31
July
2008
The Bluecrop variety of highbush blueberries were grown on five organic and conventional farms in New Jersey. The farms shared
comparable soils and weather conditions, and the berries were harvested in precisely the same way. The scientists carrying
out the study are based at the USDA’s Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, and at
Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The team found consistent and significant differences in nutrient content. The organic blueberries contained 46 ORAC units, a
measure of total antioxidant capacity, while the conventional berries contained 31 ORAC units.
Accordingly, the organic berries had over 50% more total antioxidant activity. They also contained about 50% higher levels of total
anthocyanins, the natural plant phytochemicals that give blueberries their dark colour.
The organic blueberries also had 67% more total phenolics. The authors’ concluding sentence reads:
“Blueberries produced from organic culture contained significantly higher amounts of phytonutrients than those produced from
conventional culture.”
Source: S.H. Wang et al., “Fruit Quality, Antioxidant Capacity, and Flavonoid Content of Organically and Conventionally Grown
Blueberries,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, published on web July 1, 2008.
Read the full story: http://www.organic-center.org/news_archive/thescoop_july08.htm
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Antioxidants
30
July
2008
Breast and Belly Balm
An amazingly powerful blend of organic and wild-harvested ingredients from around the world to care for your expanding body. Potent and regenerative oils, butters and extracts from flowers, fruits, nuts and seeds nourish and feed your growing skin. Minimises the occurrence of stretchmarks with exceptional skin regeneratives that actively promote renewal, elasticity and suppleness. Eases the itching associated with rapid expansion. Helps to prevent underlying tissue damage by stimulating skin renewal. Feels wonderful and smells divine, so your massaging ritual is utterly enjoyable and nurturing. Completely safe to use during pregancy, and beyond, to help your skin regain it’s suppleness.
Why
To prepare the skin for impending expansion
How
Massage into breasts and all over the belly, then around to the buttocks and upper thighs. Love, honour and appreciate your expanding body! Your baby will enjoy the gentle touch too.
When
Use daily, after showering or bathing.
for more information click here
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Skin Care
27
July
2008
Biodegradable Dishwashing Concentrate
A low foaming, concentrated, formula based exclusively on renewable raw materials and green-chemistry principles. The sugar-based surfactants in MiEnviron Dishwashing Concentrate combine excellent cleaning performance, low ecological footprint, low eco-toxicity, high biodegradability and exceptional mildness (they are classified as non-irritants). Suitable for septic tanks. The surfactants in this product are approved for use in products eco-labelled “Good Environmental Choice” (in Swedish: Bra Miljöval) by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. Readily biodegradable (OECD Test Guideline 301C).
How
Squirt a small amount into sink while filling. Note: Biodegradable Dishwashing Concentrate is low foaming
To buy your Dish Washing Concentrate click here
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Probiotics, Probiotic House Cleaner
11
July
2008
this weekend, July 12, 13 and 14, ONEGroup, founders of Miessence Certified Organic Skin Care products is celebrating 5 years and the the 3rd annual conference.
Posted: Is it really organic ?
9
July
2008
Moisturisers, Serums and Gels have begun shipping in our new, innovative airless packaging. We anticipate the transition from our current glass packaging to be completed within 60 days. Here are just some of the features and benefits you can expect to receive:
envirofriendly - our new airless packaging requires far less energy and resources to produce and of course is 100% recyclable. You’ll enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that your purchases are having a minimal environmental impact.
leakproof - the robust airless package is much less susceptible to breakage and leakage - both in use and in transit. No more messy product clean-ups and time consuming returns.
lightweight - both easier for you to carry and greener to ship. Because it weighs much less and doesn’t require wasteful, protective packing - resources are saved and shipping costs are reduced.
airless - the airless package dispenses ALL product from any position - even upside down! No product oxidation, no bacterial contamination, and no product wastage means no frustrated customers and fewer returns.
non-leaching - contains no Bispenol-A, no PVC plasticisers and no Phthalates. You’re assured of receiving the full, uncontaminated potency of each ingredient.
For more information on ONEgroup’s transition to airless polypropylene packaging, refer to the “glass vs. plastic fact sheet”.
to buy products or for more information click here
Posted: Climate Change, Is it really organic ?
9
July
2008
“The $1.2 billion the World Bank says will solve the food crisis in Africa is a $1.2 billion subsidy to the chemical industry. Countries are made dependent on chemical fertilizers when their prices have tripled in the last year due to rising oil prices. I say to governments: spend a quarter of that on organic farming and you’ve solved your problems.”
Vandana Shiva, an Indian physics professor and Organic Consumers Association Advisory board Member, speaking in Italy in response to the the U.N. food summit in Rome last month, where the World Bank pledged $1.2 billion in grants to help with the food crisis, most of which is earmarked for chemical fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified (GM) crops.
Source: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13332.cfm
Posted: Climate Change, Is it really organic ?
