Video - Introduction to the Total Wellness Cleanse

This quick video gives a 3-minute overview of what is, in my opinion, one of the best detox cleanse programs out there. It works with real, whole, natural foods to enhance and support your body's natural detoxification processes. This is more effective and puts a lot less stress on your bodily systems than a lot of the juice cleanse or supplement "detoxes" out there, and it's also easier to maintain and help eliminate cravings along the way.

Watch the short video below, and click the link below the video if you are interested in learning more.

Detox Diet: Total Wellness Cleanse
Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN & Amy Coates, RHN, BSc. Cleansing your body does not require fancy pills or s...
 

Click Here to Learn More About The Total Wellness Cleanse...

 

Video - 5 Super Foods That Could Change Your Life

Here is a really interesting video segment from The Today Show, on 5 superfoods you may never have heard of, but which have amazing health benefits and will be coming soon to a store near you! I am intrigued to try the Laver (I love the seaweed chips I've tried), and have had alligator and it was excellent, but not readily available here in the Midwest yet, and haven't heard of most of the others, but they sound very interesting.

Check it out, and if you've tried any of these before, we'd love to hear about it, so post your comments below!

The Today Show, 5 Super Foods to Change Your Life
TotalLifeChanges.com The Today Show on NBC, 5 Super Foods that can Change Your Life. Try Dr Millers Iaso Tea, All Natural, All Organic.


Find These Super Foods Online:
   

How to Know If You Are Buying Organic Foods

Are you interested in making the switch to organic foods?  If you are, you may start shopping organically soon.  When it comes to doing so, there are many new eaters who wonder how they can tell if they are buying organic foods or not.  Although this question is commonly asked, it is relatively easy to make sure that you are buying truly organic foods.

Image via WikipediaOne important point that many do not take into consideration is the strict standards that are associated with the making and selling of organic foods.  Companies claiming to sell fully organic foods should do so with the backing of Quality Assurance International (QAI) or the USDA (other countries will also have their own form of organic labeling for certified organic foods).  When shopping, be sure to look for certified organic labels.  All food that meets industry standards should be labeled properly. This is one of the best and easiest ways to make sure that you are buying organic food.

Another easy way that you can make sure that you are buying organic foods is by carefully choosing the stores that you shop at.  If you have access to a specialty organic or natural food store, you are urged to shop there.  Locally owned and operated stores are often smaller in size; therefore, you should be able to ask any question or speak with a manager if you have any concerns, which is a nice option for many to have.  With that being said, you shouldn’t have any problems, as most specialty stores go out of their way to ensure that they are only selling one hundred percent natural, organic foods.

Image via WikipediaThe internet can also be used to shop for organic foods, but you will want to be cautious of online grocery stores that sell a wide range of foods.  This can sometimes make it more difficult for you to find and buy organic foods.  For that reason, you may want to stick with specialty online organic food stores.  You can also examine many organic product manufacturers, as some, like Earth’s Best Organic, have online stores where their products are sold.  These online websites and stores can easily be found with a standard internet search.

As previously stated, a nice and safe way to shop for organic food locally is by visiting a specialty organic or natural food store.  If you do not have access to one of those stores and if you do not want to shop online, you can examine your local supermarkets or grocery stores.  Most do sell organic foods, but usually only a limited number.  What you will want to do is look for an organic food section.  This can help to make sure that you are buying organic foods.  With that in mind, be cautious of your surroundings and be on the lookout for out of place foods, as they may not be organic, just dropped by a customer who no longer wanted the item in question.

The above mentioned steps are just a few of the many that you can take to make sure that you are buying 100% organic foods.  The good news is that these steps are all easy to implement. And be sure to read labels of any processed foods - be on the lookout for foods that claim to have organic ingredients, as they may not be truly organic products, with just a small percentage of organic ingredients in them.

The Pros and Cons of Eating Organic Foods

Have you heard that organic foods are healthy to eat and good for the environment?  If you have, you may be interested in making the switch to organic foods.  With that being said, you may still be a little bit uncertain about doing so.  For many individuals, a change in eating habits is a big deal.  In fact, a change in eating habits can also be considered a lifestyle change.  To help ensure that you are making the right decision, you may first want to examine the pros and cons of eating organic foods.

Image via WikipediaPerhaps, the greatest pro or plus side to eating organically is the health benefits.  Organic foods differ from many of the conventionally grown foods that are available for sale today because they are not made with chemicals and other additives, some of which may be harmful to our bodies.  Organic food is one hundred percent, completely natural. You are also given guarantees, as most organic foods must be certified and pass rigorous tests.

