Clyne Organic Sundried Sultanas

Well, I admit I have been quite slacked in September to update the blog. I am going to blame it on the three weeks overseas holiday that I took to get away from the routine.

Ok, back to our beautiful organic products, the latest one that I have tried lately is Clye Organic Sundried Sultanas. I kinda of think it's pretty normal these days for anyone to munch snacks during tea break (or anytime!) in office, I'm one of them. Although I don't neccessary snack everyday, I do see many co-workers get tempted by the wicked stuff in the vendening machine and I do wonder if they know they are paying a premium price but yet eating perhaps a less healthier choice. If they do then I guess they just want to let go of themselves once a while. 


I am not a fan of vending machine snacks so I bought the sultanas this month. It is 99% fat free, no added sugar, 100% Australian fruits and Australian owned. 

If you are concern about sugar intake, 72g out of 100g is sweet however this is natural sugar so I would say as what most people believe, take all food in moderation.


For storing, make sure you keep them in a cool dark place in an airtight container to prevent pantry moths or weevils or you can also keep in the fridge.

Lastly, I have been enjoying these yummy sultanas :)

Clyne Organic Sundried Sultanas 500g for $4+

 

Certified bt NASSA

Make sure you keep them in air tight container and enjoy them in best condition!

 Clyne Foods - http://www.clynefoods.com/index.htm

Australia's Organic Certifiers

Consumers are protected by common law in Australia if they purchase a certified organic product that displays an organic certification symbol such as the ACO Bud logo. When consumers see one of these symbols they can be sure that the product complies with the Standard AS 6000-2009 Organic and biodynamic products.

There are eight certifying bodies in Australia, all of which have their own standards. However, all these standards must act as minimum meet the baseline domestically focused AS 6000-2009, while most have additional requirement for their producers to meet. 

Why are organic products certified?

• Protects consumers against deception and fraud in the marketplace
• Protects producers of genuine organic produce against misrepresentation of conventional produce as being organic
• Ensures that all stages of production, processing and marketing are subject to inspection and meeting the predetermined requirements of the organic standard

If you wish to read the entire article, drop me a comment or email me. I can scan it to you.

Source: Article "Protecting consumers and genuine producers from fraud" in Organic Victoria magazine (http://www.organicvictoria.com.au/). 

Thanks to Malcolm McGuire, editor of Organic Victoria for allowing me to  use the materials from the magazine.

Madame Flavour - Green, Jasmine & Pear

My partner saw this product on a food magazine and decided to pick it up when spotted it on the supermarket shelf couple weeks ago. I must admit we are both drawn to the attractive artwork on the packaging. Although packaging doesn't always equate to product quality, this does somehow easily convince us that inside the box contains premium quality tea waiting for tea lovers to enjoy.

Madame Flavour - Green, Jasmine & Pear

I could still remember when I first opened it, the fragance of the tea hitted my nose instantly. "Geez...the scent is beautiful and powerful! Wow!", I said. We were filled with excitement and can't wait to have the first taste. I have to say the tea didn't let us down and it is definitely one of the best tea we ever had. Hence, here I am, writing this post, recommending this product, Madame Flavour tea. 

You can't believe how beautiful this small tea bag smells until you open the box

Although the box didn't carry an organic label but it is, in fact, certified organic by Control Union (formerly SKAL International) and The Institute for Marketecology (IMO) which you will know after you open the box. It came rather strange to me that the marketing team didn't thought of putting this great information right outside the box.


You can also see the certified organic certification from the official website and the great standards that the company holds, in delivering this good quality tea to consumers.


In times when you hear or see 'fake' food created by unscrupulous food manufacturers, it feels great and a relief to know that there are still ethical companies and people out there doing the right thing, to the people and the environment.

Good work! MF!

MF Website: http://www.madameflavour.com

OrganicExpo & Green Show International - Sydney 5-7 Aug 2011

For those in Sydney, the OrganicExpo & Green Show Internation is on this weekend at Hall 3, Sydney Exhibition Centre. Mark it in your calendar Now!

For more info, you can go to http://sydney.organicexpo.com.au/

Might get a chance to meet Kylie Kwong to ask for some cooking tips!

I can't wait to attend the Melbourne one in Oct :)

Paul's Pure Organic Low Fat Milk

I am not a big fan of milk, only have it occasionally at home. The fact that I choose certified organic milk is because my digestive system doesn't do well with all brands of milk and I don't know why. Hence buying certified organic milk is a play-safe choice as I don't have issue after drinking it and I do love the taste. 

Paul's Pure Organic Milk can be found in major supermarket.

Paul's Pure Organic Low Fat Milk

Certified by NASAA

Misleading Organic Personal Care Products

Saw this article on misleading organic personal care products. Share with you.

 

Stay health and I wish you well, my friends :)

http://generationgreen.org/2011/06/greenwash-of-the-month-does-my-hair-look-%E2%80%9Corganic%E2%80%9D-mislabeled-organic-personal-care-products/

ALDI JustOrganic Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce

Bought this product some time ago from ALDI and I believe it costs less than $4.00. Pasta sauce comes in handy when my partner and I want to make a quick meal and making a meal quick doesn't really mean it has to suffer on nutritional value and taste. You can see the end result, our home cooked paste in the last photo. Well, given that both of us are not Masterchef candidates hence please pardon our presentation skill. The taste is really good compare to other brands. I do like this product and the second bottle is already in the kitchen cupboard =)

ACO Certified

Ingredient list

Home cooked pasta

Nature's Harvest Organic Chocolate Cookies

Nature Harvest's Organic Chocolate cookies, not commonly seen in general supermarket, I spotted this one in IGA yesterday. It is a product of New Zealand.

