gmo's, how much do you know?

Working at an organic foods company I am constantly reading reports, and finding the latest and greatest research on organic foods. Being immersed in facts and figures all day It is easy to forget that not everyone lives and breaths this stuff! So I decided to get back down to basics and hone in on some of the most important reasons I am in this business to begin with. I want to focus on GMO’s and why they are such a scary addition to our grocery stores. With so much attention being given to pesticides and synthetic chemicals, I think we could all use a little more education on this virtually undetectable predator.

Genetically modified organisms or GMO’s are a result of a technology developed in the 1970’s. A simple explanation of a GMO is the allowance of one gene species to be forced in the DNA of an unrelated species. It was thought that with this technology mass production of foods would cut costs and end hunger worldwide. Unfortunately, this was not the result. With no regulation, any company who develops and produces a new GMO must simply state that it is safe to the FDA and it is then categorized in the not so convincing area of GRAS which stands for (Generally Recognized As Safe). Once this GRAS label is obtained they require no further regulation and are free to be market and sell to the public. This means your food could contain unsafe amounts of pesticides, chemicals and/or GMO’s and no one is left to even question, let alone stop the process.

The risks of GMO’s alone are substantial, they are also unpredictable, with hard to detect side effects due to the lack of approved research. Allergies, toxins and nutritional deficiencies have already been determined as well as, believe it or not, demasculization. All this and we have no way of knowing which foods are contaminated and which are not.

Take for example the Brazil nut and the soy bean. In a GMO experiment Brazil nut genetics were transferred in to a soybean to improve nutritional value. Instead it provided a deadly allergenic combination. Fortunately the product was removed from the shelves, but if it were not for the irresponsibility’s of the government, scientists, and those greedy enough to market and sell a product they know nothing about we would have never been in that situation to begin with. This was not the first time an experiment has gone wrong, nor do I think it will be the last.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of an epidemic we must get a handle on. GMO'S need not be declared on packaging and therefore are hard to detect, even as an avid package and label reader you may still be purchasing a GMO product and not know it. Organic is truly the only way to protect yourself. I encourage you to do your research, help spread the word and join the Organic Evolution™.

amber - biz development

happy halloween from the earthpure team!

My favorite thing about Halloween is the creativity that it evokes in all of us. I am in the middle of planning my costume for this year, and I can’t wait to decorate a pumpkin! One sad thing about Halloween is the fact that most of our creative Halloween decorations, costumes, and candy wrappers end up in the trash. With the creative nature of Halloween, why not come up with creative ways to make it a more sustainable holiday?

At earthpure organics™ I went around and asked everyone for ideas on how to make Halloween more green. Here is what we came up with:

1. Handout candy that isn’t artificially sweetened and chocolate that is Fair Trade.

2. Take the focus away from candy and get kids involved with making their own costume from recycled materials.

3. Decorate your house with hanging ghosts made from old bed sheets.

4. Make your own Trick or Treat bags instead of buying the plastic pumpkin carriers that everyone uses once and then tosses the next day.

5. Buy decorations that can be used all fall. Instead of using only Halloween themed decorations, use things like pumpkins, leaves, and scarecrows that can be used up to thanksgiving.

6. Buy pumpkins that are grown locally.

7. Compost you pumpkins when you are finished displaying them.

8. Dry out pumpkin seeds and use them in bird feeders.

9. If you have young children that trick or treat earlier in the evening, use the candy they don’t want to hand it out to other trick or treators that come by your house. Less candy is wasted and you save money on buying less candy!

10. If you throw a Halloween part send out on electronic invitation.

Happy Hallogreen!

audrey - sales

cleaning your home organically

I am sure you have heard about the dangers of chemicals and toxins in our foods, products and homes. Almost everywhere we turn there is yet another warning that something we are doing or eating could be potentially deadly. Not to mention all the contradictory information out there, it can be nearly impossible to determine where the truth really lies. We all want to take care of our families and ourselves and one great place to start is in our homes. To many our home is a sanctuary or comfort zone so it is a great place to start.

