tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52924326352515303002024-03-14T00:58:37.178-07:00shopOrganicAll about organic and natural products online, interesting tidbits and mouthwatering morsels from the founders of shopOrganic.com.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-66242053660356779932012-10-28T20:38:00.000-07:002012-10-28T20:38:05.100-07:00Failure to Yield Any Benefit - The Truth About GMOsI watched the movie <a href="http://www.geneticroulette.com">Genetic Roulette</a> online for about the third time. Each time I watch it, I see a new fact about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) that I hadn’t really paid attention to quite as clearly before. This time, it was the statement about the chemical companies who promote GMOs have been promising that the use of GMOs would create higher yields of food and therefore feed the world. Except that hasn't panned out - in fact, just the opposite. If you want to read the study for yourself, you can read it at the <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genetic-engineering/failure-to-yield.html">Union of Concern Scientists’ in their Failure to Yield</a> report.
The truth about the use of GMOs is quite different. The fact is that without GMOs, there is still plenty of food in the world to feed everyone. The problem is not the production of food, but the distribution of food which is a whole other problem to solve. So, let’s put that misinformation to rest.
Still, chemical companies would have you believe that we NEED GMOs in order to manage our production so we can all eat more at a lower cost. In most industrialized nations, the problem is not about having enough food and it’s become more a problem of having healthy food.
According to the <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/our-failing-food-system/genetic-engineering/failure-to-yield.html">Union of Concern Scientists</a>, the promises of increased production are false. According to the USC, <blockquote>“Despite 20 years of research and 13 years of commercialization, genetic engineering has failed to significantly increase U.S. crop yields.”</blockquote>
In fact, many farmers are beginning to see that their yields are lower after buying these GMO seeds and spraying chemical products on those seeds. One cotton farmer interviewed in Genetic Roulette said he began to really question his initial decision to use GMO seed when he began reading the dire health warnings on the seed bag itself. Don’t eat it, don’t touch it, don’t breath it, don’t let it touch your skin….sounds like the warning label on poison, doesn’t it?
The bottom line is this - chemical companies like Monsanto have been promoting the use of chemicals under the promise of higher yields (i.e. more crops for the farmer as lower costs), and that has not been the case. As farmers see their crop yields drop and their animals suffer from eating GMO crops, they’re beginning to understand that their livelihood depends on them NOT using GMOs.
The tide is turning, people are starting to understand the link between GMOs and human illnesses that seem to be on a steady increase. As these links between GMOs and human health, livestock health, crop yields and agricultural sustainability are made, informed people will vote with their dollars and buy foods that do not have GMOs. Our health as a nation, as a world and as a species literally depends on it.Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-16077785610703769012012-10-25T07:19:00.001-07:002012-10-25T07:19:33.159-07:00If GMOs Are So Great, Why Not Advertise Them?As you’ve probably noticed, there’s a lot of buzz around genetically modified organisms (GMO), especially in food. California voters are going to be heading to the polls to determine if manufacturers will be required to label GMOs in their food products in that state. California is the 8th largest economy in the world (yes, you read that right), so if manufacturers are required to label GMOs in California, all products they sell (likely) will be labeled since it’s not cost-effective to have packaging for California and packaging for the rest of the country.<p>
I can’t speak to the text of California’s Prop 37 – I’m not a voter there and haven’t read the bill in its entirety. However, I can speak to wanting to know what’s in the food I’m eating. That’s pretty fundamental. And, to repurpose one of the common arguments FOR Prop 37, if GMOs are not harmful or better yet, if they’re so great, why the refusal to label them as such? <p>
When foods are packed with Omega 3’s, manufacturers splash that all over the packaging. The big thing right now seems to be “made with 33g whole grain”, which I honestly don’t know exactly why that matters since that product has 1g fiber per serving….but I digress. The point is when there’s a health benefit – real or perceived – manufacturers are quick to pounce on it and announce it all over their packaging, even when it’s just “window dressing”. So why don’t we see big splashy packaging announcing “packed with GMOs!” or “made with the latest GMOs, try it today and taste the difference!” ? <p>
We don’t because there’s no consumer benefit to GMOs (lots of downside, but that’s for another post). The benefit is to large growers and manufacturers and, as most major issues in life, it comes down to money.<p>
So, here’s my suggestion for you – this month is the 3rd annual non-GMO month, sponsored by the Non-GMO Project. In celebration, check out the movie Genetic Roulette (<a href="http://www.geneticroulette.com" target="blank">http://www.geneticroulette.com</a>) or visit the folks at Responsible Technology <a href="http://www.responsibletechnology.org" target="blank">(http://www.responsibletechnology.org/)</a> to learn more. It’s a fascinating topic and when you have a wide range of people from many different disciplines opposing GMOs, it’s worth paying attention to. Learn more, become informed, form your own opinion.
In the meantime, shopOrganic just relaunched as <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com" target="blank">shopOrganic & shopGMOFree</a> to let our customers know that every product we carry is <b>free of GMOs.</b> We’ve dropped entire product lines because the manufacturer indicated their products all contain some GMOs (that was a real jaw-dropper). We’ve added new products (often from smaller producers) to offer products that we know are organic & GMO-free. Visit today and shop safe.
Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-31488388552810593892012-10-24T06:56:00.000-07:002012-10-24T06:56:42.783-07:00We're re-booting our blog and revamping our website this month in honor of the 3rd annual non-GMO month.<P>
shopOrganic, the premier online retailer of organic foods and eco-friendly products, has just re-launched as <a href="http://www.shopgmofree.com"><b>shopOrganic & shopGMOfree.</b></a><P>
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<a href="http://www.shopGMOfree.com"><img border="0" height="75" width="317" src="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/shop_GM_free.gif" /></a></div>
Studies show that a vast majority of Americans, more than 90%, want to know if their food contains genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant or animal whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. And though the data is not clear on whether or not these foods are safe to consume, it seems reasonable to know whether or not the food you're eating contains GMOs. In the U.S. there are currently no restrictions on GMO’s, but in many other countries around the world, GMOs are banned. These countries include the entire European Union as well as China and Russia. Alas, the U.S. is not on that list....yet.<P>
Without mandatory labeling, it's difficult for consumers to determine whether their favorite products are produced using GMO’s. As U.S. consumer concern over GMO’s reaches critical mass, interest in non-GMO shopping options is on the rise and shopOrganic & shopGMOFree have responded to this need.<P>
<a href="http://www.shoporganic.com" target="blank">shopOrganic</a> has responded to this need by ensuring that the thousands of organic foods and eco-friendly products offered on their site are <a href="http://www.shopGMOFree.com" target="blank">GMO free.</a> The newly redesigned site focuses on consumers searching for non-GMO foods and provides reassurance about the nature of the products they purchase. The timing of the re-launch coincides with both the celebration of the 3rd annual Non-GMO month and the upcoming California vote on the labeling of GMO products.<P>
<a href="http://www.shoporganic.com" target="blank">shopOrganic & shopGMOfree</a> believes that everyone has a right to safe and healthy food and they make it easy for concerned consumers to shop without the worry that they’ll be feeding themselves and their families GMO foods.<P>
October marks the 3rd annual<span class="fullpost"> <a href="http://http://www.nongmomonth.org" target="blank">Non-GMO Month</a>. Started in order to raise awareness of GMO’s this month-long educational opportunity broadens the knowledge to a wider and wider population each year. The issue has created a groundswell of concern in California, where their population will soon vote on Proposition 37, a GMO labeling initiative. Whether or not that proposition passes, shopOrganic & shopGMOfree remains a trusted non-GMO shopping source.<P>
<a href="http://www.shoporganic.com" target="blank">shopOrganic.com</a> was founded in 2008 to provide consumers with access to organic, <a href="http://www.shopGMOfree.com" target="blank">non-GMO</a> and eco-friendly products. The company is located in Tucson, Arizona and is privately held.
