Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Philippines: Agriculture Going Greener

BY CHARLES COLON

Oxford Business Group


The Philippines is looking to encourage the development of organic farming, seen as a niche agriculture sector ripe with opportunity for the country. With the proper support, organic farming could work to boost high-value agricultural exports as well as incomes in the agriculture sector, which currently employs more than 30% of the nation’s labor force.

On Nov. 8, President Benigno S. C. Aquino III announced that he had instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to direct 2% of its annual funding allocation to support programs and policies covering organic agriculture. With the department in line to receive $1.2 billion in the 2012 budget, organic food production is set to benefit to the tune of $24 million next year, local media has reported.

 
“I expect the DA to exert double efforts to craft and implement policies and programs to hasten the development of organic farming in the country under its National Organic Agriculture Program,” he said.

 
A deeper commitment to organic farming would help improve food security in the Philippines, as well as answer concerns over environmental damage and climate mitigation, Mr. Aquino said during an address at a conference on organic agriculture in Tarlac.
Government agencies and local government units are also expected to back organic production ventures so that the country can meet its domestic food requirements, as well as tap into the growing international market for chemical-free food commodities, the President told a local newspaper.

 
According to the secretary of agriculture, Proceso Alcala, while organic products currently cost more than their non-organic rivals, the current spread is in part due to economies of scale. Once a larger volume of organic foods comes onto the market, prices will fall to a more competitive level, he told a press briefing on Nov. 8.
“This is the future of Philippine agriculture,” Mr. Alcala said.
Although organic production may be seen as having significant developmental potential in the Philippines, efforts have thus far been moving somewhat slowly. While the Philippines already has legislation setting out the terms and conditions to assist organic farming, signed into law by Mr. Aquino’s predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in April last year, the final steps required to activate the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 have yet to be taken.
However, President Aquino has recently stated that the final rules needed to implement the legislation have been drafted, and that the law, along with the incentives it provides to stimulate organic farm production, would soon come into force.
The stated objective of the new law is to promote, commercialize and cultivate organic farming methods through the education of farmers and consumers, and to provide assistance to local government units, community bodies, nongovernmental organizations, and other parties involved in the agriculture sector.

 
The legislation also provides for incentives to be given to organic producers, including a seven-year income tax holiday for organic farmers. Additionally, the law allows for subsidies for certification fees and other support services to facilitate organic accreditation, as well as duty-free importation of agricultural equipment, machinery and implements, and support from the Land Bank of the Philippines.
The DA’s Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards will be charged with giving accreditation to organic-certifying bodies in various regions, and will also be responsible for employing them with the necessary accreditation rules and procedures. The department has already been active in supporting organic agriculture, though the new program should feature a more coordinated and focused effort than before.

 
The DA has also been funding training schemes for farmers in a number of regions, with four-week courses focusing on organic fertilizer production, as well as the planting and nurturing of organic rice. Additionally, informational seminars across the country are being held to raise awareness of the benefits of organic farming.
Among the issues that the DA is currently tackling are the potential cost savings associated with organic production. Climbing hydrocarbon prices have pushed up the cost of most chemical-based fertilizers, most of which are imported, as are many of the pesticides used by Filipino farmers.

 
While organic farming methods have traditionally been associated with higher prices, if hydrocarbons continue their ascent, producers could in fact reduce overhead by employing organic methods, especially as the sector begins to benefit from economies of scale.
The aim of achieving self-sufficiency in many agricultural products, particularly rice, may mean the industry’s focus will remain on cheaper methods intended for higher yields, if not higher quality, at least for the time being. However, by supporting efforts to develop both the production and demand side of organic agriculture, the Philippines may, in time, be able to have both quality and quantity.

 
Charles Colon is the Oxford Business Group’s editorial manager in the Philippines.

SOURCE:
Business World Online
http://www.bworldonline.com/

3 of the Best Ways for Retailers to Go Green

As sent in by Sachin

Retailers that do adopt practice with a commitment to sustainability not
only please and attract customers they also tend to benefit from monetary
savings and increased efficiency. There are many great ways that retailers can
become green and here we look at three of these.

As much as anyone else, retailers should realise the importance of ‘going green’ and taking steps to minimise the environmental impact of their business. There are many reasons for this but, first and foremost, a significant number of customers expect and even demand that the businesses with which they engage maintain a commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.


A green attitude is a fundamental aspect of the lifestyle of many people. Shoppers value businesses that have a parallel approach and make purposeful choices about who they will and will not do business with, based on the ways that they manage their environmental responsibilities.
Retailers that do adopt practice with a commitment to sustainability not only please and attract customers, they also tend to benefit from monetary savings and increased efficiency. There are many great ways that retailers can become green and here we look at three of these.

