Natural Product News

Created by tea sommelier James Labe, these refreshing Numi Organic Tea libations are perfect as we look ahead to the warmer months.

Cantaloupe Tea Daiquiri

Created by tea sommelier James Labe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces Numi Emperor’s Pu-erh Tea

1 1/2 ounces Van Gogh BLUE Vodka

3 ounces frozen cubed cantaloupe

1 ounce coconut milk

Splash of lemon juice

1. Steep tea at 4 times the normal strength for 2 minutes, then remove tea bag and chill liquid for later use.

2. Combine and blend ingredients in blender, adding a splash of lemon for each serving.

3. Serve on the rocks.

4. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Green Iced Tea

Created by tea sommelier James Labe

1 Numi Decaf Ginger Lemon Tea bag

 3 ounces fresh cucumber juice

 1 1/2 ounces tequila

 Splash of lemon juice

1. Infuse one tea bag in tequila for 30 minutes, then remove bag, squeezing out excess.

2. Combine and stir ingredients.

 3. Serve on the rocks.

 4. Garnish with lime wedge.

About Numi Organic Tea:

Founded in 1999 by brother and sister team Ahmed Rahim (the alchemist) and Reem Rahim (the artist), Numi Organic Tea is a purveyor of premium quality organic and fair trade certified teas and teasans. Numi blends its organic teas with only real herbs, fruits, flowers and spices—not adding “natural” flavorings or perfumes. All Numi products are packaged in recycled-boxes and non-GMO verified biodegradable bags and are available in retail outlets in more than 30 countries worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, UK, Denmark, Australia, Korea, the Netherlands and online. An award-winning social enterprise and founding B-Corporation member, Numi supports community development projects worldwide. To learn more, visit them online and follow Numi on Facebook and Twitter.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

The 66 million working women who don’t have time to prepare a nutritious meal are about to receive good news! Lisa’s Organics, the maker of a line of certified organic vegetable frozen side dishes, has combined the highest-quality veggies with chef-inspired sauces that go from freezer to dinner plate in just five minutes.  Working women can eat dinner again!

Ideal as a standalone veggie for a healthy mini-meal or as a complement to a nutritious lunch or dinner, Lisa’s Organics offers five varieties complete with chef-inspired glazes and sauces. The entire line is an easy way for anyone, even the most schedule-crunched businesswomen, to serve delicious hot meals in minutes.

Whether it’s a savory addition to a risotto, a burst of flavor in a salsa or a gourmet touch to any pasta or quiche, Lisa’s Organics help create tasty meals anyone can enjoy. With each bag (MSRP $3.49) containing two low-sodium servings, the Lisa’s Organics line includes California Vegetables in Balsamic Glaze, Sweet Peas in Parmesan Herb Sauce, Whole Green Beans in Garlic Olive Oil Sauce, Broccoli Florets in Gorgonzola Bleu Cheese Sauce, and Southwest Vegetables in Ranchero Sauce.  All of the products come with recipe ideas to help make quick meals in minutes.

More than just an organic food company, Lisa’s Organics is fully committed to a “greener” world. Along with a first-of-its-kind #2 recyclable bag to reduce waste into landfills, they lower fuel consumption by buying from US and Canadian farmers, packaging products in the US and centrally locating their warehouse so they can get products to stores without undue time on the roadways.  In 2012, Lisa’s Organics created Garden to Hospitals, a program dedicated to teaching kids the importance of healthy eating in order for them to be advocates for change in their school lunch rooms and kitchens serving meals to kids in hospitals.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

In 2010, Chevrolet announced that the company was embarking on a Carbon Reduction Initiative, an effort to invest $40 million in carbon offset projects across the country with the goal of reducing up to 8 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions. The program includes wind, landfill-gas-to-energy, solar, efficiency, and conservation projects.   

Native Energy is providing offsets to the Chevy Carbon Reduction Initiative through Bonneville Environmental Foundation.

To help explain their initiative, Chevrolet created the following video. It does an excellent job of detailing their efforts, and it is worth watching.  

This press release is presented without editing for your information. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase. 

Pu-erh is an ancient healing tea picked from 500-year-old organic, wild tea trees in the mountains of Yunnan, China, that are said to give forth “chi” or life energy. The first to offer a full range of these remarkable teas in the United States, Numi’s Pu-erh Teas are prized for their health benefits as much as for their rich and delicious flavors.

