Friday, July 8, 2011

Alliance for Natural Health


On July 1, the US Food and Drug Administration issued draft guidance for complying with the New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification protocols required by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA)—seventeen years late.

The biggest problem is that this guidance will create such huge barriers for supplement manufacturers that it will be much more difficult and expensive to produce them. But of course, that means consumers would either have to pay much more for nutritional supplements, or else risk not being able to buy them at all if the manufacturer deems them too expensive to produce.

Let them know how you feel here!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Source Key Test

http://shop.bokusuperfood.com/items_25.html

Monday, June 20, 2011

BoKU Super Protein 50% Off!


We have a limited time special offer that you won’t want to miss!
We need to make room in our warehouse for the first batch of our new protein formula which will be arriving very soon.  In order to do this we must clear out what remains of our original BõKU® Super Protein and we are offering an amazing discount exclusively for our wholesale customers.
This means tremendous savings for you! 
While supplies last, we are offering you, our loyal wholesalers 50% off of the retail price. That’s only $19.95 per pouch!
The minimum purchase to take advantage of this low price is one case (6 pouches) and it gets even better!  If you buy 2 cases or more, your shipping will be absolutely FREE!
Call now to get this fantastic price before we run out!
Orders for this offer must be placed over the phone at 
877-BOKU FOOD or 805-650-2658
Offer valid for U.S orders only.

Friday, May 27, 2011

The Organic Movement has made its way to Washington DC

What a way to start the day! As I do every morning, I opened The Washington Post and was thrilled to see the 12-page supplement, “The Organic Movement,” delivered on Wednesday, which is the day for the Post’s food section. After months of editorial planning, the 12-page full color spread jumps off the pages with compelling, engaging, and fact-based information on the benefits of organic agriculture and products. This incredible insert will reach over 1.5 million consumers in the official Washington, D.C., market to provide evidence of the positive solutions that organic delivers.

With Congress marking up the 2012 budget this week, it is a tremendous win to get this content circulated in the largest, oldest, and most well-respected paper of record in our nation’s capital. Distinguishing organic products from natural ones, addressing the environmental benefits of organic agriculture, and showing that organic can, in fact, feed the world will help to reinforce OTA’s message to Members of Congress and the regulatory agencies that organic is a critical part of our economy.
OTA authored the Foreword and worked with the publishers on the overall editorial focus, partnership opportunities, and distribution plans to make this supplement as strong as possible. We even secured a significant advertising discount for our members, and are pleased to see that all of the sponsors are OTA members!

In addition to The Washington Post’s 1.5 million readers, a press release was distributed to over 5,000 sites through 200 of the largest online media outlets such as Reuters, Yahoo!, and CNN. We have the publication posted on OTA’s trade and consumer websites, and will keep the conversations going on Facebook and Twitter over the coming weeks. We’ll also share the good news with a family audience of 30,000+ looking to learn more about the organic option during next week’s Strolling of the Heifers in Southern Vermont, and will spread the word during Natural Products Expo East in September.

This 12-page piece has created a strong, unified voice to educate consumers and motivate them to engage in the growing movement of our industry. Please share it with your consumer lists and on your social media platforms. Let us know what you’re hearing in response because plans are already underway for the next edition!









Regards,
Christine Bushway
Executive Director and CEO
Organic Trade Association

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Latest BoKU Happenings

All of us at BōKU® like to keep our customers abreast of everything happening here that may affect their orders. We also want you to know about exciting change that we are planning to implement in the future.

What’s happening now:

As you all are aware the cost of fuel has gone up. Several of our raw ingredients have also gone up. In lieu of raising our prices we are trying to cut costs where ever we can. Our first approach is shipping. In the past we were strictly using Fed Ex Ground, which was a fast and efficient way to ship but it came at a cost. Since March 1st we have moved 50% of our packages to USPS. It takes a bit longer to get to your door but has two major advantages. First, USPS uses eco-friendly boxes with "cradle to cradle certification," or C2C, this means that they were designed with consideration for energy and water use through the manufacturing process, and end with a product that can be safely recycled. Second, they do not charge us an additional fuel surcharge.

