The pouches are being pulled from store shelves because of a potential risk of Clostridium botulinum contamination, which can cause botulism, a sometimes life-threatening condition that you clearly don’t want to mess around with.

In a letter on the Plum Organics website, founder Gigi Lee Chang explains that “after a routine test determined the formulation was incorrect. Plum Organics immediately investigated the matter and confirmed that a mixing error was to blame which resulted in an improper blend of carrots and apples.”

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The Food Standards Agency in the UK has declared that, “… there are no important differences in the nutrition content, or any additional health benefits, of organic food when compared with conventionally produced food.”

In a comprehensive study, researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine examined more than 50,000 studies on the nutritional value of foods going back to 1958. Of these, 55 met the criteria of the project. Dr Alan Dangour, the principal author, commented on the marginal differences found during the studies, “A small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist … but these are unlikely to be of any public health relevance. Our review indicates that there is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority.”

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According to CNN’s Jack Cafferty, “Researchers looked at 50,000 studies conducted over 50 years — and found no significant differences in the foods. They focused on a wide range of crops and livestock raised and marketed under organic standards.”

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What to Eat
1. Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and legumes (organic and/or local is best).
2. Eat whole (not refined) foods.
3. Eat food (real food). Not too much (don’t overeat). Mostly plants (mostly plants).

What NOT to Eat
1. Don’t eat anything with more than 5 ingredients or with ingredients you can’t pronounce.
2. Don’t eat anything that won’t eventually rot (except honey).
3. Don’t eat meat–atleast, not too much (the environmental impact is alarming).

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But what about Slow Money?

In Woody Tasch’s visionary book, Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Mattered (Chelsea Green, 2008), he breaks from the grow-big-and-go-global-fast mode of industrial capitalism and industrial agriculture by providing a remarkable synthesis of the writings, ideas and practices from such authorities on the subject of soil, agriculture, community and commerce as Wendell Berry, Eliot Coleman, Gene Logsdon, Gary Snyder, E.F. Schumacher, Paul Hawken and David Suzuki – calling for and sharing examples of a new economy whereby capitalism creates and sustains life, not destroys it.

Tasch’s observation: “As it circulates the globe with ever accelerating speed, money is sucking the oxygen out of the air, the fertility out of the soil and the culture out of local communities.”

“In our devotion to money, market, and machine, we are destroying not only the fertility of the soil, but the fertility of our imaginations,” continues Tasch. “What is, in the farmer’s field, a struggle between economics and ecology becomes, in the investor’s mind, a struggle between quantity and quality, portfolios and possibilities, numbers and words.” Tasch goes on to document the widespread loss of topsoil and erosion of fertile land, noting that roughly a third of all farmland in the world has been degraded since World War II. “There is another kind of erosion at work here: erosion of social capital, erosion of community, erosion of an understanding of our place in the scheme of things.”

Expertly woven together like the rich tapestry of biological life abundant in a mere teaspoon of soil, Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money tugs at our yearning to be connected to the land, to the soil and to the great food it can provide. It also explores our relationship to money and all the things it can, and cannot, buy.

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What do you do if you find yourself in the middle of an urban healthy-food desert? Look for an oasis for sustenance. Oakland may be on the list of the top 10 Greenest Cities, but certain areas like West Oakland are nearly bereft of healthy, local food, which is an important element of sustainability. Fortunately, an oasis has just appeared in West Oakland in the form of a worker-owned grocery store with a focus on healthy, organic, local food and community.

Mandela Foods Cooperative finally opened its doors a few weeks ago and I was there to help celebrate. A project that has been many years in the making, Mandela made locals headlines this spring in anticipation of its opening because of its importance in the community.

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Remember the last time you had the flu or a lingering cold? Get much done? When we’re healthy, we take our good health for granted. Despite what our politicians and healthcare providers might suggest, good healthcare does not necessarily provide good health. Our lifestyle and daily habits contribute to feeling great just about every day of the year.

Some companies provide a good healthcare plan when it comes to physician access and medical coverage. But what does that matter when the stress-filled, unhealthy environment in a cubicle – with no access to the outdoors and fresh air – ends up giving us poor health? The American healthcare system is great – perhaps the best in the world – if we crashed in our car. It’s designed for treatment, not prevention. It’s a healthcare system based on the poor health of relatively well-off people who can pay (by credit or otherwise) for the services it provides.

Given all the debate on a national healthcare plan offered by the United States, below are a few promising trends many people are discovering.

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Organic popsicles…yes, I said it…that are bright colors, easy to make and full of ooey, gooey yumminess!

Ready for the super specific recipe? Here goes!

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Editor’s note: This post is a contribution by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. See his last post on electric vehicle charging infrastructure or all of his previous posts here. A companion piece was also posted on RedGreenandBlue.org earlier today.

San Francisco is a city that knows how to recycle. We work hard to give new life to our paper, bottles, cans and other waste.

