The title of this article is disturbing. The concepts of Organic and Fair Trade are very important to building (rebuilding) a sustainable society. The good news is that the certifications are not mutually exclusive and actually complement each other nicely.

First, a word about certification. In our current market, third party certification is essential to both organic and fair trade. As the market for both fair trade and organic grows many businesses would rather change the definition than to change their practices. We are seeing this now in the fair trade coffee market place. As time goes on a search for fair trade coffee is more and more likely to turn up non-certified “fair trade” coffee, which is most likely just a marketing rouse to attract ethical customers. In a recent search of ebay for fair trade coffee 90% of the results were not third party certified, and upon further examination most looked very suspect. We have seen this already in the organic market. How many products marketed to organic consumers are actually certified? Companies have greened their names but not their practices. Without non-biased third party certification of organic or fair trade we are left to trust self interested parties who will only profit from that trust. So look at the labels a product caries, look into the requirements of that certification and make an informed decision. Know what labels you trust and know the ones that you feel are deceptions. With fair trade Transfair is currently the only certification agency, so look for the fair trade label.

The concept of growing organic is essential to the preservation of our environment. Herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers seep into the ground polluting our groundwater and it also runs off the fields and into local water resources. When forest are cleared for the planting of fields much of the topsoil is eroded and transported in nearby streams to the nearest lake where it deposits the sediment, filling up the lake. Working with the environment to prevent this erosion, organic coffee farmers preserve the fertility of the land by growing coffee in the shade, where coffee was meant to grow. This shade grown coffee provides the migratory birds with habitat and is thus called bird friendly. The concept of organic goes beyond protecting the environment and extends to protecting the the people who work in the fields. Many of the chemicals used in farming have been shown to cause cancer as well as many other health concerns. These concerns are multiplied when a person is repeatedly exposed to the sprays, like the farmers. How many lifelong farmers labored to provide our society with food and are now suffering from cancer (my grandfather is one of them)? Some studies have shown that organic methods even protect those who eat the fruits(even after they are washed), and also protect locals who drink the water.

Fair trade certified works in the opposite direction. First it ensures that the people are being paid and treated fairly. When it comes to fair trade coffee certification, “fair” has an objective definition through the certification requirements of Transfair. The coffee farmers are paid a fair trade premium (currently $1.26/lb) to ensure that they have money to invest in their community infrastructure. The money supports the families through health care, education, and through providing the needed capital to improve equipment and methods of harvest so that they can compete in the open market. Fair trade goes beyond community and family support and extends to protecting the environment. One of the requirements of fair trade certification it that a premium is paid for organic coffee, currently a full 15 cents more per pound than just regular fair trade. Many fair trade farmers have switched to organic methods and are now actively restoring the rain forest in order to receive this premium. They are not doing so grudgingly either, they understand that the rain forest is their heritage and want it to be restored. They don’t want to expose themselves and their families to toxic sprays when they can make a living otherwise. This explains why more than 80% of coffee certified as fair trade is also certified organic.

So why ask the question which is better when you can have both? Well there is plenty of coffee out there labeled as organic but not fair trade. The environment is being destroyed by some farmers out of what is seen as economic necessity. Organic is great, but by itself it is not sustainable, we must ensure that the people who grow it are properly compensated otherwise they are put in an economic position which lends itself to decisions with negative environmental consequences. Families that provide us with quality organic products deserve financial security. Fair trade does not compete with organic but it does make sure it is fiscally sustainable for the producers, thus ensuring future supply in our current economy..

This is why the fair trade model works. First it ensures the financial security of the farmers through fair prices, access to non-predatory loans and capital needed to market and sell their goods. Then it guarantees them a premium for environmentally friendly practices, which many times leads to conversion of conventional fields to organic. This model has been working for coffee and has now expanded to tea, chocolate and even some tropical fruits.