#1: Shopping bags
The promotional bags that are provided by retailers are one of the most obvious and significant ways they can demonstrate their dedicated commitment to the environment. Reusable shopping bags are of course popular and promotional bags offer an effective way for a business to market itself and increase its market share.
The retail bags that are provided can also be stylish and attractive to customers. Many retailers provide bags featuring contemporary designs and the opportunity to prominently feature business details. Green bags are a great alternative when it comes to shopping bags and are selected by many retailers because of their potential for recycling, strength and appearance.
Even when a business opts to use plastic bags, it is possible to use biodegradable plastic bags that have a reduced environmental impact without sacrificing quality and the extent to which the bag is fit for purpose.

#2: Recycle, reduce and reuse
There are many resources and ways that retailers can recycle, reduce and reuse items. These include:
  • Reuse of the packaging that comes into the business, such as cardboard boxes
  • Commit to the use of double-sided printing whenever possible
  • Ensure that items such as: ink cartridges, paper, plastic and aluminium are recycled
  • Use digital technology to complete many business processes, such as: invoicing, ordering, banking and paying bills
  • Use Energy Star rated equipment, such as: computers and printers. Energy Star rated pieces of equipment are considerably more Eco-friendly and energy efficient.
  • Use cleaning products that are environmentally friendly.


#3: Market yourself as ‘green’
With a genuine commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, retailers should ensure that their approach is successfully communicated to actual and potential customers. Retailers need to be upfront and show that they are in fact proud of the environmentally and socially responsible choices that they make.
A ‘green’ commitment is tremendously important for retailers and business owners of all descriptions. Primarily through the packaging and shopping bags that are provided, retailers have a great opportunity to demonstrate their environmental commitment and sustainable practice.
Retailers that do ‘go green’ frequently attract new customers and retain existing ones because customers expect and even demand that retailers will adopt environmentally responsible practices and operate with sustainability as a definite priority.

SOURCE:
Pinoy Academy
http://pinoygreenacademy.typepad.com/

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Organic Foods: More Than Just Health Benefits

 If you are a little health conscious, then you might be aware of the health benefits of organic food. With the declining quality of food and people becoming more conscious about their health, organic food is gaining more attention and popularity. However, when some kind of organic foods are mainly beneficial for your health, there are numerous others that render many other benefits other than health benefits. If you still have any doubts about organic food, then just keep reading to know what you are missing without organic food.

Keeps away from chemicals

Apart from the fact, that organic food consists of more nutrients and that it provides you with more energy and keeps you away from diseases, there are some other benefits that you might not see on the surface, as these are hidden. If you dig down into the benefits that organic food provides, then you will come across many such facts that are beneficial in their own unique way. If you consume organic food, then you will not only keep yourself away from pesticides, and harsh chemicals, but will also help in keeping the environment healthy as well. In organic farming no chemicals are used for farming and farmers use natural fertilizers only.

Healthier plants and animals

Organic plants or food thrives because these are stronger due to the use of organic fertilizers. Not only the plants gain from organic practices but animals also gain a lot from such practices. When it comes to farm animals, they are fed with only organic feed, so you can be sure about the quality of the milk or meat that you get from animals reared as per the organic standards. There will not be any problem such as dying sea, sick birds, or even infertile wildlife due to harmful chemical exposure.

Get healthier environment and improved economy

Organic food renders many other benefits for the environment that include elimination of topsoil erosion, nutrient depletion, pollution, scarred landmark, etc. This is not all, as organic farming that brings organic food to you also helps in supporting your local economy. If you purchase more organic food, then this will help the farmers and also helps in growth of organic farming. Consuming organic food also keeps your family healthy. This is because traditional food practices have been associated with many birth defects such as childhood leukemia, learning disorder, nervous system disorder and autism, and even ADHD. Therefore, by switching towards organic food you can keep your family healthy and happy.

Organic food surpass non-organic food

One of the other benefits of organic food is that, it excludes genetically modified organisms, which are food that comes with a genetically modified structure. If you delve deep into the facts, then you will find out about the glaring deficits of such kind of food. If you weigh the benefits health and other benefits of organic food, then you will surely find out the benefits from organic food outweighs the doubtful goodness of food that are non-organic.
If you are concerned about the cost of organic food, then you should compare the cost of organic food to the cost that you will save on health, because if you stay healthy you can save health care costs, making organic food even more beneficial.



Source:
Organic Foods:  More Than Just Health Benefits 
http://organichealthadviser.com

Sunday, November 20, 2011

HOW TO MAKE HAIR ORGANIC PRODUCTS

If you've ever wondered how to make organic hair products, this article is for you. Buying organic hair care products can prove quite a challenge. Understanding the labels and deciphering the difference between organic and natural makes the process of buying organic hair products a complicated activity! An alternative to buying organic hair care products is to make your own. It is possible to make conditioners, cleansing rinses and even hair sprays using only natural, certified organic ingredients.

