Mix It Up
Steenbergs Organic, a certified organic spice company from Europe, is adding organic baking mixes to their line-up:
“Industrial baking supplier Steenbergs Organic has extended its range of organic spice mixes used in the production of bakery items such as loaves, biscuits and cakes to help bakers target the growing organic sector.”
“American consumers are included as well with a pumpkin pie mix and the French market is covered with a sweet quatre epices variety.”
I have seen my share of organic baking mixes at the market. I still don’t understand why people bother with them since it’s just THAT EASY to bake from scratch. Anyway, Dr. Oetker has plenty of organic baking mixes. I made the chocolate chip cookie one once because it was on sale and people in my family seemed to like it. They described the cookies as “different,” but I think it was a good kind of different.
Horizon Organic = “Sham Organic Milk”
How much worse can Horizon Organic get? Obviously, they want their products labeled “organic” so people will purchase them, but they don’t seem to care about anything else. Why wouldn’t they want to end a boycott of their products by just doing the right thing?
“We have acted in good faith and have notified Horizon on what they need to do for OCA to end the boycott. It seems the constructive dialogue we had with mediator Michael Funk, CEO United Natural Foods has been cut off,” says Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director of the Organic Consumers Association. “It is up to Horizon to decide if they are going to comply with consumer expectations and make sure that their milk is truly organic, or if they are going to continue to exploit loopholes in the USDA NOP (National Organic Program) to sell sham organic milk.”
What a shameful company. I will never purchase any of their products ever again. (This article frustrated me so much I don’t even know what to say.)
Lucky People in Moscow!
Although we may have supermarkets like Whole Foods (which has waaay too many conventional items in my opinion) lucky people living in Moscow have the Bio Gourmet which houses everything from certified organic produce, preserves, baked goods and even an area to dine.
I wish they had something like that here! I hate going to Whole Foods and other “natural” markets were you have to take the time to figure out whether or not something is organic. I want to be able to go shopping in a nice entirely organic market where I don’t have to worry.
Organic on TV
Discovery Home will begin airing a Canadian Food Network Show called The Manic Organic starting tonight at 10 p.m. I have no idea why Discovery Home decided to air the show instead of the Food Network, but okay!
The Canadian Food Network website says:
“Manic Organic is an entertaining and visually rich gardening and cuisine series that tells the story of organic produce as it makes its journey from farm field to dinner table.
..Each episode follows a main vegetable and two side vegetables through the life cycle from planting out as seeds to nurturing in the garden without pesticides and finally harvesting and cooking. Along the way Antony, with his own unique brand of humour, demonstrates how viewers can employ organic techniques in their own home gardens.”
Thanks go to Well Fed Network for the heads up.
Pet Food Recall Will Benefit Organic Brands
According to MSNBC, the recent outbreak of contaminated pet food will result in a greater demand for organic pet food.
“I’d say this is an in for the organic manufacturers and retailers,” said Vivian Ma, a senior retail analyst at CIBC World Markets in New York. “At this point, consumers see them as an option that represents a source of comfort.”
“..There just aren’t the same kinds of restrictions on nonorganic producers,” said Phil Brown, a Boise, Idaho, veterinary consultant to pet-food maker Newman’s Own Organics.
Brown said Westport, Connecticut-based Newman’s Own Organics has experienced a spike in demand for its products and is able to increase production if required.”
Newman’s Own Organics Premium Pet Food seems to be the most readily available organic pet food. I have seen it at multiple supermarkets.
It must be so stressful to be a pet owner when you see something like this on the news everyday. I can understand if owners want to switch over to organic.
Kiwis Prove It
A recent study has found that organic kiwis are in fact more nutritious than conventional:
“The Davis scientists, led by Drs. Maria Amodio and Adel Kader, showed that organically grown kiwifruit had significantly increased levels of polyphenols, the healthy compounds found in red wine and coloured berries. They also had a higher overall antioxidant activity, as well as higher levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and important minerals compared with their conventionally grown counterparts.”
Who would have thought such a tiny piece of fruit could have proven something like that?
(Image from Wikipedia)
Easter Basket Purity
Retailer Marks & Spencer announced all of the Easter candy they will be selling this year is organic. This change was made in order to meet the demands of parents who are interested in organics.
“M&S spokesman Dean Beadle said: “Increasingly parents want to buy organic food for their children and our research suggests that parents will welcome the opportunity of going organic for Easter.”
Teaching the Youth
Teaching children about the importance of good nutrition is essential. Period. Youth Organics, a program offered in Albany, New York, is helping kids make better choices for themselves and their families.
“Now the 12-year-old girl eats salads. She has her family eating more whole grain foods. And she pays attention to those labels. Her transformation is tied to Youth Organics, a six-week leadership and gardening-skills program for young people in the South End.”
Programs like this should be a part of every school or community. Maybe then we would see a drop in childhood obesity rates..
The Organic Garden
Have you ever thought of starting your own organic garden? (I sure have, but because I live in New England, it makes things a little complicated. Lousy freezing winters..) Botanical Interests sells a variety of certified organic seeds at very reasonable prices. They have everything from organic basil seeds to eggplant and sunflower seeds. An organic garden! Who wouldn’t want one to relax in?
Best for Baby 2
A Consumer Watch study from Texas found that feeding your infant organic food is best for them:
“Baby food is usually made from condensed fruits and vegetables. This means that the pesticide residue can sometimes be concentrated as well. So, you’ll get higher levels than in regular food,” said Rangan.”
“So when it comes to babies, Consumer Reports believes organic baby food can be worth the extra money. Buying organic baby food is just one example of when paying more money pays off.”
The rest of the article explains which foods should be purchased organically and why. Same old same old information, but still good to know!
