Going Organic – Part 3 FAQ

I’m glad you are still following our journey.  I received numerous questions from my last post which I’ll share here as it is what most people ask me quite often.

Q) It must be quite hard making the change?

A) Not really, it’s actually taken us almost 2 years and we are still on our journey.

Q) It’s taken you 2 Years!!!   Why so long?

A) There’s no rush, take baby steps and the go with the pace you are comfortable with.  Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Q) Where do I start?

A) Wherever you like.  Choose what area you would like the make change in and set a budget aside.

Q) Eating organic is going to be expensive!

A) Not if you take baby steps.  We started on milk first, and then worked our way towards other dairy products.  Where you would be spending £1 on a 2lt milk bottle, you would be spending an extra 80 pence on top.  We made the change for the sake of our children; we didn’t want them consuming dead foods.

Q) How do I know if the food we buy is actually organic?

A) There are governing bodies which approve products which certifies them to label their products as organic.  It’s just as if you was to buy a toy from the shop, the product cannot say it fly’s if it actually doesn’t, that would be illegal.

It is the responsibility of DEFRA and the control bodies to ensure that all of the standards are being met. Organic producers are inspected at least annually and can also be subject to spot inspections to ensure they are complying fully. The control bodies have continuing dialogue between them, through a variety of forums, to ensure the integrity of the system.

Q) Are their any resources that you can share with us?
A) Sure, I follow Khalsa Ethics on Facebook and YouTube:

https://www.facebook.com/KhalsaEthics/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU3wSCerwj-yvW1jW33S1RQ

http://www.khalsaethics.com/

Q) Can you send me some links on some of the organic products you buy?

A) Sure, we buy a mixture of items from Waitrose, Sainsburys, Tesco’s and Amazon website.  Below are links of some of the foods we buy from Amazon:

• Sharpham Park OrganicStonground White Spelt Flour 1 Kg
• Hakubaku Japanese UdonNoodles Organic 70 g (4 Pack)
• Hakubaku Japanese RamenNoodles Organic 270 g (Pack of 4)
• Biona Organic RawVirgin Coconut Oil 800 g
• Suma Organic ChoppedTomatoes 400 g (Pack of 12)
• Clearspring OrganicTamari 150 ml (Pack of 3)
• Steenbergs OrganicTandoori Masala 50 g (Pack of 3)

Below are just some of the items from the Khalsa Ethics Store that we buy:

• Khalsa Ethics Natural Ginger Root (500g)
• Khalsa Ethics Natural Root Haldi (500g)
• Khalsa Ethics Natural Ethical Ghee (500g / 500ml)

If you've not read part 1 or 2, check them out here:

Click Here For Part 1

Click Here For Part 2

Part 2 of Going Organic

After having moved over to organic dairy products, we felt it was time we changed the fruits, vegetables and spices we consumed.

Link to my first post: Going Organic Part 1

Why organic fruit and veg you may ask?  Well non-organic produce is sprayed with pesticides and other toxins.   When you see these people spray stuff on our food whilst covered head to toe in protective suits, makes you wonder, is that even safe to consume?

Consume Organic, and you eat life: vitamins, minerals, water, and more.

Consume pesticide residue and you allow poison into your body.

We all know how cancer has impacted someone close to us.  It was unheard of the amount of people being diagnosed 30 odd years ago.  If we look back at our parent’s generations, cancer was unheard of.

Your choices make a huge difference in the quality of your life.  Also, supporting organics supports a healthy planet.  You help to improve the quality of water, soil, air, animals, plants, birds and other living beings also benefit when you choose organic foods.

Where to begin and what to look out for:

In our community its known that you can get 4 bunches of spinach for £1.  Alarm bells should start to ring, how can they sell it that cheap? 

We do not use our local corner veg shop anymore.  Below is the label on the fruit and veg that you need to look out for from your local supermarket as they source from farms which are Soil Associated (see here about who they are: http://www.soilassociation.org/aboutus/whoweare ) most supermarkets, such as Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsburys have their own organic range that has soil association certified.

The quickest and easiest way to begin your journey is to replace your supermarket non organic produce with their own brand organic produce! Simples!

Waitrose Organic Range

 Sainsbury's Organic Range

Tesco Organic Range 

On a final note:

One can take this step to whatever extreme they wish.  We, however, still occasionally eat at the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) when attending functions etc and sometimes still have the odd eat out day.  We hope, that one day we will be 100% organic, but at the moment we are more focused on making the change at home to ensure we consume the most nutritious and good foods, so that the majority of our food consumption is from organic and ethical food sources.  We do not start questioning people whose houses we visit and turn our noses up at someone’s hospitality.  Everyone has different priorities, but we do try our best to encourage ourselves and others to be conscious about food and lifestyles choices.