In the near future:

We are switching to a better Customer Relationship Management system in order to streamline the ordering and shipping process. This will also help us in our goal of providing the very best customer service to our fantastic customers. We are also in the process of upgrading our website and shopping cart to make it much more efficient and user-friendly. The new design will give our brand a more consistent feel as we launch new and exciting products!


In the distant future:

Get ready for new and much improved BōKU® Super Food and Super Protein! Since the launch of our BōKU® Super Food formula 3 years ago Dr. Adrezin has found some amazing ingredients that he wants to introduce into our BōKU® Super Food & Super Protein. Expect to see a slight tweak to each of these formulas. Nothing drastic just BETTER & more POTENT! The new Super Protein formula will be brown rice based, similar to the old one, but now it will also include cranberry protein as well as red dulse for a broader spectrum of proteins and amino acids. It will also contain lúcuma fruit for taste instead of coconut, this will make it much smoother in consistency and easier to emulsify in liquid.

Our customers have been invaluable in helping us raise the bar. We truly appreciate each and every one of our customers and look forward to maintaining our high standards in our products and customer service.



Friday, May 6, 2011

BoKU Fan Videos!

There's nothing we love at BoKU more that hearing from our fabulous fans! Especially when they send in videos. Go ahead shoot a video about BoKU and send it to pr@bokusuperfood.com and maybe we'll feature you on one of our sites!


Downtown Julie Brown!

Kathie Dolgin, aka High Voltage of Energy Up!

Friday, April 29, 2011

BōKU Bars Give L. A. County Kids Energy to Run 4 Fun-n-Fit!

Los Angeles County afterschool group, the Woodcraft Rangers, have created a program to help students improve their health by giving them the opportunity to run, jog or walk during scheduled fitness times with their leaders and families. From April 16th through May, 9th the group has issued a Run 4 Fun-n-Fit challenge in which the children will run laps to get fit and have fun while doing it.

Lynn Rolle, CEO of BōKU International, jumped at the opportunity to send Tammy Reese, the group’s Fitness and Nutrition Programming Consultant, 100 of the company’s new BōKU® Bars for the kids. “One of my most important goals is to introduce children to organic whole food nutrition in the hopes that they will use the knowledge to lead a healthier lifestyle into adulthood,” says Rolle. “Our BōKU® Bars are the perfect snack to give the kids energy for running, much better than anything sugary and nutrient depleted. Each bar contains 15 grams of Organic certified protein and BōKU® Super Food, so they are highly nutritious but still have a chocolate fudge brownie taste that I’m sure the kids will love!”

The BōKU Bar is tested gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. The majority of the protein comes from Organic raw sprouted brown rice protein, one of the most hypoallergenic sources of protein, and the chocolate taste is from certified Fair Trade cacao.

BōKU International just launched their brand of bars in November 2010 and the response has been incredible. BōKU is doing their best just to keep them in stock, having sold nearly 5,000 cases in only five months.

Monday, April 25, 2011

BōKU International Gets a Visit from our Congresswoman

On April 18, Lois Capps, who represents the 23rd District of California, toured the BōKU® office and listened to a presentation about how we built such a successful business with the goal of bringing organic, whole food nutrition to the masses.

She is on a mission to discover how local small businesses have been utilizing their SBA loans. We know that she was very impressed with our growth. BōKU® International was founded in 2007, and in four short years we are up to seven employees and have had a 30% increase in auto-ship customers in the past year!

Our wonderful customers are health conscious, natural food enthusiasts, who are also Web savvy, information hungry and social network-oriented. We thank each and every one of them for everything that we have been able to accomplish!

Ms. Capps serves on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where she is a member of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Health. She was extremely happy not only with how we are promoting nutrition and healthy lifestyles, but with our environmental record as well. We recycle everything possible, use green cleaning products, have a skylight in our warehouse to conserve energy and use a solar powered factory to manufacture our BōKU Bars!

Monday, March 28, 2011

What BoKU Super Food Can Do For You

Many of our customers and potential customers ask us what taking BoKU Super Food is actually supposed to do for them. While everyone's bodies are unique and different we have come up with some short summaries of effects that anyone taking BoKU Super Food on a regular basis should experience.

