It is absolutely scary whatâs in trick-or-treat candy! Before you buy that super-sized bag of artificially flavored and colored candies this Halloween, consider these fun and healthy Halloween treats!
CHOCOLATE
What would Halloween be without chocolate? We are thrilled to see that popular candy companies like Nestle and Hershey commit to removing artificial flavors and colors (and more recently added sugar in Nestleâs dark chocolate) from all or some of their chocolate brands. However, cancer- causing, artificial preservatives like TBHQ, BHA, and BHT remain.
Try to avoid the milk chocolate and preservatives and go for individually wrapped, antioxidant-rich, dark chocolate mini bars sold by Unreal Snacks and 100 Grand.
Unreal Halloween Peanut Butter Cups are mostly organic and very kid-friendly for those who donât like dark chocolate but still maintain 36% less sugar than leading brands. They keep sugar to a minimum, without using sugar alcohols like erythritol, stevia or artificial sweeteners. And, no soy ingredients, no artificial flavors, no preservatives or fillers. [$28.48 for 40 individually wrapped cups]
100 Grand now sold under the Ferrero Candy Company based in Luxemburg (purchased Nestle in 2018) makes fun-size bars without all the scary ingredients we see in many US-based candy companies. These are sold everywhere!
CITRUS PUMPKINS
Seriously, can these be any cuter? Clementines, mandarins, tangerines, and oranges can be transformed into delicious, mini pumpkins with the help of a black marker. Great project to do with your kids too. Crooked smiley faces are fine!
FRUITY CHEWS
The Torie & Howard candy company features unique, naturally flavored, organic, non-GMO chewie fruities and hard candies. A healthy replacement to Starbursts! These include flavors like blood orange & honey, pomegranate & nectarine, pink grapefruit & honey, and pear & cinnamon. All yummy! [21.16oz bag includes 50 fruities â $15.99 at Torie & Howard].
LOLLIPOPS
If you want to be really scared this Halloween, read the ingredients on those suckers that are handed out freely at your neighborhood restaurant and barber shop. Normally full of artificial colors, flavors and SUGAR, they are a toxic shot to your kiddoâs system. However, we found YumEarth Organics which offers individually wrapped, certified organic, real fruit extract, and kosher pops. They are also free of gluten, tree-nuts, peanuts, GMOs, dairy, soy, and artificial colors/dyes [138-30oz container of variety assortment â $15.49 at Amazon.com.]
MINI-STAMPS
A fun alternative to candy for those with allergies â Halloween-themed stamps! The assortment includes pumpkins, ghosts, spiders, and more [variety pack of 8 â $1]. In addition, this is also a nice option for the numerous kids with food allergies. Many other non-food items are also available at Dollar Tree and Oriental Trading at unbeatable prices!
Make it a âHappyâ Halloween with these healthy Halloween treats for all!!
Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) kicks off on March 8th as the worldâs largest natural, organic, and healthy products event! Produced by healthy lifestyle leader, New Hope Network and co-located at the Anaheim Convention Center with Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace, the event brings together an inspired community of industry members and exhibiting companies.
Known as the best venue to spot innovations, the exhibit halls are filled with companies that are shaping the future of food and wellness! The event will include over 600 up-and-coming brands making their event debut and an estimated 60,000 to 65,000 attendees, according to New Hope Network.
60% of total attendees include buyers from retailers such as Albertsonâs, Kroger, Aldi, 7-Eleven, Sprouts, Whole Foods Market, GNC, Costco, Cambridge Naturals, PCC Markets, Earth Fare, Natural Grocers, Healthy Edge, Medly, Jimboâs Naturally, Natural Grocers, FreshThyme seeking the hottest new products in the health and natural products industry.
The U.S. natural and organic products industry sales grew an estimated 7.7% to $274 billion in 2021, with sales on track to surpass $300 billion by 2024 and $400 billion by 2030, according to Nutrition Business Journal and SPINS.
Natural Products Expo is a business-to-business trade show and is not open to the public but weâll be providing day to day reporting of the events and latest product innovations! Follow our coverage of the show @koecolife on Twitter, FB, and Instagram and @NatProdExpo and #ExpoWest on Twitter and Instagram.
