You can read Part 1 here

OK, so now you know why Fairtrade organic coffee has coffee drinkers queueing up for more- the natural process for growing and harvesting the beans makes it taste so much better. But there’s more to it than that. This is the really exciting part- Fairtrade. You’re going to love this.

The Fairtrade label is your guarantee that the farmers who grew the coffee received a fair wage for their product. When you’re paying $3 or $4 for a coffee at your local cafe, you might think that the farmers who supplied the beans are doing quite nicely but, in reality, they were most likely paid a pittance- if it wasn’t a fairtrade brand. At best, they might have broken even. Bear in mind that this is their only source of income.

However, under the Fairtrade scheme, farmers are paid a fair price that covers the cost of sustainable production. Farmers can then afford to invest in their farms, build better houses and send their children to school, which breaks the poverty cycle and leads to a better, brighter future. On top of that, they receive an additional payment, called a ‘premium’ that is used for community development projects. And this is where is gets really exciting- entire communities being transformed! Think of that as you’re having your early morning kick-start of caffeine.

Growers of Gumutindo Fairtrade organic coffee in Uganda have used their premium to build a warehouse for storing their produce. They have also built a medical clinic and a secondary school.

Okapa farmers in Papua New Guinea used their premium to construct a dirt road so that they no longer had to walk 15km to the nearest bus-stop while carrying heavy sacks on their backs. The new road means better access to health and education facilities in town.

The women’s cooperative of farmers in Peru, known as Cafe Femenino, decided to build raised indoor kitchens in their homes so that they will no longer suffer chronic back pain from cooking over an open fire outdoors. They also now have medical posts in each village with a fully-equipped first aid kit and the construction of roads to connect villages has begun. And its not just outward change that comes from the opportunities that Fairtrade gives to farmers.

For the women of Cafe Femenino, the biggest transformation has been in the way they see themselves. No longer do they hang their heads, too ‘worthless’ to have a voice. Now they have self-esteem that gives them the confidence to speak up and take on positions of responsibility in the community. They have realised how valuable and significant they really are- and their community is changing for the better because of it.

So go on… get hold of some organic Fairtrade coffee, put the kettle on, and relax. That’s what Mr Darcy- er Colin Firth, would do. Make your world- and the world around you- a better place.

Written by Karen Schneider: Writer, parent and fan of hot beverages. Karen welcomes your feedback at karenswriting.com

Angelina Jolie, Colin Firth, Bono and Elton John. They’re just some of the celebrities raving over Organic Fairtrade Coffee. Two Australian municipalities have joined hundreds of international cities in earning the title “fairtrade community”. In 2009 alone, Australians and New Zealanders spent more that $50 million on the stuff. So why are the world’s coffee-lovers going gaga over organic Fairtrade coffee?

Well, coffee farmers will tell you, you can’t beat traditional, natural farming methods when it comes to growing superb organic coffee beans. Imagine for a moment, if you will…

…Coffee plants growing in their own sweet time, drawing on nutrient-rich soil under the protection of the forest’s shady canopy. Song birds warbling cheerily as they perch in the trees, only too eager to keep insects at bay. The leaves rustle- perhaps a howler monkey is scampering about. It’s a perfectly balanced and sustained eco-system. Plants and animals are thriving. The red buds of the coffee cherries are hand-picked and the beans removed and dried in the sunshine under the watchful care of the farmers, just as they have been for hundreds of years. Ahhh… it’s coffee as it should be… no wonder Angelina is a fan.

Contrast this to non-organic production… an entire forest cut down to create more room for plantations, leaving wildlife homeless and eco-systems shattered. Coffee plants, not partial to the sun, are engineered to tolerate the heat. Pesticides are used to control insects and chemical fertilisers are sprayed onto the ground- and surrounding water supplies- to make up for the ever-diminishing soil quality. The result is an inferior coffee bean, a destroyed habitat and the pollution of waterways that threaten both farming communities and the environment. It’s enough to make you want to spit your coffee across the room.

So it’s easy to see why organic coffee has become the darling of the coffee-drinkers’ world. But what’s all this about Fairtrade, you may be asking…

Read Part 2 here

Written by Karen Schneider: Writer, parent and fan of hot beverages. Karen welcomes your feedback at karenswriting.com

We all know the term “going green” in terms of saving our environment. What about the environment inside your body? If you don’t save that, you won’t be around to enjoy the rest. When it comes to your diet, Think Green, too!