Now, just in time for Valentine’s Day, Numi has created the Indulgent Pu-erh Tea Collection ($19.99 - $24.99).  A handsome, sustainable bamboo box holds a premium sampling of Numi’s innovative, artisanal and delicious organic pu-erh teas — the perfect introduction to this innovative line.  A unique gift for the discerning and adventuresome tea lover, the Indulgent Pu-erh Tea Collection includes four bags of each of the popular Numi Pu-erh flavors:  Emperor’s Pu-erh, Chocolate Pu-erh, Cardamom Pu-erh, Ginger Pu-erh, Jasmine Pu-erh and Basil-Mint. 

Unlike traditional teas that are oxidized for an 8-hour period, pu-erh tea leaves are piled, dampened and turned in a unique 60-day fermentation process. This results in pu-erh’s distinctive flavor and legendary health benefits, cited by television’s Dr. Oz in a recent program.  Called the “skinny tea” in Taiwan, pu-erh contains more antioxidants than most green teas.

Numi sources its pu-erh teas from a 500-year-old tea garden planted with trees that have developed intricate root systems reaching far down into the earth. Unlike other tea trees that are frequently replanted, pu-erh’s ancient trees have deep root systems that make them naturally drought resistant and sustainable without need for irrigation. The trees are harvested by local villagers who carefully pick the leaves to ensure that they will continue to grow for generations to come. A picture of sustainability, the pu-erh tea trees, village and nature all harmoniously live together for mutual benefit. 

What better way to indulge a tea-lover this Valentine’s Day?

This press release is presented without editing for your information. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

Show your skin just how much you care this Valentine’s Day and treat it to organic rose products from John Masters Organics. Formulated with pure organic rose essential oil, these luxurious products soothe and hydrate dry, undernourished skin while leaving behind the lovely lingering scent of roses. 

Rose Foaming Face Wash  

Formulated with seven certified-organic ingredients, this mild cleanser gently washes away dirt and other impurities to reveal a clean and refreshed complexion. Plantain leaf works to repair skin cells and soothe irritation while steam-distilled, organic essential rose oil improves circulation for a rosy, fresh-faced glow. (Retail Price: $22, 4 fl. oz) 

• rose flower oil – treats dry and sensitive skin
• linden blossom – softens and soothes skin
• plantain – nourishes while relieving sensitivity and irritation
• aloe vera gel – provides anti-inflammatory and soothing properties
• aspen bark – a new all-natural preservative; protects against harmful bacteria

Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist 

Formulated with oat kernel, this delicate toning mist protects against pollution by improving skin’s defenses while essential rose oil stimulates blood circulation. Rich in antioxidants, white tea nourishes skin for a refined and even complexion. (Retail Price: $20, 2 fl. oz) 

• rose oil – soothes sensitive skin
• oat kernel – improves the skin's defense against pollution
• ylang ylang – antiseptic; nourishing
• white tea – high in anti-oxidants to nourish and protect the skin 

Green Tea & Rose Hydrating Face Serum 

A light but effective facial serum, this product provides the ultimate in hydration and protection for the skin. Formulated with 13 certified-organic ingredients including aloe vera, green tea and rose flower oil extracts, our Green Tea & Rose Hydrating Face Serum rejuvenates and repairs dehydrated skin while forming a protective barrier against the elements. (Retail Price: $26, 1 fl. oz)  

• green tea – works to rejuvenate skin
• rose flower oil – nourishes dry and easily irritated skin
• rice – softens and heals while helping to prevent wrinkles
• sea algae – soothes and nourishes
• sunflower oil – retains moisture and protects skin
• aloe vera gel – provides anti-inflammatory and soothing properties 

Rose & Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme 

Infused with apricot oil and peach and rice extracts that work to reduce wrinkles and promote cellular turnover, this rich moisturizer refreshes skin for youthful radiance. Made with 15 certified-organic ingredients, our Rose & Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme works to stimulate pro-collagen production and protect skin against harmful bacteria. (Retail Price: $28, 1 fl. oz) 

• rose flower oil – softens and nourishes skin
• apricot – treats dryness
• peach – a natural source of alpha-hydroxy acids; tightens skin, reduces wrinkles and lightens age spots
• rice – softens and heals while helping to prevent wrinkles
• oat kernel – stimulates collagen production; protects against UVA rays and acts as an anti-inflammatory

This press release is presented without editing for your information. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

With the winter season around the corner, homeowners should be thinking about how to best protect their plants, trees and shrubs from snow, ice, winds and winter temperatures. Taking steps to "winterproof" lawns and landscapes will help to minimize potential damage and get the landscape ready for the spring season.

