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Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening

2010-08-11T04:01:00.000+07:00

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Green Resource for Every Gardener

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening has been the go-to resource for gardeners for more than 50 years—and the best tool novices can buy to start applying organic methods to their fruit and vegetable crops, herbs, trees and shrubs, perennials, annuals, and lawns. This thoroughly revised and updated version highlights new organic pest controls, new fertilizer products, improved gardening techniques, the latest organic soil practices, and new trends in garden design.

In this indispensable work readers will find:

- comprehensive coverage for the entire garden and landscape along with related entries such as Community Gardening, Edible Landscaping, Horticultural Therapy, Stonescaping, and more

- the most in-depth information from the trusted Rodale Organic Gardening brand

- a completely new section on earth-friendly techniques for gardening in a changing climate, covering wise water management, creating backyard habitats, managing invasive plants and insects, reducing energy use and recycling, and understanding biotechnology

- entries all written by American gardeners for American gardeners, with answers for all the challenges presented by various conditions, from the humid Deep South and the mild maritime coasts to the cold far North and the dry Southwest

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening has everything anyone needs to create gorgeous, non-toxic gardens in any part of the country.

Lily of the Desert Aloe 80 Organics Shampoo, Daily, Aloe, Lemon & Rosemary

2010-08-11T03:11:00.000+07:00

Lily of the Desert Aloe 80 Organics Shampoo, Daily, Aloe, Lemon & Rosemary, 16-Ounces (Pack of 3)

Ingredients
Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Aloe Vera Gel, Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Aloe Vera Gel, Cocamide Mea, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Certified Organic Aloesorb, Lemon (Citrus Medica Limonum) Peel Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf) Oil, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Tetrasodium Edta, Potassium Sorbate, Dl Panthenol (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E).

Avalon Organics Moisturizing Shampoo

2010-08-11T03:00:00.000+07:00

Avalon Organics Moisturizing Shampoo, Awapuhi Mango, 14-Ounces (Pack of 3)

Made with awapuhi, mango, and ylang blossom for vibrant, manageable, healthy hair. Consciousness in Cosmetics: Our pledge. Your assurance. Safe, effective, pro-organic hair care without artificial colors, synthetic fragrances or parabens.

Nature's Gate Organics Shampoo, Chamomile & Lemon Verbena

2010-08-11T02:59:00.000+07:00

Nature's Gate Organics Shampoo, Chamomile & Lemon Verbena, 12-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 3)

Made with Certified Organic Botanicals. Nature's Gate Organics Chamomile & Lemon Verbena Shampoo gently cleanses hair with the natural benefits of certified organic botanicals. This mild shampoo is perfect for hair in need of extra moisture or hair

Benefits of Using Natural Cotton and Wool Blankets

2010-08-11T02:54:00.000+07:00

Nowadays many people realize unquestionable environmental and health benefits of going green and buying certified organic products, such as organic foods, personal care items, clothes, children's products and home furnishings (sheets, bedding, blankets, pillows, towels, bathrobes, tablecloths, napkins) is not an exception.
Why organic bedding? The answer is simple. We spend a third of our life sleeping and our skin is the largest human organ. That's why it's very important to use all natural bedding, especially organic blankets. Why organic blankets? All natural organic cotton or organic wool blankets are manufactured using certified organic wool or cotton which are chemical, resin and pesticide free.
Most Certified Organic Cotton Blankets are made from the cotton which is grown and manufactured in the USA meet special requirements which are regulated by National Organic Program from USDA covering how the cotton is grown.
It's a fact that cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land and conventional cotton uses approximately 25% of the word's insecticides. What's why organic cotton blankets are so beneficial for all people especially for those who suffers from allergies and experiences chemical sensitivities. All natural organic cotton blankets are:
eco friendly
hypoallergenic
completely breathable
chemical free
resin free
pesticide free
Most organic cotton blankets are certified organic by the Texas Department of Agriculture where it is grown. All colored blankets has been colored with eco dyes. White cotton blankets has been whitened with peroxide, not chlorine. Blanket stitching has been done with viscose thread which is known to be stronger than cotton one.
Organic Merino Wool Blankets are made in the USA from premium 100% Organic Merino Wool from Australia. These blankets keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Wool has the ability to breathe with the skin and absorb excess moisture naturally without feeling wet to the touch, then releases all wetnesses into the air to provide you with a pleasant, healthy sleep. They are hypoallergenic, natural, untreated, soft and supportive and good for your health. They can be machine washed on delicate and hang dry. Attractive whip stitched edges in the same organic wool.
Organic wool is wool which is produced in accordance with federal standards for organic livestock production.
Federal requirements for organic livestock production include:
•Livestock feed and forage used from the last third of gestation must be certified organic;
•Use of synthetic hormones and genetic engineering is prohibited;
•Use of synthetic pesticides (internal, external, and on pastures) is prohibited, and
•Producers must encourage livestock health through good cultural and management practices. (OTA)
One of the most important characteristics of the natural wool blanket is the ability to insulate and retain air without blocking air circulation. This process can be easily explained. Wool's crimp naturally creates a textile volume which is help to retain heat and at the same time wool textile is completely breathable. This unique ability of wool to adjust the air temperature has been known many centuries ago.
Another distinctive characteristic of organic wool blanket is ability to absorb excess moisture, then gradually releases it into the air. Wool is able to absorb approximately 1/3 of it's own weight.
Wool blanket is also naturally static electricity resistant. This feature is conditioned by wool's ability to absorb moisture and then this moisture conducts static electricity.
Wool is known to be naturally flame retardant. Unlike most synthetic fiber, wool has low rate of flame spread and low heat of combustion. It means that wool blankets provide a high safety environment.

