October 16, 2019 12:00 PM (EDT)

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The San Francisco-based company, which produces and markets organic, plant-based food and beverages, has received a minority investment from Danone Manifesto Ventures, to continue to build its portfolio of innovative products, enhance sustainable sourcing and production, increase brand awareness and widen distribution.

John Charles and I have spent three years getting to know Jean Francois, Laurent and the Danone Manifesto Ventures team. Its the right time and they are the right partner good people with leverageable, relevant experience and capital, said Stephen Williamson, Forager Project Founder & CEO.

Forager Project is a family-owned and operated organic food company that has been crafting plant-based foods in California since 2013. The company has developed a broad portfolio of organic plant-based products including Yogurt, Milk, Sour Cream, Half & Half as well as a range of Protein and Probiotic Shakes. Forager Project believes that the food we eat should be aligned with nature. The purpose of Forager Project is to improve our planet and human health by making exceptional tasting, organic, plant-based whole foods more widely available.

Danone Manifesto Ventures believes Forager Project is a unique brand with strong potential in the fast-growing plant-based space. Forager Project is fully aligned with Danones ambition to continue developing a best-in-class platform to meet the increasing needs of plant-based consumers globally.

Forager Project and Danone have highly aligned values focused on improving human and planet health through food, and a shared commitment to sustainable, enduring business growth, said Laurent Marcel, CEO of Danone Manifesto Ventures. Over the years we had the chance to develop a special relationship with Stephen and his talented team, and today were very excited to start this partnership with Forager Project. added Jean-Francois Hurel, Chief Investment Officer for Danone Manifesto Ventures.

Danone Manifesto Ventures launched in 2016 with the mission to support innovative and healthy food and beverage companies, and partners with disruptive entrepreneurs that share its vision of a healthy and sustainable future. Through this unit, Danone makes investments and provides financial and operational support to its portfolio companies through access to its experienced teams around the world. Danone Manifesto Ventures has invested in various companies including Harmless Harvest, Farmers Fridge and Sustainable Bioproducts in the US, Michel et Augustin and Yooji in France, as well as Epigamia in India. It was certified as a B Corp in 2018.

More here:

Forager Project Welcomes Danone Manifesto Ventures As A Minority Investor, To Accelerate The Growth Of Its Organic Plant-Based Creamery -...

Ethical eating has many parts and definitions: eating with social, political or ethical concerns in mind; or consumer, economic, health, well-being and environment front and center. It could pertain to not wasting food, buying local, eating vegetarian/vegan, nourishing your kids, labor practices, packaging.

Taking that array into account, we emailed the same set of questions to local experts from different facets of the local food supply chain and ag industry, and let them tell us what ethical eating means to them, how they do it, and how we can do it too.

Jessica Harris has a succinct definition of ethical eating: Making food choices in harmony with your values.

But values are not only different from one person to the next, but may change over a persons own lifetime. When younger, a person may favor affordability; as a parent, nutrition content and safety concerns may override.

Her most vital ethical eating practice is eating organic, partly because its easy and partly because she believes in that USDA organic seal.

I tend to use organic as a simple shortcut for my grocery shopping, she says. There are rigorous standards for earning the USDA organic certification and I appreciate farmers and other food producers who make that effort. Organic touches all of the pieces in the supply chain that matter most to me eliminating the use of synthetic pesticides, keeping the soil healthy, caring for workers and communities while still providing an outstanding product each and every day.

Harris esteem for organics is also informed by the company she worked at prior to its being bought out by Taylor Farms earlier this year.

At Earthbound Farm, our previous mission statement was to make organic food accessible to as many people as possible, and I feel like we achieved that, she says. You can find organic in more than 75 percent of grocery stores today, with a large majority of those greens and vegetables coming from Monterey County.

Shes also a board member of the ag industry trade group the Grower Shipper Association, and, not surprising considering that Taylor Farms dominates the packaged salads category, she gives plastic packaging some license, saying that it plays a vital role in our food chain.

For certain uses (for example, organic salads) we just havent found a material other than plastic that can keep the food fresh and safe and provide the kind of visibility to the product that shoppers are looking for.

Shes also not opposed to giving people some license, too.

You have to make it as simple and convenient as possible or youll wind up agonizing over every decision at the grocery shelf. You cant torture yourself. Sometimes, youre hungry and theres nothing perfect around its OK!

As the director of the famed Salinas soup kitchen, Jill Allen says, We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to eat well and healthy, and most often, the homeless people we serve do not have as much opportunity as you and me.

If homeless people refuse food based on the same ethical guidelines that more privileged people do its not fair practice, or organic, or local they go hungry. So she sees their job as not just nourishing them nutritionally, but trying to abide by ethical standards on their behalf.

Here in Monterey County, particularly, she believes we should source locally. And more.

I believe that the farm workers that harvest our vegetables and fruits should be paid a living wage and should not be expected to work in conditions that are harmful to their health, she says. This includes working in fields where harmful pesticides are used, not being allowed to take breaks to relieve themselves of the often painful bent-over position, and providing adequate health insurance. If that raises the price of lettuce and broccoli, so be it.

