New Year's Evolutions

I decided this year, I wasn't going to make any New Year's resolutions. Instead, I'm working on New Year's evolutions. They differ from resolutions in several ways, the most basic being that it's not about abruptly stopping or starting a behavior. My New Year's evolutions are about expanding or contracting things in my life. The reason for this is simple. Like most other human beings, I am not good at sustaining large changes in my life. I've learned that we are all much better at making small changes.

The example I point to is weight loss. Many people make a New Year's resolution to lose 10, 20, 50, 100 pounds. That lasts about a week, until the kids are cranky, the job is stressful, the finances are tight...you name it, there's always something that comes up to break our resolve.

In fact, studies show that people who are most successful at losing weight and keeping it off make a series of small changes. They reduce their caloric intake by 100 calories per day or they start walking for 30 minutes three times a week consistently. It's that simple. After 6 months, those habits are in-grained and they no longer seem like something you have to 'do'.

The same is true for just about anything else you want to change in your life. So, this year, my evolutions are these:
- Be a bit kinder
- Be a bit tidier
- Take time to have a bit more fun

Now, if you look at this list, you can see that it wouldn't stand up to the scrutiny of a business project plan - it doesn't have measurable outcomes - and that's the appeal. Evolutionary change is gradual, kinder, gentler change. As an added benefit, it's easier to be successful with New Year's evolutions. So, at the end of 2009, I'll look back over the year and ask "Was I a bit kinder this year? Was I just a bit tidier this year? Did I have a bit more fun during 2009?

I suspect my answer will be "Yes, but let's keep working on it."
Best wishes for wonderful, evolutionary change in your life in 2009. Read more!

What Really Matters

During this holiday season, many people in this country and around the world are concerned about their economic security. For some, this is a mild discomfort - but for many millions more, it is a vague, threatening feeling lurking just under the horizon of consciousness or a massive, in-your-face reality. Regardless of the source or reason, it is impacting us all.

This year, we started shopOrganic.com. In January, the future seemed bright and shiny and full of possibilities - all of which included wild success. In the spring, we saw the problems in the housing market and knew it would 'soften' the economy a bit, but we remained optimistic. By fall, we saw the impending collapse of the mortgage and insurance giants. Concerning but still manageable. We remained optimistic. Then came the broader collapse of...well, many more giants in the financial industry.

We started thinking, 'wow, what unfortunate timing we had, to open a business in a year of historic worldwide financial problems.' Still, we remained optimistic. OK, some of you might be thinking 'these folks must be insane to remain optimistic in the midst of this mess.' Maybe. But I see it differently. Let me digress just a bit further and we'll circle all the way back in a moment.

I was listening to NPR a few months back. They featured an interview with the woman who is CEO of the company that owns International House of Pancakes (aka IHOP). I'm always interested in hearing how others approach business, especially in businesses very different from those in which I have experience. The interviewer asked the CEO how she handled a particular problem and she answered 'I focus on what I can do. I can't control the economy. I can't control my competitors. So I focus on the things over which I do have control.' Sounds a lot like a 12 step program...and it's still sage advice.

So, back to the issue of control, as promised. Do I wish the economy was better? Yes. Do I wish it wasn't impacting me, my friends, my family and my co-workers? Absolutely. But I have no control over these macro-economic issues. I can write my Congressional representatives or contact the President-elect at change.gov - but I alone will not impact this situation. So, it comes down to choices - financial and otherwise. I'm trying to make wise financial choices that include spending where needed (doing my part to keep the economy chunking along) and being wise with my funds. I'm also choosing to remain optimistic. After all, how I view things may not control the outcome but it certainly controls my experience of it.