Making the Progression From Organic Food to Fiber

2010-08-11T02:53:00.002+07:00

Have you been eating organic fruits and vegetables? Or even "natural" food, without being certified organic, that is grown without the use of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizer? Or have you been thinking and "almost" moving in these directions?
Maybe you've been selecting fish for lower mercury content. And you might be selecting free range poultry that's fed a healthy diet and beef that is grass fed and not shot up with hormones and antibiotics.
If you're eating organic and natural food, you're probably doing so for two reasons. The first is probably to eat healthier food. You don't want to be exposing yourself and your family to harmful toxins in your food through farming and processing practices. You may also know that many studies have shown that organic food contains more nutrients than non-organic food.
The second reason is that you are aware of the environmental damage to our air, water, and land done by non-organic farming methods and manufacturing processes.
Those reasons can also be applied to your clothing, bedding, and towels. Just like food, if your clothing, bedding, and towels are made from non-organic cotton and wool, or synthetics, they may contain a whole range of harmful chemicals. These are retained in the fibers from both the farming and manufacturing processes.
Non-organic cotton uses more insecticides than any other single crop. The typical spraying application results in volatile organic compounds released into the air, contributing to green house gases. Additionally, such spraying harms the health of the soil and pollutes ground water, lakes, and streams.
Five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton in the U.S. (cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite, and trifluralin) are known cancer causing chemicals. All nine are classified by the U.S. EPA as Category I and II- the most dangerous chemicals. Depending on the practices involved, it can take up to a pound of such chemicals to grow the cotton for one pair of pants and a shirt.
Not only do these chemicals pollute the air, water, and soil but they're also retained in the crops as they're grown. In addition, other chemicals are added to the mix during the manufacturing processes.
Non-organic wool also uses substantial chemicals which may be unhealthy. Organic sheep production includes the following practices: Sheep must be fed 100% organically grown feed (grains) and forage (pastures); use of synthetic hormones, vaccinations, and genetic engineering is prohibited: use of synthetic pesticides (internal, external, and on pastures) is prohibited.
There are two key distinctions in organic livestock management. First is the elimination of "dipping," a method of controlling external parasites in which sheep are submerged in pools containing organophosphate-based parasiticides. Studies have indicated that prolonged exposure to sheep dip pesticides cause changes in the nervous system of humans. (Imagine how the sheep feel about this process!) Moreover, disposal and "runoff" of dips can contaminate ground water supplies.
Secondly, in order to maintain their certification organic livestock producers can not exceed the natural carrying capacity of the land, thus preventing the devastating effects of overgrazing.
Beyond Organic Cotton and Wool
Aside from organic cotton and wool, two particular eco-friendly textiles that are gaining in popularity are hemp and bamboo. These are called eco-friendly because they grow fast and are naturally pest resistant so they don't require pesticides and other harmful chemicals. They also can easily be grown organically.
Hemp and bamboo each have various advantages over cotton. They both require much less water to grow. They are both claimed to be anti-bacterial and, unlike cotton, can both be grown on the same land for decades without depleting the soil if properly managed.
Bamboo also has the advantage that it doesn't need to be replanted. When it is harvested it is cut near the ground but the stalks remain and grow new plants. Therefore, it has a lower carbon footprint by not creating engine exhaust for planting.
At the processing stage, hemp and bamboo can be environmentally problematic, with harmful chemicals used. Alternatively, they can be processed in an eco-friendly manner, although hemp and bamboo are often not certified organic because of the costs involved in doing so. However, this will change as more people demand organic certification.
Not Just the Growing
Aside from farming, harmful chemicals may be introduced at all stages between farm and garment, including fiber processing (breaking the plant down into a fiber), yarn spinning, yarn dying, fabric manufacturing, garment manufacturing, garment dying, and screen printing.
In addition to the harmful effects to the air, water, and soil, we should remember the workers who may also be affected by the toxic chemicals used in the growing and processing of these fibers.
Whew! That's the quick summary of the environmental aspects of textiles used for clothing, bedding including sheets, blankets, and pillowcases, and towels. What about the personal health aspects? How do we know chemicals are being retained in the fiber and fabrics used to make these products and what happens to them?
Tests can be and have been performed to detect the chemical residues in textiles. The International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile Ecology, based in Switzerland, has a certification for organic textiles that meet their criteria. The certification is called "Confidence in Textiles. Tested for Harmful Substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100." The list of criteria contains over 100 test parameters to assure that the textiles do not contain chemicals that are harmful to health.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It absorbs. Whatever it absorbs can get into your bloodstream and internal organs. So, are the chemicals retained in textiles really absorbed through the skin?
In the U.S., dyes containing benzidine, a substance that is easily absorbed through the skin, are no longer used because they are highly carcinogenic. However, clothing imported from other countries, which is a large percentage of clothing, may contain these dyes.
Synthetic clothing such as acrylic, nylon, polyester and vinyl, contain plastics and formaldehyde. Any fabric label that reads permanent press, no iron, crease-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, shrink-proof, or stretch-proof, most likely means that fabric contains formaldehyde.
Sleeping Organic
If you use poly-cotton bed sheets or wrinkle-resistant sheets then you're probably exposing yourself to formaldehyde all night long. Formaldehyde resin in these fabrics can cause fumes which can cause cancer, respiratory problems, allergies, asthma, cough, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, restless sleep, skin rash, and several other illnesses. Stain-repellent clothing can contain carcinogenic PFCs.
Your mattress may contain PBDEs, chemicals widely used as flame retardants which are known to cause cancer and are suspected of disrupting hormones. Your mattress may also contain PFCs, known carcinogens, in order to make the mattress stain-resistant.
Think of all the hours of every day your skin is rubbing against these fabrics and possible fumes are released into the air you're inhaling.
Therefore, it is up to the concerned consumer to inquire about the entire process from farm to finished good, or be confident that the retailer has evaluated their suppliers, to be sure that the finished goods are healthy to both planet and people.
Protect the Kids
What are people doing to avoid these toxic exposures to their health and our environment? There's a very common progression many people are taking as their consciousness increases on these issues and they shift to eating organic food. The progression is to also shift their purchases to organic and eco-friendly clothing, bedding, and towels.
If the household has children and babies, this often takes the form of first shifting to baby clothes, bedding and towels, then shift to the older children's textiles, then to the adults. Babies have the weakest immune systems. They are the most sensitive to external toxins.
Another group of people highly sensitive to environmental toxins are those with chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, allergies, and asthma. Unfortunately, these groups are growing at faster rates than in previous times.
Choose Certified
How can we be assured of "healthy textiles" through the entire process? Organic textiles are commonly made from organic cotton and organic wool. However, the USDA organic certification only applies to the farming part of the process.
As a result, a standard has been developed jointly by organic associations in the U.S., European Union, U.K., and Japan called the GOTS, Global Organic Textile Standard. This standard includes organic certification for the farming, processing, and dying of textiles as well as social responsibility standards for each of these steps.
Even though purchases of organic and eco-friendly textiles are rapidly growing, this sector still represents a very small percentage of the worldwide industries. That leaves plenty of room for change.
There is nothing more important for individual health, which is largely derived from the health of our environment, than the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. For without these in a pure, healthy form, life itself would not exist.
The corporate world in the past had enforced, and still tries to enforce, a principle of "it's okay unless proven harmful." An environmental principle that is slowly gaining ground reframes this position to essentially say, "Unless we know for sure a process isn't harmful why would we tolerate something that logic and experience tells us could be detrimental to personal health and that of our planet?" This is called the Precautionary Principle which in its simplest incarnation says, "Why take a chance?"

All You Want to Know About Organic Bedding

2010-08-11T02:51:00.002+07:00

According to the 2009 U.S. Families' Organic Attitudes and Belief Study, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of U.S. families buy organic products at least occasionally, chiefly for health reasons. The study also shows that three in ten U.S. families (31 percent) are actually buying more organic products compared to a year ago, with many parents preferring to reduce their spending in other areas before targeting organic product cuts. In fact, 17 percent of U.S. families said their largest increases in spending in the past year were for organic products.
Consumer interest in purchasing organic bedding products is rising despite the difficult economic situation. And even demand of organic bedding products exceeds the supply, because there are only few organic bedding manufacturers and raw material suppliers and too many people willing to buy organic bedding and organic mattresses out there. This causes the frequent manufacturing and delivery delays of organic bedding products. People lining up to get organic mattresses or bedding. What makes organic bedding products to stay in demand? There are many reasons for that, which bring people to decision to go organic. Here are some of the reasons listed below:
To avoid products that rely on pesticides, additives, toxins or other chemicals
To promote overall health
To avoid products that rely on antibiotics or growth hormones
To avoid genetically modified products
To support the environment
Health reasons other than allergies
To support organic manufactures and retailers.
What materials are used to manufacture organic bedding products?
Only finest organic materials should be used in organic mattresses and organic bedding products and accessories, such as organic sheets, blankets, pillows, moisture mattress pads, barrier covers and etc. However not everything what is called "organic" is truly %100 organic. The reputable manufacturer or retailer should always offer organic certifications for public viewing. Make sure to view certifications prior purchasing.
%100 Certified Organic Cotton is cotton which is grown from non-genetically modified plants without using pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, toxins and other chemicals in order to meet special organic standards and requirements of USDA National Organic Program. Premium organic cotton is soft and beautiful. For a silky smooth feeling look for a high thread count certified organic cotton fabric. It's %100 vegan.
%100 Certified Organic Wool is wool from organically raised happy sheep. Then it is organically processed in order to remove dust, vegetation and excess oils from wool fibers. Organic wool is truly universal panacea! It absorbs your body moisture and then releases it into the atmosphere, acts as naturally flame retardant, doesn't harbour a harmful bacteria. It's beneficial for those who suffer from joint, arthritis and fibromyalgia pains. It's also hypoallergenic, dust-mite and mildew resistant.
Natural Latex Rubber is made from the sap of actual rubber tree without use of harsh plasticizers and chemicals, which are used in synthetic foam mattresses. It is used to construct mattresses cores, mattress pads and pillows. Natural rubber is supportive and gently yielding to the body and it's absolutely breathable. It's also naturally anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, dust-mite and mildew resistant. Natural latex rubber products are a great option for vegans.
If you suffer from multiple chemical sensitives, it is highly recommended to use certified organic bedding products. The organic materials listed above are all natural and hypoallergenic, however there is no %100 guarantee. If you are not sure, please request a sample swatches of materials from manufacturer or retailer before making any purchases.

Bedding Luxury, Why is Organic Egyptian Cotton Bedding So Special?

2010-08-11T02:49:00.002+07:00

There is a time honoured tradition of Egyptian cotton luxury Italian bed linens such as Frette gracing the world's elite hotels to provide a luxurious and distinctive experience for guests. What made and still makes this bedding so special today starts with the best cotton fibre, through Italian craftsmanship in weaving and finishing. The end result is fine bed linen which is not only luxurious and silky soft against your skin to give you the feeling of sleeping in one of the world's elite hotels but also exceptional quality which lasts and lasts through laundering. The quality and comfort of Egyptian cotton bedding is now available in organic cotton with Italian finesse. Read on for six reasons on why organic Egyptian cotton bedding is so special.
1. Characteristics of Egyptian cotton
Egyptian cotton fibre is longer than other cotton fibres so permits the spinning of extremely fine yarns, needed to weave high thread count bed linens. This long and also thin fibre allows strong, smooth continuous lengths which do not break like shorter staple, inferior cotton fibres and results in fine bed linens which are very soft and supple as well as durable.
2. Organic cotton properties in addition
How many consumers or hotel guests have slept in organic Egyptian cotton bed sheets? The advantages of organic cotton from a planet friendly point of view are obvious, but organic cotton fibres are really softer and longer as they are grown without harsh chemicals to break the fibre and there are wider benefits too.
Organic Egyptian cotton bedding is even stronger and durable because it is made from long staple fibres, so will last and last. Organic bedding is made from organic natural fibres and is completely toxin free, so it is great for sensitive or allergy prone skin. As well as wrapping yourself with softness and comfort for a wonderful night's sleep - organic fabrics are traceable, protect the environment, reduce chemical sprays and toxins for farmers and ensure fair trade.
3. Quality
Due to the long, continuous fibres, the cotton does not pill and the softness of the bedding improves with washing which means that organic Egyptian cotton bedding retains its soft and silky feeling of comfort. Even better, it doesn't wrinkle too badly.
4. Great in summer weather
Egyptian cotton is high on the moisture absorption and breathability scale which is important for a comfortable sleep. In addition to these qualities, its smooth surface feels cool in the summer. Even sleep with just a sheet and an organic cotton bedspread on top, perfect for hot, summer nights.
5. Tradition
Bedding, luxury in the time honoured tradition of quality, to treasure and pass on as was the custom with linens in times gone by. This is bed linen you can pass on to your children.
6. Investing in organic Egyptian cotton
So if you are looking to update your bedroom and want to enjoy the comfort of the world's finest hotels, try the luxury of 100% organic Egyptian cotton bedding. Buying a set of bedding in Egyptian cotton costs a bit more at the start but will outlast inferior quality bed linens and just get better with age. So, the investment in bed linen saves in the long run as it will not have to be replaced as frequently. Going organic in your Egyptian cotton bedding does not add a great deal to the cost but does add wider benefits and leaves out the chemicals.
So if you choose to buy organic Egyptian cotton bedding, rest very well assured that you are buying the best for you and the planet, even when you are asleep.

