Health Benefits of Organic Agave

Agave is a perennial plant, classified under the monocots. Chiefly Mexican, agaves are also native to the southern and western United States and central and tropical South America. They are succulents with a large rosette of thick, fleshy leaves, each ending generally in a sharp point and with a spiny margin; the stout stem is usually short, the leaves apparently springing from the root. Along with plants from the related genus Yucca, various Agave species are popular ornamental plants.

ITS ORIGIN

Agave nectar (sometimes called agave syrup) is most often produced from the Blue Agaves that flourish in the volcanic soils of Southern Mexico. Agaves are large, spikey plants that resemble cactus or yuccas in both form and habitat, but they are actually similar to the familiar Aloe Vera.

Agaves come in many sizes and colors. There are over 100 species. Due to the Blue Agave’s high carbohydrate content (which results in a high percentage of fructose in the final nectar), Blue Agave is the preferred species for producing nectar. Though there are other species used to produce agave nectars, such as the Maguey Agave, the premium nectars are produced from 100% Weber Blue Agave.

ITS TASTE

The taste of agave nectar is analogous, though not identical, to honey. Many people who do not like the taste of honey find agave a more palatable choice. It also has none of the bitter aftertaste associated with artificial sweeteners.

WHY AGAVE OVER OTHER SWEETENERS

It can be a challenge for even experienced cooks to substitute artificial sweeteners for sugars without compromising food quality or palatability. An artificial sweetener may be suitable for reducing the caloric content and glycemic index of a dish, but they lose their usefulness in many other culinary applications where a sugar is needed for more than its ability to sweeten.

Organic Ginger And Its Health Benefits

Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family: Zingiberaceae.

Ginger is native to southern China, from where it is spread to the Spice Islands and other parts of Asia, and subsequently to West Africa and to the Caribbean. Ginger appeared in Europe, via India, in the 1st century CE as a result of the lucrative spice trade.

Ginger is a herb that is used as a spice and also for its remedial qualities. The underground stem (rhizome) can be used fresh, powdered, dried, or as an oil or juice.

Organic Cosmetics

The human skin wraps and protects our bodies. It comprises a living, dynamic tissue system. It has the extraordinary ability to absorb applied products, partially or completely, into the bloodstream. In fact, up to 60% of the products we use on our skin are absorbed and deposited into the circulatory system. For instance, the average woman absorbs 30 pounds of the ingredients contained in moisturizers over sixty years.

These new understandings of how the skin functions reveal concerns about the possible long term effects due to the amalgamation of chemicals used in cosmetics, often termed the “chemical cocktail effect”. Several chemicals which are used in common, popular cosmetics are known irritants and carcinogens. Concern stems from the knowledge that most of these ingredients are derived synthetically or from petroleum. Avoiding these substances serve to decrease overall exposure to harmful or irritating cosmetic ingredients.

Ingredients to Avoid	Forms Found in Cosmetics and Possible Negative Side Effects
Aluminum	Thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease. Found in almost all antiperspirants. Works by blocking pores so sweat cannot be released by the skin.
Artificial colours	FD&C, derived from coal tar.For example, Azo dyes are a risk to asthmatics, eczema sufferers and people sensitive to aspirin. Causes hyperactivity in children, severe headaches, blurred vision and itchy/watery eyes and nose
DEA, MEA, TEA	Causes allergic reactions, irritating to eyes and dries out hair and skin
Fragrances	Can contain up to 200 undeclared substances (Fairley, 2001). Major cause, in addition to artificial colours, of skin irritations and allergies (Antczak, 2001). May cause dizziness, skin irritation and hyper-pigmentation

Ragi / Finger Millet – A healthy grain

Whoever coined the term “fast food” added a superfluous ‘s’ as it should have been “fat food”.

People today are becoming more and more health conscious. But secretly they love food. The same goes for me. I hate becoming fat, but just the idea of a pizza with melted cheese slowly coming into my mouth, makes me all blushy. But with a myriad of alternatives available like whole-wheat pizza base, or gluten-free pastas and skimmed milk among others, is becoming lesser and lesser unhealthy. They not only fulfill our satisfaction, but also have great nutritional factors like vitamins and minerals and are great for those weight watchers.

Ragi, an annual plant widely grown as a cereal in warm seasons, is an extensively used cereal in India. It is used in various dishes like porridge, ragi muddle, dosas etc.