</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-34544746430037866202011-11-18T16:47:00.000-08:002011-11-18T17:39:38.846-08:00Gourmet Greens - Foraging and Farming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/images/2011/11/21/p465/111121_r21551_p465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="357" width="465" src="http://www.newyorker.com/images/2011/11/21/p465/111121_r21551_p465.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I read a delightful story in the New Yorker this afternoon that made me recall how much I just love food. The article entitled <b>"The Food At Our Feet"</b> (by Jane Kramer) (click <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/11/21/111121fa_fact_kramer" target="_blank">here</a> to read it in entirety) recalls a summer of foraging for gourmet greens... <span class="fullpost"><br />
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OK, so never mind that it's autumn in the U.S heading briskly into winter. Never mind that those tender wild greens won't be around anytime soon, but reading this article will bring you back to those wonderful summer months even if all you did was sit in your air conditioned office slogging through mounds of paperwork.<br />
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That said, I recently discovered our own little version of wild foraging - well, not exactly wild and, ok, not foraging. My weekly farm basket comes to me courtesy of a local organic farm just southeast of Tucson. <a href="http://www.sunizonafamilyfarms.com/" target="_blank">Sunizona Family Farms</a> is not only organic, it's vegan organic (who knew?) . I had seen a variety of farm basket programs but never signed up until I found one that was all organic all the time. Now, every week, I get delightful micro-greens along with spinach, kale, cucumbers, sweet potatoes and more. <br />
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My recent fave? Organic, unbelievably delicious spaghetti squash. <br />
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More importantly, I'm forced to get out of my habitual food grooves and explore new tastes, new cooking (or not-cooking) methods and flavors. <br />
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So, for those of you who have access to a farm basket program in your area, try it. Of course, if it's organic, it's primo, but supporting local farmers who are using sustainable methods is a good starting point. The point is to start.<br />
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Support your small local farmers, support your local organic farmers and support small businesses making a big difference (and yes, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com" target="_blank">shopOrganic.com</a> is a small business and one you can proudly support). Our motto - shop local, then shopOrganic.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone. May your holiday be filled with family, fabulous food and perhaps a few foraged (or locally farmed) greens!<br />
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</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-47031588631230260752011-10-09T09:32:00.000-07:002011-10-09T09:32:21.640-07:00Right2Know and Your2CentsThere seems to be a growing theme around 2's right now...This month, there is the Right2Know march heading down the East coast of the U.S. demanding the right to know what's in our food. There is growing concern about the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food supply. The march is intended to bring awareness to this often quiet but disturbing trend. You can read more about the <b>Right2Know</b> march and lend your voice and support by clicking <a href="http://www.right2knowmarch.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/your2centslogo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="216" width="296" src="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/your2centslogo.JPG" /></a></div>This month, we're happy to announce an initiative that is part of the answer to that problem. The Rodale Institute has launched the Your 2 Cents campaign to raise funds to support organic farms and the future of organic farming. Maria Rodale - <span class="fullpost">and the Rodale Institute are working to help fund the future of organics through getting manufacturers to donate a portion of product sales to the Institute. <br />
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When we learned of the program, we contacted Rodale and asked to join in. So, starting October 8, 2011, we're donating 2 cents from every sale we make.<br />
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Now, that may not seem like a lot to you, but as a small company still competing with the 'big boys' out there, we're doing our part. We'll be looking to expand our participation through providing an opportunity for our customers to also put their 2 cents in - <br />
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As I like to say, <b>one by one and all together, we can make a difference.</b><br />
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Visit <a href="http://right2knowmarch.org" target="_blank">Right2Know</a> or <a href="http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/your2cents" target="_blank">Your 2 Cents </a>today to learn more, or head to <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic</a>, buy healthy organic products and contribute to our organic future that way.<br />
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Now, go out there and enjoy your day!</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-42719863035102965072011-07-16T17:45:00.000-07:002011-07-16T18:11:56.928-07:00Summertime Means Fresh Organic Produce - Chock Full of Anti-Oxidants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/choose-organic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="174" width="486" src="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/choose-organic.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Summertime is a great time to increase your consumption of local, organic fruits and vegetables. Here in the arid southwest, it can be a challenge, but with just a bit of water and generous shade, lettuce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, mint, eggplant and a few other favorites will grow and produce the most local of local produce. So, while you're busy enjoying the fruits (or veggies, as it were) of your labor, you can also know you're eating the healthiest food available. So here's a question for you - do you know which foods are the highest in anti-oxidants? Take this little quiz... <span class="fullpost"><br />
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1. <b>True or false:</b> Anti-oxidants protect us from the evils of free radicals.<br />
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2. <b>True or false:</b> Some anti-oxidants are made in our bodies.<br />
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3. <b>True or false:</b> Organic farming methods can increase anti-oxidant levels in foods.<br />
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4. <b>True or false:</b> Commercial, pasteurized juice has 20% more anti-oxidants than an equal amount of fresh fruit.<br />
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And the answers? Virtual drumroll please...<br />
1. T<br />
2. T<br />
3. T<br />
4. F - commercial pasteurized juice has about 20% less anti-oxidants than most organic juice or homemade juice.<br />
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Here's a list of foods with the highest anti-oxidant power and many of them are in season now. Boost your immune system, aid your overall health and add 3 or 4 servings of these anti-oxidant heavy hitters to your diet.<br />
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Blueberries<br />
Cranberries<br />
Blackberries (noticing the theme, berries berries berries!)<br />
Raspberries<br />
Strawberries<br />
Red grapes<br />
Apples<br />
Plums<br />
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What the full list? <a href="http://www.organic-center.org/reportfiles/AntioxFinal.pdf" target="_blank"> Read this great article from the Organic Center.</a> <i>(PDF format)</i><br />
</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-20630082506563775222011-04-21T13:49:00.000-07:002011-04-21T13:52:29.498-07:00Imagine That....Pesticides Linked to Lower Brain FunctionWe've been proponents of organic food since I don't remember when...but if you needed anymore compelling evidence, here it is. An article posted today on WebMD <a href="http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20110421/pesticide-exposure-in-womb-linked-to-lower-iq"> here</a> shows that pesticide exposure in the womb and during early childhood can have a dramatic impact on IQ. "Even at relatively low levels, organophosphates may be most hazardous to fetuses and young children, where healthy brain development depends on a carefully orchestrated sequence of biological events."<br />
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Although our friends at the FDA banned the use of these products in residential locations in 2001, it is still in use commercially.... <span class="fullpost"><br />
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Fruits and vegetables are still sprayed with these organophosphates - so here you are thinking you're helping your children develop good eating habits by loading them up with fresh fruits and veggies...only wait, they're not so great when they're chock full of chemicals that impair your child's mental development.<br />
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So, even more reason to make sure you choose organic. The more we learn about pesticides and the impact on human (and planetary) health, the more it becomes a no brainer...pun intended.<br />
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Choose organic. It's that easy. Want to learn more? Start <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/about_organic"> here</a> to learn more about why choosing organic just makes sense.<br />
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Here's to working together to create a greener planet. <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a>.<br />
