Author: David Groanic
Organic food benefits our lives in many ways, but I want to address a singular health issue today. In the US cancer rates have risen over the last decade. Many of the pesticides used in typical farming procedures are listed by the EPA as either possible or probable cancer causes. The insanity has to stop. Each and every one of us is responsible for our own health, and we need to start thinking more clearly about how our diets impact our health.
One way to reduce your risks of cancer is to increase the antioxidants in your diet. This isn't new information, it has become a well established fact, supported by many studies done by the National Cancer Institute. These studies have shown that antioxidants slow, and in some cases may prevent the development of cancer. Higher antioxidant loads is just one of the organic food benefits.
Organic food benefits us again though, environmentally. Organic farms do not use the chemicals, and hormones found on feed lot farms to enhance the growth of the animals. These chemicals can be excreted by the animals and find their way into water supplies. While the effects of these chemicals on humans is largely unstudied, or understudied, they may be a factor in many of the health problems we experience. Again, organically grown livestock, vegetables and fruits are not treated with these chemicals so there is never a worry about the chemicals used becoming a health risk.
We see that organic food benefits us with reduced cancer risks; through higher antioxidant levels, and environmental risk factor reduction. I encourage you to do more research on your own. The National Cancer Institute and the President's Cancer Panel have much more detailed reports that can help. For myself, I find I feel better when I eat more organic foods than when I eat foods produced normally. I'm aware that's merely anecdotal, but perhaps you should try for yourself and see if you feel better as well. The worst that will happen is you eat a few more vegetables for a few days while deciding.
To read more: Organic Food Benefits
President's Cancer Panel
National Cancer Institute
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1593912_26.html
About the Author:
http://www.organicfoodbenefitsblog.com/
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Tasty Organic Spices
Keeping organic herbs and spices available for use in your kitchen leaves you prepared for a wealth of possibilities when it comes to preparing wonderful home-cooked meals. By having a good variety of organic seasonings readily available makes it easy for you to cook in a range of different ethnic and regional cuisines. You will also find that by preparing meals with organic herbs and spices at home, you will save a great deal of money over using prepared foods or eating out, and you can custom-suit recipes to your specific preferred tastes.
One way you can save money by preparing meals with your organic spices is by searching the local store flyers for their sale items, and building meals around those ingredients. You can combine the ingredients with organic spices
for different meals of the day as well. Perhaps you find that pears and mushrooms and onions are on sale one week. Mushroom and onions are excellent when sauteed and added to breakfast scrambled eggs, along with some goat cheese and organic herbs and spices like black pepper, a little garlic powder and Italian seasoning mix. These same ingredients, along with salad greens, could be the basis of a beautiful autumn salad you could serve for lunch or dinner. Add a simple seasoned vinaigrette using organic spices such as black pepper, oregano or dill, and sprinkle on some toasted pecans and dried cranberries, and you will have a recipe hit that utilizes the best of what is on sale that week.
Another great way to save money on food costs is, instead of buying lunch at work, bringing a great-tasting lunch seasoned with organic spices from home. It is simple to prepare a bit extra of a dinner recipe that utilizes organic seasonings, with the resulting leftovers the basis of a super lunch the next day.
It also tends to be less expensive to purchase food items that are in season, rather than out-of-season items that have been shipped in from far away. In this way, you can create recipes that offer great flavor because the food ingredients you are using are completely in season and at the peak of flavor, and these can be enhanced with a timely touch of organic spices. Try apples and squash, in season during the fall months. These can be turned into wonderful dishes with the addition of your select organic seasonings. Organic spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger pair together nicely with apples in an apple crisp. Squash benefit from a bake in the oven, with butter and maple syrup in the cleaned out centers, along with a sprinkle of bulk organic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger. As the butter melts and the squash bakes, you can use a pastry brush to cover the interior of the squash with the delicious glaze.
Use organic herbs and spices for home cooking that tastes great and save money.
For more information on Watkin’s Organic Spices click Watkins organic spices
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Why Should We Use Natural Skin Care Products
Why Should We Use Natural Skin Care Products
As the world is becoming more "green" and health conscience, many of us are beginning to understand the dangers of some of our habits. People are starting to realize that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put into it. Our skin is a living, breathing tissue that covers and protects the body, but it also absorbs substances that come into contact with it.
Just as prescription drugs can be delivered through our skin via a patch - lotions, soaps, shampoos, and other body care products are also absorbed by our skin. If you use products made with chemical preservatives, these chemicals may be absorbed into your body. On the other hand, your body will absorb all natural ingredients when you use organic and natural products
. It is important to consider what products we are using, and what is really in those products, as we shop for our makeup, hair care, and skin care products.