Organic Children's Clothes

2010-08-11T02:48:00.000+07:00

It is a common notion that many consumers have that organic children's clothes are not fashionable and it is tantamount to dressing your child in a burlap sack. Although the term "organic" has been associated with unflattering labels such as "tree hugger" or "hippie," fashion trends have made dramatic advances in the past decade and even major retailers such as Nike, Wal-Mart, and Target have been supporting organic clothes.
The awareness of the word "organic" has been huge in recent years. More and more people are gravitating towards all things organic but many do not fully understand why organic clothes, especially for children, are better. You may know that it is better for the environment but not fully realize why it is better. Your neighbor may believe products made from organic materials may be safe but, again, without knowing why. To give an example, let's take clothes made from cotton. Clothes made from organic cotton do not use pesticides, insecticides, or other toxic chemicals in its production. The lack of these chemicals can be a huge benefit if your child has skin allergies or sensitive skin. The EPA has even released a report listing the seven of the top fifteen of the most widely used pesticides in cultivating cotton as a known or likely human carcinogen. It is not surprising that this is the case since many of these pesticides and insecticides were developed during World War II as a chemical weapons. Also, the farm workers that work the fields are not exposed to these toxic chemicals. They work in a safer environment as they do not have to be exposed to these toxins.
The human benefits aside, supporting organic farming is a major boost to the environment as well. Research indicates that only ten percent of the pesticides and insecticides used on cotton are effective. The rest seep into the soil and contaminate the water thereby ravaging the environment and killing off the wildlife. In addition, supporting organic farming also supports new technologies and farming methods to grow organic crops. These farmers are on the forefront of "green" technology and methods to ease the stress that conventional cotton crops create on the environment.
Buying clothes made from conventionally grown cotton doesn't make you a bad parent or callous person but it is important to realize that there are other options available and those other options can be the best choice for everyone. Just understanding why organic clothes are better for your children will make a world of difference.

As responsible parents and just responsible citizens of our planet, we all should ensure our children grow up in a healthy, beautiful environment. This is why Fuzzy Green Monster was established. It is our goal to provide your children with eco-friendly apparel that is fashion-forward yet environmentally sound. There is no reason you should sacrifice style and comfort for sustainability and we strive to prove that every day with every piece.

The Benefits to Your Skin, Your General Health, and Well Being

2010-08-11T02:47:00.000+07:00

Every time you look into the mirror, you find the natural health of your skin deteriorating from problems like aging, acne, blackheads, wrinkles, dark circles etc. The reason is not only the physiological changes in the skin, due to aging, but the harsh chemicals that come in contact with our skin. Certified organic cosmetics can provide safe, healthy solutions and benefits to one's skin.
Our skin, being the largest organ of the body, is very sensitive, very porous (over 70% seepage into the body through the bloodstream), and when it comes in contact with harsh, toxic chemicals, permanent damage can be caused. These chemicals are not always associated with the environment that we live in or the food we eat but, many times, can be directly connected to the cosmetics that we use. These cosmetics, used daily, can be really harsh on our skin as they contain many toxic chemicals that cause permanent damage to the skin's health. Let's be clear. A toxic substance, otherwise known as a toxicant, is defined as a noun and is a "poison or poisonous agent". No one would knowingly consume a poison. Therefore, one must ask why anyone, knowing the ingredients in most cosmetic products are made up of poisons (toxic ingredients or toxicants), would place these on our skin.
Healthy living means that we keep our bodies protected from these harsh chemicals and flush out the ones that have already invaded the internal system of our body. Organic foods are a great way to flush out the harmful chemicals from our body. What about the cosmetics that we apply? Do we have to do away with our favorite talcum powder or deodorant? Well, you do not need to do away with cosmetics as a whole but certainly need to switch over to organic cosmetics. In switching over one must remember to read the labels and do the research. In previous articles we have written about the self-regulated Cosmetic Industry. This allows cosmetic companies to put anything they want on packaging as no one is watching. And, the "green" movement is driving companies to be making claims, like organic and/or natural, and in some cases this is simply disingenuous. So, it is up to you, the consumer, to know what you are looking for to be sure that what you are buying is, in fact, what it claims to be.
Now, one might ask what benefits are there for switching over? Well, there are several benefits and some of them are as follows:
a)Organic cosmetics are really good for our skin, our health and general well being. However, to be considered organic they must be prepared from natural ingredients and must not contain any harmful acids or toxic chemicals. Generally speaking, the cosmetics that one uses daily contain very high levels of toxic chemicals and your skin may suffer from various problems if you continue their usage for a long period of time. On the other hand truly organic and/or natural cosmetics are going to provide the right kind of nourishment for your skin without introducing any form of toxic materials into it. So, you could be saved from cancer causing toxic substances like mercury or lead. These chemicals are not only harsh for the skin but if they get into the bloodstream, and they will over time, can cause real damage.
b)Environmentally friendly: these organic cosmetics are considered to be environmentally friendly and, as a result, when used daily, you are not only saving your skin but the environment as well. We all need to protect our earth from getting polluted with environment threatening chemicals like lead, coal tar, aluminum, and mercury, to name a few, and this can be achieved only if we use things, that when disposed, do not cause any environmental hazards. If we care for our environment as we care for our bodies then we must start using these natural products, including cosmetics.
There are many people who feel that these environmentally friendly natural products are not on par with the synthetic ingredients used in cosmetics, but this is simply not true. Truly organic cosmetics produce the same colors and also last for the same period of time on your skin, so there is no reason why these should be considered poor cosmetics. However, once again, before one purchases these cosmetic products, one should always check the label and find out whether or not it really contains organic ingredients. Admittedly, some of these listed ingredients one would need to be a scientist to understand. Do not let this deter you from researching the ingredient. Remember the Cosmetic Industry will do anything to thwart you from discovering what is actually in these products. In it is not in their best interest for you to change brands, so do your homework and save being given a synthetic cosmetic, filled with poisons (toxicants), in the name of a natural and/or organic cosmetic.

Why Should You Use Them?

2010-08-11T02:46:00.002+07:00

You hear a lot about organic cosmetics these days. This type of makeup is really becoming quite popular, but if you aren't sure what all the hype is about, it`s easy to dismiss this as just another trendy, like glittery lip gloss or blue eyeshadow. However, these new types of cosmetics are here to stay, and for good reason.
What Are Organic Cosmetics?
Most makeup has chemicals and assorted non-organic ingredients to create the effects wanted. Unfortunately, these aren't the best for your skin and some people even find that they are allergic to the ingredients in mainstream cosmetics.
When the ingredients are natural and organic, this basically means that you are getting the purest of ingredients to apply to your face. No chemicals are included, Nature`s own ingredients are used to work with the skin and provide that healthy glow as well as actually making your skin healthier.
The Benefits
Did you know that your skin actually absorbs much of what you put on it? Those chemicals that are used in regular cosmetics are passing through your skin into your bloodstream, even in small amounts. While this might not cause any immediate effects, you still have to wonder what will happen in the long term. Organic cosmetics are worth using, if only for the peace of mind you`ll have!
Some further benefits of these 100% natural cosmetics include the following:
- Fewer allergies. Most people are sensitive to at least a couple of chemicals and these can actually get worse with extended use. Makeup with natural ingredients tends not to trigger allergies, though there are a few people who may still be sensitive to some natural ingredients.
- Healthier skin. Avoid clogging up your pores with aluminum based products, instead use natural makeup to promote healthier skin.
- Better health in general. What you may not be aware of is that often the ingredients used in natural cosmetics actually have other health benefits. For example, certain herbs hold aromatic properties to stimulate your sense, while others are absorbed through the skin and can actually make you feel better.
- No more clogged pores. These types of facial products tend to be lighter and easier on the skin. This means no more clogged pores and fewer pimples.
- Repair damaged skin. If you`ve suffered from sun damage or even rashes and outbreaks from using chemical-based cosmetics, then going 100% organic is an excellent idea. The natural materials contained in these products will help repair that damage and create smooth, new skin.
- Less is more. The fact is that organic cosmetics tend to be more concentrated, which means you really use less to get the same effect. It equals better coverage without plastering the makeup on, too.
You`ll find that with organic cosmetics, you can enjoy great looks without worrying about what you`re putting on your skin. There will be fewer zits and outbreaks simply because your makeup won`t be clogging your pores like before and the natural ingredients will help your skin stay healthy and glowing . . . even when you`re bare faced!
While these products may be slightly higher in price than regular, chemical-ridden ones, the benefits are many and since you can use less to get the same effect, it`s really worth the cost. Not to mention, you`ll have fewer skin problems that need to be treated, meaning you will have fewer products to purchase, which is also a major area of savings. 100% organic cosmetics is the way to go when you want to look good, without lasting effects and guilt.