What You See
What You Get
  • Detoxification – Many of the ingredients in BoKU Super Food (spirulina, chlorella, flaxseed) contain powerful detoxification compounds such as chlorophyll and Alpha Linolenic Acid that help everything from expelling heavy metals from your system to treating bad breath!
  • Antioxidants – BoKU Super Food contains some of the most potent antioxidants: flavonoids, and vitamins E and C. These help to prevent free radicals from oxidizing and destroying cells. They have also displayed anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial . This antioxidant activity happens throughout your body, but you will mainly notice it in your skin. After taking BoKU Super Food for a few weeks many of our customers notice their skin looking clearer and fresher. A healthy diet is one sure secret of beautiful skin.
  • Energy – BoKU Super Food contains a range of B vitamins and trace minerals, like zinc and magnesium, from whole food sources that regulate metabolism and increase energy.
  • Digestion – Our BoKU Super Enzyme blend contains seven different enzymes that aid in breaking down food molecules into smaller molecules that can be properly digested so all of the nutrients can be absorbed into your system. The Super Food also contains the only vegan, non-dairy based probiotic, Lactobacillus Sporogenes. L. Sporogenes also aids in digestion, but it may also improve immune function, reduce inflammation, improve mineral absorption. Current studies are researching the possible link between probiotics and brain health.
  • Mood – One scoop of our Super Food provides 171% of the Daily Recommended Intake of vitamin B12, this is extraordinary for a vegan product. B12 is often linked with good mood maintenance; it is even being used successfully to help treat people with depression. B vitamins are also essential for the production and proper functioning of neurotransmitters including dopamine, crucial to the experience of pleasure. Super Food also contains raw cacao and blue-green algae, both of which are very high in PEA. PEA (Phenylethylamine) acts as a neuromodulator to enhance one’s mood.
  • Immunity – One of the most special ingredients in BoKU Super Food is the Super Tàke mushroom blend. It incorporates fourteen mushrooms used in Traditional Chinese medicine for centuries (Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, cordyceps, etc.). Together these fungi have and incredibly high ORAC value as well as vast adaptogenic properties which give your immunity system a massive boost.

Friday, March 18, 2011

BoKU is a Great Source of Natural Iodine

With all of the panic surrounding the current crises in Japan has triggered a lot of panic here in the U.S. Many people are clamoring for potassium iodide tablets and liquids to such an extent that many suppliers are actually running out. Is this a good thing? Probably not. While the body does need iodine to function and it can help to reduce the risk of thyroid cancer after radiation exposure. But getting iodine in supplement form may not be the best way to go.

What is Iodine and What Does it Do?

To put it simply, iodine is a chemical element that the body must have. The body cannot make it or store it; iodine must come from the diet. It is essential for the production of thyroid hormones that regulate growth and metabolism.  Iodine deficiency causes hypothyroidism, which causes symptoms like fatigue, high cholesterol, weight gain, lethargy, mental slowness and goiter. It also causes slowed brain development in children and unborn fetuses.

How does potassium iodide help protect from radiation exposure?

When radioactive iodine (iodine-131) is emitted into the air after some kind of nuclear event, it can be inhaled into the lungs. Once inside the body, the thyroid would absorb it very quickly which would be extremely damaging. Taking potassium iodide immediately before exposure causes the thyroid to absorb the stable iodine and thus have no room left for the radioactive iodine for 24 hours. Keeping the radioactive iodine from reaching the thyroid helps to prevent thyroid cancer and radiation sickness. A single dose is said to protect for 24 hours, higher doses do not offer greater protection. (Center for Disease Control - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp)

Can you ingest too much iodine?

Absolutely!
Over consuming iodine is very possible and potentially dangerous. According to The National Institute of Health (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/35.html), “Large amounts or long-term use are POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Adults should avoid prolonged use of doses higher than 1100 mcg per day (the upper tolerable limit, UL) without proper medical supervision.” And consuming slightly lees than that (1000 mcg) can cause nausea, stomachache, vomiting, burning in the mouth and throat, and possible even coma. Overdoses can be fatal.
Certain people should NOT take potassium iodide at all, these include:
  • Those allergic to iodine (of course), shellfish allergies may indicate this
  • Those with skin disorders such as dermatitis herpetiformis or urticaria vasculitis
  • Those with compromised thyroids
Is there a better way to keep iodine levels high while avoiding these risks?

