Empower yourself with knowledge
Organic – what does it mean?
Need to know what organic food is all about? You've come to the right place!
What does organic mean? The Soil Association, one of the UK's leading certification agencies, provides a quick overview with What Is Organic?
Why going organic matters. Organic food is generally more expesnsive, but is it worth it? Find out the real cost of "cheap food" to the environment and to your family's health in 10 Organic Reasons
Need a quick overview on all matters organic? These wikipedia articles, with their wealth of links, references and resources, are a good place to start.
Organic foods are made according to certain production standards. The use of conventional non-organic pesticides, insecticides and herbicides is greatly restricted and avoided as a last resort … learn more
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests, excluding or strictly limiting the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives, and genetically modified organisms … learn more
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants. Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping … learn more
Thinking of starting your own organic garden? Start here with The Basics for Gardening Organically
Food Ingredients
We all know we should avoid artificial colourings, artificial sweeteners, MSG, trans fats, nitrites, excessive sugar and salt, but what else should we keep away from? The resources below will help you to navigate the murky waters of food ingredients.
While natural, organic, unprocessed food is best not all food additives are bad. But some are downright dangerous. Find out which food additives are safe, which are untested and which are best avoided in this alphabetical listing of food additives.
Confused by product labels? Here's a summary of the types of common food ingredients and why they are used.
For more information than you will ever need, visit the Our Food Database with its comprehensive list of food ingredients and a wide range of food related topics.
E numbers are number codes for food additives and are usually found on food labels throughout the European Union. You will also find them on some local food labels. For a list of E numbers with a summary of each additive, click here.
Want to avoid animal ingredients in food, cosmetics and other products? PETA offers a list of animal ingredients and their alternatives … learn more
Allergies
Wheat, eggs, dairy, nuts, soy and shellfish are just some of the foods that may cause allergic reactions. While up to 25% of the population report having had adverse food reactions, the true prevalence of food allergy is lower and seems to range from 1% to 4% of the general population and about 6% of the paediatric population. Learn more with "A Guide to Suspected Food Allergy".
Celiac disease or gluten intolerance is a genetic disorder that affects millions of people. The only acceptable treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 100% gluten-free diet for life, which means avoiding all products that contain wheat, rye and barley, or any of their derivatives. Celiac.com contains a wealth of information on the condition and how to manage it in wheat-washed world.
Cosmetic Ingredients
Worried about what goes into your beauty products? You should be. For the ugly truth about what goes into hair and skin products, start with Ten Synthetic Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid
Many cosmetics available in stores are made from ingredients that may have adverse effects on your health. These may be derived from animals, microbes or are by-products of petroleum production. They may cause allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, or you may simply have ethical reasons prohibiting their use. Here's a list of chemical and animal/microbal ingredients in cosmetics to avoid.
For a list of potential human carcinogens used in toxic "skin care" products and their effects, click here.
To do your own research on what really goes into your personal care products, go to http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/ or visit www.safecosmetics.org.
Home Cleaning Products
Read about the potential hazards of chemicals in household cleaning products and their association with asthma, birth defects, infertility, and other reproductive problems. Download the "
Do you know you can make your own non-toxic all purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, drain opener and more? Look no further than these easy and effective non-toxic cleaning recipes.
Check out these useful links to ensure non-toxic cleaning and a healthy home … learn more.
More websites to help you become a greener, more ethical consumer.
"The National Recycling Forum (NRF) is a non-profit organisation created to promote the recovery and recycling of recyclable materials in South Africa".
www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za
A not-for-profit South African organization promoting glass recycling. Includes a list of glass recycling banks by province.
Measure the impact your activities have on the environment, especially climate change, with handy carbon footprint calculators for both individuals and businesses. Lots of handy tips on how to reduce your carbon emissions before it's too late!
www.biowatch.org.za
"Biowatch South Africa strives to prevent biological diversity from being privatised for corporate gain. We aspire to an environment where people control their food supply systems, where the benefits from commercial use of biological resources are fairly shared and where ordinary citizens are encouraged to help make policy choices about new technologies, such as, genetic modification."
SafeAge is a South African genetic modification consumer watchdog, calling for GM foods to be labelled.
"The National Consumer Forum (NCF) is a "non-profit and autonomous organization that is dedicated to the protection and promotion of consumer rights and interests in South Africa."
"TreeHugger is the leading media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. Partial to a modern aesthetic, we strive to be a one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information." 13 000+ articles in over 8 key categories.
"Urban sprout is a growing blog-style online community, featuring daily green blogs, events and a directory that focuses on organic and eco-friendly products." Local content.
"The Enviropaedia is a knowledge and network building project designed to motivate and facilitate wide scale participation in social, environmental, economic and political sustainability." Local content.
"Fair Trade South Africa is the national umbrella organisation for Fair Trade. The fair trade movement aims to enhance trading conditions for small scale businesses, improve labour conditions for employees and empower communities through ethical and sustainable trade."
"Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping."
National Geographic's GREEN GUIDE "makes living in an environmentally-aware way personal, practical and positive. Intended for general consumers, GREEN GUIDE … shows people how to make small changes that add up to big benefits for their wallets, for their health, and, of course, for the health of the planet."
The world's top 10 most visited natural health websites
The world's most visited natural health site with over 50,000 pages of health & wellness information on every medical topic. Original health and wellness articles from a wide range of leading health professionals. All articles are reviewed by the indefatigable (if somewhat idiosyncratic) Dr Mercola. A personal favourite.
The online version of US-based Prevention magazine, covering health, nutrition, fitness, the mind, beauty, and medical science. Includes "health news and research from trusted experts, including a 22-member advisory board".
A huge resource with a home remedies for every conceivable disease and condition. Features include "Top Searches", which lets you see the most popular searches, and the opportunity to send in your own questions on home remedies for natural health.
The online version of parenting magazine Mothering, the publication that promotes a "natural family lifestyle" and addresses "contemporary health, personal, environmental, medical, and lifestyle issues in an upbeat, intelligent, compassionate, and courageous way."
Dr Weil is a best-selling author best know for establishing and popularising the field of integrative medicine. The website is "a free online consumer resource for healthy living based on an integrative medicine philosophy." It markets a line of exclusive products and services, including Dr. Weil's Optimum Health Plan and a range of vitamins, minerals and supplement formulas.
Life Extension is a global authority onnutrition, health and wellnessas well as a provider of scientific information on anti-aging supplements and therapies. We supply only the highest qualitynutritional supplements,including minerals,vitamins,herbs andhormones.
Earth Clinic is a database of user submitted folk remedies with "dozens of restorative remedies, plus natural cures for cancer, fibromyalgia, back pain and better than 350 other diseases and conditions!"
This website includes an introduction to Homeopathy and an online remedy finder that matches remedies to user-submitted symptoms and questions.
A website dedicated to Ayurveda, yoga, meditation and Dr Deepak Chopra's Perfect Health programme, encompassing physical healing, emotional wellbeing and spiritual growth.
This online property "focuses on self-care, natural health, body detoxification, healing naturally". It asserts that "our bodies know how to heal and are ready to heal, if only we will stop violating the laws of Mother Nature. No one cares about your health as much as you do. Take charge. Learn how to take responsibility for your health today."
