Viva Terra Organic & Eco Friendly Living

Since its getting down to the wire with Christmas around the corner, and I am sitting at the airport people watching for the next 4 hours waiting for my delayed flight, I thought I would share an eco friendly living store that I have fallen in love with.

Viva Terra has a catalog of organic and natural products designed with ecology and elegance in mind. Viva Terra means "living earth" -- and by definition, they are the real deal. Sometimes you see these online natural and organic stores and they mean well, but they don't deliver either on quality products or following through on earth friendly packaging. Case & point: I once had some organic coconut oil show up in a Styrofoam container.

All of Viva Terra's products reflect a commitment to organic, earth friendly, and sustainable sources. They try to find the uncommon sources of pure & fair trade ingredients.

Uniquely, they also offer handcrafted eco friendly living furniture, home goods, bedding and organic items. They offer a celebration of life and human spirit by displaying traditions from cultures around the globe.

Right now for a limited time you can save up to 70% on natural home décor, organic gifts, and more at Viva Terra.

Antioxidant Vitamin Supplement and Free Radicals

Understanding Free Radicals & Antioxidants

Remember the days of chemistry and biology? You probably remember the topic of molecules. A molecule has a nucleus at the center and then a certain number of electrons that orbit around the nucleus. Normally, the molecules that make up your
body are balanced in that they have an even number of electrons. A free
radical is a molecule that has lost one of its electrons leaving it
with an odd number.

These unbalanced free radical molecules attempt to stabilize
themselves by "stealing" an electron from another healthy molecule.
When this process takes place, the cells that are involved can be injured. The cell at the molecular level may become dysfuctional causing disease or even become
malignant resulting in cancer. Research also suggests that free
radicals are one of the main causes of aging and wrinkles.

The body produces free radicals through normal metabolic pathways
such as extracting energy from the food we eat. Exposure to the
toxins in junk food or polluted air, for example, can also be
sources of free radical production. In short, we are exposed to
potential sources of free radical pollution every day of our lives.

Antioxidants are nutritional compounds in whole foods (and higher in raw whole foods) that have extra electrons. When an antioxidant comes in contact with a free
radical - the antioxidant "donates" an electron to the free
radical. This way, the free radical doesn't have to "steal" an
electron from another healthy molecule and avoid the damage normally
caused by the free radical. The antioxidant
nutrients themselves do not become free radicals when they "donate"
an electron because they are stable in either form.

The human body is capable of producing antioxidants naturally, but
under conditions of a poor diet, toxicity, physical stress or
emotional stress this antioxidant production can be severely
impaired. Do you know someone who eats a poor diet, has high
levels of toxicity and is stressed out much of the time? This is
why they may appear older than they actually are.

Eating a healthy whole food diet and drinking plenty of water are
two of the best ways to protect your body from the damage of free
radicals. Fruits and vegetables provide an excellent source of
natural antioxidants to help your body stabilize the free radicals
and ward off the damage that they cause.


So for starters, try to introduce at least 5 servings of fruit and 5 servings of
vegetables every day. If you are having a hard time fitting that in each day, Juice Plus is a convenient and inexpensive way to accomplish this:

And as always please visit my free website www.jplusforme.com


DISCLAIMER:


All statements are my personal opinion and are based on my
personal experience and conclusions. This is not to be construed as an approach
to cure, treat or prevent any illness, and is not a substitute for a doctor’s
consultation diagnosis or treatment. “The Statements contained in this publication
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.” Please consult a health care professional for any medical condition.

Whole Grain Diet

Understanding Whole Grain Nutrition

Whole Grains are the seeds of plants that belong to the grass
family. This seed, also known as the kernel, is made up of three
key parts: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm.

A whole grain can be a single food, such as oatmeal, brown rice,
barley, or popcorn, or an ingredient in another food such as bread
or cereal. Whole grains include whole wheat, whole oats/oatmeal,
whole-grain corn, popcorn, brown rice, whole rye, whole-grain
barley, wild rice, buckwheat, bulgur (cracked wheat), millet,
quinoa, and sorghum. Other less common whole grains include
amaranth, emmer, farro, grano (lightly pearled wheat), spelt, and
wheat berries.

Recent research reported in the May 2007 issue of the online
journal Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, shows that
Americans should eat more whole grains like oatmeal, barley and
brown rice to help lower their risk of clogged arteries, heart
attacks and strokes, according to researchers. The study's lead
author, Dr. Philip B Mellen, of Wake Forest University in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina commented: "Many consumers and health
professionals are not aware of the health benefits of whole
grains".

