. The biological structure of this stuff is awesome.

You can buy the honey at local natural food stores or online (http://www.wedderspoon.com). If you don't fancy online shopping, don't be shy to ask your natural food specialist to order a stock for you (plus you'll stun them with your sweet knowledge).

While you're at it, check out their Manuka Lozenges (I swear by the Organic Manuka Active 15+ Lemon and Ginger), Lip Balms, Non-Toxic Perfumes and Soaps. They also carry other delicious honey flavours like the Wild Dandelion Honey, one of my favourites!

Juicing Away...

I was recently on a mission to find the perfect juicer to replace my old one: that cheap, 10 year-old, plastic dinosaur for citrus fruits.

Now, for those of you who don't know, I am quite the perfectionist when it comes to buying something new. I am always looking for nice aesthetics and quality in electronics-ergo why I'm an Apple fan ;)

I wanted a juicer that could handle a big load, operate quietly (not wake up my entire street) and have that feel of 'quality'.

Sure, everyone's definition of quality is different, but these are the three things that come to mind when I'm in the market for new appliances: glass, die-cast and stainless steel.

There is just something wonderful about a shiny kitchen stocked with glimmering appliances made from stainless steel. It must be the way the light bounces off the curvature of...

Okay, enough of that. Back to reality.

I spent a week-end perusing through some specialty stores only to turn back home empty-handed and disappointed. You know those markers you had as a kid that each smelled like a fruit, well my mood stank like the black licorice marker. Gross.

After doing a bit of research, I came across a blog raving about Breville, an Australian-operated company. I liked their attention to detail and decided to check out the website. Apparently, Breville is quite big in Canada and Europe. I seemed to be the only one in the dark.

To put it simply, I fell in love with EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT. This company was the Audi of small appliances. I'll tell you right now, I was dreaming about my personal 'Breville' kitchen. Everything from the Barista Express for morning espresso to the Milk Frother for my evening organic Matcha Lattés.

I will admit that I became quite obsessed with watching every video out there and reading every review on their appliances. My mother taught me well.

After much research, I decided to go with the Breville ikon 5-Speed Juicer. During my selection, I was also looking for something that had a few speeds so I could juice different fruits and vegetables.

This juicer has speeds running from 1 (soft fruits and leafy greens) to 5 (hard fruits, vegetables, beets, apples, etc.) which are elegantly displayed on a small LCD screen.

Now, to get on with my impressions during juicing...

I was amazed at how quiet it was when I first operated it. It has a nice electronic hum, like when you start up a German car.

With a 900-watt motor, the apples and beets were quickly pulverized! I was able to fill an 8 oz. glass in about 10 seconds.

Clean up is done in a jiffy! I just spray the components down in my sink after every use and dishwash them once every week.

You can even use the skin and pulp from the fruit and vegetables to make fabulous organic quiches or soups. Killing two birds with one stone. Plus, you'll no longer have an excuse to opt out of eating those beets or kale.

It never gets boring, so try to surprise yourself and your family with new combinations. Pretty soon you'll have kids running down the stairs when they hear the sound of you turning on that power switch.

A Big Welcome to My Blog!

I thought I would take the time to welcome you all to my new blog!

It is in the early stages and by no means finished. However, I truly am thrilled to finally unveil it to you.

My goal is to share the knowledge I have accumulated over the years through interactions and posts with you.

I would also like to give a big thank you to everyone who follows, supports and inspires me on twitter!

WELCOME!