But she suspects theres a way to do all that while keeping food costs affordable.

She says that people should support the local Food Bank for Monterey County and not just with canned goods at Thanksgiving time, she notes, but with money to buy healthy foods. And that everyone locally should support the new Blue Zones Project, which she says can shore up food ethics in Salinas and beyond for the next four years. Dorothys Kitchen will apply for Blue Zones certification next year, and already meets most of the criteria.

For her own familys ethical food practice, Allen says they eat organic and locally sourced, grow some of their own vegetables, buy fair trade food, reduce waste and compost scraps, and frequent the farmers markets. And as with Harris, she allows some latitude.

My guys sneak hot dogs in there for lunch, and eat more fast food when theyre out of the home than I would like.

As part of the ethical consideration of food practiced by Dorothys Kitchen, they are opening a deli/cafe called Red Artichoke Cafe at the new, low-income Moon Gate Plaza and will employ people from their client base, teaching them ethical food practices and helping them find permanent jobs in the restaurant industry.

Susie Brusas two main ethical eating components are the treatment of animals and the treatment of the planet (in terms of pesticides, distribution distance, packaging).

I am not a vegetarian, she says. I am looking for animal protein that has been treated humanely. The benefit is not just in my psyche; there is a tangible benefit in that the meat tastes so much better! This is noticeably true for both chicken and for grass-fed beef.

She says her cousin used to own a beautiful buffalo ranch in the Badlands of South Dakota, and applied for and received permission to shoot the buffalo on the plains from a distance. This spared the animals from the fear and stress of being herded into trucks and taken to slaughter, and preserved the taste and texture of the meat.

Several of our respondents touted knowledge and learning in order to guide ethical eating.

Brusa knows where to find resources, including Dave Dorrance, a Mt. Toro rancher who has conducted studies of the grasses and animals, and moves the herd so the land can regenerate; and Mark Farr of Corral de Tierra Cattle Company, which Rancho Cielos Drummond Culinary Academy Dining Room (which trains at-risk kids in running a restaurant) sources for meats.

And, again, another critique of plastic packaging.

In terms of the planet, I have a particular interest in plastic usage, she says. I dont condemn businesses for using plastic its the best-performing and cheapest option for packaging. Because of its lighter weight, the distribution of it (mostly in trucks on highways) has reduced emissions. So we have to find a replacement that can be as reasonably priced and scalable for mass usage.

She turns to expert guidance in Daniella Russo, founder of the nonprofit Think Beyond Plastic, which is enlisting large companies dependent on plastics to seek alternatives: Shes a badass.

Eating ethically is more expensive, Brusa admits. But it can be approached in bite-sized pieces.

Here are some things I do: Buy veggies that are not packaged. Buy in season. Reuse single use plastic bags for cleaning the cat litter box. Compost. Grow a garden. Recycle like a nutjob. Do not waste. Eat leftovers for breakfast. Label leftovers in the fridge with the day of the week you made them so that you eat them before they go bad. Again, nutjob.

Lastly, she invites people to eat at Rancho Cielo on Friday nights, starting on Oct. 18, courtesy of the young people who are learning to thrive in the world by learning practical skills at the Drummond Culinary Academy.

The word harvest is a key ingredient for this nonprofit operator of certified farmers markets. Another is season.

I think that learning to eat locally and seasonally are really important steps people can take to eat more ethically, Norris says. When you walk into a supermarket, the selection of produce does not reflect the actual agricultural community we live in. Apples, for example, are harvested on the California coast during the fall, but big grocery stores import them throughout the year, often from South America, and give the impression that apples (or any fruit or vegetable) should be available all the time.

Whereas at a farmers market, you will see the yearly coming and going of seasonal fruits and vegetables that correspond to the season and the harvest. Although in Monterey County, because the growing season is year-round, there is more abundance than in, say, Norris former home state of Indiana.

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Like Brusa, Norris turns to higher authorities on certain matters of food.

Alice Waters is my personal hero in this regard and her bookThe Art of Simple Foodis my culinary bible.

He says that Waters strategies can be applied to eating fish and meat, with the goal of buying locally from people you know are using responsible practices. And he encourages people to take their ethical food practices into their own hands even further by learning how to garden and preserve foods. And to think of others.

Access to local food is not equitably distributed throughout our community, and many local families face significant challenges in gaining access to the great food produce in the Salinas Valley and on the Central Coast, he says.

That is a guiding principle behind the mission of Everyones Harvest, which was begun in 2002 as a capstone project by Iris Peppard when she was a CSU Monterey Bay student.

The Aquariums Seafood Watch list (and app) has done as much as anything else to transform the way diners, chefs and restaurants think about, purchase and consume seafood, and to promote options that are more sustainable for the oceans.

So its no surprise that Bigelow states, Personally, I approach ethical eating as considering the environmental impacts of my food choices. That might mean considering the carbon footprint of my meal and having less dairy, for example, or asking questions about my seafood and choosing a Seafood Watch-recommended item.