Yes! You can consume iodine the way that you should consume all essential nutrients, from natural food. Foods rich in iodine include baked goods, eggs, dairy, and seafood, but especially sea vegetables like kelp. For those who are vegetarian or vegan, raw or just don’t like sushi you can get plenty of iodine from BoKU® Super Food and BoKU® Bars. One of our chocolaty bars contains 45% RDI of iodine. And one scoop of BoKU® Super Food contains 86 mcg of iodine (57% of the RDI) and two scoops have 171 mcg and 114% of the RDI! All from natural, organic kelp, chlorella and spirulina which are great for you anyway. Not only are these sea vegetables rich in iodine, they and the other greens in BoKU® Super Food are natural chelators. This means that they help detoxify the body by removing heavy metals from the system. The power to keep harmful agents from entering the body and to purge the body of harmful agents already inside is all part of what makes BoKU® Super Food so super.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Come See BoKU at the Fresh Ideas Expo West March 10th!

The BoKU Team will be at Expo West at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel where we will be informing the public about organic nutrition and how our products are the top of the heap in that department. And we'll also be giving away free samples to prove it!

It is a fantastic event to learn about anything and everything organic, not just food. There will be over 90 vendors representing
  • Fresh Produce
  • Herbs
  • Flowers
  • Textiles
  • Wine & Beer
  • Packaged Goods
  • Organic Certifiers
  • Ingredients
It will be a fun and educational time in beautiful Southern California to celebrate all things natural organic, so come join us!

For more information visit: www.expowest.com

Thursday, January 27, 2011

How BoKU Can Help You Avoid (or Get Rid of) Diabetes


Many of you have heard about diabetes, but don’t know what it is.  Many of you have diabetes and may not even know it! 

The most common form of diabetes, type 2, occurs when the sugar in your blood gets very high, and the cells of your body starve because the sugar can’t get into the cells.  Sugar is needed as food to give your body energy.  With diabetes, the sugar stays in the blood and damages important parts of your body, such as your eyes, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves, etc. 

Diabetes can greatly age a person.  It can make macho men old, blind and impotent!  It can turn beautiful, vibrant women into elderly looking matrons with bad memory and a heart condition!

Diabetes is a great example of a disease that can be prevented and maybe corrected through food and lifestyle.  Moving each day, even light exercise, can help the sugar get out of the blood and into your cells.  A diet featuring whole foods can do a lot to balance your blood sugar.  Eating plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables can not only keep your blood sugar optimal, but provide a wide array of “phytonutrients” to keep your body healthy. 

Most people don’t realize that stress can greatly raise your blood sugar. Relaxation, good sleep, and doing enjoyable activities have the “side benefit” of keeping your blood sugar balanced, and your body in top form.

Boku Super Food is a delicious nutritional powder that contains a wide variety of concentrated organic, nutrient dense foods.  Diabetics, and others, can enliven their bodies with super pure nutrition.

A few of the many potent ingredients included in Boku are: Organic Maca Root Juice, from the mountains of Peru, helps to increase libido, strength/endurance, and help buffer the body from stress.  Organic Hawthorn Berry is known as the “Traditional Heart Tonic.” Organic Nopal and Organic Mesquite Pods are traditional Native American foods that once helped to protect them from diabetes.  Now, eating a Standard American Diet (SAD), diabetes is rampant in the Native American Community. 

There are more than 40 potent ingredients, to supplement a healthy lifestyle, in Boku Super Food.  Boku is committed to making diabetes a thing of the past, thereby keeping men macho and women beautiful!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Compare Foods to BoKU Super Protein with 26 Grams per Serving!

One Scoop of Boku Super Protein = 4 eggs!

