More than two decades after the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented standards for organic production and processing, the category has zoomed from niche to mainstream status.

And there seems to be no slowdown in sight, the agency says.

In November 2023, the USDA reported that organic producers had increased market access to the point that conventional grocery retailers had overtaken natural food stores as the most popular outlet for organic food, with 55.6 percent of sales in 2021.

Produce has led the way, USDA reported, with organic fruits and vegetables passing $22 billion in retail food sales 2022good for about 36 percent of all organic retail sales, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Foresight and Fortitude

The success of the category is no surprise to some. Grower-shippers and marketers say they recognized the organics trend long ago and have helped steadily steer more fruit, vegetable, and nut volumes into the organics category.

For example, USDA noted fruit and nut acreage increased 76 percent between 2011 and 2021, as growers heeded increasing demand from consumers.

Overall, our organic manifest makes up about 20 percent of our total volume, shares Kaci Komstadius, vice president of marketing with Sage Fruit Company, LLC BB #:163180. The Yakima, WA-based company grows and ships apples, pears, and cherries.

The demand for organic fresh produce has remained strong, she asserts. As such, weve made investments to expand our overall organics program.

Wenatchee, WA-based grower-shipper Stemilt Growers, LLC BB #:113654 recognized the potential of organics more than 30 years ago and has been gradually building its organic footprint, according to Brianna Shales, marketing director.

Stemilt first got into organic fruit production in 1989, Shales notes, and the company now grows apples, pears, cherries, and stone fruit in Washington State and cherries in California and Washington.

This is an excerpt from the Organic Spotlight story from the May/June 2024 issue of Produce Blueprints Magazine.

See the article here:

Green Growth: Organics continue to flourish - Produce Blue Book

Key Takeaways

Theres no doubt that exercise can better your health, but cardio workouts and circuit training arent the only activities during which your body expends energy and burns calories.

In fact, everyday chores and habitslike doing the dishes, taking out the trash, or even fidgetingcontribute to your overall activity level.

These activities contribute to a process called non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). Though most people dont consider NEAT, it likely plays a role in maintaining your overall health.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis are big words that basically just mean any movement throughout your day that is not intentional exercise, Leah Barron, RD, LD, CPT, a dietitian at The Baseline Lifestyle Co., told Verywell. NEAT is all the energy we use to move around throughout the day that does not include energy used for purposeful exercise.

NEAT ends up contributing to a significant chunk of our activity. This makes up about 15% of our total energy expenditure, Barron said.

As such, healthcare providers often endorse NEAT as a way for people to prioritize their well-being. Given its potential for weight management and general health improvement, strategies to increase NEAT are often recommended to integrate more physical activities into day-to-day routines, Matthew Kampert, DO, director of Exercise Medicine for Endocrinology and Metabolism at Cleveland Clinic, told Verywell.

These activities may be helpful to people who have difficulty managing their weight through diet and exercise. Increasing NEAT is a great health-promoting goal for someone who does not like to exercise or does not have access to the time, space, or equipment to exercise, Barron said.

Implementing more NEAT can also help with obesity or overweight, conditions that increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some types of cancer, and more.

Along with NEAT, there are three other components that make up your total energy expenditure, Barron said:

BMR is the amount of energy it takes your body to keep you alive while completely at rest, Barron said. So if you were to lie in bed all day and never move, your body would still need a certain amount of energy to maintain all your bodily processes like brain and heart function. Even though most people dont equate staying in bed with expending energy, BMR makes up about 70% of your total energy expenditure, Barron explained.

EAT refers to the energy we use performing intentional exercises, such as taking a spin class or visiting the gym. For most people, this makes up about 5% of our total energy expenditure, Barron said. [But] this will obviously vary for the individual depending on the amount of exercise they do.

The amount of energy required for your body to digest the food you eat is called the TEF, Barron said. This makes up about 10% of your total energy expenditure, [though] different foods require different amounts of energy to digest, so foods higher in protein and fiber will require more energy, while foods lower in fiber and protein will require less, Barron said.

How much energy you spend on NEAT depends on your habits: Somebody who tends to live a pretty sedentary lifestyle will use a lot less energy for NEAT than someone with a more active lifestyle, Barron said.

Though you may not even think about NEAT as you go about your day, the activities it encompasses significantly affect your health.

This is especially true for people with overweight or obesity. Depending on the individual, increasing NEAT could definitely have a positive impact on weight and health, Barron said. Our [BMR] and the [TEF] both tend to be fairly stable, so increasing physical activity through NEAT and/or purposeful exercise is the most efficient way to increase total energy expenditure.

NEAT impacts your health in various ways: NEAT plays a significant role in sustained weight loss and management through several mechanisms, Kampert said. By increasing NEAT through simple activities like walking or standing, individuals can expend more calories without engaging in structured exercise, [and] NEAT helps maintain a higher metabolic rate, even at rest, by incorporating more movement into daily routines.