Eating Organic

2010-08-11T02:45:00.000+07:00

If you've been to the grocery store in the past five years, you've undoubtedly encountered some sort of organic food. Maybe you noticed different packaging or special sections in the store and maybe you've even ventured to try these newfangled products. But most likely, you're still not exactly sure what "organic" means and why it has been getting so much media attention in the last few years. The idea of organic foods can be intimidating, so Recipe4Living offers you a place to familiarize yourself with the terms and facts surrounding this new organic craze.
What is organic?
In the simplest terms, organic foods are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.
The USDA National Organic Program has created a long and wordy definition that you can view here. As of October 21, 2002, all farmers and organic producers are required to adhere to these guidelines throughout their organic license:
- Do not use prohibited materials (listed above) for three years prior to certification and throughout license.
- Allow outdoor access and pasture for livestock and do not feed animals antibiotics or hormones. Rather, feed animals with 100% organic feed.
- Avoid contamination during processing of products and keep records of all operations.
This relatively simple definition is just the basis for understanding the organic world. When grocery shopping, it's important to know that the USDA has identified three categories for labeling organic products:
- 100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients
- Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients
- Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no genetically modified organisms.
(Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side panel, but cannot make organic claims.)
For more terms and definitions, check out the comprehensive Glossary at Organic.org.
Potential Health Benefits
Though there have not been enough long-term studies done to confirm health benefits from organic foods, recently published studies from the University of California-Davis recently found that some organic foods have higher nutritional value than regularly-grown foods. Some people also believe that organic food tastes better, but you'll have to see for yourself.
Pesticide Dangers
While the idea of eating organic may seem to be more of an inconvenience than its worth, you should consider the harmful effects that pesticides have on foods. They can have detrimental effects on a human's endocrine, nervous and immune systems - and the risk is even greater for children. Remember, the use of these pesticides is prohibited for organic farmers.
For your shopping convenience, a report by the Environmental Working Group used data from the FDA to show that many of the pesticide health risks are concentrated in a relatively small number of fruits and vegetables.
- High Levels of Pesticide: strawberries, red and green peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches, cantaloupe, celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes, cucumbers, pears, winter squash and potatoes
- Low Levels of Pesticide: avocados, corn, onions, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
The realization that your food may have harmful pesticides on it can be scary, but there are ways to clean your food without having to swear off fruits and vegetables forever:
- Buy commercial vegetable and fruit washes formulated to remove chemical residue (Evironné or Vitanet).
- Make your own cleaning solution with mild dishwashing detergent (1 tsp. detergent per gallon of water).
- Use a soft brush to scrub food.
- Peel fruits with tough exteriors, especially peaches, pears and apples.
- Eat organic.
Click here for more tips on keeping your family safe from pesticides.
Where to Find Organic Foods
Your search for organic food could mean exploring a new section of your neighborhood grocery store or traveling a further distance to meet your new grocery needs. Chain stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's carry extensive organic sections of their stores. You can also look into local co-ops in your town that will undoubtedly have an impressive selection of organic foods.
If you're still having trouble finding organic in your town, perhaps these organic delivery services will make it easier:
Diamond Organics - delivers to any address in US
Dave's Organics - home delivery in California
Front Door Organics - home and office delivery in Toronto
Organics Delivered - delivers to Toronto and Peterborough Co.
Peapod - delivers to Chicago and South-Eastern Wisconsin and most of the New England area
Urban Organic - delivers to the New York area
Small Potatoes - home delivery within BC, Canada
Organic Express - home delivery throughout California
Door to Door Organics - serves Philadelphia, NJ and vicinity
Planet Organics - home delivery in San Francisco Bay area
A note on costs: Many people don't buy organic foods because they believe them to be too expensive. While organic food is often pricier than its non-organic counterparts, there are good reasons for this:
- Organic farmers don't receive federal subsidies like conventional farmers do, therefore they price reflects the true cost to growing.
- The price of conventional food does not reflect the cost of environmental cleanups that we pay for through tax dollars.
- Organic farming is more labor and management intensive.
Other Info to Know
In case you still have any doubts as to the incredible impact that organic foods are having on food industry, take a look at this map of the Organic Industry Structure . Looking at the large circles, you'll probably recognize most of the major brand names that occupy your kitchen cupboards, but follow the arrows to see the organic brands these food-giants are creating. Even if you just glace at the chart, it's easy to see that the organic industry is growing quickly and will not be ignored.
If you're still thirsting for more organic knowledge, the Internet has some incredible organic resources. Check out these websites for further information.

Why Should You Sleep on an Organic Cotton Mattress Pad?

2010-08-11T02:43:00.002+07:00

Organic cotton mattress pads are a great way to get a good night's sleep. Available in a variety of sizes, you are sure to find one that fits your bed perfectly.
Many are finding that a perfect night's rest depends on the materials you sleep on as much as your mattress set. For this reason, many are choosing to purchase an organic cotton mattress pad. This material is unbleached, chemical free and undyed so allergies will not be an issue. Not only are these easy to care for, they will also hold up to repeated washings with ease. Make sweating and clamminess a thing of the past. Get a good night's sleep with a new mattress pad that is not only soft and absorbent, but also breathable to move moisture away from your body.
The Organic Cotton Quilted Mattress Pad is machine washable and dryable, making it easy to care for in today's busy world. The organic cotton batting is covered with a cotton organic cover to ensure you stay dry though out the night. This cotton is not only grown in the USA, but the pads are sewn right here in California. You will be protecting the earth and keeping your fellow citizens employed. Prices range from $70 for a crib sized pad to $205 for a California king mattress pad. The pad is well worth the cost as it will hold up longer than traditional pads of this type.
For your precious infant, you may opt to go with the Naturepedic Organic Waterproof Crib Pad which will run you $59.99. Customers rate this product four stars out of five and the organic cotton flannel fabric will not only allow your child to sleep in comfort, it will also block moisture from passing through. This cover does breathe so your child will not sweat as much allowing for a pleasant night's rest. This cover contains no latex or antibacterial treatments to ensure your baby is not exposed to something unintentionally.
When choosing an organic cotton mattress pad, it never hurts to look for organic cotton sheets and bedding. Your sleep will never be the same and you will wake up rested. Best of all, you will be protecting the earth for future generations. What more could you ask for from a bedding product?

