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PURE FOODS n' VIMALA'S KITCHEN

 

 

 

 
HOW TO READ USDA ORGANIC LABELS

October 21, 2002 marked the first day that organic farmers and processors began to use the new USDA seal. Use of the seal is voluntary, but US regulations do establish requirements for the use of the word organic on food and other agricultural products Those regulations result in labeling changes as organic food products still on the shelves are used up. Requirements include verification from a certification agency as meeting or exceeding USDA standards.  Farmers who gross less than $5000 from organic products and sell direct to consumers or retailers are exempt from the certification requirement. Those farmers may call their product organic, but they can't use the new USDA seal.

As promised by USDA, the regulations:

  • prohibit the use of irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms in organic production;
  • reflect NOSB recommendations concerning items on the national list of allowed synthetic and prohibited natural substances;
  • prohibit antibiotics in organic meat and poultry; and 
  • require 100% organic feed for organic livestock.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved four categories of organic labels, based on the percentage of organic content. The organic labels began to appear on store shelves on October 21, 2002:

1. 100 Percent Organic - may carry USDA Organic Seal

2. Organic - at least 95% of content is organic by weight (excluding water and salt) and may carry the USDA Organic Seal.

3. Made With Organic - at least 70% of content is organic and the front product panel may display the phrase "Made with Organic" followed by up to three specific ingredients. (May not display new USDA Organic seal)

4. Less than 70 % of content is organic and may list only those ingredients that are organic on the ingredient panel with no mention of organic on the main panel. (May not display new USDA Organic seal)

FOR NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING
 
I am available to help you get started on a better way to shop, prepare and eat good wholesome foods.  Better Health.
$320.00 Contract:
 Local 4 week service includes:
One day a week in your home.
             
Cleaning out your kitchen of unhealthy foods.
Preparing a menu and shopping list.
Teaching you to shop for whole foods.
Teaching you to prepare a meal.
Coaching you for the rest of your life if need be.
 
It's simple, just add me to your grocery budget.
 
Long Distance and By email Coaching:
$50 per week since I will not be traveling to your home personally, that's one longdistance phone call per week and/or a lengthy email per week.
 
Get in touch with me through my email address.
I am vimala@vimalaemanuel.com
 

Dear friend,

We finally have a president and first lady who share our values when it comes to sustainable, organic, small-scale agriculture.
But powerful pesticide lobbyists are lying in wait. Imagine, a pesticide trade association pressuring Michelle Obama to put chemicals on the White House organic garden!
We need to inundate MACA board members with negative feedback so that they (and other chemical industry trade groups) will think twice next time before mounting such a beyond-the-pale propaganda effort.
You can help by spreading the word to your friends and family. Just forward the sample letter below.

Spreading the word is critical, but please only pass this message along to those who know you -- spam hurts our campaign.

Thanks for all you do.

--The CREDO Action Team

Here's a sample message to send to your friends:

Subject: Tell Pesticide Peddlers: We support Michelle Obama's organic garden.

Dear Friend,

The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) has a bone to pick with Michelle Obama. MACA represents chemical companies that produce pesticides, and they are angry that - wait for it - Michelle Obama isn't using chemicals in her organic garden at the White House.

I am not making this up.

In an email they forwarded to their supporters, a MACA spokesman wrote, "While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made [us] shudder." MACA went on to publish a letter it had sent to the First Lady asking her to consider using chemicals -- or what they call "crop protection products" -- in her garden.

I just signed a petition telling MACA's board members to stop using Michelle Obama's garden to spread propaganda about produce needing to be sprayed with chemicals. I hope you will, too.

Please have a look and take action.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/wh_garden/?r_by=3454-1582087-c997_Wx&rc=confemail

Thanks!

Getting more goodness into your meals could be as easy as these two steps: Plan ahead, and eat at the dinner table.

If you’re like many people, you have no idea what you’re going to eat for dinner until you rummage around the kitchen at 5 p.m. But you’ll eat more fruit and veggies if you’re a planner. That’s exactly what happened in a recent study when women decided in advance what they were going to eat and shopped for meals ahead of time.

When a Plan Comes Together . . .
Planning was key to healthful eating. But it also helped if the women ate dinner at the table and enjoyed cooking. (Time for that cooking class?) So make a plan, hit the store, and stick with it! Bonus: Adding more fruits and veggies to your diet could help you lose those stubborn  pounds.

Please submit the Recipe that you would enjoying sharing all over the world, in many countries.

I APPRECIATE YOUR EMAILS.  THANK YOU SO MUCH.
 
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO SEND IN YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE TOO.

DEAREST READER,

Cholesterol Combination

 
The right combination of foods may be the key to tackling high cholesterol.

Incorporating plant-sterol margarine, almonds, and foods high in fiber (such as whole grains, bran, fruits, and veggies) and soy protein (such as soy milk, soybeans, and tofu) into your diet may result in a nice reduction of your LDL cholesterol. Measure the results by journaling your daily diet for 3 months and sharing it with your healthcare provider.

In a small study, researchers found that eating a diet high in plant sterols, soy protein, fiber, and almonds resulted in a reduction of LDL cholesterol. When the study participants were monitored at 3 months and at 1 year, researchers determined that the effectiveness of diet to lower cholesterol was similar to the effects of statin therapy, a common medication regimen used to manage high cholesterol. Keep in mind that although dietary modifications can be effective in lowering cholesterol, you should discuss all options, including medication, with your healthcare provider to determine your best course of treatment. Do not alter your prescribed treatment plan without consulting your doctor.

An elevation in cholesterol is dangerous because it can stick to the inside of artery walls, forming plaques and restricting blood flow. If plaque breaks away from the artery wall, a blood clot forms and may block blood flow, starving tissues of oxygen and nutrients. This leads to a heart attack or stroke. Controlling LDL cholesterol is one way to reduce your risk of these life-threatening events. Make sure your diet includes healthy doses of whole grains, fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables - all are good sources of fiber and plant sterols. In addition, reach toward the goal of exercising daily for at least 30 minutes.