Travel Tips for Health-Conscious Families

I’m sure most parents are concerned about keeping their families healthy. At home, my family and I have specific healthy activities that we engage in regularly. On vacation, it can be challenging to keep up with our healthy habits, but I’ve discovered a few tricks that help us all stay on track.

1. Drink the Water

I always make sure that my family stays properly hydrated. This is especially important on summer vacations that include activities in the hot sun. Drinking enough water can help you avoid certain heat-related issues such as heat stroke. Each member of my family has a personal, refillable water bottle to take along on trips. If we are planning an outing somewhere that might not have a reliable source of water, I’ll bring water in a cooler to take with us.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

When it comes to organic foods, it’s just as imperative to know what isn’t allowed and what is.  The organic standards are process-based, meaning they establish the rules for an entire system of farming that follows a product from its early stages on the farm all the way to retail.

The USDA organic regulations prohibit the use of GMOs, listing them as “excluded methods,” and defining those methods as “a variety of methods to genetically modify organisms or influence their growth and development by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes.

The New York Times published a story called, “It’s Organic, but Does That Mean It’s Safer?

The ‘USDA certified-organic’ standard was not developed to be a food safety label, but a label that confirms and verifies that the product is produced following organic protocols.

Fun Facts about Organic Foods

‘Organic’ is a rather odd name since all food is organic, meaning that it’s made from living things. But it seems to have stuck. Organic farming is called ‘biological farming’ in some countries. Then there’s biodynamic farming and permaculture. All these slightly different types or farming are sustainable which is the most important thing to remember. Confusing, isn’t it!

What’s so great about organic food?

IFOAM and its Organic Movements

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) regards any system that is based on the Principles of Organic Agriculture and uses organic methods, as ‘Organic Agriculture’ and any farmer practicing such a system as an ‘organic farmer’. This includes numerous forms of certified and non-certified Organic Agriculture. Guarantee Systems may be for instance third party certification, including group certification, as well as participatory guarantee systems.

Since 1972, IFOAM occupies an unimpeded position as the only international umbrella organization of the organic world, i.e. all stakeholders contributing to the organic vision. This allows IFOAM to unite, lead and assist the organic movement.

National Programme for Organic Production

In India, Agricultural Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA) under Ministry of Commerce is the controlling body for organic certification for export. Till date there are no domestic standards for organic produce within India. Currently 11 certification agencies have been sanctioned to undertake certification procedure under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). Although there is no system for monitoring the labeling of organic produce sold within India, this primarily affects the retail public. Commercial buyers for whom this is an issue have simply taken the export system as a de facto standard and are willing to pay premium prices for produce from growers certified under the NPOP. Internationally, equivalency negotiations are underway, and some agreements are already in place, to harmonize certification between countries, facilitating international trade. There are also international certification bodies, including members of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), and Ecocert. Where formal agreements do not exist between countries, organic product for export is often certified by agencies from the importing countries, which may establish permanent foreign offices for this purpose. In 2006, India’s organic certification process under NPOP has been granted equivalence with European Union. It has also been recognized for conformity assessment by USDA’s NOP.

Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)

The world is turning healthy. Yes, you heard that right. Isn’t that so good to hear? Eating healthy, going green, turning brown- all these phrases ring a bell in our heads. Can you imagine your skin glowing, no pimples, and hair soft and healthy? Wheeep, sounds awesome, right? THEN BUY ORGANIC!!!!!!

There is more than one reason why the organic movement is gaining its importance in the modern era. The first and foremost reason could be the letdown created by the conventional agriculture – undiscerning usage of chemicals causing air, water and soil pollution, health menaces, increase in pest and disease incidence, loss of crop diversity, untenable productivity and so on. On the other hand, lure towards organic foods started slowly by the health conscious urban community, which is visible among other section of our society. In addition, more number of farmers is showing inclination towards organic farming owing to remarkable efforts being taken up by both government and non-government organizations. All these happenings during the recent years helped in opening new walks for organic foods in the domestic as well as in international markets. General opinion among the consumers is that organic foods are nutritious, tasty, long shelf life and safe. In order to protect the demand and interests of the consumers the process of certification has become inescapable for organic consumer goods including organic foods, cosmetics, medicines, fabrics, etc. Already such initiatives are operating and there are different mechanisms, systems and agencies for certification of organic goods. PGS is one of these systems being initiated in different parts of the world, especially for small organic farmers who can produce organic foods for domestic market. In India PGS is being initiated by different organizations through OFAI and during 2011 PGS has seen launched by the Government of India, heralding its official recognition.