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</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-17148201379255560102010-12-24T11:22:00.000-08:002010-12-24T11:27:44.280-08:00The Best Gift Ever....Today's the last frenzied day of shopping for those who celebrate Christmas and I had a moment of quiet this morning to reflect upon this year and the gifts I've given and received. Though it's nice to share a few specially selected gifts on Christmas morning, my family's tradition, like to many others, used to be a gorging of gift giving that was over the top. Like candy, gift giving is good for the first few - after than it can start to be a bit sickening. Though I've scaled way back over the past few years as have many others - both out of necessity and out of a new consciousness - I still looked around this year and saw the signs of frenzy starting back up. It's like the past few years have been a forced austerity that people are ready to be done with. The problem is that we can't go back to the way things were - they weren't sustainable nor were they particularly good. However, there is something wonderfully sustainable that has come from all of this - <span class="fullpost"><br />
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People have started to look at what is of value in their lives. I know I have. Having started a business right before the floor of our economy collapsed beneath us, I've had my share of sleepless nights, worried days, exhausted emotionally wrung out weeks. Sure, we could have claimed to be too far under and simply closed the business - but we chose to hang in there and see where this path lead us.<br />
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So, in the quiet of this morning, I saw clearly the gifts given me. The gift of friendship where I least expected it; the gift of support from complete strangers; the gift of good cheer (and just a bit of cheerleading) from close friends who simply gave me encouragement when all seemed bleak. In return, I provided a bit of my own cheeleading to them when their days were dark. <br />
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A good friend of mine moved her family 2,000 miles to take advantage of an opportunity that presented itself to her family. In the midst of the move, she wondered about her choice and worried about her sanity. It happened to be at a time that things were on a bit of an even keel for me. I was able to return the favor of support, even at a distance, of just being there. <br />
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I think about others in my life who've turned to me for support, assistance and cheerleading and hope I've been as good a friend to them as they have to me. After all, that's the gift exchange that matters.<br />
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So, this Christmas, I'll open a few gifts but more importantly, I will acknowledge the help I got all year long as the best gift ever.<br />
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Thanks to my family, friends, loved ones and perfect (very perfect) strangers for all that good cheer for the past 364 days. Here's to the best gift ever.<br />
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Now, go just out there and share the love.<br />
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</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-50515147883089605022010-12-06T11:44:00.001-08:002010-12-06T12:00:45.785-08:00'Tis The Season...For Less, Not MoreThe flurry of advertising on TV and in the last vestiges of newspapers around the country is amazing this time of year. Who knew there was still so much appetite for stuff? Well, I guess the advertisers knew (or hoped), but still, it was surprising. I guess Americans are a bit like drug addicts when it comes to buying stuff...and now that we've had a forced "dry spell" due to abysmal economic conditions, well, we're ready to get back to 'normal'....but wait, what IS the new normal these days anyway?<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />I was recently in Florida helping my mother move to Arizona. She's essentially trading hot and humid for hot and dry - so it's not a big change from that perspective. But she is also paring down and going from a 2 bedroom apartment to a 1 bedroom apartment. The process of helping her go through her belongings and decide what to keep, what to give away, what to recycle and what to simply toss was a very eye-opening experience. For every drawer and closet door we opened, I imagined a similar drawer or door at my own house...and I thought about how much stuff I've accumulated over the years. I'm not a major shopper, but I still have more stuff than I need or can use.<br /><br />As we were sorting through my mother's things, I said "Hey, Alex would probably really like to have this," or "If you don't want this, I wonder if Leslie would like to have this." It reminded me that re-gifting can actually be a wonderful thing - making use of items we no longer want. It's not actually re-gifting, I guess, since it belongs to someone who is giving it away - so it's perhaps the 'new' gifting?<br /><br />We sorted and made piles - one pile of things was headed to a woman who was sending clothing to Haiti; another to my niece who appreciates nice scarves and interesting earrings; another pile to be given as gifts during the holidays - framed family pictures my mother was ready to hand on to the next generation. Some items were set aside as lovely gifts for family members - not with the intention of pretending they were new, but just new to them. Think of it as recycling and reuse rather than re-gifting - the new green holiday tradition!<br /><br />For me it was also a good reminder that this time of year really shouldn't be about the stuff, but about the relationships in our lives we hold dear. In our family this year, we're forgoing all but small gift giving and instead spending time together. <br /><br />And, for those of you who have family situations that are more challenging than you can handle this time of year, volunteer for a day at an assisted living facility or a food bank or a shelter. Give of your time and you have given a priceless gift.<br /><br />This holiday season, share the love.<br /><br />Happy Holidays from all of us at <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a>. <br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-28194210380584415312010-11-21T06:44:00.000-08:002010-11-21T07:30:25.466-08:00Five Rules For Holiday Baking...Stress-freeIn my last post, I mention it was ridiculously hot, even for Tucson in October.... Well, the weather has finally cooled a bit and that, for me, means more baking. <br /><br />Back in '07, just before starting shopOrganic, I spent a week at the <a href="http://www.ciachef.edu/california/">Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley</a>. It was an amazing week learning about baking and making things I'd always wondered about but never tried - focaccia, doughnuts, chocolate and more...but I digress. It's time to get down to some serious baking. Here are five rules to follow for stress-free holiday baking. <span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><b>Rule #1</b><br /><i>Never try a new recipe in a high pressure situation.</i><br />If you need to bring four dozen cookies to a school party, don't try out a new meringue recipe. Pull out your old tried-and-true recipe. Sure, it might be a boring old chocolate chip cookie, but hey, at least they'll be delicious! (Same goes for holiday cooking as well...).<br /><br /><b>Rule #2</b><br /><i>Use the right flour for the recipe.</i> <br />While you can get away with a lot using a high quality all purpose organic flour like <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/giustos-organic-bakers-choice-unbleached-white-flour-5lb/brand_giustos">Giusto's Organic Unbleached Baker's Choice Flour</a>, choosing a specialized flour for certain baked goods will enhance the final result and your friends, colleagues and bake sale customers will be oohing and aahing over your tasty treats. Here's a quick breakdown:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/uploads/1776_GiustosUnbleached_L.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/uploads/1776_GiustosUnbleached_L.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><b>High protein flour</b><br />A high protein flour has between 12% and 15% protein. These are sometimes referred to as high gluten flours. These high protein flours are preferred by bakers for bagels, pizza and other breads that require a strong texture. If your recipe calls for all purpose flour and you use high protein flour, you will probably find your final product to be a bit tougher than desired. On the other hand, if you don't have high protein flour available, you can beef up your all purpose flour with some vital wheat gluten. <br /><br /><b>Medium protein flour</b><br />Generally between 10% and 12% protein, like the Giusto's organic flour mentioned above, these are considered all purpose flours. They'll perform well in most applications, but better results can be obtained for specialized recipes using higher or lower protein flour.<br /><br /><b>Lower protein flour</b><br />Lower or low protein flour yields the opposite result of high protein flour. It helps develop a soft, delicate texture for pastries and cakes. Cake flour is usually about 8% protein whereas pastry flour is usually even lower in protein.<br /><br />Cake and pastry flour will absorb more liquid and is typically must softer when mixed than higher protein flour.<br /><br /><b>Whole grain flours</b><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/uploads/4558_4091_large.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/uploads/4558_4091_large.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Whole grain flours can be tricky to work with - their protein content and flavor varies with the type of grain or the mixture of grains. If your recipe calls for all purpose flour and you want to add fiber and nutrition boost by using whole grain flour, I recommend you either start by substituting no more than 25% of the flour called for with whole grain or use a recipe on the whole grain flour package to begin with. You'll need to adjust your liquids upward a bit when substituting whole grain flour and you'll find the final result will be denser than a recipe that uses all purpose flour. The flavor enhancement from using whole grains, though, is well worth a bit of experimentation.<br /><br />When I was at the CIA, I noticed they used Giusto's flour almost exclusively. I was impressed by the results and looked for Giusto's when I got home. I was unable to find it and for a long time, Giusto's did not have an organic line available to the general public. However, that's changed and shopOrganic.com just picked up the whole line of Giusto's organic flours - just in time for holiday baking.