And, again, maybe not surprising, he encourages people to first consume information in order to make better decisions about the foods they consume. He concedes that information isnt always easy to get or to pin down (should sea urchin be harvested and eaten by humans more to protect the kelp forests that the echinoderms feed on?).

But he says that by simply asking questions, consumers can sway businesses and, ultimately, improve the health of ocean stocks. Specifically, he encourages local folks to favor rockfish, sand dabs and other local species. But if the ethical choices are not clear or available, he offers an easy out.

If you dont know what youre buying, consider a vegetarian option before defaulting to meat.

Like some of the other respondents, he places responsibility into the hands of those who have the means to act on ethical concerns.

For many people around the world, unequal food access and poverty make [sustainable decisions] difficult or impossible, he says. For those of us lucky enough to have the relative wealth and information necessary to improve the sustainability of our diets, it is doubly important that we strive for more ethical and sustainable diets.

To me, ethical eating means trying to learn and be informed about my choices, and using what I know to pick the most nourishing and sustainable options for myself and my family, Forrest Melton says.

Thats easy for him to say. Hes a scientist. With NASAs Ames Research Center, no less. But he simplifies it into easily digestible terms: Eating one meal a day that is mostly legumes, vegetables, fruits and grains is a great way to start.

And he says that living in the abundant Monterey County makes it easier (if economic barriers dont exist) to check a bunch of ethical eating boxes, including eating locally grown foods, choosing foods low on the food chain, or those that are sustainably grown or harvested.

In his own life, when it comes to supporting local companies he says are improving sustainable practices (I like to think of the money we spend as a family on food as votes in the economy), hes not above a little name dropping.

Companies like DArrigo Bros. (Andy Boy), Driscolls, Scheid Vineyards, Huntington Farms, Rio Farms and others are making real efforts to measure and efficiently manage their irrigation and fertilizer and/or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, he says. Other companies, like Tanimura & Antle, are investing in affordable housing for their workforce, and many others make a point of giving back to their community (e.g., Mann Packing, Giannini Farms).

At home, they eat pretty low on the food chain, buy local when they can, make low-waste lunches, and minimize food waste. And just so this doesnt intimidate people, he adds, But we are definitely far from perfect, and feel that making a start is the most important thing.

And, because ethical eating includes drinking, a word about water.

One of the biggest issues locally is ensuring that we leave enough water for future generations of farmers. A number of local agricultural companies are working hard on water efficiency, and hopefully the development of the groundwater sustainability plan for the Salinas Valley Basin will accelerate this trend.

View post:

Leaders in the realms of local food and ag talk about how we can eat according to our values. - Monterey County Weekly

In the News

This week, California regulators announced steps to reduce childrens lead exposure at day care facilities across the state. In a hearing, the State Water Resources Board adopted a goal of reducing lead in centers drinking water to no more than 1 part per billion the toughest lead reduction action in the nation to date.

Lead exposure at the earliest, most vulnerable stages of a childs life can have pronounced and lifelong consequences, said Susan Little, EWGs senior advocate for California government affairs. The boards action is a huge step forward in making sure we do everything possible to protect them from the risks of this potent neurotoxin. Parents shouldnt have to worry if their children are at risk from lead-contaminated water and food when they drop them off at day care. This move will go a long way toward making sure that doesnt happen."

EWG, along with CalPIRG, Clean Water Action and other organizations and advocates,urged the water boardto adopt the 1 ppb goal as part of the regulations for a new lead testing law recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that was originally sponsored by EWG.

Opponents to designating PFAS the family of highly toxic chemicals as hazardous substances under the Superfund law claim the designation will effectively ban PFAS across all commerce. EWG broke down these claims and explained why they are not true.

Heres some news you can use going into the weekend.

EPA Lead and Copper Rule

E&E News: Enviros lament lost opportunity with lead rule revamp

"It is indeed a very good thing," agreed Olga Naidenko, the Environmental Working Group's vice president for science investigations. "It is fair to say it is long overdue to not allow sample cheating."

Heliyon Cumulative Risk Assessment

Environmental Monitor: Assessing Cumulative Risk From Water Pollutants

New research from scientists at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) shows that an approach that assesses cumulative risk from water contaminants could save lives. EWG senior scientist Tasha Stoiber spoke with EM about how the team developed the innovative new approach.

Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change + Health

Live Kindly: What is Red Meat Really Doing to the Planet?

Lamb also has a high carbon footprint. Some believe its even higher than beef. According to the Environmental Working Group, this is because lambs produce less edible meat than cows.

Metals in Jewelry

National Jeweler: CA Law Tightens Restrictions on Lead, Cadmium in Jewelry

Senator Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) introduced SB 647 in February. It was co-sponsored by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, the Environmental Working Group and the Center for Environmental Health.

Monsantos Glyphosate

Salon: Why Dr. Zach Bush believes herbicides could end life on Earth

As Salon's Matt Rozsa reported earlier this year, an Environmental Working Group study tested 21 oat-based cereal and snack products for glyphosate. 17 of then contained glyphosate at levels considered unsafe for children, including multiple brands of Cheerios.