The results of fair trade have been amazing:

* Organic methods are being used and taught

* Community infrastructure is being built/rebuilt

* Clean water

* Erosion control

* Children in school

* Quality products through quality methods

* Adult education

* Secure families

* and sustainability

Next time you buy organic coffee or tea make sure it is also fair trade certified by Transfair. Request that your local grocer carry fair trade fruits when they are available.

To read about online infidelity, persuasive advertisement and other information, visit the Knowledge Galaxy site.

Recipes

blogs

 The raw food pet industry is in full bloom.That is a wonderful thing because raw food can help your pet thrive in ways you could not imagine. A raw diet can help your pet get off insulin, heal their inflammatory bowel disease and we could go on for a week. But…before buying what you believe is a “balanced” diet for your pet, especially if it is your cat, you need to get just a bit educated. Cats and dogs have vastly different dietary needs. Feeding your cat raw food designed for a dog, (and many manufacturers will not make the distinction) can be harmful to your cat.

When you decide to buy prepared raw food for your kitty, here are some things you HAVE to look out for:

1.Calcium/Phosphorus ratio. Felines have quite a narrow range of the calcium to phosphorus content of their diet. The best range for cats is 1.2 – 1.4:1 Calcium is found in bone and phosphorous is found in muscle meat and organs. Not only will Various types of meat have various levels of phosphorous, but thigh meat will have different amounts than breast meat.It is essential that the raw food you buy follow the above mentioned ratio. If the information is not readily available on the manufacturers web site, nor on the package, (which is all too common) you will need to email or call them. Make sure you get a definitive answer with the exact numbers including how they arrived to them. An imbalance of Calcium and Phosphorous can cause a serious problems. Then we have the:

2.Percentage and Type of Vegetable matter. Adding some vegetables to a feline diet is OK as long as it is a small percentage. 3-5% is OK. The food you feed should contain max 10% veggies. No grains, of course! The percentage may not be readily available and you may need to contact the manufacturer. Garlic and onions can cause anemia in cats and should never be used. Tomatoes can exacerbate arthritis and most vegetables will raise the urinary pH which can cause urinary tract issues. Herbs should never be used long term and are frequently added to raw prepared diets. We would avoid any pet food containing herbs. Many herbs safe for dogs and humans are toxic to cats. Next We Have:

3.Organ meats. Does the food contain organ meats and at what proportion? What types of organs are included? Feline diets should contain approximately 10% organ meats. Organs provide important vitamins and other nutrients vital for the cat.

4.Taurine. Taurine is an essential amino acid to the cat. In the wild, cats get an abundance of Taurine from mice. (But how many domestic cats get fresh mice routinely?) While all meats contain Taurine to some degree, handling and freezing the meat diminishes the amount. Some meats, like rabbit have a dangerously low amount of Taurine. chicken have a various amounts with chicken hearts having a high amount. We recommend you add Taurine to ALL raw food you give your cat. It is not only easy, but also inexpensive. A big plus is that even the finickiest of cats will notice! Add about 1000 mg per pound of raw food. A deficiency can be serious, causing blindness and even death. Adding some is an easy insurance.

Raw food is ideal for dogs and cats. They are carnivores after all…but buyer beware. Make sure what you feed is properly balanced. Ask until you get the answers, and move on if the answers aren’t coming, or don’t provide the information you seek.986lxwybb

Pet Food Coupons can help you save on your pet care bills! Dog Food Coupons and other great deals on our website. We find the deals so you don’t have to.

Recipes

blog

 Height is of utmost concern for maximum individuals and thus they always try to seek ways to grow taller. What are the methods in which we can increase our height? This is a common question popping up in everyone’s mind. A good height contributes a lot in enhancing the personality of any individual and increases the level of confidence as well. In fact it is sometimes very essential to become eligible for some careers like air hostess, army, pilot etc. Thus it is obvious for people to be unsatisfied with their short heights. Individuals with short height need not to worry anymore as numerous ways including natural and artificial methods are obtainable to increase their height. It depends on the individuals to select the way that will help them to add up those desired few inches to their current height. Natural ways to grow taller include height increase exercise and consumption of good diet.