Beef
• Hamburger patty, 4 oz – 28 grams protein
• Filet Steak (100g or 3.5 oz) – 30 grams
• Most cuts of beef – 7 grams of protein per ounce

Chicken
• Chicken breast, 3.5 oz - 30 grams protein
• Chicken thigh – 10 grams (for average size)
• Drumstick – 11 grams
• Wing – 6 grams
• Chicken meat, cooked, 4 oz – 35 grams

FishShallow_Skinned_Tilapia_Fish_Fillet
• Most fish fillets or steaks are about 22 grams of protein for 3 ½ oz (100 grams) of cooked fish, or 6 grams per ounce
• Tuna, 6 oz can - 40 grams of protein

Pork
• Pork chop, average - 22 grams protein
• Pork loin or tenderloin, 4 oz – 29 grams
• Ham, 3 oz serving – 19 grams
• Ground pork, 1 oz raw – 5 grams; 3 oz cooked – 22 grams
• Bacon, 1 slice – 3 grams
• Canadian-style bacon (back bacon), slice – 5 – 6 grams

Eggs and Dairy
• Egg, large - 6 grams proteineggs and cheese
• Milk, 1 cup - 8 grams
• Cottage cheese, ½ cup - 15 grams
• Yogurt, 1 cup – usually 8-12 grams, check label
• Soft cheeses (Mozzarella, Brie, Camembert) – 6 grams per oz
• Medium cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss) – 7 or 8 grams per oz
• Hard cheeses (Parmesan) – 10 grams per oz

Beans (including soy)
• Tofu, ½ cup 20 grams protein
• Tofu, 1 oz, 2.3 grams
• Soy milk, 1 cup - 6 -10 grams
• Most beans (black, pinto, lentils, etc) about 7-10 grams protein per half cup of cooked beans
• Soy beans, ½ cup cooked – 14 grams protein
• Split peas, ½ cup cooked – 8 grams

Nuts and Seeds
• Peanut butter, 2 Tablespoons - 8 grams proteinnuts&seeds1
• Almonds, ¼ cup – 8 grams
• Peanuts, ¼ cup – 9 grams
• Cashews, ¼ cup – 5 grams
• Pecans, ¼ cup – 2.5 grams
• Sunflower seeds, ¼ cup – 6 grams
• Pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup – 8 grams
• Flax seeds – ¼ cup – 8 grams

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Father’s Day Men’s Health Feature

For dad at his special time of the year, along with the tie or card give him something truly valuable—your love and some good advice that’ll help keep him around as long as possible.

While these tips are good for anyone to follow, they are the key to keeping dad at the peak of health well into his later years:
  • Eat a healthy diet low in fat and at least five fruits and vegetables a day to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis, all common in older men.
  • Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 days a week. Moderate physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also help dads maintain a healthy body weight, joint strength and mobility. Even brisk walking does the trick!
  • Some studies have also shown that healthy men, and those who have already suffered a heart attack, can reduce cardiovascular risk by eating nuts regularly. Almonds anyone?
  • Prevent disability from arthritis. Weight control and injury prevention (especially sports-related injuries) can lower dads' risk for developing one of the most common types of arthritis: osteoarthritis.
  • Get regular physical exams and important health screenings. Dads age 50 and older should be screened for colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. Regular colorectal cancer screening at age 50 and after can find and remove polyps before they ever become cancerous, or enable early treatment, when it can be most effective. Although effective measures to prevent prostate cancer have not yet been identified, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all men talk to their doctors about the risks and benefits of screening so that they can make informed decisions about whether screening is right for them.
happy-fathers-day-clipart
So even if you have to push him to keep him healthy it’ll be worth it for both of you.
Happy Father’s Day!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Healthy Recipes - Natural Shampoo

There are plenty of good reasons to make your own shampoo that will benefit you and the environment. On the personal side, the chemicals in most manufactured shampoos can irritate and dry out your hair and scalp, or it can cause an overproduction of oil to compensate for the dryness which leads to greasy looking hair.  Also, shampoo is expensive and making it yourself will save you money.

On the environmental side, making your own shampoo will help eliminate all of the unnecessary packaging filling the landfills, it will save massive amounts of energy in the manufacturing and shipping processes, and it will reduce the amount of chemicals and toxins in the environment.
If you would like to make your own shampoo here are several different recipes to choose from:

Just Baking Soda and Water
  • 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed well with one cup of warm water
Pour over roots of hair, work through and rinse

Follow with
  • 1 oz of lemon juice OR
  • apple cider vinegar diluted in about 16 oz warm water
Pour onto hair especially ends, let sit for a minute and rinse.

Basic Shampoo For normal hair - use alone or as a base to add your own scents
  • 1/4 cup distilled water
  • 1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap
  • 1/2 teaspoon jojoba, grapeseed, lavender or other light vegetable oil
Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle. Shake before use, it will be thinner than commercial shampoos.

