Organic Wine, Beer And Spirits

In the UK and USA, producers are increasingly making wines labeled organic or produced from organically grown grapes.  The meaning and legal force of these terms can vary significantly from one country to another.

A key point to add at this stage is the difference between organically grown grapes -- fruit from vineyards grown without the use of industrial fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides -- and wines made without synthetic preservative additives.

Organic Vineyards -- Where it all begins!

An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals.  This prevents damage to soil and ensures that no chemicals end up in the wine as residue.  Organic farmers aim to maintain healthy, biologically active soil whose fertility is provided by plants that fix nitrogen from the air.  In the vineyard it means planting cover crops between the avenues of the vines instead of applying herbicide.  Naturally occurring plant or mineral extracts leave no residue in the soil, and weeds are kept down with the use of mechanical and hand hoes.  Biodiversity is promoted through the plants, which help regulate the vineyard soil by attracting beneficial insects, spiders and predatory mites.

The Role of Certification and the Organic Market

When a label says organic, it means the wine has met certain standards that are set by a government agency.  Different nations have their own certification criteria, so whats organic in one country may not be so in another.  In the UK the Soil Association is the most recognized and used certification body.

Many wineries that are technically organic still choose not to be certified.  There are many reasons for this.  Some do not want the added costs and bureaucracy of registering.  Others may disagree with their governments standards.  Whatever the case, they are not allowed to use organic on their labels.

There is a national government target for 30 per cent of all UK farmland to be organic or in conversion by 2010, and 20 per cent of the food consumed to be organic by 2010.  The UK grocery market was worth $206 billion in 2006 and USA 634.7$ billion.  This growth in the organic food market will have a knock on effect on the drinks industry and will meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for organic wine, which is better for drinkers and better for the environment.

Financial Incentives to Companies to turn Organic

In 2005, 39% of the world organic farmland is in Australia and New Zealand.  To combat this The European Union (EU) offers financial support to organic farmers as an incentive for farmers to convert to organic production and help the sector grow.  These grants provide farmers with assistance during the period of conversion to organic farming which usually takes three years.

Organic Beers and Spirits

While not so widely available as organic wine, organic spirits are available through specialist suppliers.  The production process for organic spirits does not differ widely from conventional production.  The main difference lies in the use of organic raw materials.  Organic beers are now available in a number of pubs and supermarkets and tend to use organic hops.

Fancy visiting an organic vineyard?

If you are into Organic wine why not visit Englands Premier organic vineyard.  In addition to processing fruit on site, Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard is one of the main tourist attractions in the 1066 Country region in and around Hastings attracting some 5,000 visitors per annum to its Vineyard & Woodland Nature Trail + Wine tasting.

Why Are Online Organic Food Delivery Services On The Increase?

After a hard week at work or looking after children or relatives, the last thing you want to do is spend time pushing a big heavy shopping trolley around your local supermarket or walking around the busy town or shopping centre.  Have you realized how much time you spend, and how much energy you use when shopping?

Are you sick and tired of having to waste this precious time, when you could be spending it with your family, chilling out or doing something of your choice?  If so, then you need to start looking into deliver services in your area.  Delivery services are becoming more and more popular as the growth of the internet means that nearly everybody has access to a computer and can save time by ordering online.  You can even save money as its not as easy to get tempted into impulse buying when you cant see the packaging in front of you.  Just think, no more dragging young children around the supermarket and watching in dismay as they try to pull everything off the shelves!

At the moment nearly every region in the UK has a delivery service that is easy to find online, GuideMeGreen has loads of local and national organic, fair-trade and special diet delivery services with an increasing range of food and non-food products.  You often have to sign up or register with these sites and then you can begin your shopping right away.  They are easy and fun and so convenient that you will find yourself with almost too much time on your hands!

