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Fact: No honey produced in the USA can be Certified Organic Honey. Is this because of the widespread pollutants in our air, water and soil caused by many things including use of pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides not to mention the contaminates created by non-sustainable business practices, such as the animal product-centered diet industries.
Fruit Trees Fact:
The real gift that keeps on giving year after year. Free food for everyone.
Plant fruit trees everywhere. Plant them in your town square.
VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS!!
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What's this organic stuff?
What is Organic?
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USDA
Organic
Tell me more about organic!
Demand
Organic, Top 10 Reasons
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10 More Reasons
Organic
Myth's and Facts
Diet Lifestyle - vegetarians, vegans, raw foodists?
Veggie Power - Natural Health Newsletter
Vitamins and Minerals
Whole Food Vitamins
Super
Super Food
Ending World Hunger
Should we be concerned about our food?
Genetically Engineered Food
Polluted Food
Ecological Impact of Meat-Centered Diet
Linking Violence and a Meat Centered Diet
Do we know vegetarians?
Let's continue to grow together, heal the Earth, self & spirit
Natural Health Newsletter (produced by Natural Zing) [requires Adobe Acrobat Reader]
What is Organic?
Organic refers to an "earth friendly" method of farming and processing
foods. Weeds and pests are controlled using environmentally sound practices
which sustain the health of our planet, and ultimately, our own health.
Organic farmers do not use chemicals (pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers)
in an environmentally harmful manner. They utilize a blend of old and
new technologies and scientific research to balance the Earths natural
ecosystem. Examples of organic farming methods include:
- Rotating crops between fields. This helps keep pests from building up and improves soil fertility.
- Planting select bushes and flowers to attract beneficial insects which ward off unwanted pests.
Organic farming produces nutrient-rich, fertile soil which nourishes the plants. Keeping chemicals off the land also protects water quality and wild life.
What is Certified Organic?
A certified organic product means that food has been inspected by a third-party
agency to verify organic authenticity to the consumer. Several certification
agencies exsist across the country. Look for the certification seal or
name of the certification agency on the label. When you see this claim,
it means:
- No harmful chemicals have been applied for at least 3 years.
- The farmer and processor have annual certification inspections.
- They have kept detailed records of their practices.
- They use ecologically-friendly methods and substances to improve the soil and control pests.
What is a vegetarian diet?
A vegetarian diet consists of eating no animal flesh products such as
red meat, poultry, fish and shellfish but may include eating dairy products
and eggs. Natural Zing's products are 100% vegetarian and will mostly
be organic raw vegan.
What is a vegan diet?
A vegan diet consists of not eating animal products of any type including
dairy products and eggs. The vegan diet takes the vegetarian approach
one step further by applying an ethical belief regarding the treatment
of animals to their lifestyle choice. Most of Natural Zing's products
are vegan. (the honey and bee pollen may not be vegan but is raw and collected
using high ethical standards, for a copy of the standards please email
us). Honey and pollen come from flowers. Some probably consider themselves
vegan even if they eat honey or bee pollen. It would depend on the treatment
of the bee and if the honey or pollen was given voluntarily. The vegan
diet is about much more than animal rights activism.
What is a vegan lifestyle?
Further extending the vegan diet to your lifestyle means you will not
use animal products in any aspect of your life. For example not buying
leather or wool products. Many options are available now and more each
day for purchasing non-animal shoes, clothing and most items used in the
course of our lives. The vegan lifestyle is about much more than animal
rights activism.
What is a raw foodist?
The most common type of raw foodist is someone who believes the most natural
way to eat is to eat only organic and wildcrafted raw fruits and vegetables,
nuts and seeds, and sprouted legumes and grains. Foods cannot be heated
above 105° F (some say 118° F), the temperature at which enzymes
begin to be destroyed. Cooking food depletes the nutrition, enzymes and
life ("lifeforce") from the food. Cooking fats and animal flesh
can create poisons and toxins which attack or degrade the body in numerous
ways.
