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By Seleyn DeYarus, August 2, 2010 2:41 pm

LOHAS Foum – PHOOD and Kids from BVMA on Vimeo.

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By admin, May 4, 2010 7:25 am

Demand for Natural, Organic and Green Products grew 41% between 2004 and 2009.

The LOHAS or Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability market, comprising, natural, organic, sustainable and socially responsible products and services, is growing 10-15% per year.

Even in a tough economy, 35% of U.S. consumers are still willing to pay more for green products. In fact, the “green living” market grew 41% between 2004 and 2009, according to market research firm Mintel.

Based on research released in April 2010 by the Natural Marketing Institute, the LOHAS market is estimated at $290 billion, with U.S. consumer spending in the five general LOHAS market sectors for 2008 as follows:

• Personal Health: $117 billion (natural/organic food, personal care, supplements, etc.)
• Green Building: $100 billion (certified homes, Energy Star appliances, etc.)
• Alternative Transportation: $20 billion (hybrids, diesel vehicles, electric vehicles, car sharing, etc.)
• Eco-tourism: $42 billion (travel spent on excursions in nature)
• Natural Lifestyles: $10 billion (home furnishings, apparel, etc.)
• Alternative Energy $1 billion (renewable power)

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By admin, February 26, 2010 6:12 pm

Best Organics sells the finest organic agave available in the United States. Made from the natural juice (aguamiel) of the agave. It is harvested from plants in the high desert region of Central Mexico and then brought to Lyons, Colorado where it is bottled at the Madhava plant. It has both organic and kosher certification. It is gluten and allergen free, and has a low Glycemic Index of 32.

And, just how did Madhava get started bottling agave nectar? Well, according to the company…

“In 1972 there were a couple of budding hippie entrepreneurs in the foothills of Boulder. One climbed the mountain to pick herbs. One set up down in the canyon by the river. Mo took his herbs and blended some tea. Bart discovered that people wanted good local honey. The Grateful Dead played at C.U.’s Folsom Field that summer. Yeah…you know, what a long strange trip it’s been…for Madhava…for all of us…we can still hear you Jerry!

Bart Utley named his company Madhava Honey. He and the founders exemplified the spirit of the 70s. The company was conceived at the very first Rainbow Family national gathering in Granby, Colorado during the summer of 1972. Today, 37 years later, the company is located at the base of the foothills near Lyons, just about 20 miles as the crow flies from where the original gathering was held that summer. Some of the “family’ coalesced into a group. They formed a circle and meditated together on the mountain, and from that experience came the birth of an idea: to establish a commune with a honey business at its center, to reflect their ideals and support their intended lifestyle.

So, the founders came down the hill, full of energy and vibe. They indeed followed through on their plans immediately. Bart had been buying honey from local beekeepers; Chip had just received an inheritance. Jay, Peter, John, Carol, Paula, H, and Adam rounded out the group. Bart had the honey, Chip had some money. H’s father was a banker, and he convinced him to give them a $10,000 startup loan. Soon, they purchased a farm Southeast of Longmont, moved right in and began business as Madhava Honey, Ltd. “Madhava” is a Sanskrit word Bart had chosen, meaning “one born in a pool of honey and sprinkled with pollen;” to us, “Born of Honey.”

And, a beautiful scenic farm it was; small at five acres, but perfect for the commune’s needs. The farmhouse must have been 100 years old. We found remnants of a Conestoga wagon in the field that probably belonged to the original settlers. And, we still have the old wood stove that warmed and fed the homeowners over the years, including ourselves.

One of the outbuildings was converted into honey packing and storage rooms. Resourceful and conscientious, the entire place was put together with recycled materials that were salvaged from the army hospital that was razed in Denver that year-right down to the leftover paint…we ended up with a pale green and light purple production room!

Although the experiment with communal living didn’t pan out, its dissolvement led to the hiring of Craig Gerbore, 24. Craig was connected through Chip, and took over in 1976 and ran it as a one-man operation. One man and five goats, that is, as he inherited the commune’s goats. The company has been under his direction since.

From these beginnings, Madhava has survived and thrived. Our company has been at the forefront of the Natural Food movement from the beginning. We understand the needs and desires of our customers in a way few others can.

Madhava is still a grassroots company, same management for 33 years now, still buying from family-owned beekeeping operations, and small enough to keep focused on our original intention-to supply the best quality, all-natural sweeteners to our terrific customers, one jar at a time. I say sweeteners because in addition to the honeys, we now offer agave nectar, a pure and organic alternative to sugar. It comes from the heart of the agave in Central Mexico. It looks like honey but pours more easily and has a lighter taste. Whichever you choose, sweeten and enjoy in good health!”

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By admin, February 22, 2010 7:11 am

We just heard that Ellie’s in Boulder is selling eco-friendly, sustainable caskets. The caskets are made from Colorado beetle-kill pine. I doubt anyone would want to receive one in a gift box, but what a fantastic idea! Maybe that’s what they’d call “thinking outside the box”?