Eco Fashion Tips

2010-08-11T02:41:00.002+07:00

With more and more "Green" products entering the mainstream, it seems as if everyone is looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly. But what about fashion? Is it possible to be environmentally sensitive and still maintain your personal style? The answer is unequivocally "yes," but it does take a little scouting around to find the right retailer for your needs.
First, let's define what it means to be eco-fashionable. Although it might be hard to find all of the following criteria in a single piece of clothing, you can begin to build your wardrobe around these environmentally-safe choices:
1. Locally Sourced
Purchasing items that are locally sourced is sometimes the most environmentally-sound decision you can make, because the products are not traveling a distance to get to you, and are therefore not contributing to the massive byproducts of shipping products around the world.
2. Fairly Traded
This is really about the moral background of your wardrobe. Was it made by people paid a living wage in reasonable working conditions? Fair trade means that producers are paid fair prices for their products, instead of the prices that the market will allow. This means that you will probably pay more for eco-conscious clothing, but you are supporting people who need money for housing, clean water, food, health care, education.
3. Organic
Much of our clothing is made of cotton and cotton blends, and cotton is a massive crop that, like many of our food crops, often requires extensive pesticide and chemical byproducts to produce. Popular demand for cheap cotton has increased crop production, which has also increased pesticide use. Cotton is the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world, accounting for 25% of all pesticide use. In fact, most cotton T-shirts require up to 1/4 lb. of harmful chemicals to produce. Instead, seek organic cotton for your clothing, as it offers fewer chemicals and is grown and harvested in an environmentally-sound manner.
4. Recycled
The vintage fashion trend has more legs than you ever realized when you add in the fact that you are actually recycling and dressing fashionably! So check out vintage stores and consignment shops, and also keep an eye out for designers who take vintage pieces and overstock fabrics to create new designs. These designers use recycled materials like old T-shirts, ties, scarves, dresses, costumes and curtains to create custom-designed, one-of-a-kind creations.
5. Sustainable
Sustainable products are made from renewable resources that don't overly tax the Earth. Ideal sustainable resources are those that can be replaced at a rate equal to or greater than the rate at which they are consumed. Some great options for clothing include bamboo, which is a fast-growing crop that requires no chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Surprisingly, this amazing plant creates cashmere-like knits and silky-smooth fabrics.
6. Eco-conscious Production
This refers to the process of producing the fabrics, which can be highly energy-inefficient and polluting to the environment. Instead, look for products from wind-powered factories that use recycled waste-water.
7. Eco-conscious Companies
In addition to employing eco-friendly practices, eco-conscious companies often donate a percentage of profits to eco-related causes.
Eco-fashion is all about choosing materials that have been created with the Earth in mind. By taking a long-term view of how our actions affect future generations and making sure that we don't deplete resources or cause pollution, we can help ensure a healthy Earth as well as maintain a sense of doing something good while also looking good.
To find eco-fashion, simply search online. Also check out magazines and online publications that review topics of organic crops, sustainability, and the other items listed in this article. Most of all, remember that you can be both fashionable and "green," you just have to look for the opportunity to do so.

Organic and Fair Trade Fashion

2010-08-11T02:40:00.002+07:00

The conventional clothing industry is huge at over one trillion in sales annually. To keep this engine running smoothly, the clothing industry has developed the concept of fast fashion. The clothing industry works hard through advertising to ingrain in our minds, the idea that we must upgrade our wardrobe regularly with the latest style and/or seasonal changes. We must do these things or be viewed as behind the times, old fashioned, out of sync, unattractive, etc.
And the clothing companies have made it real easy for us to throw out the "old" and bring in the newest clothing trend by offering up cheap fashion. Heck, when that flashy shirt is only $5 bucks and that complimentary pair of pants is only $10 bucks, why not, right?
But what we don't realize is that the true cost of these cheap fashions have simply been externalized. What do I mean by that? In order to produce cheap clothing to keep this whole consumerism tread mill going, the clothing industry must find inexpensive manufacturing options.
They do this by outsourcing their production to countries where labor is cheap, labor laws are lacking or non-existent and environmental regulations are minimal. So, let's say Big Clothing Corporation A goes to a third world country to find a clothing manufacturer. They shop around to find the best price and decide on local manufacturer B. They generally don't ask questions as they don't want to know exactly how the manufacturer can possibly produce the clothing order for such a cheap price. Knowing equals guilt right?
Third world manufacturer B can make the clothing so cheaply because they use child labor, pay workers wages that are barely at subsistence level, offer no health care, child care, insurance benefits and have no costs associated with proper disposal of hazardous chemicals such as dyes, formaldehyde, fire retardants, etc or textile waste because they just dump it all untreated into the nearest river or stream.
This is what I mean by externalizing the cost. Big Corporation A now gets their nice new, shiny shirt for $2 which they then turn around and sell to you for $5. But as you hold up the shirt that little voice in your mind asks - how the heck can they sell this for just $5 bucks? They can because the local lakes, rivers and streams and the local work force where that shirt was made took the brunt of the cost. In other words, the cost was externalized.
Do you want to be a part of this tragedy? Because you have read this far, I don't think you do. So what can we do to effect change? Thankfully, we can do a lot. The fact is that over 70% of our economy is driven by you, by me, your next door neighbor. That's right, consumerism drives almost three quarters of our economic activity. It is the bread and butter of big corporations.
If you say NO to fast fashion and yes to organic, fair trade clothing, you are making a difference. As more people stand up and say the same thing, your combined voices will force big corporations to change. They will simply have to change or become obsolete. You hold all the cards.
So, what's your choice? Do you choose organic clothing which is made without the use of harsh chemicals such as pesticides that pollute our environment making our drinking water unsafe, destroying habitat and killing innocent farmers by the thousands? Will you say yes to fair trade clothing which protects workers rights, allowing them to rise out of poverty and become productive and proud members of our global society?
Or do you choose to stay on the consumerism treadmill and keep buying cheap, fast fashion while ignoring the consequences of that decision?

If your answer is yes to organic, fair trade clothing then I invite you to take a look at Fashion and Earth Inc. They have a great array of organic clothing, eco friendly clothing and fair trade clothing brands for you to choose from. And with their free and fast shipping both ways, hassle free returns policy and, extremely generous Rewards Program you really have nothing to lose!
So go ahead, check them out and experience the feeling of wearing organic, fair trade clothing. And I don't just mean the softness of the fabric but also the feeling of empowerment and pride that comes with wearing your values!

Prerequisite For Organic Foods

2010-08-11T02:38:00.002+07:00

The most expensive foods as of date are organics but they are also claimed as the healthiest. Many marketers are encouraged to use the word organic as selling proposition. However, the use of the term is regulated.
To use the word organic, the merchant must apply a license under regulating agencies like US National Organic Program and Organic Certification Center of the Philippines. I never know if the authorities have enough power to punish violators.
Basic requirements for organic certification:
1. Plants. Use of chemical fertilizers like urea, sodium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonia and ammonium chloride are not permitted. All fertilizers should be of of natural sources. These are grasses, leaves, twigs, three trunks and animal manure. The common source of manure are poultry and piggery farms but they must conform to condition for animal raising. GMO plants (genetically modified organisms) are not considered as organic.
Restrict the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicide. Pest infestation are controlled by natural means. Some of these are the use of predator insects, manual worm removal, planting season interval and natural pesticides.
2. Animals. Prevent the use of over the counter medicine, formulated feeds, and growth hormones. The good examples are backyard goats and cows. The main food of these animals is grass so there is no need for chemically formulated feeds, drugs and growth boosters.
3. Processed Foods. Processing restrict the use of any chemical preservatives. Artificial flavors and colors are not permitted. Even sugar should be organic so white sugar is not exempted. Crude processed brown and muscovado sugar may do. All other ingredients must be of organic source.
Organic farming is a real pain. It is hard to follow due to following reasons:
1. Organic fertilizers contain only small amount of nutrients. Maximum harvest can be achieved through inorganic fertilizer application.
2. The best and quickest way to control pest infestation is by spraying chemical pesticides. A bunch or army worms can eat a hectare of pechay overnight.
3. Natural medicines for animals are rare.
4. It is very costly to produce organically processed foods. In addition, shelf life will be very short.
Sometimes I wonder if the organic foods on groceries shelf or expo are really organics. In case you are really picky and want real organic. Then its time to plant your own fruits and vegetables, raise your own poultry and livestock and process your own food.

Organic Cosmetics

2010-08-11T02:36:00.002+07:00

Let's take a look at cosmetics and beauty products. Specifically, the differences between organic cosmetics and regular make up. I believe there are many reasons for us to take a serious look at the use of all natural and organic cosmetics as a method for achieving a greener planet.
We spend millions of dollars every year in the U.S. alone, on various cosmetic and skin care products. How many of us truly understand the impact these products have on our planet? How many of us even have a clue what is in all of those tubes, bottles, and compacts? An even better question, what about the impact those ingredients have on our bodies? If you think about it, everything you apply to your skin is absorbed. That means that all of those nasty chemicals that you find in most cosmetics, are being absorbed into your bloodstream, and everything we take in affects us.
Many of the cosmetics on shelves in stores today are full of petroleum based products, various parabens, and a whole barrage of other foreign ingredients you have to have a chemical degree to pronounce. Many of these ingredients have been outlawed in Canada because they have been linked to cancers and other diseases. This means it is time to wake up ladies. If Canada thinks this stuff is harmful enough to force manufacturers to remove it from their products, then we should be taking this into serious consideration.
There are many simple changes that we can make in the cosmetic products that we buy that would make it a more eco-friendly purchase. For example, buying products that offer refills results in less waste in our landfills. Another environmental choice would be to purchase products in recyclable containers. These small changes in our buying habits will have an impact on the amount of waste we produce, but I am not so sure that alone is sufficient.
I believe that the change we need to make is to purchase organic cosmetics instead. True, they can be a little more costly than traditional make-up, but well worth it when you consider the overall reduction in the impact the product has on our planet. Certified organic cosmetics automatically have a lower footprint simply because of the difference in the way it is made. Organic cosmetics are generally plant based, and those plants are usually grown organically as well. This means they are grown without the use of pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides. There are no toxic chemicals added during processing, and the packaging is most often made from recycled material as well.
I hope this has shed a little bit of light on the benefits of choosing organic cosmetic products, and has been useful in helping you to make a more eco-friendly decision. If we each make small changes, together we can make a large impact.