Medical Health News: Why Dr. Zach Bush believes herbicides could end life on Earth

As Salon's Matt Rozsa reported earlier this year, an Environmental Working Group study tested 21 oat-based cereal and snack products for glyphosate.

Plastics

Enviro News: CAUTION ADVISED: Study: Tea Bags Leaching off Billions of Microplastic Particles into Herbal, Green Teas

There is very little published research on the potential adverse health effects of chemicals that leach from plastic food containers, so its difficult to say theyre safe with any degree of certainty, especially with long-term use, Anila Jacob, MD, Senior Scientist with the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit advocacy organization, told WebMD.

Seafood Guide

Mercola: Would You Trade the Worlds Most Nutritious Food for Gold?

Similarly, when the Environmental Working Group tested farmed salmon from U.S. grocery stores, they found farmed salmon had, on average. Reprinted byHealthGlu

Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce

American Fitness Professionals and Associates: The Science Behind Three Commonly Consumed Red Fruits & Vegetables

When possible, you should always look for organic tomatoes as they are included on the Environmental Working Group's 2019 Dirty Dozen List.

Eating Well: How to Lose Weight on a Budget

If organic is important to you, the Environmental Working Group has identified the foods that are most contaminated (that you should consider buying organic), as well as the produce that is cleanest and most free of pesticides (that you can buy conventional).

Winnipeg Free Press (Canada): The trouble with buying organic

To start, check out the Environmental Working Groups annual Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists (https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/), which provides information about the produce with the highest pesticide residues and those with the lowest. This can help with shopping for organic produce.

Ask Men: Best Sunscreens for Mens Faces

In addition to that, this cruelty-free daily facial sunscreen scored an EWG rating of one, which is not an easy feat.

Beauty World News: Beach, Please! Its Time to Break This Hideous Beach Habit

The EWG rates ThinkSport SPF 50 Sunscreen with a perfect score, as it has no known biologically toxic chemicals and is water-resistant up to 80 minutes.

She Knows: Protect Your Kids Skin With These 5 High-SPF Sunscreens

But perhaps best of all, it has an excellent rating from the Environmental Working Group for ingredients that are least likely to have negative impacts on humans or the environment. Reprinted byWomans Tale;Yahoo!

Tap Water Database

The Garden City News (NY): Go Green with Kelly and Colleen

Get angry, and then get educated. Review the resources available on the websites of the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org); Our Water, Our Lives (ourwaterlives.org); Water for Long Island (waterforlongisland.org); and The Citizens Campaign for the Environment (citizenscampaign.org).

Natural News: Whats really in your tap water? (The answers might surprise you)

Sending your samples off to a lab might not be practical, but you may be able to find out more about your water online. If you use a municipal water supply, check out the EWG Tap Water Database. ReprintChemicals News

The News-Star (Monroe LA): Tulane study points to natural cause for arsenic-tainted water

According to a new study from the Environmental Working Group, even tap water that has been dubbed 'safe' may not be and could increase cancer risk.

North Carolina Health News: DEQ, Greensboro wont identify industry that contaminated downstream drinking water

Melanie Benesh, the legislative attorney for the Environmental Working Group in Washington, said in an email that Greensboro should absolutely notify residents in the vicinity and downstream from this accidental spill.

Telegram and Gazette (Worchester MA): Shrewsbury town meeting to address chromium in well water

Unexpected levels of the chemical, recognized as a human carcinogen when inhaled, were first detected in the towns wells in 2016 after a report from the Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit watchdog group.

Read this article:

EWG News Roundup (10/18): California Seeks To Reduce Lead From Daycare Facilities, Debunking PFAS Polluters' False Claims and More - Environmental...

It is important to know what you eat because healthy food choices lead to a healthy mind, body and soul. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock Images)

It is often said that we are what we eat. As much as it is essential to have a nutritious diet, a proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fibre, vitamins, and minerals for a healthy lifestyle, it is also important to observe the effects of it on the environment. In India, a major problem of lack of nutrition in diet due to adulteration may lead to problems such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and eating disorders.

It is important to understand what you eat because the right food choices lead to a healthy mind, body and soul. with more awareness, the consumption of organic or naturally grown food has increased.

Adopting an organic diet is a wise choice for both the environment as well as personal health. Organic items are free from harmful components and more nutritious than regular food along with better taste, while being sustainable in the long run.

Free from harmful pesticides and chemicals

Pesticides and chemicals such as fertilisers and herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides are majorly used in conventional agriculture which are dangerous for health, especially for children and pregnant women, as they can cause serious health issues like cancers, brain tumours, leukaemia, immune disorders, infertility, cardiac disease, hypertension, Alzheimers and numerous other diseases. In organic farming, naturally derived pesticides are used, in place of synthetic pesticides that are common in conventional farming. Natural pesticides are non-toxic, thus eliminating the risk of major health issues.