Eating less meat can improve your health, help save the planet and respects animals. Have you ever looked into the leading causes of heart disease, cancer, or diabetes? For a healthy heart, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a balanced diet of fruits, grains, and poultry or meat substitutes, as opposed to red meat. The AHA and the American Dietetic Association say that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are typically lower than non vegetarian diets in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. And the AHA says, "vegetarians appear in many studies to have a lower risk of obesity, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some forms of cancer." ....more [requires Adobe Acrobat Reader]
Vitamins and Minerals are essential to our amazing bodies. Every moment of every day, the cells in our bodies are creating energy, building tissues, communicating with other cells, digesting food, pumping blood, generating movement, transporting nutrients and oxygen, synthesizing hormones and neurotransmitters, eliminating toxins and waste material and protecting and defending our cells from unfriendly bacteria, viruses and mutant cells. However, while all of this is miraculous, none of it happens by magic.
To accomplish all these vital, life-sustaining tasks, the cells in our bodies require a complex variety of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, co-enzymes and enzymes. Without adequate amounts of these fundamental nutrients, it is impossible for our cells to carry out the thousands of biochemical and metabolic processes responsible for maintaining optimal health. Nutrients are the catalyst for every life-supporting process in the body.
Once upon a time, humans could obtain essential nutrients from their diets fairly easily. For numerous reasons, though, this is no longer the case. Dietary and lifestyle choices are partly to blame. Over the last 100 years, our lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary. As a result, our caloric requirements have decreased, and we require less food to maintain a healthy body weight. Our consumption of nutrient-rich foods has declined accordingly. Moreover, most of the known essential nutrients are found in fruits, greens and other vegetables, sea vegetables, herbs and algae. These are foods that very few modern people consume generously every day. In some cases people are increasing their portion sizes. The body craves more food because it needs nutrients. However, eating more food doesn't mean getting more nutrients. The problem of inadequate consumption of nutrient-rich foods is compounded by conventional farming practices, that deplete nutrients and enzymes in the soil, making it difficult for plants to absorb sufficient amounts of these vital factors. These plants begin to lose nutrient value the moment they are harvested. During the approximately three weeks it takes for a fruit or vegetable to reach the plate of the consumer, around half of its nutritional value will disappear. We then add insult to injury by processing and preparing foods in ways that strip or diminish their remaining nutrient value. While the nutrient density of our food has diminished, our need for the co-factors (beneficial substances that aid in vitamin and mineral utilization as well as other nutrients, e.g. phyto-nutrients) found in food has increased.
Our lives are filled with unprecedented levels of physical, psychological and environmental stress, to which our bodies must adapt. This puts an even greater strain on our systems at a time when our nutrient intake is declining. Think for a moment about the presence of chemicals in our modern life. In the not-too-distant past, the average person was exposed to 50 toxic chemicals a day, at the most. Today, that number is closer to 5,000. This adds an enormous burden to the body, as these chemicals damage cells and must be removed from the body or neutralized quickly. When we consider the variety of ways in which our diets and lifestyles no longer resemble those of every generation that has come before us, we can easily understand the extreme importance of supplementing with a whole-food vitamin, mineral and herbal formula.
When your body is fully nourished at the cellular level, you naturally
experience authentic energy and renewed vitality as your body regenerates
itself, creating glowing, radiant health and well-being.
Whole food vitamins are natural food. Natural foods contain phyto-nutrients. For example, the tomato contains over 10,000 phyto-nutrients. The phyto-nutrients help us absorb the beneficial elements of our food.
Most vitamins for sale in many stores are synthetic vitamins. In order for vitamins to be of any use to the body, they must be absorbed into the cells. Synthetic or chemically purified substances that are labeled and sold as vitamins are not really vitamins at all. Rather, these man-made formulas are only fragments of vitamins. In this fractional, incomplete form, these so-called "vitamins" are not useable on the cellular level. Instead, synthetic vitamins force the body to use its own reserves to create the entire vitamin complex. In this way, rather than having a nourishing, sustaining effect of the body, these incomplete substances can actually deplete vitamins from the body. Many vitamins say take with food on the label. Taking vitamins with food can help utilize some of their value. You need the vitamin present to absorb the vitamin. What is the nutritional value of your food?
