Humans Naturally Evolved as Vegetarians

The debate is old: whether or not humans are evolutionary omnivores or herbivores. Those in favor of meat consumption point to our incisors as evidence we are meant to be omnivores. Those who think we are naturally vegetarians consider our long winding intestines as evidence we are not designed to eat meat; however, some doctors believe we should not be carnivores at all. According to Kathy Freston writing for the Huffington Post:

The point is this: Thousands of years ago when we were hunter-gatherers, we may have needed a bit of meat in our diets in times of scarcity, but we don't need it now. Says Dr. William C. Roberts, editor of the American Journal of Cardiology, "Although we think we are, and we act as if we are, human beings are not natural carnivores. When we kill animals to eat them, they end up killing us, because their flesh, which contains cholesterol and saturated fat, was never intended for human beings, who are natural herbivores."

Sure, most of us are "behavioral omnivores"--that is, we eat meat, so that defines us as omnivorous. But our evolution and physiology are herbivorous, and ample science proves that when we choose to eat meat, that causes problems, from decreased energy and a need for more sleep up to increased risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Natural Food Friday: Organic Baked Apple Snacks by Yogachips

Sweet organic fuji apples are used to make Yogachips. These baked snacks are full of crunchy apple flavor. They are made in a two part process where first the apples are baked and then popped. Yogachips are certified USDA Organic and Ecocert.

Ecocert is an international third party certifying body that verifies organic claims and grants organic certifications on behalf of the USDA.

Yogachips uses Ecocert certification because the apples it uses are grown in China. This certainly adds to the carbon footprint of this product if it is consumed in the US.

In the course of producing a wonderful apple chip, we also look for ways to ensure we benefit our suppliers and the environment. Our Fuji apples come from China's northern Shanxi Province and grow on the southern slopes of a mountain range facing the Yellow River. As terroir makes a good wine, so are the natural factors at our orchards critical to nature providing a sweet, juicy apple. Grown at 2,300ft, our USDA (NOP - National Organic Program) certified orchards are cool enough to deter most pests, allowing apples to grow and ripen robustly from the first April blossom through till October harvest.

Yogachips are also Kosher, gluten-free, Halal, and certified vegan. My children love them and can easily eat a couple servings in one sitting.

Biodegradable Bamboo Dinnerware

It's exciting to see more and more alternatives to disposable plates and cutlery appear on the market. Bamboo Studio has introduced a line of biodegradeable dinnerware:

Bamboo Studio is a revolutionary all-occasion dinnerware that is both disposable and reusable. Handcrafted from the sheath of the emerging bamboo plant, these dynamic new serving pieces are elegant, strong, and environmentally friendly.

• Strong and leak resistant


• Handcrafted from Bamboo sheath


• No harsh chemicals or bleaches are used


• Requires little energy to make and Bamboo is 100% biodegradable

Bamboo Studio's organic certification is pending. What makes these bamboo plates unique is that they are made from the sheath of the plant, so the living bamboo is not harmed. The sheath also has a beautiful texture. This dinnerware is longer lasting and sturdier than typical paper plates, besides it is far more aesthetically pleasing.

Doctors Advise Patients to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) is advising:

Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM (genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials concerning GM foods and health risks.

AAEM was founded in 1965 and is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to expand "the knowledge of interactions between human individuals and their environment." Specifically, AAEM is calling for:

• A moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long term safety testing and labeling of GM food.
• Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community and the public to avoid GM foods.
• Physicians to consider the role of GM foods in their patients' disease processes.
• More independent long term scientific studies to begin gathering data to investigate the role of GM foods on human health.

AAEM has found that there is a causation between GM foods and serious health risks, such as "infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system." Over 70 companies have responded to the dangers of GM foods by pledging to avoid sugar from GM sugar beets in their products.

Via: Seeds of Deception

Ahoy Matey! 6 Flavors of All-Natural Pirate's Booty

We've long been a fan of the original Robert's American Gourmet Pirate's Booty in our home, but I have to admit we took a long break from the products following the Veggie Booty recall in 2007. Enough time has passed, and I hope Robert's Gourmet has learned their lesson, so Pirate's Booty is back in our kitchen cabinets. It's a great snack made from puffed rice and corn that is baked (not fried). We've tried six varieties of Pirate Booty, including two new flavors!

