Difference Between Natural and Organic Food

Imagine your walking down the chips and snack aisle at the local grocery store searching for your favorite brand of chips and  you see this brand new snack labelled "100 percent all natural". Suddenly the gears in your brain start churning double time , "How can this yummy snack that is normally bad for you instantly become all natural" and , "All natural must mean it's good for you" are probably some of the thoughts that are running through your head, while you contemplate buying this new all natural version of your favorite treat.But, before you go reaching for that box with the pretty "ALL NATURAL" label on it here are some guidelines to remember the next time you are out doing grocery shopping.

 Natural Food Label

• Ingredients are produced by nature
• Meats can be treated with artificial hormones.
• Dairy should be free from flavorings,colors or additives.
• FDA has not created a set of guidelines for determining what qualifies a food product as "natural." According to the FDA, it is hard to define a food product that is natural because it has probably been processed and is no longer the product of the earth.
• Natural does not mean that the food product is organic.

So what does that mean?
Due to the FDA's  lackadaisical approach to setting guidelines for what can be labeled natural..

• Wendy's can use the natural label for their french fries since it is made with potatoes and sea salt.
• High fructose corn syrup  is also considered natural since it is a part of the corn.
• Aspartame  could qualify as natural since it is extracted from rotting plant bacteria that has been underground zillions of years .              

 Organic Food Standards

• Avoids the use of pesticides, fake fertilizers, and genetic engineering.
• Livestock is feed organic food , are not given growth hormones or antibiotics and have access to outdoors.
• Have the USDA organic seal if it is truly organic.
• Products that are 95% organic can receive the USDA organic seal
• Made with organic ingredients means it is made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients.   

  The best thing to do to ensure authenticity of organic food when your shopping is to be sure to look for the USDA organic food label on the package.

We would like to hear your experiences ...Have you ever been mislead by the "all natural" label on food products?

3 Super-foods you should know about

When you hear the word super-food the first thing that probably pops into your mind is blueberries or spinach,but, actually, there are numerous super-foods that you can incorporate into your diet as a way to increase your daily vitamin intake while giving you a break from all of those blueberry smoothies and spinach salads you have for lunch.

Spirulina: The Protein All-star

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that grows on freshwater ponds. It is made up of 62% amino acid,which makes it an excellent source of protein. Meats, nuts, legumes, and whole grains contain a smaller amount of protein. Also, spirulina contains minerals and antioxidants for our cells that provide protection from external damage. 

Bee Pollen: The Energizer

We all know that bees play an important role in the ecosystem, but we have even more to thank these amazing insects for. There have been many studies about the nutritional value of bee pollen. Fresh bee pollen contains nearly all of the nutrients the human body needs to maintain health. It has all 22 amino acids, protein, 27 minerals, enzymes, and vitamins B1, B2, and B6; niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamins C, A, and E. So, next time your energy feels depleted skip the Red Bull and grab the bee pollen.

Shiitake Mushrooms:Immune system protector

The shiitake mushroom has long been part of the Japanese diet as an immune booster. These mushrooms contain lentinan which possess immune enhancing properties. It also has anti-tumor properties and is a beneficial treatment for cysts and tumors. The shiitake is also used as part of a nutritional therapy for cancer.



Remember, filling your diet with super foods is a great way to obtain more nutrients. The best way to to maintain excellent health is by eating a balanced diet that is low in sugar, fats, and high fructose corn syrup and rich in colorful organic raw foods, whole grains, and some quality protein sich as fish.