 Benefits of Making Your Own Hair Products

The benefits of making your own hair products are many. It means that people looking to lead an organic lifestyle can use products they know are truly organic and meet their own requirements. It is possible to keep developing hair care recipes to meet your needs. As the ingredients are all readily available and the products easy to prepare, every member of the household can have their own special organic hair care program.

As no chemicals have been used to make the products, homemade hair care will be kind to your hair and skin, and to the environment. There are no fears of introducing chemically derived products such as  Sodium Lauryl Sulphate to the hair and skin. Such chemicals are reported to cause skin irritation and many people try to avoid them.


Ingredients Use in Homemade Organic Hair Product

No special ingredients are required to make your own organic hair products. Many of the items can be found in your store cupboard right now! Eggs, honey, cider vinegar and olive oil not only make a wonderful salad dressing, but also are great for use on hair to give you smooth, silky locks.
The most important thing to remember is that the better quality the ingredients, the better the end result will be. Therefore use the freshest of ingredients wherever possible. The benefit of using certified organic ingredients is that you have the reassurance that the ingredients you are using have been grown without the use of harmful chemicals or chemically derived substances.
Some of the most common ingredients used in homemade hair products are:
  • Eggs
  • Yogurt
  • Fruit 
  • Avocado
  • Honey Coconut Oil
  • Cider Vinegar
  • Chamomile
  • Oils
These organic products are readily available from regular grocery stores and organic markets. 


How to  Make Hair Organic Products


If you are wondering how to make organic hair products, there are many excellent books and websites dedicated to natural hair products. These provide a good source of recipes and information about using natural products to help care for your hair.


In general, the ingredients are mixed together and then applied to the hair and scalp. As there are no chemicals that have been added to speed the process along, better results are reported after leaving the ingredients on the hair for a couple of hours before rinsing well. This depends, of course, on the type of recipe or treatment.
As homemade hair care is completely natural, it also contains no preservatives. Therefore new mixes should be made each time, and any leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container.


A note on Organic Shampoo 


Shampoo is a difficult subject for the organic shopper. The whole process of making any form of soap is a chemical one and shampoo is no exception. Many handmade shampoo recipes call for the use of a soap base. Natural ingredients are added to this base to make a shampoo. For instance nettle and lemon might be added to make a deep-cleansing shampoo.
It is up to us all, as individuals, to determine our own personal standards and requirements when it comes to the use of shampoo and other soap products within an organic lifestyle.


Tips for Making Your Own Hair Cares
 
  • Keep a note of what works well and what doesn't, amending and developing your favorite recipes over time.
  • Buy the best organic ingredients available.
  • Remember good hair care is influenced by what goes in the body as well as what goes on the hair, so a good diet will help promote healthy hair. 


Source:
How to make hair organic products?
http://organic.lovetoknow.com















Sunday, November 13, 2011

How to Make Organic House Cleaning Products

Many people want to know how to make organic house cleaning products. Using organic and natural products to clean your home means you aren't spreading chemicals around--making it safer for you, your family and the planet.
The Basics of How to Make Organic House Cleaning Products 
If you are looking for ways to bring more natural products into your cleaning routine, there are a few basics you will want to have on hand at all times. All of the following items should be available at your local organic grocery store:
  • Baking Soda.This baking basic is a powerhouse of cleaning and deodorizing. It can be used in homemade cleaning solutions, as a paste or sprinkled directly on a surface.
  • Borax: A naturally occurring compound made of boron, sodium, oxygen and water, borax is a great cleaner, especially for laundry.
  • Cornstarch: Great for cleaning carpets and rugs, cornstarch can also be used in place of baby powder.
  • Lemon juice: A natural whitener, lemon juice can also remove grease and other stains, especially on aluminum and porcelain.
  • Salt: Abrasive but gentle, salt is great for scouring.
  • Washing soda: This is different from baking soda and is a good choice for general cleaning, cutting grease and disinfecting. You can find it on the laundry aisle, but it may not be an organic product.
  • White vinegar: Another great general-purpose cleaner, white vinegar is good for removing mildew, grease and other stains. It is also a great choice for washing windows and making metal surfaces shiny. 
Organic House Cleaning Recipes
    You can also use three tablespoons of washing soda in a quart of water as a general purpose cleaner. Washing soda may also be used in place of regular laundry detergent.
    To boost your laundry with borax, add half a cup of borax along with your organic laundry detergent to each load of laundry.
    Organic furniture polish is made by combining three parts olive oil with one part vinegar or lemon juice. Just wipe on with a soft cloth.
    A combination of two tablespoons cornstarch, a cup of white vinegar and a gallon of water is a good choice for washing windows. To get even more natural bang for your buck, use your newspaper to wash down the windows. This helps eliminate streaking and saves you from having to buy paper towels.
    A cup of white vinegar in a gallon of water is also a good way to clean linoleum floors. Add a quarter cup of baking soda for an even more powerful cleaner. A cup of vinegar microwaved for a minute or two will also loosen up any cooked-on food and make the microwave easy to clean.
    Salt is a great way to deal with stains and spills in the oven or the sink, and a combination of baking soda and borax is a great sink cleaner that won't scratch porcelain.You can also make a cleanser out of two ounces of borax and two cups of water to wash walls and other dirty surfaces.

