8th Graders Review Let’s Do Organic's Organic Sugar Cones

"Junior reporters admit, Let’s Do Organic's Organic Sugar Cones from Edward & Sons Trading Co. ‘Smell like cardboard.’

Allison Wint, 8th grade:
These organic sugar cones are very different. It tastes not so much sugary, but like a regular cone and just a little healthier. I like it. It is hard and crunchy, and there is no smell to it. The packaging is very appealing; it would catch my eye, and it is not hard to open. I think the cones are too hard for kids aged 1 to 5, but over 5, these would be just fine.

Everett Wood, 8th grade:
The taste of the sugar cones is OK. It could have been more sugary, because the cone itself is very bland. The cone itself is crunchy and the patterns on it make it rough. I think the smell is something like wet cardboard. If they put a little scent in them, it would be better. The packaging itself is easy to open, but when it comes to separating the individual cones, it is very difficult. It could have taken a little less effort. The packaging is OK; a little intense on all the bright colors, so they could tone it down a little. I think anybody who eats ice cream cones could use this product."

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Review of Hugo's Tacos

"L.A. has the oddest things in the weirdest places -- and Hugo's Tacos is one of these: An organic-friendly fast food place in the middle of nowhere, a.k.a. Studio City.

I stopped by yesterday for a compo #2 -- a grilled fish burrito with salsa habenero wrapped in an organic tortilla, with a side of organic rice and organic beans. According to Greenopia, the fish is either wild caught or sustainably farm-raised.

Not everything at this taco place is organic, however. Some of the produce is conventionally grown, and the meat is "natural" -- which in my book pretty much just means conventional. However, you can sub in soy chorizo or other veggie fillings in lieu of the usual meaty fare."

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Organic Applesauce Taste Test

"If you grew up on sugary Mott's applesauce, the unsweetened brands might take some getting used to.

When the first ingredient listed is apples, - and in a few cases a bit of extra water, juice concentrate or vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - the flavor relies solely on the fruit, which can potentially amount to tart or bland notes.

But the market now has a wide variety of brands from which to choose - almost double the amount that was available when the panel tested this product in 2001 - and many represent the category well. We sampled 12 brands of unsweetened organic applesauce, and everything from smooth to chunky to heirloom fruit was represented.

The results were surprisingly positive."

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Review of O'Naturals Restaurant

"Well, here's a place that just might be a contradiction in terms: a fast-food restaurant that serves natural and organic items.

It's called O'Naturals, which should not be confused with au naturel. Consider yourself warned that you may not remove your clothing; learn from my mistake.

Even more unlikely than a fast-fooder serving healthful food is one that is part of a franchise, albeit a nascent and as yet very small one. But if the quality of the food I sampled at the Orlando O'Naturals is any indication -- and if there is any justice in the world -- there will be a lot more of these places around soon."

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Syzmo Energy Drink Review

"Product: Syzmo carbonated organic energy drink, $2.79 for a 12-ounce can, at Whole Foods market.

Key ingredients: Organic blue agave; caffeine; coffee fruit; guarana, green tea and yerba mate extracts, and vitamins C, B2, B3, B6, B8 and B12.

The pitch: Energy drink that diabetics and hyperglycemics can enjoy because it’s sweetened with natural blue agave, not glucose, high fructose corn syrup or sugar.

How it works: High amounts of caffeine provide the energy boost, while slow-acting agave prevents the post-sugar crash."

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Article: Cloned Meat Has Me Thinking Vegan

"Thanks Jack.

Jack Spruance submitted today’s reader poll question “Will you eat cloned meat?” I have to say after posting the poll early this morning my vote was a fast ‘no.’

Ever since the FDA approved the sale of food from cloned animals earlier this week the concept of chomping on genetically engineered meat has made by stomach turn.

Aside from the fact that I find it just plain unappetizing there’s also the question of why? Have cows, sheep and pigs become so disenchanted with this world we’ve shaped that they refuse to reproduce?"