Obviously, different companies offer different foods for delivery but you can often buy most if not all of your favourite groceries and more from these companies.  You can find a vast selection of fruits and vegetables, both organic, locally grown and sometimes imported.  You will find exotic fruits and vegetables as well as the old staples like potatoes and carrots.  No matter what you need you can get it from these great food services.

You will also find a huge selection of organic dried and canned goods that you can have delivered right to your door any day of the week.  Canned soup and dried pasta are just a few of the great items you can have delivered to you each week.  Most of these services even have goodies like organic cookies and even some organic cakes!  Many companies have non food lines such as eco friendly washing and laundry products.

You will get a choice of delivery.  You may choose to have your food delivered after work or while you are at work.  Many people choose to have their shopping dropped off while they are at work so that they are there when they get home.  You can even ask that the goods be left in the back garden or with a neighbour so that they do not get stolen.

Organic food delivery services are flexible and convenient and they are something that every one can benefit from.  The increasing number of people using these services is testament to that.  The choice comes when you decide which ones to use -- should it be supermarkets where you can buy anything and everything in one go or should you support the smaller companies where you may not be able to buy everything that you are used to ... ill let you decide.

The Power Of Supermarkets And Changing Attitudes?

More and more concerns have been raised about the impact of the supermarket giants both on food production as well as on workers rights.

A recent report by War on Want and the British GMB, investigating the case of Wal-Mart (ASDA), shows how the relentless pursuit of supermarkets of the lowest possible prices has a negative impact on the supermarkets local communities as well as their suppliers, often based in the poorest countries of the world.

A few years ago, the supermarket retailer Safeway (now owned by Asda AKA Wal-mart) sent letters to their farmer suppliers asking for a contribution of £20,000 per product line, in order to improve marketing of the products.  They went on to invoice their suppliers for these sums.  Supermarkets have tended to only do business with the largest scale suppliers at the lowest cost wherever they may be located.  Next time you go to the supermarket take a closer look at the food labels, you will see New Zealand lamb and vegetables from Israel.  But this is not what most shoppers would choose -- when asked, they say they prefer British farm food.  Supermarkets are moving towards this as many are now offering vegetable and meat box schemes stocked only with local and often organic food.  Many small firms have spent years building organic box schemes and organic delivery into a viable business only for supermarkets to jump in on the act as it becomes more mainstream.

Britains supermarkets are damaging British business, are bad for consumers and bad for the environment.  Farmers and consumers are paying the price of its uncontrolled expansion here and overseas.  MPs must act now to curb the growing market power of supermarkets and ensure that Britains booming supermarket industry does not kill off farmers, consumer choice and the traditional British high street.

The UK Competition Commission has been called upon to look at the actions of supermarkets which many say are damaging almost everything that they touch.

Tesco controls nearly one third of the UK grocery market, setting the standard across the retail sector.  But while the company boasts about its commitment to fair trade and corporate responsibility, a new report from Friends of the Earth shows that Tescos practices are putting many UK farmers out of business;  while on the high street, some 2,000 independent stores went out of businesses in the last year alone, unable to compete with promotions and planning and taxation policies which favour the multiples over smaller shops.

One in five people think that supermarkets are most influential when planning decisions get made, over the council or local people.  Often people cannot get obtain planning permission to build an extension yet the supermarkets are often granted permission to build huge stores the size of football stadiums

But, things are changing for the better -

Supermarkets are trialing having tractors deliver goods straight to the supermarket door to save on food miles.

Tesco are installing solar panels and using renewable energy in certain stores to show how green they are becoming.

Waitrose has started its own fair-trade scheme.  The cash has been raised as part of the food retailers initiative to return a sizeable proportion of profits it earns on sales of citrus fruits to the farmers who grow them.

Ikea is to become the UKs first major retailer to regularly charge customers for plastic bags, to try and tackle waste and environmental damage.

The success of Marks & Spencers ethical marketing drive that urged shoppers to "look behind the label" has dwarfed all its previous advertising campaigns, according to research from a leading City brokerage.

