That organic food in your freezer or refrigerator is probably owned by Kraft, Cargill, Kellogg, Pepsi, Hershey, M&M, Coca Cola and others. Click here fora link to research done by Phil Howard, Assistant Professor at Michigan University.
It’s obvious that ‘big food’ wants to cash in on the recent rise in demand for organics. Private labels go from Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Kroger, Target and down to more ‘organic’ companies like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
Ah, but things get dicey when the so-called ‘organics’ get caught with their pants down like Aurora Dairy did in 2007. Co-mingling non-organic milk with organic, stepping outside the organic standards for feed and bedding, moving cows from organic facilities to non-organic and continuing to claim milk was organic, and failure to process milk according to the National Organic Program (NOP), and along with a host of other violations. These ‘greenwashed’ products often contain pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones from cross contamination.
Wal-Mart too, has been involved in investigations which allege ‘greenwashing‘ of its products.
What IS Organic? Watch this short video and see if you are making a difference with your purchases.
Organic certification is under attack.Go to these sites to read more about….
Beauty and Cosmetics: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/index.cfm
Food: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=4756
To HELP PRESERVE ORGANICS, visit the Organic Consumer’s page and use their links to fight back FOR ORGANICS!
Times are tough today. We’re all looking to save a buck and get the best deal. However, shopping at your local mega discount store isn’t always the best choice.
Large corporations such as Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe’s and others are not in the business of fair trade. They want to make money - lots of it. Their goal is to sell cheaply manufactured goods, which hopefully will wear out fast and you’ll come back for more. Buyers for these companies go to the cheapest source: China, Thailand, Indonesia - wherever they can make the best deal for their company…, where their bottom line will show the most profit.
There is absolutely no concern for the workers who make these products, either. A blind eye is turned toward any situations where workers are subjected to dangerous and toxic conditions, long hours or menial wages. Human rights abuses, too, are not a concern for the buyers of Wal-Mart and others. They just want their goods and they’re on the way.
Fair trade products, however, lift people out of the mire of subservience, disrespect and hopelessness. Fair trade also preserves ancient crafts which are fast disappearing in this modern world. It promotes respect for the crafts person because of what they know and the artistry of their craft. They are treated as human beings, as business people, not as a slave.
You can make a difference in the world by choosing Fair Trade products whenever possible. Many companies carry both fair trade and organic products. That means you are helping twice: promoting and strengthening fair trade and choosing organic, which helps the environment. By shopping this way - YOU - make a statement to the big box retailers. YOU are taking a stand.
This is such a simple way to help those far less fortunate than yourself. Whether your purchase is fair trade quilts or crafts, fair trade organic body care, fair trade coffee or any of the hundreds of goods, fair trade is good for everybody and the planet, too!
Detox is an important facet of modern life. Our bodies cannot rid themselves of the modern compounds we are surrounded with.
Thousands of times a day we are exposed to toxins in the form of pollution, pesticides, chemicals in our food and personal care products. Additives in processed food, plastics (phthalates) leaching from containers into the food we eat, water bottles, from microwaving food in plastic containers. 80 % of coffee is decaffeinated with chemical solvents ( methylene chloride or ethyl acetate). Water processed organic coffee is the best bet for decaf. The clothes you’ve gotten back from the dry cleaners are laced with the chemical perchloroethylene. Nice, Huh?
An ancient remedy used in Ayurvedic medicine in India, turmeric, contains a wealth of healing properties. In recent publications by oncologists, turmeric has been touted as one of the best detoxifying agents available. Studies have shown that people in countries that consume it daily, cancer rates are extremely low.
In addition to adding beneficial herbs to your diet, a good detox regimen will help you cleanse your body of chemicals. The idea is to SWEAT - either in a hot bath or sauna but only if your doctor has advised it is safe for you. Mustard baths, long a remedy for amazing and effective cleansing are another method.
Relaxing in a hot detox bath is good for your mood as well as what ails you. It also helps to ward off those yucky winter bugs that are going around.
Improve your skin’s health and keep wrinkles at bay with these simple strategies:
Exfoliate is the key to renewing your skin. Dead cells dull your skin’s appearance. Using an exfoliating natural scrub or en exfoliating soap helps maintain a clear, smooth, even-toned complexion. It also helps your body detox itself more quickly and efficiently.
If you’ve got oily skin try a exfoliating soap or aromatic bath salt containing tea tree or lavender. You can easily make your own salt scrub using quality, 100% organic (never synthetic) oils and Himalayan salt.
Another important step is to moisturize. Daily moisturizing not only keeps skin soft and supple, but it enhances the barrier function to help ward off toxins. It also improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Look for products containing botanicals, such as the Benedetta Rosemary & Geranium Massage-In Cleanser, which exfoliates and moisturizes in one step.
Finally, drinking plenty of water helps cleanse your skin and your entire body. Why not make a start today to glow on the inside and the outside, too!