<br /><br />Here's a link to all of <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/prod_detail_list/brand_giustos">Giusto's</a> - links to the individual products are above.<br /><br /><b>Rule #3</b><br /><i>Baking is chemistry and if you want to substitute ingredients, think about them as dry and liquid.</i><br />The ratio between dry and wet impacts the final result as does the amount of leavening used. Look at your original recipe to understand the basic ratios and then substitute keeping these ratios in tact. And always go back to Rule #1.<br /><br /><b>Rule #4</b><br /><i>Always let your bread products finish cooling fully before cutting.</i><br />As much as diving into a warm loaf of bread may seem, the structure of the bread needs to set before you slice it open. If it's just for you or your family and you don't care, slice away. If it's for company or a bake sale (slicing date bread into sell-able servings, for example), let it cool fully.<br /><br /><b>Rule #5</b><br /><i>Enjoy.</i><br />Baking is a relaxing, creative process. Allow enough time to enjoy it fully. Be present - consider it your moving meditation. Infuse all your joy and love into those baked products and you'll share the love long after the oven has cooled.<br /><br />Happy holiday baking!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/logo.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 67px;" src="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/logo.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-48339628023704622010-10-10T08:07:00.001-07:002010-10-10T09:02:11.171-07:00Going Green At Home - Part 5If you've been following the progress of my home gardening project, you'll see that things started to sprout nicely about a month ago. (If you haven't been following and want to start at the beginning, start <a href="http://shoporganic20.blogspot.com/2010/08/going-green-at-home-part-1.html">here</a>). Since then, Tucson's had some unseasonably warm (ok, it's been <span style="font-style: italic;">hot</span>) weather, and the "winter" plants I put in were not happy. I kept them watered and hoped they could hold on until the hot spell broke - which is finally did. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwkZVy6lNTB5NbpnjY_w5GIU1r5NAxXmszaNBuNQgLEmfp7bnUw6g7gDDfvTedfK9YDUBUOrVeBkN4MqUK-XlXMh9v7v4TU4ZmGlZ83VcSLrWhdOwzDUP-NPSx5iy77OYoQ8DGAumHwrk/s1600/IMG_1197.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwkZVy6lNTB5NbpnjY_w5GIU1r5NAxXmszaNBuNQgLEmfp7bnUw6g7gDDfvTedfK9YDUBUOrVeBkN4MqUK-XlXMh9v7v4TU4ZmGlZ83VcSLrWhdOwzDUP-NPSx5iy77OYoQ8DGAumHwrk/s320/IMG_1197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526434948035815666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The tomato plant was purchased as a starter, just about everything else came up from seed. There is one mysterious square toward the front, center of the box that has been planted twice but nothing has sprouted - kind of funny given that the rest of<br />the plants are growing so well.<br /><br />These plants are grown in this organic soil and I've used nothing else but water. I can't wait until I can harvest the first whatever from this garden - I'm guessing I might have kale or chard soon.<br /><br />With that in mind, I thought I'd share two winter recipes using vegetables I'm growing would be a great way to get us thinking about ways we can use winter produce. <br /><br />Kale, by the way, is a delicious winter crop but for those of you who have never used it, here are a couple of tips. First, use your kale quickly. If you harvest it from the garden, use it the same day. If you purchase it at the store, use it within a couple of days otherwise it can get spongy and bitter. Also, cut the center stalk out and toss it (into your compost pile or your trash, but not into your soup). Use only the leaves from your kale.<br /><br />First up, simple easy delicious kale chips. Skips the potato chips this football season and try kale chips. Even folks who think they don't like kale will love these.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">KALE CHIPS</span><br />1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.<br />2. Wash and remove the stem from a bunch of kale, pat dry.<br />3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.<br />4. Lightly coat kale in <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/spectrum_olive_spray_oil/organic_oils">olive oil</a> and arrange on parchment.<br />5. Sprinkle lightly with <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/saltworks_velvet_de_guerande/salt">sea salt</a>. (I use velvet salt, it's great on popcorn too and you can use far less than traditional salt due to the fine texture).<br />6. Bake for 20 minutes.<br />7. Remove from oven, adjust salt (and pepper, if desired) to taste.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Here's a quick and simple recipe for kale and cauliflower soup. It's a great meal by i</span><span class="fullpost">ts</span><span class="fullpost">elf or a perfect side to a grilled cheese sandwich on a fall day. Give this one a try from your organic garden vegetables.</span><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><span style="font-weight: bold;">QUICK AND EASY KALE AND CAULIFLOWER SOUP<br /></span>1/2 cup diced onion<br />2 TBS minced garlic<br />3 tsp <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/napa_valley_extra_virgin_olive_oil_25_oz/organic_raw">organic olive oil</a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSGnwvedkdP0Bztx-WclnZ9NsLnH4s90y2WcPrDiXY3XVvXkVKkpDqOLYlz3URbP4XddIycYuzFo9FKDuZI8DOSQMIEQU-h7ZPJa91ddOUSS10ySfnRsG4sMiUT27cJmmEtoUT3O9JGGx/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSGnwvedkdP0Bztx-WclnZ9NsLnH4s90y2WcPrDiXY3XVvXkVKkpDqOLYlz3URbP4XddIycYuzFo9FKDuZI8DOSQMIEQU-h7ZPJa91ddOUSS10ySfnRsG4sMiUT27cJmmEtoUT3O9JGGx/s200/IMG_1199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526437581106770386" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="fullpost">1/2 cup white wine</span><br /><span class="fullpost">3 cups of <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/cadia-organic-vegetable-broth-32oz/organic_broths">organic vegetable stock</a> or <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/pacific-foods-organic-free-range-chicken-broth/organic_broths">organic chicken broth</a><br />1 head of organic, fresh from your garden cauliflower, cored and chopped</span><br /><span class="fullpost">1 (lightly packed) cup organic, fresh from your garden kale, thinly sliced<br />2 tsp salt<br />1 tsp <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/simply-organic-lemon-pepper/single_herbs_and_spices">organic lemon pepper</a><br />1 TBS organic honey (the lemon gives it extra depth of flavor)<br /><br />In a large pan over medium low heat, saute the the onions and garlic in olive oil. (Hint: don't overcook the garlic when it gets too brown, it gets bitter). After a few minutes, the onions should be translucent. At that point, add the wine and continue to simmer until the liquid is reduced by half.<br /><br />Add the chopped cauliflower and your stock (vegetable or chicken). Bring to a boil then reduce your heat to medium low and simmer until the cauliflower is soft - about 20 minutes or so. Add the kale and continue to cook for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat off, put your ingredients into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. If you have a sprig or two of tarragon or rosemary, you may want to drop that in your soup for the final simmer for added flavor, but the soup stands on its own without that, too.<br /><br />For a more rustic texture, you can use anything to mash the mixture leaving smaller pieces in tact. (This is also handy if you don't have a blender or food processor or don't want to drag them out of the pantry).<br /><br />Return to pan and simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a dollop of non fat organic yogurt or sour cream and some rustic whole grain or cracked grain bread - smear the bread with a bit of olive oil and put under the broiler for a couple of minute to brown.<br /><br />Have a recipe you want to share? Post it here.<br /><br />As always, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a> is your trusted online source for organic food and natural products. We have a wide selection of hard-to-find, unique, gourmet and everyday foods for your culinary pleasure. See you there! Now, go out there and enjoy your day.<br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-20982789177821333402010-09-20T18:15:00.000-07:002010-09-20T18:32:44.010-07:00Want To Lose Belly Fat? Strike A PoseA researcher from Harvard recently concluded a study and found that certain "power positions" not only reduced stress, they reduced cortisol levels. People with high stress have high cortisol levels and high cortisol levels are associated with belly fat, which is an indicator of higher risk for various health issues...the short of it is this - if you want a quick way to reduce stress and cortisol levels, strike a power pose.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">According to Harvard researcher Amy Cuddy:<br /><blockquote><br />Subjects in the high-power group were manipulated into two expansive poses for one minute each: first, the classic feet on desk, hands behind head; then, standing and leaning on one's hands over a desk. Those in the low-power group were posed for the time period in two restrictive poses: sitting in a chair with arms held close and hands folded, and standing with arms and legs crossed tightly....<br /><br />Controlling for subjects' baseline levels of both hormones, Cuddy and her coauthors found that high-power poses decreased cortisol by about 25 percent and increased testosterone by about 19 percent for both men and women. In contrast, low-power poses increased cortisol about 17 percent and decreased testosterone about 10 percent.<br /></blockquote><br />Want to read the whole article? Click <a href="http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6461.html?wknews=092010">here.</a><br /><br />If you're feeling stressed out, try these power poses (after all, it can't hurt). Stand up and lean over your desk to read a report, contract or your email. Close your door, put your feet up, close your eyes and take a few powerful deep breaths. Feel better already, don't you?