Smoke Signals
Incense, clean beauty, a yummy pistachio recipe, and the truth about the “organic” food industry + directories for local sourcing.
Natural Incense
I love the ritual of of burning incense to start and end my day. However, not all incense are created equal – some contain synthetic fragrances made from petrochemicals, phthalates, artificial dyes, and chemical accelerants. A few natural options below in a range of price points.
Latest Clean Beauty
FITGLOW BEAUTY: Ceramide Hydra-Balm
I’m loving these lip serums packed with peptides & ceramides. Offered in six long-lasting color options with a metal applicator that gives a nice cooling effect.
Grown Alchemist Hand Cream - Vanilla and Orange Peel
Mainstay on my bedside table. Rich, but not greasy, with a subtle scent.
Pistachio Ice Cream Recipe
It’s still near 100 degrees in Phoenix, so as far as we’re concerned here it’s still ice cream season. This latest recipe from my talented foodie friend is delicious and leans into fall with a richer flavor.
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 3/4 cup raw pistachios (ground first in food processor or high-speed blender)
- 1 tbsp rose water
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- pinch of coarse salt
Mix ingredients and freeze for 24 hours before making ice cream (she used her Ninja CREAMi).
WORTH A LISTEN & WATCH
Ben Greenfield Life: The Ugly Truth About “Organic” Food
TAKEAWAYS:
CORRUPTION: “…a breakdown in the trust between consumers and the companies that are claiming to provide clean, chemical-free products. It happens when companies or farmers cut corners to increase profits while still labeling their products as organic.”
BAD ACTORS: “…many regulatory bodies are underfunded or inconsistent in their inspections. And that allows some bad actors to get away with using synthetic pesticides or GMOs in their so called organic crops. “
IMPORTS: “…some countries that export organic products to the US don't follow the same stringent rules as the US. Yet their food can still get labeled as organic once it hits US shelves.”
CORPORATE INFLUENCE: “… as the organic industry has grown, it's no surprise that a lot of large food corporations have gotten involved. And many of these big companies have been lobbying to loosen the rules around what qualifies as organic. It decreases their cost of goods sold, improves their margins, and also waters down the meaning of the organic label.”
Resources for Sourcing Organic Locally:
Eat Wild: Directory of 1,400+ pasture-based farms. Shop by area for dairy, eggs, and grassfed meat.
Local Harvest: Directory of 40,000+ family farms & farmers markets.
Weston A. Price Foundation: Chapters around the country serve as guides to local sourcing.
National Co-op Grocers Association: Database of member-owned natural foods grocery stores.
OrganicEye is a non-profit monitoring the organic food industry (including exploring corruption between corporate lobbyists and the USDA) and working to protect family-scale farmers and preserve authentic organic food.
Mark Kastel, OrganicEye’s Director, decodes organic labels in the video below. You’d think the label in itself would be enough but alas, it’s more complicated with certifiers of varying quality.
TAKEAWAYS:
If you see the “USDA organic” label or the word “organic” in a product’s name, by law the specific certifier must be listed somewhere on the label.
Certifiers Kastel trusts:
OCIA- Organic Crop Improvement Association - owned by farmers
OneCert - privately held (active owner and CEO working with organizations such as OrganicEye)
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)
Many certifiers used to be run by farmers with more control over the process. Now many are private, for-profit companies and oftentimes these companies – and even some non-profit organizations – certify hydroponics and/or large confinement facilities. This doesn’t mean they’re not also certifying good companies (e.g. Dr. Bronner’s is certified by Oregon Tilth, not listed above) but they don’t meet OrganicEye’s overall standards.
Buying in bulk? You can ask grocer to see original bag and check organic label details, country of origin, etc.
Fruits & Vegetables- Sticker will tell you if organic (you can also ask to see original box the produce came in which will list area of origin and list the certifier).
FINAL THOUGHT
THE CELTIC PRAYER OF APPROACH
Author Elizabeth Gilbert discussed this prayer and her detachment from “cherished outcomes” on the Tim Ferriss podcast.
In health and happiness. - BB
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