Louise Forrest


In this day and age we are becoming more and more obsessed with organic products. Organic food is all the rage, and now organic beauty products are also taking a center stage. So just how good are these products for us? Are they really that much different from ordinary products?

The Benefits of Organic Skin Care

With so many chemicals in ordinary skin care products, it is shocking to think that we plaster our skin with creams and lotions every single day, yet we do not know what is in them. We have an amazing sense of trust in the manufacturers of skin care products, yet it seems that we are really being let down in a big way!

Ordinary products contain chemicals such as alcohol and lead. Alcohol is extremely drying on the skin and it can cause all kinds of problems, yet we spread it onto the skin without much thought. However, some people are seeing the light and more and more of us are turning to the benefits of natural products. Below are a few benefits of using organic products over ordinary, chemical-packed ones:

Gentle Enough For Even Sensitive Skin

As organic products are made form natural ingredients, they are often really good for people who suffer from sensitive skin. However, there are some natural chemicals included in organic products so you should always see if you are allergic to any of the ingredients before trying them.

What You See is What You Get

With organic products you know exactly what you are getting. There are no hidden downsides and you can rest assured that you are using the best ingredients for your skin.

They Do Not Always Have to be More Expensive

Although organic products are generally more expensive than ordinary ones, as they mainly use natural ingredients, it is possible to create some of your own recipes. This is not really expensive, and you are getting the bets of both worlds as you get to try out natural products, and you know exactly what is going into them.

Homemade Organic Skin Care

All you sometimes need to make your own organic skin care products is to open your kitchen cupboard. There are plenty of ingredients there which can help to give you beautiful, glowing skin the natural way!

For example, baking soda is great rubbed onto the skin once a week whilst you are in the shower. It can also be good to remove blackheads. If you have oily skin, fresh tomatoes are great for treating the oily areas of your face. However, some people may be allergic to the tomato juice, so always test on your arm before trying it on the face.

Vinegar is also another one of natures miracles. Apparently it works wonders on smelly armpits and feet. All you do is mix 50% of vinegar and 50% water, and use instead of your ordinary deodorant. Vinegar is also good for athletes foot and if you give your feet a vinegar bath every day for a week, the condition usually clears up pretty well.

If you fancy making your own face mask, mixing egg yolk with honey often makes a good one. Simply leave it on the skin for 20 minutes and then rinse it off. This is great for people with sensitive skin, though the honey can cause a tingling sensation. If this happens to you it is possible to use only the egg yolk.

Overall, home made organic skin care products may be a little messier sometimes and they may not smell as nice as ordinary products, but at least you know what you are getting. Your skin really will love you for it, and your purse will too!



Elissa

Davinos Greeno


A key point to add at this stage is the difference between organically grown grapes – fruit from vineyards grown without the use of industrial fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides – and wines made without synthetic preservative additives.

Organic Vineyards – Where it all begins!

An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals. This prevents damage to soil and ensures that no chemicals end up in the wine as residue. Organic farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix nitrogen from the air. In the vineyard it means planting cover crops between the avenues of the vines instead of applying herbicide. Naturally occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with the use of mechanical and hand hoes. Biodiversity is promoted through the plants, which help regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites.

The Role of Certification and the Organic Market

When a label says organic, it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency. Different nations have their own certification criteria, so whats organic in one country may not be so in another. In the UK the Soil Association is the most recognized and used certification body.

Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified. There are many reasons for this. Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering. Others may disagree with their governments standards. Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use organic on their labels.

There is a national government target for 30 per cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food consumed to be organic by 2010. The UK grocery market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA 634.7$ billion. This growth in the organic food market will have a knock on effect on the drinks industry and will meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for organic wine, which is better for drinkers and better for the environment.

Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic

In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in Australia and New Zealand. To combat this The European Union (EU) offers financial support to organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to convert to organic production and help the sector grow. These grants provide farmers with assistance during the period of conversion to organic farming which usually takes three years.