<br /><br />Of course, you can also reduce stress through exercise like walking, running, weight training, yoga and tai chi (to name just a few) and through eating healthy, organic foods (you knew that was coming, didn't you?). <br /><br />Click to visit <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a> - your trusted source for <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">organic food and eco-friendly products online</a>. First time shoppers save 10% using coupon code <span style="font-weight:bold;">GRGDS</span>. How great is that?!<br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-51712177783116628772010-09-19T10:08:00.000-07:002010-09-19T10:08:53.622-07:00Going Green At Home - Part 4If you haven't read previous posts on this topic, you might want to jump back and start with Part 1 to follow the progress of my amazingly easy green-my-home raised bed garden project. <br /><br />I don't have a lot of time to monkey around, so I needed this garden project to be easy, fast and successful. As you can see from previous photos, the box, soil and grid went in quickly. We did this over the course of a few weekends, but total time spent on this was probably three or four hours total.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJulIjhEnBjJ-0NjM2jm-qjTl5-CCKfNdoBUOjGoKD5tCELJDBaY2GpePUplHqrpX0DnMOHId5wi6i9MdvSB0EWGIjz66cFRISsfHwkIivnO24n6TzOO2jY4qIAPMUGg_bC_WOqji8nz0K/s1600/IMG_1036.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJulIjhEnBjJ-0NjM2jm-qjTl5-CCKfNdoBUOjGoKD5tCELJDBaY2GpePUplHqrpX0DnMOHId5wi6i9MdvSB0EWGIjz66cFRISsfHwkIivnO24n6TzOO2jY4qIAPMUGg_bC_WOqji8nz0K/s200/IMG_1036.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510593377275147570" /></a>Though we did want to start most of our plants from seed, I wanted some instant hits of color for the porch and some basil (since my bird friends have decimated my back porch potted basil plants). I love making my own organic pizza from a rustic crust, simple tomato sauce, organic mozzarella and yes, basil galore. So, basil will be a starter plant.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj965eNLkrbwdNQB2iCYyS9t4vkwF5USBPyJMgCL8tdjo9UGiZLufhXyjncX7oHJY7YK1UftpuZ43WDYVzfLx8T04YN4hozlhV-WOTJZ7qDct1XLFMud9RZK_i1DDEUcS86y7ujDXtYO_Vh/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj965eNLkrbwdNQB2iCYyS9t4vkwF5USBPyJMgCL8tdjo9UGiZLufhXyjncX7oHJY7YK1UftpuZ43WDYVzfLx8T04YN4hozlhV-WOTJZ7qDct1XLFMud9RZK_i1DDEUcS86y7ujDXtYO_Vh/s200/IMG_1039.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510596121341033154" /></a><br />I chose marigolds for their color and natural pest deterrent properties and salvia for a bit of height and gorgeous purple flowers. The basil also went in along with starter greek oregano and cilantro.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc2WH1DAD8zQ413E32k4VMZ34vH8tBwKgHbLP8Qh5Tc5OyWN_ffiCfTyZi4XsG1oyfgySITBJdZEinZfimdSYlOSl5kNPO3D2T7RQdWnoVAkBL5krOSvc183Uguh_Ilyc4bUbYD1I-MJM/s1600/IMG_1078.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc2WH1DAD8zQ413E32k4VMZ34vH8tBwKgHbLP8Qh5Tc5OyWN_ffiCfTyZi4XsG1oyfgySITBJdZEinZfimdSYlOSl5kNPO3D2T7RQdWnoVAkBL5krOSvc183Uguh_Ilyc4bUbYD1I-MJM/s200/IMG_1078.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510599585420323938" /></a>Next up, we planted seeds for several varieties of greens including black seed simpson lettuce and rocket (aka arugula). Broccoli went in - just a couple of seeds in the middle of one square and four days later, I had a green sprout.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATYT9pfwv0uLI1zasWNykujnqfrjec7wgmi8Mc7Gw2VF9pSN4u9AzwScmKnuQLZdVs2KjN81_9uwxuIgtq-vHj3NHPM6_EG33M4k2dgr8f7L-Qmht6LiBQEs0-W6lp-KKY67TOxauwkVL/s1600/IMG_1079.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATYT9pfwv0uLI1zasWNykujnqfrjec7wgmi8Mc7Gw2VF9pSN4u9AzwScmKnuQLZdVs2KjN81_9uwxuIgtq-vHj3NHPM6_EG33M4k2dgr8f7L-Qmht6LiBQEs0-W6lp-KKY67TOxauwkVL/s200/IMG_1079.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510599056788731922" /></a>Last night I sparingly harvested a few leaves of basil for a pasta dish because, well, I needed that splash of green, that deliciously licorice-y basil flavor to give the dish depth. Perfect, my first harvest.<br /><br />Stay tuned for what we planted next.<br /><br />Until next time, go out there and green your home. Take "eat at home" literally!</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-26389845440191162662010-09-12T19:56:00.000-07:002010-09-12T19:58:46.471-07:00Going Green At Home - Part 3In Part 1 of Going Green At Home, I talked about deciding to use a front patio space for a raised bed garden. We left off at having put the 8 x 5 x 1 frame in place. Now, let's get down and dirty - let's talk soil.<br /><br />First, you need to do your math to figure out how many cubic feet of soil you need. Next, you need to decide on the mix. In Tucson, where's it's pretty dry most of the time, a soil that holds moisture is vital to success.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMFccuFdG9Z2h3Zjzl0IeNG78RIl84FDCpgamEYlS8v9biD8HV4jwM_XIBhYFiCs4V9HhT8_EVIMb7Fu2ZxTj7rtqaVsk_yzQ_zJVSAcvHfthB73VaY_g-8L9LnMW5JZCvGPeTJk8vmjK/s1600/IMG_0986.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMFccuFdG9Z2h3Zjzl0IeNG78RIl84FDCpgamEYlS8v9biD8HV4jwM_XIBhYFiCs4V9HhT8_EVIMb7Fu2ZxTj7rtqaVsk_yzQ_zJVSAcvHfthB73VaY_g-8L9LnMW5JZCvGPeTJk8vmjK/s200/IMG_0986.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510553178663660690" /></a>You can go to any garden center and buy a soil mix, usually they carry something appropriate to your area. However, you can also mix your own. In our case, we did the math and figured out we could save about $60 on soil by creating our own mixture - and the added benefit was we could control exactly what went into that mix.<br /><br />We chose to add a lot of vermiculite - (make sure the vermiculite you choose is asbestos free). Vermiculite holds moisture and acts like a sponge, releasing moisture slowly. Of course, we added organic compost and other soil components to develop a nutrient rich soil mix.<br /><br />The trick in mixing your own is that you have to deal with bags that are different sizes - some come in 1 cubic ft., 2.2 cubit ft. and so on. Once you decide that you want a soil mixture of say, 30% vermiculite, you need to calculate how many cubic feet that is and then how many bags you'll need. (All I can say is, do your math a couple of times to be sure you're correct and save your receipt).<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS-CjgUyC6pWOHA6vwluUUOwr8FgXB2YCfQAsaDSor4EPn2iMrkijNre2-T_FSJpTxsu1DWtakLrM7nS8nvIDcw7dt0vC9_ODK76UbBVHmQIhLwE_srJz5p3fmipnRRSUoNtdiOtkRMet/s1600/IMG_0987.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS-CjgUyC6pWOHA6vwluUUOwr8FgXB2YCfQAsaDSor4EPn2iMrkijNre2-T_FSJpTxsu1DWtakLrM7nS8nvIDcw7dt0vC9_ODK76UbBVHmQIhLwE_srJz5p3fmipnRRSUoNtdiOtkRMet/s200/IMG_0987.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510554418070504930" /></a>If you're going to mix your own, make sure you either mix it in place (which is a bit tricky) or have a tarp of some sort. We found that by mixing our soil in three batches and rolling it back and forth in the tarp, we got a good distribution of the various components and had a beautiful soil mixture. We dumped it into the raised bed and repeated two more times until the bed was full. If you find your bed is full after two rounds, just return the unused (and unopened) bags (which is why I highly recommend you save your receipt).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2224FGjJo1FnfAB3PQz0dZapvJ5a5CqgL2BTHvWgfQ14dsr4ltOoU4o8MKao4chURmrHAEhmRA83RXW6ZPXK2bjei2hJboM35pMC7ihrWkMpgqZkmJ1dRPjTFD6Axi5TZm_jLbzqwWYh/s1600/IMG_1031.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2224FGjJo1FnfAB3PQz0dZapvJ5a5CqgL2BTHvWgfQ14dsr4ltOoU4o8MKao4chURmrHAEhmRA83RXW6ZPXK2bjei2hJboM35pMC7ihrWkMpgqZkmJ1dRPjTFD6Axi5TZm_jLbzqwWYh/s200/IMG_1031.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510557584281118482" /></a>Once you've got your soil in, you can start watering (to hydrate the soil to it doesn't suck the moisture out of your seeds or starer plants). However, we decided that putting a grid in would help - most container gardening books recommend it so you can remember where you planted what - so we used lath to demarcate the sectors. You can make them whatever size you want, we stuck with the standard 12" x 12". The result was an organized grid system that we can track what's been planted where and when.<br /><br />Next up - planting, growing, marveling.<br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-35111391832224491242010-08-28T14:01:00.000-07:002010-08-31T20:58:18.435-07:00Going Green At Home - Part 2Before we go further down the garden path...(yes, pun intended), I thought it might be useful to provide you with a few resources. If this project sounds like it's up your alley and you want to try your hand at growing some of your own produce in a small space, you're in luck.<br /><br />You can do this on your own, but having a personal guide makes the journey a bit more certain. We picked up a copy of the <a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shoporganic0c-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1591862027&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">All New Square Foot Gardening</a> book (see the link here to buy your own). It's full of step-by-step instructions, sound advice and great how-to pictures.<br /><br />The author, Mel Bartholomew, seems to favor planting starters, but I wanted to try my hand at starting from seed. Looking for natural and organic seeds? You're in luck. shopOrganic.com carries <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/prod_detail_list/organic_garden">seeds for vegetables and flowers</a>.<br /><br /><iframe align="left" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=shoporganic0c-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1591862027&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> Whether you buy starters or start from seed, you'll need to plant the kinds of plants that thrive in your climate zone and you'll need to figure out your local growing season. You can extend it in the fall by covering your raised bed - but now's a great time for cool weather growing in most locations (ok, it's still in the 100's here in the Southwest, but we know cooler weather is just around the corner).<br /><br /><br />Get your green thumb going today and literally put food on your own table. Stay tuned for Part 3 soon!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <span class="fullpost">And here is the rest of it.