About Silvermark Products How to Buy Recipes Healthy Living News Community Action Helpful Healthy Links	At Silvermark we believe in the power of fresh and healthy food preparation. Everybody eats, but not everyone takes the time to truly think about the foods they are eating. The choices you make each day affect not only how you feel right now, but also impact your whole family. Good nutrition gives your body the energy and ability to perform well at school, work, and play. Medical research has shown a strong link between diet and health, which has prompted many experts to suggest that some diseases, such as diabetes and certain cancers, can be prevented by eating a healthy diet. The Toss & Chop was invented specifically to help incorporate more healthy vegetables into your diet. This diet should emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk products; and include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts, as these items are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars. You will find that every item on the Silvermark line is dedicated to healthier food preparation. In the United States, most of us have easy access to an abundance of food, including locally grown fruits and vegetables and a wide variety of organic items. This wealth of products should make eating right simple – but unfortunately, it also includes over processed convenience foods and snack items, as well as restaurant foods that are high in salt and fat. So how do you make the best food choices for good health? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers the following tips to help you move toward a healthier diet: Make half your grains whole grains Vary your vegetable choices Focus on fruit Eat foods rich in calcium Choose lean proteins Preparing meals with whole food ingredients – instead of using processed foods as short cuts – is also a great place to start. By making meals "from scratch" you can control the amount of fat, sugar, and salt. Plus fresh food items are often more nutrient dense than processed food items and, as an added bonus, taste better too. Making the commitment to eat more consciously may take a little extra time each day, but the rewards are well worth it. Is organic food better? The organic foods movement promotes the health of human beings and their environment by encouraging growers to use farming methods that do not remove nutrients from the soil or damage environmental systems for farm workers. For years, organic foods have been sold as better, more healthful, and more nutritious alternatives to mass-produced food; and until 2002, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) set up formal standards by which the label "USDA Certified Organic" can be applied. These standards prohibit the use of most artificial (and petroleum based) pesticides and fertilizers, as well as all antibiotics, genetic engineering, irradiation, and sewage runoff in the production of vegetables, fruits, meats, and poultry. In order to be labeled organic, livestock must eat 100-percent organic feed that is free of animal by-products or growth hormones. These animals must also have access to the outdoors, or "free ranging." But even if there's limited scientific evidence to date that organic food is any healthier than food grown under conventional large-scale farming methods, there are good reasons to buy organic. For one, organic farming is better for the environment. Most small-scale family farmers practice good land stewardship, favoring natural soil enrichments and water conservation over applied chemicals and intensive irrigation. And by growing different varieties of plants, rather than a few standard varieties commonly found in supermarkets, local farmers also preserve nature's biodiversity. You may recognize the following terms commonly seen on products, but you may be unfamiliar with their meaning. 100% organic: Contains only ingredients that are organically produced. The name of the certifying agent must appear on packages. Use of the USDA "organic" seal is optional. Organic: 95 percent of the ingredients must be organically grown and the other 5 percent must be derived from nonorganic ingredients that have been approved by the National Organics Standards Board. Made with organic ingredients: A product is made with no less than 70 percent organic ingredients. Free range or cage-free: No regulation or standard definition exists for most animals. The USDA regulates the use of the label "free-range" with poultry (not eggs), but chickens can have very limited access to the outdoors and still meet the criteria. Reasons to Buy Organic (from Wholes Foods Market) Organic farming meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Growing organically supports a biologically diverse, healthy environment. Organic farming practices help protect our water resources. Organic agriculture increases the lands productivity. Organic production limits toxic and long-lasting chemicals in our environment. Many organic farms are small, independent and family run. Organic farmers are less reliant on non-renewable fossil fuels. Organic products meet stringent USDA standards. Buying organic is a direct investment in the long-term future of our planet. Organic farmers preserve diversity of plant species. Organic foods taste great. It can be fun to visit your local food supplies to see where yours greens, squashes, and peas are ripening, and where the chickens are that lay your eggs. If you are uncertain where to go, visit www.localharvest.org. Just put in your ZIP code, and it will show a list of seasonal resources in your area. www.organiccenter.org - For summaries of scientific research related to organic farming and food, visit The Oranic Center Web site. For more information on healthy eating, please visit the USDA at www.mypyramid.gov. The site offers a variety of resources including dietary guidelines and interactive assessment tools. For specific information on the Organic Rule, contact the USDA's National Organic Program at 202-720-3252. www.kidsnutrition.org/consumer/archives/#FGP www.checnet.org - Children's Health Environmental Coalition – the name says it all. ebfarm.com – This is the official site of Earthbound Farm one of the largest organic farms in the United States. You will find information on organic food, healthy eating, and lots of recipes. www.wholefoodsmarket.com - This site offers a comprehensive look at the USDA Organic Rule, organic agriculture, the organic industry and why they are committed to providing organic products in their stores. www.foodnews.org - Environmental Working Group's food information site. www.nrdc.org – Natural Resources Defense Council
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