In a review of seven major studies, the researchers found that
higher whole grain intake was consistently linked to a lower risk
of heart disease and stroke. On average, adults who ate 2.5
servings of whole grains per day were nearly one-quarter less
likely to develop cardiovascular disease than their peers who
rarely consumed whole grains. Whole grains are believed to
benefit the heart in a number of ways. The fiber and other
nutrients in whole grains may help lower cholesterol, blood sugar
and insulin levels, as well as improve blood vessel functioning and
reduce inflammation in the circulatory system. Yet, surveys show
that few Americans get the recommended three servings of whole
grains per day, according to the authors of the new study. More
than 40 percent of U.S. adults say they eat no whole grains at all.

So I want all of you to eat more whole grains every day -- organic if you can afford it. Start slowly by adding a few more to your diet, and this way you will make a lasting change.

Most of us cannot fit that much food into our diet each day even if we sat and ate nutritious food all day. Whole food nutrition comes in a convenient capsule - Juice Plus. I recommend this to my clients as a way to get reach the 9-13 suggested daily servings.

For more information go to my website at: http://www.jplusforme.com

Bumble Bee Sting-Treat Bee Stings

How to Treat Bee Stings - Natural Remedy




* Before sharing my story, if a person is known to be allergic to bee stings, seek medical help immediately. Also, if the sting site becomes infected or painful/worse over 24 hours, seek help from a medical professional.

A couple of weeks ago I was unfortunate enough to get stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden.

My arm swelled up so off to the doctor I went. The clinic gave me cream and an antihistamine. The next day the swelling was getting progressively worse
so off to my regular doctor I went. Infected arm - needed medication :( What was interesting is what the Dr. told me. The next time you get stung put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes. I thought, wow next time (if there ever is one) I will try it.


Well that night Shelley's niece got stung by two bees. When she came over to swim I looked at the bite and it had already started to swell. So off I went to get my money. Taped a penny to her arm for 15 minutes. The next morning, there was no sign of a bite. Wow were we surprised. Her niece, we decided, just wasn't allergic to the sting.

Well guess what happened again on Saturday night. I was helping my friend
deadhead her flowers and guess what? You are right I got stung again two times
by a hornet on my left hand. Was I ticked. I thought, here I go again having
to go to the doctor for yet another remedy. Well I promptly went into the house, again got my pennies, and taped two of them to my bites -- I then sat and sulked for 15 minutes. The penny took the sting out of the bite immediately. I still wasn't sure what was going to happen. The next morning I could only see the spot where he had stung me. No redness, no swelling.

Just wanted to share the marvelous information in case any of you are experiencing the same problem at home. The Dr. said some how the copper in the penny counteracts the bite.


After a bee or hornet sting, you should:
* Remove the stinger as soon as possible by scraping it horizontally. This can easily be done with a credit card. Do not pull it out with the fingers, as this will squeeze the venom out of the sac and into the body.
* Apply cool compresses on the sting.
* Tape copper penny to the sting site for 15 minutes.
* Use a paste of baking soda and water over the sting to help decrease itching.

So remember this little bit of bee sting natural first aid when you're cultivating your organic gardens and pass it on to your friends, children, grandchildren, and pets.

Come and visit us at our store for more natural and organic products >> OrganicLivingForMe.com

Detox Foot Bath

Just a note to let you know that we have added a very exciting new addition to our product line at OrganicForMe.com >> Our detox foot baths finally arrived again and we have posted them to our site for your purchase and review.

Click here to view more details >> Foot Detox

Please let us know if you would like more information or assistance purchasing your professional grade machine for home use or chiropractic office, medical spa or salon. It is CE certified as well as UL Listed.

Similar ionic detox foot spa machines retail for well over $2000, however we have a friend in Asia who is able to sell us these for a great discount -- the savings are passed on directly to our customers. We feel very strongly about bringing you products that are accessible and useful.

Foods Rich In Antioxidants

Foods that are high in Antioxidants

While many people take antioxidant supplements to help them avoid having to follow a rigid antioxidant diet, researchers have found that supplements alone will not have the same effect as supplements coupled with foods rich in antioxidants.

What is it about antioxidant foods that is so good for us? These foods contain molecules that, once inside our body's cells, react with "free radicals" and remove them. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that are highly reactive - that is they will react with many other molecules they come in contact with. When they react with our cells and tissues, they can do grave damage, leading to ill health and disease. It's better if they react with an antioxidant first and get removed from the picture before they can do any damage. This is why it's a good idea to eat lots of foods high in antioxidants, so that you always have lots of antioxidants available when they're needed.

