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“We need to be
conscious of the life all around us and not just float
by. We need to
find the real flow of nature and live our life
accordingly”.
Henry David
Thoreau
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Organic
Certification
Looking Good
Thoreau Foods
is
undergoing USDA Organic Certification through NOFA/Mass
Organic Certifiers. The consumer can
be certain that certified organic products are backed by
enforceable standards and independent third party
inspections.
Foods labeled Certified Organic are grown under
conditions that prohibit genetic engineering, growth hormones,
antibiotics, sludge as fertilizer, irradiation, inhumane
animal care, synthetic pesticides and animal parts as
feed.
We are
expecting our Organic Certification in the first quarter of
2004.
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8 Good Reasons To Go
Organic |
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Organic
products meet stringent standards
Organic certification is the public’s
assurance that products have been grown and
handled according to strict procedures without
persistent toxic chemical
inputs.
Organic food tastes great!
It’s common sense – well-balanced soils
produce strong, healthy plants that become
nourishing food for people and
animals.
Organic production reduces health
risks Many EPA-approved pesticides were
registered long before extensive research linked
these chemicals to cancer and other diseases.
Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any
more of these chemicals from getting into the
air, earth and water that sustain
us.
Organic farms respect our water
resources The elimination of polluting chemicals
and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with
soil building, protects and conserves water
resources.
Organic farmers build healthy soil
One primary focus of organic farming is
to build healthy soil, the backbone of the food
chain.
Organic farmers work in harmony with
nature Organic agricultural respects the balance
required by a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is
encouraged by including forage crops in
rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands,
etc.
Organic producers strive to preserve
diversity The loss of a large variety of species
(biodiversity) is one of the most pressing
environmental concerns. The good news is that many
organic farmers and gardeners have been
collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual
varieties for decades.
Organic farming helps keep rural
communities healthy
USDA
reported that in 1997, half of
U.S. farm
production came from only 2% of farms. Organic
agriculture can be a lifeline for small
farms because it offers an alternative market
where sellers can
command fair prices for
crops. |
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©
2003 Organic Trade Association |
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Ingredient of the Month: Chia
Seed
Chia
Seed was first cultivated and consumed by the ancient
Aztecs and is still eaten today by the Tarahumara Indians in
Mexico. Aztec warriors
subsisted on a tablespoon of chia seed per day while hunting
and in battle. A
52 year old Tarahumara Indian won Nike’s 100 mile run in 1997
wearing his homemade tire tread sandals, much to Nike’s
embarrassment.
Chia (Salvia hispanica L) is an annual herbaceous
plant, with seeds that are the richest known plant source of
omega-3s, an essential fatty acid. Essential fatty acids,
or EFAs, are vital nutrients that must be obtained from the
food we eat. The
typical American diet is severely deficient in omega-3s. There is mounting
evidence that omega-3 deficiency can lead to poor brain
development and reduced visual acuity in infants, and
contributes to chronic diseases, immune/inflammatory disorders
and more. Brenda
Davis, a renowned nutritionist and RD, recommends eating
between 2 and 3 grams of omega-3s per day. This amount is
contained in 1 tsp. of flax oil, 1 Tbs. of ground flax seeds,
¼ cup of walnuts, 4 tsp. of canola oil or 1 Tbs. of chia
seed. Thoreau
Foods Cereal & Topping contains 1½ tsp of chia and ¾ Tbs
of flax seed per serving for a total of 2 grams of
omega-3s.
One unique property of chia seed is that it
absorbs more than 7 times its weight in water and forms a gel
due to the high fiber in the seed. This gel slows the
release of carbohydrates therefore providing long term
energy. Foods
containing chia seed stay with you longer and help prevent
blood sugar swings that can cause snacking and binge type
eating. This is
an important consideration for diabetics, weight management,
performance athletes and general health.
Chia seed is also high in protein, approximately
20% by weight depending on variety. It is a complete
protein, meaning the protein contains all the essential amino
acids that must be obtained from our food. This makes chia seed
one of the best seed/grain sources of protein.
Chia seed is an up and coming food that supplies
many essential nutrients in a unique and beneficial form. Chia is also an
excellent alternative food crop for many arid areas of the
world and looks to have a bright future.
Click here
for more information on Chia Seed.
Nutrition Highlights
Thoreau Foods
cereal has been formulated with a variety of ingredients, all
designed to enhance your enjoyment of what nature has to offer
both in taste and in health. Our organic cereal
products are high in omega-3’s, high in protein and high in
fiber. The
ingredients include chia seed, milk thistle seed, flax seed,
oat bran, soy lecithin granules, whole grains, fruits and
nuts. For a cost
of just $1.50 a serving, you’ll be treating your body to the
best medicine nature has to offer - delicious and healthy
whole foods.
We have Original and Immune Formula Cereals,
Cereal Toppings, and Oatmeal in the flavors Cardamom,
Cinnamon, Vanilla and Ginger. You can order on our
website at www.ThoreauFoods.com. We’re coming to your
local stores and we’ll be at
Massachusetts
farmers markets this Spring. |
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Thoreau
Foods
Susan &
Peter
51 Cortland
Lane
Boxborough,
MA
01719
Phone:
(978)
266-8973
E-mail:
info@ThoreauFoods.com
We’re on the
Web!
www.ThoreauFoods.com
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Nutrition
News
Fat
- Foe or Friend
Low fat
diets were popular, high protein/fat diets are the new trend,
which is the right one?
Let’s start with some
basics…
Low fat
diets became popular because of their effectiveness in
treating coronary artery disease. People assumed that
this same diet would be beneficial to them and keep them
healthy. This is
not necessarily the case. The adverse effects of
high fat intake are consistently linked with animal and
processed (trans) fats, and oils containing trans fats. The unprocessed fats
and oils of whole plant foods have the opposite effect on
health. Many
studies have demonstrated that the fats in nuts, seeds,
avocados, olives and other plants are actually
protective. High
levels of these fats alone are not detrimental. In fact, not enough
dietary fat can compromise vitamin and mineral absorption, and
reduce the amount of essential fatty acids (EFAs) to an
unhealthy level.
Many people have become somewhat “fat phobic” and avoid
all fat as much as possible. This might be a good
idea when dealing with animal and trans fats, but not with the
beneficial fats from whole plant sources such as nuts, seeds,
avocados, soybeans etc.
These foods are packaged by nature to protect their
fats and oils from heat, light and oxygen. They also contain
minerals, vitamins, EFAs and fiber.
The
right type of fats in moderation is the major target for heart
healthy and weight conscious eating. The protective and
supportive benefits of many plant and vegetable fats far
outweigh the concerns about their high calories and they
actually benefit your cardiovascular
system.
Thoreau
Foods Cereal Nutrition
Label
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