</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-23095459096224207322010-08-28T11:51:00.000-07:002010-08-28T13:28:44.614-07:00Going Green At Home - Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi2Zu9UXEQboZumGqa3uvWISXM-szYRagGoNLqs8UfwuLR_6yes5U8EucWGRIEf-erCyjctoF1ppxZ0CkOrGdqC1xJWgbkEolCpzMN9jf6nf81fba3xZEZ8-78OXbV1TCZyTu3Y8o8soz/s1600/Home+Garden+Project+(31).jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi2Zu9UXEQboZumGqa3uvWISXM-szYRagGoNLqs8UfwuLR_6yes5U8EucWGRIEf-erCyjctoF1ppxZ0CkOrGdqC1xJWgbkEolCpzMN9jf6nf81fba3xZEZ8-78OXbV1TCZyTu3Y8o8soz/s200/Home+Garden+Project+(31).jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510548246037328786" /></a>I am fortunate to live in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, here in sunny southern Arizona. The downside is that it's not usually described as verdant - more like a dusty brown most of the time. My home is a charming one story burnt adobe building that reflects the very essence of the Southwest. When I bought it years back, there was a large fountain on the front porch area surrounded by some scraggly boxwood bushes. Fairly quickly, I turned off the fountain - it seemed a waste of precious water. The boxwoods were pretty much left to their own devices.<br /><br />Fast forward to this summer.<br /><br />I guess I've been watching too much home and garden television. I kept looking at that front patio space wondering what I could do with it. After a couple of iterations, I realized it was a perfect spot for a raised bed garden. It's got morning sun and was protected from the harsh afternoon sun and it was the perfect size. Thus began the project that has started to green my home. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Zlsx-qULowV0-pbt6unXXEkZNVVOiRMllhK7H4CH_8a8PBsH4BPERvFNbvidh8NTmBv1C98AZfY_BUi597FLGadht6kVUHSLvrN7TznGhhwDHgeZIh9XxAhIH-wG6ONMJ-om7hNLfICT/s1600/Home+Garden+Project+(10).jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Zlsx-qULowV0-pbt6unXXEkZNVVOiRMllhK7H4CH_8a8PBsH4BPERvFNbvidh8NTmBv1C98AZfY_BUi597FLGadht6kVUHSLvrN7TznGhhwDHgeZIh9XxAhIH-wG6ONMJ-om7hNLfICT/s200/Home+Garden+Project+(10).jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510537825173233314" /></a>We started by clearing the space. <span class="fullpost">We gave away the fountain to a really nice family who came and got it one Saturday morning. We made new friends in the deal, so we were thrilled. Next, we cleared the boxwoods out and prepped the space. <br /><br />Next, we measured and calculated what we'd need in the way of raised bed materials (wood and a few screws), headed to the home improvement store, came home and built the box. We decided to add bird netting over the top since we have so many birds in the area and, well, they'd already chowed down an entire basil plant leaving me bare stubs and a dead plant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeke3m-Jer2idFZtSzlWIlt067tn14vj8Z-sau4Zh4U53cudikfv1bowQjXM-Cni17wmAqFkfOYAA7ILPmPekjIaogHDL_Dm5aBsZn0c1ySHlLDyKtStmEmUu575nWDH4ju5YxwoxXw1g/s1600/Home+Garden+Project+(14).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeke3m-Jer2idFZtSzlWIlt067tn14vj8Z-sau4Zh4U53cudikfv1bowQjXM-Cni17wmAqFkfOYAA7ILPmPekjIaogHDL_Dm5aBsZn0c1ySHlLDyKtStmEmUu575nWDH4ju5YxwoxXw1g/s200/Home+Garden+Project+(14).jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510548839466165810" /></a>The box itself was pretty simple to build and it didn't take a skilled carpenter to cut and assemble the wood. We assembled it in the garage and carried it to it's final location - the result is a beautiful 8 x 5 foot 12" deep raised bed garden.<br><br /><font size="2"><i>(And yes, that is the Border of Border & Black Ventures, aka Jackie Brown, border collie extraordinare).</i></font><br /><br />This is what I call a triple bottom line - I get fresh organic produce from my own garden; I get to see the lush green of the plants as they grow; and I get to spend some time getting my hands dirty in a really good way. It's low maintenance, but I can putter around it if I want to just unwind - or just sit on the patio and marvel at this little desert oasis. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlwoRWseGuZd-yRmvIfhZr89AqqqLJPsckmUI0FeavRm3wAqPwN0Vvo4C5oYkVmtQlZGqYYd9QOiZmvMHpCmVZ8HpLUE8RbkM8UtcekVcVPNmAo1uHD-V-brTHxQSu9CeGJ-MoTSLwoNv/s1600/Home+Garden+Project+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlwoRWseGuZd-yRmvIfhZr89AqqqLJPsckmUI0FeavRm3wAqPwN0Vvo4C5oYkVmtQlZGqYYd9QOiZmvMHpCmVZ8HpLUE8RbkM8UtcekVcVPNmAo1uHD-V-brTHxQSu9CeGJ-MoTSLwoNv/s200/Home+Garden+Project+001.jpg" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510551181034292818" /></a>I've never grown much before - especially not the garden variety - I've never found the idea appealing until Lisa (shopOrganic co-founder) suggested a raised bed garden. The small, manageable scale was instantly appealing and the thought of actually having fresh produce on my front porch was what sealed the deal.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more posts showing what comes next, where you can find information on how to grow your own and see photos of what's starting to sprout!<br /><br />We're looking forward to a beautiful, bountiful front porch this fall and hope you'll check back often to see our progress. <br /><br />And, of course, for all those things you can't grow yourself, green your home with organic and eco-friendly products from <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a><br /><br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-48050324726888195282010-06-23T14:38:00.000-07:002010-06-23T14:52:10.979-07:00Farewell to an old friend<a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/susan-lisa-dogs.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="http://www.shoporganic.com/images/susan-lisa-dogs.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I envy people who feel a spiritual certainty about what becomes of 'us' after we draw our final breath - I have ideas and thoughts, but nothing solid enough to give me the comfort of 'knowingness.' Still, life waits for no one and today we had to bid farewell to Rosie aka Black Dog aka The Dog of Love. I know, people always go on and on about their dogs and with good reason. We get from them the unconditional, always new feeling of love that we rarely find anywhere else on earth. So I just want to take a moment to honor her passing with some rather amusing tales (tails) -<br /><br />Something some folks may not know is that our corporate name, Border & Black Ventures, was formed in honor of our border collie rescue dog, Jackie Brown, and Rosie, a mixed breed, also a rescue dog. When asked what kind of dog Rosie was, we'd just say "She's a black dog" because that pretty much summed it up in terms of breed characteristics. However, we named the company Border & Black because we actually admire the traits they each exhibit naturally. I'll leave the Border part for another day, but the Black part from Rosie was this. She had a healthy love of food (which we transcribed into a love of healthy food), a tendency to always hang out with the big dogs and get them to play nice, and the ability to simply share the love. <br /><br />When she took agility training, she wasn't any good at all at agility, but she sure knew how to work the crowd. She was dubbed 'the agility hostess' because she'd greet all the dogs and people then settle in looking for food on the floor or trying to work her magic a second time to get everyone else to feed her treats again.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />But as happens to us all eventually, her eyesight went, then her hearing, then just about everything else. She had a couple of brushes with ailments we thought might bring her demise, though both times she somehow miraculously pulled out of these ailments and almost snapped back. These events became known as the times Rosie simply needed to be rebooted. She got rebooted twice, though each time she came back with a bit less zest, a bit less - well, Rosie-ness. <br /><br />We saw the decline and acknowledged she was simply aging, so we accommodated. Her walks were shorter so she could manage, we got up with her at 4am because, well, that's what time she got up. We moved slower and grew more patient just allowing her to enjoy life as it came to her. Last night, it was a beautiful cool desert summer night. We sat in the backyard and heard the crunch crunch crunch of a neighbor was walking down his driveway. We couldn't see him, but they heard the footsteps and both dogs gave an obligatory bark or two. The neighbor himself barked back playfully a couple of times (he's never done that in all the years we've lived here). Rosie barked once more, apparently satisfied, then stood on her wobbly, failing legs, just sniffing the night air. A good night to say farewell.<br /><br />Like all the dogs in all our lives, she'll be remembered for how much love she helped us feel. So today, in honor of Rosie, share the love with someone or something in an unconditional, black dog kind of way.</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-6780663238610657832010-06-15T13:05:00.000-07:002010-06-15T13:36:20.093-07:00How to Keep (Organic) Produce FreshI just read an article in the July/August Cook's Illustrated (CI) magazine about produce keepers. You know, you've probably seen them advertised on television. They promise to keep your fresh produce fresher than fresh. So, CI did some tests (you gotta love their tests). The results? <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />None of the produce keepers had any positive effect on the shelf life of the fresh produce. In fact, in some cases, produce spoiled faster than if left in its original packing. You can read the article <a href="http://www.cooksillustrated.com/equipment/overview.asp?docid=25570" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />So, here's a very inexpensive produce keeper idea - buy it and eat it! I've gotten better about gauging how much produce my family will consume in a week and I buy just enough to get us through to the next week. Yes, sometimes I have to make an extra stop at the market, but it beats buying stuff we'll likely not eat in a week then hoping against hope it will still be fresh and ready to go.