Organic October Important Takeaways
For the past 31 days, I have posted educational posts via our Instagram and Facebook. If you would like to see all 31 posts, follow these links:
Here are some highlights that I hope everyone can takeaway from this month.
#1 Beware of Greenwashing: The USA has not created a health and beauty law to prevent toxic chemicals in over 30 years. In fact, the USA FDA only bans 11 chemicals while the UK has banned over 1,000. On top of that, the US has greenwashing going on which leaves consumers feeling they are being "organic" when they really are not.
#2 What's Safe to Use Then?
Be sure to check which products are MADE SAFE at the MADE SAFE website. Find local farms who you trust and research the ethics of the companies you support. It's hard work and a shame that so much effort has to be put into keeping your family safe, but it must be done.
Good news is our farm not only have organic eggs, honey, crops, and other bee products, but we also sell Neal's Yard Remedies (NYR Organic), a 100% ethical and organic health and beauty company from the UK.
#3 What does NYR Organic Offer?
Place an NYR Organic order at the following site:
#4 What Honey Bee Products can Keep Me Healthy?
Bee Propolis (also known as bee glue) is a natural mixture produced by honey bees including substances they collect from plants and trees.It is a resin-like substance that guards beehives against intruders and fends of and treats unwanted health conditions.
Propolis has antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor properties.We make a propolis tincture that we sell that can be added in your daily glass of water. Two drops of tincture can help keep you healthy.
Honey can be used in DIY face masks, as a food marinade, as a tea sweetener, or as a daily pick me up on a spoon.Honey helps promote healthy weight management, counters pollen allergies, is a natural source of energy, an antioxidant powerhouse, sleep promoter, ulcer/wound healer, diabetes aid, and natural cough syrup.
#5 Are there any other Remedies to Help Keep Me Healthy During the Upcoming Winter Months?
Fire Cider is a warming, energizing tincture that keeps the doctor away, especially in the winter time.I first learned of Fire Cider from my yoga instructor at The Hive: Embodiment Education Center. After doing research, I learned that Rosemary Gladstar came up with a recipe for Fire Cider in the early 90s. She suggests steeping this recipe for 4 weeks. However, if you need it sooner you may certainly use it right away. The flavor changes over the course of time you let it steep so feel free to do what tastes best for you. Fire Cider is intended to be used as a tonic. You can take a shot glass or tablespoon or it daily. It can also be used as a salad dressing. This is an inexpensive way to treat or stave off colds & flu and break up congestion.
Here are some of the benefits of the ingredients in Fire Cider.
Horseradish: antibacterial, fights bacteria, stimulates digestion, promotes perspiration to help fevers, colds, and flu. Is a mild antibiotic and can be used for respiratory and urinary tract infections.
Ginger: warms the stomach, eases nausea, fights chills/colds/coughs, prevents congestion
Garlic: supports immune function, opens pores to lower fevers, antibacterial and antimicrobial, helps strep throat and ear infections
Jalapeno Pepper: increases circulation and gets mucous flowing, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant, helps with migraines
Honey: (Get local, raw Eversweet Honey from our farm) great source of antioxidants, antibacterial, antifungal, filled with phytonutrients, helps with digestion, soothes sore throats
Tumeric: lowers risk of cancer, natural pain reliever, one of the strongest anti-inflammatory plants
Onion: contains phytochemicals and vitamin c to improve immunity, regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation
Propolis Tincture: (if you are thinking what is this and where can I find it, our farm currently sells it) propolis can lower blood pressure, helps maintain healthy bones, is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and helps fight allergies
Pollen: (again, our farm also sells pollen) natural antioxidant, protects against liver toxicity, boots immune system, high source of protein, helps relieve stress, and helps allergies.
Directions:Place all ingredients in a quart jar and cover with apple cider vinegar. Cover tightly. Steep for four weeks. Strain into a clear jar.
How to Use:
Rub into sore muscles and aching joints
Soak a clean cloth in Fire Cider to place on a congested chest
Drink it straight or diluted in a bit of water (start with a tsp to test your tolerance)
Mix with honey to ease a cough
ENJOY & STAY HEALTHY
#6 Healthy Breakfast Alternative
Have you heard of Overnight Oats? This new trend in healthy living was actually started in the 1900s by a doctor who was looking to provide an extreme amount of nutrition to his patients.Overnight Oats are a mix of raw oats, soaked overnight in lemon water, milk, or yogurt, and then served uncooked, with fruits and nuts. The final product is a pudding-like consistency with health/weight loss benefits served in a cute mason jar."Carbs are like online dates. They're not all bad news; you just have to know what you're looking for. And raw oats, as they're one of the best sources of resistant starch, are the Mr. Right of the high-carb breakfast brigade." (Smith, 2015).
Benefits of Overnight Oats:
1) You will avoid poor food choice alternatives2) You absorb more nutrients (the process of soaking the whole grains in an acid mixture helps break down phytic acid, an antinutrient that interferes with digestive enzymes and inhibits mineral absorption
2) You'll get a bigger breakfast: The oats swell in slumber and quadruple in volume
3) Improve heart health: Just 3 grams of oat fiber (beta-glucan) reduce cholesterol levels by 5 to 10 percent.
My Favorite Overnight Oats Recipe: Triple Berry
Ingredients:
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup raspberries
1/4 cup strawberries,
1 cup oatmeal (regular or steel cut
)1 cup almond milk
3 tbsp low-fat plain yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp local honey ;)
1 tbsp NYR Organic Fiber Blend Cleanse
1 large or 2 small mason jars with lids
Directions:
1) Layer of berries mixed
2) Add half of oatmeal, milk, yogurt, vanilla, fiber blend, and honey and stir to combine
3) Top with remaining berries and seal mason jars.
4) Shake mason jar and place in fridge
5) Add garnishes if you would like (chia seeds, pollen, more fresh berries, more honey)* Can be served cold or heated up in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes
If you enjoyed reading this blog post and enjoyed the daily posts during Organic October, please send a message to everhartfarm18@gmail.com. Feel free to request more posts of a certain topic. For example, you might request more homeopathic remedies or healthy recipes.
