What's in a Name?

I thought at one time that I would love to go into marketing full time.  I love tweaking the way things look - designing layouts - playing with colors... I thought it was a good match.  For those that don't know me - I am a gypsy and have had MANY varied careers that have NOTHING to do with one another... When I started really studying marketing I realized that it was nothing more than lies.  How to manipulate things - tell only the good stuff - and none of the bad stuff.  No full disclosure.  This is totally against who I am at my core - and I knew I couldn't continue. 

Be careful when you begin your journey into natural medicine.  There are those out there that are just dabblers and don't know enough or research enough to give you good open answers.  There are those that are in it because it is a current "fad" and they want to cash in on as much as they can.  I can't stress enough to READ YOUR LABELS!!

Certified Organic - To be classified as "certified organic" the product must be grown in soil that meets state or federal requirements.  Certification means that the land is tested both soil and water and detail records are kept. 

Organic - this is an excerpt from the definition of "organic" that the National Organic Standards Board adopted in April 1995: "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."

Recommended Reading on both: http://www.ota.com/organic/faq.html

Natural - There is no "official" definition for using the word natural in marketing.  the FDA refers to natural ingredients as "ingredients extracted directly from plants or animal products as opposed to being produced synthetically."

Botanical - The FDA terms botanical as "all plant-derived materials whether fresh, preserved, or dried full plants, plant parts, plant species mixtures, plant extracts, and compounds found in such materials. Items that are commonly termed herbs or herbal products, regardless of whether they meet the dictionary definition of herb or that are comprised of parts, extracts, or preparations of woody plants are included as botanical ingredients."

Herb / Herbal - There is no "official" definition for using the word herb or herbal in marketing. 

With all the marketing ploys out there, it is so vitally important that you read those labels.  Look at the things with pretty colors - but don't pick them up if they are artificial colors!  There are some great scents out there - but what are those smells covering up?  and are they going to cause an allergic reaction?  Most everyone loves sweets - but what artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners are being used?  Many of these same questions can be asked of the products we use on a daily basis - soap, face cleaner, detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, etc... There is a great database out there that tells you exactly how dangerous products are to both us and the environment.  http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Blessings... E

Natural vs. Chemical

I had a question posed this morning about not feeling well, weight gain, illnesses, and what we eat.  It is a very simple answer, but also very complicated depending on how you look at it.  Simply put, the more organic the foods are that we eat, the healthier we are.

The US has the highest rate of obesity in the world.  We are also one of the highest for Cancer.  Why?  We are one of / if not the most powerful countries in the world.  We are one of / if not the most advanced country in the world.  The answer has everything to do with how fast we are living our lives and what shortcuts we take to make every moment count. 

Artificial Sweeteners - there are studies showing that consuming artificial sweeteners causes both MS-like and Alzheimer-like symptoms.  Once the artificial sweeteners have been removed from the diet and are out of the body, these symptoms go away.  Beyond that, they have been found to cause cancer, infertility, headaches, weight gain, depression, nervous system damage, permanent brain damage, hearing loss, gastrointestinal problems, and allergic reactions.  Also, there are studies showing that when heated artificial sweeteners degrade to formaldehyde which is deadly when ingested.  Where do your cases of soda reside before you buy them from the grocery store?  Warehouses.  How many warehouses do you know that maintain their sodas in air conditioned spaces?

Artificial Coloring - all of those pretty colors in our foods could be causing allergies and ADD.  There are more of them than you realize.  Turn over any frozen dinner, any box of cookies, your fruit snacks, cereal... even your fruit juices, vitamins and medication... it is crazy!  They are in almost everything you eat.  Some of these artificial colors have even been known to cause cancer, tumors, and death. 

Plastic - We have all been told to not put plastic in the microwave.  It degrades and gets into your food which can cause tumors, cellular breakdown, and cancer.  But just storing foods in plastic, drinking hot things from a plastic glass, or a hot meal on a plastic plate, or using a plastic fork to eat a hot meal... all do the same thing.  Recognize how much plastic our foods, and household needs are housed in plastic and remove as much usage as you can.  I have only glass and ceramic dishes / bowls / storage items. 

Chemicals for Cleaning - What was used to clean homes before all the available chemicals were created?  Vinegar has long been used as a household cleaner.  It kills germs, whitens clothes, cleans fresh produce, heals skin ailments / acne, reduces appetite, soothes mosquito / bug bites, clears drains when combined with baking soda.... the list goes on and on.  I go through at least gallons of vinegar each month.   Read the back of those harsh chemicals you use to clean your bathroom / kitchen.  Read the warnings.  We don't think about it, but we have months that our homes are closed up - what do you think happens to those chemicals?  They linger in your home, in your air.  You breathe them in daily. 

Ok... I can't take any more of the negative / scary stuff... let's talk about some positives...

Look for organic foods.  For foods to be certified as organic, they must be grown in soil that has not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides, have no chemicals touch the soil for seven years.  No herbicides or pesticides can be used on any of the food grown in the soil. 

Enjoy trying new recipes with your family.  I love cooking with my girls and we love to experiment.  I used to spend all day Sunday cooking and then they would invite their friends over for dinner.  They would choose what type of food we were going to have, and then we shopped and they helped me prep the meal.  Both have grown to be good cooks that love to try new things.  This is a great way to get picky kids to try new foods too. 

Open up your house, even in the winter / summer months, for at least an hour every month.  This brings in fresh air and clears out the stagnant air.  Bring the sunshine in!  E