If any individual find himself shorter in height compared to maximum other individuals around him, then it is the right time for him to act promptly and consume those necessary foods to increase height growth. Foods to increase height growth are consisting of balanced amount of calcium, protein, amino acids and calories. Presence of all of these ingredients are essential in food as they function together to change the metabolism of individual to result in growth of muscle mass, bones, and thus help him to grow taller. Presence of these elements in the regular food or diet of an individual will surely help to gain that additional inches to his height especially if he is at an age where growth is ongoing. If any individual is growing at a slower pace, consumption of balanced diet will speed up the height increase procedure.

The aforesaid elements in will speed up the procedure of assimilation of flexible cartilage in order to stretch out and convert into solid bones and thus increase the height. If the cartilages harden without acquiring any length, the body of the individual loses the possibility to gain height anymore. However, if individuals have passed puberty and still are stuck at a shorter height, they need the same type of foods which make individuals grow taller easily.

Foods to increase height may include consumption of fresh coconut, organic coconut milk, and coconut oil, skimmed milk, plenty of fresh vegetables, chicken, eggs, tofu and soy-milk etc. These are source of good fat which body requires to grow taller. It is always advised to avoid consumption of fats which may cause sluggishness and obesity to make individuals slow in their daily activities. Moreover it is always advised to avoid consumption of drugs, alcohol and leave smoking habits. All these habits can also be reason for retarded growth.

Web is the best place to seek ways for height growth. There are several fitness sites online where you can get appropriate advices of the numerous professional fitness advisors on how to grow taller. They have mentioned about several stretching exercises which can help individuals grow taller and add up few inches to their current height. Whatever way you choose you need to hold your patience as it can take some time to show the ultimate positive result regarding height growth.

The author is Steve Taylor who writes journals on Foods to increase height. For information on grow taller visit http://www.heightincrease4dummies.com/.

Recipes

bloggers

 When food is improperly handled or prepared, it can pick up illness-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Thankfully, parasites are a rare cause of food poisoning, yet they can cause long-lasting symptoms of illness. Two parasites that can be carried in food are giardia and crytopsoridium.

Giardiasis is an illness that causes diarrhea. The tiny protozoans have a tough outer shell which allows them to survive for months outside of a host. They are carried out from the body in the feces, and they can remain in water supplies. From here, when food crops such as fruit and vegetables are watered with giardia-infested liquid, they can become carriers for the parasite. Additionally, if crops are grown in soil that is contaminated with giardia, this too can cause the food to be tainted.

Thankfully, eating fully cooked food can prevent giardiasis. However, in the event you notice symptoms like diarrhea, gas, greasy and floating stool, abdominal cramps, and nausea, you may be infected with this parasite. Giardia can cause weight loss and dehydration also. The signs typically appear about a week after eating the tainted food, so it can be difficult to exactly pinpoint the source of your illness.

A physician will usually ask for stool samples to look for signs of giardia should you believe that you are suffering from this parasite. There are some prescription drugs that can help you get over your infection, but otherwise, it can last up to six weeks.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that also causes a diarrheal disease called cryptosporidiosis, sometimes shortened to crypto. Like giardia, cryptosporidia have protective outer shells that allow them to survive in tough environments. Cryptosporidia can even live through chlorine disinfection, which means that it can survive in drinking water. Once you consume water or eat food that has been prepared with crypto-infected water, the parasite can set up residence in your small intestines. From here, you may notice abdominal pain, malaise, weight loss, and nausea. However, crypto is characterized by the large amounts of watery diarrhea that you may have several times per day.

