Certified Organic - What Does It Mean?
Michael Carrubba • November 16, 2018
We have all seen the logo on the foods that we buy, "Certified Organic" but do you know what that means?
We have all seen the tag, “Certified Organic” but what does it mean? What are the requirements and standards needed to earn that respected logo on a food product?
I am going to try to clear up what certified organic means and the process that growers and producers must go through to become and remain organic. While I am not an expert, I do try to purchase organic items as much as possible, looking for the “Certified” logo on the package and/or label.
First, what is “Certified Organic”? Let’s start with this as a definition:
Certified organic farmers and processors are committed to a food system that works with natural systems to improve soil, protect your health and produce great tasting food.
Here are eight things you should know about being “Certified Organic”:
1. Farmers use land management practices that protect natural resources, conserve biodiversity and improve the health of their soil.
2. Farmers maximize animal welfare by raising livestock in an environment where stress is minimized and where they are able to exhibit their natural behaviors such as grazing, rooting and scratching. Animals are given access to the outdoors year-round.
3. Prohibited pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers cannot be used in crop production. Producers must maintain buffers that prohibit contamination drift from prohibited substances and neighboring GMO crops.
4. Organic production prohibits GMO’s including seeds, livestock feeds and ingredients used in processed products.
5. Livestock are fed 100% organic feed. They do not receive conventional, genetically modified corn and soybeans, hormones or antibiotics. They also must obtain a significant portion of their diet from certified organic pasture grasses during the grazing season.
6. Processed foods such as cheese, bread or jam are produced with certified organic ingredients. Artificial colors and flavors, preservatives such as nitrates and other synthetic additives are prohibited.
7. Certified organic products are randomly subject to pesticide residue tests. The allowable limit of pesticide residue on organic food is just 5% of what the EPA allows on conventional produce.
8. Organic certification is the only label backed by clear legal definitions and independent third-party verification. All certified operations participate in an annual inspection of their premises, purchases and practices to ensure the integrity of the organic seal.
Certified Organic is the only food label with a clear legal definition, a process for public input and mandatory third-party inspections. There are so many claims on food packages today, it can be dizzying and extremely confusing. For me, I do grow my own produce during the summer and for the small amount I produce, I am 100% sure that it is organic. Aside from that, you are relying on farmers and producers and the government to certify that what you are buying and paying for is organic. If you ever have a question regarding authenticity of a product, go to the companies website and contact someone. A legitimate brand will always be willing to share resources.
Any comments or input please e-mail me at michael@alliesproteinballs.com. I love feedback and conversation.
Michael A. Carrubba
Founder/CEO Allie’s Naturals LLC
Winter is awesome but can be harsh on your skin. We have 4 simple tips for keeping your skin moist, healthy and radiant.
Don’t get enough time to take care of your skin? Here are 6 skincare tips that can easily fit into your schedule.
If you are not drinking at least eight full glasses a day, 64 ounces, you're not drinking enough. That could be a major problem. Staying properly hydrated is necessary for your overall health. Not only does water play an important role in your digestion and circulation, but it is also vital for your skin's health and beauty too. Water helps you from the inside out. For your skin's sake, it is one of the easiest and best beauty treatments you can do and might be the least expensive. We are not saying throw away all of your favorite beauty products but drinking more water will definitely help. WATER AND YOUR SKIN Your skin is an organ, in fact the largest living organ in your body and it is mostly made up of water. In fact skin is made up of approximately 64% water! Without water, your skin cannot function at its best. Without proper water it will become dry, tight and flaky. It is very easy to notice if you are properly hydrated, it is a very visible difference. Here are 6 amazing skin benefits you can get from simply drinking more water. FEWER WRINKLES The more hydrated you stay the fewer wrinkles and fine lines you will see. Water helps your skin maintain moisture which increases elasticity. The more elastic your skin, the fewer wrinkles you will see. REDUCED PUFFINESS Everyone has experienced swollen skin. Most often this is caused by our bodies retaining water. Why do we retain water? Because we are dehydrated and our body is protecting us. If you want to reduce puffiness and swelling and smooth out your skin, drink more water. CLEAR ACNE Adult acne is incredibly common. It is estimated that 40-55% of the adult population aged 20-40 has acne. It is a common skin issue that can be helped by drinking enough water. Water can help flush toxins from the skin and shrink your pores making them less likely to clog and cause a zit. SLOWS AGING Beyond wrinkles, drinking enough water can help keep your skin plumper which can help slow the aging process. Plump skin also helps hide existing signs of aging, so any wrinkles you might already have are minimized. TIGHTER SKIN Do you have sagging skin? A great way to help tighten the skin around your jawline, stomach, arms and legs is to drink more water. That is because water helps to improve the skins elasticity making it bounce back from sagging. PH BALANCE If you have problematic skin, you know that maintaining a healthy pH balance is key to keeping your skin blemish-free and glowing. Drinking more water can help balance your pH level to give you healthy skin. How do you know if you are drinking the eight 8oz glasses each day? Here is a simple suggestion: - Drink 1 glass before each meal and one after each meal, that is 6. - Drink 1 ice cold glass right when you wake up, that is 7. - Drink 1 glass before you go to bed, that is 8. A lot of people fill a container each morning with the goal of drinking that during the day, whatever works for you. Try it for 60 days and you will be amazed how different your skin looks and feels. Drink Up! If you would like to hear more about water, take a listen to a recent podcast we recorded... THE DAILY WASH ::: Michael A. Carrubba Founder - Allie's Naturals www.alliesnaturals.com
Having beautiful skin should not be that difficult. We have broken it down to 6 things you can easily do in 6 days. We want you to have the skin you desire so you can enjoy your natural beauty.