Better quality

Organic vegetables and fruits ensure high quality as they are grown using natural methods of agriculture, without chemicals and toxins. Organic food products are always fresh because they are not treated with any preservatives or wax for longer a shelf-life. Though they do not taste like our favourite junk food, which is more spicy and sugary, they are rich in flavour thanks to the use of natural fertilisers such as manure and compost.

Supports environment

They are environment-friendly as organic vegetables, fruits, and dairy products are not treated with harmful chemicals or pesticides, which are not only dangerous to us to consume, but also for farmers and people living near farm areas. Chemicals can contaminate soil, water, and other plants too. Organic farming includes natural cultivation practices, which increase soil fertility, conserve water and reduce pollution. It also helps in reducing carbon dioxide, slows down climate change and the effects of global warming.

Organic food is GMO- free

In Genetically Modified Organisms, structural DNA of plants and animals are changed through the process of genetic engineering or Gene Technology. Its used to improve levels of nutrition and create specific traits. However, they have higher levels of toxic chemicals and pesticides, which can cause organ damage, gastrointestinal disorders, among other ailments. Antibiotics and other growth hormones can also have major health effects, while reducing ones immunity. Non-GMO foods contain more nutrients, such as omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Organic farming keeps the soil healthy

What you buy at the time of grocery shopping tells a lot about your health as well as the environment. Conventional foods are sprayed with harmful chemicals that kill living organisms which is needed by the soil to become nutrient-rich. Once these organisms get killed or replaced by synthetic fertilisers, it becomes more harmful and toxic.

Even organic dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, cream, cheese are rich in nutrients, have higher level of omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin A and vitamin B. Therefore, organic products are much safer and because of high nutritional value, protect us from various diseases and help in reducing the risk of heart disease, preventing skin diseases, cancer, arthritis, and numerous eye diseases, while providing strength to our immune system, said Rishabh Chokhani, Founder, Naturevibe Botanicals.

With an increased number of people suffering from health issues, switching to organic food is the right decision for better health.

See more here:

Sustainable living: Why consuming organic food is good for health - The Indian Express

123RF

If you like organic products, they work for you, and you can afford them, then go for it. Just know you're not poisoning yourself with the regular sort.

OPINION: One of the stranger interactions I've had lately was explaining to someone why I didn't want to write about thetampons they werepromoting.

I had tried them, I'd said, and I didn't like them. I should have left it at that.

Instead, I became embroiled in an unexpectedly intimate email exchange where I tolda well-meaning acquaintance that the thing about this particular brand of tampon, fashioned from organic cotton, was (and I quote myself here): "They don't hold shape well so you sort of have to smoosh them up."

I've long been wary of the organic tampon.

My friend, a nurse, once found herself at the mercy of an after-hours GP a dead ringer, as it happened, for Robin Williams' character in Mrs Doubtfire after borrowing such a device from her flatmate, only to find that when the time came to remove it,just the string emerged.

Despite her medical prowess, my friend was unable to retrieve the rogue tampon on her own, cue the Mrs Doubtfire encounter. She recalls the examination room's decor posters featuring topless men on motorcycles and the expression of disgust on the doctor's face (so unprofessional!) as she fished that sucker out. My friend hasn't been tempted toward an organic tampon since.

The thing is though, organic tampons are GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT and GOOD FOR YOUR BODY. This is what we are told by people trying to make money off our guilt (about ruining the planet) and fears (about all the stuff that could prevent us living our best lives), so, it must be true.

It doesn't matter that wearing one of these things feels like being stabbed in the pancreas whenever you sit down suddenly.

Organic tampons allow our plastic-bag-shunning metal-straw-sucking virtue signalling autopilots to extend all the way into our probably-not-organic-cotton undies.

They fulfil an intangible purpose, as well as a practical one.

I've always been a sceptical sort a brief but severe phase of evangelical Christianity notwithstanding but my bulls metre is currently at an all-time high, following a close reading ofThe Vagina Bible by Canadian ob/gyn Dr Jen Gunter.

Theinternet arch nemesis of sexy-charlatan-in-chief Gywneth Paltrow, Gunter has made something of a sport calling out quackery, countering fear mongering with fact wielding, offering peace of mind and probably saving women across the world thousands of dollars in the process. The book is essentially a user guide for anyone who has a vagina(including trans women and trans men), or came out of one, or finds themselves in proximity to one from time to time.

It's hundreds of pages of everything that's missing from the school health curriculum, and plenty that's missing from the medschool curriculum, too. I have been insufferable about it for weeks. When my flatmate said:"I'm 37, what more could there possibly be to learn?" my eyes lit up.

Having specialisedin women's health for 25years, Gunter has a particular interest in menstrual products. She has a whole section on "Menstrual Products and Mythology", and a chapter devoted to the time-worn question: "Are there toxins in tampons and pads?"

The paraphrasedanswer is: yes, but because of environmental pollution, not manufacturing processes, and even then, the concentrations are thousands of times less than those you'll find in food.

And, there's no difference between the levels of toxins found in "health food store"tampons versus "conventional"cotton/rayon blends, although, Gunter adds: "In one study the tampon that had the highest levels of dioxins was from an 'organic' company."