How Could Your Decision to Buy Organic Clothing Have Changed This Farmer's Life?

2010-08-11T02:34:00.002+07:00

In the village of Kot Samaba in the southern Punjab area of Pakistan, Ghulam Hussain is like any father. He has a wife, Khursheed and two doting children. Like any father, he works hard to provide for his family. To bring in enough money to purchase food and shelter and hopefully to provide something more for his children such as an education. Like any father, his desire is to keep his family safe, happy and fulfilled.
So when Kursheed became seriously ill with classic symptoms of severe pesticide poisoning the feeling of powerlessness must have been very profound. Her symptoms - profuse sweating, loss of color, diarrhea and shortness of breathe were symptoms Hussain had seen before and so he was acutely aware of what it meant.
But how could his wife have become exposed to pesticides? She did not work in the fields but rather remained home to care for their children? It wasn't until a Field Assistant of the Pakistan Agriculture Department visited Hussain that the answer became known.
For many days prior to her illness, Khursheed had been collecting cotton sticks from a nearby field that had already been harvested. This field had received multiple spraying of the pesticide Bifenthrin. The cotton sticks were soaked in the pesticide and as Khursheed handled the sticks, the pesticide entered her body through skin contact.
Taking this information to the landlord, Hussain hoped to get compensation. A very important undertaking given that rural workers in Pakistan do not enjoy the healthcare, medical care or insurance options that we take for granted. They are completely at the mercy of their landlords.
Unfortunately, the landlord refused to take any responsibility and Khursheed's condition worsened. Eventually, she developed pulmonary edema or liquid on the lungs. Not a good prognosis. Soon after, Hussain disappeared with his wife and children presumably in a desperate attempt to find medical assistance somewhere. And so, the father who took pride in his ability to keep his family safe and secure has had his life and that of his wife and children forever altered. And for what?
This is a tragic tale but only one of many that occur every day in the cotton fields of the Punjab and in other third world countries. Cotton farming is big business with third world countries such as China, Pakistan and, India providing over 50% of all global cotton demand. And the pesticides used to rid the crops of pests or defoliate the crops prior to harvest are big business too.
So the next time you pick up that $5 cotton shirt and wonder how the big box store can sell it so cheaply, you will have your answer. Workers like Hussain paid for it through their cheap labor with zero benefits and, through the use of pesticides designed to maximize crop production at the mercy of the workers and their families.
Every time we don conventional cotton clothing, we are literally helping to create tragic stories like Hussain's. I can see some logic in the argument that pesticides are needed to keep feeding the world. It is not a view I agree with, but I can see the argument. But where is the justification in the destruction of lives and habitat just to keep us in cheap fashion?

Pacific Natural Foods Organic Vegetable

2010-07-30T02:14:00.000+07:00

Pacific Natural Foods Organic Vegetable Broth, 8-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 24)
We simmer organic carrots, celery, tomatoes, onions, leeks and garlic, with a little sea salt. After several hours our vegetable broth reaches a rich, robust taste. And that’s when it’s just right for your discerning cuisine. Use as a base for all sorts of home-cooked dishes. Available in a convenient 1 cup (8 oz.) serving 4 pack.

Tebu (sugarcane)

2009-05-26T10:07:00.001+07:00

Tebu (Sugar Cane)

Ditulis oleh imadatainstiper di/pada Desember 5, 2007
Tebu adalah tanaman yang ditanam untuk bahan baku gula. Tanaman ini hanya dapat tumbuh di daerah beriklim tropis. Tanaman ini termasuk jenis rumput-rumputan. Umur tanaman sejak ditanam sampai bisa dipanen mencapai kurang lebih 1 tahun. Di Indonesia tebu banyak dibudidayakan di pulau Jawa dan Sumatra.
Untuk pembuatan gula, batang tebu yang sudah dipanen diperas dengan mesin pemeras (mesin press) di pabrik gula. Sesudah itu, nira atau air perasan tebu tersebut disaring, dimasak, dan diputihkan sehingga menjadi gula pasir yang kita kenal. Dari proses pembuatan tebu tersebut akan dihasilkan gula 5%, ampas tebu 90% dan sisanya berupa tetes (molasse) dan air.
Daun tebu yang kering (dalam bahasa Jawa, dadhok) adalah biomassa yang mempunyai nilai kalori cukup tinggi. Ibu-ibu di pedesaan sering memakai dadhok itu sebagai bahan bakar untuk memasak; selain menghemat minyak tanah yang makin mahal, bahan bakar ini juga cepat panas.
Dalam konversi energi pabrik gula, daun tebu dan juga ampas batang tebu digunakan untuk bahan bakar boiler, yang uapnya digunakan untuk proses produksi dan pembangkit listrik.

Tanaman

2009-05-26T08:42:00.003+07:00

berbagai jenis tanaman yang tumbuh subur dengan pupuk organik, dari sini dapat diketahui bahwa dengan pemupukan organik, dapat diperoleh juga hasil yang maksimal, demikian pula terjadi efisiensi biaya tanam, hingga hasil maupun nilai tambah bagi petani meningkat.

Tebu (sugarcane)

Sugarcane, a tall, perennial grass. It is a major source of commercial sugar, which is obtained from a juice found in the plant's waxy stalks. The stalks are about 2 inches (5 cm) thick and grow as high as 20 feet (6 m). At intervals along their entire length they bear long, swordlike leaves. The plant is topped with fluffy tufts consisting of plume-like flower clusters. Sugarcane grows best in a tropical climate, in fertile, moist soil; it is grown in almost all tropical and in many subtropical countries.
Sugarcane is probably native to southern Asia and has been raised in India and China for more than 3,000 years. Columbus is believed to have carried it from the Canary Islands to the West Indies. Louisiana colonists were raising the plant by the middle of the 18th century. Historically, sugarcane is of importance in that it was the original basis for establishing plantations in the New World tropics. The high labor requirements on the plantations were a chief cause of the development of the slave trade.
Cultivation and Production

Sugarcane is the source of a number of other products in addition to sugar. Among these products are molasses, which is made by boiling sugarcane juice; and rum, which is distilled from fermented molasses or fermented sugarcane juice. Other products are made from bagasse, the woody residue left after the juice is extracted from the cane.

Sugarcane is planted by laying sections of stalk lengthwise in furrows. New plants spring from the buds normally found on the stalks. (Sugarcane plants produce seeds, but these are used for developing new varieties, not for planting.) The fields are laid out in rows far enough apart to permit the use of tractors. A network of ditches is used to irrigate and drain the fields.

Growing periods vary according to locale. In Louisiana, for example, the cane is ready to be harvested in about 9 months; in Hawaii, in 22 to 24 months. The cane is stripped of its leaves by hand with a machete (a long, heavy knife) or by machine. In some areas, the leaves are burned off by setting the fields aflame before harvest. Speed in removing the cane from the field is important because the sap dries out quickly. New shoots spring up from the stubble, and several crops may be harvested before a field is replanted.

Leading producers of sugarcane are Brazil, India, China, Pakistan, Mexico, Cuba, Thailand, Australia, and Indonesia. In the United States sugarcane is grown in Florida, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Texas.

Sugarcane is Saccharum officinarum of the grass family, Gramineae.

