Why Organic Farmers Everywhere Are Complaining About the Word CONTAINER

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Organic farming isn’t just about planting and harvesting foot without any additives or preservatives, believe it or not. It’s all about the soil. The Earth. And more importantly — it’s about using anything organic, anything coming from the Earth not only when planting, but harvesting. Why do you always see certain containers made from wood or baskets when organic farmers? Wherever you store your organic produce, it better be completely natural for good reason. Plastic and other materials can container-1potentially contaminate your product, so as far as organics go, the complete natural model sticks.

That’s Why Organic Farmers Are Deliberating on What the Term “Container” Actually Means

As far as USDA organic certification, the term “container” has a certain meaning. When concerning hydroponics, there’s the issue of the possibility that there can be loopholes now. What is a container? What constitutes a “container”? The issue’s made more of a problem given the fact that hydroponic farmers utilize everything from a system of tubes to large vats in growing the produce.

There lies the problem, of course: can it really be considered organic if they’re using all of those materials? They’re not using the Earth to grow their crops. They’re not even using fertilizer. There’s no visible nourishment in the soil. When considering the language of USDA organic certification, the term “container,” as you can see, becomes more and more of a problem.

What Does That Mean for Hydroponics?

The issue is that hydroponics would like to tap into the organics industry in a big way, but they’re receiving plenty of controversy in the matter. The question is what do you think? Does the container matter? Or the manner in which they grow their crops? Is the way they grow their crops truly organic? Or is it just a synthetic method of growing crops resulting in the exact same quality, freshness and healthy contribution?

3 Arguments For and Against USDA Organic Certification of Hydroponic Farming

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Seriously, you won’t find a much more dead-heat battle of rhetoric in the USDA organic industry than in here, because the arguments are based on many factors: environment, literal definitions, science, We’re bordering on legal here when the idea of simple produce really shouldn’t be! It’s all about nutrition and the body, our Earth and the environment. That’s not the case here: there’s a dispute on whether or not the latest technology in farming, hydroponics, should be USDA organic certified. Some say NAY. Others say YAY.

Here’s the Breakdown Just for You on the Arguments Against Hydroponics usda-organicBecoming USDA Organic Certified

The issue’s rather simple: hydroponics is the growing of produce in water, basically. Not soil. Call it whatever you want, but it is a genius endeavor. There’s just one problem: soil benefits from the planting and harvesting of our organic food, so we’re having some traditional organic farmers throwing up arms, believing that the USDA certifying hydroponics might throw the entire industry into a tailspin. After all, water’s not soil. However, water’s natural, too. So why can’t it be considered “organic”?

Here are the three arguments currently being waged in a war of USDA organic certification:

We’re talking cutthroat here, just from that. It’s serious. The issue you have to keep in mind regarding all of this is….

If Hydroponics Doesn’t Actually Use the Earth, Can It Truly Be Considered Organic?

A valid question. And when hydroponic farmers use everything but soil, you begin to wonder…. Still, they utilize vitamin-instilled water as the basis for growing plants and vegetables, so shouldn’t that be enough for them to be considered USDA organic? You be the judge. What do you think?

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Did You Know That Beets Beat Out Cancer?

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In all fairness, if someone already has cancer, we concede this important fact: beets won’t get rid of it. One thing’s for sure, though: beets will certainly prevent the onset of cancer! But that’s not all: the benefits of beets go far above the threat against cancer, and we’ll get to cancer in just a moment. You’ll freak when you find out why beets beat out cancer so easily….

First Off, Beets Are, in Fact, an Anti-Inflammatory

For those understanding the environment quite well, you’ll know what inflammation’s all about. Everything from asthma, to head colds, to an enormous assortment of ailments plaguing the human race. And it’s all about inflammation. Thank the organic godsbeets-beat-out-cancer-1 that beets are quite the anti-inflammatory food, capable of protecting your cells, proteins and enzymes.

How do beets do that? Simply put, beets contain a unique source of betaine, a anti-inflammatory nutrient capable of eradicating the nasties from your system in true form. This includes the C reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Now we know that sounds all science fiction-y, but all you need to know is that the entire combination we just mentioned to you is responsible for benefiting the entirety of your cardiovascular system. In other words: eat beets, breathe easier.

What a Way to Detox!