Supermarket Sainsburys is to sell more than 500 of its own-brand products in compostable packs instead of plastic as it seeks to cut packaging waste.  It says the scheme, already trialled on some of its organic range, will save 3,550 tonnes of plastic a year.

Is this a genuine change in attitudes by the supermarkets or merely a change in public relations direction to ensure they get all the green pounds that tend to be spent in local markets and shops?  Ill let you decide.

Is Coffee Good Or Bad For You?

Did you know that coffee is the primary part of dietary antioxidants?  Now let's be clear:  that does not mean that your morning coffee is a substitute for fruits and vegetables.  But serious java drinkers will surely get a jolt from the news that coffee is a top resource of disease-fighting antioxidants.  Current analysis reveals that, taken in moderation, coffee is a safe beverage that may even offer some health benefits.

Coffee is one of the few beverages that is consumed world-wide.  It is consumed in most countries of the world and coffee is the second most widely traded commodity in the world (behind petroleum) and one of the most widely consumed beverages.  It may be a world commodity that is second only to oil, but an excellent cup of coffee tastes a lot better than an excellent cup of petroleum.  And, in today's world of high fuel prices, a lot more fun to consume.

So, can we call coffee a health foodstuff?  Well, that may be stretching it!  Caffeine, which is the "guts" of the coffee, is one of the world's most widely used drugs, and it has been part of the human diet for centuries.

Caffeine is one heck of a stimulant and is the element that gives coffee and many other beverages their jolt.  It is definitely a central-nervous-system stimulant.  It acts as a mild stimulant to the central nervous system and both regular and decaf coffee can irritate the stomach.  Drinking caffeine in boundless amounts as coffee or tea (which may actually have more caffeine than coffee) over a short period of time has been shown to raise blood sugar.  So if you are prone to blood sugar issues, beware!  And, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, lower your current caffeine intake to less than 300 milligrams a day or three cups of coffee.  Or, to be safe, cut it out altogether.

But you should be able to look forward to a early-day cup for reasons beyond the caffeine rush.  The general conclusion is that moderate amounts of caffeine do not lead to arrhythmias and drinking a modest account of coffee should not increase your risk.  Check with your health professional to be sure, though.

So, is coffee injurious?  Surely you should be aware that some experts argue that coffee is bad for you.  And nobody is saying coffee is entirely benign.  But if you have reasonable health and enjoy drinking coffee, an excellent cup of coffee is worth it.  But remember, coffee is not for everyone.

Well, I must go.  I need to refill my cup of coffee.

What Is Fairtrade Food?

The Fairtrade Foundation exists to ensure that producers are guaranteed a minimum price for their goods irrespective of world prices.

This means that Fairtrade goods are often more expensive in the UK than those without the Fairtrade logo.  Although people are now arguing that supermarkets are fuelling their excessive profits by adding large mark-ups to these products.  This premium that the producer charges covers the basic food, housing, health and education needs of the local communities in countries such as India and Brazil.  The Foundation awards a consumer label, the Fairtrade Mark, to products which meet internationally recognised standards of Fairtrade.  It is the only such certification in the UK.

Examples of products:

• Fairtrade coffee
• Fairtrade Tea
• Fairtrade Chocolate
• Fairtrade Bananas
• Fairtrade Honey
• Fairtrade Sugar
• Fairtrade Fruit Juice
• Fairtrade Wine and Snacks

The list of goods certified Fairtrade is growing daily as is the range of products available.  The co-op changed all their own brand chocolate to Fairtrade a few years ago and now all the other big supermarkets are beginning to move into the Fairtrade market.  Nestle have just released a Fairtrade brand.  There has been huge controversy over this as many people are asking how a company that is subject to a boycott can pertain to have Fairtrade and therefore ethical principles?

Why buy Fairtrade?