<br /><br />So, this summer, choose lots of healthy organic (and best of all, locally grown when available) produce and just don't let it go to waste! Get creative, you'd be surprised what you can cook up with that produce just on the edge of going bad. My favorite solution is a stir fry. For veggies that are past their prime but still edible, you can make a pretty decent stir fry and jazz up the flavors with organic <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/emperors_kitchen_chopped_garlic/gourmet_spices_herbs_flavorings">garlic</a>, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/emperors_kitchen_chopped_ginger/brand_emperors_kitchen">ginger</a>, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/san-j_shoyo/sauces">shoyu </a>(tamari, soy sauce), chiles, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/simply-organic-cayenne-pepper/single_herbs_and_spices">cayenne</a>, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/simply-organic-curry-powder-3oz/single_herbs_and_spices">curry </a>- whatever sparks your imagination. Toss it over some <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/organic-sprouted-brown-rice/grains">organic sprouted brown rice</a>, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/red-quinoa-organic/grains">red quinoa</a> or <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/product/bionaturae-organic-spaghetti-pasta-16oz/pasta">organic pasta (made from wheat, brown rice, corn and more)</a> and viola! you've got dinner.<br /><br />For more ideas on sauces and spices to jazz up your summertime meals, visit <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a> - or click <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/prod_detail_list/sauces">here</a>. <br /><br />Enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of summer - organic, local, fresh. Yum.</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-34607913034897918162010-05-29T07:51:00.000-07:002010-05-29T08:30:04.465-07:00Another New Model - PlenitudeA friend brought over a book the other day - she'd heard about it on <a href="http://www.npr.org/">NPR</a>. The book is titled <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Plenitude/Juliet-Schor/e/9781594202544/?itm=1&USRI=plenitude">Plenitude (Juliet B. Schor)</a> and the basic premise is that our current economic models aren't working. In fact, the economic and environmental policies in place are worse than not working, they're steering us for disaster. But unlike so many other authors, Ms. Schor then lays out, step by step, a remarkable path forward.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />The author outlines how we can transform our lives, our communities and our planet and actually like it. What amazes me about the book is that Schor doesn't stick with the gloom-and-doom long, though she certainly will point out data, facts and figures that support her premise. Rather, she continually frames forward and talks about what we can do, how we each are empowered to make change that is not only good for us but is something we ultimately enjoy.<br /><br />Her premise is that we can't keep doing the same things we've been doing and expect different results - but that we can do new and different things and actually create a better world and have fun getting there. <br /><br />Here's what sealed the deal for me - and this is just from the introduction:<br /><blockquote>...there's a growing body of research that attests to human adaptability. Newer thinking in behavioral economics, cultural evolution, and social networking...yields a view of humans as far more malleable....As economic actors, we can change, too. This has profound implications for our ability to shift from one way of living to another, and to be better off in the process. It's an important part of why we can both reduce ecological impact and improve well-being. As we transform our lifestyles, we transform ourselves. Patterns of consuming, earning and interacting that may seem unrealistic or even negative before starting down this road become feasible and appealing." (Schor, Juliet B., <span style="font-style:underline;">Plenitude</span>, The Penguin Press, New York, 2010, p. 11) </blockquote><br />Everyone I know has scaled back in the past few years, re-examining their personal economic models. In part this was forced by so many people losing jobs, homes and investments (or savings). But on the heels of that was a true re-assessment of priorities. Even people I know who were less impacted by this economic crisis than most were looking at their lives and deciding that less was more.<br /><br />Those actions were driven by necessity - the necessity to survive amidst the upheaval. Schor's book takes it a step further and shows us how continuing down this new path can lead to a much more rewarding and richer life experience. Plenitude is for those who've decided to go down this path and are looking for a few guideposts along the way.<br /><br />Of course, my viewpoint is that organic farming and sustainable environmental practices are absolutely a part of this new economic model. We can't fix our economic model until it incorporates cost accounting for the economic fall out from traditional practices. What's the ultimate cost of the oil spill in the Gulf? It's not just on the ledgers of BP Oil that this cost will be paid, but that's likely the only place it's visible. Schor's approach is to look at many sides of this multi-sided puzzle and provide a sane set of recommendations as to how we move forward. <br /><br />I won't hold it against her that she mentions organic farming but once in the book (p. 22) - she is providing a large-scale topo map for our new adventure, organic being one of the many facets that will bring us back to a sustainable and enjoyable approach to life on this breaktakingly amazing planet of ours.<br /><br />If you haven't read this book, grab it as soon as it hits your local library, borrow it from a friend (as I have done) or download it on your favorite e-reader. Buy the hard copy if you must (I am tempted), this one's a keeper.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:small;">If you're ready to start spreading your sustainable wings, stop by <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic </a>for the best in organic, fair trade and sustainable products. Use coupon code <span style="font-weight:bold;">GRGDS </span>and save 10% on your first order.</span><br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-33158003631035517542010-05-26T07:28:00.000-07:002010-05-26T07:55:38.210-07:00A New Model for Investing (In Things That Matter)I've been watching the stock market in the last month or so run through an amazing array of ups, downs and sideways. Like most folks, I have become increasingly skeptical of the math, science, psychology and technology behind the stock market.<br /><br />I've always known the market was skewed toward the big guys - but I used to think that if you followed in the tracks of the big guys, you might still fare well. It's clear from the massive typo a couple of weeks back that caused the market to tumble almost 1,000 points, that's just not true anymore. It's left me even more leery of the machinations of the markets of late.<br /><br />Not that I have piles of money to invest anyway. But the money I do have to invest is staying close to home these days. I've decided that the best way to manage my money is to spend it on important things - like fixing the leaking faucet, getting a few new plants for the front porch, or buying really high quality food to cook and bake with.<br /><br />When it's all said and done, the old cliched adage really does hold true <span class="fullpost"> - the best investment is in yourself. Granted, the notion of what that investment looks like has changed over the past decade. In the height of economic prosperity (aka bubbles), that investment seemed more like buying the latest 52" big screen TV. Now, after a painfully recessionary squeeze, that investment has been boiled down to basics - what you do to invest in your health, wellness and happiness. After all, those are investments that gain in value and as any wise investor will tell you, those are the ones to look for.<br /><br />Healthy food is a great place to start that investment since good, <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">healthy, organic food</a> forms the foundation of good nutrition that supports health and wellness at every age. Invest in exercise and active leisure activities - from golf lessons to hiking to kayaking or mountain biking. [Not sure where to look? I'm a big fan of <a href="http://www.rei.com">REI.</a>] Try something new and exciting and active. What great dividends you'll earn from that investment.<br /><br />After you've taken care of yourself, you might want to look at how you can invest in your local community. There are millions of small companies across the nation that no longer have access to bank funding or equity (investor) capital. They still need capital to expand and they form the foundation of your community as well as our country's economy. (<a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a> is one of them - click <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/investor-info">here </a>for details). <br /><br />Look at the business practices of the companies you do business with - whether locally owned or part of a larger, national company. Do they treat customers, vendors, employees and their community well? Do their employees seem content or even (gasp) happy? Local or not, there are some companies whose business practices are stellar and investing your shopping dollars with those companies is another way of investing intelligently.<br /><br />Invest in local businesses - start a local investment club or support your local business with your purchases. You'll find you have a lot more control than spinning the wheel on the stock market and you'll benefit directly by supporting a sustainable local economy. <br /><br />Thoughts? Comments? Love to hear 'em.<br /><br />Now, go out there and enjoy your day!</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-87636587787647243412010-05-17T06:20:00.001-07:002010-05-17T06:32:54.290-07:00Science Shows Link Between Pesticides and ADHDA new study links Attention Deficit disorder with pesticide exposure - <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/17/pesticides.adhd/" target="_blank">(here's the link to the story)</a>. I don't know about you, but this isn't really as much a surprise as a confirmation of what we already knew but had little scientific evidence to cite. <br /><br />Pesticides were actually developed as chemicals for warfare. After World War II, someone had the no-so-brilliant-thought to spray those chemicals that were stockpiled on plants to kill pests. I'm not quite sure why no one ever thought about the fact that those chemicals sit on the leaves of the plants, soak into the roots of the plants and are then ingested. I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time....