Category: Organic

Posted on by

First Certified Organic Farm in USA

The Alexandre Family Farm has become the first Regenerative Organic Alliance’s and only Regenerative Organic Certified™ dairy farm in the United States. This Family Farm is also the first dairy to obtain Ecological Outcome Verification certification by the Savory Institute. These certifications acknowledge that the farm’s practices go far beyond sustainability to continuously improve soil biology as well as the entire ecosystem – water, land, air and animals.

“When we began farming this way 30 years ago, we weren’t intentionally trying to have an impact on climate change,” says founder Blake Alexandre. “We were focused on the health of the soil and manage our pasture by having our animals graze our land. When you increase organic matter in soil, you also capture carbon.  We soon came to realize that healthy soil not only has positive effects on our pasture, our cows and their milk, but it has a profound effect on our planet as well. Over the years, we’ve become increasingly proud of producing food that’s not only good for your body but good for the earth.”

The Savory Institute’s Land to Market Program tracks outcomes in soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem function through the Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) protocol, which collects scientific data over time to prove regenerative outcomes.

“We strongly believe that regeneration must be measured. By using empirical data, the Alexandres show foresight and initiative in managing land with an ecological approach,” says David Rizzo, COO, Land to Market. “This is a major step forward for dairy, and we are excited to see these verified products in the marketplace that meet the consumers desire to know their purchase is supporting the shift to regenerative agriculture.”

The Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC™) program is based on strict standards for soil health and land management in addition to animal welfare and farmworker fairness.  Alexandre Family Farm was one of only 21 farms selected globally to be a part of the ROC Pilot Program, and joins leading brands Patagonia, Dr. Bronner’s and Nature’s Path in attaining certification.

“Dairies face unique challenges to earning a certification as rigorous as ROC. The Alexandres’ achievement of this high-bar seal is a true testament to their commitment to ecological, humane and ethical practices across the board,” says Elizabeth Whitlow, Executive Director of the ROA. “We are so proud to welcome them into the ROC family!”

Regenerative Organic A2/A2 Milk Becomes Available Nationwide On February 1st, 2021

Milk is an efficient superfood and a great source of energy, vitamins, electrolytes and protein. Milk protein is made up of whey and casein. Traditionally, the beta casein in cow’s milk was the same as the primary protein in human milk called A2/A2. This protein is easily digestible and is similar to breast milk, sheep and goat milk. However, over time, a genetic mutation resulted in the introduction of the A1 protein –which is difficult for humans to digest and linked to stomach upset and inflammation.

In fact, many people who believe they are lactose intolerant are actually A1 intolerant. After Blake and Stephanie Alexandre learned about this genetic mutation, they started to carefully crossbreed their cows to remove the A1 protein from their gene pool. After two decades, they now have the only regenerative dairy herd of 100% A2/A2 cows in the U.S.

Starting February 1st, Alexandre Family Farm milk will become the first 100% A2/A2 regenerative organic milk to be distributed nationwide. Alexandre cartons (59 oz) will be available at Whole Foods and other retailers throughout the country.

About Alexandre Family Farm
As fourth generation dairy farmers with over 40 years of experience, Blake and Stephanie Alexandre founded Alexandre Family Farm in Crescent City, California in 1988, and began bottling under their brand in 2017.  Along with their five grown children and spouses, they operate the only certified regenerative organic and 100% A2 dairy and mobile coop egg ranch in the United States. Their products include 59 oz. eco-carton milks, distributed nationwide, and eggs, bottled milks and yogurts available west of the Rockies.

Contact:  Sharon Egan

sharon@alexandrefamilyfarm.com

208.309.3069

SOURCE Alexandre Family Farm

Please share! Help the word get out. Pin the graphic too.
Posted on by

Health Benefits of Broccoli

You either love it or hate it, but Broccoli is one very powerful vegetable to assist nutritional  healing. A cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.

Here are some very good reasons why broccoli should be an essential part of your diet.

Nourish Nervous System

Broccoli has a rich concentration of potassium and so helps maintain a healthy nervous system and brain function. It also encourages healthy muscle development.

Powerful antioxidant

When we look at all the cruciferous vegetables, we see broccoli is notable as the most concentrated source of vitamin C, plus the flavonoids necessary for vitamin C to recycle effectively. Also concentrated in broccoli are the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, other powerful antioxidants.

Blood Pressure

In addition to the rich quantity of potassium, broccoli contains enough magnesium and calcium that help regulate blood pressure.

Vitamin C

One cup of broccoli contains the RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant essential for combating the effects of free radical damage. Vitamin C is also an effective antihistamine for easing the discomfort of the most infectious conditions like the common cold.

Bone Health

Broccoli contains rich amounts of both Calcium and Vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.

Skin Damage

Broccoli is helpful in rejuvenating damaged skin especially from overexposure to the sun. It contains glucoraphanin which nourishes the skin to detoxify and repair itself.

Immune System

One cup of broccoli reinforces the immune system with a hefty dose of beta-carotene. Trace minerals, such as zinc and selenium, further act to strengthen immune defences.