Another pro or plus side to eating organically is that organic food is ideal for individuals of all ages.  This is great if you are looking to have your whole family eat organic, not just yourself.  It is also important know that organic foods aren’t just fruits and vegetables. There are snacks, drinks, and deserts that are all considered organic.  Most organic foods, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and snacks are designed for individuals of all ages.  With that being said, there are also many companies that specialize in selling organic foods for babies and toddlers, for example Earth's Best Organics.

Another pro or plus side to making the switch to organic foods is that you can do your part to help the environment, as well as organic farmers.  Unfortunately, small family farms seem to be a dying breed in the United States.  Many farmers, even those who have been farming for years are finding it too costly to continue.  Although many will simply just close down their operations, more and more are choosing to make the switch to organic foods.  This not only helps to keep farmers afloat and in business, but it can also help the environment, by eliminating the number of pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals that are used.

Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to buying and eating organic foods, it is also important to touch on the downsides of doing so as well. One of the biggest cons or downsides associated with eating organic is the cost of doing so.  Visiting one of your local supermarkets and walking through an organic food section will give you an idea as to the costs.  When compared to other foods, organic food generally does cost more money.  While that cost is more than worth it to many, some are turned off by it.  With that being said, it is important to know that there are a number of ways that you can save money on organic foods.  These ways involve searching for store sales on organic foods or by using organic food coupons. Or, the best way of all is to buy directly from local farmers, thus saving the costs of the "middle man," and also providing more profit to the farmers, and fresher produce for your family.

Image by istolethetv via FlickrThere are also many individuals who are unhappy with the selection of organic foods that they are able to gain access to locally.  For the largest selection of organic foods locally, examine specialty organic food stores, as they specialize solely in the selling of natural foods.  You may also check the internet, as there a number of product manufacturers who sell their organic foods online, as well as organic food stores that sell a number of different brands. Even better - visit your local farmer's market, where you can shop at numerous farm stands in one place, and often find fresher organic foods at cheaper prices than you would find in a store.

Regardless of where you find them, organic foods can be a great addition to your diet, providing more nutrients, better taste, and fewer toxins to contribute to your toxic load.

 

Related Articles on Organic Foods:

• The Dirty Dozen: How to Eat Organic without Breaking the Bank (bodyquirks.wordpress.com)
• Why Seasonal, Local, Organic? Why not! (foodisagoodthing.wordpress.com)
• Eat Real America (foxnews.com)
• Eating Local: 4 First Steps to Become a Locavore (fooducate.com)
• 12 Foods You Should Always Buy Organic (thedailymeal.com)
• The Organic Dilemma (openviewgardens.com)

How to Buy Organic Foods

Are you looking to improve your health?  If you are, you may want to start by switching to organic foods.  Organic foods are known for being all natural.  Organic foods differ from many of the other foods available for sale in grocery stores, as there are no artificial additives (aka toxins) added to natural, organic foods.  That is why many believe that eating organic foods can help to improve their health.

Image via WikipediaIf this is your first time looking to eat organic foods or if you are looking to make a full switch to eating organically, you may be unsure as to where you can purchase your foods from.  After a close examination, you will see that you have a number of different options.  In fact, many individuals are surprised when they see just how easy it is to find and buy all natural organic foods.

Before covering a few of the many places where organic foods can be found available for sale, it is first important that you know what to look for.  For one hundred percent natural, organic foods, it is important to search for the certified organic label or sticker.  These labels and stickers are often prominently displayed on organic foods.  When you see these certified organic stickers or labels, you know that what are buying is “truly,” organic.  In fact, manufacturers cannot claim that their foods are organic unless they meet specific standards.

Image by brian glanz via FlickrAs for where you can find organic foods for sale, one of the most common (and absolute best) places that organic foods are purchased from is locally.  When looking to shop locally for organic foods, you should have a number of different options.  The best place to start is at your local farmer's market - foods here are the freshest (often harvested that very day), and many times you can find them at a great price. Be sure to ask if they are organic or not, as not all local farmers grow organically. CSA programs are cropping up everywhere lately, so see if you can find a CSA in your area, as many of these use certified organic growing practices, and you can actually save quite a bit of money.

Another option is supermarkets or grocery stores.  Most have an organic food section.  Depending on the supermarket in question, this organic food section can be quite small, but a large number of products are often featured.  You just may not have as many product brands to choose from.  (We still recommend you look for locally grown, however, if at all possible.)