<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />I guess it's easy to sit back and second guess 60 or 70 years' worth of 'conventional' agricultural wisdom, but it still seems like a no brainer that you don't want to douse your food in poison. <br /><br />This article points to the link between certain pesticides and ADHD. I remember an elderly friend of mine once speaking a bit mockingly of all these new 'disorders' - but maybe there really are a new host of disorders all stemming from our dousing our environment with toxic chemicals.<br /><br />Of course, at <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic</a>, we've always believed it was healthier for our bodies and the planet to eat organic; now the scientific community is starting to look at the underlying science and is coming to the same conclusion. <br /><br />So, while it's important to teach children to eat a balanced diet, it also needs to be a diet free from toxic chemicals. Go organic, you and your children are worth it.<br /><br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-29707206187831237212010-05-05T07:08:00.000-07:002010-05-05T07:22:21.085-07:00Thoughts On Turning Two - shopOrganic.com Celebrates Its Two Year AnniversaryThis week, we celebrate your two year anniversary. What an eventful two years its been. In early 2008, when our plans for launching this business and the <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a> website were forming, we had no idea that the economy was about to fall out from beneath our feet. We had high hopes and when we clicked the button to publish the site and make it live that evening on May 8, 2008, we thought great things were about to happen. And we were right...sort of .... <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />We had strong sales at first, but as the economic cloud get getting bigger and darker, we grew concerned that our sales wouldn't grow fast enough and that our start up cash would run out before we hit our stride.<br /><br />We have continued to do what we do best - find the highest quality, most unique and wonderful organic, fair trade and eco-friendly products available; offer them on our easy-to-use website and provide THE best customer service anywhere on the planet. It's a simple but powerful combination and judging from our repeat customers, we know it's a winning formula.<br /><br />As we look back, we recognize the long hours, the hard work and the stress we endured to create this company. As we look forward, we see a bright horizon and wonderful opportunities awaiting us. We have big, BIG plans for the future and we're confident we'll be able to create this new future with a bit of help from our loyal customers, new customers and maybe an angel investor or two....<br /><br />For now, we continue to wake up every day thankful that we do what we love and make a difference in people's lives. We would love to hear your comments and thoughts about our two year anniversary - feel free to comment here or visit <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com/contact">shopOrganic</a> and submit comments through our online form.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who made the first two years possible. We believe that our very survival over this two year period is a huge victory and we appreciate everyone along the way who encouraged, supported, offered us discounts to get us going and most of all our customers who make every day a great day at <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic</a>.<br /></span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-28936160834421969602010-04-24T08:45:00.000-07:002010-04-24T08:49:16.942-07:00Healthy Tips for Joint CareI was reading an article this morning in the NY Times online on how to care for your joints in hopes of avoiding joint replacement later in life. (See <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/health/24patient.html">NY Time Join Care article</a>). It’s a decent article with common sense reminders - maintain a healthy weight, be kind to your joints, etc. Nothing new, certainly nothing we didn’t already know. What disappointed me was that there was no mention of good nutrition anywhere in the article.<br /><br />Good overall nutrition is important for good overall health. Makes sense but rarely is maintaining a healthy diet “prescribed” as part of a preventive program such as that for avoiding hip or knee replacement. Certainly the mechanics of the body are vitally important and are often what determine whether one’s joints wear out through daily living - I’m guessing heredity may also play a role.<br /><br />Still, something as simple as healthy food can make a significant difference on all the body’s finely tuned systems. Eat healthy, be well.<br /><br />Join us at shopOrganc.com for the best organic food anywhere - your body deserves the best! <span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Basic nutritional supplements such as calcium/magnesium, vitamin C and B complex can help maintain balance, but eating a healthy organic diet is your best defense against aging related ailments!.</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-1076105423366182062010-03-28T10:25:00.000-07:002010-03-28T10:50:44.765-07:00Maria Rodale's Organic ManifestoMaria Rodale spoke at the Natural Foods Expo last month in Anaheim, CA. I stood in a long line to get her book, <a href="http://www.OrganicManifestoBook.com"><u>Organic Manifesto</u></a>, and get it signed - but when I got to the front, they had sold out. However, true to her word, Maria mailed me a copy shortly afterward. I sat down and started reading it the moment it came out of its wrapper. If you're at all interested in organic, you should pick up a copy of the book.<br /><br />I will, however, give you a quick preview - from the Foreword, written by Eric Schlosser (American journalist and author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Nation-Dark-All-American/dp/0060938455"><u>Fast Food Nation</u></a>, another worthwhile read). Here is his opening....<br /><br /><blockquote>"Pesticides are poisons. They are manufactured to kill insects, rodents, fungi, and weeds But they can also kill people. Organophosphates - one of the most common types of pesticide - were developed in Nazi Germany to be used as chemical weapons. It was later recognized that the same sort of nerve gases formulated to attack enemy soldiers and civilians could be used against agricultural pests....A conservative estimate of current pesticide use in American agriculture would be about 1.2 billions pounds a year - about 4 pounds of the stuff for every American man, woman and child." (Foreward by Eric Schlosser, <a href="http://www.OrganicManifestoBook.com"><u>Organic Manifesto</u></a> by Maria Rodale, p. ix)</blockquote> <br /><br />If that isn't enough information to spark your interest in organic, I don't know what is. I didn't know that pesticides began as chemical weapons in WWII. I do think it's interesting that there is a direct correlation to the increase in the use of pesticides in farming and the increase in diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and other auto-immune dis-eases.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">The chemical industry has spent billions of dollars convincing us the only way to grow food, keep our yards and homes pest free and provide enough food for people worldwide is through the use of pesticides. But that's simply not true. The billions they've spent have gone toward paying for self-serving 'research' that supports their view of the world. But unbiased empirical evidence points to the damage pesticides are doing to our soil and water. <br /><br />I'm not going to go point by point through the book, but if you're interested in hearing the facts about why organic is truly worth it - for you, your family and the health of all of us on this beautiful spinning orb we call Planet Earth, give <a href="http://www.OrganicManifestoBook.com">Maria's book</a> a read. You might find some of it disturbing, but you'll also find evidence that there are millions of people who support organic and sustainable practices and there is a growing groundswell of support.<br /><br />To find high quality, certified organic, fair trade and sustainable products you can trust online, visit <b><a href="http://www.shopOrganic.com">www.shopOrganic.com</a> - For The Greater Goods (sm)</b>.<br /><br />No, go out there and enjoy your day!</span>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292432635251530300.post-40964922000368387412010-03-15T20:18:00.000-07:002010-03-15T21:08:08.210-07:00Natural Products Expo - Part 1Every year, we head out to Anaheim, CA in the spring to attend the Natural Foods Expo. It’s a chance for us to seek out new products to offer, to meet and talk face to face with our wonderful vendors, and to get a broader sense of what is going on in our industry. This year, we are inspired as ever, both about the new products we’ve found for you and by the incredible work being done by those in our community.<br /><br />One of the reasons we love attending Expo is that we get to catch up with vendors from small companies with whom we've developed wonderful relationships. Throughout the year, we communicate via email, phone and Twitter, but we love the time we get to spend at Expo meeting face to face.<BR><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-s8yP3MjXJI5LkXo3lrBf3xIcOGDUUETS1KalRgduHcGGwji_Og2Dkum41GvDGwzOG0flvWmzNiuSmmTKsVZM0TnzYTZYTsY2cwfkW0CWc5R2A8md_-nuvRRvNFI7xGDxFpSrPaQELKL/s1600-h/henry+and+lisa+310.jpg.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-s8yP3MjXJI5LkXo3lrBf3xIcOGDUUETS1KalRgduHcGGwji_Og2Dkum41GvDGwzOG0flvWmzNiuSmmTKsVZM0TnzYTZYTsY2cwfkW0CWc5R2A8md_-nuvRRvNFI7xGDxFpSrPaQELKL/s320/henry+and+lisa+310.jpg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449072073480203890" /></a>One of our best selling products (and among our personal favorites) is <a href="http://www..shoporganic.com/prod_detail_list/brand_henry_and_lisa">Henry & Lisa's Natural Seafood</a>. If you haven't tried these products, you really should. Henry & Lisa's sells the best salmon and tuna you've ever laid your lips over. This is Lisa (L) of Henry & Lisa's, Lisa (C) of <a href="http://www.shoporganic.com">shopOrganic.com</a>, and Henry (R) of Henry & Lisa's. We love working with small companies and knowing the folks that produce the products we offer. Henry and Lisa are great folks and we loved catching up with them at Expo. <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />More about Expo next post.<br /><br />Until then, have a safe and green St. Patrick's Day.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.shoporganic.com"></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683772829914103627noreply@blogger.com0