Cancer Prevention

Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which with the body processes into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane. This compound rids the body H. pylori, a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Furthermore, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a powerful antioxidant compound and anti-carcinogen found to not only hinder the growth of breast, cervical and prostate cancer, but also boosts liver function.

A Healthy Weight 

Broccoli is high in fibre, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and reduces overeating. Furthermore, a cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.

Eye Health

Studies have shown that the carotenoid lutein helps prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as possesses anti-cancer effects. Additionally, broccoli is a good source of vitamin A that is needed to form retinal, the light-absorbing molecule that is essential for both low-light and colour vision.

Healthy Heart

The carotenoid lutein may also slow down or prevent the thickening of arteries in the human body, thus fighting against heart disease and stoke. The B6 and folate in broccoli also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. The anti-inflammatory properties of sulforaphane, one of the isothiocyanates (ITCs) in broccoli, may be able to prevent (or even reverse) some of the damage to blood vessel linings that can be caused by inflammation due to chronic blood sugar problems.

Lower Cholesterol

Broccoli is a whole food that is packed with soluble fibre that draws cholesterol out of your body.

Anti-inflammatory

Reducing allergic reaction and inflammation: Research has shown the ability of kaempferol to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. Broccoli even has significant amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are well known as an anti-inflammatory.

Food is Medicine Too!

James O'Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
Please share! Help the word get out. Pin the graphic too.
Posted on by

Reasons to Choose Organic

Today, you can make smarter choices in the food you buy. Organically grown foods have been increasing in popularity as people are choosing to live a smarter and healthier lifestyle. Organic farmers around the world are doing their part in preserving the quality of our ecosystem and to improve our health by growing food the way nature intended. Organically grown food gives us a naturally healthy and purely delicious food that is completely free of harmful chemicals and pesticides. Most foods contain a high level of pesticides that can be more harmful that organically grown foods.

The Five Reasons

– Organic foods are free of additives and preservatives and therefore taste more delicious and pure.
– Buying organic foods helps to reduce the dependence on all the non-renewable resources.
– The organic food industry promotes healthy farmland and supports those small family owned farms that produce the organic food.
– Growing organic foods help to keep chemicals out of the water supplies and help protect the farmers and other workers from having contact with harmful chemicals and pesticides.
– Organically grown food is exceedingly safe for children because it is free from harmful pesticides.

Consider the Organic Alternative

Next time you’re shopping for groceries, think about how buying organically grown food can benefit you and your family. Think about choosing a food that was grown as nature intended, compared to one that had frequently been covered with poisonous pesticides and other chemicals. Would you buy food knowing that it had once been saturated with harmful chemicals? At one point in time, that was something you never would have thought about, but now today in the information age, people are more aware of what they are putting into their bodies. Now people are aware of how food is grown and produced and now people have a choice.

Organic Foods List

Some great organically grown foods to buy are apples, grapes (imported), nectarines, pears, peaches, red raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, celery, potatoes and spinach. There are even many other foods coming to market as organic foods such as eggs, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, milk, juice, bread, soup, meat, nuts, pasta and many baby foods.

What Does Organic Mean?

Being organic is referring to the way the agricultural products of fibre and food are processed and grown. The ecological system heavily relies on the rich soil to produce plants strong enough to withstand diseases and other pests. Organic farming means that the use of any chemicals and toxins are prohibited and work only in favour of the earth friendly habits that work with nature. In livestock, preventative measures are taken to keep the animals productive and healthy because the use of antibiotics is forbidden. Genetically modified organisms are also strictly prohibited in the organic production.

The Three Categories

  • 100% Organic: Means the food item is made purely and 100% of organic ingredients.
  • Organic Made: Means the food item is made of at least 95% organic ingredients with the remaining 5% heavily restricted and with no genetically modified organisms.
  • Made with Organic Ingredients: The food you choose can be made with ingredients containing no lesser than 70% of organic ingredients with the remaining 30% heavily restricted and no genetically modified organisms.

USDA Standards

The USDA has set strict regulations when labelling organic foods. An organic food must contain at least 95% of organic ingredients for it to be labelled as “organic”. Any foods that have less than 70% of organic ingredients cannot make any claims on the front of the package that it is organic in any way but may list the specific organically grown ingredients on the side panel.

Price is the main deciding issue when considering foods. Eating healthier is sometimes more expensive than the chemically treated foods. Of course, as the organic food industry is steadily rising as the varieties and availabilities are increasing, the prices are becoming more competitive and more appealing. Consider the real importance of staying healthy, it shouldn’t have to cost a ton either, find a local grower or a good organic place and they will offer a competitive offer.

James O'Sullivan - that's me, a people friendly practitioner and lecturer of Integrated Medicine, serving my patients, my students and the public with the positive benefits of both Conventional Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It's a wonderful life
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or assess. The information provided is not to be considered a substitute for consultation with a qualified health care practitioner.
Please share! Help the word get out. Pin the graphic too.