If you have any questions or queries, please message in the comment section below.

Going Organic

Introduction

This post will be your simplified guide in going Organic and how to make that change in small steps. 

We have been doing this slow transition for the last 18 months and still making this lifestyle change.

You make ask why we decided to go down this avenue?   Well, for the sake of our children, so they do not get the illnesses and allergy we are all suffering with.

One of the main reasons why we decided to make the switch to organic was the steadily decline in the nutritional content in the everyday foods we eat.  Think about it, if you can get 2lts of supermarket milk for 89p, how is it possible for a farmer to make any profit from it? The only logical conclusion is that such little care and compassion has gone into milk production that my family was completely put off from drinking it.

When it came to fruit and vegetables we have seen an increase in the spraying of chemicals and pesticides on our crops by men wearing white suits because of the hazardous chemicals may come into contact with their skin? Alarm bells started ringing in our heads with one thought, so how it is safe to spray this stuff on the food we eat?’ GMOS, MSG’s plastic ingredients are all contributing factors to why our food choices need careful consideration.

Over the last decade we are seeing an overall decline in our community’s health. Cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, heart problems, thyroid conditions are just a few. These kinds of illnesses were very rare back in the days now deaths linked to cancer especially is increasing.

We would ask that you do some research via YouTube on the above topics, don’t just take our word for it, research what is in the foods you are eating and you will be shocked and hopefully awakened into thinking more ethically with regards to where and what you are eating.

If you are vegetarian like me, you think that you are not causing any harm to animals? Well think again…!  Watch this horrific 60 second video of where your dairy comes from: https://youtu.be/wZcUrWAK-8Q  

Where to start?

We made the change with our dairy products we consume.   So that’s Milk, Cheese, Yogurt, Butter and Margarine.  At first we started with buying Yeo Valley products which you can buy from your local supermarket.  Have a look at their website for more information: https://www.yeovalley.co.uk/faqs

 

Though we now consume Organic Raw milk, straight from the udder which is not pasteurised or homogenised…  I’ll further go into this in my future posts.

Whenever talking about going organic is discussed with our circle of friends, one of the main factors that put’s people off, is the price.  Again, we’ve been making these small changes over the last 18 months, it hasn’t been an overnight change.  Decide which product you would like to change to and continue until you feel you are ready to move onto the next product.

Read Part 2 of going organic here

Basic survival supplies to keep at home in case of an emergency

1.            Emergency Food

Oats, Mash Potatoes, Tinned Food, Flour, Noodles.

 

2.            Water

Keep any plastics bottles and fill them with water for storage.

 

3.            First Aid kit
You can never go wrong with keeping one of these.

4.            Candles / Torch
In case the electricity goes at least you'll be able to see what you’re doing.

5.            Wind up radio
If the electricity goes for a longer period, at least you can hear any news on a portable radio

6.            Money
Remember when the electricity goes, cash machines will not work or credit card machines in shops.

7.            Can opener
This may sound like a silly one, but this is one of the things people take for granted as a lot of people use electric openers.

8.            Baby wipes
Remember if the electric goes, so does the water.  Hygiene will be very important to avoid getting ill.

8 Tips to Treat Cold's and Flu's

1. Blow Your Nose Often and the Right Way
It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose.

2. Stay Rested
Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket.

3. Gargle
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily.

4. Drink Hot Liquids
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.  Oh and plenty of water too.

5. Take a Steamy Shower
Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you're dizzy from the flu, run a steamy shower while you sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath.

6. Apply Hot or Cold Packs Around Your Congested Sinuses
Either temperature may help you feel more comfortable. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it's not scalding). Or take a small bag of frozen peas to use as a cold pack.

7. Sleep With an Extra Pillow Under Your Head
This will help with the drainage of nasal passages. If the angle is too awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and the box springs to create a more gradual slope.

8. Echinacea
Echinacea has a long history of use for treating respiratory infections. It’s not well understood how it works, but several studies show that Echinacea can help you get over a cold faster and reduce symptoms.


And on that final note, add your own tips in the comment section below and share this post...