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By admin, February 19, 2010 8:44 am

Most of us know about the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables to avoid unless they are organic. But, what about our cosmetics or body care products? The National Geographic has a guide of the top twelve ingredients to avoid (see below). After reading the list, you’ll see why it’s just one more (or maybe 12 more) reasons to go organic, even in our cosmetics.

1. Antibacterials
Overuse of antibacterials can prevent them from effectively fighting disease-causing germs like E. coli and Salmonella enterica. Triclosan, widely used in soaps, toothpastes and deodorants, has been detected in breast milk, and one recent study found that it interferes with testosterone activity in cells. Numerous studies have found that washing with regular soap and warm water is just as effective at killing germs.

2. Coal Tar
Coal tar is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

3. Diethanolamine (DEA)
DEA is a possible hormone disruptor, has shown limited evidence of carcinogenicity and depletes the body of choline needed for fetal brain development. DEA can also show up as a contaminant in products containing related chemicals, such as cocamide DEA.

4. 1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is a known animal carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen that can appear as a contaminant in products containing sodium laureth sulfate and ingredients that include the terms “PEG,” “-xynol,” “ceteareth,” “oleth” and most other ethoxylated “eth” ingredients. The FDA monitors products for the contaminant but has not yet recommended an exposure limit. Manufacturers can remove dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. A 2007 survey by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that most children’s bath products contain 10 parts per million or less, but an earlier 2001 survey by the FDA found levels in excess of 85 parts per million.

5. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans. Yet it still turns up in baby bath soap, nail polish, eyelash adhesive and hair dyes as a contaminant or break-down product of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds.

6. Fragrance
The catchall term “fragrance” may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. Avoid phthalates by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead.

7. Lead and Mercury
Neurotoxic lead may appear in products as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica, one of the ingredients in toothpaste, and lead acetate is found in some brands of men’s hair dye. Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

8. Nanoparticles
Tiny nanoparticles, which may penetrate the skin and damage brain cells, are appearing in an increasing number of cosmetics and sunscreens. Most problematic are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in sunscreens to make them transparent. When possible, look for sunscreens containing particles of these ingredients larger than 100 nanometers. You’ll most likely need to call companies to confirm sizes, but a few manufacturers have started advertising their lack of nanoparticle-sized ingredients on labels.

9. Parabens
(methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-) Parabens, which have weak estrogenic effects, are common preservatives that appear in a wide array of toiletries. A study found that butyl paraben damaged sperm formation in the testes of mice, and a relative, sodium methylparaben, is banned in cosmetics by the E.U. Parabens break down in the body into p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has estrogenic activity in human breast-cancer cell cultures.

10. Petroleum Distillates
Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms “petroleum” or “liquid paraffin.”

11. P-Phenylenediamine
Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It’s also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

12. Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there’s limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

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By admin, February 8, 2010 7:00 am

ALEC BALDWIN AND BLYTHE DANNER TO EAT BOULDER ORGANIC FOODS!

Award winning film actors Alec Baldwin and Blythe Danner, along with all the filmmakers participating in the 6th Annual Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF), February 11-14, 2010, will each receive a special gift from Boulder’s Best Organics. Best Organics has been selected as the first ever gift given to dignitaries at the internationally recognized film festival.

“What could be a more fitting gift for our visiting filmmakers and celebrities than a selection of the very best of Boulder and Colorado’s fair trade, organic and sustainable products?” said Kathy Beeck, co-founder and Director of the Boulder International Film Festival.

Among the leading Colorado-grown brands that will be featured in the Boulder’s Best Organics™ gift box being presented to visiting filmmakers and celebrities at BIFF are Eldorado Springs Vitamin Charged Water, Pixie Maté tea, Justin’s Nut Butter, Papa Ben’s Peanut Brittle, Licious Organics jam, St. Claire’s organic tarts, Bobo’s Oat Bars, Pangea Organics lip balm, Joia Botanicals soap, and tulsi tea from Organic India.

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By admin, February 3, 2010 7:05 am

The Cut-Flower Industry

A few facts…

When you buy cut flowers check on the source and choose organic. And, if possible, choose locally grown flowers.

Do you know that although consumers spend more than $18 million on cut flowers each year:

• Flowers are one of the top pesticide-intensive agricultural crops

• If all the roses purchased for Valentine’s Day were grown organically it would prevent 22,700 pounds of pesticides.
• Flower companies in Ecuador use more than 30 different chemicals and synthetic fertilizers
• There are an estimated 140,000 flower laborers in Ecuador and Colombia, working to grow, harvest, and package for North Americans. Flower workers are routinely prevented from organizing unions, experience sexual harassment, forced pregnancy testing, and numerous health and safety violations, according to the International Labor Rights Forum.

And now for our shameless plug! Why not give a better gift! Buying a Best Organics gift box collection not only supports a variety of companies within the local economy, but is also supporting sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Of course our products are organic, but did you know that our boxes are printed with soy-based ink in Denver using recycled materials. And, right now our Valentine’s Day collections are all on sale!