Explore Coverage

Living Maxwell

Archive

Top 5 Non-Food Products of Natural Products Expo West 2013

Even though food is a huge component of Natural Products Expo West, it is not the only category that is exhibited there.

Supplements also have a very big presence, but what really fascinates me are a lot of the non-food items. So, what I like to do after each trade show is present to you some of the most memorable and compelling household items that I come across.

Here are my Top 5 Non-Food Products of Natural Products Expo West 2013.

CLEARLY FILTERED WATER PITCHER

Filtered water is a very hot topic because the quality of our water supply is so abysmal and contains toxic chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, and atrazine.

Many people ask me about Britta and while it is better than no filter at all, I don’t believe that it is ideal by any means.

At Expo West, I came across a company called Clearly Filtered, a competitor to Britta, yet its results seem to be superior.

Using a patented ionic-adsorption micro-filtration process with a 2.0 micron pore size to purify the water, the company claims that independent tests show a 99% reduction in arsenic, chlorine and mercury, a 97% reduction in lead, and a 90% reduction in fluoride. Plus, it has a much longer filter life and costs significantly less on a per gallon basis versus its competition.

While I am not sure that it can remove all of the rust and scales that we have in NYC tap water, Clearly Filtered does appear to have something impressive for its price point.

Clearly Filtered sells water pitchers, stainless steel filtered bottles, and an outdoor survival straw for emergency situations.

BAMBOOEE BAMBOO TOWELS

Everyone knows that paper towels are a huge waste of trees, but that doesn’t seem to stop people from using them. So, what’s the solution?

Bamboo towels by Bambooee.

What makes these bamboo towels, an eco-friendly replacement to paper towels, so compelling is that they are made from certified organic bamboo and can be machine washed 25 times or more before they lose their integrity.

Bamboo is one of the world’s fastest growing plants and requires no pesticides, fertilizers, or insecticides to harvest. One 20-sheet roll of Bambooee replaces 60 rolls of traditional paper towels, and the product is designed to drastically reduce the 3,000 tons of paper towel waste produced every single day.

Bambooee can be purchased online.

BACKJOY

Given that so many of us suffer from back pain, as a result of sitting in front of the computer all day, who isn’t looking for something to give us some relief in a chair?

This easy-to-use, portable solution by Backjoy gives you better sitting posture by tilting the hips upright and relieves pressure and strain on the hips and tailbone.

It is designed for optimal pelvis tilt, supports natural curvature in the spine, can be used in a chair or in the car, and is made from weatherproof materials.

I tried it at the show and really could feel a difference.

Backjoy can be purchased online.

OBJECTS WITH PURPOSE COCONUT CANDLE

Have you ever heard of a candle that can double as a moisturizer?

Well, I certainly hadn’t – until I visited the Objects with Purpose booth at the show.

As it turns out, this organic and sustainable candle is made from a coconut shea and apricot butter blend combined with one of four different essential oil scents. It has been hand-poured in glass and comes finished with an eco-grosgrain recycled ribbon.

Pretty inventive, if you ask me.

This candle can be purchased on the company’s website.

ACULIEF

There was a ton of buzz at Expo West about a product called Aculief, a wearable pain management device.

Aculief uses all natural Traditional Chinese Medicine acupressure to apply pressure to the LI-4 meridian spot located between the thumb and forefinger. The LI-4 (Hegu) meridian spot has been known for centuries to provide tension relief, to restore well being, and to circulate your body’s natural energy.

Independent tests from Johns Hopkins University have stated that proper stimulation of LI-4 is effective in relieving headaches, pain of the eyes, toothaches, jaw pain, and pain of the limbs and bones.

A person may see relief from as soon as 1- 3 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

Aculief can be purchased online.

(Important: The company says that pregnant women should never wear Aculief. Acupressure to the LI-4 has been known to cause contractions and potentially pre-mature labor)

A message from Tradin Organic

Why Tradin Organic is Prioritizing Regenerative Organic Farming

At Tradin Organic, we believe that regenerative organic farming is key to growing healthy and nutritious food ingredients — for now and for future generations.

And in Sierra Leone, we have grown the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified cacao.

Learn more.

livingmaxwell: a guide to organic food & drink