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Opinions on Burt's Bees and Clorox

"Organic beauty company Burt's Bees was recently sold to Clorox for $925 million. We asked some experts for insight on what being owned by a company best known for bleach might mean for the beauty brand with a grass-roots reputation.

Stacy Malkan, author of "Not Just a Pretty Face":

It's disturbing because there are toxic ingredients in [Clorox's] products. Major corporations see the consumer demand for safe natural products, and we need to hold them accountable to keep those products pure and not slip in the cheap synthetics. We'll be watching them closely."

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How Does Organic Wine Taste?

"Dec. 1, 2007 | Ever since Wal-Mart began stocking organic food, it's clear a lot of consumers now believe that produce and milk produced without pesticides or hormones taste just as good as, if not better than, their conventional brethren. Logic would say that this also goes for "organic wine," which I see cropping up more and more often at health food stores and markets. But in this case the label doesn't tell the whole story.

Wine labeled organic means that at least 95 percent of the grapes used were never sprayed with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Such chemical purity is ensured by 40-foot buffer zones from farms that spray specific chemicals, loads of paperwork and on-site visits from third-party certifiers. Organic grapes then go to a certified organic winery that doesn't use chemical cleansers or add any preservatives like sulfur dioxide, an antioxidant that gives wine a significant life span."

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Taking a Bite Out of Duchy Mince Pies

"Nov. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Chef Heston Blumenthal looks in puzzlement at a Duchy Originals organic mince pie.

``It's got a bit of grit in the mince there,'' he says, examining the filling. ``I don't know what that was. And there's a slight rancidity to the pastry. It's a bit doughy. It's as if -- this might be human error -- it smells of raw pastry.''

We're sitting in a charming old upstairs room at the Hinds Head, the pub Blumenthal owns near his three Michelin star restaurant, the Fat Duck, in the village of Bray, west of London. The chef has agreed to a blind tasting of boxes of mince pies."

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Frozen Dinners Destroy the Organic Vision?

"This week marks the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program. It was five years ago that the little green "USDA Organic" seal first appeared on organic product labels.

By most measures, the program has been an incredible success. Organic sales have soared and tens of thousands of pounds of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers have been kept off farmlands and food. But some organic advocates see a downside to the rapid growth in the organic market."

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Review of the Organic Bliss Deli & Bakery in Ohio

"It's not a church, not even close - no stained-glass windows, incense smoke, altars, choirs, or grand pulpits spiraling toward heaven.

But the Organic Bliss Deli & Bakery in West Toledo has many of the same trappings, trying to convert the heathen masses and save them from a life of poor nutrition.

Scattered throughout the restaurant are brochures, discount coupons, mission statements, and other literature extolling the virtues of natural, sustainable, pesticide-free cuisine raised by environmentally friendly farmers."

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Probug Organic Kefir Review

"Unleashed at the dawn of the 20th century, La-Mar Reducing Soap was a product with promise.

"[W]ash away fat and years of age," reads one advertisement for the soap. "No dieting or exercising. Be as slim as you wish. Acts like magic in reducing double chin, abdomen, ungainly ankles, unbecoming wrists, arms and shoulders, large breasts or any superfluous fat on body.... one to three cakes usually accomplish the purpose.... Surprising results."

..Now come probiotics, bacteria that are said to aid the body's naturally occurring gut flora and encourage overall gut health. These microorganisms have been around for millennia in fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir, but it is only recently that food producers have begun pumping probiotics into otherwise bacteria-free foods like cookies and candy bars.

Their motto: Eat shit, feel great."

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I remember trying kefir about a year ago for the first time. It was not a good experience.

Can Organic Food REALLY Feed the World?

"Recent studies have re-visited the idea that organic methods of agriculture would be sufficient to feed the world – but they are flawed because of naïveté about agriculture in developing nations.

Can organic food feed the world? A recent study, published in the journal Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems provides new data that suggests it can. However, I have some grave reservations about this prospect that are based on my experience as a scientist and my time living and working with real farmers in developing nations."