Organic Chocolate cookie

The word 'organic' is  used very loosely, seeing a word like 'organic' doesn't mean it doesn't contain artificial and unatural ingredients. As usual, I tend to look for certification first then having a deep dive into the ingredients. It is certified by biogro that is New Zealand leading organic certifier (http://www.biogro.co.nz).

Ingredients are all in english and no numbers!
Certified by Biogro

The price is 180g for $5.70 which is about $31 for 1 kg. Expensive? I suppose it depends on one's perspective. I know I tend to go 'crazy' when I am hungry in late noon and will just swallow anything that is in front of me. In this case, I find it worth, at least what's going into my body is not full of preservatives and colourings when I am mindless.


Well, if one can pay thousands of dollars for luxury items, expensive cars etc, why not treat our body better too? :)

Use Ethical Paper - Paper that doesn't cost the Earth

This has nothing to do with organic food but given that it is a good message, I have decided to put it up.

Reflex uses cheap woodchips from Victorian native forests to make their paper and this cause impact on our climate, water and wildlife. We can use paper made from recycled post-consumer waste.

Please help to sign the petition.



Thanks to Narelle Chenery, Director of Miessence that raises our awareness on this.

Juicy Isle Organic Apple Juice

Well, the bottle is empty now, I have finished it obviously. It taste a bit different from other brands and I was a little put off in the beginning. However, just like other organic products. Sometimes we are too used to stuff with artificial colorings, preservative that we already do not know how the real thing taste like. Anyway, I finished the whole bottle , knowing how real apple juice can taste like.
It is from Tasmania. How toxic can it be?

For your thoughts

This is taken at Phillyppa's bakery & cafe.
This post has nothing to do with organic. Somehow I like it and would like to share. It's great to see people care about what they eat.
Given said that, I have to say i am also guilty of eating these numbers at times. It's never easy to fight my own demon but I am glad I am increasing the victories by having more awareness. By reading my blog, I hope it raise yours too :-)

JustOrganic Wildberry Yogurt

I bought this JustOrganic Wildberry yogurt from ALDI. If i am not wrong, JustOrganic is ALDI's own brand, just like WoolWorths Select. There are other JustOrganic range of product and I am trying this yogurt out.
The taste is a bit sour, just like other yogurts but is sweeten by the berries and you can improve the taste by adding dried berries.
It costs $3 something, for a 500g, I think it's a pretty good deal.
It is certified by ACO.

Win a Miessence Exfoliating Cleansing Bar!

Win a Miessence Exfoliating Cleansing Bar!

Click on 'LIKE' button on Annie's Messence (acorganics) page and you stand to win a lovely organic cleansing bar.

5 winners will be picked from drawing lots and will be notified via facebook message and gift will be posted to your letter box, regardless where you are. Ends at 16th March 2011, 12am Australia time.

 

Macro wholefoods market

This is history now. Macro used to have its supermarket, carrying all sorts of organic stuff, unfortunately it is closed now. I have lost a place where I enjoy hanging out. I still have the customer tag till now but I guess I have let go now.

Australian Rainforest Organic Honey

My recent favourite. Taste yum :)
Got it at WoolWorths, cost $4 something for 500g, which I think is reasonable.
This product is ACO certified.

Koala Tea - echinacea $2.20

I bought this item from IGA recently at a discounted price $2.20 (UP $3.20). Koala tea...what a brand name =)  

I googled 'echinacea' in Wiki and found this info "Echinacea tea, often consumed to prevent or alleviate the cold or flu symptoms." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_tea)

The taste resembles chrysanthemum tea and light.

Koala Tea

ACO Certified

Organic Choy Sum in ColdStorage (SG)

I saw and bought this in Singapore three weeks ago. Glad to see organic products are welcome by Singaporeans too :-)

This product is certified by Australian and International Organic Certifier (NASSA - www.nasaa.com.au) and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM - http://www.ifoam.org) 

Good Gardening - Launch issue $7.95

I bought this magazine from Borders lately. It has many interesting, healthy and organic related tips and articles  which I feel worth while reading it. For one that is new to organic lifestyle, it will be worth reading it as a start.

Good Gardening cover

An article on organic kitchen, something that I am working on. It takes time to replace kitchen ingredients with healthy choices so be patient and persistence :)

An article on Organic Kitchen

There are many more great articles in this magazine. Check it out if you happen to see one somewhere.

Just Jeans - OrganiCotton top - about $20

Just Jeans organicotton top which I spotted while shopping at DFO (can't remember which one). It looks a little age here because it has been with me for two summers and I am still loving it. I don't know when I am going to dump it, it just feel so comfortable as a beach wear or sleep wear during the hot summer time. I guess it will take a while for me to part with it. I have another yellow one too =)

100% organic cotton