Is the cost of organics worth the benefit?

You hear organic foods are healthier for you but are they worth the cost? It’s easy to WANT to choose organic for all of your food, but eating exclusively organic products can sometimes be tough on a budget.

According to Alex Lu, a T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor….yes, you should buy organic when available, and when your budget allows. This is the best way to avoid pesticides and harmful chemicals. Read more

The term “game of inches” is often applied to football, but it is just as apt for a healthy diet. Small changes over time typically result in a healthier lifestyle than large, dramatic changes that only last until willpower expires. One of the ways to conquer inches in healthy eating is to make better choices in the fats we eat.  Read more

Now that summer has come and gone, you may find your beach body routine sliding into couch potato mode. If you don’t want to be slipping into your spandex pants come Christmas, there are numerous Essential Oils to help you shed the extra pounds. With Halloween right around the corner, it’s best to get a head start on your weight loss goals before the chocolate temptations overwhelm your best dietary intention. This post will help you understand the right essential oils for weight loss. Read more

Use of essential oils dates back to ancient India, Persia, and Egypt; however, the distillation process used today did not become common practice until the 11^th century. Even so, it wasn’t until the 18^th century that essential oils saw any commercial traction. This article will help you understand some basics about essential oils and how to use them.

What Are Essential Oils Made From?

Essential oils get their name as they are extracted from the essential part of the plant, be that the leaves, bark, resin, etc. Prior to the rise of modern medicine and pharmaceuticals, people sought to alleviate their illnesses with the healing properties of plants. Essential oils continue to be popular for their therapeutic and aromatic qualities as many individuals turn to more natural, homeopathic remedies for minor ailments.

As mentioned before, not all essential oils are derived from the same part of the plant. Some botanicals only contain medicinal properties in their leaves or budding flowers while others store their oils in their roots, bark, and so on. Below is a list of various oils and the part of the plant from which they are derived.

• Citrus rinds: Orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, bergamot, mandarin, grapefruit, etc.
• Flowers/Buds: Jasmine, rose, chamomile, clove, boronia, linden blossom, etc.
• Leaves: Cinnamon, bay, eucalyptus, tea tree, myrtle, lemon myrtle, violet, etc.
• Barks and woods: Cinnamon, cedarwood, cassia, sandalwood, rosewood, etc.
• Roots: Ginger, angelica, etc.
• Resins: Frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, etc.
• Seeds: Nutmeg, parsley, anise, cardamom, dill, cumin, fennel, coffee bean, etc.

However, individuals cannot simply munch on some flowers and expect results. It takes hundreds if not thousands of pounds of botanicals to produce the concentrated oils used today. By far the most popular method of extraction is steam distillation, with the exception being citrus. Citrus based oils are obtained through expression, which involves squeezing and pressing the botanicals’ peel.

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