Real Spring Water Needs No Label...

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I ran across something pretty interesting in my mailbox this morning and thought it was worthy of a post. I myself am a big time bottled water drinker (that is until I received my ZeroWater Pitcher review to come) and didn’t don’t really think about my bottled water, it tastes good, and I assume it’s good for me…

American consumers tend to be thoughtful and discerning when it comes to purchasing decisions, yet when it comes to deciphering bottled water labels, things can get tricky. A little known fact about bottled water – if it has a nutrition label, it has undergone processing, additives, or worse – tainting the purity and quality of your drinking water. Pure spring water NEEDS no label.

Summit Spring, bottled water from one of the oldest and most revered natural free-flowing springs in North America, battles to stay afloat against industry giants and consumer misconceptions. “Just because there is a mountain on the label does not mean it comes from a spring,” Pullen points out.

Consumers expect to see nutrition facts and labels on all of their products, so when industry giants such as Aquafina, Dasani and Smart Water, market their “purified well water” as water from a spring, it is very easy to mislead consumers. However…..

“If it’s supposed to be water and it has a nutrition label… Don’t drink it, because it probably isn’t water anymore.” – Bryan Pullen, President of Summit Spring.
1. Where does bottled 'water' come from? Some bottled water comes from natural spring sources and some bottled water comes from municipal sources like tap water. Some may also come from wells; artesian or non-artesian. It is therefore very important to carefully read the label of the bottle to determine its source.

2. The labels on these bottled waters show the consumer what's been added...I assume the additives are to "purify" them? No. Usually the additives are to give the water some flavor because the water has been heavily treated and everything has been removed, including beneficial minerals which also give water its flavor. Without adding back things like calcium, magnesium, sodium etc, no one would drink the water because it would taste terrible.

3. I have always found bottled water to taste different. Is this why? The term “bottled water” is too far reaching to determine why a certain one tastes different from another. Some bottled waters taste great and some taste terrible. The source of the water is what is important and whether or not it has been treated.

4. What makes your water different? Our water is different because it is from a single age old natural spring source, bubbles to the surface naturally, and is gravity fed to a bottling facility right next door. It is bottled as it comes from the ground without treatment and is therefore blessed with a perfect balance of nutrients and purified by Mother Nature. We do not treat the water or add anything to it and this is the primary reason our water is not required to have a nutrition label on the bottle. (One of a precious few)

5. How is your water guaranteed pure? It is pure because we control the source itself and gather the water straight from this source. Almost all natural ground water is pure as it exits the ground. Surface water supplies (lakes, rivers & streams) are prone to contamination by man’s influence on this earth. We also continuously test our water to provide assurance of its quality.
6. Do you test your water for purity? Absolutely, and those test results are always available on our website.

7. Is there a noticeable taste difference in your 'Summit Spring' product? Yes. Try some and you’ll see and can decide for yourself. Taste tests with our water always yield some amazing results compared to our competitors.
8. Where does your water come from? Our water comes from one source only; Summit Spring, one of the oldest natural spring sources known to exist in North America.

9. So you don't have a nutrition label on your water? There are very narrow exemption criteria set by the FDA labeling standards which allow us to not attach a nutrition label. We qualify for this exemption. When you bottle a natural product like water in its natural form without treatment and without adding anything to it; it doesn’t require a nutrition label.

10. Do you think people will notice the difference or be concerned that there isn't a label present? Unfortunately, people do not pay enough attention to product labels. I wish they would. I wish people would wonder why it doesn’t have a nutrition label and then do some research to find out why. Then they would discover Summit Spring water is a superior product.

11. What about quality of water and children? Especially in children, during the developmental years, it is imperative for them to consume and ingest healthy products. Even small amounts of modern contaminants can have very bad results. Water is the most essential ingredient to human existence, after air. You drink water in one form or another all day-every day. The water you drink becomes your blood in a very short period of time. Anything in that water goes along for the ride as well. Pure, natural spring water will go a long ways towards maintaining good health and well being. The younger you realize the benefits of proper hydration, the better off you will be. One of the most difficult things to deal with in pre-teen years is acne. Proper hydration will minimize or eliminate these issues. Beautiful skin and a healthy body start from the inside.

Interesting….Do you drink bottled water, tap water, or filtered water at home?

Give Your Children an Abundance Attitude

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Fostering a mindset of abundance in your children is one of the greatest gifts you can give them—especially during less than ideal economic times. Doing so helps them see the world as full of opportunity for those willing to work diligently toward their goals. Young people with an abundance attitude realize that wealth is not finite and that they can create lives of prosperity for themselves and others.