I've been living on a pretty strict budget this year because I knew I'd be spending all my time and money starting this business. I've already learned to tighten my financial belt and I've developed new habits as a result. And along the way, I discovered something really important. When you actually take away all the 'stuff' we grow so easily accustomed to, you're left with your self, your life, your relationships. It's like cleaning out a room only to discover the most magnificent hard wood floors hidden under that hideous old worn out carpet. I've talked with friends in the past few weeks who all have experienced the same thing - a renewed sense of love and appreciation for what they DO have in their lives. So, while we're in a tight spot as a nation and a planet, we have a unique opportunity to take a new look at what we do have. We can cherish the people in our lives that bring us joy, comfort and friendship. We can choose to be optimistic and find ways out of this jam - together. Read more!

Our Debut at the Tucson Farmer's Market

We were at the Tucson Farmer's Market at St. Philip's Plaza in Tucson, Arizona on Sunday. It was our big debut and we had a blast. There are lots of vendors there and our line of organic dry goods including organic beans, rice, nuts and dried fruit was a great complement to the other products there. We were nestled between a company (I forgot to get the name, sorry Laurie, next time! selling herb and spice mixes (as well as a heavenly smelling potpourri blend) on one side. On the other, Polish Girl Bakery, specializing in the most tantalizing organic baked goods you can imagine. So, we were in great company to start our adventure at the Tucson Farmer's Market on the weekend after "Black Friday".... (photos to follow in the coming days)

It was fun being outside (the weather in Tucson this time of year is chilly in the morning then sunny and temperate in the afternoon - perfect for a farmer's market. There were people from all over the U.S. and a few international visitors. The best selling item of the day was dried organic Turkish apricots - they're the most delicious dried fruit I've ever tasted and somehow our farmer's market visitors' radar was set for those as well. We'll bring more next Sunday.

Since we're an online retailer and most of our interactions with our "friendstomers" (that's friend and customer combined, which is how we view our customers) is by email or phone, it was really a pleasure to step out into the bright sunshine of a perfect November day and get face to face with our friendstomers, our neighbors and our Farmer's Market friends. We'll be baaaccckkkk.

A special thanks to Scott and Josh at Adventure Coffee Roasting. We carry their unbelievably good organic, fair trade coffee, but they roast and sell directly at the Tucson Farmer's Market (and other locations) as well. They stopped by several times to see if we needed anything since they knew it was our maiden voyage. We appreciated your stopping by - thanks!

So, for those of you planning on being in the Tucson area on any given Sunday morning, please stop by the Tucson Farmer's Market at St. Philip's Plaza (River/Campbell) between 9am and 1pm and say hello! We'd love to meet you and we're sure you'll be dazzled by the array of unique organic and artisanal products - ours and all the other vendors there sharing the love.

Now, go out there and enjoy your day! Read more!

Green - Saving It, Giving It

I don't know if you're feeling like I am, but the economic meltdown and the continuing financial drama from banks to insurance companies to automakers has worn me out. It's tiring and stressful to hear about these big problems day in and day out, especially when the vast majority of us cannot control or change any of those macroeconomic issues. Most of us go about our day-to-day business while gauging the impact of these problems on our friends, families and communities. It's tiring and a bit disheartening, but from my perspective, there is some very good news out there. I've heard a lot of people talk about having a more sensible Christmas or holiday spending budget. The unbridled consumerism of the past decade or so is giving way to a bit of quiet reflection.

It seems a lot of people are scaling back, realizing that they don't need more stuff. That's not to say that no one's giving gifts this year, just that they don't need to go over the top. More importantly, I think this year people will think more about the gifts they give, and though they will give fewer gifts, they will be gifts that are useful to the recipient in some way.

So, my gifts this year will be focused on things that can be used - not stored in the closet for re-gifting or a visit to the Goodwill or Salvation Army during the next housecleaning. Gifts that don't add further clutter to our environment, things that green up our bodies, lives and wallets - those are the gifts that make sense this holiday season. Small specialty food gifts baskets, foods that people might not otherwise try, things that can expand the recipient's culinary horizons without breaking the budget.

This holiday season, my friends and family will be getting green gifts from me. Giving green gifts benefits my world - my friends, family, community and environment. If I can also save a bit of "green" this year, all the better.