Organic spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers. The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production. The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials. Organic beers tend to use organic hops in production. Organic beer is now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets throughout the UK.

Fancy visiting an organic vineyard?

If you are into Organic wine why not visit Englands Premier organic vineyard. In addition to processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting.

To buy organic wine or to read more organic related articles go to the Organic Directory in GuideMeGreen.com

Visit Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard



Emma

Dave Kettner


Many people know about the benefits of eating organic fruit and vegetables. However, not many people regularly eat organic food. The biggest disincentive is usually the price. Organic veggies are invariably a lot more expensive at the local supermarket. The good news is that anybody with even a modest vegetable garden can grow healthy organic vegetables for a much lower cost than they would buy off the shelf.

Nevertheless, some people avoid growing their own vegetables because they are running short on space, time and the know-how to tend a successful veggie patch. However, organic gardening isn’t as difficult as many people think.

Mulching is one of the main secrets. The regular incorporation of old organic matter helps keep the soil functioning well. Mulching helps the soil retain moisture, suppresses weeds, reduces temperature fluctuations, and can prevent soil crusting. Many organic gardeners find that plant disease problems decline as the health of the soil improves.

Of course, the main reason for growing organically is to avoid the use of chemicals and commercially produced fertilizers and pesticides. Again, this helps to maintain a healthy soil across numerous growing seasons. More importantly, you can be sure that the food your family is eating is free of pesticides and herbicides. While avoiding synthetic chemicals, many organic gardeners approve of and use sprays and other preparations containing naturally occurring materials. Other pest control methods include the use of mechanical devices such as traps. Another favorite is to encourage other animals, which like to eat the pests, to the garden.

For city dwellers who have more enthusiasm than space, container gardening may be the answer. Many herbs and vegetables can be grown quite successfully in containers. These include carrots, radishes and lettuce, as well as crops that bear fruit over a long period of time, such as tomatoes and peppers. No matter what you grow it is important to remember that drainage is extremely important. Another possibility if space is at a premium is to grow herbs and vegetables amongst your flower garden.

You never know, if the prices of organic produce remains high and concerns about food safety grow you might be able to convert that backyard vegetable patch into an income earner as well. For those less entrepreneurial, there is the opportunity to work on projects, such as neighborhood food growing, in order to benefit the whole community. At the very least, home grown vegetables definitely taste better.



Roy

Sharon Bell


The next time somebody splats tomato on your face, just pretend you’re at the Tomatina festival in Spain and welcome it. The antioxidant properties of tomato that work inside the body can also do wonders outside.

The use of tomato for skin care is ideal because of its cooling and astringent properties. It is rich in vitamin C making it helpful for skin imperfections and brightens dull skin. It also contains vitamin A needed for building healthy skin. The naturally acidic properties of tomato balance the skin while ridding it of excessive oil. The antioxidants in tomatoes are free radical fighters. The best ones to use are organic or home grown tomatoes. That’s skin care right out of your garden or kitchen. Here are some tomato solutions to pamper your skin:

Tomato and Lime Pore Reducer

Combine one tablespoon of fresh tomato juice with 2 – 4 drops of fresh lime juice. Apply the mixture with a cotton ball, and let it work on reducing your pores for about 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid to cool water to shrink pores even further, and moisturize.

Tomato Pulp Acne Treatment

Try this treatment for persistent acne that needs more than a 15-minute fix. Mash a fresh tomato and apply the pulp liberally to your face. Relax with the tomato on your face for an hour. Rinse with tepid water. Use this treatment everyday for at least a week for best results.

Tomato and Avocado Cleansing Mask

This mask is good for people with combination skin because it combines the astringent, blackhead removing and oil reducing properties of tomato with the antiseptic and hydrating properties of avocado. The mask also contains vitamins A, C and E and has a soothing and cooling feel. To make the mask, mash one small tomato and one small avocado. Mix them together well, and smooth the mixture on your face. Rinse after 20 to 30 minutes with tepid water.