Natural and organic oils and household ingredients can be used in lou of your standard chemical based cleaner. Next time you pull out your cleaning products, take a min and read over the ingredients list… The most offensive common ingredients, according to a 2006 study by the University of California Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, are ethylene-based glycol, used commonly as a water-soluble solvent in cleaning agents and classified as a hazardous air pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Also, chlorine, often labeled as “sodium hypochlorite” is found in a multitude of products. Not to end there, the Cancer Prevention Coalition, mentions other chemicals found in household cleaners including butyl cellosolve, and crystalline silica, both linked to being an irritant to the eyes and lungs and are likely carcinogens, in addition both likely lead to kidney and liver problems and are reportedly toxic to forming cells.*

I’m my opinion, a cleaning product is there to keep us clean and healthy and unfortunately it appears to be doing the opposite! So what can we do? Why not use what nature provides? Essential oils, baking soda and vinegar are all great products that produce the same or better results than their harmful competition. In my house, I decided to give it a try and began making my own cleaning products. It took a little prep work but was well worth it for a great non-toxic cleaner, here are some of the recipes I followed:

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
2 cups organic white vinegar
2 cups water
20-30 drops organic essential oil ( your choice, I would use one with an antibacterial property like basil, chamomile, tea tree…)

TOILET BOWL CLEANER

Sprinkle bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar and let soak. Scrub and flush.

FURNITURE POLISH
¼ cup organic olive oil
¼ cup organic vinegar
20-30 drop organic essential oil

While this is only a step in the right direction I truly believe you will be happy with the result. Not only will you house smell wonderful because of the essential oils, it will give you peace of mind that you are doing the right thing in keeping you and your loved ones happy and healthy!

amber - biz development

green kids

The world is going green! Many of us are making daily changes to our lives in order to be friendlier to our environment. Although many of these habits are new to adults, they can become the norm for our children. Now is the time to instill these habits to become life long lessons. Well , here is a list of 8 easy ways to teach your children to be green.

1. Make sure your family recycles. If you keep a recycling bin next to your garbage can it is easy to do. When the recycling bin is in a different area that your regular garbage area is, it is easy to be lazy and throw away recyclable items.

2. Have a family compost in your backyard. Once your child sees how much garbage can be put back into the soil, the more aware they will become of healthy soil and biodiversity.

3. Grow something together. Whether it is a family garden, or a small pot of herbs in the kitchen, it is important for kids to see that food doesn’t just come from the grocery store, it come from soil.

4. Teach them the same lessons we did about conserving energy by reminding them to turn off the faucet and lights when not in use.

5. Go to your local farmer’s market together. Again, this family activity helps kids be aware of where their food comes from. Also it’s a fun thing to do together.

6. Pack your kids lunch with them. When choosing items talk about why they prefer a particular item. Read labels and choose foods that are locally grown and that are organic.

7. Talk about environmental issues at the dinner table. The more kids know the more active they will be in helping the environment. Knowledge is power, and they can pass it on by teaching their friends about them as well.

8. Do activities outside! The more kids love nature, the more they will want to do to protect it!

audrey - sales

re-use the refused!

While reusing is becoming more prevalent, it is important to recognize the resources available to us in the most unique areas. Reusing starts with something as simple as a plastic bag and can extend as far as the eye can see. Literally. There are reusable materials all around us. Plastic, Cardboard, Paper, Metal, Wood, and my favorite- Fabric. Recycling and reusing comes into play in all aspects of life and with a surprisingly easy approach.

If you are having a hard time finding the perfect pair of pants at an affordable price, my advice is simple. Try shopping at local thrift shops and yard sales. There are many Thrift Shops, Antique Malls, and Second-Hand Warehouses around your neighborhood.
Also, yard sales take place nearly every weekend, which are great when looking for inexpensive furniture, clothing, and other accessories. Shopping thrift allows you to find your favorite pair of pants at a “perfectly fitting” price. It takes utilizing these outlets to actually see the difference and feel the impact of creating your own style, while helping our planet.


As I thrift shop I feel good because I’m actively reusing while cutting back on spending. Also, I gain more satisfaction when I find a piece that has character and history. I find that the articles of clothing and accessories I purchase at a yard sale or thrift shop are far more unique and authentic. Learning how to appreciate every small quality of life is simple to do when you’re gaining more by spending less.

Thrifty shopping comes in handy especially when you are decorating a house, an office, or a school. It allows you to be more innovative when decorating. We found that out throughout the building process of earthpure organics™. Our warehouse is built using recycled building materials and recycled furniture.

And don’t stress if it’s not “Brand New”…. If you think about it, it is completely new to your life! Make it yours and Show it off!