Here's a link to shopOrganic's Green Gifts for the Holidays. Let the budget-conscious) shopping begin! Read more!

Natural Sweeteners - Brown Rice Syrup

OK, last in our series of natural sweeteners. Brown rice syrup is made by cooking brown rice in pure filtered water. Then, most of the water is evaporated and the result is a naturally sweet, golden syrup. Brown rice syrup has a similar thickness as honey but it has flavor that is a bit nuttier than honey. Brown rice syrup is gluten free and whate free. You can substitute rice syrup in place of sugar, honey, corn syrup, maple syrup or molasses. To substitute sugar, use 1 1/4 cup rice syrup for one cup of sugar, using 1/4 cup less of another liquid needed in the recipe. Brown rice syrup is a great sweetener to keep in your pantry. Experiment with it, you'll enjoy the unique (but mild) flavor of brown rice syrup.

Of course, shopOrganic carries a delicious, organic, kosher brown rice syrup from our friends at Lundberg. Click here to head to shopOrganic for Lundberg brown rice syrup. Read more!

Natural Sweeteners - Sucanat

Another installment of our quick review of sweeteners. This entry: sucanat. Sucanat is actually the shortening of the words sugar cane - natural (su-ca-nat). It is sugar cane in an unrefined form. Sucanat tastes like sugar, bakes like sugar and sweetens like sugar - the difference? Sucanat is whole cane sugar. Once the sugar cane is cut in the fields, the whole cane plants are crushed to extract the juice. The sugar cane juice is heated in a large vat until it reaches a deep, rich color and has the consistency of a thick syrup. The syrup is then hand paddled to cool and break up the syrup into dry granules. Nothing added, nothing removed.

Because Sucanat retains all the juice of the cane, it has characteristics similar to molasses. It's particularly well-suited to making barbeque sauce or anything with chocolate. If you want to add a level of flavor depth to anything you sweeten, try sucanat.

shopOrganic's sucanat is organic and fair trade from Costa Rica. Give it a try - here's the link to Wholesome Sweeteners Sucanat.

Next up...brown rice syrup.
Read more!

Affordable Organic and Green Gifts

I just read an article saying that Americans were planning on cutting back on gifts this year. In many ways, that's probably a good thing as we have tended in the past to overspend at the holidays (and I include myself in that "we"). It will be interesting to see how this pans out as we get closer to those winter holidays. Often people swear they're going to spend less but end up spending more than they anticipated or budgeted. This year, I'm guessing most folks will truly scale back - but I'm also thinking the kinds of gifts we give might shift.

In recent years, I've started giving gifts of food since it's not something someone stuffs in a back closet or tries to re-gift (though if it's the notorious fruitcake, it might be re-gifted several times, even across state lines)...

As a business consultant and business owner, I often give a small gift to clients as a token of my appreciation for our business relationship (which often turns into genuine friendship over the years). Food is a pretty safe gift for corporate gift giving especially because you don't have to worry about size, color, or more importantly, cost. Many companies have strict rules about employees receiving gift, especially from vendors, but those restrictions rarely apply to food gifts.

Of course, there's a reason I'm talking about all this. Cara has been hard at work putting together some really cool gift collections that fit every budget. For example, we've got an Organic Harvest hot sauce collection of three of the best, 100% organic hot sauces you'll ever taste for only $9.99. Here's another example - a set of four organic jams from Colorado Mountain Jam so packed with flavor you'll be tempted to eat it straight from the jar - for just $21.29. One more example - Cara put together an amazing gift (I'm hoping someone gives this to me this year...hint hint) with organic Rishi tea, Biscottea shortbread cookies (perfect with tea) and a really cool ceramic mug with removable tea strainer for just $35.99. I'm not a big fan of tea (I'm more of a hard core coffee drinker), but this Rishi tea is like nothing I've ever tasted before. It's got incredibly robust, complex flavors and as it cools, you can taste more and more nuances. I know, I know, it sounds a bit like some high brow wine review, but really, this tea is THAT good. The Biscottea use organic tea in the cookies. Cara worked with Rishi to create parings that really work nicely together and the ceramic mug is great for coffee or tea.

