What Organic Really Means in 2005
The term "organic" is used everywhere. What exactly does that mean? "Organic" refers to the methods by which foods, cottons, woolens, etc., are farmed and processed, without chemicals, pesticides, radiation, or other artificial intervention. Organic farming techniques allow natural soil replenishment, without the chemical saturation that depletes natural nutrients plants, and grazing animals, need to live. Organic products must also be processed naturally, without chemical washes, additives or treatments that have dominated markets since WWII. Officially, according to the National Organic Standards Board, "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." In other words, it's got to be organic and as chemical free as possible, from seed to finished product. Bear in mind that most organic retailers can promise minimal exposure to chemical inputs. That means that organic products are raised, processed, and assembled without chemical intervention. Exposure to existing hemispheric and residual industrial toxins cannot be avoided until years after environmentally responsible legislation is enacted. Perhaps in generations to come, Earth's environment will be cleansed enough to guarantee absolute purity. Only with your support will that be possible. What is Organic Certification? There are in place quite stringent standards for organic certification that are established at local levels, and by private organizations. Certification is an industry "watchdog" seal of approval, and is not the same as government regulation. Organic certification involves inspections, soil and water testing; testing of processing facilities, record keeping requirements, to ensure all standards are being met at all times. Many products may be called organic, but look for the certification. That's your assurance your purchase is truly organic, not organically produced in one place and artificially processed in another place. Who regulates the certified organic claims? (The following consumer information is taken directly from an article on the Organic Trade Association site, ota.com.) "The federal government set standards for the production, processing and certification of organic food in the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). The National Organic Standards Board was then established to develop guidelines and procedures to regulate all organic crops. The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during December 2000 unveiled detailed regulations to implement OFPA. These took effect on April 21, 2001, with an 18-month implementation period ending October 2002. At that time, any food labeled organic must meet these national organic standards. USDA's National Organic Program oversees the program." There you go. Legal standards for organic farming and production are now cast in Washington granite! Susan Fullen-Yurek is an organic products entrepreneur (http://www.kushtush.com) and freelance author committed to supporting environmental awareness and the "greening of the planet" for our children and grandchildren. Embracing and supporting environmental initiatives signals a return to "natural common sense" and rejection of powerful corporate lobbies dictating the health and future of our families.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Ive Given Away Control of My Life To Doctors?and Now I Want It Back.
But How Realistic Is It For You To Start Managing Your Own Pain Using the Mind-Body Connection?
Shemale Breast Enlargement - Transgender Breast Development
Shemales, or transgender males who strive to achieve more feminine qualities and physical features, are turning to natural supplements, often also used by women for the same purpose, to increase their breast size and give them heavier, larger breasts that look like a woman's breasts, and actually are biologically the same as a woman's breast.
Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts For Constipation Relief
Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using flax seeds with other seeds and nuts. They provide the fiber and oils that you need to relieve constipation. Drinking plenty of water with these home remedies will make them more effective.
Five Simple Steps For Treating Heel Pain
If you experience a sharp pain in your heel at the first step in the morning, chances are you have plantar fasciitis (plan * tar fash* ee * I * tis). "Plantar" means the bottom of the foot. The "fascia" is a long ligament type structure. "Itis" means inflammation. Plantar fasciitis is a tearing of the ligament on the bottom of the foot. The tearing causes inflammation and the inflammation causes pain. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Many individuals with plantar fasciitis find that they hobble to the bathroom every morning because of the pain. They must grab onto the dresser or the wall to balance themselves. After fifteen minutes or so, the pain works itself out, only to come back with a vengeance at the end of the day. Not all individuals with plantar fasciitis experience pain in the morning. Many find that they only experience heel pain at the end of the day or during certain types of activity.
Quit Smoking
Consider this:
Got a Headache? Painkillers Are NOT the Solution!
Say you had a stressful day at work, didn't get enough sleep
the night before and as a result you've got a bad headache.
What do you do? It's easy! You take good old Tylenol or other
over-the-counter medicine. And it helps! No more headache,
the world is bright again.
Lavender Pure Essential Oil
Lavender pure essential oil is cultivated and harvested in the Mediterranean today. More specifically, lavender is grown in Provence, France. Lavender, actually comes from the latin word lavare, which means to wash. Since the beginning of time, lavender has been used for all natural skin treatments.
The finest of the lavender species is English Lavender, Lavandula Angustifolia, which was formerly known as Lavandula Officinalis. What is origin specific about this species is it only grows above 3000 ft.