Be Unique. Save Money. Utilize Resources.

bronwyn - corporate

mOOve over conventional dairy

Everyone remembers their parents telling them to finish their milk. “You want strong bones don’t you?” they would ask. And we would sit there staring at the full glass wishing that it were apple juice. My mother would even make magic milk for my sister and me when we were younger. She would place a few drops of food coloring into the bottom of our glasses and then pour milk into them. When she stirred the milk it would “magically” turn into blue and pink milk. What a great trick to get us to drink milk as kids! Then when I was a teenager, and Pepsi and Coke were the cool things to drink, the brilliant milk mustache ads came out. Beautiful actresses and muscular athletes would pose with that milky white streak across his or her upper lip.

Drinking milk is cool again, but not because it is purple or because a rock star drinks it, but because it is organic. According to the OTA, organic dairy sales reached $1.3 billion in 2007. Organic milk is just conventional milk minus all of the red flags. In order to be organically certified there is a list of things that must not be present in the milk cows or on the farm they live on. Here are the regulations:

• Cows must have access to graze on pasture for a min. of 120 day a year.
• 30% of the cow’s nutritional needs must come from fresh grass.
• Milk cows must be fed 100% organic and vegetarian diet, with no animal based feed or by products.
• Dairy cows cannot be given any antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.
• Genetic engineering is not allowed anywhere in the organic dairy system.
• All farmland, forage and crops must be grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers.




Who knew that all these rules and regulations would create something that tastes so good! No wonder dairy is the second fastest growing segment of the organic food industry. There are no tricks to it. Organic milk promotes the health and welfare of people, animals and our planet. If farmers just let cows be cows by allowing them to eat grass and breathe fresh air, they will produce milk that actually “Does the Body Good.”

audrey - sales

trevor’s trek and childhood cancer

I was reminded of the somber reality of the childhood cancer epidemic last weekend while attending Trevor’s Trek. Trevor Smith is a survivor of brain cancer and has taken it upon himself to bring awareness to the community about Childhood cancer. Trevor had originally came to us requesting more information about our organic food business and also to support our cause in bringing chemical-free, Non-GMO, organic foods to schools, hospitals, and to the general public.

Trevor made it clear in his speech that he wholeheartedly believes that the toxins in our food and water supply have a direct correlation with the disproportionate amount cancer in our world today. We were honored to support the event and to help bring awareness to the community on the dangers of chemicals that are in our food (which has been linked to many disorders including cancer).

From everyone at earthpure organics™, we wish Trevor Smith the best of luck and success with his endeavor. earthpure organics™ is proud to partner with such a noble cause as Trevor’s Trek.

james - operations

thinking outside the box... or about the box.

Most of the food that we consume comes in some sort of package. A significant portion of this packaging is generated from one-use, to-go containers and packages. Fortunately, many new, plant-based one-use products have become available for retailers, foodservice providers, and consumers. The product offerings have become very diverse and include many types of bowls, plates, cups, cutlery, clamshells, trays, and more. And they are now made from an equally diverse range of resources including corn, beet, potato, bamboo, and bagasse (the fiber left over after cane juice extraction).

Bamboo and bagasse products are primarily made from pulp and resemble wood paper products. Corn, beet, and potato are used to create PLA, or polylactic acid, which resembles clear, petroleum-based plastic products in its finished form.

The waste stream from conventional, petroleum-based water bottles is staggering. Only a tiny percentage of these bottles ever get recycled. To address this reality, earthpure organics™ became the first company in the country to market a PLA bottle for the bottled water and vending industries. Now, consumers have the option of purchasing a bottle of water that is created from a renewable resource, is completely biodegradable in 80 days, and is BPA and phthalate-free. It is much cleaner and safer alternative for humans and the planet.

earthpure organics™ also distributes a full-line of plant-based one-use packaging. Just like organic food, bio-ware often costs more than its conventional counterpart. But it is the cost of being eco-conscious and green, and mustn’t be measured by the one-dimensional price-point lens. Health benefit, sustainability, and carbon footprint must also weigh into a product’s value. It is not enough, anymore, to think about what goes into the food we eat. Now, we must also think about the “healthiness” of the wrapper.

justin - product development

goodbye to plastic bags

I love to shop!