In case you don’t have the time or the patience for this, there are a lot of over-the-counter solutions out there that can be just as effective without these messy preparations. Thanks to continuous developments in the field of anti-aging research, products like Rejuvinol have been formulated to protect the skin from the sun’s damaging rays. This keeps your skin protected from oxidation and environmental damage. Check out www.rejuvinol.com for more details.



Jenny

Davinos Greeno


Organic food is expensive

Unfortunately, at the moment retailers are charging artificially high prices. I was in Tesco last week which is a rare occurrence as I shop locally where possible, and I nearly died when I saw the prices being charged for organic yogurt and eggs compared to the non-organic brands. I understand that we have to pay more for organic produce because there are more crop failures due to the fact that the farmers cannot use pesticides, but what is an acceptable percentage and does this vary from product to product.

Should organic fish be 10 percent more expensive than non organic fish and vegetables 20 per cent etc? If we have to pay more for crop failures how does this work with processed food that uses less fresh ingredients and higher volumes? Should we still have to pay a premium or are they just jumping on the band wagon and making us pay higher prices? At the moment most organic items are too highly priced to be affordable to most people. Furthermore, many argue that there is not enough evidence that supports the benefits of eating organic food to warrant the additional cost. For example its difficult to quantify; can organic potatoes be 10% better for us, should we then pay an extra 10% on the price? or are we paying for a lifestyle choice? Is this not the same as any branded clothes, toiletries, cars? We could buy cheaper clothes, toiletires or cars as they all do the same as dearer branded ones yet we choose them because it makes us feel better and due to peer pressure and advertising.

Organic Food Safety and Benefits

There is evidence that organic farms are more sustainable and environmentally sound, among other benefits. These claims, however, are subject to dispute and are not settled among scientists.

Another contentious issue surrounding organic produce is the fact that nearly 70 per cent of produce sold in UK supermarkets is imported, generating thousands of food miles to get to its destination and causing damage to the environment.

Often organic food produced in England is sent from one side of the country to the distribution warehouse at the other side, only to be sent back again to the Supermarket. One supermarket has been run a pilot where the farmer and his tractor deliver the organic produce to the supermarket direct. Now that is progress!

Non organic food does contain pesticides of varying amount. Many toxicologists and scientists consider the amount to be so low as to have no effect on the consumer. For example, have you fallen ill the past due to the chemicals in your food? I doubt it! Only those that have an allergic reaction or eat vast quantities of the same food may do so. Food is not allowed to be sold by law that is unsafe.

In todays society, it is virtually impossible to grow produce pestivide free and even organically grown foods do not claim to be completely free of chemical residues. Presticides are carried in the air and rivers. Non GM crops around the world have been found to contain Genetically Modified seedlings as these have been carried in the air from GM farms miles away.

Organic food has “sold out”

Organic food began as a small movement decades ago with gardeners and farmers rejecting the use of conventional non organic practices. With the growth of the Organic food market now outpacing much of the food industry many big companies have moved into this market. With these large often multi national companies, and with the creation of a legal certification framework such as the Soil Assocaiton, there is worry that the very definition of organic food will change from what it used to be and become just another mass produced brand which will over time be replaced by another emerging sector.

For example, Heinz is producing an organic version of baked beans and has different ingredients and packaging, it uses 100% certified organic vine-ripened tomatoes. The label will also reflect an organic quality–with Heinz traditional red label replaced with a green version. Another difference: the organic version will cost about 50% more than regular Heinz. Does certified organic vine-ripened tomatoes cost 50 percent more to buy when bought in bulk, I doubt it!

By keeping it small are we not keeping it beautiful and under control?

A final thought…… Organic is more than just a brand, its a way of life!



Jeff

Louise Forrest


This collection of homemade organic facial masks is sure to please. Note that citrus ingredients are better for taming oily skin and that you can always substitute another fruit in place of a citrus fruit if you have dry skin.

Bananas are best for dry skin, but you may find that substituting an apple may work better in certain recipes (like the citrus delight mask). Remember to always use organic ingredients so that your skin is not absorbing more chemical toxins.