New statistics released today show we are keeping 72 percent of all discards from going to the landfill – up from 70 percent the year before.

That’s a big leap for one year. The most significant gains came from the recycling of material from building sites – due in large part to our 2006 mandatory Construction and Demolition Debris Recovery Ordinance.

By requiring builders to recycle debris from construction projects, we were able to divert tens of thousands of new tons of material away from the landfill. This ordinance is unique in that it doesn’t require deposits or bonds, making it small business-friendly and limiting the amount of bureaucracy needed to implement the program.

When it comes to our recycling programs, we’re always in the development phase. In order to meet our ambitious goal of 75 percent recycling by 2010 and zero waste by 2020, we are constantly looking for additional materials to recycle, and for emerging markets to make use of our recyclables.

• » See Also: Consumer solar energy aggregation project launched in San Diego
• » Get CleanTechnica by RSS or sign up by email.

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When I am thinking clearly, not in the grocery store at 5pm with two hungry kids, I see plainly that junk food is junk food. The New York times ran an interesting story that too many Americans are seeing organic food as the solution and are not looking at the big picture. We want buying organic to be the answer. We want it to help us eat healthier. We want it to solve the obesity problem. Eating organic food is in most cases better for the earth and for us, but the truth that the article states is:

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]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/03/21/environmentalism-organic-foods-explode-in-south-korea/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/03/10/could-the-food-safety-modernization-act-of-2009-be-the-end-to-farmers-markets-and-organic-farms/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/03/10/could-the-food-safety-modernization-act-of-2009-be-the-end-to-farmers-markets-and-organic-farms/#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:23:05 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/03/10/could-the-food-safety-modernization-act-of-2009-be-the-end-to-farmers-markets-and-organic-farms/ This post contains additional media. Click here to view the full post.

As spring is in the air (when the north wind does not blow), I have begun longing for the good times my children and I have at the local farmers’ market and contemplating our participation as vendors this year.  I can’t tell you how much we look forward to our weekly adventures at the farmers’ market, and how excited we are if we happen to visit a neighboring town on the day of their market; however, that could all change.

H.R. 875: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 could end farmers’ markets as we know it by requiring growers to register, be subject to inspections of their gardens by federal agents, and maintain safety records related to food production or face large fines.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/03/10/could-the-food-safety-modernization-act-of-2009-be-the-end-to-farmers-markets-and-organic-farms/feed/ http://ecopreneurist.com/2009/03/07/natural-products-going-strong-report-from-expo-west-%e2%80%93-part-i-%e2%80%93-distribution-strategies/ http://ecopreneurist.com/2009/03/07/natural-products-going-strong-report-from-expo-west-%e2%80%93-part-i-%e2%80%93-distribution-strategies/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:35:36 +0000 mcmilker http://ecopreneurist.com/2009/03/07/natural-products-going-strong-report-from-expo-west-%e2%80%93-part-i-%e2%80%93-distribution-strategies/

I spent most of the last two days touring the exhibit hall at the Anaheim Convention Center, fighting crowds (an unusual occurrence these days) and marveling in how healthy the natural products industry still is. This is my second year at The Natural Products Expo West, one of the largest trade shows for the industry and it was, if possible even more crowded than last year.

In addition to the expected retailers, Whole Foods, Sprouts and various regional and local natural food stores, I spotted a number of badges proclaiming the wearer was from traditional grocery, drug and discount chains. Though, during a conversation I had with one vendor, I was told that they were not planning to approach Wal-Mart because there current vendors would be upset. Ah, yes, I’ve been there.

In the early stages of an industry’s growth or in times of change in the retail landscape, smaller dedicated stores will do everything possible to keep you, as a vendor from selling to the big guys. I went through this in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s when the country was populated with small office supply store and wholesale distributors. As Big Box retailers Staples and Office Depot came onto the scene and then Wal-Mart started expanding across the country, larger office supply dealers threatened to pull the products of office supply vendors if they sold to these category killers. They were, of course able to use their muscle for awhile, but in the end, it made more sense for manufacturers to sell to the big guys, if they didn’t they risked being sidelined as the industry grew and changed.

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]]> http://ecopreneurist.com/2009/03/07/natural-products-going-strong-report-from-expo-west-%e2%80%93-part-i-%e2%80%93-distribution-strategies/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/27/new-organics-campaign-aimed-at-young-families/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/27/new-organics-campaign-aimed-at-young-families/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:18:16 +0000 Sonya http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/27/new-organics-campaign-aimed-at-young-families/ A new U.S. organics education and marketing campaign is aimed at families with young children.  The Organic Agriculture and Products Education Institute (Organic Institute) has launched ‘Organic. It’s worth it’, its first national consumer campaign.