Whether it’s at the market or at the mall. Finding little treasures such as heirloom tomatoes or a pair of heels on sale is something that excites me. However, I used to pay little attention to the effects of my shopping habits on the planet. Every time I buy something I usually bring it home in a plastic bag. Even though I shove these bags under my kitchen sink with the plan to reuse them (lunch sacks, small trash can bags, etc.) I find it difficult to keep up with the ever-flowing pile, and eventually I throw them out. Apparently I am not the only with this constant battle. Every year an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide, and billions end up as litter each year. The problem with this litter is that plastic bags aren’t biodegradable. They just break up into smaller, more toxic pieces. These small bits of plastic bags kill hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, and other marine mammals because they mistake it for food. How awful! So, I’ve decided that I am going to carry reusable bags out with me on shopping trips. Many stores sell them (earthpure organics, reusablebags.com, Wal-Mart) because they too what to encourage us to help our environment. Now I have another excuse to shop! I love purses because they make a statement, now my grocery bag will too!

http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php

audrey - sales

its easy being green - 4 steps to a greener school year

With Fall just around the corner, many of us are facing new battles with the kids back in school, and the lazy days of summer coming to an end. Schedules are busy but the healthy habits you worked to so hard to build during the summer should be all but forgotten. We did our part to cut down on our electricity by using the air conditioning sparingly, rode our bikes instead of driving, bought organic produce from local farmers markets and kept up on our recycling. These tiny changes are hardly an inconvenience, save us money and are a tremendous help in preserving our environment. Lets keep up the good work and continue to do our part and make this new school year as green as possible! With a few simple steps we can ensure a less wasteful and healthier year for everyone.

1) Reuse items from last year. Retailers love back to school time, marketed as a sort of holiday consumers are persuaded to purchase a number of items that are unnecessary and wasteful. Try pulling out last years backpack or binders and help your kids stay involved by letting them be apart of “greening” their school supplies. Realizing that some new things are unavoidable look for recycled paper and pencils as well as keeping and eye out companies that are producing eco-friendly goods. Many large chain stores such as Target, Staples and Wal-Mart are offering affordable alternatives for the environmentally conscious. Even here in our office we found sugar cane based (Bagasse) notebooks for .99 cents each, small changes like this add up if everyone were to participate.

2) Pack school lunches in reusable bags. This is a two for one, By preparing lunches ahead of time and bring them in reusable bags or boxes you are getting a healthy meal and cutting down on waste on landfills. Fill lunch boxes with organic snacks and meals so your child is getting the best possible nutrition while at school and not consuming the toxic chemicals, pesticides, preservatives, hormones, and GMO’s found in conventional foods.

3) Carpool, walk or ride your bike to school. This is a big one, most of us have become accustom to the convenience of hopping in the car with out much thought to the consequences. Over recent months with the gas prices sky rocking it has given many of us perspective and caused us to look into alternative transportation. In my opinion, this is fantastic. Becoming less dependant on oil in general will force many to walk or ride a bike, in turn making us all happier and healthier people. If driving is necessary look into carpools with other parents or public transportation.

4) Educate others. By sharing your knowledge of organic food and environmental concerns you may be surprised by the number of people you influence to make better choices in the future.

So there you have it, 4 simple steps to a greener school year, I wish everyone the best of luck this year and look forward to hearing any other suggestions or comments on what steps everyone else out there is taking to keep our families and environment healthy.

amber- business development

fats: good or bad?

Fat equals bad. Well at least that’s what our society believes. We know that fat causes us to have heart problems, diabetes, arthritis and an expanding waistline. Therefore, when we see a product labeled fat free or low fat, we reach for it. We are like moths to a flame. However, with the popularity of these non-fat foods, why then are our obesity rates are climbing while heart disease sits as the number one cause of death in America? I think the main reason for this discrepancy is that we are not aware of the different types of fat that exist in our food. There are both good fats and bad fats. Yes you heard me correctly… THERE ARE GOOD FATS! Good fat is way better than non-fat because it actually has health benefits, not to mention it tastes better too!

Let me break it down for you. Unsaturated fats are called good fats because they can improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, stabilize heart rhythms, and play a number of other beneficial roles. Unsaturated fats are found in plants, such as vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. These fats are liquid at room temperature. The two types of unsaturated fat are called monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are found in high concentrations in canola, peanut, and olive oils, avocados. They are also in nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans, and seeds such as pumpkin and sesame. Polyunsaturated fats are found in oils such as sunflower, corn, soybean, and flaxseed. They are also found in foods such as walnuts, flax seeds, and fish. Omega-3 fats are an important type of polyunsaturated fat. The body can't make these, so they must come from food. An excellent way to get omega-3 fats is by eating fish two or three times a week. Good plant sources of omega-3 fats include chia, flax seeds, walnuts, and oils such as flaxseed, canola, and soybean. So don’t be afraid to fill up on all these wonderful foods!