Millions of small farmers around the world cannot get enough money to feed their families, send their children to school or invest just a few pounds into their farm.  This is because people want to buy the cheapest goods possible and don't think about the people that working in poor condition and often receive less than £1 per day in wages.

Buying products that display the Fairtrade logo ensures that the producers of products such as tea, coffee and chocolate receive a decent income.  Rather than being hit by the ever-changing price of their product on the world market, or being fleeced by a middleman who takes a chunky share of the profits, producers in a Fair Trade scheme are guaranteed a decent, stable price for their produce.

By buying Fair trade products that buy direct from farmers at better prices, consumers are improving the lives of producers all over the world.  In Eithiopia, farmers can often get more then twice the price for their fair trade coffee then those that sell it on the open market.  This extra money enables the farmers to educate their children and to break the cycle of poverty.

Many people struggle to find a reason not to support Fairtrade.  Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers.  Fair trade is not about charity, it is about settling the imbalance which exists.

How do I know its Fairtrade?

Look for the Fairtrade Mark when you shop and make the choice to support small farmers and workers in the developing world, and encourage your workplace to switch to Fairtrade tea and coffee.

Should I Buy Fairtrade, Organic Or Local Food?

Again, I find myself torn apart with choices when deciding which is the most ethical, eco friendly and/or healthy option when it comes to shopping for food and non-food products.

Should I buy food and products that support workers in Third World by buying Fairtrade labelled products even though these goods normally travel thousands of miles from Africa, South America or South East Asia?  What if these foods were produced with the use of pesticides and additives?  It makes sense then to look for and to buy Fairtrade, organic food to both help the producers in the Third World and fulfil my lifestyle choice to eat healthy and additive/pesticide free food.  Thankfully, many producers are now wising up to this dilemma by increasingly producing organic and Fairtrade labelled products.  I am currently using Fairtrade, organic t-bags at home!  Now comes another important question, should I buy Fairly Traded organic sugar from Kenya that has travelled thousands of miles, or should I buy apples grown in the UK (ideally from a farmers market) that have only travelled only a few hundred miles which means less carbon dioxide and other nasty emissions from the lorries that you see constantly on the motorways in the UK?  Buying UK products not only ensures less food miles but also supports local farmers, communities and economies.  Unfortunately, choice is often limited and can be more expensive then food produced in other countries ... ... ... Decisions, decisions, it's probably best to abstain from eating and give your choice making brain a rest!

But I can safely say that I make attempts to avoid food or products that have travelled from far away destinations such as Australia even if they are organic!  Next time you are in the supermarket or wherever you buy your food from check the labels and you will be surprised by how far your food has travelled.  Also look at the amount of unnecessary wrapping such as individually wrapped peppers, mushrooms and kiwi fruit in wrapped boxes.  When I buy from the local market I tell them to throw it all into one bag, the customer next to me often has 10 individually wrapped portions of fruit and veg.  That's 11 (10 plus one big plastic bag) bags into the landfill site that day.  For maximum eco efficiency we need to be using jute or other bags made from recycled materials and putting all the loose food into that.

For recycled bags, Fairtrade and Organic companies, products and food see GuideMeGreen.

Health Food In General And Noni

All humans are addicted to the delicious taste of junk food.  We crave it, dream about it, and often want it when we are on our rigorous diets.  Somehow it is embedded in our brains that it is something we need.  Unfortunately, these types of foods are anything but beneficial to our health.  While we wish that they could be on the top of our diet plans, they should be eliminated immediately.  Luckily, there are healthy foods that are delicious, without the thousands of calories in one bite.

When deciding what foods to eat, you need to think in moderation.  Smaller portions are always the right way to go, regardless of what you’re eating.  For instance, if you would love to have a piece of apple pie, try taking a few bites instead of a large piece with ice cream.  It has been shown that people who cut back on their portion sizes actually lose an abundance of weight.  No matter what size you are, it is healthier to reduce the amount of junk food you eat.

