Wednesday, May 15, 2013


What Makes It ORGANIC?


by Daisy Villa

I remember when a friend came over a few years ago to borrow some ketchup. Of course the bottle I gave her was organic. A week later she came over to give me a bottle of ketchup to replace the bottle I had given to her. She was really sincere when she told me she was replacing my organic bottle of ketchup with a bottle of “natural ketchup.” I did not say anything to my friend, but I remember that day well. Since I am now an organic vegetarian I would like to clarify what is and what is not organic.

Knowing how to read labels and understanding terminology is extremely important.

As the demand for organic products increases, many companies are turning to foreign markets. So far the demand cannot be solely met by American farmers.

I would like to warn you that those foods that are marketed “imported organic” may fall short and pose hidden risks for the American consumer. Organic products from other countries do not necessarily follow the required American guidelines. Some countries have nonexistent environmental laws, virtually no organic definitions, and have substandard labor laws and practices.

Ultimately, the question of organic centers not only on pesticides, but also agricultural practices. Organic products are so vast that I am going to focus on organic foods.

Foods labeled “free range,” “cage free” or “all natural” do not necessarily meet the definition of organic. Products labeled organic and 100% organic must meet the following standards:

ORGANIC: These foods can display the USDA Organic seal. They exclude water and salt and at least 95% of content is organic by weight. The remaining ingredients must consist of National List-approved non-agricultural substances or non-organically produced agricultural produced products not commercially available in organic form.

100% ORGANIC: These foods can display the USDA Organic seal. They exclude salt and water. These products must contain only organically produced ingredients.

MADE WITH ORGANIC: These foods cannot display the USDA Organic seal. They should be at least 70 percent organic in content. The front of the product can display “Made with Organic.” This is followed by up to three specific organic ingredients.

CONTENT IS LESS THAN 70% ORGANIC: These foods cannot display the USDA Organic seal. They are only allowed to list the organic ingredients on the ingredient panel. They cannot mention the word organic on the main or front panel.

Fresh produce have labels with a five digit number. Numbers starting with “9” indicate organic and numbers starting with “4” indicate that standard farming practices were used to grow the produce. Standard farming practices include the use of pesticides. If there is no label, you could very well be looking at GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) which are so toxic and dangerous. My recommendation to avoid GMOs is not to buy fast food and processed food. I also avoid corn and soy unless indicated as organic.

For many people, buying organic is not a simple issue. Principles such as animal welfare, local economy, environmental issues, labor and social concerns reflect one’s purchases in food and other products. I include myself in this group of people.

Besides food, I like purchasing products with as much organic content as possible  including bedding, clothing, towels, home cleaning products and skin care. I am expanding to water not only purified but alkaline water which is a whole other article.
 
I am far from being the final word on the organic question. All I can do is my best, by continually reading, learning, researching and surrounding myself with like-minded people and supporting people and organizations that are concerned with health, wellness and the environment.

Doing your best, is all you can do. Are you doing your best?
            
           
               Non Organic Label                                 Organic Label


Friday, May 10, 2013

Essential Oils in The Bible


by Daisy Villa

As we all know, during ancient Biblical times, there were no antibiotics or other drugs. Essential oils were mankind’s first medicine. Written in Chinese manuscripts and Egyptian hieroglyphics, physicians have been using essential oils for thousands of years for embalming, cleansing of the body both physically and emotionally and for bathing purposes.

Essential oils are the volatile liquids distilled from plant parts such as bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit and seeds. Producing the purest of oils can be very costly. It may require several hundred pounds or even several thousand pounds of plant material to extract one pound of a pure essential oil.

Today the vast majority of oils are being purchased and used in the perfume industry. But essential oils in a pure and therapeutic grade have many benefits:

* Essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous, ant-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-infectious, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and antiseptic.

* Essential oils help transport nutrients to starting human cells

* Essential oils may detoxify the cell and blood in the body

* Essential oils have a bio-electrical frequency that is several times greater than the frequency of food, herbs and even the human body.

* Essential oils are the oxygenating, immune defense, and have regenerating properties of plants.

* Some essential oils are so small in molecular size that they can quickly penetrate the tissue of the skin.

* Essential oils are very powerful antioxidants that create an unfriendly environment for free radicals.

* Essential oils contain sesquiterpenes which pass the blood brain barrier. This enables them to be effective in alzheimers disease.

* Essential oils are aromatic and when diffused, provide air purification of metallic particles, toxins and odors, and inhibit bacterial growth.

There are 188 references to essential oils in the Bible. The 14 principal oils of the Bible are listed below in the order of the most frequently mentioned: Myrrh, Frankincense, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Cassia, Calamus, Galbanum, Onycha, Spikenard (nard), Hyssop, Myrtle, Sandalwood (aloes), Cypress and Rose of Sharon.

Frankincense and Myrrh are the best known essential oils in the Bible because they were gifts for the Baby Jesus from two of the Three Kings or Wise Men.

Frankincense has a sweet, warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Useful for visualizing, improving one’s spiritual connection and centering, it has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcomes stress and despair.

Frankincense is considered the holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousand of years More recently it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research.

Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks.

Myrrh has a rich, smoky, balsamic aroma that is purifying, restorative, revitalizing and uplifting. It is a helpful aid to meditation, having one of the highest levels of sesquiterpenes available. Sesquiterpenes are a class of compounds that have a direct effect on the hypothalamus, pituitary and amygdala, the seat of our emotions.

Myrrh is referenced throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Arabian people believed it helped wrinkled, chapped and cracked skin. Today Myrrh is widely used in oral hygiene products.


During Biblical times, essential oils were used for anointing. In Exodus, the Lord gave the following recipe to Moses for an anointing oil:

Myrrh: Approximately 1 gallon

Sweet Cinnamon: Approximately fi gallon

Sweet Calamus: Approximately fi gallon

Cassia: Approximately 1 gallon

Olive Oil: Approximately 1 1/3 gallons

Essential oils are the life-enhancing gifts from the plant kingdom revered for centuries for their restorative properties to mind, body and spirit. May we always be mindful of the treasure of knowledge found in the Bible.