Another way that you can go about finding organic foods for sale locally is by visiting an organic food store, also commonly referred to as a natural food store.  These are stores that specialize solely in the selling of all natural, organic foods.  Although many individuals find it easier to shop for organic foods at a grocery store or supermarket, as it can sometimes be more convenient to do so, specialty food stores are increasing popularity.  Now, many large cities and towns have them.  If you do have access to a specialty organic food store, consider shopping there, as you are likely to find the largest selection of products with reasonable prices.

As nice as it is to shop locally, you may not have a specialty organic food store to shop at or you may be unimpressed with the selection of organic foods at your local grocery stores.  If that is the case, you can also shop online.  There are a number of organic food stores that can be found online, with a standard internet search.  These food stores often sell organic foods from a number of different companies or brands.  There are also a number of organic food manufacturers that sell their own brands online.

In keeping with shopping online for organic foods, you may be surprised with what you can find available for sale.  In fact, many individuals mistakenly believe that shopping online for organic foods limits their selection of products, but it doesn’t have to.  For example, Earth’s Best Organic specializes in food designed for babies and small children.  They offer organic baby formula, organic first foods, and organic meals and snacks for toddlers and preschoolers.  Diamond Organic, which is based out of California, carries a wide range of organic foods, including fresh vegetables.  It is also possible to find and buy frozen organic dinners online as well.

As highlighted above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about buying organic foods, both on and offline.  We happen to believe it is very important to shop from local farmers if at all possible. This way you are not only supporting your own family's health, but also the health of your local community, and the planet as a whole. (For more ideas on finding locally grown foods, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html.)

How to Find Organic Food Recipes

Are you interested in eating organic foods?  If you are, you may be looking for organic food recipes.  Unfortunately, there are many new organic food eaters who do not know where to look.  The good news is that you do have a number of different options, a few of which are outlined below.

The internet is a great way to find organic food recipes.  You can do a standard internet search using your favorite search engine, but if you are looking for something in particular, incorporate that into your search.  For example, if you are looking for recipes for breakfast, your search phrase could be “organic food breakfast recipes.”  The internet, as you can see, is one of the quickest and easiest ways to search for organic food recipes. (Also check out our Cooking From Scratch blog, where we feature healthy and organic, as well as locally-grown foods, on a regular basis!)

Image via WikipediaAs for what you will find online, you will see that it varies.  Your standard internet search is likely to produce a number of different results.  You may find websites that specialize in organic food recipes, websites that specialize in recipes in general, as well as online message boards where organic foods are being discussed and where recipes are traded.  In fact, there are a number of benefits to joining an online community or an online message board if you are looking to learn more about eating organically.

You can also use the internet to examine the online websites of organic food stores and organic food makers.  These websites can easily be found with a standard internet search.  In addition to special offers, recipes are also commonly found online.  This is great if you actually use the products from the company in question, as most of their products are what is featured in an organic food recipe.

You can also find and learn more organic food recipes by speaking with those that you know.  Do you know of any organic food eaters?  If you do, ask them for recipes.  In fact, if you have already developed a small collection of your own organic food recipes, ask to trade.  If you do not know any other organic food eaters, consider meeting some.  You may be surprised just how easy it is to do so.  Did you know that some cities and towns have groups that are designed for natural and organic food eaters?  Many have meetings where they talk about organic foods, trade recipes, try out those recipes, and do so much more. If you're a member of a local CSA, this is also a great place to find like-minded people.

Printed recipe books are another great way to find organic food recipes.  Although most recipe books are for “traditional” foods, organic foods are increasing in popularity, as more people become concerned with their health and the foods that they consume.  For that reason, more organic food books are hitting the market.  If you are interested in buying an organic food recipe book, you will find that you have a number of different options.

When looking to buy an organic food book, many book stores carry a limited selection of books.  (Of course you can also use regular cookbooks, but with some organic foods, particularly meat, cooking methods and times may differ slightly.) With that being said, you are likely to find the best success locally when shopping with an organic food store.  Although most specialize in selling food products only, recipe books are also commonly offered for sale.  The internet can also be used to find organic recipes in the form of cookbooks.  What is nice about using the internet to shop is that it is easy to compare prices and books.  In fact, you are provided with the largest selection of all when using the internet.  As a reminder, free organic food recipes can also be found online.

As outlined above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding organic food recipes to cook for yourself or your family.  Although using the internet to find free recipes is a nice approach, you may also want to purchase your own organic recipe cookbooks.  This is because cookbooks are filled with a large number of recipes, some of which readers may have never though of making before.

You can find lots of good and affordable cookbooks on Amazon.com, such as these: