Organic Change, Organic Life, Eco-Friendly Water

By Clara Paz In view of growing demand for organic cacao beans and derivates, Peruvian leading cacao processor Machu Pichu Trading inaugurated a new plant last month to process only organic, fair trade, kosher parve and free allergen cacao ingredients and chocolate. It is located in the city of Pisco. “The plant will produce chocolate drops, chocolate, cocoa butter and liquor waffles, cocoa nibs and coffee toasted beans covered with chocolate”, says export manager Esther Paredes. Other products will be gradually added. This plant will allow Machu Pichu to increase its capacity for processing specialty chocolates and to further develop unique formulations for its clients demanding cacao and chocolate with the all certifications. Peru is the second largest producer of organic cacao and ranks fourth with regard to its biodiversity. Peru grows Trinitary, Amazon foreign and Creole cacao varieties and has won recognition among chocolate experts. Last year at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, ...

By Janeen Madan - Nourishing the Planet A recent  article  in  Time Magazine  discusses how small-scale farmers are finding ways to turn the threat of climate change into an opportunity to build a more sustainable future for themselves and for communities around the world. In Africa’s Sahel region, innovative initiatives led by small-scale farmers are re-greening the once barren and dry land. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack) The innovative efforts of these farmers are  re-greening the once barren and dry land of Africa’s Sahel region. Dr. Chris Reij, natural resource specialist with the Center for International Cooperation   (and an author in the upcoming  State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet ), who has worked extensively in the region, told  Time Magazine , “In areas that used to be completely barren, where you could see villages miles away, suddenly the view was blocked with green.” Beginning in the late 1980s, farmers st...

Article from Yes Magazine! In most legal systems, you have a right to freedom of speech or religion, but you don’t have a right to breathe clean air or drink safe water. Maude Barlow—author, activist, and former senior advisor on water to the United Nations—believes that those rights should be recognized. This past summer,  she helped engineer a landmark victory : The U.N. formally adopted a resolution recognizing the human right to water (though the United States abstained). Now, Barlow is part of an international movement—of governments, scientists, and activists—working to bring a focus on environmental rights to the ongoing United Nations climate negotiations. This week, she is attending the United Nations climate meeting in Cancún, Mexico. The negotiations are thus far getting scant press attention, but thousands of people from all over the world are turning out in Cancún to voice their political views and hold alternative meetings and demonstrations outside the U.N. confere...

The U.S. government wants to know where your greenhouse is. Under Senate Bill 510 -- which is now back in the hands of the U.S. Senate after the House hid an amendment in an appropriations bill and passed it last night -- American food producers would be required to register their facilities with the U.S. government. The feds, it seems, want a database of food growers so they know who to target for surprise inspections (show me your papers!). As stated in the bill itself: ( http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi... ) SEC. 102. REGISTRATION OF FOOD FACILITIES. 18 (a) UPDATING OF FOOD CATEGORY REGULATIONS; BIENNIAL REGISTRATION RENEWAL. Section 415(a) (2120 U.S.C. 350d(a)) "The registration shall contain an assurance that the Secretary will be permitted to inspect such facility at the times and in the manner permitted by this Act." What this language shows is that the point of registration is so that government agents can conduct surprise inspections of food facilities. At...

25.)  VODKA, GRAIN SPIRITS:  Alcohol, or ethanol as it is known clinically, is a widely used ingredient in many skin care preparations. It is used as an anti-septic, a preservative, solvent, delivery agent, and a penetration enhancer, just to name a few. It goes by many different names on labels: Alcohol, SD-Alcohol, Grain spirits, Ethanol, Vodka. There are innumerable variations on these depending on what has been added to the alcohol, but they are all basically the same. For the purposes of simplicity, I will refer to the collective group as "alcohol" . I will break down a few of the most commonly used variations and their health safety implications as I go. The most commonly used type of alcohol in cosmetics is ethanol. That's right, just plain ol' drinking alcohol. The government requires that a bitter additive (usually denatonium benzoate) be mixed into the alcohol to prevent its consumption. This allows cosmetic companies to skirt the licensing requirements i...

A quick update on Leo who got a 3rd degree burn on his arm. After lots of research, we have bought a balm called Tepezcohuite that comes from Mexico and has been used there for centuries. It is very healing and moisturizing, which is what the skin needs after growth. We are now considering 2 creams to eliminate scaring and keep nourishing and regenerating the skin. One is made from the inside of oyster shell and the other is made from snail serum. Both apparently give great results. Here are 2 photos of his burnt arm. You will see the difference from the beginning to 3 months later.

In just a few short weeks  State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet  will be launched! We’re excited to share with you a  sneak preview of Chapter 1  entitled, “Charting a New Path to Eliminating Hunger,” authored by co-project directors Brian Halweil and Danielle Nierenberg. State of the World 2011 co-authors Danielle Nierenberg & Brian Halweil. (photo credit: Bernard Pollack) State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet will illuminate a new generation of innovative approaches to hunger alleviation that has emerged from farmers’ groups, private voluntary organizations, universities, and agribusiness companies.  After traveling to 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and visiting over 200 projects, groups, and individuals, we found that while these organizations span a large variety of industries and disciplines, they all share the common goal of equipping farmers with the tools to improve their livelihoods and...

By GARANCE BURKE California regulators approved a pesticide Wednesday for use by fruit and vegetable growers despite heavy opposition from environmental and farmworker groups that cited its links to cancer. The state Department of Pesticide Regulation will register methyl iodide as a substitute for the pesticide methyl bromide, which is being phased out by international treaty because it depletes the Earth's protective ozone layer. California's $1.6 billion strawberry industry will undoubtedly provide one of the biggest markets for the chemical, as will the Central Valley's nut orchards and the fresh flower nurseries dotting the coast in Ventura and San Diego counties. The pesticide is included on California's official list of cancer-causing chemicals, and the department's own scientific advisory panel has raised concerns that it could poison the air and water. The agency tentatively approved its restricted use in April and Wednesday's decision made it final. Re...

Intestinal gas  is an embarrassing and annoying situation that many people experience on a regular basis. Gas and bloating is, perhaps, one of the main health concerns that human beings living in the Western world complain of. In fact, estimates show that with poor dietary habits we expel gas at least 14 times a day. That adds up to almost 4 pints of air daily! But, while these statistics may be the “norm,” it is certainly not a healthy balance. What can we do about all this excess air? Below is a list of a few of my favorite remedies for gas and bloating. 1. Organic Ginger Drinking ginger tea and eating fresh ginger root are two of the best remedies for gas. Add small amounts of ginger (both dried and fresh) to your food, as desired. You can also take a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger before meals for gas relief. 2. Organic Caraway Seeds Try adding more of this spice to your meals, particularly if they are the foods that are known to cause gas. Caraway seeds help ease gas, indiges...