    Cleaning With Organic Products
    Now that you know how to make organic house cleaning products, it is important to note that while all of these are great alternatives to the chemical-laden products you can buy at the store, none of them work as quickly as those chemicals.
    Patience is necessary for seeing the best results with these cleaning products. You might need to put in a little more elbow grease or let things soak a longer period of time than you might be used to, but it is well worth the effort to get conventional cleaning products out of your house.

     

    Wednesday, November 9, 2011

    GOING GREEN: THE BENEFITS OF USING ORGANIC SKIN PRODUCTS



    Nowadays, most people are making the transition from being predominantly synthetic to going completely green. From the kind of cars we drive, to the clothes we wear, to the foods that we eat, everything is moving towards a natural state of being. It’s no different in the area of skin products. We can see this in the immense popularity of organic skin products that compete alongside the more well-known department store bought skin care products. But are these products just about going green for the environment or are there other benefits as well?
    Organic skin products are extremely friendly for the environment. And unlike their synthetic made counterparts, organic skin products disintegrate well after they are discarded. They can be used freely without the fear of them reaching dangerous toxicity levels.
    Organic skin products are totally natural. They contain plant herbs, and sometimes animal products. But these are completely non-synthetic, which means more people can use them for their skin treatments without fear of breaking into allergies or rashes. Also, these are all-weather, all-region skin care products which means you can use them anywhere – from a tropical Asian beach to a freezing Arctic tundra!
    Organic skin products are relatively cheap. Most of them, with a few expensive exceptions, are quite cheap and can be even made at home provided you have a good guidebook on making organic skin products. In any case, organic skin product lines offer you more value for money.
    Organic skin products are easily available too. Your neighborhood store may keep stock of them, or you could just simply order them online. There are numerous organic skin product companies that advertise and maintain online presence through individual websites. And its better too, because you can get the full range of products of a particular company if having tried one that you really like. And most organic skin care product companies will deliver their products to your doorstep. It’s the commercially made cosmetic product brands that don’t normally offer this kind of service.
    Using organic skin products is like going back to the basics. Getting these kinds of products to take care of your skin is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. It’s good for you and good for the environment. In this age of environmental depletion, buying organic skin products and going green for Mother Earth is one of the best ways we can pay her back.



    Source: 
    Going Green: The Benefits of Using Organic Skin Products
    http://skinbeautyreview.com

    Sunday, October 23, 2011

    WHY SHOULD YOU MAINTAIN AN ORGANIC LIFESTYLE?

    maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a change many people have brought upon their lives, this movement towards living an organic and a healthier life has been progressively increasing due to the positive life changing rewards it offers. These rewards are along the lines of improving your health, feeling more energized, and above all you will feel and look young again.

    By eating organically the food you will be in taking will have a much better nutritional value than normal food. This means that the food it self will have more vitamins that your body needs and less of what your body doesn’t need. Therefore your body receives the best possible nutritional value out of the food being consumed, which in return it makes you feel more energized, healthier, and younger. Other than the fact that organic food is healthier than normal food, it’s also been medically proven that it decreases the risk of getting sick.

     Eating organically is a key component for an organic lifestyle but there is a lot more to it, such as replacing bad habits for better one’s. One of the bad habits many people practice is smoking, no matter what positive short term affects it may have the long term affects easily out weight the short term one’s and causes severe damage. For example cancer, heart disease, lung infection, damage to reproductive organs, negative impact on blood circulation and respiratory diseases that can all cause death. All these diseases are in no way equated with a few minutes of relaxation. Even though quitting smoking is said to be harder to do than heroin and more addictive than heroin, it’s not impossible to do, it may be hard such as many things in life but it’s not impossible. Therefore I highly suggest for anyone that does smoke quite often to try and stop or if you feel that it’s not in your hands to stop then get help as soon as possible for your own sake, so you can live better, healthier and maintain an organic lifestyle.

