The USDA is lowering its standards.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is bending to corporate interest and watering down organic standards by attemppting to compromise on the definition of organic ingredients. They recently even allowed antiobiotics such as tetrecycline used on apple and pear trees to still remain classified as "organic".

It used to be that the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) would review exempted and allowed ingredients every 5 years. All non-organic exempted ingredients would be automatically removed from the list unless the NOSB voted to approve it for an additional 5 years. But this past fall, USDA Deputy Administrator Miles McEvoy announced a new set of rules that would allow ingredients to remain approved indefinitely until a two thirds supermajority vote by the NOSB removed it from the allowed list. This law makes it harder to remove potentially harmful and chemically induced ingredients from so-called organic products.

As consumers, we have a responsibility and a right to know what is being allowed and deemed "organic". The USDA, sadly, as in  many government operations, is becoming corrupt and bending to corporate interest instead of the interests of the consumers. This makes it highly important for us as consumers to know exactly what our organic products contain.

What other recent approvals do you know of that you feel all of us should watch out for?

Shea butter is rich in nutrients for your skin.

Shea butter is actually the sap that comes from the African Shea Tree and contains so many excellent qualities for your skin. It contains Vitamins A & E. Vitamin A is beneficial for immune function, reproduction, vision, communication among blood cells, and other similar body functions. Vitamin E is a recognized antioxidant, meaning it helps fight free radicals. (Free radicals are molecules that have an unshared electron, meaning it is unstable, and are often created by environmental effects such as excess sun exposure, pollution, cigarette smoke – even secondhand – amongst other things.)

On top of that, shea butter contains your essential fatty acids including linolenic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.  The University of Maryland Medical Center reports, “Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.” Your essential fatty acids are acids that your body needs, but that your body doesn’t produce. This means it is essential to get these through your diet and your skin care choices.

Do you know of any other excellent purposes of shea butter? Or maybe great uses for it?

Do you use rosemary?

Rosemary is a mint leaf that has some really amazing health benefits. It helps soothe skin irritation and joint stiffness, particularly from eczema or arthritis and helps speed the healing of wounds. It can work for dandruff in the hair or for an air freshener. It can help with indigestion or menstrual cramp, and even help with blood flow.

The uses of rosemary are numerous and I know I missed some. Do you know of any other great uses?

Trust the FDA?

The Food & Drug Association in the United States is an organization designed to keep harmful ingredients out of our food and drinks. But do you really trust them? They recently approved Brominated Vegetable Oil for use in America. This substance is used in 10% of all US soft drinks to help food dye to stick to the liquid it’s in. But the problem is that it is linked to serious organ damage. It is the same substance used for cleaning pools. In fact, it is toxic enough that it has been banned in over 100 countries. But yet the FDA has approved it here in America.

In other words, just because the FDA has approved it, does not necessarily make any ingredient “safe”. The most important filter to what goes into your body is you. Know what you are eating or drinking because it could save you many problems down the road.

Interested in hearing more about this topic? Check out these links:

Brominated Vegetable Oil:

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goo.gl/jqrFGn

FDA Oversights:

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Spring Outside!

With spring just around the corner, many people are starting to go outside and enjoy the warmer temperatures, and why shouldn't they? In fact health experts claim that spending more time outside helps you both physically and mentally.

Exercise

Being outside encourages positive exercise habits that help you maintain an active lifestyle which, as everyone knows, helps you stay in shape, and on the move. A body in motion tends to stay in motion. Get outside and exercise.

Sunshine

Health experts agree that people who spend more time out in the sunshine tend to be happier than those who don't. It is important for your mental health to get a healthy dose of sunshine. Also, being in the sunlight is an excellent source of Vitamin D, a necessity for a healthier lifestyle.

Focus

Outdoor activity has been proven to help maintain focus and concentration, especially for those diagnosed with ADHD. And while it may not be the perfect resolution, it sure can't hurt by any means!

Healing

Many studies show a direct link to spending time outdoors to the faster and more effective healing of injuries, wounds, and even recovering from surgeries. That time exposed to the outdoor air and sunlight can make a world of a difference.

So, this spring, make it a priority to spend that extra time outdoors when you can. The benefits will be worth it!

Healthy tips for a long winter.

For many of us, winter has lasted much longer this year, and the amount of winter storms has us aching for the spring to come. Often times, after a long winter, we have a difficult time staying in shape, as we tend to do only half the exercise as we would do during the summer. Here are a couple of simple tips to keep in mind to help you stay in shape, even though this winter seems endless.

1. Eat right. During winter, produce isn't always as fresh as we would like, and often then, we tend to move towards more meats during the winter season. But meats alone, although important to your diet, isn't very healthy. Try adding a few veggies on the side. While fruits may be better for the summer, you know what they say: an apple a day keeps the doctor away! Try some fruits and veggies from your local organic vendor.

2. Exercise anyway. Nobody wants to go outside when its 20 degrees outside. How about try something different? Try joining a gym. A gym membership is usually inexpensive and a great idea to stay in shape. 30 minutes a day of exercise will make a world of a difference. Ladies, go to the shopping mall with some friends and walk up and down the mall for a while. Men, how about walking around that bass pro shop a couple times?

3. Look at the bright side. Many times when March comes around and spring still isn't here, we tend to get gloomy. But have you ever stopped to think about how the morning after a snowstorm the snow sparkles in the sunlight? When was the last time you were grateful for even the sunshine? Sure it way be cold, and snowy, but think of the memories you had in the snow as a kid, think on the bright side, and your whole attitude will be refreshed and renewed, and you will feel more motivated to do what you need to do.

4. Lose the caffeine. It can be so tempting to want to pick up a hot cup of coffee to wake you up for the day. And once in a while, that's okay. But to make a habit of it is unhealthy, and very addicting. Eating right, especially fruits and veggies help provide your body with natural energy without the crash later on. Making the decision to eat healthier and skip the caffeine is easy, but just as easy not to do.

Chicken Marinara Quesadilla

Looking to start cooking a great dinner for your family? Here is a great healthy recipe that your whole family will love and is easy to make.

Ingredients:
2 flour tortilla shells
4 tablespoons marinara sauce
16 ounces (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup green and/or red pepper
1/4 cup black olives
1 cup baked or grilled boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons basil leaves

Directions:
Lay out one flour tortilla shell and use spread 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce across the shell leaving a thin border around the edge without sauce. Parmesan and Romano marinara sauce is really good but any marinara sauce will do. Pour 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire tortilla with a slightly higher concentration around the edge of the tortilla. Chop your onions, peppers, chicken, black olive and any other toppings you prefer into small bite size pieces. Leaving a thin border around the edge, scatter your chopped toppings across the tortilla. Lightly shake about 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning over the top of the tortilla, and approximately 2 tablespoons of basil leaves. Gently scatter 1 cup of your shredded mozzarella cheese over the tortilla. Lay out your second tortilla shell, and lightly spread about 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce across the shell, leaving a thin border untouched. Carefully place the second tortilla, sauce side down, on top of the first tortilla. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray your baking pan with butter (Pam). Place the tortilla on the pan and let bake for 13-15 minutes. Carefully remove the pan, and flip the tortilla over. Continue baking for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese has fully melted and tortilla shell is golden brown. Remove, cut, and serve!