About New Hope Network
New Hope Network is at the forefront of the healthy lifestyle products industry. With solutions for the complete supply chain from manufacturers, retailers/distributors, service providers and ingredient suppliers, the network offers a robust portfolio of content, events, data, research and consultative services. Through all its actions, New Hope Network aims to cultivate aprosperous high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that creates health, joy and justice for allpeople and regenerates the planet. For more information visit www.newhope.com.
Letâs be real, sometimes itâs a struggle to find gratitude about anything. At this time of year, we (in the US) are focusing on family gatherings and the concept of being âthankfulâ. Itâs a time to pause and focus on the big (and small) parts of our life that make us happy. But, most do not continue this practice EVERY day, and does it really matter?! WellâŚYES!!
THE BENEFITS OF PRACTICING GRATITUDE
Numerous credible, health professionals and advisers believe in the benefits of practicing gratitude for physical and mental health.
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Most notably, The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology reports from a research study titled âCounting Blessings vs. Burdensâ that in an experimental comparison, those who keep gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and feel better about their lives as a whole. Additionally, they are more optimistic about the upcoming week AND are more likely to achieve personal goals (academic, interpersonal and health-based) compared to those who record hassles or neutral life events (Robert Emmons & Michael McCullough, 2003-2006).
Alternatively, studies show that individuals experiencing physical, mental, or emotional pressure (i.e. psychological stress) are more susceptible to health problems.  The National Cancer Institute reports that people who experience intense and long-term stress can have digestive problems, fertility problems, urinary problems, headaches, viral infections, depression, anxiety, and a weakened immune system. Evidence from experimental studies also suggests that psychological stress can affect a cancer tumorâs ability to grow and spread.
ADVISORS
Conversations With God author Neale Donald Walsch states, âEvery act is an act of self-definition.â Therefore, âEverything we think, say, and do is a demonstration of our highest and our most sacred values and spiritual beliefs.â
Walsch believes we are âlost as a civilizationâ if we do not practice this standard.
When we take a moment to appreciate whatâs happening in our bodies right now, with a spirit of curiosity, we honor all that our bodies do for us every day.
Allow Gratitude to Connect You to All Living Things
When we awaken awe and gratitude for our interdependence, we can infuse a spirit of loving-kindness toward all beings, including ourselves.
Awaken the Flow of Gratitude in Nature
The outdoors offer gentle (and sometimes not so gentle) opportunities to be present with our sensations and our surroundings. Awaken gratitude for the Earth by going outside and noticing what arises.
Counteract Resentment
When we cling to our ideas of what we want and resist the way things are, we invite resentment into our lives. Gratitude invites us to let go.
Nurture a Sense of Gratitude
Use meditation exercises to connect with your body and breath and the present moment. This is a gentle way to nurture a felt sense of loving-kindness and gratitude. We recommend The Shine app which can be downloaded or found as a podcast called The Daily Shine.
It may seem overwhelming at first but eventually, it will become automatic and routine to do all five daily. Give it a tryâyou only have your health and happiness to gain!
Face yoga is a natural alternative to botox, fillers, and other more invasive procedures, that can bring lasting results if done regularly. Â The technique uses a variety of massage and exercises to target your face, neck, and shoulders.
BENEFITS
Medical researchers at Northwestern University, Loyola, and others find that face yoga may be effective in improving the structural appearance of your face by strengthening the muscles of the cheeks and face providing a more youthful appearance. According to Healthline, face yoga practitioners also report it may help to:
Erika Walljasper, Licensed Esthetician and Certified Face Yoga Instructor, focuses on holistic skin care at Facial Boutique. Facial yoga allows for the release of tension in the face and neck. âBy taking more control of facial muscles, it helps us to recognize furrowing, clenching, and straining. All of these movements that we do on a regular basis without really thinking about it, create blockages in the face and neck,â according to Ms. Walljasper.
These blockages prevent blood flow and lymphatic flow which are essential for skin health and whole body wellness. âOur neck is the gateway to the rest of the body. We want the neck to stay open and tension released to lift muscles of the face, contour the jaw, and help firm the skin on the neck,â Walljasper states.
We have over 60 muscles in the face and neck and half donât get used. Face exercises help lift and strengthen these muscles to avoid botox, fillers, and cosmetic surgery. Additionally, we can learn how to release tension in the face and neck and take control of facial muscles and the aging process!