There is sound research now to suggest that foods rich in antioxidants help the body manage free radicals. The best approach to getting enough of them is to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables each day -- try to eat many different colors and textures. If you simply cannot tolerate vegetables, there are antioxidant supplements available to the consumer, like Juice Plus in easy capsule or gummies form or Monavie in a juice drink. Choose one from a reputable source and try to find one that is produced from a range of plants and foods high in antioxidants - so you get a range of antioxidant molecules. It is also very important that the source be from living whole food, organic if you can find it. The key about live whole food (raw) is that its phytonutrients (plant nutrients) are still intact and have all of the amino acids and enzymes that work in synergy to rid the body of inflammation and disease in a natural way. Whatever you do, do NOT take supplements or vitamins that are synthetically created. There is a lot of evidence now to suggest that synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements are more harmful than taking none at all.

Foods rich in antioxidants include, in general, the brightly colored fruits and vegetables: leafy greens like kale and spinach, other green vegetables like soybeans, green beans, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, red and yellow vegetables like tomatoes, red bell peppers, carrots and squash, and other things like beets. Fruits that are good antioxidant foods include, again, the fruits with lots of color -- guava, goji, mangosteen, acai berries, pink grapefruit, berries, oranges, plums, grapes, apricots, peaches. Even the dried forms of these fruits are good sources however live raw whole foods are the best source.



DISCLAIMER:


All statements are my personal opinion and are based on my
personal experience and conclusions. This is not to be construed as an approach
to cure, treat or prevent any illness, and is not a substitute for a doctor’s
consultation diagnosis or treatment. “The Statements contained in this publication
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.” Please consult a health care professional for any medical condition.

Organic Recipe: Pomegranate Smoothie

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day -- why not start it off on the right foot with a protein-rich, antioxidant filled milkshake that tastes great!



Ingredients:
1 cup organic pomegranate juice
3/4 cup organic vanilla soymilk or organic low-fat milk
2-3 ice cubes
1 large organic banana, peeled and broken into chunks
1/2 cup organic blueberries
2-4 tablespoons protein powder (optional)
1 tsp organic honey or 1 tsp stevia to taste

Blend all ingredients in a food processor for 30 seconds.
Makes 2 large or 3 small servings.

If you're looking for more organic products, organic gardening tips or organic recipes come visit our store: http://www.organiclivingforme.com

Organic Recipe

I know its not quite summer yet, but I thought I would share my recipe for Organic Guacamole.




Organic Recipe for Guacamole

4 ripe organic avocados
1 medium organic Vidalia or sweet yellow onion, finely chopped
1 medium organic roma or beefsteak tomato
1 large organic lime
2 small organic jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (seeds removed)
2 cloves organic garlic, finely minced
organic sea salt to taste
organic ground white pepper to taste
1 large bunch fresh organic cilantro, finely chopped (stems removed)Organic Corn Tortilla Chips for dipping

Into a large mixing bowl, add your cubed avocados. (cut your avocados in half - removing the pits. Score the halves with a sharp knife to create cubes. Scrape out each avocado half into large mixing bowl). Roll lime on counter top to allow juice to come to the surface. Cut lime in half and holding it upright to keep seeds from dropping out, squeeze juice over avocados. Add chopped onion, tomato, jalapeno, garlic and cilantro into your bowl. Mix vigorously with wooden spoon. Add the sea salt and ground pepper to your liking. If you prefer a more whipped guacamole, try using a hand mixer to whip some of the avocados before adding all of the other ingredients.

Scoop with chips and enjoy! I'll put up my recipe for pomegranate smoothies in a few days that will have you drooling over your laptop.

Carbon Neutral - 10 Tips to Convert Your Home

Its time for Spring Cleaning once again and its also a good time to talk about reducing carbon dioxide emissions in your home. It doesn't take a lot to make a big difference.

In case you are new to the whole "carbon neutral" debate, here is a summary: carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas. CO2 is a bi-product every time we generate electricity and start our cars, turn on our computers or run our dishwashers. Here are a few tips to utilize your energy more efficiently at home and reduce your emissions. The great part of doing these simple steps will result in lower energy bills.

(1) Set your thermostat 3 degrees cooler in winter and 3 degrees warmer in the summer.

(2) Clean / Replace filters in your heater and air conditioning unit.

(3) Run your dishwasher when it is fully loaded, between the hours of midnight and 4 am and use the energy-saver setting if there is one.