So, you see, you can give a wonderful gift that the recipient will be thrilled to receive, you can do all this on a tight budget and you can be sure that everyone you know gets a little something at the holidays that won't end up being re-gifted.

I spared you by not listing every single gift we have - suffice it to say Cara's had a really fun time creating these gifts and I don't think she's done yet - so check back often for affordable organic and green gifts you can give with a clean conscience this year!

shopOrganic Affordable Organic and Green Gifts
Read more!

Voting Red, Blue or.....Green?

Whether you're voting "red" or "blue" this election, we can all be green. We know the elections have grabbed our attention as have the wild gyrations of the stock market, but this is a great time regardless of party affiliation to look at going green by recycling election materials.... We've all been wrapped up in focusing on the candidates, the issues, the piles of propositions on our ballets. Some of us have voted early, some of us will cast our ballots on Tuesday. But when it's all said and done, you've probably got a pile of last minute election mail just sitting around. Instead of tossing it in the trash, be sure to recycle it. Since it's always a good idea to remove your name and address from paper before you recycle it, I always find that it just starts piling up on a counter when I come home from a long day of work and check the mail - the last thing I want to do is deal with junk mail, flyers and miscellaneous no-longer-relevant mail.

So, I developed a new system that's working pretty well, it might work for you. I toss all my junk mail (or mail that's ready to be discarded) in a box in the corner and once a week, I pull it out and deal with it. I create three piles - shred, recycle and trash. Then, during an hour of TV one night, I go through all of it during commercial breaks and boom, it's done. (Make sure bills get put in a safe place and not in this pile or you might find yourself with late payments - better yet, sign up for e-statement and forgo the paper statement altogether...).

If you have kids, you can do this once per month and have a contest as to who can remove the most address parts of the mail. Remember there are address labels on the outside and on the inside of many catalogs these days. You can shred the address labels and in most towns, if you shred into clear plastic bags, you can also recycle the shredded paper (I know, it's a plastic bag, I haven't figured out a way around that one yet).

So, let's remember that while we all have our opinions about politics and elections, it's ultimately about how each of us participates in this world of ours. So, once the elections are over, take all those flyers, postcards, mailers and yard signs and recycle them. Read more!

Food Fundamentals - Natural Sweeteners - Stevia

Stevia is an intensive sweetener made form the leaves of a South American plant commonly known as, well, stevia, or Stevia rebaudiana. It's been used for centuries in South America to sweeten mate tea. The active ingredient in stevia is stevioside.

Stevia has no calories and is considered safe for use by diabetics. It's a great substitute for artificial sweeteners and has similar properties. Intensive sweeteners like stevia (the other commonly known intensive sweetener is licorice root) are often imperfect replacements for table sugar.

Stevia can be used in both cooking and baking as well as for uncooked foods such as cold cereal or to sweetened hot or cold beverages. Stevia does not carmelize like sugar does, so you'll need to adjust your recipes that use sugar if you want to substitute stevia when baking.

Here's a link to the Sweet Leaf Stevia website with recipes using stevia.

Here's a link to Stevia Liquid and Stevia powder at shopOrganic.com.

Next up....Succanat. Read more!

Food Fundamentals - Natural Sweeteners - Blackstrap Molasses

My sister gave me this amazing book last year, it's called On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee. It's food and cooking for geeks, really. It's one of the most fascinating books I own - I pick it up, open it to a random page and read interesting and sometimes arcane facts about food. At any rate, if you're a food lover, you might find this book interesting and since the holidays are quickly approaching, it might make a superlative, affordable gift for the foodie in your life (and you know who they are...you're most likely having Thanksgiving dinner with them or they're the ones who bring the absolutely best pies, cakes, cookies, entrees, or desserts - you get the idea).