The Citrus Delight Mask

This mask for oily skin is a luxury in exfoliation, scent, and moisture; a true skin treat and quite tasty, too. Because of the way the natural chemicals in the foods work together, this mask should be mixed just before use. Attempts at storage greatly reduce its effectiveness. Mix your lemon and cream cheese and apply liberally to a clean face, staying away from your eyes. Lie back and relax for 15 minutes, rinse well with warm water.

Ingredients

1 organic lemon, peeled, seeded, and mashed

3 ounces organic cream cheese, softened

The Herbal Honey Mask

This mask delivers essential nutrients as well as infusing your skin with moisture. Mix the following ingredients well and use immediately after use for optimal effects. This mixture can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 10 hours. Apply to a clean face (away from eyes) and let sit for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water. Although the mask is edible, it does not taste good!

Ingredients

Leaves from 2 small bunches fresh organic parsley (cleaned and chopped extremely fine)

2 tablespoons organic honey

3 drops organic lavender essential oil (may be a scent of your choice)

1/2 teaspoon 5000 IU Vitamin E oil

1/4 cup organic yogurt

The Hydration Mask

This is a quickly made 2 step mask that is excellent for dry skin. Mix ingredients and apply to clean face (away from eyes). Let sit for 15 minutes and remove with warm water.

Ingredients

Your favorite organic cream moisturizer

1 or 2 tablespoons organic honey

The Mean Green Mask

The skin softening effects of avocado have been known for centuries. This is an easy, inexpensive mask you can make which combines benefits of two of nature’s best kept skin secrets. Mash the avocado and honey together immediately before use as this mask does not do well with storage. Apply to a clean face (away from eyes), allowing it to sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Ingredients

1 large ripe organic avocado, peeled and sliced

1 1/2 tablespoons organic honey

The Pore Stomping Mask

A little known secret is that tomatoes are excellent pore reducers. This trick should not be used if you have allergies to tomatoes. Peel a tomato and mash well. Apply to a clean face (away from eyes) and let sit for 15 minutes. Cleanse as usual.

Ingredients

One small/medium tomato

The Secret Banana Mask

Bananas and cream make this mask one of the most nourishing and hydrating masks you can use. Bananas hoard away tons of great things for your skin, especially for dry and/or aging skin. For use as an anti aging organic skin care, this mask should be applied 3 to 4 times per week.

Mix all ingredients immediately before use. You want the mixture to be a very thick cream. If it seems too runny, add a bit more oat flour. Apply to a clean face and allow mask to sit for 25 to 30 minutes.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fresh organic cream (heavy)

1 organic banana

1 1/2 tablespoons organic honey

1 1/2 tablespoons organic oat flour

The Very Berry Mask

This incredibly fresh mask is sheer organic temptation for your skin. The raspberries’ natural acids refresh and invigorate your skin to give you a beautiful, healthy glow. Blend all of the ingredients except oat flour on high for 30 seconds, pour into bowl and add oat flour to firm the mixture (it should be a very thick cream). Apply to a clean face (away from eyes) immediately after mixing, allow the mask to set for 30 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons organic cream (heavy)

2 tablespoons organic honey

2 table spoons organic oat flour

4 drops organic lavender essential oil

1/2 cup organic raspberries



Edgar

Joan Barton


ertified products have labels proving their worthiness, if a business wishes to be organic certified, it has to first meet the standards of their country for organic certification. The farmer/producer needs to qualify for certification and there are certain steps that must be taken, the farm is put under scrutiny, a.They keep strict records b.Soil and water samples are taken c. Plant growing schedule for the next year must be submitted d.An inspection is carried out each year e.They must also comply with rules saying they will use organic suppliers f.The certification process is paid for by the applicant on their way to being Organic certified.