Let us know what you think of the introductory exercises. Do you see improvement? We hope to report back after completion of the course with before and after pics!
Food waste from Cedar Rapids and Marion Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores will be worked into yard waste and composted at the Solid Waste Agency’s compost site at the Site 1 landfill on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. (Liz Martin/SourceMedia Group News)
One of the easiest ways we can decrease greenhouse gases and reverse climate change is to reduce our food waste. According to National Geographicâs issue on The New Food Revolution, âour need for food poses one of the biggest dangers to the planetâ.
Agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to global warming, emitting more greenhouse gases than all our cars, trucks, trains, and planes combined â largely from methane released by cattle and rice farms, nitrous oxide from fertilized fields, and carbon dioxide from the cutting of rain forests to grow crops or raise livestock.
So, what can we do?!
REDUCE FOOD WASTE
An estimated 25 percent of the worldâs food calories (or about 1.3 billion tons) are lost or wasted before they can be consumed.  In developed countries, the waste occurs in homes, restaurants, and supermarkets. These startling statistics led the U.N. to launch a global campaign, Think Eat Save, dedicated to reducing the âfoodprintâ or food waste of consumers, retailers, and restaurants.
The good news! We, as consumers, can make simple changes that make a BIG difference in the amount of food we throw away each year. Try one or all of these top 6 tips to reduce your foodprint!
Avoid Impulse Buys
Youâre less likely to eat the items you donât need. Â Stick to âthe listâ!
Buy Funny-Looking Produce
Nature does not naturally produce perfectly shaped, blemish-free fruit and vegetables so why do we expect it? When you buy the less than perfect ones at a grocery store or farmerâs market, youâre helping reduce food that might otherwise be thrown out.
Stock Like Supermarket Shelves
Remember FIFO â First In First Out.  When unpacking groceries, move older products to the front of the shelf and put new products in the back. Great way to avoid the dreaded â âis this still good?â question on those post expiration date foods.
Eat Leftovers
So easy to forget whatâs in that styrofoam container or casserole dish after it gets pushed to the back of the fridge. If you have leftovers, make sure to put them in an airtight container at the front of the shelf. All containers are not created equal so verify that the lids are truly secure and marked as âairtightâ. We like Tenzo Variety 4-Pack Glass Containers and Verel 36oz 4-Pack Containers. Both sets have bamboo lids that multi-task as cutting boards and serving platters. Great to also bring your own containers to restaurants for left-overs so no wasted âto-goâ container thatâs usually not even recyclable!
Make a Smoothie
Soft fruit and vegetables can be used in smoothies as well as soups and nutritious juice. So easy to find smoothie recipes online but you can always try new recipes curated or created weekly @koecolife on #ThirstyThursday or our website!Â
Compost Waste
If some items just didnât make it to your mouth and are rotting awayâŚdonât worry!  âThrow them in â the compost bin!â Compost bins can be discreetly added to any size yard or outdoor space and most food waste will naturally decompose without even needing to empty the bin!
Or, you can schedule regular compost pick ups through companies like Wastenot Compost in Chicago. For a small fee, they will provide a compost bucket and collect it as needed. ADD PROMO CODE update koecolife promo!!
Looking for eco-friendly, back to school gear? After extensive research and our own testing, we found a few stand outs from these eco committed companies. All are absolutely dedicated to the environment and making products that are fun and functional!
These insulated bags and backpacks will make your kiddoâs smile with their cute designs, super comfortable handles and straps, quick access internal/external pockets, and easy pack/unpack. Made from an environmentally friendly, lightweight, neoprene-like material that cushions and insulates, both bags and backpacks are machine washable and stain resistant. This innovative material is also degradable, recyclable, durable, and 100% toxic-free (zero lead and BPA, PVC, phthalates free)! Note: We used these for five+ years and they are VERY durable; however, we recommend hand washing to extend the life of the product.
juice sat overnight.â Bags are rather large at 9âH x 10âW x 6â and easily hold a drink container or thermos. They also fared well for comfort and ease of use with our three year old testers. Available in 16, colorful designs including animal shapes, stars and stripes, and flowers, there is something for everyone and appeal to kids of all ages. Backpacks are 11âłH x 9âłW x 6âł in 12 designs, sized for kids ages 3-7. Receive 40% off if you add a matching lunch bag. Available at http://www.dabbawallabags.com ($30/$44).