There is a reason that nutrients are packaged the way they are in nature.Rather than being used by your body in an isolated manner, they actually require co-factors (beneficial substances that aid in vitamin and mineral utilization as well as other nutrients, e.g. phyto-nutrients) in order to be used and assimilated by your body. If these co-factors are absent such as in synthesized vitamins or supplements (even those which claim to be "natural"), they must be extracted from the only available source, the body. The use of synthetic supplements can actually result in seemingly unrelated deficiencies in other nutrients.
Synthetic vitamins have long been popular because they can be very easily and economically produced. However, often these impostors do more harm than good. When a vitamin or amino acid is isolated and replicated in the lab synthetically, the co-factors are no longer present that are needed for actual nutrient utilization. For example, the constituent alpha tocopherol is commonly sold as "vitamin E". However alpha tocopherol - only a portion of the complete vitamin E complex - loses up to 99% of the potency or function of the whole food form of vitamin E. Similarly, taking ascorbic acid - only a portion of the whole vitamin C formula - forces the body to use its own reserves of bioflavinoids, rutin, and the other portions necessary to complete the vitamin C complex.
Whole food supplements are the only safe and effective form of vitamin and mineral supplementation. In order for a vitamin to be of any use to the body, it must be absorbed into the cells. Whole food supplements which are made up of nutrients obtained from whole food sources are also providing your body with those co-factors necessary for proper assimilation and utilization down to the cellular level where needed. Minerals are also best utilized by your body when taken in the form closest to that found in nature.
To recognize whole food vitamins, check the label to see if it lists ingredients that sound like foods. The RDA or DV of whole food vitamins vs. synthetics cannot be equated; they are entirely different substances with different effects. Whole food vitamins are the only true choice for complete and effective nutrient replenishment. Whole food vitamins do not need to be taken with food because they are food.
Natural Zing is proud of our whole food supplement selections. We have
detailed information we can provide on all of our supplements. We also
send information with orders, when available. If you would like us to
send you further information let us know.
Everyday, the world produces two pounds of grain per person, roughly 3,000 calories worth. This amount is more than enough to feed everyone on the planet, without even counting fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Yet one in six people on this planet still go hungry. Sixty million people die each year from starvation. If we have enough food to feed them, why are people starving to death? Worldwide, we are feeding almost 90% of our grain to livestock, but they return to us in meat only a small fraction of the nutrients we feed them....more (Natural Health Newsletter, pdf) [requires Adobe Acrobat Reader]
"If Americans reduced their meat intake by 10% we could feed about 60 million people with the feed grain no longer needed"
Genetically Engineered (GE) Food
What is genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering is a radical technology involving the manipulation
of genes. Scientists can transfer genes from one species to another totally
unrelated species. For example, genes from an animal can be transferred
to a plant, to make a new life form. This technology allows scientists
to break down the natural barriers that protect the genetic integrity
of species. Genetic engineering goes far beyond conventional breeding
and hybridization.
What is being gene spliced into foods?
Genes from bacteria (including antibiotic resistance), viruses, insects,
nuts, fish, and animals are presently in common foods or in the pipeline.
Those genes are being placed in fruits, beans and vegetables (e.g. flounder
genes in strawberries and tomatoes, bacteria in corn). Presently, two
thirds of processed foods contain a genetically engineered product or
GMO (Genetically Modified Organism).
How will my health be affected by genetically engineered food?
