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Living Maxwell

Better Choices

My Best Juicing Advice – Keep It Simple

Ever since I launched the Pressed Organic Juice Directory a few months ago, people have been constantly asking me what I drink for juice.

In terms of pressed organic juice, I prefer green juice in a glass bottle. However, sometimes glass is not available. And sometimes straight green juice is not available either. Usually, this means that a juice bar has added apple for sweetness.

Despite the fact that I have plenty of places to buy pressed organic juice in my neighborhood, I have not abandoned juicing at home.  And I never will.

Juicing at home is essential because the juice is made with our own hands, energy, and love. The importance of this cannot be emphasized enough and definitely has an impact on the quality of juice that enters our bodies.

Furthermore, when we make juice, it is EXACTLY how we want it to be, and we can be sure that it has been properly washed and cleaned.

If you’re new to juicing or haven’t juiced in a while (maybe your juicer is sitting on your kitchen counter and hasn’t been touched in weeks or months – raise your hand if that is you!), here is my best advice – keep it simple.

Don’t let the excuse of not having enough time or not having a good juicing recipe get in your way. You don’t need 17 ingredients or fancy herbs to make a great-tasting, high-quality juice.

Just make the time and also make it very easy on yourself.

So, here’s what you can do.

1) Buy one of the following for your base: celery or cucumber.

2) Buy one leafy green, such as kale, romaine, or dandelion. Or, you could buy carrots instead.

3) Buy lemon, lime, ginger, or apple to add some taste.

#2 and #3 are completely optional. This could be a one-ingredient juice, such as celery juice.

But don’t think for one second that celery juice doesn’t have real value because it is not a dark, leafy green. It does. Celery has tremendous anti-inflammatory properties, is a great source of phytonutrients, and aids in digestion.

Do yourself a favor and commit to making juice for yourself tomorrow. Why?

Because I promise you that your body and mind will feel so incredibly energized if you do.

And, of course, make sure the vegetables that you buy are organic.

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If you don’t have a juicer at home, here are three juicers that I recommend. Not surprisingly, the quality of the juicer has a lot to do with the price.

Breville JE98XL – a good starter juicer for people new to juicing. Since this is a centrifugal juicer, make sure that you drink the juice immediately. If not, it will oxidize quickly and you’ll lose important enzymes.

Omega J6008 – a GREAT juicer if you’re looking to move up one level in quality from a centrifugal juicer. This Omega uses a single auger mechanism to masticate the juice and doesn’t take up much room on the counter. This machine makes excellent juice, and clean-up time is under five minutes. I’m a big fan. Drink the juice within 15 minutes of juicing.

Green Star 1000 – a twin-gear juicer that makes phenomenal juice. If you are serious about juicing and know that you are ready to make a real commitment to it, this is a fantastic pick. I have had it for about 5 years and love it. Drink the juice within 15 minutes of juicing.

Whatever juicer you have, even if it is a $2,500 Norwalk machine, the less time between when the juice is made and when you drink it, the better.

A message from Tradin Organic

How Tradin Organic is Helping Coconut Farmers in The Philippines

For more than a decade, Tradin Organic has been working with local partners in The Philippines to bring a diversified range of organic products to the market, such as coconut oil, tropical fruits and even cocoa.

The company is helping to support local farmers by assisting them with technical support and organic certification, in addition to paying Fairtrade premium on top of the organic premium.

Learn more.

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Organic Insider

Better Choices

Is Non-GMO Better Than Organic?

In a recent online survey of a 1,000 health-conscious consumers conducted by Market LOHAS – Mambo Sprouts Marketing Research, it was found that 80% of shoppers seek out non-GMO products, with 56% saying non-GMO was key to brand buying versus 52% for organic.

Hence, a product that has the words “Non-GMO” on its packaging is going to carry more weight with consumers than “Organic”.

On many levels, this is incredibly worrisome, mostly because shoppers are making the absolute wrong and unhealthy decision at the supermarket.

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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.

Living Maxwell

Better Choices

Another Reason to Eat Organic – It is Essential for Managing Climate Change

Ever since I started eating organic food in 2001, people have asked me – why do you eat organic?

The most common answer that I give is that I don’t want to consume toxic pesticides or GMOs. That seems to resonate with people and they can easily understand it.

Over the last few years, however, my answer has evolved.

Of course, I mention the pesticides, but I also talk about how the chemicals used in conventional agriculture ruin our water supply (94% of our water now contains Atrazine) and sicken farm workers (residents in the farming community of Central Valley, CA are forced to drink bottled water because the tap water has become so contaminated from pesticides).

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Living Maxwell

Better Choices

Food & Water Watch Unveils its New Smart Seafood Guide and “Dirty Dozen of Fish”

If you are looking for organic fish in the U.S., you will not find it. Why?

Because there is no such a thing as USDA certified organic fish, as national organic standards for fish have not yet been approved.

That being said, some fish are certainly better to eat than others, and Food & Water Watch recently released its Smart Seafood Guide.

The Smart Seafood Guide gives an excellent analysis of over 100 different fish, provides regional guides, and offers helpful suggestions so that consumers can make the healthiest and most sustainable choices possible.

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