     After reading this if you are interested to take initiative and to change your future for a more organic lifestyle then come aboard and join this movement.  A key start point once you make this decision is run a quick scan through your refrigerator and gets rid of all the “junk” food. By this I mean get rid of all the food that has no nutritional value or does more negative than positive. Then go shopping for alternatives to the food you normally eat but make sure it has an organic certification. Once you did so you have taken the first step to better your self and you future. I would like to congratulate you on your decision and tell you that you will not regret this change.

    Why Should You Maintain an Organic Lifestyle?

    Organically living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a change many people have brought upon their lives, this movement towards living an organic and a healthier life has been progressively increasing due to the positive life changing rewards it offers. These rewards are along the lines of improving your health, feeling more energized, and above all you will feel and look young again.

    By eating organically the food you will be in taking will have a much better nutritional value than normal food. This means that the food it self will have more vitamins that your body needs and less of what your body doesn’t need. Therefore your body receives the best possible nutritional value out of the food being consumed, which in return it makes you feel more energized, healthier, and younger. Other than the fact that organic food is healthier than normal food, it’s also been medically proven that it decreases the risk of getting sick.

    Eating organically is a key component for an organic lifestyle but there is a lot more to it, such as replacing bad habits for better one’s. One of the bad habits many people practice is smoking, no matter what positive short term affects it may have the long term affects easily out weight the short term one’s and causes severe damage. For example cancer, heart disease, lung infection, damage to reproductive organs, negative impact on blood circulation and respiratory diseases that can all cause death. All these diseases are in no way equated with a few minutes of relaxation. Even though quitting smoking is said to be harder to do than heroin and more addictive than heroin, it’s not impossible to do, it may be hard such as many things in life but it’s not impossible. Therefore I highly suggest for anyone that does smoke quite often to try and stop or if you feel that it’s not in your hands to stop then get help as soon as possible for your own sake, so you can live better, healthier and maintain an organic lifestyle.


    Source:
    Why Should Maintain Organic Lifestyle
    http://www.yesorganicfood.com

    Thursday, October 20, 2011

    WHY GO ORGANIC?

    FIVE WAYS TO GO ORGANIC

    Switching to organic is tough for many families who don’t want to pay higher prices or give up their favorite foods. But by choosing organic versions of just a few foods that you eat often, you can increase the percentage of organic food in your diet without big changes to your shopping cart or your spending.

    The key is to be strategic in your organic purchases. Opting for organic produce, for instance, doesn’t necessarily have a big impact, depending on what you eat. According to the Environmental Working Group, commercially-farmed fruits and vegetables vary in their levels of pesticide residue. Some vegetables, like broccoli, asparagus and onions, as well as foods with peels, such as avocados, bananas and oranges, have relatively low levels compared to other fruits and vegetables.

    So how do you make your organic choices count? Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, whose new book “Raising Baby Green” explains how to raise a child in an environmentally-friendly way, has identified a few “strategic” organic foods that he says can make the biggest impact on the family diet. 

    1. Milk: “When you choose a glass of conventional milk, you are buying into a whole chemical system of agriculture,” says Dr. Greene. People who switch to organic milk typically do so because they are concerned about the antibiotics, artificial hormones and pesticides used in the commercial dairy industry. One recent United States Department of Agriculture survey found certain pesticides in about 30 percent of conventional milk samples and low levels in only one organic sample. The level is relatively low compared to some other foods, but many kids consume milk in large quantities.


    2. Potatoes: Potatoes are a staple of the American diet — one survey found they account for 30 percent of our overall vegetable consumption. A simple switch to organic potatoes has the potential to have a big impact because commercially-farmed potatoes are some of the most pesticide-contaminated vegetables. A 2006 U.S.D.A. test found 81 percent of potatoes tested still contained pesticides after being washed and peeled, and the potato has one of the the highest pesticide contents of 43 fruits and vegetables tested, according to the Environmental Working Group.
    3. Peanut butter: More acres are devoted to growing peanuts than any other fruits, vegetable or nut, according to the U.S.D.A. More than 99 percent of peanut farms use conventional farming practices, including the use of fungicide to treat mold, a common problem in peanut crops. Given that some kids eat peanut butter almost every day, this seems like a simple and practical switch. Commercial food firms now offer organic brands in the regular grocery store, but my daughter loves to go to the health food store and grind her own peanut butter.

    4. Ketchup: For some families, ketchup accounts for a large part of the household vegetable intake. About 75 percent of tomato consumption is in the form of processed tomatoes, including juice, tomato paste and ketchup. Notably, recent research has shown organic ketchup has about double the antioxidants of conventional ketchup.

     
    5. Apples: Apples are the second most commonly eaten fresh fruit, after bananas, and they are also used in the second most popular juice, after oranges, according to Dr. Greene. But apples are also one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables. The good news is that organic apples are easy to find in regular grocery stores.




