Kanchanjangha Organic Green Tea

Last Christmas, I received a lot of tea. This one really stood out; it is not only an eco-fair-trade product sold in a Nepalese purse - it gave me a new love for green tea (must be the lemongrass?). I decided to further research the story behind the product to share with you.

Kanchanjangha Tea (KTE) is grown in the hills below Mount Kanchanjangha in Nepal, and is the result of farmers forming a cooperative in the mid-1980s. The Chairman, farmer Deepak Prakash Bashkota, was key in organizing this initiative, and the products are now available in 13 countries. The fair-trade certified organic tea plantation provides jobs for locals, and the farmers are technically "owners," as KTE is a cooperative.

Here KTE provides a basic timeline that begins with planting and ends with brewing so that the consumer better understands the process. Wouldn't it be lovely if all companies did this?

The website also includes photos of their products (a variety of tea, spices, organic juices). There is an order form online, though the products are also distributed through a Canadian whole-saler.

I asked my mother where she purchased the tea: someone was selling it as a fundraiser. On the tea purse, there was a sticker that read "Eco Fair Trading Ltd." I did some further investigating (read: googling), and learned that this is the name of a wholesale company that imports eco-friendly products from abroad. On their site, they have downloadable pdf information catalogues for; retailers who want to sell Eco Fair Trading Ltd. products, consumers who want to find a store, and groups who wish to fundraise.

Even if you aren't a retailer, check out the wholesale catalogue to see other eco fair-trade products imported by the company. I definitely recommend the tea!

Here is the information sheet that came with the Green Tea w/Lemongrass. Quote: "Organic tea provides freshness to the body and mind."

According to the website, the plantation is open to visitors (if you happen to be in the Himalayas).

Shampoo Review!

My first blog post was about an amazing sea-salt based shampoo called "Big" by Lush soaps. It's only downfall is the price; $24.95 a tub, and the fact that it totals over $30 with shipping costs included.

So, I went in search of a product that could match the power of Lush's sea-salt mixture. Though I haven't found anything comparable, and I'm seriously considering making shampoo by hand, "Nude - Volumizing Shampoo" by Down Under Naturals is a decent replacement for now!

"Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo" - J/A/S/O/N

The first Lush replacement that I tried was "Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo"  (~$8 for 473ml) by the brand J/A/S/O/N. A few months ago, I reviewed their hairspray, which worked well for an all-natural product. Their shampoo is, "free of parabens, harsh chemicals, dyes...perfect for all hair types." But, not perfect for my hair. Imagine putting laundry detergent on your hair. It didn't lather well, and left a greasy residue. Yet, this product may be beneficial to those with dry hair (if any of you dry-haired people want the rest of my bottle, let me know).

On the plus side, this is the ingredient list:

Water, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Bentaine, Sodium Laurel Sulfoacetate, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Leaf Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Guar Hydropropyltrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Provitamin B5, Lauryl Glucoside, Stearyl Citrate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

"Nude Volumizing Shampoo" - Down Under Naturals

The "Nude" line of hair care products by Down Under Naturals is impressive, cheap ($4 for 325ml), and 98% plant-derived. The volumizing shampoo is, "Free from parabens, sulfates, phosphates, DEA, Phthalates." The website describes WHY it is important to be free of these potentially harmful ingredients in the "Get the Facts" section.

"Nude" uses, "certified organic botanicals..and biodegradeable ingredients." As a consumer, it is necessary to read this carefully - these terms don't necessarily mean that EVERY botanical/ingredient fits these descriptions, only that some do. Yet, compared with J/A/S/O/N's alternative, "Nude" successfully cleans my hair without coating it in grease.

Ingredients

Water, Certified Organic Botanicals/Extracts: Soybean Protein, Black Tea Extract, Nettle Extract

Bamboo Extract, Sodium Methyl 2 Sulfolaurate, Disodium 2 Sulfolaurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Kaolin, Glycerin, Provitamin B5, Parfum, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Polyquaternium 10, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid

Many other ingredients are similar to those in J/A/S/O/N's product, and though they appear slightly-less-natural, it does work better!

Chemists, provide feedback, why does "Nude" work better than "Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo"?

J/A/S/O/N Pure Natural & Organic Hair Spray

Having thin hair, I've usually relied on aerosol sprays because they typically work better than non-aerosals. I know, not good for the environment, right? Not to mention they are comprised of synthetic chemicals and are highly flammable. Probably not a good thing to accidentally breathe in, or get on my skin... So, I went in search of healthier options.