Gunter is not a fan of "where's the harm?"logic, particularly when it comes to companies capitalising on women's insecurities.Putting a sea sponge in there is an actively bad idea, for example they'rebreeding grounds for potentially harmful bacteria and impossible to effectively clean. As for knitted or crochetedtampons (Etsy has a lot to answer for...) she says: "Give them a pass."

But Gunterwould no doubt say that if you like the organic tampons on supermarket shelves, they work for you, and you can afford them, then go for it. Just know you're not poisoning yourself withthe regular sort.Me? I'll keep my virtue signalling confined to not owning a car and rarely eating meat, and my Carefree Silk-Ease firmly where they belong.

Read this article:

Why I'll never buy organic tampons - Stuff.co.nz

THE cannabis industry is on a roll. Over the last year, a budding array of hemp products have started appearing on the high street. Leading this green revolution is Westbourne-based, Daiba Organic. The company sell the compound Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, which has been credited with helping relieve pain and reduce anxiety. The oil wont get you high and is legal in the UK and Europe. Its currently classified as a food supplement, but you do have to be over-18 to buy it.

Daisy Smith, who runs Daiba Organic with her partner Bart Majkut, have been selling CBD products since 2017.

Daiba Organics range of CBD infused products include crafted organic oils, tea and chocolate. Daisy and Bart recommend taking a few drops daily orally or adding to your favourite drinks or recipes. The oil is grown organically and in accordance with the European Union law. To extract the oil from the plant they use a cold press extraction process, which ensures the best quality oil with no heat damage.

Daisy, 33, says: More people are becoming aware of the benefits of hemp and CBD products. Its moving away from the previous associations of recreational drug use to the more beneficial properties of CBD. Our oil is 100 per cent organic and our products packaging are eco and vegan-friendly.

The pair describe cannabis as a versatile and powerful plant, packed full of flavour and fragrance, with a whole range of natural benefits.

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report suggests CBD oil could be used to treat anxiety and depression but in spite of the reported health benefits, NHS Englands website said the quality and content of many cannabis-based products is not known. It reads: Some products that might claim to be medicinal cannabis, such as CBD oil or hemp oil, are available to buy legally as food supplements from health stores. But theres no guarantee these are of good quality or provide any health benefits.

Daisy added: Most of our followers are quite astute and already aware of the growing popularity and benefits of CBD products. Our oil is perfectly safe to use, and we make sure we choose the right plants at our farms. CBD oil is currently classified as a food supplement and not a medicine. The government legislation is very strict with claiming any medical benefits, but I can only say that we have many happy customers that are using our oil and they are finding life a lot more pleasant!

Heres one of Daiba Organics recipes, created in collaboration with Epi-Foods, to try at home.

CBD Power Balls SkinFood

Ingredients (basic dough):

100g dates, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight

100g roasted almonds

1 or 2 full droppers of Daiba CBD Oil 5.5%

Toppings (optionally):

Coconut flakes

Matcha

Cranberry Powder

Linseed

Grated Almonds

Cocoa nibs

Grated Daiba CBD Chocolate

Preparation:

Blend your soaked dates to a fine puree. Chop the roasted almonds with a large knife and mix with the date puree and Daiba CBD Oil into a dough. Form small balls from this dough. Roll these balls through any ingredient from the "Toppings" list above and garnish on a plate or wrap in sandwich paper.

* Daiba products are also stocked at Sunrise Organics and Earth Foods

Read more from the original source:

This couple make cannabis oil that you can add to your food and drink (and it's all perfectly legal!) - Bournemouth Echo

The city is known for its foodies and wide variety of foods available, be it special innovations in namkeens or its delectable Poha and Jalebi combos. One of the to-do things for celebrities, when they come to Indore is to taste its ware. On World Food Day, which falls on October 16, we bring a preview of best local food of Indore, international cuisines in Indore and unique organic food in the city. The day is celebrated every year to mark the founding date of the Food and Agriculture Organisation in 1945.

Innovative Indores most popular food: There is a large variety of the food items that have been invented in Indore. The undoubtedly most popular is Indori Poha, which is even in the race for getting geographical identification of the city.

The khopra patties, is innovation of Indore. The patties are delicious balls of fried potato with surprise coconut centre and eaten dunked in green and red chutneys. You can try them in Sarafa and Chappan Dukan.

From savoury sev varieties to roasted diet variants, Indore has the largest collection of Namkeens manufactured under various brand names. A meal without sev is unimaginable for many here.

In winter, an Indori speciality of small cubes of yam (garadu) that have been fried and sprinkled with spices to make a delicious crispy chaat is a must have. How can one forget the wide variety of kachoris and samosas in the city! From the spicy lal balti kachori to most-loved aloo (potato) kachori sold outside SGSITS college, the city has a flavour to please everyone.

Sweet or tangy or spicy? Samosas dip in a new taste in different parts of the city as per inclination of people. Protein rich and delicious mong bhajias are among the most popular evening snacks in most offices and can be found being sold in every corner of the city.