Green is good. Organic green foods are filled with nutrients that improve not only overall health but the health of your heart and immune system. Green foods also lower cholesterol, improve brain health, and improve emotional and mental health. Better health and improved mood? We all could use that!

There is an abundance of green all around you. Whenever you can, eat green super foods raw and organic. The majority of nutrients are unlocked that way. Even if some vegetables don’t taste good to you, you may enjoy them in a juice mixed with other organic vegetables you do like.

Here is a few of the Organic Greens you should eat:

Spinach – Enjoy cooked or eat the leaves raw in a green salad. Spinach is full of potassium, vitamin C, E, and A, as well as antioxidants such as beta-carotene. Folate, the substance that promotes neural growth in unborn babies, is found in spinach as well as other greens.

Green Tea – This drink is an Eastern delight that has found its way to the West. Green tea contains the antioxidant EGCG that helps lower cancer risk and contains antiviral and antibiotic properties. Drink several cups each day and notice a difference in your skin almost immediately.

Wheatgrass – This is best understood as wheat before it becomes grain. Wheatgrass in juice form is touted as a body cleanser which also increases immunity. Very high in protein like other greens, but wheatgrass is off the charts high in Vitamin E, believed to be one of your heart’s best friend.

As you Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, don’t forget to Go Green inside, too. What you consume internally is just as important as what you consume externally. Treat your body to a delicious Organic Green Superfood today!

We are all fighting the ravages of time. But, what if time didn’t have to be so ravaging? Antioxidants may be the answer to help your body grow old gracefully, strong, and healthy.

Antioxidants are substances that fight free radical damage in the body. This begs the next question: What are free radicals?

The body uses food nutrients at a cellular level to drive certain reactions that goes on in the body. This is called cellular metabolism or respiration. Free radicals are by-products produced by these reactions. In the body, these substances bump into organs, vessels and everything else, damaging them in the process. That is why the body ages, and not always so gracefully.

Free radicals can come from not only the body but also the environment. Pollution, smoking, stress, drugs, alcohol, and other sources all feed into the damage that causes us to age. Antioxidants help by neutralising the effects of these rogue particles. You are less prone to disease, wrinkles, age spots, arthritis, and the list goes on.

As it stands, there are no recommendations as far as the amount of antioxidants you have to consume each day. Suffice it to say, eat as many as you can not only for anti-aging effects but also for overall good health. Let’s look at some antioxidant rich foods:

Berries – The best berry for antioxidants is considered to be blueberries, but strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are also good choices to get your fill of antioxidants. The rule of thumb is always eat the most colourful fruit and vegetables for the most antioxidants. Even a half cup each day on your cereal is an excellent start in boosting your antioxidants.

Grapes – The skins of the red grape contain an antioxidant substance called resveratrol. This is one reason why it is suggested that people drink a glass of red wine each evening for their health. Of course, snacking on a plate of red grapes is also considered very healthy. Be sure not to peel the grapes; if you’re feeding a young child grapes, just cut the grapes in halves or quarters so the skins slide down easier.

Prunes – Your mum was right. Prunes are good to get the digestive system flowing. However, prunes also offer a tremendous boost to the immune system. And, no, you don’t have to drink that rather unsavory juice if you don’t want to. Snacking on two or three prunes a day is much more appealing to most people. You can buy individually wrapped prunes now which makes it very handy to take them along as a sweet treat.

Pumpkins and Carrots – A well-known antioxidant substance is beta-carotene. They improve eye health, immunity and help with cellular repair. You’ll see a common element here – orange color. Again, the more colorful the vegetable, the more antioxidant power. Buy pie-pumpkins when you can, cut and roast them just like squash and keep a bag of fresh carrots cut up and ready to munch on.

Beans – They are tiny, but pack a punch. Filled with protein, they work to build muscle and lower cholesterol. Replace meat in your diet a couple times a week with a hearty black bean soup, red beans and rice casserole, or three bean salad, and your antioxidants will be jumping right off the scale. Beans are not only protein packed, but they are also a vegetable, so you are meeting several food requirements at the same time.

Where possible always go organic. Proven studies have shown that organic produce contain more antioxidants than produce sprayed with chemical fertislisers.

