Incorporating natural sweeteners instead of white sugar

To incorporate a liquid sweetener such as honey or agave nectar into your recipe instead of white sugar, use about 3/4 of the recipe's original sweetener quantity.


source: Clean eating, July/August 2009

Fair Trade day is May 9th, 2009 (click to go to wtfd.org)

“Getting money is not all a man’s business; to cultivate kindness is a valuable part of business life”. Samuel Jackson

What is “Fair Trade”?

I started thinking and wondering what “Fair Trade” was when I started shopping at Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s. There I saw many items that were labeled “Fair Trade”. I was looking for a good organic coffee and came across Dean’s Bean’s coffee.
I have to say that this is the best coffee I’ve ever had. It tastes just as good as its awesome aroma and this, in my book, is hard to find when it comes to coffee. Dean’s Bean’s coffee is organic and fair trade and this started my quest for the definition of fair trade. This is some what I found:

Fair trade means “an equitable and fair partnership between consumers in North America and producers in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean”.

The Fair Trade’s principles include the following;

• Producers receive a fair price, a living wage. Farmer groups are guaranteed minimum floor price and an additional premium for organic products.
• Forced labor and forced child labor are not allowed
• Buyers and producers trade under direct and long term relationships eliminating the middleman and empowering farmers to develop business to compete in the global marketplace.
• Producers have access to financial technical assistance
• Sustainable production techniques are encouraged. Environmentally sustainable farming methods are favored which protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems.
• Working conditions are healthy and safe.
• Equal opportunities are provided for all

Fair trade helps farmers provide for their families basic needs and invest in community development such as scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings and organic certification.
In the USA, Transfair USA places the “Fair Trade Certified” label on fair trade products. Fair trades certification insures that the workers are paid fair wages, are free from abusive labor practices and use environmentally sustainable methods.

Fair Trade focuses on a wide variety of goods but most notably, handcrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, chocolate and flowers.

I now choose differently when there is a choice between the same type of product and one is fair trade and one isn’t. I personally feel that there is more to business than just getting money as Samuel Jackson so eloquently phrased it. I don’t always feel I have the opportunity to “give back” to the world so buying fair trade products is one of the ways I do… Let’s play fair ;)

Organic: What does that really mean?

Organic: What does that really mean?

Eating healthy is very important to me. So when it comes to shopping for food I try to choose high quality whole foods. This includes organic food. Organic food is a bit pricier than conventional grown or raised food so should I really spend the extra money?

Well, here is some information for any of you, like me, who just wants to know what I’m buying and what organic really means.

• “100% organic” food must carry the green and white “USDA organic seal”. These are usually whole foods such as fruits and vegetables.
• “Organic” foods must contain 95% of organic ingredients and the rest of the ingredients come from a list of allowable ingredients. “Organic” foods also carry the green and white USDA seal.. These foods are often whole frozen or canned foods.
• “Made with organic ingredients” are at least 70% organic. These foods can not carry the USDA seal. These foods may be any type of processed or packaged food.

In 2002 the US Department of Agriculture implemented standards for American farmers and manufacturers and to be organic foods must be:

1. Grown or produced with out chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
2. Livestock with out the use of antibiotics or growth hormones
3. Can not be genetically modified, irradiated or cloned.
4. Livestock must be raised with outdoor access and fed organic feed.

Before a product can be labeled “organic” an inspector visits the farm or manufacturer where the food is produced to make sure they meet the guidelines.

There are federal laws in place that will fine manufacturers and farmers up to $10,000.00 for each violation of selling or labeling food that is not organic or food that is contaminated with non organic compounds.

Some farmers may practice organic standards and guidelines but choose to avoid the red tape of getting certified.

Is organic food better for you? Researchers at the University of California at Davis have found higher nutrients in organic kiwi, corn, tomatoes and strawberries grown side by side with conventional.

I buy organic whenever possible especially when it comes to the “Dirty Dozen”. These foods, according the Environmental Working Group, have the highest level of pesticides when bought conventional. These foods are the following (in order from highest pesticide level to lowest): Peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, grapes (imported), carrots, and pears. I also buy organic meats because I think they taste better.

So the choice is yours. It’s good to have choices and it’s also good to get educated on what you put into and on your body. Stay healthy and happy!

Sources: Cooking Light April 2009

www.whfoods.com/organics.php

www.EWG.org