8
July
2008
While consumers struggle to fuel their cars and put food on the table, oil companies (like ExxonMobil, BP and ConocoPhillips) and seed companies (like Monsanto, Cargill and ADM) are raking in record profits. In a fiery essay posted on the Common Dreams website and circulated widely on the internet, The Organic Consumers Association’s National Director, Ronnie Cummins, shows how the food, climate and energy crisis are connected and how the time for positive change is now:
“Fortunately, there are hopeful signs that we can move beyond crisis to positive solutions. Connecting the dots in our food-climate-energy crisis, millions of green consumers are voting with their dollars for foods and products that are healthy, locally produced, energy efficient, and eco-friendly. A growing number of politicians, mainly at local and state levels, are also waking up. Organic food and farmers markets are booming. Chemical-free lawns and gardens, green buildings, solar panels, wind generators, “buy local” networks, and bike paths are sprouting. A critical mass of organic-minded Americans are waking up to the fact that we must green the economy, drastically reduce petroleum use and greenhouse gas pollution, re-stabilize the climate, and heal ourselves, before it’s too late.”
Read the full essay here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12893.cfm
Posted: Climate Change, Is it really organic ?
4
July
2008
Source: Supermarket News
Published: Thursday, July 03, 2008
LOHAS consumers, or members of the segment that leads a “Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability” when it comes to the foods they put in their body, the things they put on their body and what they put their body into, present a strong opportunity for retailers who are willing to cater to their demands, according to a speaker here last week at the Healthy Foods International Exposition and Conference.
Maryellen Molyneaux, president of the Natural Marketing Institute, described the 40 million members of the segment as brand-loyal and not price-sensitive. LOHAS consumers also typically spend two to three times as much as other consumers in categories where healthy and sustainable options are prevalent.
“This is the customer you want,” Molyneaux told retailer attendees. “When you’ve got them convinced that you’ve got the benefit that they want, or the taste they want or the shopping experience they want, you’ll have them for a lifetime. They are very, very loyal and, even better than that, they influence the rest of the marketplace.”
Molyneaux credits members of the segment with bridging the gap between organic foods and the mainstream.
In 2001, 70% of organic food users were LOHAS shoppers, and in 2007 only 30% were LOHAS shoppers.
“This doesn’t mean there are less LOHAS consumers eating organic, it just means there are more mainstream consumers using organic, because LOHAS [consumers] have helped mainstreamers by being grassroots influencers,” said Molyneaux.
She encouraged retailers interested in courting members of the segment to adopt a holistic approach.
“It’s not about one thing you do, it’s about everything you do,” she said. “These consumers demand the best — not only when it comes to healthy options, but corporate citizenship. This has very much to do with a store’s overall corporate messaging.”
LOHAS consumers spend 133% more in Whole Foods stores than members of other consumer groups, according to Molyneaux. These consumers also prefer shopping at Safeway, Target and Costco stores.
“Safeway has done a very good job of attracting its consumers and making its messaging meaningful across the store, across reporting activities and across promotions,” said Molyneaux.
Wal-Mart stores, on the other hand, attract fewer members of the LOHAS segment.
“It’s because there is a big gap between what [Wal-Mart] says, what they do and what the consumer perceives they do,” said Molyneaux. “There is an amazing amount of information that can help [these consumers] at the brand and retail level.”
Instead, segments of shoppers labeled by NMI as “Naturalites” and “Unconcerned” when it comes to sustainability, are more likely to spend money there, said Molyneaux.
Naturalites comprise 19% of the adult consumer population. Members of the group are more interested in personal health than in the effects their decisions may have on the planet. They spend less than LOHAS consumers and have lower incomes, but “they are a great secondary target” when it comes to merchandising sustainable products, stressed Molyneaux.
About 17% of shoppers are Unconcerned when it comes to sustainability. “The reasons might be age, income or that these consumers just don’t care,” said Molyneaux.
Also tracked by NMI is a group it refers to as “Drifters.” About 25% of consumers fall into this mainstream group, whose members are known for drifting in and out of LOHAS-type activity.
“Members are very driven by trends, and they present huge opportunities when it comes to CFLs [compact fluorescent lightbulbs], recycling and eating healthy foods,” said Molyneaux. “They’re becoming more LOHAS-like.”
Not considered a good target for LOHAS products are “Conventional” shoppers. Members of this group, which comprises nearly one in five shoppers (19%), do engage in ecologically friendly activities, but only when it’s convenient for them.
Lohas.com
Posted: Is it really organic ?
4
July
2008
When you head to the beach this July 4th weekend, make sure you pack a sunscreen that does its job.
Four out of 5 sunscreens don’t give the protection you need, blocking too little of the sun’s harmful UV radiation, or containing ingredients with significant safety concerns.
How does your sunscreen rank? Find out in our newly updated database of nearly 1,000 sunscreens. If yours doesn’t make the cut, find one that does.
http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?brand_id=3717&category=sunscreen+spf+15+and+above
Posted: Is it really organic ?, Skin Care, sunscreen