1. Pirate's Booty: This is still my favorite. I love the white aged cheddar.
2. Pirate's Booty with Golden Caramel: This was my youngest scallywag's favorite flavor. He does have a sweet tooth!
3. Bermuda Onion Pirate's Booty: This is a new flavor and my oldest scallywag's favorite. It is really good!
4. Robert's American Gourmet Sea Salt & Vinegar Pirate's Booty: Unlike many sea salt & vinegar chips that are too strong, this new flavor has just the right blend.
5. Veggie Pirate's Booty: A blend of spinach, kale, cabbage, carrots, and broccoli makes this snack easy to get hooked on.
6. Barbeque Pirate's Booty: This would be the captain of our ship's favorite variety. I hope he watches out for the pirates!

My only wish is that these products were made from organically grown ingredients.

Organic Spirits: Blue Ice Organic Wheat American Vodka

One of my favorite things about eating at the Millennium vegan restaurant in San Francisco is the organic mixed drinks on the menu. To make organic cocktails, you need to start with organic spirits. Blue Ice American Wheat Vodka is handcrafted from "pristine" Idaho water and certified organic neutral spirits by a family owned distiller.

As a USDA Certified Organic product, Blue Ice Organic Wheat Vodka bears the highest legal benchmark of purity that a beverage can receive. This guarantee ensures a commitment to environmentally sound farming void of chemical pesticides or harsh fertilizers and the absence of chemical additives or other possible taste-altering agents. Combined with a fresh harvest of hand-selected winter wheat and the seasoned palate of Blue Ice's veteran Master Distiller Bill Scott, the new spirit imparts a smooth body and a crisp, refreshing finish designed to please the discriminating vodka connoisseur.

Blue Ice also makes an organic potato vodka.

I'll be enjoying an organic cocktail this Friday evening thanks to Blue Ice!

Eco-Friendly Disposable Plates and Bowls Made from Sugar Cane Available at CVS Pharmacy

CVS Pharmacy is now offering a line of disposable plates and bowls made from sugar cane. CVS Earth Essentials Paper Plates and Bowls are affordable and biodegradable. They hold up to water and oil (and a heavy plate full of locavore potluck foods). Made from sugar cane, a natural and renewable resource, these plates are also microwaveable. In just one to three months, these disposable plates and bowls completely biodegrade. It is good to see eco-friendly products in national chains, such as CVS, even though I prefer to support locally owned stores.  Reaching out to mainstream American with eco-friendly products, even disposables, at least can make life a little bit greener for the average citizen.

Organic Fruit Delivered to Your Office

Reward your employees with fresh, organic fruit! The FruitGuys make it easy by delivering organic fruit to your office every week.

The FruitGuys is the industry leader in providing farm-fresh produce to the American workplace. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in San Francisco, The Fruitguys has pioneered this fast-growing category that provides viable solutions to the ever-challenging workplace health crisis. The company was founded on the premise that bringing healthy brain food to the office can boost productivity, improve wellness and help companies improve their bottom lines. The FruitGuys provides fresh seasonal fruit from local farms to thousands of American businesses, from small family-run businesses to major Fortune 500 corporations.

My family received a box of fresh, delicious organic fruit from The FruitGuys. Almost all of the fruit is from California, which is where I live, with the major exception being bananas. From cherries to oranges, we thoroughly enjoyed our box of organic fruit. FruitGuys has expanded to home delivery via the office, which is a nice option to ensure your family has fresh fruit every week without a trip to the store.

Why fruit in the office? According to the FruitGuys, fresh fruit can increase morale, improve employee performance, and lower health care costs by improving health. FruitGuys makes it easy by setting up weekly or biweekly delivery, and the program is cost effective. Feeding your employees fresh, organic fruit rather than donuts or vending machine snacks will make them feel better and know that their company truly cares about their well-being.

Ethanol-Based Charcoal Reduces 99% Carbon Monoxide Compared to Charcoal

Warm weather and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend means it's outdoor barbecue time. On the Fourth of July alone, Americans burn enough charcoal to power 20,000 households for a year! There is a cleaner alternative to traditional charcoal: ethanol-based charcoal. FlameDisk Charcoal Alternative reduces 99 percent of carbon monoxide and has 91 percent lower VOC than regular charcoal. Ethanol-based charcoal alternative is an eco-friendly option for all your grilling needs.

Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray Protects Your Family From Plastic Chemicals

We all know that the chemicals in plastics are bad for our health and our environment. Recent studies have even shown a correlation between phthalates in plastics and childhood obesity. It's easy to replace your plastic water bottles with stainless steel alternatives, but what about your plastic ice cube trays?