    SOURCE:
    Five Ways to Go Organic
    http://well.blogs.nytimes.com




    Sunday, October 16, 2011

    HOME OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE


    So what does a healthy lifestyle entail? According to the dictionary, lifestyle is a way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and value of a person or group. A healthy lifestyle would be a way of living that would result in a healthy mind, body and spirit.
    This website contains information on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyles comprise of:
    • Healthy eating-Eating food that are nutritional and good for the body like fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat diets, unrefined carbohydrates, etc. It includes avoiding food that is bad for you like refined carbohydrates, fatty foods, alcohol, etc. Eating in moderation is the essential component of healthy eating.
    • Health and Fitness-Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Aerobic exercise is good for your heart and your body. Yoga has a therapeutic affect and also helps to reduce your stress level. Pilates are great for strengthening your “core” muscles which are situated around your midsection. You could consider some other forms of exercise like Tai Chi, martial arts and Qi Gong. It is essential that you incorporate any kind of exercises in to your daily life to help keep you fit and maintain your weight at a healthy level.
    • Managing stress efficiently is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. Failure to manage stress effectively can harm your body and affect your relationship with others. If left unattended, stress can also lead to alcohol or drug addiction.
    • You cannot have a healthy lifestyle if you are depress and unhappy. Following your bliss is a must if you want to live a happy and joyful life. Doing what you are passionate about helps keep you motivated.
    • Alternative health options like herbal medicine, massage therapy, meditation, Ayurveda, reflexology, aromatherapy, etc, can benefit you and help you have a healthier lifestyle.

      There may be time in your life when you may be suffering from some minor health challenges and resorting to conventional medicine may not have provided satisfactory result. Or you may be healthy and just looking for some alternative ways to maintain your good health. Whatever your reasons, you could be led to decide upon looking toward alternative medicine for solution.
    • Sleeping right, having a positive outlook about life and having a balanced life are also the necessary components of a healthy lifestyle.

      If you go without sleep for a period of time, every area of your life will be ultimately affected. If it becomes a regular pattern in your life, you could endanger your health and reduce your overall performance. This can ultimately affect all other areas of your life, personal as well as professional.
    Living a healthy lifestyle takes discipline. You must make up your mind and choose things that are good for you and your loved ones. It comes down to being committed to do what is good for your body, mind and spirit.
    Living a healthy lifestyle involves taking care of your physical, mental and spiritual health. You need to arm yourself with appropriate knowledge that will ensure that you get the result you want.
    The physical, mental and spiritual aspects of your life are intertwine. For you to be happy and healthy, you need to keep all these aspects of your life balanced.
    You should monitor what you do on a regular basis, to ensure that you are doing the right thing. If something is not right, you can make any necessary changes to help move you in the direction of your goal. With this in mind, working toward living a healthy lifestyle is achievable.



    Source:
    Healthy Lifestyle Truth
    http://www.healthylifestyletruth.com


    Wednesday, October 12, 2011

    Why use Organic Beauty Products?


    ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS ARE BETTER FOR YOUR SKIN

    What you put on your skin eventually ends up in your body. Certified organic products are made with ingredients that are grown free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms. They also don’t include harmful additives such as petroleum waxes, fillers and artificial chemicals. Simply put, certified organic products are completely healthy and natural, synthetic alternatives are not. 

    ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS WORK BETTER

    Think of beauty products like food. In today’s world, there are a lot of synthetic, or “fake” ingredients used in food processing. But if you go to a high-end restaurant, you generally won’t find “fake” ingredients on the menu. Top chefs know that creating a top-quality meal requires top-quality ingredients. They don’t use artificial flavors in their cooking, because real spices and fresh herbs create a finer, more exquisite taste. Producing a beauty product is not much different.Certified organic beauty products work better simply because they are made with superior ingredients.



    ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS ARE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

    Organic farming eliminates the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers, all of which have a destructive effect on our water, soil and health. Organic plants are also grown without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as they may pose a significant threat to both human and environmental health. Therefore, through looking out for your own health, you’re also helping to protect our fragile ecosystem. That is what they call a “win-win” situation. 


    Source: 
    Why Organic Beauty Product?
    http://www.saffronrouge.com 

    Tuesday, October 4, 2011

    Why Choose Organic Food?


    While it might seem like a new trend, organic food has actually been around for a lot longer than the food that we’re accustomed to eating.
    This is food that is grown and nurtured in a natural manner, so as not to upset the growing process or the person who’s eating it.

    But with more and more labels claiming to be ‘natural’ and ‘organic,’ it can become confusing when you’re in a grocery store aisle.

    And when you see that the prices are slightly higher than ‘normal’ food, you may wonder if it’s even worth a second look.

    What defines organic food?