Are you looking for additional ways to eat right?  While vegetables and fruit are just common sense, it is crucial that you try these foods for snacks.  Instead of grabbing a handful of candy or a piece of cake for a mid-afternoon snack, try a handful of carrots or a yogurt mixed with cereal.  These delicious treats are wonderful when you are starving, but don’t want to ruin your waistline.

Regardless of your diet routine, trainers and dieticians around the world will tell you to eat more than three meals a day.  Forget starving yourself if you want to lose weight!  In order to burn the right fat and speed up your metabolism, you must eat smaller meals around the clock.  This means that breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack and dinner is essential to look great.  It not only will curb your appetite and keep you hungry, but it also will help the pounds slip right off.

Besides eating right, there are also nutritional supplements that can work wonders.  Noni Juice, for instance, is a fruit juice that began in the Pacific Islands.  With all natural herbs and vitamins, this product is great for anyone who wants to boost their metabolism.  It also keeps your immune system healthy, as well as increases overall energy.  The majority of consumers love to drink this product after they have exercised.  As a result, they feel more refreshed and can continue their day without feeling drained.  These tasty nutrients may taste like you are devouring a calorie filled treat, but it actually is extremely beneficial for your health.

We all see the perfect bodies on the magazines -- frail-like and flawless.  Unfortunately, we start to take on these perceptions of beauty, once these images are constantly on our minds.  Realistically, no one is perfect.  We all are beautiful, regardless of curves or bones.  However, being healthy is the most important aspect.  Without health, we are nothing.  Forget about the physical aspects and worry about the foods you are consuming, and the nutrients that are inside them.  With a new outlook, you may think differently.

Coffee And Your Health

If you are a coffee drinker, you no doubt have asked yourself how much coffee is it safe for you to consume on a daily basis.  This is not surprising since so much has been blamed on coffee.  Heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, you name it.  At one time or another, coffee has been made to blame.

Here's a new question that you may have never asked yourself:  is coffee ever good for you?  The answer may surprise you.

Here is a statistic to ponder:  did you know that there are over 160 million coffee drinkers in the Unites States alone?  In terms of consumption, the average American consumes 8.8 lbs. of coffee per year.  But consider this:  the world leader in terms of consumption is Finland which comes in at nearly 30 lbs per year.  That's a lot of coffee!

Another statistic is that there have been well over 19,000 studies done to analyze the effects of coffee.  Now, studies can often be skewed to show whatever the author wants, but here is what is generally agreed:  consuming 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day is often considered more beneficial than harmful.

But, since everyone's body is different, we all tolerate things differently.  In some people even the smallest amount of caffein can cause nervousness and irritebility.  Consider also that a person may consume caffein in other ways besides coffee.  And often without knowing about it.

A little known fact is that coffee contains antioxidants which have been shown to imporve oveall health.  Here is a short list of some benefits which have been shown to be present in coffee:

• Reduce symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
• Antibacterial ingredients
• Reduce the risk of developing gallstones
• Preserve mental accuity
• Reduce risk of developing type 2 Diabetes (if you have diabetes, reduce your consumption)
• If you are free of hypertension, coffee will not likely produce it
• Headache relief
• Reduce the risk of some types of cancer
• Improve physical endurance

This is not to say that there are not some serious negative results of drinking coffee.  It is nice to know, however, that a cup or two in the morning may not hurt you.  But how do you know for sure?  Be sure to talk to your health professional and get their advice on consuming coffee.  They (and you) know what conditions you may have that you need to be careful of when it comes to coffee.  Then do you research and, if appropriate, enjoy your coffee.