What stinks about the world we live in is that we’re constantly bombarded by toxins all around us. That’s why we have that immune system. Our lines of defense are designed to protect us from the worst. The great thing about beets is that the betalin pigments you find in them actually help support your body’s phase 2 detoxification process.

When you accidentally or just by happen chance ingest anything that’s considered a toxin, your body will break it down much faster than when low on the nutrient beets are rich in.

And Thirdly, Beets Beat Out Cancer, Because….

Be prepared…. This will blow your mind: but it turns out that beets have specific phytonutrients making it possible to ward off cancer. What are phytonutrients? Oh, nothing much other than the reason why beets have that deep crimson-red color they’re so known for. That’s right: the reason beets are dark red is the reason why you’ll live free of cancer!

In fact, research proved that beet root extract actually reduces tumor formations when combined with drinking water. The study was conducted with animals, so there’s no doubt that it would also have a similar effect on humans. In fact, beet root extract is being studied for human pancreatic, breast and prostate cancers. Remarkable.

Who Knew?

Well, now you know that beets beat out cancer, among other things. There are a ton of other benefits of beets for you to know about, so click right here and find out. Without a doubt, though, these specific reasons are enough clout to prove that beets are beasts in the health industry. Rawr.

 

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Top 3 Benefits of Beets You Must Keep in Mind When Faced With Eating Them

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We’re serious: talk to your kids about this one. They may not listen at first, but over time as they get older, they’re going to realize that the voice in their heads happens to be yours talking about how health will dramatically improve the more you eat these beets. It’s pretty clear: the benefits of beets beat out just about anything else….

And Here’s Why the Benefits of Beets Are the Best

Prompt your kids first on this important fact first: it just so happens that beets have the highest sugar content of all the veggies out there. That should soften them up a bit. However, beets are supremely high in carbs, which is why you often need to eat these bad boys sparingly. Still, a few times a week as well as the greens associated with them should be very sufficient when it comes to the benefits of beets. Yes, they’re earthy. Yes, they’ve got that soft rubbery consistency. But when you boil down this science for them, they’ll see the light (hopefully you can do the same drill for brussel sprouts):benefits-of-beets-1

The Goal Is Getting Those Little Ones to at Least Try Beets, Right?

Or better yet, maybe you’re having some trouble trying them as well! Just suck it up…. Your body means everything to you, as well as your well-being. And Golden Gate Organics, you know, loves your well-being. So take these benefits of beets to heart. As a little side with dinner, they’re perfect. Always get them organic. And above all else, do try them with brussel sprouts, too. We insist.

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You Won’t Believe What Beets Can Do for Your Body

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Sure, it’s a given that beets have that richness we all love regarding nutrients and even fiber (or maybe you didn’t know that). Yes, they’re good for you. But just how good are beets for you? Sometimes breaking down the benefits really does help you see the light on what beets can do for your body. So don’t be surprised when your jaw drops over hearing about some of the stuff you never considered. Yes, vitamins are great; but did you know just what they can do for you at the best quantities and what-beets-can-do-1qualities? Beets speak the truth!

Aside From All Sorts of Nutrients and Fiber….

Beets even can help reduce the risk of birth defects.

You heard correctly. Birth defects. And here’s why: Beets happen to contain the rare B vitamin folate, which has been known to benefit prenatal health. Shocking, right? Yes, knowing what beets can do for your body is essential especially when those little roots are chock full of vitamin C as well. Plus fiber. And also other essential minerals like potassium. Now we know a lot of foods have that mineral. But what you don’t know is that beets are literally packed with them, in just one small beet root (and the greens). Hardly would fill you up at all. Talk about economy!

Additionally, manganese is another mineral beets are well known for, providing nourishment for bones, liver, kidneys and the pancreas. All you need is a few beets per week, and you’re set! There are some veggies out there where you need a healthy serving just to get a good percentage of that, and really all you need are three beats, and that’s it!

You Can Then See That What Beets Can Do for the Body Involves a Lot of Convenience!

And in this day and age, convenience is key. Now we know it’s not exactly customary to keep some beet roots and greens packed in your lunch box, but in all honesty, is it all that bad? Knowing that there are so many benefits of beets out there, I’d carry an entire garden of these beets with me wherever I go!

