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!
10.24.2008
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!
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!
10.01.2008
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!
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!
9.25.2008
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!
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!
9.22.2008
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!
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!
9.18.2008
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.
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!9.17.2008
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!
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!
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