Chamomile Shampoo
  • 4 bags of Chamomile tea
  • 4 tablespoons pure soap flakes
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons glycerine
Let the tea bags steep in 1 1/2 cups of boiled water for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the soap flakes to the remaining liquid . Let stand until the soap softens. Stir in glycerin until mixture is well blended. Pour into a bottle. Keep in a dark, cool place.

Scalp Stimulating
  • 1/4 cup distilled water
  • 1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap
  • 2 tsp jojoba oil
  • 1/8 tsp peppermint essential oil
  • 1/8 tsp tea tree essential oil
Mix all ingredients, then add 1/4 cup distilled water
Store in a bottle. Apply to hair, work through, rinse well.

Shiny Hair
  • 1/4 cup distilled water
  • 1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap
  • 2 Tbsp dried rosemary
  • 2 Tbps sweet almond oil
  • 1/4 t lemon essential oil
Boil distilled water, add rosemary and steep until fragrant.
Strain leaves and let cool. Mix all ingredients and add to water and stir well.
Store in a bottle. Apply to hair, work through, rinse well.

Softest hair
  • Avocado
  • Baking soda
Mash them together with a little bit of water to make a paste. Rinse your hair with warm water first, then apply the paste and rinse it out with cold water.

Hair Too Dry?
  • 1/4 cup distilled water
  • 1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap
  • 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
  • 1 teaspoon glycerin
  • 1/4 teaspoon avocado oil or jojoba oil
Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle and always shake well before using.
Apply to hair and allow to sit for a few mintues. Rinse well with cool water.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Organic agriculture prohibits pesticides linked to risk of ADHD

Following closely on the heels of the President’s Cancer Panel Report exhorting consumers to choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers , antibiotics, and growth hormones to help decrease their exposure to environmental chemicals that can increase their risk of contracting cancer, a study published in today’s issue of the journal Pediatrics concludes that exposure to organophosphate pesticides at levels common among U.S. children may contribute to the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these children.

“Studies have increasingly shown the importance of minimizing young children’s exposure to even low levels of chemical pesticides. This study adds to that wealth of knowledge and arms parents with information that helps them reduce their children’s pesticide intake,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director, pointing out that the use of organophosphates is prohibited in organic production.

The article reported findings from a study examining the association between urinary concentrations of metabolites of organophosphates and ADHD in children ages 8 to 15. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers led by Maryse Bouchard, a researcher in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Montreal, analyzed the levels of pesticide metabolites in the urine of 1,139 children and found children with above-average levels had roughly twice the odds of being diagnosed with ADHD.

As the largest study of this kind so far, it reminds consumers that organophosphates were originally developed for use in chemical warfare because they are known to be toxic to the nervous system. Organophosphate compounds are used in agriculture to kill pests.

“Organic food production and processing is the only system that uses certification and inspection to verify that these chemicals are not used,” Bushway added. “Those seeking to minimize their exposure to these chemicals can look for the USDA Organic label wherever they shop.”

The abstract of the paper published in the journal Pediatrics is accessible online.

For more information on organic, go to OTA’s consumer web site, www.organicitsworthit.org.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Treatment Tuesday - Astigmatism

Do you not see as well as you used to? One reason may be astigmatism, here is some information that can help you understand and manage astigmatism.

Astigmatism is a common condition causing poor vision, and is a distortion of the cornea that leaves the eye oval or football­shaped, rather than round. Round eyes are normal and are important for good eyesight. In cases of astigmatism, the eye focuses on two points instead of one; this happens because rays of light do not form a single point of focus as they enter the eye. The word astigmatism is derived from the Greek alpha, meaning ‘without’ and stigma meaning ‘point.’

The most common symptoms of astigmatism are:
  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Eye pain
Straight lines may seem crooked and even distorted. People with astigmatism may complain about blurry or fuzzy lines, and develop severely distorted depth perception over time.

What Causes Astigmatism?
 