8 ways to save money and make some money back

1.    Make a shopping list
If you’re not organised or haven’t got a pen, this one is really hard. But stick with it and you can eat well and save enough for a holiday without thinking about it.  Part of the problem is the power of the supermarkets.  These giant museums of food have spent millions on tricks to make you put stuff you don’t want in giant trolleys, keep in the fridge for a week and then throw away.  We each chuck out nearly £500 of food each a year.  That’s moronic but that’s the supermarket business model.  Make a shopping list. Dig out the cookery books, plan a few meals and only buy what you need.


2.    When was the last time you went to the market?
One way to beat the supermarkets - that is, to eat healthily for less - is to use your local market stalls.  Lower overheads generally mean lower prices.  Where supermarkets have ‘half-price’ strawberries that aren’t half price, the local market will often have the same fruit for a quarter of the price of the pretend half-price ones.


3.    Sell your clutter on eBay or Gumtree
Take this quick test: You're at home, open a cupboard, and look inside.  If it's full of clothes you haven't worn, or 'good ideas at the time' you haven't used, for, let's say, three years - you don't need them.  So why not sell them to someone else who does? For fans of the understatement: Ebay is quite well-known and popular now. The great thing is you really can flog any old garbage - for a commission.


4.    Use your talent to earn extra cash
If you have a talent or a skill, use it to your potential… e.g. if you’re an IT techy like me, then fix other peoples PC’s when you’re not at work.  Or even if you’re not in the building trade but handy with a few tools, there’s your second income also….

 
5.    Compare Compare Compare
Use comparison websites to get the best deals, whether its car, house or travel insurance and never automatically renew your quote.

6.     Buy clothes and presents in the salesIf life has drained every drop of human dignity from your soul, bingo! - Boxing Day sales were created for you.

On a serious note, there is no shame in standing in the Next sales queue at 4am in the morning.  I would know; I get all my kids clothes for the rest of the year and all my works shirts too.

For those who aren’t for waiting in 4am queues, there are quieter mid-season sales where you can find most things you need for half the price it would have been if you couldn’t wait.

7.     Avoid extended warranties
Electrical goods are more reliable than ever. If your new radio won't last three years perhaps it's not worth buying in the first place.  Think about it: how many times has your fridge broken down in the last five years? And do you really need the hassle of claiming for repairs to a £10 toaster?

8.    Switch Energy Suppliers

The main suppliers, known as the Big 6, control 90% of the UK's energy market today stand accused of making a huge profit from the less well off.

The investigation, by the Competition and Markets Authority, found millions of dual-fuel customers, many of whom have never switched suppliers, have missed savings of up to £234 a year.

Go onto a comparison site and switch your energy now.  The process has been made so much simpler and the switch can be done in a matter of 2 weeks.

And on that final note, add your own tips in the comment section below and share it with a friend

8 tips on how to sleep better

1. Rest in cosy comfort: A quality mattress, soft blankets and cool temperature will reduce annoying distractions (too hot! achy back!) and help you relax.

2. Turn on some soothing sounds: Use a sound machine or a fan to drown out what may be preventing you from falling asleep within 15 minutes of lying down.

3. Complete darkness: If your room isn’t completely dark, consider a sleep mask—this will also increase your natural production of melatonin, which is not only a great sleep inducer but a great cancer fighter as well.

4. Snooze-inducing smells: Wearing lavender lotion or using a diffuser with lavender essential oil may help you hit deep sleep sooner. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of lavender? Ahhh…

5. Turn off tech at least 1 hour before going to bed. Then, keep lights dim and read or meditate to let your body naturally make some sleepy melatonin (the hormone that is produced as it gets dark out, and regulates sleep and wake cycles).

6. Skip or reduce caffeine. Caffeine not only prevents many people from falling asleep at night initially, but it can also decrease the amount of restful sleep that happens at night.  If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, try decaf, herbal tea or keep it to one cup very early in the morning.

7. Exercise. Try to fit in 20-30 min of moderate exercise daily, but make sure to do it several hours before bed. Ideally, 20-30 minutes of cardio in the morning with some restorative yoga in the afternoon.

8. Clear your mind. If you’re tossing and turning after switching the lights off, you may need to hit the reset button on your mind. Here are a few things to try. Before going to bed, journal—jot it all down.  If you can’t fall asleep after lying in bed for 15 minutes, get up and do something relaxing for 15-30 minutes before returning to bed. Don’t give up. You’ll find a strategy that works for you.

Your turn: Do you have a helpful sleep tip? Leave it in the comments below.