I remember stainless steel ice cube trays from my grandmother's house. These throwbacks from the 50s provide a modern day safe alternative to plastic ice cube trays. My kids think the handle that releases the ice is super cool, and I like how the metal actually seems to make the ice harden faster. At $25 a piece, these ice cube trays are more expensive than their plastic counterparts, but the stainless steel ice cube trays will last a lifetime (I bet my grandmother's trays are still in her home).

All Natural, Freeze-Dried Organic Fruit Snacks by Funky Monkey

We've reviewed freeze-dried fruit snacks before, but they were not organic. Now, Funky Monkey Snacks is offering three organic flavors: Bananamon, Purple Funk, and Jivealime. Matt Herzog, president of Funky Monkey Snacks explains:

The Natural Organic Program certification process is a rigorous examination of every step in a food product's life, from the field or orchard to the finished product. It's great to be able to officially assure our customers that Funky Monkey Snacks are not only respectful of the environment in every step of production, but also are grown and manufactured using organic methods.

Funky Monkey snacks are made from 100% real fruit. Each one ounce is equivalent to three servings of fruit. They are gluten-free and contain no added sugar or preservatives. Funky Monkey Snacks would be great for backpacking or putting in your child's school lunch.

Natural Food Friday: Organic Optimum Slim High Fiber Cereal and Farmers Can Be Heroes

Fiber, protein, and whole grains are the secrets behind Nature's Path Organic Optimum Slim cereal. Ingredients:

Made with love and ...
Organic rolled oats, organic evaporated cane juice, organic roasted soy nuts, organic wheat bran, organic whole wheat meal, organic brown rice flour, organic soy protein, organic soy oil, organic flax seed, organic flaxmeal, organic freeze dried banana, organic oat syrup solids, organic raisins (coated with organic sunflower oil), organic almonds, organic oat bran, organic puffed Kamut® Khorasan wheat, organic sunflower seeds, organic barley malt extract, organic cinnamon, sea salt, organic matcha green tea, organic molasses, tocopherols (natural vitamin E) added to enhance freshness, organic rice bran extract.

Cereal doesn't have to just be for breakfast. If you are watching your weight (or not), Nature's Path Organic Optimum Slim cereal makes a great snack.

Nature's Path Organic Foods, Organic Valley, and Organic Gardening have teamed up to support the Farmers Can Be Heroes program. This program recognizes our farmers are our heroes who must feed our world while battling climate change. The program provides online courses for conventional farmers to learn about how to switch to organic agricultural practices.

Farmers Must Feed the World While Reducing Emissions

Farmers are facing what many feel is an impossible task: they must feed the growing world population while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. From farting cows to growing crops that emit nitrous oxide, agriculture is globally a major source of greenhouse gases. According to scientist Richard John Eckard of the University of Melbourne:

We want agriculture to feed the world. We want farmers to be viable and continue to increase the rate of productivity growth. At the same time, we're telling them they are going to face a more harsh climate they need to adapt to. On top of that you impose a policy that you can now only emit a fraction of the emissions that you were emitting.

Australia is exempting agriculture, which accounts for 16 percent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions, from its emissions trading scheme until 2015.
Via: Reuters AlertNet

New Organic Snacks and Treats by SunRidge Farms

SunRidge Farms makes delicious organic treats and snacks. Founded in 1977, SunRidge Farms has over 1000 certified organic and natural products, many of which are sold in bulk!

Our goal is to provide both the healthiest and freshest products to our customers. We do this by offering foods that have been grown and processed without the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, artificial additives, flavors, colors or preservatives.

Their facility is even powered by solar panels. From classics like Organic Yogurt Pretzels to brand new products, SunRidge Farms helps raise money for the Defenders of Wildlife through the sales of their products. Here are the new products SunRidge Farms is introducing:

• Organic Sunny Worms: With 100 percent daily value of vitamins A, C, D and E per serving, these gelatin-free vegetarian gummy worms are bursting with natural fruit flavor.
• Omega 3 Men's Energy Mix: This nut, chocolate, and fruit blend is specially formulated for men, including Zinc, Lycopene and Omega 3's for good prostate and heart health.
• Frosted Star Cookies: All-natural and delicious real vanilla cookies, available in frosted raspberry, cinnamon, chocolate, peanut butter and mixed varieties.

Of course, my favorite SunRidge Farms product is the classic Hit the Trail MIx, which won the Best Taste Award from the American Culinary Institute in 2004.