In the February 2009 issue of SUCCESS Magazine, Publisher and Editorial Director Darren Hardy shares these following tips:

8 Strategies for Building Abundance Attitude in Your Kids

Reward Responsibly – Don’t give rewards for promised future behavior. Reward when the goal is accomplished. Acknowledge the accomplishment and celebrate it.

Clarity – Be open about your financial state. Work as a family toward saving for a big item like a dream vacation. Adopt a family mission statement.

Everything is a Teaching Tool – Use economic and financial news, as well as the success stories of business owners as conversation starters or as talking points around particular issues. Inspire your kids by highlighting positive entrepreneurial stories.

Foster Support – You’re not necessarily the dominant adviser to your children. Kids need support, mentor-ship and encouragement from coaches, teachers and other influential people. Find out who your child’s favorites are and encourage their support of your child’s endeavors.

Encourage Networking and Innovation – Connect your children to people who have passion for what they do that’s of interest to your child. Encourage them to set high goals for themselves even if they don’t reach them.
Learn Business – The greatest teacher and confidence builder is to learn by doing. Encourage your child to take a part-time job, volunteer or start their own business. Programs like Youthpreneur give kids business skills whether for their own for-profit business or fund-raising.

Giving Back – Show your children the power of sharing. Volunteering time and resources goes a long way toward teaching an abundant outlook by giving to the less fortunate.
Gratitude Attitude – Appreciate the things you have. Teach your children to take stock of and appreciate the intangibles like relationships, nature, shared experiences and things that don’t cost money.

www.successmagazine.com

Save Money on Groceries - Avoid These 5 Food Fads

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(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - You don’t have to get very far down the aisle at the grocery store to realize that a dollar doesn’t go nearly as far as it used to. In fact, food prices start the new year more than 6 percent higher than in the past, only energy costs have gone up more.* But experts say there are ways to cut your food bill without sacrificing nutrition, identifying five food fads to avoid if you want to eat right and spend less.

Like most of us Kandi Ziccardi has to plan her trips to the grocery store. Getting food that’s on her list and trying to stay in her budget takes some strategy.

“I stick to some of the basics, try to skip by some of the aisles that I know I don’t need anything in, just so I don’t pick things up impulsively,” says Kandi.

It’s an effective way to shop and helps Kandi avoid some costly mistakes. Doctor Robert Murray of Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a renowned nutritionist, who says there are are five fad foods you should avoid when price is a priority.

First, think twice about organic foods. If you buy organic for environmental reasons or as a lifestyle choice, that’s fine, but...

“In these times when the economy’s tough and you’re trying to make every dollar count , from a nutritional point of view, there’s no benefit to buying organic and paying that premium,” says Dr. Murray.

Next, avoid falling for designer fruits and vegetables. Fruits like pomegranates and acai fruit are chic, but blueberries and plums are just as healthy and much cheaper. Also, Don’t assume fresh is always best. Buying food in bulk, either frozen or canned can save a lot of money.

“The nutritional quality of frozen and canned, is equal to that of fresh. And consumers need to take advantage of that,” says Dr. Murray.

The next fad to be aware of is pre-packaged foods. For example, buying carrots and cutting them yourself is much cheaper than buying items that are pre-sliced. And finally, be careful of drinks that are fortified with vitamins or minerals. Not only do they cost more, but they often have more calories
than you’d think.

“Keep in mind, that some of these things, they are described as vitamin water, but there’s 150 calories in this - just as there is in a 12 ounce Coke,” says Dr. Murray.

Here’s one more tip, experts suggest buying larger quantities of fruits, like blueberries, in the summer when they’re plentiful. Freeze them in a zip lock bag and use them throughout the year. The next time you go shopping, keep these five food fads in mind if you want to keep your family and your budget lean.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index - Month Ending October 2008 (the latest available data as of this writing), United States Department of Labor, retrieved at www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf

Thanksgiving on a budget...

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For us American’s Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I just love Thanksgiving and being able to have a house full of family and friends with the great smells going through a home, and who can forget the yummy food to eat as well!

With the economy the way it is right now, and so many of us being strapped for cash, Thanksgiving can also be a stressful time worrying about the costs. It would be nice to be able to fill our homes with the expensive dinner, the beautiful home furnishings and dream about having some great coffee for our guests from a Rancilio Silvia machine, but it’s just not possible today. Thankfully I’ve found some great money saving tips to have Thanksgiving on a budget.