“The mission of this campaign is to answer consumer questions about organic with the clear message that organic is worth it in every way from health care and economics to farming and the environment. It will increase consumer trust, knowledge and purchase of organic products,” says Christine Bushway, president of the Organic Institute and executive director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the campaign sponsor.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/27/new-organics-campaign-aimed-at-young-families/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/14/mission-organic-2010-supplying-the-organic-demand/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/14/mission-organic-2010-supplying-the-organic-demand/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:01:27 +0000 Robin Elton http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/14/mission-organic-2010-supplying-the-organic-demand/
Mission Organic 2010 is an online campaign seeking to grow the organic market from 3% to 10% by 2010.  To achieve this stated goal, Mission Organic is asking mindful consumers to pledge to eat one organic meal out of every ten; to purchase one organic item out of every ten. 

“When we, as consumers, demand the organic supply, farmers and food companies will supply the organic demand. The result? Healthier people and a healthier planet.”

Supply and demand: it really is that simple.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/14/mission-organic-2010-supplying-the-organic-demand/feed/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/02/12/green-restaurants-for-valentines-day-in-la/ http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/02/12/green-restaurants-for-valentines-day-in-la/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:01:56 +0000 Cassie Walker http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/02/12/green-restaurants-for-valentines-day-in-la/ Has Valentine’s Day always meant going out to eat? I suppose the tradition of the holiday (and those little candy hearts) is best left to another post, but since eating out seems to be de rigueur for couples these days, aim for making it as green as possible. A few joints in LA seem perfectly suited to the task.

Those that focus on organic, local food, like Akasha in Culver City, reduce the footprint of your special night out without reducing your enjoyment of the experience. Don’t think that local in LA means all avocados and fish tacos, either. Restaurants like Axe in Venice bring inspiration from around the world to their organic, seasonal dishes – Korean-style scallion pancakes anyone?

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]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/02/12/green-restaurants-for-valentines-day-in-la/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/08/greening-up-the-family-pet/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/08/greening-up-the-family-pet/#comments Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:43:55 +0000 Sonya http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/08/greening-up-the-family-pet/ Is your family pet going green with eco-friendly pet care products?

Green pet care products are healthier choices for your family because they’ll likely be less toxic for your home, your pet and the environment.   While buying organic food and treats is easy, it can be challenging to source other eco-friendly pet care products.

Recently, I’ve discovered Marmalade pet care, a pet product design firm that emphasizes renewable/recyclable materiality.   The firm addresses ‘good design’ practices with “domestic sourcing; sustainable materials; efficient production and eventual recyclability of the product.”

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/08/greening-up-the-family-pet/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/06/boy-had-11-tumorsdid-alternative-therapy-work/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/06/boy-had-11-tumorsdid-alternative-therapy-work/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:11:36 +0000 Cate Nelson http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/06/boy-had-11-tumorsdid-alternative-therapy-work/

At age 5, Connah Broom faced aggressive childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma.  Tumors stretched from his neck, through his torso, and down one leg. Chemo didn’t work. The doctors, afraid to operate so near vital organs, sent him home to enjoy his final months with his father and grandparents.

That was in 2007.  Now, his grandparents claim going organic and other alternative treatments have saved Connah’s life.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/06/boy-had-11-tumorsdid-alternative-therapy-work/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/04/keeping-food-staples-on-hand-makes-for-healthier-eating/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/04/keeping-food-staples-on-hand-makes-for-healthier-eating/#comments Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:43:46 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/04/keeping-food-staples-on-hand-makes-for-healthier-eating/ Editor’s note: The following post was originally published on Green and Clean Mom. “Green & Clean Mom can inspire you to try a little harder, be a catalyst for change and to offer you some new tips and news on how to be the green, sexy and sassy mom…I know you are!”

I like to watch those shows where the mom has this amazing pot roast ready when everyone comes home for dinner. The mom that can throw it all together perfectly and have the table set with cloth napkins.

I’m laughing a wicked mean laugh right now because I’m not sure who this person is or if they exist in real life.

Everyone I know is trying to make everyone happy, eat healthy and organic and not lose our minds! Take budget concerns into account, snacks and lunchtime food, it can be too much.  Grocery shopping is not my favorite thing to do but I’ve learned that keeping the staples on hand from the local health food store make life much easier.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/02/04/keeping-food-staples-on-hand-makes-for-healthier-eating/feed/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/01/14/back-to-earth-organic-catering/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/01/14/back-to-earth-organic-catering/#comments Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:50:16 +0000 Lucille Chi http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/01/14/back-to-earth-organic-catering/

Back to Earth Organic Catering is an awesome option for those of you that inhabit the Bay Area, and an excellent case study for city caterers looking to go local and organic. They are an admirable example of what every eco event planner is looking for. Back to Earth’s ultimate evolving vision is to“build the most ecologically advanced, energy efficient, consciously designed, sustainable community center in the Bay Area. Motivated entirely by a single, unifying principal - minimize our footprint on the Earth while maximizing our potential experience as people.” The founding plan is to build this community center, with an organic restaurant at its heart, to provide people in the Bay Area with an exciting, progressive, inspiring place to gather. .

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