(4) Power down your electronics, computers, stereos, iPods, etc when not in use. Unplug them from the wall when you're not using them either -- even though they are turned off, they still suck energy in the "off" position.

(5) Buy recycled paper products -- it takes anywhere from 70 to 90 per cent less energy to produce recycled paper products than new materials.

(6) Sign up to switch over to green power (power generated by clean and renewable sources like wind and solar). It might even make economical sense for you to install solar or wind powered resources if you own your property. It may cost a bit more up front, however you can sell back energy you don't use to the utility companies. For some, renewable energy sources can be a money maker and not an expense for the home.

(7) Wrap your hot water heater with an insulated blanket and set the heater's thermostat to no more than 120 degrees.

(8) Replace all incandescent light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent instead. Again, a bit more expensive up front, however they last 50-75% longer than regular bulbs which is a savings to you overall.

(9) Support local and sustainable farmers by shopping for produce at local farmers markets. Most communities have many markets throughout the week in different locations. By shopping locally, you are saving on fuel costs and emissions from transporting it to you. In addition, buy organic foods and products. Organic soil has been shown to capture carbon dioxide and store it at higher levels than chemical laden soil.

(10) Say NO to plastic shopping bags. It is believed that plastic bags take more than a century to break down. As they disintegrate, they release poisonous chemicals into the water and soil. Either re-use your paper grocery bags or keep a stash of cloth ones in your car for your next grocery trip.


These are just a few simple ways you can begin to convert your home into a greener, cleaner living space. Comment on the post if you have suggestions to reduce carbon emissions.

If you are looking for organic products visit us at: OrganicLivingForMe.com.

Body Soul Magazine

If you are looking for an overall natural and eco-friendly magazine, get a cheap subscription to Body + Soul Magazine. It is produced by the same folks at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. The magazine includes columns and departments that help readers explore new discoveries in complementary and alternative medicine, organic living, natural health and wellness, personal growth, the environment, spirituality, and environmental change. Body and Soul inspires its readers to live a healthy, balanced and fulfilled life.

It is on special this month in our store for $12.95 (8 issues per year).

Subscribe to >> body and soul<< 12.95 / year.

Organic Produce Definition & Tips

If you have been considering moving over to an organic or at least 100% natural lifestyle, but didn't really know where to begin... here is a good guide to produce picking.

If you have ever wondered which produce has the tendency to pick up more pesticides and toxic chemicals than others -- here is a list that will help you figure out which fruits and veggies are worth your extra hard earned money each month.

RANK FRUIT OR VEGGIE SCORE
1 worst Peaches 100 (highest pesticide load)
2 Apples 89
3 Sweet Bell Peppers 86
4 Celery 85
5 Nectarines 84
6 Strawberries 82
7 Cherries 75
8 Pears 65
9 Grapes - Imported 65
10 Spinach 60
11 Lettuce 59
12 Potatoes 58
13 Carrots 57
14 Green Beans 53
15 Hot Peppers 53
16 Cucumbers 52
17 Raspberries 47
18 Plums 45
19 Grapes - Domestic 43
20 Oranges 42
21 Grapefruit 40
22 Tangerine 38
23 Mushrooms 37
24 Cantaloupe 34
25 Honeydew Melon 31
26 Tomatoes 30
27 Sweet Potatoes 30
28 Watermelon 28
29 Winter Squash 27
30 Cauliflower 27
31 Blueberries 24
32 Papaya 21
33 Broccoli 18
34 Cabbage 17
35 Bananas 16
36 Kiwi 14
37 Sweet peas - frozen 11
38 Asparagus 11
39 Mango 9
40 Pineapples 7
41 Sweet Corn - frozen 2
42 Avocado 1
43 (best) Onions 1 (lowest pesticide load)


Note: This list is a reprint from the Environmental Working Group. EWG is a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment by reducing pollution in air, water and food. For more information please visit www.ewg.org.

The National Organic Standards Board Definition of "Organic"

The following definition of "organic" was passed by the NOSB at its April 1995 meeting in Orlando, FL.

"Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water.

Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."

If you are looking for a one stop organic shop -- try looking at Kushtush Organics. (http://www.kushtush.com).

They carry a line of everything from healthy, eco-safe organic bedding for your family, and baby's natural nursery to natural remedies for relief from allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). Organic sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters, mattresses and toppers, bed pillows -- you name it. Organic Bathroom is covered with their extensive collection of plush organic cotton bath towels, and bathrobes.

Customer Care: 888-336-3017

Try them out and tell us what you think.