First, I tried Herbal Essences' non-aerosal spray in the "Lily Bliss" fragrance. Though it is cheap, contains fewer chemical ingredients, and includes"cactus flower extract," it did not work very well and actually flattened my hair.

Next, I purchased "Thin to Thick," an all natural and organic hair spray produced by J/A/S/O/N Natural Products. Surprisingly, it does give my hair a bit more volume and succeeds in holding it in place. Though it does not quite work as well as an aerosol spray, it is a less toxic option, as all ingredients are naturally occurring.

Ingredients: Purified water, SD Alcohol 40-B, Methacryloyl ethyl betaine/acrylates copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Acetamide MEA, Glycoproteins, Biotin (vitamin H), Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A), Panthenol (vitamin B5), Green Tea leaf extract, Aloe vera leaf juice, Matricaria flower extract, Glycerin, Silicone quaternium-8, Sodium benzonate, Potassium sorbate, Fragrance oil blend (product appears to be gluten free)

As stated on their website, J/A/S/O/N avoids using, "animal by-products, synthetic colors or fragrance, and harmful chemicals." Thin to Thick hair spray retails for roughly $8.99 CDN and can be found in various supermarkets and health stores.

Cereal Review: Nature's Path "Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise" and EnjoyLife "Granola Very Berry Crunch"

Most breakfast cereals contain either wheat, barley, oats or rye - which are also the four sources of gluten. Even seemingly safe cereals, such as Corn Pops, use barley malt.  Here is a review of two gluten-free cereals that I eat often, and they're healthy too!

Nature's Path Organic's Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise is made without any preservatives, and is certified organic. The ingredients used are said to create, "Less soil erosion, less groundwater pollution, and improved farm biodiversity."  Nature's Path recently reduced the size of their packaging to save cardboard - yet the box still contains 300g of cereal! Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise is delicious. The vanilla flavour is not overpowering, and the mixture of gluten free grains create a unique taste.

INGREDIENTS: Whole corn meal*, evaporated cane juice*, brown rice flour*, yellow corn flour*, inulin*, quinoa puffs*, flax seeds*, natural vanilla flavor, buckwheat flour*, quinoa*, sea salt, amaranth*, molasses*, tocopherols (natural vitamin E). *Organic. Produced in a facility that uses peanuts, tree nuts or soy.

EnjoyLife's Very Berry Crunch mimics oat granola, but it is made primarily from brown rice flakes.  Though it is sold in a small bag, the cereal is very dense (365g) - which is 65 g more than Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise. Along with gluten, it is free of dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, sulphites, sesame and mustard (I didn't know that mustard could be an allergy until I read this). 

Very Berry Crunch is FULL of vitamins and minerals (ie: 35% of your daily iron intake, 20% of your daily magnesium intake). The dried strawberries add flavour, yet this cereal is definitely better with real fruit added. I recommend using plain unsweetened yogurt and blueberries.

INGREDIENTS: Brown Rice Flakes, Brown Rice Syrup, Evaporated Cane Juice, Rice Bran, Rice Crisps (Rice Flour, Rice Bran, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Honey, Salt), Water, Freeze-Dried Raspberries* and Strawberries*, Expeller-Pressed Vegetable Oil (Safflower Oil and/or Sunflower Oil), Natural Strawberry Flavor, Citric Acid, Ground Flaxseed, Rosemary Extract

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Both cereals are sold for around $6.99 each. 

If you are looking for the best natural and delicious cereal, choose Crunchy Vanilla Sunrise. But, if you are looking for something that is natural, AND full of vitamins and minerals, try Very Berry Crunch.

* Avoid Glutino brand cereals, they taste like chemicals.

Julie's Organic Sorbet - Blackberry

A healthier alternative to ice cream? From the outside, this product looks amazing - only 60 calories per frozen fruit bar, which contains all natural/organic ingredients. Though I haven't called the company, all ingredients appear gluten free.

Two problems:

1) The taste - These remind me of Sun Rype fruit snacks. There's nothing wrong with Sun Rype fruit snacks, but basically, they are a quick way to have "fruit" during a busy day. If you purchase Julie's Organic Sorbet bars with the intention of replacing a delicious dessert, it doesn't really work.

2) The price - $5.99 CDN. Most frozen gluten free or specialty products (bagels, bread, desserts etc.) hover between $5-7 dollars per package. Though people with celiac disease can claim a certain portion of this on their taxes, each grocery trip is pretty expensive. Trying new products for the first time is always a gamble, and this is why I'm blogging about my own experiences.

Verdict, I will look for a real ice cream or frozen yogurt that doesn't contain gluten or mystery ingredients, and I'll eat some real fruit on the side.