    Organic food is defined as foods that do not undergo any chemical processing, either in the growing process or in the harvesting process. These are foods that do not contain pesticides or insecticides, fertilizers and other toxins.
    When you see organic food that is pre-packaged, this means that each of the ingredients is also processed using organic methods. However, you need to look for packages that include the term ‘100%’ or ‘certified’ organic in order to know that all of the ingredients are organic.
    When a package just includes the now generic term of organic, it can mean that only a portion of the ingredients are processed in this way.

    Why choose organic food?

    But many people are turned off by the higher prices that organic food seems to have. And with the lessened processing, these prices don’t seem justified. However, the reason behind the slightly higher prices is that these are farms that cannot produce as much yield as those that utilize chemicals.
    Many fertilizers will allow farms to grow many more stalks of corn, for example. But when you take away this fertilizer to grow organic corn, you can only get half as much – and in doing so, the farmer needs to charge more. There are also some restrictions as to how much money these smaller and sometimes family run farms get from government sources. Without the added financial help, these farms can not make any profits without increasing their overall prices.

    Support Your Local farmer 

    In choosing organic food, you are also supporting local farmers (in most cases) that are growing healthier foods. The food that you eat should not contain added toxins and chemicals. Some studies have shown that eating large quantities of these kinds of ingredients can lead to a multitude of problems – some cancers, diseases, and other illnesses.
    The toxins can build up in your body and start to harm healthy cells. And this is no wonder, considering nature never intended for us to eat chemicals that have been added to our food. In addition, many people are sensitive to these kinds of chemicals, so eating organic food allows them to avoid any harmful reactions they might have otherwise.

    What are the health benefits of eating organic food?

    But the truth is that organic food has many of the same benefits of eating ‘normal’ foods.
    When you choose an apple (organic or not) over a candy bar, you’re making a healthier choice for your body. 
    However, organic food can have additional benefits:
    • Better tasting foods
    • No preservatives
    • More seasonal choices
    • More vitamins and minerals
    • More water content
    • Brighter colors and appearance
    • Less allergic reactions possible
    • Cleaner, fresher foods
    Organic food tastes better than the mass produced foods too because it’s not forced to ripen in order to arrive at a store ready to sell. Organic foods are typically harvested when they are ripe, and then shipped to local stores for customers to buy immediately – preserving the freshness, flavor, and maximum vitamin content.

    Organic products

    Besides organic food, you can also find a number of organic products that include organic ingredients. You can find everything from shampoo to face cream, soap to laundry detergent in many local stores. This can allow you to reduce the overall toxins that you come into contact with, further increasing your health and your vitality.
    And organic food isn’t limited to the small little heath food stores anymore; many larger grocer chains are now carrying organic foods – sometimes at better prices than at the smaller stores. Many retailers are seeing that people want to have the opportunity to eat healthier, more wholesome foods, so they’re offering more choices – at prices that you might be surprised to read.




    SOURCE:
    Why Organic Food?
    http://www.24hrfitness.co.uk


    Sunday, October 2, 2011

    ORGANIC HEALTH AND BEAUTY CARE

    Maintain your health and beauty and there are natural ways to do it. You do not have to take the help of harsh cosmetics and other ways which has side effects. We all want to look beautiful and feel beautiful. It appeals to us. The want is quite natural. If you are healthy, you will automatically look beautiful - there is no need to take an extra effort. Thus Health beauty care is a concept which encompasses the truth of remaining healthy in a beautiful way and follows the various natural ways to do it.
     
    Some tips to remain healthy

       1. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep everyday.
       2. Practice exercise at intervals - at least 5 to 6 minutes for about three times in a day.
       3. Practice deep breathing on a regular basis, it cures all ailments.
       4. Do not take late meals.
       5. Organic green tea is good for health - have at least once in a day.
       6. Eat two apples in a day.
       7. Milk products should be included in your diet regimen - as they help in loosing weight.
       8. Pulses are rich in proteins; have them in your diet.
       9. Practice aromatherapy and steam inhalation - they will rejuvenate you and make you clean.

    Some tips to remain beautiful

       1. Keep splashing water on your face at regular breaks. The pores will stay unclogged and you will feel hydrated.
       2. Setting aside the moisturizer from the market, use a smashed banana with cream and honey. It acts as a good moisturizer.
       3. Use castor oil as a moisturizer. It can be applied on face and dry elbows, knees and heels. They will be softened. Wash it off with lukewarm water after keeping them for a while.
       4. Add a drop of olive oil to your bath water in winters to prevent your skin from drying.
       5. Paste of lettuce leaf, a small rose and lime juice will help you from not getting a greasy skin. It can be applied on the face and later washed off.
       6. Use cucumber as it cools and cleanses your skin.
       7. Use a slice of raw potato to remove dark circles.
       8. Have carrot, beetroot and celery juice - they will keep your skin radiant.
       9. To do away with dull teeth and to whiten them - use half a lemon dipped in salt.
      10. Use almond oil to condition your hair.
      11. If you have rough hair, soften it with beer or vinegar.
      12. Have at least 8 glasses of water in a day.