There is no requirement for long term testing and much is unknown. Plants
are complex and introducing new genes may result in unanticipated changes
(called pleiotropic effects). New toxins and allergens, changes in nutritional
benefits, or spread of antibiotic resistance may occur. Lab animals fed
transgenic potatoes developed damage to their vital organs. Studies suggest
that the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (r-BGH) may cause
changes within our bodies which contribute to growth of cancers of the
breast, colon, and prostate.
Companies making genetically engineered foods claim these foods will
offer better nutrition. Is this true?
No product yet shows any nutritional benefit. Studies on genetically engineered
soybeans showed a change in the normal level of phytoestrogens.
What are the ecological consequences?
Species have been evolving over millions of years. Introducing GMOs upsets
the natural balance of the ecosystem. The results cannot be predicted.
GMOs will pass on their traits through all generations. There will be
no remedy for the consequential contamination of the food chain and GMOs
cannot be recalled. The ecological impact from the spread of genetic contamination
through pollen, insects, microbes and wildlife are unknown. There may
be dissemination of "superweeds" and new pathogens, reduced effectiveness
of the natural insecticide Bt used in organic farming, and loss of pollinating
insects. The entire future of organic farming could be threatened because
pollen can transfer genetically engineered genes into previously organic
crops. There is already evidence of environmental degradation, such as
loss of biodiversity from invading species, poor harvests, loss of beneficial
insects, and reduced soil fertility. Most organic and hierloom corn in
North America has already been infected by GE corn. Most conventional
childrens cereals in the US have GE foods in them.
What can we do?
Get pissed off, get educated and then take action. Please ask food companies,
restaurants and associations for labelling of GE foods. Call your government
representatives, federal agencies, newspapers and radio and let them know
your opposition to such foods. Avoid GE food whenever possible.
What are other countries doing?
China and many other nations have banned GE food. The European community
is very against GE food as is Australia and New Zealand. US companies
are now trying to force GE food into the Eurporean market by suing through
the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Polluted Food and Healthy Food
Most disease is caused by pollution and contaminants in our food, air and water. Excessive growth hormones and antibiotics are used in the production of meat. Studies have shown that not only are these hormones unhealthy for animals, but they age the human body. Cultures that eat little red meat have shown that adolescent girls start their menstruation in their mid-teens around 14. In the US we have some 9 year olds getting their period and most girls by the age of 12.
Many environmental pollutants accumulate in the fat of meat animals. These can be PVC's, mercury and other toxic chemicals. The residue created from the burning of coal in our power plants has been linked to the high levels of mercury found in tuna and other fish. FDA guidlelines recommend a child not consume more then one 6oz can of tuna per week but most believe in avoiding tuna all together. Any fish can be contaminated and most other farmed animals (cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys) already are. The bottom line is that the healthiest foods to eat are organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. The potential for illness and disease resides in any foods derived from or containing animal or seafood (meat, dairy, eggs, milk, cheese, fish, etc.) or conventionally produced fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains, drinking contaminated or poor quality water or breathing contaminated air. And also let us not forget processed chemical laden foods (e.g. soda). People need to be educated on the organic vegetarian diet and begin a transition away from these contaminated foods or else suffer the consequences of unhealth and disease.
Ecological Impact of Meat-Centered Diet
60 million people will die from malnutrition this year. 60 million people could be fed if Americans lowered their meat intake by 10%. 20% of the corn grown in the U.S. is eaten by people, 80% of the corn and 95% of the oats grown each year are eaten by livestock (90% of all grain is eaten by livestock). One acre of land can produce 40,000 pounds of potatoes or 250 pounds of beef. 56% of all U.S. farmland is devoted to beef production. To produce 1 pound of beef requires 16 pounds of edible grain. 20 vegetarians could be fed on land needed to feed 1 person consuming a meat based diet.
Three times more fossil fuel is burned to produce a meat centered diet, contributing to global warming. If every living human ate a meat centered diet the worlds known oil reserves would last 13 years. With a worldwide vegetarian diet they'd last over 260 years. It takes nearly 78 calories of fossil fuel to produce 1 calorie of beef protein and only 2 calories to produce 1 calorie of soy protein.