The following are winter care tips from the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national association of landscape professionals:

1. Mulch Trees, Plants and Shrubs. Mulch around trees, plants and shrubs to add extra protection for winter. Mulching is an important control for erosion and loss of water and a 2-inch layer of mulch will reduce water loss and help maintain uniform soil temperature around the roots.

2. Keep Plants Well-Hydrated. Evergreen plants continue to transpire, or lose water through their leaves, even in the winter.   Plants kept well-hydrated until a hard freeze have a better chance for survival.

3. Protect Evergreens, Plants and Trees. Use antitranspirants which are applied to plants and trees to help reduce water loss from plant leaves (similar to sweating.) (Antitranspirants may be purchased at a local home improvement store.) Burlap wrapping may also be used to shield valuable evergreens from salt spray and winter winds. Tie branches together that may be susceptible to snow loads.  For advice on how to protect plants from winter weather, consult a landscape or tree care professional.

4. Cut Grass Shorter. Although during the growing season lawns should be cut to 3 inches to 3.5 inches, the final lawn cutting should be 2 inches to 2.5 inches.

5. Watch Out for Winter Warm Spells. If plants are covered with burlap or other wrappings, consider ventilating them during the day and re-covering them at night.

6. Use Care when Shoveling, Plowing or Blowing Snow. Place posts with reflectors next to plants so they are well-marked; then snow won’t be shoveled on top of the plants. Consider clearing snow away from walks, driveways with a shovel or snow-blower instead – it will reduce the amount of de-icing products needed.

7. Remove Broken Limbs. If a limb breaks due to snow, ice and wind, have it removed as soon as weather permits; it will help the tree or shrub heal better as the warmer temperatures approach. Damaged trees are more prone to disease.

8. Never Shake Branches. Homeowners should gently brush off snow.  Shaking the limbs may break them. Use hands to scoop the snow away from plants to protect them from settling snow. 

9. Prune Most Plants in Winter. The late dormant season is best for most pruning in many regions. Pruning in late winter, before spring growth begins, leaves fresh wounds exposed for only a short amount of time before new growth begins.

10. Minimize Salt Damage. Salt and melting agents for snow and ice can damage plants and trees by drawing water away from their roots.  Get rid of extra salt by flushing the soil out with plenty of water.   

To find a professional, or for more tips, visit http://www.landcarenetwork.org.

This press release is presented without editing for your information. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.

Author/illustrator Bonnie Bright is contributing a portion of book sales to Zero Waste San Diego.  Her children's book Casey's Compost is a simple, rhyming tale about a young boy who discovers composting.  Casey's new obsession with composting is, at first, misunderstood, but, with his mother's support, composting eventually inspires the school and surrounding community to make big changes.

A portion of proceeds from all book sales goes to Zero Waste San Diego as Bright believes the planet's future, and ours, is dependent on all of us learning to produce zero waste.  The book is printed in the USA on recycled paper, and is printed on demand, which eliminates warehouse storage and reduces emissions from extra truck rides to and from storage. 

"If you don't like my book, compost it!" Bright said.

The Spanish version of the book, La Composta de Francisco, contributes money to the Casa Llanta Fund. Casa Llanta is an earth ship built by a Nicaraguan community in El Carizal.  The fund helps send their students to college, something they could never achieve without help.

"For the Spanish version of Casey's Compost, La Composta de Francisco, I added the names of the special needs children in the village of el Carizal as a fun surprise. They really got a kick out of that," Bright said.

Inspired by the idea of zero waste, Bright also wrote and illustrated the rhyming tale, Junky Joe's Dump.  A portion of proceeds from this book also goes to the Casa Llanta Fund. 

Junky Joe's Dump is about a town with an overflowing landfill that inspires residents to reduce waste, reuse items creatively and learn to compost.  The town comes together to facilitate the formation of composting windrows where the dump once stood. 

This press release is presented without editing for your information. Mother Earth Living does not recommend, approve or endorse the products and/or services offered. You should use your own judgment and evaluate products and services carefully before deciding to purchase.