Since astigmatism is a distortion of the cornea, it is difficult to pinpoint its exact cause. Over time, the cornea of the eye can lose its natural roundness. In addition, poor posture, and frequent tilting of the head can lead to astigmatism and problems with perception.
Treatments for Astigmatism
Many treatment options for astigmatism are available, but some have higher risks than others. Surgical procedures developed in recent years include Lasik surgery and photo reactive keratomy (PRK). Both of these are invasive procedures that carry a risk of damage. Side effects may include:
  • Feelings of ‘halos’ around lights
  • Tears in the retina, and damage to the optic nerve
  • Chronic dry eye, and a diminished capacity to produce tears
  • Free radical damage
  • Impaired visual acuity
There are natural remedies and cures available as an alternative to surgery. Ayurvedic theory indicates that vision problems are related to digestive imbalances. As a result, some options include regular eye exercises, consumption of Ayurvedic herbs such as amla, triphala, and licorice, and a diet rich in carrots, spinach, and antioxidant vegetables.

The Bates Method involves re­educating the eye to improve healthy eyesight. This works by taking frequent breaks where the mind and body are in a relaxed state. This can involve a peaceful walk or meditation, closing the eyes but improving receptive awareness, and focusing on detailed but pleasant scenery. Over a period of time, this can help train the eyes, mind, and body to work in harmony.
Eating a balanced and healthy diet also can significantly improve eye health. Diets that are good at reducing eye degeneration include food such as:
  • Those high in antioxidants, such as Acai berries, Goji berries, red grapes, cherries, mangos, and citrus fruits. Unsweetened cocoa is also an excellent choice that is rich in antioxidants and natural flavonoids.
  • Organic egg yolks for the high carotenoid content
  • Green leafy vegetables, including leaf lettuce, chard, kale, collard greens, spinach, and parsley
  • Those low in unhealthy hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. This includes avoiding processed and fried foods, refined sugars, alcohol, and simple carbohydrates.
Other Considerations

Eye exercises throughout the day can significantly improve your eye health. Resting your eyes for five minutes every 30 minutes can help relax your gaze and improve your overall energy.
Other exercises to try include:
  • Blinking your eyes regularly to reduce eyestrain
  • Taking regular breathing breaks and meditative rest periods
  • Rapidly switching focus from near to far for 20 to 30 minutes
  • Rolling eyes up and down in a full circular motion for five minutes, five times a day

Friday, May 14, 2010

Weight Loss vs. Weight Control – Know the Difference?

Maintaining a healthy weight is a two-part process: weight loss and weight control. It’s the latter we struggle with more than the former. If someone offered you a smart, sensible guide to eating, exercising, and understanding how the body works; one that would keep you at a healthy weight that you could follow for life, would you take it? Of course you would. So remember that healthy weight loss begins with understanding the intricacies of the human  body…understanding how and why we get fat. Most diet plans focus on their isolated, pet issues, whether it’s a low-carb diet, buying an all-in-one piece of workout equipment, or filling up on liquids. But none of these address the core underlying issues. They rarely educate the consumer or speak to all the possible factors that play a role in weight loss. No two people are the same and therefore, weight loss cannot be addressed as a one-size-fits-all remedy. Identifying the culprits that cause excess weight and choosing the right approach for your body type and lifestyle can make allthe difference.


Bikini season is almost here so many of you out there may be looking to lose a few pound to look your best in that new swimsuit. To help, this post begins a series dedicated to healthy, long term weight loss. Enjoy and leave your thought is the comments.

Weight Loss vs. Weight Control

First, let’s address weight loss. You’ve heard it before—eat those fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Though practically a dietary cliché, it’s still golden rule number one in maintaining a healthy diet, which will lead to weight loss. What to minimize in your diet? High fat foods, processed foods, trans fats, and sugar. While these guidelines are staples for a healthy food plan, they’re still only part of the picture.

Once you’ve developed a habit of swapping Twinkies for almonds, and you notice weight loss, your next step is to maintain that desired weight. This requires lifestyle changes. But it’s not as drastic as you may think. Often, it’s what you’re NOT eating that’s making you fat and unhealthy. Rather than focus on dieting, starvation and all the things you need to STOP doing…try the simple approach of ADDING a few basic practices. The first, last and best secret to help control your weight is to add more healthy nutrition to your diet. Even if you don’t stop all the bad eating habits right away, just adding super nutrition from nutrient-dense foods, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, slimmer you. One of the easiest and most reliable ways to add high levels of nutrition to your diet is to take a green superfood drink once or twice per day. Boku Super Food is the one we’ve created from what we believe is the best formulation on the market.

