“Holistic Health means having
total wellness in your mind, body and spirit.”
Your mind, body and spirit work together to bring you “health wealth.”
They cannot truly be separated. When one part of your system is healed, the
other parts are positively affected as well. (Lumia-Hlistic-health.com)
Simply stated, Organic
produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides,
synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or
ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy
products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.(organic.com) Organic food
is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the
conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future
generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals
that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced
without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic
ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a
product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved inspector,
inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following
all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle
or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant
must be certified, too. (The USDA National Organic Program)
Molecular
engineers working in laboratories for Monsanto, the giant American biotech
company, are gene-splicing vegetable seedlings with poisonous pesticides and
herbicides so the plants are inherently protected from the insects and worms
that might damage them. The majority of products Americans eat daily contain
some form of GMO soy, corn, canola
(rapeseed) oil or cotton seed oil. Research shows that consuming the popular
herbicide/pesticide Roundup leads to the mutation of cells in the human body,
in turn fueling the development of malignant tumors and other various forms of
cancer. (Natural News)
Fair trade
is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help
producers in developing countries to make better trading conditions and promote
sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to
exporters as well as higher social and environmental standards. It focuses in
particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most
notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh
fruit, chocolate, flowers, and gold. (Wikipedia) The reality is that a lot of
the people who provide you with the food and crafts you take for granted live
in squalid conditions, with not enough to eat and unable to send their children
to school. And this affects mostly women and children. But, with fair trade,
they get a fair deal. They are paid a living wage in the context of their
country and are able to do the things that we take for granted here in the
Western world, like feed and educate their children. Buy fair trade as much as
you can…because it really DOES matter.
10 Green Living Tips:
1. A laptop uses just a quarter of the power
a desktop computer uses.
2. Using cold water can save up to 80% of
the energy required to wash clothes.
3. Vinegar (use white) is a natural cleaning
agent-use it to clean coffee makers, washing machines and more.
4. Refrigerators and freezers account for
one-sixth of a home’s energy use, so select energy efficient models when
purchasing replacements.
5. Plant an herb garden.
6. Stop using disposable bags-use reusable
bags for shopping.
7. Support your local economy and farmers
market.
8. Pay your bills online.
9. Create a homemade compost bin.
10. Subscribe to eco-friendly blogs: Keeper of
the Home, Kitchen Stewardship, Live Renewed, and of course, Simple Homemade.
315-264-5554
namaste
Beth