#1. Go potluck. Not only is this a huge cost-saver, it’s also a great opportunity to hold a pre-Thanksgiving gathering. Invite participating potluck-ers over to create an ultimate Thanksgiving menu, complete with everyone’s favorite dishes. Then, assign a dish to each person (because no one needs three portions of candied yams!).

If potluck just isn’t an option, try these tricks to keep the meal gourmet, natural, and cost-effective:

#2. Buy produce, including herbs, at a farmer's market. This allows you to cut out the middleman mark-up, plus you’ll be supporting local agriculture. Talk to the farmers and see how the food was grown. If you buy eggs, dairy or meat at the farmer's market, you can ask how the animals were raised and whether they were organically grown or grass fed.

Extra Helpings: Hit the farmer’s market near the end of the day – the farmers will be eager to sell off their remaining inventory, putting you in a prime position to haggle for a better deal. The food will taste FRESH and delicious! Try a site like LocalHarvest.org to find a farmer’s market near you.

#3. Focus on quality, not quantity. “Every Thanksgiving, my mother use to make enough food to feed an army,” notes Lisa. Leftovers are great, but going overboard often results in excess food being thrown away. If your family is small, try cooking just a turkey breast (with skin) on the bone instead of a whole bird. Or, if you are like Lisa, and LOVE dark meat, then try buying a half bird - you'll get one huge juicy breast and one thigh/leg.

#4. Get your bird from a local butcher. Butchers often carry high quality free-range or even wild turkey, and they’ll give you a fair price. They can also prepare the meat however you need it, allowing you to reduce waste.

Extra Helpings: Start frequenting your local butcher on a regular basis. Once you develop a personal relationship, you can ask him/her to alert you early of good deals.

#5. Make a list. Avoid spending money on extra and unneeded supplies by planning your menu and creating a shopping list before you head to the grocery store. Check off the items as you put them in your cart to eliminate any mid-recipe drama (“I could have sworn I bought poultry seasoning!”).

Extra Helpings: Try dividing your list into grocery store sections – produce, canned goods, dairy, etc. It saves loads of time and also reduces the chance that you’ll overlook something.

#6. Eat first, shop second. Never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. Having something in your belly prevents impulse hunger buys that can bulk up your bill.

#7. Make your own stock. Don’t be intimidated by this one – it’s actually pretty simple, and significantly cheaper than the store-bought version. Use the scraps and bones from the bird and other chicken meals from earlier in the week, along with leftover vegetables and herbs that would otherwise be thrown away.

Extra Helpings: Cooking potatoes, yams or risotto in stock adds a delicious depth of flavor, and homemade stock, along with scraping from the roasting pan, yields the best gravy.

#8. Make it BYOB. Supplying alcohol for a crowd can get expensive, so don’t be bashful about asking guests to chip in by bringing a bottle of wine. Everyone appreciates the fact that you’re preparing dinner, and this way, they get to bring exactly what they like.

#9. Decorate with nature. There’s no need to purchase expensive centerpieces. Instead, look to your own backyard or a local park for colorful leaves and aromatic pinecones. Add in a few inexpensive gourds to create a one-of-a-kind seasonal display.

Extra Helpings: A homemade centerpiece is a perfect project to keep the kids entertained while they’re waiting for dinner to be served. They’ll be proud of their creation and you’ll have one more holiday memory to treasure.

#10. Make the meal from scratch. If ever there is a time to roll up your sleeves and dig in, Thanksgiving is it. Throw on your favorite CD, open up your cookbook and hop to it! Forgoing the boxed stuffing, instant potatoes and canned gravy will cost less money and taste better, plus, you’ll be able to control the ingredients.

Extra Helpings: Does cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal from scratch sound like a daunting task? Make it easier on yourself by enlisting help from family members. Little ones can set the table, while older kids and spouses/significant others can peel vegetables, measure spices and mash potatoes.

#11. Keep it SIMPLE! We’ve saved the most important tip for last. Don’t go crazy preparing an endless array of complex, time-consuming recipes. Opt for one extra-special side that you know everyone loves, and then focus on a select number of straightforward dishes (baked sweet potatoes, simple bread stuffing, corn niblets) that are appealing to the eye and the palate.

I hope some of these tips were helpful and you’ll find useful as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Credit to: Lisa & Christine, founders of Petite Palate gourmet baby food www.petitepalate.com.