Boost Your Energy Levels

If you woke up last Tuesday feeling tired and are still feeling run down, do not think that this is the end of the world and that your energy levels have been exhausted completely or that your age is catching up with you.  Everyone has at least once felt too tired to get up, dress, drive, work, and come back to the house ten hours later after performing a variety of functions, only to continue cleaning up, filing, cooking, and execute all those routine activities we have learned to complete on a daily basis.  But although you tried to sleep your tiredness away, the feeling of fatigue has prevailed and you are now in a worse state than ever before.  Do not panic, but instead seek a doctor's advice and perform a medical check up.  If all seem to be fine on the physical level, apart from the low energy levels you have been experiencing, then follow these tips and boost your energy to skyrocket heights.

People that experience a low energy period usually comfort themselves by resorting to sleep and adding extra hours of bed time in their attempt to find their lost energy somewhere in-between their bed sheets and covers.  This is usually not the right strategy.  If you have maintained a steady sleeping schedule, prior to this recent development, which suited your needs perfectly, the extra sleep you are planning to have will not help you increase your energy levels and take control of your life again.  On the contrary, if you decide to sleep when your body does not need that extra sleeping time you are increasing the feelings of being tired and lethargic.  Thus, instead of sleeping, try to exercise.  Energy needs energy to be produced.  By performing simple exercises, like walking or swimming, your body will increase its metabolism which will help you get your energy levels again up.  Try introducing exercising as part of your daily routine and you will be witnessing a tremendous change in your energy levels as well as mind awareness.

Do not forget to consume fluids and particularly water.  Additionally, by adding more vegetables, complex carbohydrates and proteins into your diet, you will see your energy increase and you will feel much better about yourself and be actually healthier than before.

Another tactic to boost your energy levels is to start working on something you have been postponing for a long time, but would love to see yourself doing.  Hobbies, interests, volunteer work or house improvement projects can help you get rid of boredom, which can be a very good reason why you feel the way you do.  You can invest time in doing things that are fun and relax your body and mind.  Going camping, fishing, playing with your or the neighbor's kids, can assist you increase your recently dropped energy bucket and become involved again.

Most importantly, you have to get started.  If you begin doing something that can take you away from that couch or bed, you will witness the difference in your energy levels instantly.  Do not procrastinate.  Act today and boost your energy levels back up where they belong.

Toast Of The Town: Wine As A Preventative Medicine

While not many of us look forward to taking our daily medication, some remedies are more palatably pleasing than others.  Among these, some preventative medicines for heart disease and some cancers, including red wine.

And while many are cheering the benefits of the robust beverage others are wondering if it's really the toast of the town.  And, according to experts, the answer is an unresounding yes and no.

They note that although wine offers many preventative powers against heart disease, some cancers, and inflammation cause by arthritis, these qualities are not intrinsic to the fruit of the vine.

Experts assert that while red wine (in moderation) ''does'' have health benefits, they are not any greater than those they can obtain via a hearty diet of antioxidants including fresh fruits such as red grapes, fresh squeezed grape juice, grape seed oil, deep green veggies, melons, pumpkin, squash, blueberries, peppers and other brightly-colored fruits and foods.

However, they ''do'', note that the antioxidants in red wine may be more concentrated than in other foods due to the fermentation process.  Yet, the concentrated levels may not be significant enough to make daily consumption recommended.

Also, health and nutrition experts note that there is also evidence that moderate amounts of other alcohol may be just as effective in boosting HDL (good) cholesterol.  Still, they (the experts) assert that they remain reluctant to encourage people to start drinking in an effort to stay healthy (against heart disease and some cancers) because alcohol consumption may raise other risks and concerns.  Among these, weight gain and addiction problems.  Excessive drinking can also increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and also estrogen levels in women, which has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer.

For women who fancy white wine, beer and other types of alcohol, the ''bad'' news is that none possess the same preventative and protective powers as red wine, since all the antioxidants are found in the skin and seeds of the grapes.  White wine is fermented without the skins of the grapes.

Women wine drinkers say experts can enjoy two to three ounces a day for the added antioxidant and benefits, but remember not to use it as an excuse to drink or in place of a healthy and balanced diet rich in preventative properties.