Bad fats are the ones that we need to watch for, they are the types of fat that cause an increase in cholesterol, and heart problems. Bad fats include saturated and trans fat. Saturated fat is found mostly in foods from animals including beef, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheeses and other dairy products made from whole and 2 percent milk. All of these foods not only contain saturated fat, but they also contain dietary cholesterol. Some plants also contain saturated fat, they include coconut, coconut oil, palm / palm kernel oil, and cocoa butter. The other bad fat, trans fat (also called hydrogenated fat) is found in many processed foods. These foods undergo a chemical process called hydrogenation. This process is done to increase the shelf life and maintain the flavor of the food. Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Unlike other fats, the majority of trans fat is formed when food manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats like shortening and hard margarine. Both trans fat and saturated fat need to be eaten in moderation.

Now with this new understanding of the difference between good fat and bad fat, it is important to blow out the flame! Instead of being drawn to these fat free labels on the front of the package, flip the product over and look at the Nutrition Facts panel, and choose the food with the lower amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Health experts recommend that you keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3045789

So, enjoy your unsaturated fats, they are good for you!

Audrey - Corporate Sales

organic: it is more nutritious

The debate over nutritional value in organic vs. conventional food has been an ongoing battle for years now. Government and private studies have been performed; many with a different outcomes, thus confusing consumers and leaving us with contradictory information and no answers to a serious issue. One of the fatal flaws in the numerous studies, and the main reason we cannot get a definitive answer, is simply the inconsistency of each experiment. Comparing a study on organic produce in Washington to one done in Germany in different soil, weather conditions, care taking practices, and other farming variables is like comparing apples to oranges.

There are studies that prove that without a doubt organic produce is a more nutritious product - not every product proves to be extraordinarily higher in nutritional value but in my opinion, it’s enough to warrant a second look. According to 41 different studies and a report compiled by certified nutrition specialist Virginia Worthington on fruits, vegetable’s and grains, there is almost 30% more vitamin C, 22% more iron, and 30% more magnesium on average in organic produce compared to conventional produce. In addition there is approximately 15% less nitrates! Among the many reports published, the higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals remains consistent throughout experiments all over the world. Info such as a study commissioned the Organic Retailer and Growers Association has stated that conventional foods purchase in standard grocery stores has 10 times less mineral content that fruits and vegetables grown organically.

Research on the benefits of eating organic foods for its nutritional content should be enough to convince most people to pick organic during their next shopping trip but, if that isn’t enough, consider the fact that not only are you eating a more nutritious product, you are also avoiding all of the synthetic pesticides, hormones, GMO’s, and chemicals that are now part of your conventional produce. That’s good for everybody.

http://www.organic-center.org/news.pr.php?action=detail&pressrelease_id=22

Amber – Business Development

earthpure staff

The team.

Thank you all for a great job defining our mission, our company and our future.

paul - founder

reduce, reuse, recycle…rethink

How can we lighten the toxic load on ourselves and our environment? How can we make better use of our resources? We can address these questions via the green mantra “Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.”

Think about “Reduce”. As consumers, people often change habits because they are affected financially. A great, recent example of this phenomenon is the rapid rise in demand for fuel-efficient vehicles and the dramatic drop in demand for gas guzzlers, as the price of fuel climbs. Coupled with the rise in carpooling, biking, and overall reduced usage of vehicles, the net effect is a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.

How about “Reuse”? Cities, states, and countries around the world are starting to ban or restrict the use of plastic grocery bags. What a great movement. When you stop and think about the fact that most of these bags are used only once, they don’t make much sense. Of course, many do get reused at home, which is great, but they still have a very short functional life, relative to their decomposition rate. Hey, how about a reusable, fabric grocery bag? An organic, reusable grocery bag. How about a biodegradable produce bag?

And of course, we know “Recycle”. Immediately, most of us think of paper, aluminum, and plastic. Most of the materials in these categories recycle very well, especially when they are clean, washed, and without a cap. But how about biological recycling? When asked the question, “What is the best thing that an individual can do to make a difference in the environment?”, visionary architect and designer William McDonough responded with one word, “Composting.” Just as our exhales are the inhales of trees, and vice versa, our biological wastes are the raw material that feeds and enriches the soil. And we can also generate significant amounts of electricity during this decomposition process.

The momentum toward sustainable lifestyles and business practices is growing, through economic pressure, efficient products, and social awareness. Earthpure™ will continue to do its part, large and small to contribute. We hope you will join us.

justin - product development