Siramkan EM, Tanaman Hias Jadi Indah

2009-05-26T07:48:00.002+07:00

Siramkan EM, Tanaman Hias Jadi Indah
Feb 13th, 2009 • Category: News

Oleh: Wayan Nita
Bagi pecinta tanaman hias, keberhasilan dan keindahan tanaman menjadi kebanggan. Mengatasi masalah tersebut, tepat jika kini para pecinta tanaman hias mulai kembali menggunakan pupuk organik. Salah satu produsen pupuk organik, PT. Songgolangit Persada, menciptakan formula pupuk dan pestisida organik. Tentu, pupuk dan pestisida ini menggunakan Teknologi EM4 sebagai bahan fermentasi. Masalah yang sering muncul pada tanaman adalah dengan menyediakan media tanam dan pestisidanya. Seperti yang diungkapkan Ir Nyoman Darma, staf ahli Teknologi EM, pertumbuhan tanaman akan lebih baik dengan bahan organik.
Penyediaan media tanam menjadi penting karena merupakan pondasi pertumbuhan dari tanaman itu kelak. Untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut, larutan EM4 dan pupuk Bokashi Kotaku menjadi solusi. Dalam membuat media tanam, sebut Nyoman Darma, lebih bagus jika menggunakan arang sekam. Keunggulannya adalah dapat mengatasi jamur, fusarium, busuk batang dan menjaga porositas air.
Sebelum digunakan, arang sekam terlebih dulu disiram dengan larutan EM aktif. Setelah disiram baru dicampur dengan pupuk Bokashi Kotaku. “Dengan perbandingan satu bagian pupuk Bokashi Kotaku dengan setengah bagian arang sekam,” kata instruktur pelatihan IPSA (Institut Pelatihan Sumberdaya Alam) itu.
Media tanam yang telah tersedia bisa langsung digunakan untuk menanam tanaman hias. Sebagai penyempurna pertumbuhan tanaman hias, perlu dilakukan penyemprotan dengan EM cair. Selain merawat bagian bawah tanaman, bagian atas juga harus dirawat. Penyiraman dan penyemprotan diberikan untuk semua bagian tumbuhan. Penyiraman harus perhatikan cara dan dosis yang diberikan agar tidak terjadi kesalahan fatal.
Penyiraman yang benar, menurut Darma, dengan mengaktifkan dulu larutan EM4 yang baru dibeli (botol kuning). Karena larutan EM4 yang terdapat dalam botol itu masih dalam keadaan dorman. Untuk mengaktifkannya perlu penambahan media seperti gula merah (boleh juga Molase/tetes tebu) dan air.
Perbandingan, satu (1) liter EM asli + satu (1) liter gula merah + 18 liter air. Larutan tersebut dicampurkan dalam jerigen dan didiamkan selama minimal lima hari. Setelah lima hari tutup jerigen dibuka, jika terdapat miselium diatas permukaan larutan maka proses fermentasinya berhasil. Jika lima hari belum muncul miselium tunggu hingga hari ke tujuh. Larutan EM aktif yang mengandung miselium itulah yang paling bagus disiramkan pada tanaman.
Larutan EM4 yang sudah aktif langsung bisa diaplikasikan pada tanaman hias. Tapi dalam pengaplikasian larutan EM aktif pada tanaman hanya perlu ditambahkan air saja, tidak perlu ditambahkan gula lagi. EM aktif sebanyak lima (5) cc cukup ditambah dengan satu (1) liter air. Yang perlu diingat dalam mengaktifkan EM ini adalah disesuaikan dengan keperluan. Jika tanaman sedikit maka EM yang diaktifkan juga tidak sedikit. “Hal ini karena masa simpan EM aktif tidak boleh lebih dari 3 bulan. Dalam arti larutan EM aktif harus habis dalam waktu tiga bulan,” tegas Asmara.
Koran Pak Oles/Edisi 166/1-15 Januari 2009

POTENSI PASAR PRODUK PERTANIAN ORGANIK

2009-05-26T07:32:00.001+07:00

Pola makan sehat telah menjadi tren masyarakat dunia. Sekjen Masyarakat Pertanian Organik Indonesia (Maporina) Ririen Prihandarini menjejer data penduduk dunia yang mulai menaruh perhatian pada produk-produk pangan organik. Masyarakat Cheska menghabiskan 15,9 juta dolar AS untuk membeli produk organik.

Sementara di Swiss, sekitar 10%-15% rumah tangga di sana membeli produk organik secara teratur. Swiss merupakan pembeli produk organik terbesar di dunia dengan menghabiskan 160 Swiss Franc atau sekitar Rp 1,2 juta per orang setiap tahunnya untuk produk-produk organik tertentu. Di Kanada, promosi ternyata dapat berpengaruh pada permintaan pangan organik di pasaran. Pertumbuhan permintaan pangan organik di pasar Kanada diprediksi mencapai 17,41% pada periode 2007-2011. Padahal, permintaan tahun sebelumnya hanya 3%-4%.

Media organik Inggris menulis bahwa di Asia penjualan produk organik meningkat 20% setiap tahunnya. Beijing melaporkan, penjualan sayuran organik di supermarket setempat meningkat tajam menjadi 88% dalam kurun waktu 12 bulan sejak November 2006. Uganda mencatat, 50 petaninya sebagai petani yang telah disertifikasi organik hingga menjadikan negeri itu sebagai produsen pertanian organik terbesar di Afrika. Sementara jumlah perusahaan eksportir produk organik di negeri tersebut meningkat dari lima perusahaan pada tahun 2001 menjadi 22 perusahaan di akhir 2005.

Bagaimana dengan Indonesia? Sebagai negara dengan kekayaan keanekaragaman hayati tropika yang unik, kelimpahan sinar matahari, air, dan tanah, Indonesia memiliki modal dasar yang luar biasa besarnya dalam pengembangan pertanian organik.

Jika dicermati, volume perdagangan produk organik di Indonesia masih rendah meskipun beberapa produk tanaman organik, seperti beras dan sayuran organik, mulai muncul di berbagai pasar swalayan di kota-kota besar. Bahkan, beberapa produk organik, seperti kopi organik, mulai diekspor ke berbagai negara, seperti Belanda, Amerika, dan Jepang. Khusus untuk produk kopi, sebenarnya Indonesia sudah lama dikenal sebagai eksportir kopi gayo organik yang sangat terkenal di dunia. Saat ini terdapat empat belas kelompok tani kopi organik yang beranggotakan sekitar 1.900 petani dan bergabung dalam Persatuan Petani Kopi Gayo Organik (PPKGO).

Komoditas perkebunan, termasuk rempah, sangat diminati negara-negara maju. Menurut sejarah pun, Indonesia dijajah Belanda dan Portugis karena kaya akan rempah dan produk perkebunan lainnya. Oleh karena itu, apabila 10% saja komoditas perkebunan ini dikelola secara organik untuk memenuhi permintaan pasar dunia, tentu akan memberikan sumbangan devisa yang cukup besar karena premium yang diperoleh dari produk organik ini akan berlipat ganda karena dihargai dengan kurs valuta asing. Selain kopi, beberapa produk perkebunan, seperti jambu mete dan vanili organik, juga diminati masyarakat Eropa.

Penggunaan pupuk

Salah satu alasan pentingnya pengembangan pertanian organik adalah persoalan kerusakan lahan pertanian yang semakin parah. Penggunaan pupuk kimia yang terus-menerus menjadi penyebab menurunnya kesuburan lahan bila tidak diimbangi dengan penggunaan pupuk organik dan pupuk hayati.

Hasil penelitian LPT menunjukkan bahwa 79% tanah sawah di Indonesia memiliki bahan organik (BO) yang sangat rendah. Kondisi ini bermakna bahwa sawah di Indonesia sudah sangat miskin, bahkan bisa dikatakan sakit, sehingga tidak hanya membutuhkan makanan (pupuk kimia), namun juga memerlukan penyembuhan. Cara penyembuhan adalah dengan menambahkan BO yang telah diolah menjadi pupuk organik sehingga tanah dapat menjadi lebih sehat dengan kandungan BO yang lebih tinggi. Untuk meningkatkan kandungan BO, dibutuhkan tambahan bahan-bahan organik (pupuk organik) berkisar 5-10 ton/ha. Meskipun demikian, peningkatan BO pada setiap hektare tanah sawah dapat dilakukan secara bertahap dengan memberikan asupan pupuk organik pada kisaran 3-5 ton.

Sayangnya, kebutuhan pupuk organik yang sangat besar untuk memperbaiki kerusakan lahan pertanian di Indonesia tidak seimbang dengan jumlah industri pupuk organik yang berkembang di Indonesia. Hal ini disebabkan pupuk organik hanya diproduksi secara parsial dengan skala industri rumah tangga (home industry) sehingga jumlah produksi yang dihasilkan relatif kecil dan tidak kontinu. Sebagai konsekuensi ketidakseimbangan permintaan dan penawaran, harga pupuk organik yang dihasilkan sangat fluktuatif, bergantung pada jenis, cara pembuatan, dan bahan baku yang digunakan.

Sampai saat ini, jumlah industri pupuk organik hanya 44 unit dengan total kapasitas 440.000 metrik ton/tahun dan tersebar di berbagai daerah di Jawa Timur, Jawa Tengah, dan Jawa Barat. Dari jumlah tersebut, 19 unit pabrik pupuk organik granul yang telah berproduksi, 6 unit pabrik baru berproduksi mulai 2008, dan 19 unit pabrik dalam proses evaluasi.

Potensi pasar pupuk organik di Indonesia sangat tinggi, baik untuk tanaman pangan maupun tanaman hortikultura. Dari hasil penelitian Puslittanah tentang status C-organik lahan sawah di Indonesia, terutama di daerah Sumatra Barat, Sumatra Selatan, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Kalimantan, NTB, dan Sulawesi Selatan menunjukkan bahwa potensi kebutuhan pupuk organik yang sangat besar.

Untuk tanaman pangan di daerah-daerah tersebut, dengan luas lahan sekitar 5,9 juta hektare, membutuhkan sekitar 3 juta ton, sedangkan untuk tanaman hortikultura dengan luas lahan sekitar 94.000 hektare membutuhkan pupuk organik 190.000 ton. Sementara serapan pupuk organik untuk kedua jenis tanaman tersebut baru mencapai 624.000 ton.