At any rate, I use this book as a reference all the time and I thought today's post on molasses might be a good use of some of Mr. McGee's knowledge...

Cane sugar is made from crushing the whole stem of the cane plant, which includes substances such as proteins, complex carbohydrates, tannins and pigments. These days, most sugar cane is processed using two distinct phases. Since harvested sugar cane is highly perishable, the first phase of crystallizing the raw, unrefined sugar is done very close to the plantations where the cane is grown. The second phase occurs elsewhere and the crystallized sugar is refined.

Molasses is the syrup left over in cane sugar processing. The "first" molasses is the product of the first step in cane sugar processing and is the lightest molasses. The "second" molasses is darker in color and is more concentrated than the first. The "third" or final molasses is typically called blackstrap molasses for its dark color. It contains the least amount of sucrose of the three and is typically more bitter.

The darker the molasses, the more its sugars have been transformed by carmelization, so the less sweet and more bitter it is. The flavor of molasses is far more complex than simple cane sugar. It's popular in gingerbread, spice cookies, BBQ sauce and baked beans. Molasses, unlike other cane sugars, can also help retain moisture in baked goods.

So, thanks to Harold McGee for this world of knowledge about molasses, its origins and uses. If you're baking this upcoming holiday season, be sure to have molasses on hand for those deep, rich spice cookies. Here's my favorite molasses cookie recipe - there's a relatively long list of ingredients, but they're standard pantry items so don't be intimidated.

MOLASSES SPICE COOKIES

Ingredients:
1/3 cup (about 2.5 ounces) granulated sugar (plus more for dipping)
2 1/4 cups (11.25 ounces) unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon (tsp.) baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. allspice (for a variation, substitute 1/4 tsp. cardamom)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
1/3 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup (about 6 ounces) light or dark molasses

(P.S. If the spices in your cupboard have been in there since time began, do your recipes a favor and replace them before the holiday baking season is upon you. Fresh spices make your baked goods taste remarkable rather than simply ho-hum...)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 1/2 cup of sugar for dipping cookies in an 8 inch or 9 inch cake pan.

2. Whisk flour, baking soda, spices and salt in medium bowl and set aside.

3. In standing mixer with paddle attachment (or by hand), beat butter with brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes in the mixer).

4. Reduce speed to low, add egg yolk and vanilla. Increase speed to incorporate.

5. Add molasses, beat until incorporated. Scrape sides of bowl as needed.

6. Reduce speed to lowest setting, add flour mixture and beat until just incorporated, about 30 seconds. Give dough final stir with spatula to ensure there are no unmixed pockets. Dough will be soft.

7. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop a heaping tablespoon of dough and roll between your palms into a ball then drop in sugar pan and roll around to coat with sugar.

8. Set on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

9. Bake on sheet at a time until cookies are browned, still puffy and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft. (cookies will look raw between the cracks and seem underdone - do not overbake!).

10. Cool in baking sheet 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack for cooling.

Recipe adapted from Cook's Illustrated Magazine, Jan/Feb 2002, p. 24.

Here's a link to Organic Blackstrap Molasses

Here's a link to Organic Dark Brown Sugar

And here's a link to Organic Cane Sugar

Finally, if you're interested in different kinds of natural sweeteners, here's a link to the whole sweetener & syrup category at shopOrganic.com.

Next up, the skinny on stevia.... Read more!

Food Fundamentals - Natural Sweeteners - Agave Nectar

There are a lot of different sweeteners available and in a series of short posts, I'll cover some of the lesser known stars. Let's start with one of my personal favorites, agave nectar.

Agave nectar is produced from the agave plant - the same plant tequila happens to come from. However, agave nectar is nothing like tequila. Agave nectar has a very mild flavor - it tastes more like simple syrup than anything else. The amber version has a bit more depth of flavor, but if you're looking for a great all purpose sweetener, agave nectar may just fill the bill.