To diagnose this condition, you will typically have to submit several stool samples to a lab for analysis. In the event you discover out that you do have crypto, there is no 1 medication that you’ll be able to take to alleviate your sickness completely. Nonetheless, there are a few drugs that can help, such as nitazoxanide. However, the principal thing that you must do is wait it out and keep your immune system healthy so that you are able to fight off the parasite on your own. This may last up to a month.

To find out more about this topic, visit visit Food Poisoning Signs

Recipes

blogs

 Most aspirants of the restaurant business get excited with the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. Beginning restaurant entrepreneurs brace themselves for the clashing and banging of pots and pans and the action on the restaurant floor. However, preparing for the feats in a restaurant isn’t enough, many who attempt to start a restaurant fail to do so because they overlook another important, albeit less exciting, portion of the business, and that is the finance part. Many fail to realize that a restaurant is after all a business, which requires careful planning. Here is an overview of how preparing a business and financial plan is done.

A restaurant’s business and financial plan is usually composed of eleven sections that cover the projected operations of a particular food service being developed.

1. Company Description – the business plan begins with an overview of the entire profile of the restaurant being developed. This section describes what business entity that will operate the particular restaurant. Necessary information such as the company’s founders, assets, type is stated in this section. Supplementary information is also stated such as the company’s goals and visions, the company’s identity, and so on. This section would also describe what kind of restaurant is being developed, as well as its location, size, general target market and other information will provide the identity of the restaurant.

2. Industry Analysis – this section provides a general overview of the restaurant industry. Careful research is needed for this section in order to provide accurate figures regarding the past trends as well as projected performance of the industry. This section gives justification as to why developing the restaurant is a worthwhile endeavor.

3. Products and Services – this section describes what the restaurant will offer. Here, the general theme of the menu will be described. This section will also provide the prospective general production scheme, stating how the food will be prepared and how other necessary measures in the production would be carried out. The manner upon which the service will be delivered will be described here as well.

4. Market Analysis – this section describes the targeted market. This will provide the profiles of the projected customers, as well as the location where they will be coming from. This section will also include a description of the observed trends in the market, such as the population growth, and other factors that might affect the restaurant’s operations.

5. The Competition – this section describes the potential competitors’ profiles. Other restaurants within the area will be described. The particular restaurants that have the same target market will then be discussed furthermore. The planned competitive strategy will then be described, stating how the planned restaurant will be different from the existing ones.

6. Marketing Plans and Sales Strategies – this section the plan of action to make the restaurant thrive. A description of how the market will be penetrated will be provided here. This section will also state the channels that will be tapped for advertising and generating awareness of the restaurant. The budget allotted for the marketing strategy will also be stated.

7. Operations – this part will give the details of the operating scheme. This section will describe the restaurant’s facilities and equipment. The hours of operation as well as the projected holidays will be stated as well. The employee training and other aspects of human resource management will be described. The systems and controls, food production, and other services will be expounded.

8. Management and Organization – this section will give the profiles of the managing arm of the restaurant as well as its ownership. The primary employees and key managers will be described here as well as its board of directors. The compensation and incentive scheme will be explained. The management style and structure will be further expounded.

9. Long Term Development and Exit Plans – this section will provide the goals, strategies, and milestones of the restaurant. This will also predict possibilities of expansion. Risks will be evaluated.

10. Financial Data and Projections – this section will provide the current information about the company’s assets at the beginning of the restaurant’s development. It will also forecast projected figures in sales, expenses, profits and so on.

11. Appendices – this will give the actual data being described in the body of the business plan. The actual menu, financial statements, declaration of assets and other important information will be included here.

Having a restaurant doesn’t only entail work in the kitchen or on the floor. A restaurant is primarily a business, and the business aspect of its operations should also be emphasized.

Article Source : Article King Pro – Free Reprints and Distribution

Want to find out about wealth maximization, backgammon strategy and other information? Get tips from the Knowledge Galaxy website.