Sometimes it’s necessary to reverse some of your long-held beliefs about health. For example, many people feel that they get enough nutrition from their food and shouldn’t need any other supplements. Others believe that their vitamins are taking care of their supplemental needs. These are both beliefs that stem from lack of information. Our  foods today largely come from industrial farms that load the soil with chemical fertilizers and pesticides that end up in your food and your body. Many vitamins and supplement products are chemically produced in laboratories and are often derived from questionable sources. Studies have shown that many vitamin products pass through the body  irtually unchanged and unabsorbed by the body. In other words, the body recognizes these products as waste matter!

After nutrition, the next big part of weight control is committing to a regular exercise program. Thirty minutes a day or more is ideal but don’t avoid exercise if you can’t stick to that schedule. The person who has only 15 minutes a day to exercise will have gotten his blood pumping for 105 minutes a week, which would make a marked difference in weight compared to the person who didn’t exercise at all. The same principal applies to physical health as it does to financial health: A little bit done over a long time has the ability to create compounded interest and big returns! That’s why we recommend taking a little Boku Super Food and getting a few minutes of exercise every day over many years.
Finally, you may want to become more of a label watcher at the supermarket. The information in later sections will make you a savvy consumer but the key is to be diligent and watchful because it’s easy to misread labels. For example, a common mistake is looking at how many calories are in a serving but then neglecting to notice that the manufacturer defines a serving as one cookie, not three. Observing ingredients such as fats, carbs, protein, and calories must become second nature in the fight against flab. The secrets of healthy weight loss are about knowledge, understanding the  various weight loss options and making sensible decisions.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Treatment Tuesday - Varicose Veins


As the weather continues to get warmer and the clothing gets smaller, there things other than extra pounds that one may want to hide. Don't let those varicose veins get int the way of sporting shorts or the new bathing suit by using these natural treatments!

Varicose veins are much more common in women, leading some experts to believe that the disorder may be related to hormones. The culprit may also be wearing high heel shoes, which cause the blood to pool in the calves. Men aren’t immune to varicose veins, however. They’re much more noticeable on women, since women tend to shave their legs, yet varicose veins can cause painful throbbing and cramps in both genders.

Causes

Besides the possibilities mentioned above, varicose veins are thought to be caused by standing, sitting, or lying down for long periods of time—in other words, lack of movement. Sitting or lying down for long periods of time causes the blood to pool toward the feet. Ultimately, as a result of this pooling, the heavy, swollen veins protrude, forming varicose veins. There may also be some connection with the health of your blood vessels and arteries and capillaries.

Preventing Varicose Veins:

Here are a few ways to help prevent varicose veins:
  • Though varicose veins are a common hallmark of aging, crossing the 50 ­year ­old threshold doesn’t mean you have to develop them. Keep your blood flowing and your cardiovascular system as a whole healthy by staying active
  • Along with staying active, maintaining an ideal body weight is essential to varicose vein prevention. Don’t put extra physical stress on the veins in your legs and feet by weighing them down
  • Take enzymes, including bromelain (like in BoKU Super enzyme blend)
  • If your liver is congested, your whole circulatory system suffers. Maintain good liver health by not drinking too much alcohol and by ingesting foods and herbs that sustain the liver. These include red grapes, blueberries, cherries, beets, artichokes, dandelion, milk thistle and blackberries.
  • Keep your circulation flowing by eating hot, spicy foods, particularly hot peppers, onions, and garlic. Also Una de Gato (Cat’s Claw) is good for circulation.
  • Massaging the legs is helpful if you don’t already have varicose veins in the area of the massage.
Getting Rid of Varicose Veins:
  • Varicose veins are much more difficult to treat than prevent, but if you do develop varicose veins, all is not lost. The bioflavonoid rutin (found in citrus fruits,  berries, buckwheat, mulberry) strengthens capillaries, and there is some evidence that it can help reduce the severity of varicose veins.
  • Horse chestnut herb is useful for varicose vein therapy.
  • Eat lots of fruits with Vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Healthy Recipes - Cinnamon Swirl Smoothie