Since it's in liquid form, it's really good for sweetening cold liquids, but it's suitable for use in just about any application that requires a sweetener (you may have to adjust baking recipes to account for the liquidity and viscosity of the sweetener).

What's remarkable about agave nectar is that it's mild flavor is similar to table sugar but it has a very low glycemic index - meaning that it won't tweak your blood sugar like regular sugar (or many other sweeteners) will. In fact, agave nectar is considered suitable for most diabetics because of its uniquely low glycemic index.

So, discover agave nectar - for your morning coffee, a bowl of cereal, a refreshing glass of iced tea or lemonade - or anything else you might want to sweeten.

Here's a links to organic agave nectar products on shopOrganic.com:
Madhava Organic Light Amber Agave Nectar

Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Raw Blue Agave Nectar

Madhava Organic Light Amber Agave Nectar gallon

Madhava Organic Dark Amber Agave Nectar gallon

Enjoy! Read more!

The Affordable Organic Life

I've been talking with a lot of people recently about this economic meltdown and how it's likely to impact people committed to organic food and green lifestyles. It's interesting because without exception, I've heard people say things like "I can cut back in a lot of places if I need to, but I'm not willing to compromise on the food I eat."

I think that's a fairly universal sentiment among organic consumers. Certainly, economic considerations factor in - but most folks I've talked to have said they'd rather eat fewer meals out or buy fewer new clothes than buy conventional (non-organic) food.

The good news in all of this is that many organic products have come down in price and are often comparable to conventional items. I found organic bananas in my grocery store the other day that were actually less expensive than the non-organic variety. So, there are some bargains are available if you keep your eye out for them.

At shopOrganic.com, we've expanded our line of value-priced organic foods so that a wide cross-section of consumers can purchase affordable organic foods. We have a line called "Our Pantry" that is one of the least expensive and most delicious organic food we've ever tasted.

We also offer a wide variety of bulk foods so that we reduce packaging AND reduce costs. Bulk foods are a great way to buy organic on a budget and we've increased our bulk line, called "Greater Goods" over the past several months.

The flip side is that food is one of the least expensive ways you can treat yourself and your family to a special night. Make an exotic recipe at home, get the whole family to pitch in. Rent video on demand or a DVD and create affordable at-home events. Splurge on interesting ingredients for a special meal and share quality time with your friends, family and loved ones.

The bottom line is there are a lot of ways to continue to buy organic and green products on a tight budget and to splurge and indulge your taste buds on a budget. We're doing our part to help our customers find products they need at fair prices. As a small business, we're living through the same trials and tribulations you are, so we're committed to continue finding ways to work together through this turbulent time knowing that when we work together, better days are ahead.

Thoughts? Comments? We've love to hear from you. Read more!

Chinese Products & Why Organic Matters Even More

You have probably heard about the problem with tainted milk products from China. This is another reason, in a very long and growing list of reasons, for sticking with organic products. The number of Chinese products in organic products in the US is low and dropping. Many organic manufacturers are looking hard at their supply chain to ensure that only high quality reliable organic ingredients make it into their products.

China is growing fast and furious and the world's hunger for low cost goods has created a bit of a 'gold rush' mentality in China. Just like the gold rushes in the U.S. back in the 1800's, rules are broken and the rule of law is often ignored. It doesn't make it right, but that's just how it is right now.

So, in the meantime, support your local producers and buy certified organic products whenever possible. Your risk of any exposure to these harmful products is already low, but it becomes extremely low when you stick with organic products.

Of course, if you haven't been to shopOrganic.com yet, give it a shot. I'm one of the owners and I can tell you we're committed to providing high quality organic products you can trust. And, if you want to save even more, use coupon code GRGDS to save 10% off your first order. Cool or what?

Now, go out there and enjoy your day. Read more!

Support Small Businesses In Your Town

There are over 20 million small businesses in America. They employ 2 out of every 3 workers in the US. Their owners and employees don't get golden parachutes, they don't get multi-million dollar salaries or stock options. They're regular folks like the rest of us.

