Talk about being in shape! What is the most hurtful thing that you would ever want to hear from someone? Those who know you to the core could shout to the world what kind of person you are but then, when you meet a stranger, the only thing that you would hear are a couple of comments about the way that you look. One of the most common things is your frame. How many times have you overheard someone bluntly say “Geez, she/he is so fat!” and made you feel bad? Perhaps, there were a couple of times already and you are wishing there was a way to eliminate all of the excess pounds you have, but how? People would say, you better get fast weight loss foods, those types that you would eat without being guilt-driven. Start munching on fast weight loss foods and see how wonderful the results could be!
Read the rest of this entry »

How many times have you ever complained of the many changes in the earth? Is it not that when the temperature gets hot, it would get real hot that you will wish it could simply rain or snow? But once the cold season comes, a deluge is bound to take its course and cause floods and avalanches every now and then. What happened to the world? No, this is not something that you would simply get used to everyday. There must be changes that could never be ignored and they will knock you off your feet before you know it. Cheers to some efforts by people though, you can now bid those woes goodbye. There is still a way to save the earth, a way to save yourself and the people who matters to you. Take organic farming as one of those things.
Read the rest of this entry »

Here is your opportunity to learn the secrets of healthy organic gardening with “Organic Food Gardening Beginner’s Manual” - all crammed into a simple, easy to use e-book.
Read the rest of this entry »

The organic-food business is booming: About 70 percent of Americans buy organic food occasionally, and nearly one quarter buy it every week, according to the Hartman Group, a market research firm. For most of us, the reason is simple: We want natural food that’s better for us and for the environment, says Samuel Fromartz, author of Organic, Inc. But buying organic can cost you — as much as 50 percent more — so read on to know when it’s worth it.

Organic foods may have higher nutritional value than conventional food, according to some research. The reason: In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers, plants boost their production of the phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds. Some studies have linked pesticides in our food to everything from headaches to cancer to birth defects — but many experts maintain that the levels in conventional food are safe for most healthy adults. Even low-level pesticide exposure, however, can be significantly more toxic for fetuses and children (due to their less-developed immune systems) and for pregnant women (it puts added strain on their already taxed organs), according to a report by the National Academy of Sciences.

Pesticide contamination isn’t as much of a concern in meats and dairy products (animals may consume some pesticides, depending on their diet), but many scientists are concerned about the antibiotics being given to most farm animals: Many are the same antibiotics humans rely on, and overuse of these drugs has already enabled bacteria to develop resistance to them, rendering them less effective in fighting infection, says Chuck Benbrook, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Organic Center, a nonprofit research organization.

What is organic food, anyway?

Though organic food can be produced with certain synthetic ingredients, it must adhere to specific standards regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Crops are generally grown without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, irradiation (a form of radiation used to kill bacteria), or biotechnology. Animals on organic farms eat organically grown feed, aren’t confined 100 percent of the time (as they sometimes are on conventional farms), and are raised without antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.

Is organic food better for me?

Organic foods may have higher nutritional value than conventional food, according to some research. The reason: In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers, plants boost their production of the phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds. Some studies have linked pesticides in our food to everything from headaches to cancer to birth defects — but many experts maintain that the levels in conventional food are safe for most healthy adults. Even low-level pesticide exposure, however, can be significantly more toxic for fetuses and children (due to their less-developed immune systems) and for pregnant women (it puts added strain on their already taxed organs), according to a report by the National Academy of Sciences.

Pesticide contamination isn’t as much of a concern in meats and dairy products (animals may consume some pesticides, depending on their diet), but many scientists are concerned about the antibiotics being given to most farm animals: Many are the same antibiotics humans rely on, and overuse of these drugs has already enabled bacteria to develop resistance to them, rendering them less effective in fighting infection, says Chuck Benbrook, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Organic Center, a nonprofit research organization.

Is buying organic better for the environment?
Organic farming reduces pollutants in groundwater and creates richer soil that aids plant growth while reducing erosion, according to the Organic Trade Association. It also decreases pesticides that can end up in your drinking glass; in some cities, pesticides in tap water have been measured at unsafe levels for weeks at a time, according to an analysis performed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).  Plus, organic farming used 50 percent less energy than conventional farming methods in one 15-year study.

The University of Guelph is officially opened the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming and students of all ages will learn about local organic food production and resource conservation. President Alastair Summerlee said during a grand opening celebration “it’s all about preparing younger generations for a different kind of future.” The opening celebration is attended by Guelph mayor Karen Farbridge and Robert Gordon, the new dean of the Ontario Agricultural College.
Summerlee said “this innovative centre will provide practical experiential learning opportunities for our students which in the long run will help bring about changes and improvement to our food system.” The farm is located on a one hectare at the northwest corner of the Arboretum, this will also serve as a community networking center. The three non-governmental agencies like the Canadian Organic Growers, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario and FarmStart have been involved in both the planning and initial planting.
Prof. Ann Clark of the Department of Plant Agriculture said “We are not simply operating a market garden but also preparing society for greater self-sufficiency in healthy and nutritious food with less dependence on fossil fuel energy and scarce water resource.” The knowledge student’s gain will be both practical and useful.
A commercial organic market gardener Martha Gay Scroggins will coordinate the center. She will oversee teaching and practical learning opportunities as part of University of Guelph’s major in organic agriculture. Clark and Prof. Paul Voroney of the Department of Land Resource Science introduced the organic major in 2002. It was the first program of its kind in North America and it is still the only academic organic major offered in Canada.