The mention of Indores food is incomplete without Joshis Dahi Wada and Bhutte ki Kees, which is popular all over the world now because its unique style of serving and lip-smacking taste.

For sweet-tooth: Indore does not fail the sweet lovers and offers a large variety of sweets from Jaleba to sugar-free diet candies. Some of the most popular sweets in the city are: mawa batti (a larger variant of gulab jamun stuffed with dry fruits), jaleba, imarti, kulfi faluda, makkan bada, rabdi, and mangli rasgulla.

French version of pastries and bakeries are quite popular in Indore, but more inclination is towards Indori style sweets, where we even prepare Rabri cakes, baker Shruti Vincent said.

International cuisine blends in the city: Considering the love for food, many international cuisines have made their way to Indore. Some latest trending international cuisines are Persian Gulf, French, Italian, Chinese, American, Mexican, Thai, Japanese and German.

A new addition from this World Food Day in Persian Gulf cuisine offered by Aamir Diyab is Baba Ghanoush Pita. This is the first time that it is being prepared in the country as street food I am sure, and we intend to launch it from this world food day to celebrate the day with food lovers of Indore, he said. The dish name means the father of coquetry or indulged/pampered/flirtatious daddy or spoiled old daddy.

Italian cuisines mean more than pizza for Indoreans. There are several varieties of pastas and other delicacies. Chicken Fajitas, Berried tea, Three Cheese Pasta and of course the Mushroom Rosti are among popular dishes.

Chinese has always been a favourite cuisine for Indoreans, and now, momos that have recently become a part of Indores cuisine have a spicier and friend modification as well. Several varieties of other international cuisines have been adopted and loved by Indoreans with highlighting Nachos from Mexican cuisine, pastries and bakeries from French, burgers, pies and waffles from American, and more.

The unique organic food centre: Promoted by Padma Shri Janak McGilligan Palta, Indore has its very own organic food centre and farmers market named Jaivik Setu. On every Sunday, one can enjoy a variety of north and south Indian cuisines prepared from organic vegetables and flour. The stress here is mostly of healthy eating and diet. However, feeding the Indori indulgence, one can find some delicacies street food style items as well.

Continued here:

Indore: World Food Day; City offers innovative snacks and international cuisine too - Free Press Journal

Chavany Willis knew going into Jamaicas Concacaf Nations League game against Aruba on Tuesday night in Curaao that if the opportunity arose for a penalty kick it would be his to take.

We practice (penalties) every day after training and the coaches picked me and said youre the first one to take PKs, Willis said on Thursday, his first day back training with Bethlehem Steel FC in Chester.

Willis didnt have to wait long to get his chance. He stepped up in the 7th minute and converted the penalty to give the Reggae Boyz a lead they would not relinquish. It was his first international goal in just his second start and third cap for Jamaica.

It was also an emotional goal for Willis, who dedicated it to his late nephew Kingsley, a 21-year-old footballer who was shot and killed in a confrontation with police in Jamaica in August.

That goal I scored is for my family, Willis said. Its for Kingsley so its a special one.

Willis, who turned 22 in September, made his senior national team debut off the bench against Antigua and Barbuda in a 6-0 Nations League win on September 6 and made his first start three nights later in a 4-0 win over Guyana.

Its a great experience and a great pleasure to play with those guys, he said.

Willis and Steel FC teammate Jamoi Topey have both made their senior national team debuts since joining the Philadelphia Unions USL Championship affiliate prior to the start of the 2019 season. Topey made his debut in the Gold Cup against the United States at Lincoln Financial Field in June.

I think its really refreshing for him to go in there because hes one of the youngest guys in the camp where hes one of the older guys here, Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. Hes been able to see both sides of the coin so to speak in terms of his personal development so were really happy with his performance and excited for him to get his first international goal.

Willis has logged 2,000 minutes playing in different roles in the midfield for the Steel this season, contributing three goals on the offensive end and is second on the team in tackles with 49. Player for Steel - he was loaned in from Jamaican club Portmore United - has played an important role this season in his development.

When you come across to the U.S. youre instantly recognizable in the national team setup in some of those smaller nations and hes taken full advantage of that this year, Burke said.

The Steel close out their 2019 season with a game at Charleston Battery on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

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Chavany Willis first international goal for Jamaica was for my family - Brotherly Game

by Sandy Wade

Ifyoure waiting to start that new healthy lifestyle for when you feel trulymotivated, the bad news is you may never feel like it. Motivation doesntwork. Its never there when you need itand it clearly cant be trusted. Whatcan we do when we want to make a true life change? Here are four things you cando when motivation fails you. These keysteps helped me shed 45 pounds and these same steps are helping me fight tokeep them off.

Whiteknuckling through another failed diet attempt painfully proves relying onwillpower is not the answer. I speakfrom experience, years and years of experience.How many nights did I fall asleep after exclaiming that tomorrow morningeverything will change? I was the queenof starting new diets and new workout plans.I likely hold the longest record with over three decades of diet do-overs. I was ready to launch a new perfect plan everytwo days! Im not exaggerating. I would wake up ready to start this great dayof this new healthy life, only to end the day in complete failure. Broken and disappointed I would begin thecycle again and again.