    SOURCE:
    Organic health and body care
    www.beautycarehub.com

    Sunday, September 18, 2011

    Best Food for Healthy Hair

    Everyone knows that for good health, your body needs a healthy well balanced diet.  This is no  different when talking about the best food for healthy hair.  For strong healthy hair, you need to  make sure your diet has the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, iron, carbohydrates, and protein.
    Hair is made of protein.  A strand of hair is a made up of layers of intertwined keratin (an  extremely strong protein) that grows from your hair follicles. Therefore, good hair nutrition  requires a diet that has enough protein.  Complex carbohydrates are also essential to help assemble  the proteins for proper hair growth.
    To give your hair follicles  high energy, start your day with a high protein food source such as eggs or egg whites or chicken  (white meat).  If your diet allows, eat red meat at least three times per week.  Red meat has the protein you need  for healthy hair.  It is chock full of iron, zinc, and B vitamins.  Bacon is another good choice.   Although bacon is higher in fat calories, it too is full of B vitamins and protein. A lower calorie  option may be salmon.  Salmon is a great protein choice for any meal.
    Include complex carbohydrates in your meals along with your favorite choice of protein.  They will  give you energy over a longer period of time.  A good example is brown short-grain rice, whole  wheat breads, fruits, vegetables, and oats.  These are great sources of vitamins and minerals  needed for healthy hair growth.
    More examples of complex carbohydrate foods (GOOD):
    Oranges        Buckwheat        Grapefruit
    Lettuce         Pinto beans       Apples
    Okra             Cabbage           Celery
    Broccoli         Onions             Eggplant
    Skim milk     Navy beans       Cauliflower
    Yogurt          Prunes              Spinach
    Carrots         Soybeans          Split peas
    Above all, limit the amount of simple carbohydrates you consume.  These are not hair healthy and  contain “empty” calories that are less nutritious, less satisfying and usually more fattening.   Some examples are bread, pasta, and baked goods made with white flour.  Also pretty much any pre- packaged convenience foods.
    More examples of simple carbohydrate foods (BAD):
    Table sugar        Corn syrup        Candy
    Cake                  Soda                Most packaged cereals
    These are simple healthy eating tips.  Not only good for your hair health, but also good for your  overall physical health.  The idea is simple.  For the best hair health, make sure you are putting  healthy food into your body.  Think of your hair as you would a flower garden.  Give it good food  and it will grow healthy.  Feed it garbage and you will get garbage in return.



    Source:
    Best Food for Healthy Hair
    http://beauty.etips24.com

    Tuesday, September 13, 2011

    HEALTHIER SKIN WITH ORGANIC SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

    The modern woman is more than familiar with the different methods of taking care of her skin and body properly. She knows of all the latest skin care products that come out, as well as the latest skin treatments available. Every day, she wakes up knowing what to do before, during, and after her morning shower, pampering herself with facial scrubs, body lotions, moisturizers, and eventually cosmetics to keep herself looking fresh throughout her day.
    But what the modern woman isn’t aware of is the fact that a majority of the products she’s using is actually harmful to her skin in the long run. Couple that with a busy career in the city where pollution is rampant, and the accumulation of these toxic irritants might lead to a less than ideal skin complexion or even skin complications. But what the modern woman doesn’t know can’t really harm her right? That’s not always the case.                                                          
    Organic skin products are the best alternative to many popular skin care products that are commercially available today. There are many natural and organic skin treatments and cosmetic products that women can find these days to keep them looking and feeling young. Even specialty skin care products that are made using organic ingredients, like natural acne treatment, can be found in the health care section of most stores and malls nowadays.
    Going organic is definitely the best way to go. Not only do organic skin products work in keeping your body looking fresh and clean, they’re also especially made to keep you that way. Regular cosmetics use chemical compounds that can become toxic, which can lead to skin damage that would require expensive skin treatments. Organic skin products have none of those effects. Made with natural compounds and materials from the earth, these organic products will nourish your skin with vitamins and minerals derived from fruits, flowers, herbs and spices.
    Switching to organic skin products is actually easy, even if you consider yourself loyal to many well-known cosmetic brands in the market. Start with a few basic everyday items, like your lipstick or your lotion. You probably won’t even notice the difference after the first week of using them, as these organic skin products and skin care items were designed to work just like their commercial counterparts.
    Make the move and choose organic products today. Not only will you find yourself looking fresher and younger, but you will also be doing your part in the environment since most of these products use only natural ingredients harvested from the earth.




    SOURCE:
    Skin Beauty Review
    http://www.skinbeautyreview.com