J.R. Watkins natural body creams provide your skin with the ultimate moisturizing experience. Natural shea and cocoa butters are whipped together with more than ten natural oils and extracts to protect, soothe and condition your delicate skin. This is a treat your skin will never forget!
• All body creams are 96% natural and above.
• Available in five essences: aloe & green tea, lemon cream*, lavender*, mango* and vanilla*(*NPA certified.)
• Rich non-greasy formula.
• Contains panthenol (vitamin B5).
• Natural oils include apricot, coconut, avocado, babassu and jojoba oil.
• Ideal for rough areas including heels, knees and elbows.
• For everyday use.
• Ideal for travel.
Commercial skin care products are often produced with animal byproducts such as lanolin, and also include other chemical detergents and petrochemicals. In many cases these animal byproduct units and petrochemicals are too large to be absorbed by the skin, but they will attract dirt and clog the pores. This can cause problems such as skin irritation and allergies.
Commercially produced skin care products usually include chemical preservatives to extend the shelf life of the products. In contrast, organic and natural products rely on natural ingredients
that have self-preservation qualities. Although the shelf life may not be as long, the natural products offer many benefits for the skin and do not contain the harmful preservatives. Some natural preservation ingredients commonly used in natural products are vitamin E, honey, grapefruit seed extract, and Sandalwood essential oil.
Natural skin care products use ingredients formed by nature, not from synthetic chemicals. Ingredients such as flowers, essential oils, herbs, and roots are combined with naturally occurring surfactants, humectants and emulsifiers in organic products. These natural products are carefully manufactured to preserve the quality of the ingredients.
Consumers often assume that organic and natural products are too expensive in comparison to other commercial brands. On the contrary, natural and organic products actually offer a better value than synthetic based skin products. These ingredients are highly penetrative to the skin, and smaller amounts of the natural ingredients are needed to produce the final product.
Essential Ingredients
• Shea Butter: A natural fat obtained from the fruit of the West African karite tree. It has a high content of non-saponifiable fatty acids, as well as allantoin and linoleic acid (vitamin F).
• Cocoa Butter: A vegetable fat from the cocoa bean which softens and lubricates the skin.
• Macadamia Nut Oil: This rejuvenating body oil has a warm, nutty aroma and excellent spreadability with no greasy feel. Its fatty acid composition is similar to that of natural skin oils (sebum), including some of the acids that are crucial to the maintenance of the skin’s water barrier functions. It is excellent for daily skin care to moisturize and soften the skin.
• Avocado Oil: Delivers essential fatty acids, and contains vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), plus exceptionally high amounts of vitamins D, E and potassium to help keep skin moist and smooth. Avocado oil has the highest penetration rate among similar oils.
• Jojoba Oil: A natural moisturizer held in high regard by the Native Americans of the Sonora Desert for its cosmetic properties.
• Apricot Kernel Oil: This oil is similar in texture and properties to almond oil and is in the same category as olive oil and avocado oil. Apricot kernel oil is considered by many chemists to be an excellent natural replacement for mineral oil; it is rapidly absorbed by the skin and has a high vitamin E content.
• Coconut Oil: A grouping of short-chain fatty acids bonded with glycerin and expressed from coconut kernels. Coconut oil is rich in vitamins and fats that help smooth and soften skin.
The following list highlights many of the potentially harmful ingredients often used in commercially produced skin and body care products. It is best to avoid products with these ingredients, as they have potential side effects that include skin irritation, allergic reactions, rashes, and may even be toxic or carcinogenic.
Ingredients we avoid:
• Chemical Sunscreens
• DEA/TEA/MEA
• Ethoxylates (1,4 Dioxane)
• Formaldehyde Donors
• Glycols
• Parabens
• Petro Chemicals
• Phthalates
• Polymers (Acrylates, Carbomer, PVP)
• Quats
• Silicones
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Talc
For more information on J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
How To Clean Your Kitchen With Natural Products
Cleaning is among the necessary evils of life, and most people seek the easiest, fastest way to get a dirty job done. Lately, there has been much attention brought to the hazardous chemicals and cleaning practices used in most homes. Many are realizing that in their attempt to make their home safe, clean, and healthful for their families, they're in reality exposing them to chemicals and products that can do more harm than good. While some cannot feel like they are getting the job done properly without the smell and foam that chemical cleaners provide, there are plenty of natural cleaning solutions that have been around for centuries that are just as effective.