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Late July Love!

I haven't been posting anything other than the news lately so I thought it would be a good idea to tell everyone about my new favorite snack, Late July mini-cheddar cheese sandwich crackers. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love them. They are salty and cheesy yet not greasy and disgusting like Ritz (which also have really horrible ingredients including the dreaded hydrogenated oil.) Of their cracker line, I have also tried the mini-peanut butter crackers, saltines and the classic rich crackers and ALL OF THEM have been delicious AND ORGANIC. I seriously recommend going out and buying a box RIGHT NOW. My only problem with them is I want to eat the entire box (and I occasionally do!)


Late July announced a new addition to their line not too long ago: cookies! The flavors are rich Dark Chocolate and creamy Vanilla Bean with Green Tea.

Late July says:
"Fans of rich dark chocolate, real Madagascar vanilla beans and green tea get the treat of their dreams with the arrival of our new line of mouth-watering organic sandwich cookies. Both flavors, rich Dark Chocolate and creamy Vanilla Bean with Green Tea hit store shelves this summer, just in time for picnics, family vacations
and back-to-school lunch boxes. Our newest offerings are like the sandwich cookies you remember as a kid, but all grown up. They deliver outstanding flavor using the finest organic ingredients like dark chocolate and whole grains with unexpected benefits like antioxidants and fiber giving new meaning to the term “smart cookie.”

Can't wait to try them!

Public Views on Organic

"We asked our readers to tell us: "Is organic food inherently better for you? Or is the difference negligible?" Here are your responses."

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Opinion on Mackey's Alter Ego

"The federal government is busy investigating potential steroid use by professional baseball players, allegations of gambling by a basketball referee and an alleged dog-fighting ring tied to a star football quarterback.

So perhaps its investigation into Internet messages by the co-founder of an organic and natural foods chain seems tame.

Over eight years, Whole Foods Market Inc. CEO John Mackey made postings on Yahoo stock forums under a pseudonym in which he lambasted the competition while cheering his firm's accomplishments.

It's not like we believe everything posted on the Internet.

We wonder, for example, whether gushy postings about restaurants actually were posted by their owners hoping to drum up business."

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"Full Circle" Review

Here's a review of Stater Bros. line of organic and all natural products from Well Fed Network. Although Stater Bros. markets aren't in my area, I figured the reviews might be of use to their shoppers.

Review of Honest Kids

"Honest Kids Organic Thirst Quencher. Goodness Grapeness, Berry Berry Good Lemonade, and Tropical Tango Punch. 69 to 99 cents per 6.75-ounce pouch or $4.99 to $5.49 per 8-pouch multipack.

Bonnie: Honest Tea has a new line of organic, naturally fruit-flavored, lightly sweetened drinks for kids. Each contains less than half the sugar of most other pouched drinks, without the use of high-fructose corn syrup. I like that. I also like that these contain some juice (7 percent to 10 percent) and provide 100 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. But I still think they're a bit too sweet."

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I Buy Organic, You Starve

"Reverse culture shock can be one of the hardest adjustments for any journalist or aid worker.

It's one thing acclimatising to the very immediate demands and deadlines of an assignment in a strange and often hostile environment. It's quite another then having to readjust to the alleged normality of a comfortable life in the West when you get back. To put it bluntly, it can really do your head in.

I was reminded of this again this week wandering around the new Whole Foods superstore in west London. This is a branch of a U.S.-based organic produce emporium that's finally made its way across the Atlantic. It's big, it's brash, and it's eye-wateringly expensive."

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Organic Coffee Taste Test

"John Weaver, coffee buyer for Cafédirect, knows his Palenque from his Kilimanjaro and his Machu Picchu. The rest of us are not so sure.

We’re gathered around dishes of green (coffee) beans and dry grounds and there’s a heady smell in the air as we learn how to ‘cup’ coffee. We run through the different ethical labels, including Utz Certified (‘traceability and trust’ but no guaranteed minimum price) and Rainforest Alliance, which places the emphasis on conservation."

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