Wintertime is usually a harsh time for the skin due to the reduced levels of moisture in the air. Howling winds. Sub-freezing temperatures and the lack of sunshine can cause dryness and flakiness which may be extremely uncomfortable and not very appealing to look at. It is imperative to nourish your skin by constantly moisturizing it throughout. Cold creams, body lotions and butters can of course help in moisturizing your skin and keeping it nourished but is it enough? Harmful chemicals in creams can provide temporary nourishment but turning to natural ingredients maybe a better way to keep the skin healthy for a longer period. These five natural ingredients can be found easily in your kitchens. Go check. 1. Oatmeal The otherwise healthy (and often boring) breakfast meal is packed with saponins which are natural cleansers and absorbs oil easily. Add equal parts oatmeal and yogurt to a bowl and mix to form a paste which can be used easily as a body moisturizer. 2. Aloe Vera Aloe vera gel is known to treat many skin problems including acne, eczema, rashes. Those with oily skin usually always run away from moisturization because of the greasiness. Aloe vera gel is literally perfect all throughout the year especially if you have an oily skin type which hydrates the skin minus it feeling greasy. The best way to use aloe vera gel is by simply scooping out the gel from the plant or splitting it in half and rubbing it on the skin and rinsing it off after 15-20 minutes. 3. Honey Honey is a commonly found ingredient in the kitchen, but did you know that it is in fact great to nourish your skin? Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that are known to treat many skin problems. Honey can be used as it is by gently massaging it on your skin 2-3 times a day and rinsing it off with lukewarm water. For a more wholesome skincare routine, add 2 tablespoons of honey to 3 tablespoons of yogurt; mix well and massage it to your skin and simply rinse off after 10 minutes. 4. Bananas We are bananas for banana! Bananas are naturally enriched with fatty acids that have so much goodness for the skin. Not only do they moisturize the skin well, but they also tighten the skin to give it a more youthful look. Mash 1-2 bananas (depending on the size) into a bowl and add a few tablespoons of honey or an egg white to the mixture and then apply it on your skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and wash it off with regular water for a naturally glowing look that is soft and hydrated. 5. Olive Oil Olive oil is enriched with the goodness of Vitamin E and A; both of which are known to keep the skin healthy. Olive oil contains antioxidants that fights back ageing and helps in keeping the skin moisturized. Simply massage a few drops of olive oil on your skin and massage it thoroughly to let the skin absorb all the oil leaving your skin soft and supple. Seems easy right? Healthy, nourished, and beautiful looking skin while never leaving your kitchen. Is the coffee hot? Michael A. Carrubba Founder, Allie’s Naturals
Well, little do people know that small changes in your diet, lifestyle, and the products you use on your body can go a long way in helping you to age gracefully. While there are numerous new and cutting-edge techniques that might be able to reverse or slow the signs of aging, a daily regimen is THE BEST way to start.
We asked several of our beauty friends and here is what they came up with.
There are many benefits to using goats milk soaps on your body on a regular basis. Aside from being close to the body’s natural pH levels, goats’ milk-based soaps contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that will keep your skin and face as healthy as possible. Here are some of the properties found in goats milk soaps that make it the ideal choice when cleaning the body. ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS Goats milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids such as lactic acid which helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This natural and gentle exfoliation reveals fresh, new skin cells that are healthier, smoother and younger looking. Alpha-hydroxy acids are effective exfoliators because they break down the bonds that hold the dead skin cells together. The build up of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin can lead to flakiness and cause irritation. Regular removal of these dead skin cells helps many skin conditions by removing the irritant and encouraging healthy skin development. Water based soaps sometimes use harsh chemical acids to accomplish this, frequently with skin-damaging results. VITAMINS Goats milk contains a variety of vitamins but is particularly high in vitamin A. Vitamin A is necessary for the body to repair damaged skin tissue and maintain healthy skin. There have been several medical studies showing that creams and soaps made with vitamin A reduce lines and wrinkles, control acne and provide psoriasis relief. Goats milk is rich in niacin which recent studies have shown helps protect the skin from sun damage. It also contains vitamins like thiamine and vitamin B6 which both promote healthy skin growth. MINERALS Goats milk naturally contains many important minerals. Minerals like vitamins, help support balanced and healthy skin. - Potassium – While potassium cannot be absorbed into the skin, it can help create the skin barrier needed to lock in moisture. - Magnesium – Magnesium can help calm irritated skin. It encourages healthy skin turnover and can help reduce the appearance of acne. - Selenium – Selenium is believed by scientists to have an important role in preventing skin cancer. Selenium can also help prevent damage to the skin from excessive time in the sun. Although the water used in other soaps may contain marginal levels of minerals, it hardly is enough to have any significant benefit to your skin. Goats milk soap is rich in the minerals your skin needs to be healthy and to look healthy. Regardless of whether your skin is healthy or not, it will certainly benefit from using a handmade soap that has been made with goats milk soap in the advantageous cold-processed format. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at michael@alliesnaturals.com . Michael A. Carrubba Founder & Creative Director
Activated charcoal has been cleaning faces and skin for hundreds of years. We have listed 4 ways that activated charcoal can help your skin.
The ingredients that will help your skin look healthy maybe closer than you think and will not cost you a fortune. Here are 6 everyday foods that you have that will make your comfortable in your skin.