* Vinegar - A 50/50 solution of vinegar and water can work wonders for cleaning just about any surface in your home, and to the surprise of many, the smell doesn't linger too long. Place it in a spray bottle to clean counters, tables, cabinets and more, or pour the solution into a bucket and use a sponge, brush, or mop to clean larger areas. This will become your go-to solution when cleaning with natural products.
* Lemon - Lemon juice can be used to remove hard water deposits from sinks and other surfaces in the kitchen. You can also drop lemon pieces into the garbage disposal to help remove foul odors.
* Baking Soda - Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can also be a fantastic scrub. Combine it with lemon juice to help combat stains on hard surfaces, or just place a box into the refrigerator to remove odors.
* Newsprint - If you need to clean your windows, but don't want to use an ammonia laden glass cleaner, try using a piece of newspaper, along with some vinegar solution or diluted lemon juice. Your windows will come out sparkling, without the harsh smell and dangers of consumer cleaning products.
* Water - Plain old hot water can be just as effective for washing dishes as a highly toxic chemical dish soap. Soak dishes in extremely hot water, and use a scrubber to remove stuck on food particles. If you simply must have soap for your dishes, find an organic, chemical and dye free soap to assure that your family's food is not being exposed to chemicals.
J.R. Watkins Natural All Purpose Cleaners effortlessly remove dirt and grime from most surfaces in your home. You’ll find hundreds of uses for this powerful plant-based formula. No rinsing required, simply spray and wipe away with a dry cloth. A great alternative to harsh and toxic chemical cleaners. Powerful enough to remove even your toughest dirt, yet gentle enough for your loved ones, your home and the environment.
This product is ideal for cleaning:
• Appliances
• Counter Tops
• Fixtures
• Floors
• Sealed Granite
• Sinks
• Stainless Steel
• Tile
• Walls
J.R. Watkins Naturals formulates to the highest standards in Natural home care.
The Natural Products Association has certified our All Purpose Cleaners.
Our products feature plant-based formulas free from:
• Petrochemicals
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Phosphates
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Dyes and other ingredients which could affect the health of your family or the environment.
We proudly formulate to be biodegradable, non-toxic and cruelty free.
To learn more about the Natural Products Association and their requirements for certification, please visit www.npainfo.org
Many all-purpose cleaners contain toxins that can be inhaled. Ammonia-based cleaners can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Minimize your family’s exposure to these harmful toxins with J.R. Watkins Natural All Purpose Cleaners.
Take a long look at the labels on the chemicals that you are using to clean your kitchen and ask yourself if you really want your family touching, breathing, and ingesting these products as they go throughout their day. If the answer is no, why not try introducing safer, more natural methods of cleaning into your household. Your family's long term health and the environment will be all the better for your decision.
For more information on Watkins Natural All Purpose Cleaners
* Vinegar - A 50/50 solution of vinegar and water can work wonders for cleaning just about any surface in your home, and to the surprise of many, the smell doesn't linger too long. Place it in a spray bottle to clean counters, tables, cabinets and more, or pour the solution into a bucket and use a sponge, brush, or mop to clean larger areas. This will become your go-to solution when cleaning with natural products.
* Lemon - Lemon juice can be used to remove hard water deposits from sinks and other surfaces in the kitchen. You can also drop lemon pieces into the garbage disposal to help remove foul odors.
* Baking Soda - Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can also be a fantastic scrub. Combine it with lemon juice to help combat stains on hard surfaces, or just place a box into the refrigerator to remove odors.
* Newsprint - If you need to clean your windows, but don't want to use an ammonia laden glass cleaner, try using a piece of newspaper, along with some vinegar solution or diluted lemon juice. Your windows will come out sparkling, without the harsh smell and dangers of consumer cleaning products.
* Water - Plain old hot water can be just as effective for washing dishes as a highly toxic chemical dish soap. Soak dishes in extremely hot water, and use a scrubber to remove stuck on food particles. If you simply must have soap for your dishes, find an organic, chemical and dye free soap to assure that your family's food is not being exposed to chemicals.
J.R. Watkins Natural All Purpose Cleaners effortlessly remove dirt and grime from most surfaces in your home. You’ll find hundreds of uses for this powerful plant-based formula. No rinsing required, simply spray and wipe away with a dry cloth. A great alternative to harsh and toxic chemical cleaners. Powerful enough to remove even your toughest dirt, yet gentle enough for your loved ones, your home and the environment.
This product is ideal for cleaning:
• Appliances
• Counter Tops
• Fixtures
• Floors
• Sealed Granite
• Sinks
• Stainless Steel
• Tile
• Walls
J.R. Watkins Naturals formulates to the highest standards in Natural home care.