These days, there are commercials pushing pills, powders, and supplement for everything from cancer to weight loss. What if you didn’t have to invest thousands of dollars in so-called “miracle cures” to get your body what it needs? You don’t. Super Foods have come to the rescue!

Super foods do what those “miracle” products can’t – and they do it naturally. How did your ancestors manage to live long, healthy lives without all the powders and supplements? It wasn’t just because they stayed fit by working from sunrise to sunset. The food they ate had a lot to do with it.

Unlike the much hyped powders, pills, and supplements said to cure all things, super foods aren’t “super” because they are filled with additives and other proprietary substances that the manufacturers keep secret. These foods are “super” because of just how uncomplicated they really are.

Super foods, as they have been dubbed, are actually foods that are high in nutrients but contain no additives or preservatives. Eaten alone or in combination with other foods, they provide nutrients needed by the body in high enough quantities to make a difference in your health and your life in general.

So why do we need pills when we have super foods? Medicine has its place, but to maintain overall health, lower risk of certain diseases, and to age well, you’ll need to create a healthy body. Daily care and feeding of the human machine is where we begin our lifetime of maintenance on our most precious asset – our body.

Benefits of Super Foods

So, what is it about certain foods that make them better than others and worthy of the title “Super Foods?” Here are some of the most notable benefits:

Weight loss – We all need to maintain a healthy weight. A healthy weight benefits not only your bones and joints, but your organs, as well.

Slows aging process – Aging is a combination of time and environment. Environment doesn’t occur just outside the skin; it also refers to the environment you provide inside your body. A healthy internal environment will help you look and feel younger.

Disease free – Some diseases come with age and exposure to external toxins, while other diseases are a result of our choices. Wouldn’t you like to lessen your chances of getting cancer, diabetes, or heart disease? What if you could do so by changing what you eat?

These are just a few of the benefits of eating super foods. It is a fact that the food you eat can influence your mental and physical health. If you could live healthier by eating better and smarter, wouldn’t you? Put Super Foods to work for you!

In an ideal world, every parent would like to see their children delve into their dinner and eat the lovely array of mixed vegetable before them with no complaints. It can be very frustrating for us parents when our children go through fussy eating phases. I have only met a couple of mums over the years who have happily declared that their child eats everything, no worries! I am not sure to take this with envy or disbelief! Here are some helpful tips and advice that I have had over the years from experienced healthy mums. These may help you through those fussy times…….

#1 Never give up serving it up!
I almost fell out off the kitchen chair this week when our son Charlie told me that he “likes zucchini now mummy”. We have been feeding him zucchini since he was 6 months old! It has taken 4.5 years for him to finally like it. Don’t fall into the trap of not serving up a certain veggie at the dinner table because your little one doesn’t like it.

#2 Fun encouragement
“Every good dinosaur tries everything at least once” There are some great children’s literature encouraging children to try new things. Even if they spit it out, at least they had a go, this should be encouraged rather than scolded. It can take a child or baby over 10 tries before they get used to taste and texture of foods, so every attempt counts. Check your local library for some fun food books for kids.

#3 Food is to be enjoyed
Even if your child is causing grief at the dinner table, remember that you are enjoying your dinner. Having a conversation around the table about how tasty the food is and what a great job dad or mum has done creating this delicious dinner will create interest to the one making a fuss. Soon they will realise that they are missing out and will want to join in.

#4 There is always breakfast!
When all else fails and dinner is out rightly refused, there is always breakfast. Food should not be forced. Our reply to Charlie in those moments is “No problem, you might have to go to bed hungry, but tomorrow we can make a big breakfast”. Making separate meals to keep your toddler happy not only creates a bad habit but extra work and stress for you preparing endless meals to keep the peace.

Remember, making the lifestyle choice of eating healthy organic foods is the best choice you could have made for you and your family!

By Sarah Butler

Related Posts: Feeding kids organic food doesn’t have to bust the budget

Your time is valuable and often you don’t have time to get down to your organic grocer to select all that delicious produce. An organic home delivery service is the answer.

Here is a list of organic fruit and veggie home delivery services in Australia. If you know of good organic delivery service in your area feel free to share them in the comments section.