Accordingto health.usnews.com, 95% of diets we start fail, and 80% of people with gymmembership dont even use them. Themotivation and personal development business has grown to a $9.9 millionindustry in 2019, per marketresearch.com.The truth is motivation doesnt work!Just think back to the last ten years of failed New Yearsresololutions!

Zig Ziglar says, People often say that motivation doesnt last. Well, neither does bathing thats why we recommend it daily. Here are four things you can do today to transform your life, especially when you dont feel like it.

1. Be The Parent

Its time to be your own parent! What does that look like? Parents love you unconditionally and know whats best for you. They also make you do things for your own good and often they make you do those things you dont want to do. Its time to dish out some good old fashioned tough love on ourselves! Loving self-parenting is kind and respectful self-talk. You expect progress, not perfection. You encourage yourself by being supportive, rather than by beating yourself up, in an attempt to self-motivate. You also dont just let things slide. You get things done because you feel encouraged and authentically motivated from the inside out. You shift to problem-solving mode when you get stuck instead of criticizing yourself. You treat yourself with compassion rather than criticism. You dont let yourself off the hook, but you hold yourself accountable.

2. Remember Your Success

Focus on the successes of your past accomplishments. Youre capable of doing so much more than you give yourself credit for. We have a tendency to focus on the bad stuff. If you only think of your failures, youll get stuck in a trap of inaction. Remember how youll feel after youve done the thing you dont want to do, such as workout! Focus on the benefits and upsides of doing what you should be doing. Perhaps you will be in better shape, you will make more money or you will be able to spend more time with loved ones.

3. Failure Is Not Permanent

Life is a journey. The road to change and transformation is paved with ups and downs. Success is not a straight upward line but more of a squiggle. There will be failures along the way. Remember failure is an event and failure is not a person. Its easy to think about failures as permanent things, they are you, but you are not a failure. You are not a loser. Things in life go up and down. Often, the answer to a successful journey is learned from your failures in the past. The truth is, if you learn from it, its not a failure. Learn what you can and keep moving forward. Ask yourself what did I learn? What can I do differently? What is the hidden opportunity here?

4. Give What You Need

The best way to get what you want in life isto help others get what they want. Youget back what you give. If you needmotivation, then help encourage someone else.Youll ultimately end up helping yourself. Help others with what youwant in life and itll come back to you.Lift someone else up and itll lift you up. The golden rule, treat others the way youwant to be treated, became the golden rule for a reason!

Life is a result of our choices. We are all one choice away from a completelydifferent situation, body, relationship, career or life! You just need to take action. Get the ball rolling today. If youre waitingfor the stars to align and for all things to be perfect, youll be waiting fora very long time. If you wait for all ofthe stoplights to turn green, youll never leave home and start that trip. Ifyou wait until you feel like it, you may never feel like it. Everything willnever be perfect. Waiting for asituation to be perfect leads to years of never starting.

Make the choice to start and make a choice to focus. Focus on one day at a time. Focus on one thing at a time. You deserve the tough love of a strong parent who only wants whats best for you. Its time to be the parent. You know whats best. Do that thing. Go to that place. Apply for that job. Get out of the relationship thats not working for you. Reach out to repair a relationship that is good for you. Get off the couch. Go for a walk. Drink the water. Eat the salad. Its all within your power. Its your choice. We are all one choice away from a completely different life. Be the adult. Be the parent. You deserve some tough love! Your new life is waiting.

Sandy Wade is an Inspirational Speaker and Mindset Coach. Shes the author of The Healing is in the R.A.I.N., voted number one new release for Womens Spiritual Growth on Amazon. Visit her website at Sandywade.net to follow her blog. Sandy can also be found on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheHealingIsInTheRAIN], and on Instagram @Sandy_Wade_writer.

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Motivation Doesnt Work! - Thrive Global

The Tigers Trust will relaunch their Premier League Kicks programme next month with a special event in association with Beats Bus and Tommy Coyles Boxclever Bus.

Taking place at the Tigers Trust Arena Astroturf pitches on Friday 1st November (6pm-7.30pm), the evening will see a range of free activities available for young people between the ages of 8-18.

Theres no need to book your place just turn up and join in the fun! For more information on the relaunch event, please call 01482 358371 or email [emailprotected].

PL Kicks is one of the Premier Leagues flagship community programmes. It started in 2006 and has a long history of using the power of football and the value of sports participation to help youngsters in some of the most high-need areas in the country.

By engaging young people in constructive activities, including a wide variety of sports, coaching, music and educational and personal development sessions, communities up and down the country have been transformed with impressive football and sports participation rates and the authorities reporting significant reductions in anti-social behaviour in the areas in which it is delivered.

It has been running in the City of Hull since September 2010, engaging young people in free weekly constructive activities, including a wide variety of sports, coaching, dance, encouraging educational and personal development and offering the opportunity to compete with other clubs up and down the country. Its primary aims are to:

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Official Website of the Tigers - HULL CITY TIGERS