 

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What Exactly Do Beets Do to Beat Your Blood Pressure and Boost Your Stamina?

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Did you know you can even drink beet juice? It sounds a bit blaaaah, but try to sweeten it up some, and it could be bearable. Why? You won’t believe what beets can actually do for you when it comes to your blood pressure and stamina. And that’s not even from drinking beet juice. Just eat ’em! The benefits of beets are aplenty, and here’s why:

So What About Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure for us is like the barometer for weather. We always have to keep an eye on it just in case that hurricane hits. So needless to say, blood pressure balance is crucial. Guess what: beet juice just happens to lower your blood pressure literally inbeets working out just a few hours! And people want to mess with medications…. They’re missing the easiest solution on the planet.

A study proves that one glass of beet juice can actually reduce that blood pressure by 4 to 5 points tops. Staggering. And it’s all thanks to the nitrates in beets converted into nitric oxide. What does nitric oxide do? In essence, the chemical will actually dilate your blood vessels, making your blood thin enough to lower the pressure and make life a little easier for you. Talk about natural…. Again, forget medications!

Still, There’s NO WAY Beets Can Boost Stamina Better Than a 5-Hour Energy Drink

Oh, but it can. Organically. And with sustainability in mind. The benefits of beets are such that you don’t even need processed chemicals designed to “pep” you up. You just need the natural substances, consistently, over time, and you’ll be an engine of beefed-up beet-eating fat burners, and here’s why: a study was actually conducted regarding beet juice, proving that those who had drank a good glass of that stuff ended up having the energy to work out as close as 15% longer than usual.

Why is that? Well, think about it: sure, it decreases your blood pressure, but what that means is beets will also reduce your oxygen cost for low-intensity exercise. This also in turn increases your tolerance for weight-lifting and some of the more intense workouts you might be accustomed to.

In essence, you’ll spend less oxygen to do what you need to do, hence you’ll be able to do it longer — ergo, you’ll develop your muscles even more.

How’s THAT for a Major Benefit of Beets?

You can imagine a lot of kids getting blown out of the water over beets just from that. We suggest, though, that you have the most ripped monster of a man advertise the benefits of beets to kids while flexing the biceps. We’re pretty sure kids might want to try out some beet juice and start pumping the iron. You know those kids are going to want to get the guns locked and loaded before they hit the teen years.

 

Skipping Crackers and Bread Is Easier Than You Think

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Sure, you’ll lose out on the crackers. But who needs crackers? You can skip that if you want to go gluten-free. As far as dinner options for going gluten-free goes, you’ve got possibilities. But what about the bread? Or the pasta? What then? Check out these two options….

Because These Two Options Will Make Skipping Crackers and Bread Seem Likego-gluten-free-bread-1 a Breeze

The key is taking advantage of all sorts of pasta alternatives. Namely vegetable pasta or vegetable noodles! Yes, there is such a thing. You just have to prepare the veggies just right. An option you might like would be zucchini fettuccini! Cut the veggie in just the right way, boil the strings, and you have something similar to your favorite fettuccini noodles. Additionally, carrots make for a great spachetti substitute. All you need is that peeler, and you’re good to go.

What about bread crumbs, though? You can’t go without those bread crumbs, those perfect binders for everything meat loaf related and so on and so forth. How do you keep the meatballs all together without the bread crumbs? The good news is this: yes we have an alternative here, utilizing almond meal ‘bread crumbs, which also seconds as a coating for fried anything. Who knew? Look for almond meal anywhere you find groceries, especially alternative sections, and you’re golden.

These Are Great Options for When You Want Something Italian

As far as dinner options go for gluten-free, these are super winners for the food aficionado. Of course, you can employ all the other great options we have available for gluten-free dinners, and the possibilities are actually endless. Italian food, however, must have the filling grains. That’s how you get the belly happy. The good news now is you can get those filling ‘grains’ without the gluten. And that’s amore.

 

The 2 Best Types of ‘Couscous’ You Need to Go Gluten-Free

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Here’s a little disclaimer for you: The ‘couscous’ we’ll be talking about really isn’t couscous. You, therefore, lose out on the supergrain advantage; however, these substitutes not only come close in the taste department, but win out nearly just as much in the health department, and the bonus is this: you will go gluten-free with these two options. And you can’t compete with that.