NEAT often involves behavioral changes that help you sustain a more active lifestyle, which is crucial for long-term weight management, Kampert added.

It can be helpful to think about increasing NEAT in three different areas of your life, Kampert said.

At work, you could:

At home, you can:

During your day-to-day life, you can:

Additionally, it can be helpful to wear a fitness tracker that allows you to set reminders to move throughout the day, Kampert said.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) refers to any activity you do that isnt exercise, like walking around your house, playing with your children, or doing household chores. These activities play a significant role in energy expenditureand burning calories. Increasing NEAT can help people with obesity and overweight, and this may be especially beneficial for people who have a difficult time managing their weight through traditional exercise methods.

By Maggie O'Neill ONeill is a reporter who covers new medical research and addiction. She previously worked at SELFmagazine and Health.com, and she was a 2020 fellow at the Association of Health Care Journalists.

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Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) Can Support Weight Management. What is NEAT, and How Can You ... - Verywell Health

BNB/USD Elliott Wave technical analysis

Function: Follow Trend.

Mode: Motive.

Structure: Impulse.

Position: Wave ((v)).

Direction next higher degrees:Wave 3.

Wave cancel invalid level: 287.5.

Details: Wave ((V)) is equal to wave ((1) at 734.4.

Binance is still in an uptrend in the formof an Impulse Wave and the price has a chance to test the734.4 level before correcting again. Therefore, the overall picture is still a continuous increase. Look for opportunities to open long positions.

Binance/U.S. dollar(BNBUSD)Technical Indicators: The price is above the MA200 indicating an Uptrend, The Wave Oscillator is a Bullish Momentum.

Elliott Wave Analysis TradingLounge 4Hr Chart,

Binance/U.S. dollar(BNBUSD).

Function: Follow Trend.

Mode: Motive.

Structure: Impulse.

Position: Wave ((v)).

Direction next higher degrees: Wave 3.

Wave cancel invalid level: 287.5.

Details: Wave ((V)) is equal to wave ((1) at734.4.

Binance is still in an uptrend in the form ofan Impulse Wave and the price has a chance to test the 734.4 level before correcting again. Therefore, the overall picture is still a continuous increase. Look for opportunities to open long positions.

Binance/U.S. dollar(BNBUSD)Technical Indicators: The price is above the MA200 indicating an Uptrend, The Wave Oscillator is a Bullish Momentum.

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Binance Elliott Wave technical analysis [Video] - FXStreet

The concept of toxic positivity has been gaining traction in recent times, casting a shadow over the idea of maintaining a positive mindset. Critics of toxic positivity argue that it encourages people to suppress or ignore their negative emotions, which can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. However, numerous studies and expert opinions have shown that optimism and positive thinking, when balanced with a healthy dose of reality, are linked to improved mental and physical health outcomes. This article aims to explore the benefits of positive thinking and provide guidance on how to harness its power while avoiding the pitfalls of toxic positivity.

Positive thinking does more than just make you feel good. It has a tangible impact on your mental and physical health, as well as your overall well-being. According to a LinkedIn article, maintaining a positive attitude can lead to reduced stress, enhanced immune function, and improved physical and mental health. It can even impact our longevity and act as a preventative measure against diseases.

But the benefits of positivity extend beyond our bodies. As per a Medium article, fostering a positive mindset can cultivate resilience, nurture positive relationships, and turn challenges into opportunities. It can shape a brighter and more fulfilling future, contributing to personal transformation and success.

So, how do we cultivate this positive mindset? There are several practical strategies that can be employed. Firstly, positive self-talk has been shown to have numerous health and wellness benefits. As Popsugar suggests, it can reduce worry, improve confidence, and even enhance physical performance. Techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy can help challenge negative core beliefs and reshape your mindset through affirmations and journaling.

Another recommendation is to practice gratitude. Recognizing and appreciating what we have can generate positivity and happiness. It reminds us of our blessings, shifts our focus from what we lack to what we possess, and ultimately contributes to a positive mindset.

While positivity is powerful, it is essential to recognize and avoid toxic positivity. This is when positivity is forced upon oneself or others, invalidating genuine emotions and experiences. It promotes the idea that any type of negative emotion is inherently bad, leading to the suppression of such emotions and causing more harm than good. A healthier approach is to accept that negative emotions are a natural part of life and to deal with them in a constructive way.

The key is to strike a balance between positive thinking and acknowledging negative emotions. It is about being optimistic, but also realistic. As highlighted in a Kathmandu Post article, while positive thinking plays a crucial role in mental health, it should be balanced with professional help and addressing negative emotions. A holistic approach to mental health that includes both positive thinking and dealing with negative emotions is the most beneficial.

In conclusion, positive thinking has immense potential in improving our mental and physical health and boosting our overall well-being. However, it is crucial to recognize the pitfalls of toxic positivity and to balance optimism with a healthy dose of reality. Embrace positivity, but remember its okay to not be okay sometimes.

See more here:
The Power of Positive Thinking: Exploring the Benefits and Practical Strategies - Medriva