Lavender pure essential oil can help treat skin conditions, such as acne, and rashes. Just mix up 10 drops of the oil in a quart of water, and spray, or dab with a cotton ball on the surface of the skin.
This oil can also help you relax and enjoy a good nights sleep. Take a few drops of the oil, and rub them directly on your temples, and/or on the pressure points on the back of your neck. Then lay down, and enjoy the aroma.
Lavender is also one of the main pure essential oils used in massages today. The aroma of the oil is a relaxing aroma, and helps the persons being massaged to relax even more. Also, with the skin benefits of this oil, it is an excellent oil, when blended with a carrier oil, to be used for massages.
Lavender, being versatile, and good for the skin, is an excellent oil to have in the cabinet. Try some lavender pure essential oil today.
Aromatherapys Mind-Smell Connection
Why is smell so strongly linked to memory and emotion?
The Truth About Smokers Pleasure Paradox
Smokers love excuses. Nothing makes them happier than, 'I can't quit because?'. They really believe their own excuses.
Alcohol : How Badly Can It Affect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers?
The wonders of alcohol.
Parasites: The Missing Diagnosis?
Parasites, commonly thought of as only affecting those in developing countries, actually affect 1 in 6 people in North America and are the most common disease condition in the world. For many chronic conditions this can be the missing diagnosis. For example, amebiasis can be misdiagnosed as Chron's disease, and roundworm can be mistaken for peptic ulcers. IBS, food allergies, and chronic fatigue syndrome have all been found to have parasitic causes.
Treating Arthritis - Naturally
There are actually three common types of arthritis. These are Osteoarthritis which is the most common, affecting around 16 million Americans with an average age of 45. It usually will attack weight bearing joints like knees, hips, and ankles but has been found in the fingers, neck and spine. Each of our joints is cushioned by cartilage, a very dense, sponge-like substance. Osteoarthritis attacks that cartilage and gradually wears it down.
Powerbreathe, Lung Conditioner, and Breathing Exerciser
What is The Powerbreathe?
Gestalt Therapy And Hypnosis
The Gestalt approach to therapy can be termed "phenomenological-existential" as it is concerned with an awareness of the here-and-now, working away from concepts and towards pure awareness (Clarkson, 1989). By the client becoming aware of their thoughts, feelings, etc the goal is for the individual to achieve insight into the situation under examination. As Yontef (1993) writes, insight is gained by studying the phenomomenological focusing, experimenting, reporting, and dialogue of the client. The philosophy behind this approach is that most people do not function in the world based on how the world, including themselves, is, but through a filter of self-deception, whereby one does not have a clear picture of oneself in relation to the world. Living that is not based on the truth of oneself leads to feelings of dread, guilt, and anxiety (Yontef, 1993).
Starbucks Green Tea Frappachinos, Can They Prevent Cancer?
Starbucks now offers the Green Tea Frappachinos, yes I had one and they are very tasty indeed. We all know green tea helps prevent many types of cancer, not to mention a host of other things. Green Tea is very good for your body. Starbucks makes their green tea frappachinos with Green Tea powder derived from Green Tea Leaves. As you watch them blend your drink you will probably wonder if it will taste good, if it can really help. Well you are in luck on both accounts. Although it might be a little on the fattening side at least you know it is doing good things inside your body due to the green tea.
Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Old Medicine, New Synergies
The terms alternative medicine and complementary medicine
are often wrongly used as synonyms. Actually, the term
alternative medicine refers to medicine systems like
Ayurveda or Acupuncture that are used in place of
conventional medicine, while complementary medicine refers
to those therapies like massage that are used in
conjunction with conventional medicine.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine used for over 200 years. Introduced to America in the early 1800s, homeopathy is based on the Law of Similars ("like cures like"). Homeopathy is still used very effectively in patients around the globe.
So What is Organic?
With allergies on the increase and sensitivities to synthetics becoming life threatening,we are looking for products which aren't going to make us sneeze or break out in rashes or irritate our children's sensitive skin. We scan the supermarket and health food store shelves and find there is a huge range of products on our shelves that claim to be "all natural" and "organic", but are they?
Addressing The Cause And Finding A Cure: Why Cause is Everything When It Comes To Low Back Pain
There is an epidemic, at least in the States when it comes to treating back pain. Most doctors do just that... treat back pain rather than finding and eliminating the cause.
Straddling the Science/Magic Line: A Look At Magnetic Therapy
What's the difference between science and magic? It's our understanding of what makes something happen.
|