Meat eating is the number one driving force behind agricultural expansion.
Contributing to deforestation. 260 million acres of U.S. forestland has
been cleared for cropland to produce a meat centered diet. 85% of the
U.S. topsoil loss is directly attributable to livestock raising. To keep
up with U.S. consumption of beef over 300 million pounds of meat are imported
annually from Central and South America. This economic incentive leads
to these nations destroying more forests to create more pasture land.
55 square feet of tropical rainforest is destroyed to produce every quarter
pound of rainforest beef. Each year over 1,000 species are eliminated
due to destruction of rainforests for grazing land. More than 1/2 of all
water used for all purposes in the U.S. is consumed in livestock production.
It takes 25 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat. It takes 5,000
gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef. 33% of all raw materials
consumed are devoted to livestock production, while only 2% are used for
a vegetarian based diet.
These facts are astounding. To summarize, a meat centered diet:
- has depleted 85% of US top soil, top soil washes away
- destroys forests, rainforests and top soil throughout the world
- contributes to global warming
- destroys soil by use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers used for feed grain grown
- uses excessive amounts of water
- pollutes our waterways
- causes heart disease (#1 disease in US) as well as other diseases
- contributes to violence in our culture
Linking Violence and a Meat Centered Diet
Our food involves enormous acts of violence to produce. At 20 weeks of age, 85 million pigs die for Americans to eat. Another 24 million die due to abuse before they reach slaughter age. Cows normally have a 25 year life span, but most only live to be 3-5 years old before dying to become hamburgers. More than 1 million calves a year are raised for veal. They spend a miserably short life of 16-18 weeks in a crate that's not big enough for them to even stand or move in. Not given any water or solid food, only deficient milk replacers, so they will stay white and tender. These animals largely come from dairy cows giving birth. If you consume milk or cheese you are contributing to the veal industry. Since only female chickens lay eggs over 280 million male chicks are thrown into plastic bags and piled on each other to die. This is only the tip of the facts.
Here's something to ponder, when you eat out. What's really in that meat besides a dead animal, most likely tortured? The FDA says certain percentages of "unknowns" are acceptable. Like cockroach parts, rat feces, and other unknowns. There are over 660,000 animals killed every hour for meat. The average American consumes 200 pounds of meat a year. Hindus believe that eating an animal ingests its fears and misery from the time of it's death. Ethically treated animals live and breath, as we do, they feel pain and know fear. Many now believe we are ingesting their misery, oppression and death karma.
We must pay for employees to butcher these animals. Often we pay immigrants threatened with deportation and forced to work in very bad conditions for low pay and no benefits. This adds a dimension of unspeakable misery and oppression.
The violence in our food makes some believe that violence, oppression
and killing is the way to solve problems. We have oppression, domestic
violence, rape, violent crime and war taking place throughout the world.
Why do some choose war when they say they want peace? Why is it macho
to eat meat, solve problems with violence, buy guns, yet still live in
fear that we will be attacked?
It is time to recognize and realize the connections between something we do everyday, a few times per day (eat) and the lives we are living when we are not consuming food.
Living fruits and vegetables are alive and bring with them life giving properties. The cells in a plant are alive when you consume them. The cells contain a life-force. This nutures the body in every way possible physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Find peace through salad. A fruit tree bears us its seed (e.g. apple) year after year.
A few famous vegetarians:
Albert Einstein
Plato
Sir Isaac Newton
Ben Franklin
Ghandi
Bob Marley
Bob Dylan
Paul McCartney
Pink
Natalie Portman
Natural Zing is a raw food, organic food, vegan food and health products
retailer. Natural Zing carries food, juicers, yoga products, books, videos
and other great products.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional. However, diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional is not guaranteed to be correct. It is also possible that some unqualified, unlicensed professionals could diagnosis problems just as well as anyone practicing conventional traditional medicine. Seek your own knowledge and make your own desicions.