So, whatâs a dabbawalla?? A person in India who delivers hot, home cooked meals in lunch boxes to workers and returns the empty boxes to the workerâs residence in the afternoon. Just thought you should knowâŚ
The Batac 16L backpack features a main zippered compartment, along with a front vertical-zip pocket and two mesh water bottle pockets. Each Batac is made responsively to reduce waste with remnant materials, by employees who decide exactly how each one looks so no two are exactly alike!
The Bento-ware lunchbox is perfect for preventing the lunch smoosh mess that comes with overcrowded backpacks or lunchbags. Made in the USA from eco-friendly, recyclable, dishwasher safe plastic, this lunchbox is built to last! Extremely durable (many reviewerâs kids have been using the boxes for years) and designed to appeal to kids AND adults, these boxes allow parents to pack a nutritious lunch for the whole family.
Each lunchbox is sold with three water-tight lidded and two unlidded containers (the box acts as the âlidâ for unlidded containers). There is also a compartment to hold adult sized (under 6½â) utensils. Stainless steel fork and spoon sets can also be purchased separately on the bento-ware website. Our youngest tester (aged 3) did have trouble opening the box initially so this takes some practice for younger kids. However, we like that it has a secure, durable closure! Available at www.laptoplunches.com ($23).
This reusable, collapsible, waterproof, easy-to-clean, on-the-go, human and pet storage bottle/container Gives Back (now in partnership with Feeding America) with every purchase!
It holds fruit and veggie smoothie/purees as well as solids like carrot sticks, apple slices, and trail mix. As a bonus, THE POWCH! is freezer and dishwasher safe and can be used as an ice pack and heating pad. Available at www.koecolife.com ($19.99). Use coupon code âBACK20â for 20% off!
Reusable snack and sandwich bags are a must for eco-friendly, back to school gear. There are many choices out there and we chose selectively based on materials and made in USA sourcing and manufacturing.
Planet Wise offers a machine washable, water resistant bag with a locking zipper âno leakâ design. Kiddie and more sophisticated patterns also make these fun for all ages! Check them out at www.planetwise.com ($6.95).
Do you have other favorite eco-friendly, back to school gear to recommend? Weâd love to hear about it and expand our list. Please leave a comment and share your favs!
Going green starts at home, and while separating paper from plastic in your recycling bin is a great first start, there are more steps you can take to be less wasteful and reduce your carbon footprint. In fact, by making small lifestyle changes, you may end up saving time and money in the long run while also encouraging healthier habits.
While going green might seem complicated, small, manageable actions can make a significant impact to ensure a healthy planet for future generations. Redfin reached out to us and other eco-wise experts from Salem, OR, all the way to Chicago, IL, for our best Earth Day tips to help make your home more sustainable. Check out what we had to say so you can start living greener on Earth Day and beyond.
1) Reduce plastic waste in your kitchen
Swap plastic sponges for eco-friendly sponges made from Loofah, a natural fruit that comes from the cucumber family. This means theyâre 100% compostable making them a greener cleaning alternative in your kitchen.