Adelaide – Organic Box
Bendigo – The Food Garden
Brisbane – Farm Fresh Organics
Byron Bay – Munch Crunch Organics
Canberra – Canberra Organics
Cairns – Access Organics
Geelong – The Organics Box
Melbourne – Organic Angels
Newcastle – Organic Feast
Perth – Freshline Organics
Sydney – Lettuce Deliver

The economic downturn has made it hard for many families to buy groceries, let alone the sometimes pricier organic foods. Being on a budget doesn’t mean giving up eating well, however, as there are many ways that you can spend very little and still eat foods that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or loaded with harmful preservatives. Whether you’re cutting back for personal reasons or because you’re afraid of your financial security, these tips can help you save big without sacrificing your health.

1. Shop the farmers market. Food at a local farmers market might be considerably cheaper than that at your local grocery store. Many communities, even small ones, have farmers markets during the weekend, so look up where one might be near you. You’ll likely find a wide assortment of fresh, organic foods that better yet have been grown locally rather than brought in.
2. Join a co-op. There are many communities where you can go out and join a co-op as a way to get reasonably priced groceries. You’ll pay a yearly or monthly fee but you may find that the savings outweighs the initial costs. Do some research to find out what options are available near you.
3. Buy into a community supported growing program. This can be a great way to get loads of in-season veggies without shelling out a fortune. Members of these groups will pay to buy a share in the program, and get boxes of produce in return at harvest time.
4. Focus on the important stuff. There are some foods that are much more important to buy organic than others. You can look online for a list of these and take this into consideration when you work up your food budget. When times are tight you may want to cut out those foods that have thick skins and don’t absorb pesticides as much as a way of saving money but still eating (mostly) organic.
5. Grow it yourself. If you have a backyard, it may be the perfect place to grow your own organic foods in the warmer months of the year. If you start early and grow from seeds you’ll pay very little for all the great foods you get when your plants are ready to harvest. Even if you only have a small balacony there are loads of inventive ways you can make the most of the space and grow some great food to eat.

This post was contributed by Kelsey Allen, who writes about the organic food coupons. She welcomes your feedback at KelseyAllen1010 yahoo.com

While households across Australia continue to take a hit from the current economic slowdown the popularity of organic food is continuing to rise.

According to Scott Butler, founder of Melbournes leading organic home delivery service, Organic Angels, busy mums and dads aware of the benefits of feeding children organic food are proving that organics can be done on a budget.
Parents are telling us that a commitment to organic food requires the acceptance of a slightly higher food bill but that the peace of mind that comes with healthy eating outweighs the additional costs, Scott said.
While many households continue to tighten their belts, Scott said there are ways to feed a family organic food by making simple changes to lifestyles and household expenditures.

Among his suggestions for doing organics on a budget are:

1) Accept that organic food costs are higher but the benefits of feeding children toxin-free food has long-term benefits.
2) Reduce junk food and take-away.
3) Eat out less.
4) Enjoy the experience of eating out. You can free-up extra dollars by preparing more meals at home and dining al fresco in parks, beaches etc.
5) Buy organic food in bulk from a box scheme ensuring that you get good quality produce that is in season.
6) Cook and freeze any excess for future use.
7) Produce at its peak and in season always costs less.

Andre Leu, chair of the Organic Federation of Australia said there are a number of good scientific studies which show that organic food is healthier for children and adults.
“One of the most recent studies out of the Washington State University compared 11 key nutrients and found that organic food, on average, had 25 per cent higher concentrations of nutrients.” Andre said.
Given that fruit and vegetables are usually the first foods introduced to baby, using organic fruit and vegetables is the best way to avoid pesticide residues.

Another reason to buy fruit and vegetables that are organically grown is the higher levels of antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients present when compared to non-organically grown produce.
Husband and wife team, Scott and Sarah Butler started Organic Angels in 2006 after failing to find an organic home delivery service that met their expectations in terms of great customer service and good quality produce.
The couple became advocates of organic food after their son, Charlie, started eating solids and they became more aware of what they were really feeding him.
“After reading into the many benefits of eating organic and reading the statistics on the high amount of pesticides and artificial hormones in food today, we slowly made the conversion to organic,” Scott said.

The business now provides organic fruit and vegetables to homes and offices across Melbourne after they visit the organic market and handpicking the produce on the mornings of the delivery days.
Scott and Sarah buy Australian-only produce and, where possible, from Victoria to reduce the road miles of the food.

They also provide organic groceries, including fresh bread, eggs, fair-trade tea and coffee and healthy children’s snacks.
Visit www.organicangels.com.au for more information.