Recipes

blogger

 Heartburn is an uncomfortable but common feeling of burning or warmth in the chest. Although the pain of heartburn is felt in the chest, heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. Instead, heartburn is caused by stomach acid.

Read more on Home Remedies for Acidity and Herbal Remedies for Heartburn and Herbal Supplement

Causes of Hyperacidity and Heartburn

The two problems have been associated with anxiety, tension and worry, constipated individuals, those with flatulence, those who do not partake of food at regular intervals, and those whose food habits are abusive to the body, some medical conditions and systemic illnesses like hyperthyroidism.

Alcohol abuse, smoking, carbonated drinks, fast and fried foods, hot and spicy foods must be particularly noticed as causative in nature. Tomato sauce, citrus fruits and chocolates have also been deemed as possible causative factors.

Lying down immediately after meals, wearing uncomfortably tight clothes or belts or drinking orange juice on an empty stomach are probable reasons too.

Symptoms

The symptoms of heartburn are very easy to spot. That is because you do not see them, you feel them. Thus, they are very hard to turn a blind eye to. Most of the time, you will feel burning pain in your chest at the onset of your heartburn. This is a feeling that is most likely going to be felt just under your breast bone. This is a pain that may just get worse if you lie down or bend over. Eating more food is always a bad idea as well. A lot of people get heartburn at night if they eat too close to bedtime. When they go to lay down, the onset of their heartburn starts up.

Treatment

If your heartburn is not too bad, then heartburn treatment is easy to find. In fact, you can go to your local store and find some heartburn relief. These are known as antacids. They are used to neutralize your stomach acid which will keep it from burning your esophagus. If that does not work, then your doctor may have to give you H 2 receptor blockers. These are taken to actually reduce the amount of acid your body makes.

Heartburn Diet Tips

Heartburn Diet Tips to make necessary dietary modifications:

1. Decrease total fat intake – High fat meals tend to decrease LES pressure and delay stomach emptying thereby increasing the risk of reflux.

2. Avoid large meals – Large meals increase the likelihood of increased gastric (stomach) pressure and reflux.

3. Decrease total caloric intake if weight loss is desired – Since obesity can promote reflux, weight loss may be suggested by your healthcare provider to control reflux. Reducing both total fat and caloric intake will aid in weight loss.

4. Avoid chocolate for healthy Heartburn Diet- Chocolate contains methylxanthine, which has been shown to reduce LES pressure by causing relaxation of smooth muscle.

Prevention Tips for Heartburn

1. Monitor which foods cause you to suffer heartburn. Often times, eliminating certain gas forming foods (such as beans, cabbage, cucumbers and onions) from the diet, brings an end to suffering.

2. Eat at a dinner table in an upright, sitting position.

3. Go for a small walk after eating, which will help stimulate the digestive system.

4. Don’t chew gum before meals, which also causes one to swallow air.

5. Never exercise following a large meal.

6. Avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing.

7. Chew food thoroughly and slowly, allowing for a leisurely meal.

8. Don’t consume alcohol with food.

Read more on Home Remedies for Acidity and Herbal Remedies for Heartburn and Herbal Supplement

Recipes

blogging

Medical practitioners throughout the world have experimented long to know about the cause of infertility in women. Various symptoms of infertility have been studied collectively. The most abundant and highly vulnerable of all the reasons is the decreased level of Progesterone in women . Hormone Infertility is also one of the reasons for this ailment. This happens when the level of hormones in body, decreases.

Recipes

blogging

With Christmas gifts and New Year’s Resolutions only a few weeks away, fitness and fat loss expert Craig Ballantyne sent me his top 5 gift suggestions to share with you.

It doesn’t matter if you’re buying for someone or if you want to know the best fitness gifts to ask for, Craig has the 5 best fitness present suggestions.

#5 – A Kettlebell

With a kettlebell, you can burn calories, do intervals, work your abs, build strength, and completely sculpt your body. Beginner women should start with a 12-18 pound kettlebell while beginner men can start with an 18 or 35 pound bell.