We have reduced a lot of plastic waste at our home by switching to refillable shampoo, conditioners, hand wash, and dishwashing liquids. There are several bulk food stores that sell these eco-friendly cleaning alternatives and you can either take your own bottle or these stores also sell the refillable bottle if itâs your first time. âEkoroo
2) Be mindful of your cleaning products
What better way to disinfect your home than to use the natural germ-killing power of the sun? UV disinfection products can disinfect the air and surfaces in your home with the push of a button. Ditch the chemicals, plastic bottles, and disposable cleaning products for environmentally friendly disinfection with ultraviolet light. âViolet DefenseÂ
3) Get a home energy score
Home Energy Scores help homeowners and homebuyers better understand a homeâs energy use â shining a light (preferably LED) on possible energy efficiency improvements they can make to save money and support a more sustainable energy future. âOregon Department of Energy
4) Circulate the air inside your home
The air inside your home can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. Even during cooler times of the year, youâll want to open your windows for several minutes each day. Your heating and air conditioning systems will run more efficiently with clean, circulated air so donât ever fret over âletting all the cold air inâ or âletting all the warm air out.â âJust NaturalsÂ
5) âGreenifyâ your home office
The at-home worker can support their companyâs sustainability goals by making green improvements within their own home office. This includes reducing paper use, installing LED lighting, properly recycling office materials, and investing in energy-efficient office appliances. Working remotely is also a powerful way to lower your carbon footprint. Not only does this eliminate travel emissions but it leaves more time for productivity and tending to your family, home, and personal health. âGreen Business Bureau
6) A tried-and-true Earth Day tip: conserve energy within your home by turning off lights
To reduce energy usage and a buildingâs carbon footprint, âOFFâ is still the simplest solution. Begin by turning off lights in favor of natural lighting and by using HVAC equipment less in favor of natural ventilation to expand your range of comfortable temperatures so that equipment operates less frequently to maximize energy savings and cost reductions. And, because lights and equipment must be used at some point, try to tighten your building envelope and utilize energy-efficient equipment such as LED lights and high-efficiency, variable-speed heating, and cooling equipment. âElara Engineering
7) Invest in energy-efficient appliances
If you replace your old gas range or cooktop, replace it with a newer eco-friendly electric induction model. Electric induction cooking uses magnetic currents to directly heat the cookware only, saving energy. As an added bonus, cleanup is a breeze because the cooktop never gets hot and food never burns on it. âEcoHappy Style
8) Give your bathroom habits an eco-friendly and healthy makeover
Itâs time to ditch the harsh chemical cleaners. A great Earth Day tip is switching to plant-powered cleaners kissed with essential oils for those non-porous surfaces. Plus, itâs safer for you, your family, and the planet. âRebel Green
9) Divert landfill waste
Did you know that 60% of landfill waste is compostable? In addition, most green waste is enclosed in plastic bags and creates methane gas in the landfill. Start a worm composting bin and feed that green waste to your composting worms. You will divert landfill waste and your worms will create worm castings that you can use on your houseplants, landscapes, or gardens. âIowa Worm CompostingÂ
10) Grow your own garden
Growing your own food is not as difficult as it sounds, and it can be done anywhere. Have a yard? Great, start there. No yard accessible to you? No problem, grow indoors- or better yet, create a community garden with your neighbors and friends.
Start small with something like a herb plant or two. Not only are you reducing food waste by growing your own food (as the majority of foods come packaged in the store), you are also allowing yourself to connect deeper to the earth. âEco Goddess
11) Make sustainable swaps one step at a time
Where you can make a difference depends on your lifestyle. Some people love their to-go coffee, while others clean their ears often. Having a more eco-friendly lifestyle is really about taking a good look at the things you bring into your home and throw out, and just replacing or eliminating one thing at a time. An Earth Day tip to make these conscious choices a part of your lifestyle is to replace one thing a month, so you get 30 days to get used to this new habit. âLastObject
12) Incremental changes are key for a greener lifestyle
When converting your household over to healthy and environmentally conscious products, do so in small increments. Changing everything at one time can be overwhelming and costly. Consider changing products over in one area at a time, such as the kitchen, shower, or laundry. Think about all of the toxic products in your home and start replacing the ones that seem easiest, like hand soap versus your favorite shampoo. Allow yourself to run out of the prior product, then replace it with a healthier choice. This Earth Day tip will save you money and help you to adjust to new products a little at a time. âEdge Green Cleaning
13) Use reusable food and drink containers
Choose an earth-loving, reusable food or drink pouch with a built-in straw to avoid the 2.5 billion disposable food pouches that go into landfills every year (not to mention the 38 billion water bottles and 182.5 billion straws). These can be filled with applesauce, smoothies, yogurt, water, and much more to make on-the-go eating/drinking easy and eco-friendly. And, many are collapsible to save storage space. âk.o.ecolife
14) Reuse plastic bags or containers
Not everyone has access to bulk grocery stores or farmersâ markets. If youâre stuck buying groceries that come in a resealable plastic bag or container, an Earth Day tip to reduce plastic waste is to wash and reuse them for lunches or leftovers instead of buying more plastics bags. These bags are a waste of money and create more plastic waste. âKimberly-Carr Home Designs
15) Go one step beyond and try to make changes in your local grocery store
A unique Earth Day tip is to start a green movement within your community. Ask your supermarket manager if they will look to carrying fewer products packaged in plastic. If we donât buy them (eggs in plastic crates, milk in plastic bottles, etc.), they will feel it. âLetâs Talk About Food