Baru sekitar 10% petani di Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, Sumatra Barat, dan Sumatra Selatan yang menggunakan pupuk organik secara intens. Dengan kondisi Indonesia yang memiliki potensi lahan pertanian yang sangat luas sekitar 107 juta hektare dan potensi bahan baku untuk pupuk organik dalam jumlah yang sangat besar, antara lain bersumber dari limbah pertanian, limbah industri, limbah peternakan, sampah kota, dan rumah tangga, sangat disayangkan ketika produk-produk pertanian organiknya lebih banyak jalan di tempat. Padahal, pasar di luar sana sudah menanti.***

Sumber :

Falik Rusdayanto, Direktur Eksekutif Golden Institute, alumnus Chulalongkorn University Thailand.

http://newspaper.pikiran-rakyat.com/prprint.php?mib=beritadetail&id=60687

25 Mei 2009

Liberalisasi Pupuk

2009-05-22T08:50:00.003+07:00

PERLUNYA LIBERALISASI PUPUK
Monday, 16 February 2009 21:16

Oleh: Muhamad Said Fathurrohman

Kelangkaan pupuk selalu menjadi isu politik karena peran besar pemerintah pada penyediaannya. Buruknya pengelolaan pemerintah sering dituding sebagai penyebab masalah. Kita perlu mempertimbangkan kemungkinan lainnya bahwa justru sistem penyediaan pupuk yang dimonopoli pemerintah itu sendiri yang merupakan akar masalah. Pasar yang bebas dari campur tangan pemerintah boleh jadi lebih mampu mencegah kekurangan pasokan pupuk dan memberikan harga lebih rendah.

Campur tangan besar pemerintah pada penyediaan pupuk merupakan bagian dari upaya pemerintah mengendalikan pasokan dan harga pangan. Penyediaan pangan murah merupakan prioritas pemerintah sejak awal Orde Baru. Cara yang ditempuh adalah dengan mengendalikan pasokan dan harga input produksi pangan. Agar harga pangan murah, pemerintah menyubsidi harga input produksi pangan.

Di masa Orde Baru, pemerintah juga mengelola distribusi pangan dan kebutuhan pokok lainnya melalui Bulog. Setelah krisis 1997, atas desakan IMF, Bulog dibebaskan dari kewajiban mengelola distribusi kebutuhan pokok. Akan tetapi, liberalisasi penyediaan pangan ini tidak diikuti liberalisasi penyediaan input produksi.

Kegagalan pemerintah
Kelangkaan pupuk dapat diakibatkan satu atau lebih faktor berikut. Pertama, hambatan di tingkat produsen seperti keterlambatan pengembangan kapasitas produksi untuk memenuhi peningkatan permintaan atau kesulitan mendapatkan input. Kedua, hambatan distribusi seperti kerusakan jalan yang menyebabkan keterlambatan pengiriman. Ketiga, hambatan di tingkat penjual seperti penimbunan, penyelundupan ke pasar pupuk nonsubsidi, atau tidak memiliki persediaan yang cukup karena pembatasan kuota atau peningkatan permintaan yang tidak diprediksi.

Kelangkaan yang disebabkan hambatan distribusi dan peningkatan permintaan yang tidak diprediksi penjual hanya akan berlangsung sementara. Berakhirnya kelangkaan yang disebabkan penimbunan dan penyelundupan bergantung pada kesigapan aparat hukum untuk menindak pelakunya. Kelangkaan pupuk akan persisten jika disebabkan permintaan yang melebihi kapasitas produksi pupuk atau kelangkaan input produksi pupuk yang juga persisten.

Kelangkaan pupuk di Indonesia yang cenderung persisten mengindikasikan bahwa masalah berada pada level produksi. Produsen pupuk telah memberikan keterangan bahwa mereka kesulitan mendapatkan gas sebagai bahan bakar produksi sehingga tidak dapat mencapai kapasitas maksimum. Kebutuhan tambahan pasokan pupuk sebesar 500.000 ton yang direncanakan diimpor mestinya bisa dipenuhi pabrik pupuk baru Pupuk Iskandar Muda (PIM) yang masih memiliki kapasitas potensial 460.000 ton. Impor tidak perlu dilakukan jika pabrik pupuk dapat memperoleh tambahan pasokan gas.

Mengapa pabrik pupuk tidak dapat memperoleh pasokan gas? Jika pasokan gas memang langka, pabrik pupuk seharusnya dapat menawar harga lebih tinggi untuk mendapatkan gas yang tersedia. Akan tetapi, pabrik pupuk tidak mungkin melakukannya karena mereka tidak bisa menaikkan harga jual untuk mengompensasi kenaikan harga gas. Selain itu, pasokan gas tidak mudah dialihkan kepada penawar tertinggi setiap saat karena banyak produksi gas telah diikat kontrak-kontrak jangka panjang.

Kalau memang tidak ada harapan menambah pasokan gas bagi pabrik pupuk, tidak ada cara lain untuk menambah persediaan pupuk dan menurunkan harganya kecuali dengan impor. Masalahnya, impor ini tidak bisa segera dilakukan keputusan dan pelaksanaannya karena harus melalui proses politik dan birokrasi di tingkat pusat.

Berkat jasa pers, informasi kelangkaan pupuk ini dapat segera mencapai dan memperoleh perhatian pemerintah pusat. Tidak dapat dibayangkan berapa lamanya informasi ini mencapai tingkat pusat jika mengandalkan jalur informasi birokrasi. Birokrasi di daerah bisa jadi justru menyembunyikan informasi ini agar tidak dinilai berkinerja buruk.

Pengambilan keputusan di pemerintah pusat memerlukan waktu untuk pengumpulan data dan pembahasan hingga mencapai keputusan. Kalaupun pemerintah telah mengambil keputusan, kadang kala pelaksanaannya tertunda karena keberatan dari DPR. Partai-partai ingin mencampuri keputusan ini karena kelangkaan pupuk merupakan isu strategis untuk meraih simpati pemilih.

Lebih jauh lagi, ada individu dan kelompok melancarkan lobi-lobi ke pemerintah dan DPR untuk mendapat keuntungan dari impor pupuk. Apa pun bentuk kolusi dan korupsi yang menyertai proses impor ini akan mengakibatkan harga pupuk impor lebih tinggi dari seharusnya.

Sepanjang impor belum dilakukan, tidak ada tambahan pasokan pupuk sehingga kelangkaan terus terjadi. Sebagian petani mau membeli pupuk pada harga lebih tinggi. Nantinya, mereka akan meminta harga jual hasil panen untuk mengompensasi kenaikan biaya ini. Petani marjinal tidak dapat memperoleh pupuk sehingga hasil panennya menurun. Keduanya akan mendorong harga pangan naik di masa depan.

Monopoli penyediaan pupuk oleh pemerintah menimbulkan kerugian pada petani dan konsumen karena kelambatan respon pemerintah menyebabkan kelangkaan pupuk dan kenaikan harga berlangsung lama. Campur tangan pemerintah yang sedianya menguntungkan petani dan konsumen justru berakibat sebaliknya.

Mekanisme pasar
Dihadapkan pada masalah kelangkaan yang sama, mekanisme pasar lebih cepat mengembalikan kecukupan pasokan pupuk dan harga ke tingkat semula. Kenaikan harga pupuk di suatu daerah menjadi sinyal kelangkaan pupuk yang segera ditangkap pelaku bisnis pupuk di berbagai wilayah. Pelaku bisnis pupuk akan saling beradu cepat memanfaatkan kesempatan mendapat keuntungan dari kelangkaan pupuk. Jika memang produksi pupuk dalam negeri tidak mencukupi, pedagang pupuk akan mengimpornya dari luar negeri selama terdapat margin laba positif.

Respons keputusan dan pelaksanaan pelaku bisnis pupuk ini jauh lebih cepat daripada respon pemerintah. Selama tidak ada syarat izin pemerintah untuk memproduksi dan mengimpor pupuk, akan terdapat cukup banyak produsen dan pengimpor yang tidak memungkinkan terbentuknya kartel.

Liberalisasi impor pupuk akan memaksa produsen oligopolis pupuk domestik meningkatkan efisiensi. Produsen pupuk domestik yang tidak efisien akan terpaksa tutup. Kita tidak perlu menangisi tergusurnya produsen yang inefiisen tersebut. Mereka selama ini hanya dapat bertahan karena proteksi dan subsidi pemerintah. Kinerja buruk mereka tidak patut dihargai dengan keuntungan

Pupuk Murah

2009-05-03T16:46:00.003+07:00

Dimana keberadaan Pupuk selama ini?

itulah pertanyaan bagi para Petani di negeri ini

kalaupun ada akan mahal harganya.....

jumlah nya tidak sesuai dengan lahan yang digarap

Marilah untuk mulai Mandiri dalam pengolahan lahan di Bumi Indonesia tercinta

Yakinlah bahwa yang bermain dengan kebutuhan banyak orang akan mendapat azab_NYA

I Hope That

Mari kita mulai dengan dengan bahan-bahan yang ada di lingkungan sekitar kita:

yang antara lain :
Daun daunan
KOHE atau Kotoran Hewan
Cacing