#4 – A blender to create delicious blender drinks and meals
For about $60-$100 you can get a machine to blend up fruits, veggies, nuts, protein powder, and seeds to create a nutrient dense complete meal to overcome busy mornings or to create the perfect snack or dessert. Once you get started “blending your nutrition”, you’ll be
amazed at what you can create.

#3 – A Gymboss Timer

This little timer allows you to set two different intervals and will alert you when each interval is up. It’s a cheap – $20 – tool that will help you organize your workouts and maximize your results.

#2 – A Stability Ball

The stability ball is one of the most versatile fitness tools, and it allows you to exercise your abs and back of your legs better than any bodyweight only exercises.

#1 – The Turbulence Training Fat Loss System

With Turbulence Training for Fat Loss you can lose fat and sculpt your body in the comfort of your own home, without doing long, slow, boring cardio. It is a proven, guaranteed program that will help you lose belly fat and get a lean, hard, flat stomach.

This is the #1 home Abs workout Program and perfect for your New Year’s fat loss program, especially if you hate going to busy gyms.

Plus, you can even try out Turbulence Training for less than the price of a giant, fancy coffee at Starbucks.

Click here to give Turbulence Training a 21-day try-out for less than 5 bucks:

Unique Gift Ideas

So those are the 5 best fitness presents you can give – or receive – this year.

Happy Holidays!

Daniel Brown

Recipes

blogs

 Weight loss is a challenge for everyone from all walks of life, whether you’re a teenager getting ready for bikini and beach season or a mid 40 gentleman who’s desperately trying to lose all those excess pounds for health reasons.

Whatever the case may be, there will only be 3 important factors that can determine how well you will lose your weight.

1.) Diet Diet will always play an important role in your weight loss; whether it’s that celebrity fad diet or recommended diets for quick weight loss program that your trainer or dietician has given you. Eating the right amount of vegetables and fruits everyday and minimizing the intake of sugar, alcohol and unwanted nutrients from your body, you can lose weight more effectively.

2.) Exercise Exercise and proper fitness programs are just one of the best way to lose weight. Constant motion in your body like dancing, sports and even weightlifting can burn the excess fat stored in your body which will then cause you to lose more weight when combined with a proper diet.

3.) Time There are no shortcuts to weight loss, even those programs that show you how to lose weight in a week are no exception. By losing weight too fast you’re risking your body to unwanted ailments like dehydration, muscle injuries and fatigue. The body needs adequate time to rest and recover from an exercise and it also needs an ample amount of nutrition just to survive. Even though you have to keep track of the calories needed to lose weight, there are still times when the body just needs you to eat more food.

The sooner you realize that these factors will always play an important role in your weight loss journey, the sooner you can figure out the best fitness and diet plan for you so that your body can easily adapt and lose weight in a safe and healthy way. It’s advised that you talk to your dietician or nutritionists if you want to build a more comprehensive diet plan.

Stephen Cauldry is writing a compilation of lose weight fast series with the help of his dietician and fitness trainer friends. The series involves fitness programs, diets for quick weight loss plans and other best ways to lose weight advice from experts.

Recipes

bloggers

When you think of famous classical music, I am sure that a few particular composers come to mind. That is because these few composers works were so profound, and they produced a number of great pieces. Famous composers like Johan Sebastian Bach, Ludwig Von Beethoven , and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart probably come to mind. These three masterminds put much more that melodic thought into their works. They have touched mankind in a way that nobody else could ever do.

In my opinion, famous classical music is the best cure for those who find it hard to fall asleep because of this. Listening to this soft, melodic music can transport you to another place, relax your mind and muscles, and soothes your mind into sleep. I often play some famous classical music when I go to bed, its the best way to get a good rest.

Interesting collection of articles at How to Make Music Online

Recipes

bloggers