This shows that not just any one can qualify as organic with the strict regulations and inspections, the authenticity of the organic certified is assured. There are several organic certifying labels, international, European and Australian ones, the USA has its own organic certified standards, there are labels from states and individual producers too, basically, they all mean the same thing the term organic generally means, free from artificial chemical, fertilizes, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, and genetically modified organisms. These unnatural substances will end up in the water and/or soil, infusing their contaminant affect upon more plants and animals this is why soil and water samples are provided on organic farms requiring organic certified status. Organic can also mean the producer/farmer is more likely to follow fair trade and other environmentally friendly practices, but not required.

There all kinds of organic certified produce, from cleaning supplies to clothing and food.

Organic Food – The number of people buying organic food is on the rise, organic certified produce is better for your health and the environment. It is worth a little extra expense, to ensure you are not filling your body with contaminates here is the food “dirty dozen” that contain the highest levels of pesticides and other contaminants;

1. Meat

2.Milk

3.Coffee

4.Peaches

5. Apples/nectarines

6.Sweet Bell Peppers

7.Celery

9.Strawberries

10.Lettuce

11.Grapes

12.Potatoes/Tomatoes.

If going organic is too expensive at least avoid the foods in that list.

Organic clothes – Organic clothes play an important role in the environment as they are required to comply with the same strict rules that apply to organic food producers. There are some wonderful materials available including organic hemp and bamboo, these sustainable crops also are more environmentally friendly, as they require less chemicals and cause little water pollution when being manufactured. Most often, these garments are being produced within fair trade standards, Just look for the label showing it’s organic certified. The overuse of antibiotics on farm animals decreases the effectiveness on humans these same animals are most likely to receive growth hormones and feed that could contain pesticides, the same is true for chickens and their eggs, also of course, cows milk. People who continually eat food containing in pesticides are at higher risk of suffering from health issues such as cancer, or nervous system damage, depending on a few variable factors. Children are of particular concern as their immune systems and organs are developing making them quite susceptible to the harm of none organic items, they can quite easily become affected by the unnatural substances put into growing crops and animals, it makes sense to buy organic baby food cloths and diapers. With all this in mind it would seem to be logical to check for the items being organic certified.



Regina

Alison White


Is red wine beneficial for health or a potent poison? In the old times Plato said that “nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the Gods to man.” Nowadays research suggests that a glass of red wine each day may be providing you with more than just a little relaxation.

The French seem to know something about the health benefits of red wine considering that studies that compared French and German red wines, revealed that the French red wines delivered a greater health benefit due to their higher level of antioxidants. Experts believe that red wine contains certain compounds that help protect the heart. This has opened the door for other researchers to study the components in red wine that may be responsible for its health benefits.

In the last 10 years, thousands of research on red wine showed that moderate intake of this drink improves cardiovascular health. The cardio protective effect has been attributed to antioxidants present in the skin and seeds of red grapes.

Based on the research experts advise that the antioxidants, called flavonoids, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in three ways: by reducing production of low density lipoprotein (the “bad” cholesterol), by boosting high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good cholesterol) and by reducing blood clotting.

Furthermore researchers have found that moderate red wine consumption may be beneficial to more than just your heart. One study found that the antioxidant resveratrol, which is prevalent in the skin of red grapes, may inhibit tumour development in some cancers. Another study indicated that resveratrol aided in the formation of nerve cells, which experts believe may be helpful in the treatment of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The most recent studies on red wine presented at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting, in Orlando, Florida by the Canadians show that Red wine polyphenols may help fight gum disease. V. Houde, M. Boisvert and their colleagues from University Laval in Canada investigated the role of polyphenols, including those from red wine, in scavenging free radicals released by immune cells stimulated with components of bacteria causing periodontal diseases. Free radicals are believed to be at least partly responsible for the development of gum disease and are generated by immune cells during periodontitis. In order to have healthy gums it is important to that free radicals are maintained at low levels. Their results indicated that red wine polyphenols significantly modulate several inflammatory components released by macrophages (a population of host immune cells) in response to bacterial stimuli.

Visit Vintage Roots for organic wines.



Kylie