Think CAULIFLOWER and RED LENTILS, and You’re on the Right Trackgo-gluten-free-couscous

Cauliflowers? Really? Yes, it’s true. You prep those cauliflowers the right way, and you’ll have something so comparable to couscous that you won’t even know the difference. Simply blend the raw cauliflower in a processor. That’s all you need to do — instant couscous, and you’ll go gluten-free. You don’t even need to cook it. Eat it raw. But if you want to warm those ‘grains’ up, simply use a little oil in a pan, and the rest is flavor.

Red lentils are even more of a substitute without many not even knowing it. They don’t associate these tiny little beans to be anything even close to couscous. However, if you boil those red lentils until tender, they’re pretty comparable. All you need to do is drain and dry. Replace with anything couscous or risoni, and you can’t go wrong. It’s like having pasta, or the supergrain — only it’s a freakin’ bean. And beans are really high in that protein you want — all without the gluten.

They’re Creative Options, No Doubt When You Go Gluten-Free for Dinner

But believe us — that’s only two of the several options available for going gluten-free for dinner. You’ve got several opportunities to make dinner spectacular. All you need is the know-how and the will. Now you’ve got both. Pour some wine and make it special. And don’t forget the organics while you’re at it!

 

What? BAKING Can Be Gluten-Free and Still Taste Like a Million Bucks?

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It’s true, actually. What…. You don’t believe us? We don’t blame you. After all, the one thing that remains to be the standard of baking is the fact that you need grains. Flour. Even eggs. A lot of that stuff contains gluten. One would think that saying baking can be gluten-free is like saying being sick with Pneumonia isn’t a big deal! Look…. If you’re going to go gluten-free, at least go gluten-free with style, pizzazz, and a little flavor! It’s not asking for much….

That’s Why These Two Options Might Actually Make It Worth Your While

First off, there’s a little something called almond meal flour. Never heard of it? Most haven’t. The amazing thing about this type of ‘flour’ is that it’s made from almonds, a nut as with all other nuts that is completely gluten free. Regular flour can be gluten-free as well, only low on protein. When it comes to baking, though, you need that protein. Baking can be gluten-free with thebaking-can-be-gluten-free protein, though, as long as you go with some sort of nut meal. Other options include chickpeas and quinoa, believe it or not. You just need to know what to look for, and your basic staple of baking’s all taken care of!

Then there’s something called GF ‘pastries’. You use these GF pastries to make tarts without having to use any of the shortbreads typical for that. As we know, shortbreads are also rich in gluten. All you need to do to get creative with it is get some good ol’ cookies labeled gluten-free, or biscuits for that matters, break it all up and combine with some melted butter. You get something very similar to the shortbread we all love, but without the gluten. It’s simple. Then all you need to do is mix it in with the tart shell, chill it, and then it’s ready for the love.

And When You Think About It, Just Based on That…. The Sky’s the Limit!

Your scope just increased by 110% there. You’ve got the flour substitutes taken care of. And you’ve got the shortbread stuff handled in short order, too. Talk about options for going gluten-free. Now we’ve got baking taken care of. Let’s celebrate with some cakes!

 

Making Your Dinner Gluten-Free Can Be a Snap if You Follow These Tips

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The one thing people don’t like about going gluten-free is sacrificing some of the rich, wholesome foods we all love. And what’s dinner other than wholesome? Basically nothing else! It’s no wonder not many people are interested in gluten-free options for all meals. However, we’ve got the goods here. So listen up. This list will change your mind drastically.

Think Creativity. This List for Making Your Dinner Gluten-Free Is Exactly That.

How so? For starters….making-your-dinner-gluten-free-1

It’s Weird That We Made It That Easy to Completely Cut Your Gluten From Your Dinner Plans

It actually is when you think about it. It just takes a quick switch. The mindset has to go a different direction. When it does, it’s like clockwork. Your dinner stays just as wholesome as usual. You just got creative with the choices, and before you knew it, you’re still eating hearty and healthier thanks to eliminating what you don’t want.

Making your dinner gluten-free doesn’t have to be a complete eradication of everything you love about food. It’s strategic. It’s focused. And it’s also a big commitment. Do yourself a favor and commit to these tips, because one thing’s for sure: your body’s going to thank you in a real big way!