GREENGUARD

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So many of us worry about our children’s health. Certain times of the year we worry about them being outdoors due to allergies, bug bites, UV exposure, and air pollution. But, did you know that the indoor air is two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air? There’s also health risks associated with indoor air pollution. The source for these pollutants come from a variety of products in our homes and schools due to furnishings, flooring, electronics, window treatments, mattresses, cleaners and even paints.

The GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification Program tries to offer a solution to parents who are concerned about the indoor air quality of their homes, schools and other places their children spend their time. The GREENGUARD Children & Schools standard is overseen by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), which is an industry independent and non-profit organization. Their mission is to not only improve indoor air, but to improve the quality of human life by testing and certifying indoor products based on strict chemical emissions criteria.

You can find the GREENGUARD Children & Schools certification mark on more than 170,000 different products that are produced by over 500 different manufacturers.

You may not know, but some of the very materials and products that we use to furnish and maintain our indoor environments can release hundreds of pollutants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone and even biological allergens.
Because of all the time spend indoors especially during the winter months that are on the way, so many children are at risk of breathing in these pollutants, and especially at risk are those with asthma, allergies and respiratory diseases. GREENGUARD Children & Schools wants to help, so with the help of GEI who is considered the world’s foremost resources on indoor quality and other companies who meet the standards of using the GREENGUARD mark (such as DuPont, Georgia-Pacific, BASF, Owens Corning, Benjamin Moore and others) products and undergo quarterly testing to ensure that the products are safe and continue to meet the emissions criteria that GREENGUARD stands by.
With all the concern today on environmentally friendly products, and keeping our kids safe and healthy, it is hard to distinguish which products are truly environmentally friendly and which ones are not. When you see the GREENGUARD mark, it ensures that that product has passes rigorous testing to prove that it will emit the fewest possible pollutants into the air.

GREENGUARD Children & Schools standards takes into account the special sensitivities that our children have and incorporates those into their most stringent product emissions criteria. They make sure that every day products meet strict emission levels of pollutants including VOCs, phthalates and respirable particles.

For more information on the GREENGUARD Children & Schools certification program and GEI you can visit www.greenguard.org

Healthy Kids, Naturally

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(Family Features) Keeping kids and teens healthy can be a challenge during the busy school year. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone. Fortunately, there are some simple, and natural, things parents can do to help kids stay healthy and energized for all their activities.

Hygiene. The CDC says that the single most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands. When there's not sink and soap around, use natural hand sanitizers, wipes or gel with 100 percent pure essential oils.

Nutrition. Growing bodies and brains need fiber and nutrients to stay healthy. A child's health can suffer from too few of these good things and too many sugary, highly processed foods.

The USDA Food Guide Pyramid recommends nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day. One serving size of fruits and veggies for children equals one of the following:
- 1/2 cup juice
- 1 cup raw leafy salad greens
- 1/2 cup chopped raw, canned or cooked fruit or other vegetable

Essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3s, are crucial for development and health of the brain, heart, nervous system, tissues, skin and immune system, especially for school-age children. DHA can be found in fatty cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna, and in DHA-enriched products like eggs and milk.

What about nutritional supplements? If kids and teens are actually eating nine servings of colorful fruits and veggies plus foods containing all the other recommended daily nutrients every day, then they probably don't need them. But with picky eaters, tight schedules, food allergies and more, they don't often get what they need. In these cases, supplements might be a good idea. But be careful. While it's easy to find a fun and fruity multivitamin that kids don't mind taking each day, its the nutrients they need, not loads of sugar or artificial colors and flavors.

Rest. Rest, relaxation and sleep are key for handling stress. While moderate stress is normal, the demands of school life can cause stress overload for youngsters and adolescents and their parents and teachers! Be sure to schedule in downtime and allow for adequate sleep when you're planning the week.

Kids need more sleep than you might think.
~ 3-6 years old: 10 3/4-12 hours per day
~ 7-12 years old: 10-11 hours per day
~ 12-18 years old: 8-9 hours per day

Stomachaches, nervousness, trouble sleeping, anger flares or infections may be signs of stress. Fortunately, there are plenty of safe, effective ways to handle it. Breathing deep, exercising, stretching, physical play and homeopathic remedies may help.

If you would like to know more about natural ways to help your kids stay healthy, the Whole Body Team Members at Whole Foods Market are well educated about all of the products they offer and are happy to answer questions.

You can also visit WholeFoodsMarket.com for educational podcasts and more information.
Courtesy of Family Features