So, while our politicians are busy bailing out the big guys, let's make sure we continue to support the small businesses in our communities and across the country. There are plenty of small businesses in your area - be sure to seek them out and support them in whatever ways you can.

No matter what happens on Wall Street, we can continue to support our friends and neighbors on Main Street. Read more!

It's Not About Less, It's About More....

After years of failed dieting, Americans are turning toward eating more of the foods that are good for them and less of the foods that cause health and weight problems. The number of people dieting is on the decline and while this could point to a growing weight problem, experts see more and more people choosing to add healthy food, including organic food, to their diets.

Many Americans have found that consuming so-called "diet" foods have not helped their waistline or their health. Full of chemical additives, many of the artificially flavored foods tend to spur the appetite without leaving you feeling satisfied.

According to an article in the NY Times on 9/18/08 (see link, below): "Last year, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on a study of 97 obese women, all of whom were avoiding high-fat foods. Half the women were instructed to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. By the end of a year, the women who were focused on adding vegetables lost an average of 17 pounds, 20 percent more than the women who were just paying attention to fat consumption."

While I'm not privy to the scientific assumptions they made, I do know that part of the solution seems psychological. Telling someone to ADD food to their diet is much more motivating than telling them to REMOVE food from their diet. Maybe that simple mindset of adding more good food is what it takes to tip the balance for some folks.

Regardless, there's a trend away from dieting and toward healthy eating and that's a good thing.

Tell me what you think. Click the Comments link and join in the discussion.

NY Times article by Tara Parker-Pope "Instead of Eating to Diet, They're Eating To Enjoy" Read more!

Genetic Fake Out - Turning Back The Clock

Hey there,

A study published earlier this year proves that people who engage in moderate exercise are biologically younger than their inactive counterparts.

The study looked at certain biological markers in the DNA of test subjects and found that people who exercise regularly and with some intensity (i.e. picking up the remote control to change channels doesn't count) had the same biological markers as people ten years younger.

"Lynn F. Cherkas of King's College London and colleagues studied 2,401 white twins, administering questionnaires on physical activity level, smoking habits and socioeconomic status. The participants also provided a blood sample from which DNA was extracted.

The researchers examined the length of telomeres -- repeated sequences at the end of chromosomes -- in the twins' white blood cells.... These telomeres progressively shorten over time and may serve as a marker of biological age.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found the mean difference in... the telomeres length between the most active -- who performed an average of 199 minutes of physical activity per week -- and least active -- 16 minutes of physical activity per week -- subjects was 200 nucleotides.

In other words, the most active subjects had telomeres the same length as sedentary individuals up to 10 years younger, on average."[1]

So, here's the deal. 199 minutes of activity per week equates to about 28 minutes per day. That means getting out and walking, running, bike riding, playing with your kids, dancing to your favorite tunes or working out with your favorite aerobics DVD instructor every day - or just 40 minutes per day 5x/week.

If you want to not only liver longer AND healthier, an active lifestyle will provide that and many other benefits as well. So, put down the channel changer (or push back from the keyboard) and go out there and enjoy your day!

[1]Source: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/01/28/Exercise_may_be_fountain_of_youth/UPI-29121201566405

Read more!

We Can Feed The World

Hey there,

Encouraging research came out this summer. A University of Michigan researcher determined that if all the land in the world currently being farmed for food was farmed using organic farming methods, there would still be plenty of food (kilocalories) produced - in fact, enough to feed the world.

That puts to rest the long-held myth that conventional farming methods (like spraying pesticides or using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were needed because organic farming could not produce enough food to feed the world. Of course, the counter argument in the past would have been - if conventional farming can feed the world, why do people go hungry?

Now, we have scientific research showing it is possible to go organic and feed the world. So, what are we waiting for? Let's go organic, people. Read more!

The Evolution of an Organic StartUp

I thought I'd share thoughts, insights and challenges about starting up an organic company. Feel free to join the adventure. Stay tuned. Read more!