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The word “organic” seems simple enough but can be confusing for consumers. Here is an inside look at the standards and laws governing this important group of products, particularly tea.

What exactly determines if a product is grown organically?

In 1990, Congress passed the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop national organic standards. The National Organic Program (NOP) and OFPA developed regulations requiring products labeled “organic” originate from farms, or handling facilities, that are certified by either State or private agencies that have been accredited by the USDA.
The regulations further state that farms, or handling facilities may not use any of the following in production or handling;

•Genetic Engineering
•Ionizing Radiation
•Sewage Sludge

Organic crops must be grown without the use of;

•Most conventional pesticides
•Petroleum based fertilizers
•Sewage sludge-based fertilizers

How are imported organic products regulated?

•The USDA is required by OFPA to review the certification programs under which imported organic products are produced.
•Certifying agents in foreign countries must apply for USDA certification.
•In lieu of USDA certification, foreign governments can assess and accredit certifying agents, under NOP requirements, with USDA approval.
•An equivalency agreement negotiated between the US and a country’s government may also be used in lieu of certification.

What are “organic” labeling standards?

Organic labeling is the simplest part of the certification process and the aspect that is most confusing for consumers. While many times “organic” on a label means you pay more, what is the meaning behind the label? The standards are based on the percentage of organic ingredients in a product, and by law must be identified like this;

•Products labeled “100 % organic” must contain only organically produced ingredients.

•Products labeled “organic” must consist of at least 95% organically produced ingredients.

•Both may display the USDA Organic Seal.

•Processed products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients can only use the phrase “made with organic ingredients”.

•Processed products that contain less than 70% organic ingredients cannot use the term “organic” other than to identify the specific ingredients, on the ingredients list, that are organically produced. (more…)

Have you secretly longed to be recognized for your daily hard work in the kitchen? Do you imagine yourself a gifted cook a la Martha Stewart (without the ankle bracelet)? Well, guess what? There’s a quick and easy way to showcase your culinary skills and display your special recipes.

Although some people claim it’s a piece of cake to make meals every day, the truth is, it can be exhausting and boring work. For example, after a long day at the office, sometimes you’re too tired to decide on a television show to watch, let alone choose what kind of meal to prepare. What is more, not everyone is naturally talented in culinary arts; for some, cooking a roast might as well be rocket science. But here is the good news–with modern high tech communication systems (namely, home computers), you don’t need to be a master chef! Those who need a nudge and a few creative ideas to get the pots simmering can access thousands of recipes and cooking tips online. Even a beginner can find what she needs to get started in the kitchen.

There’s no time like the present to upload your family recipes and write down your tricks of the cooking trade. The reason for doing this is two fold. First, you can stop worrying about losing a recipe because they’ll all be safely stored in your computer storage*. Second, you’ll be doing a great service to the online community of “foodies” who are always eager for fresh dishes and new techniques to try.

Putting your family recipes online is a terrific way to organize your recipes, too. On your site you’ll be able to divide the types of food into different categories such as:

- Breakfast foods
- Lunch foods
- Dinners
- Snacks
- Cocktail party food
- Barbeque food
- Vegetarian meals
- Diabetic meals
- Summer treats
- Holiday food
- Rich desserts and low-cal versions

Your viewers will be able to pick and choose from these categories and within seconds they’ll be armed with a detailed recipe. You can take it a few steps further and offer a shopping list for each meal and helpful cooking tips to make sure the preparation goes as smoothly as possible. (more…)

Using proper food storage is very important to your health and your family’s health. It’s up to you to provide proper storage solutions for every type of food that comes into your home. This is no easy task. If you plan to store large amounts of food, you need to have the room. It’s also important to realize that foods go bad quite easily and quickly. Taking the time to find the right solution to your food storage needs can even help you save money.

Purchasing And Storing

It’s quite important for you to purchase foods that are in good condition especially if you’ll have them in your home for a long time period. This is especially true for foods that won’t last for long, such as fruits and vegetables that are purchased fresh.

But, you can also package them to keep them lasting longer. For example, fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits can be canned or purchased and placed into a vacuum sealing to keep them fresh much longer.

For meats, it’s important to use them within their date or to freeze them. You should freeze them properly without defrosting them more than once to use. You can also use a vacuum sealer to do this work as well.

Having Enough Room

Among the biggest problems that many have when it comes to food storage is that it’s hard to find enough room in our kitchen cabinets for the products that we purchase. In order to have enough room, you can think outside the box. Using your fridge and freezer effectively is one thing. You can store canned goods in boxes in a cool location as well. You can add bins or containers to your kitchen as well.

Using proper food storage means keeping everyone happy and healthy!

French bar stools are the very best way to add that special touch of class to any bar or home, these classic stools feature curved legs with fluted tips, the finest quality seats and highly stylish seatbacks. If what you are looking for are high quality bar stools these are the stools for you.
The craftsmen from these French regions have been manufacturing such fine quality work for many generations.

Their talents have been much sought after by many companies in the world and their masterpieces decorate many of the stately homes and royal palaces in quite a few countries around the globe, the most common of which being the bar stools and designer chairs.

The design of French furniture has been dated to some points in French history. These include during the reigns of Louis XV, Louis XVI, and Louis Philippe in the 18th and 19th centuries. The main design criteria to designing bar stools of this quality is comfort, well sanded and varnished edges style and most of all, the art work that’s carved into the wood. This quality of craftsmanship still exists with many of the French bar stool manufacturers. (more…)

1. Purchase ribs that are evenly covered in meat. In other words, don’t buy a slab that’s fatty on one end and fleshy on the other. Avoid slabs that have exposed bones!

2. Allow for one pound of ribs per guest. This is a generous helping but for more impressive appetites, make it two!

3. When preparing the meat, make sure you remove the membrane on the underside of the ribs with a sharp knife. If you don’t it blocks the flavor intake.

4. Always marinate your ribs in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

5. Don’t even think about boiling those ribs! Above all else, boiling the meat causes it to lose all its flavor. If you just have to pre-cook your ribs before slapping them on the cooking grate, try steaming your slabs instead as this will help lock the flavor in. (more…)