The Natural Products Association has certified our All Purpose Cleaners.
Our products feature plant-based formulas free from:
• Petrochemicals
• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Phosphates
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Dyes and other ingredients which could affect the health of your family or the environment.
We proudly formulate to be biodegradable, non-toxic and cruelty free.
To learn more about the Natural Products Association and their requirements for certification, please visit www.npainfo.org
Many all-purpose cleaners contain toxins that can be inhaled. Ammonia-based cleaners can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Minimize your family’s exposure to these harmful toxins with J.R. Watkins Natural All Purpose Cleaners.
Take a long look at the labels on the chemicals that you are using to clean your kitchen and ask yourself if you really want your family touching, breathing, and ingesting these products as they go throughout their day. If the answer is no, why not try introducing safer, more natural methods of cleaning into your household. Your family's long term health and the environment will be all the better for your decision.
For more information on Watkins Natural All Purpose Cleaners
Monday, April 18, 2011
Cutting Your Electric Bill
With the supply depleting and the demand is constantly increasing due to the rapid population growth in every parts of the world there is no way to go but to increase the cost of the electric generation and everything that comes along with it. Many efforts of the global awareness community are being done but still most of us just tend to ignore these efforts.
We know what effects would bring us with the rate of how we burn fossil fuels and the carbon foot prints that we leave behind it is about time that you do your part. Just imagine how much we can reduce these footprints if every home would practice green living not only to save mother earth but also to cut your expenses.
Here are some effective ways you can observe
Use energy saving bulbs – It has been proven that this new type of light bulbs offers almost 70 percent of savings and gives more than 20 illumination compared to traditional bulbs. Innovations in technology nowadays are commonly concerned in the reduction of carbon emission and still providing all the benefits for you so we can say that there is no drawback for you. Be sure to seek for a professional electricians for any queries regarding your home’s circuitry.
Routine Checkup - Be sure to hire a professional to do the job for you. Addressing any electrical repair and appliance repair immediately can save you money on electric bill. Damaged appliances tend to consume more electricity than normal.
Clean for Air conditioners and heaters regularly – Cleaning them will provide you there maximum potential and the quality performance of the said appliance. You can notice the improvement yourself; a dirty air conditioner at full power is only equivalent to a clean one at half the thermostat.
Home Improvements – Many home improvements can cut down the cost of your electric bill. Installing insulation can cool down your home during summer and can keep you warm during the winter. Improving the ventilation of your home not only will allow natural breeze and relaxing feeling at your home it will also lessen the need for air conditioners. Another is allowing natural light in your home, installing glass panels can cut down the need for artificial light and can change the ambiance of your home.
Green living and observing this simple way of contributing to the solution of the global crisis that we are facing right now is not a sacrifice for us. These ingenious solutions are centered towards two things. Being green and still centered to your need and how improve the quality of your life.
Author: samdawson1427
We know what effects would bring us with the rate of how we burn fossil fuels and the carbon foot prints that we leave behind it is about time that you do your part. Just imagine how much we can reduce these footprints if every home would practice green living not only to save mother earth but also to cut your expenses.
Here are some effective ways you can observe
Use energy saving bulbs – It has been proven that this new type of light bulbs offers almost 70 percent of savings and gives more than 20 illumination compared to traditional bulbs. Innovations in technology nowadays are commonly concerned in the reduction of carbon emission and still providing all the benefits for you so we can say that there is no drawback for you. Be sure to seek for a professional electricians for any queries regarding your home’s circuitry.
Routine Checkup - Be sure to hire a professional to do the job for you. Addressing any electrical repair and appliance repair immediately can save you money on electric bill. Damaged appliances tend to consume more electricity than normal.
Clean for Air conditioners and heaters regularly – Cleaning them will provide you there maximum potential and the quality performance of the said appliance. You can notice the improvement yourself; a dirty air conditioner at full power is only equivalent to a clean one at half the thermostat.
Home Improvements – Many home improvements can cut down the cost of your electric bill. Installing insulation can cool down your home during summer and can keep you warm during the winter. Improving the ventilation of your home not only will allow natural breeze and relaxing feeling at your home it will also lessen the need for air conditioners. Another is allowing natural light in your home, installing glass panels can cut down the need for artificial light and can change the ambiance of your home.
Green living and observing this simple way of contributing to the solution of the global crisis that we are facing right now is not a sacrifice for us. These ingenious solutions are centered towards two things. Being green and still centered to your need and how improve the quality of your life.
Author: samdawson1427
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