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