5
March
2010
Greenpeace is an organisation that’s not afraid to constructively criticise the cool kids. They’ve criticised Apple computers before for their use of toxic materials in their hardware, ranking them near the bottom of their first Guide to Greener Electronics.
Apple has since responded positively to the criticism, and improved to 5th in the latest rankings, behind leaders Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Philips.
Now it’s Facebook’s turn. Facebook is planning a data centre in the US state of Oregon. And Greenpeace are at them for “choosing coal” over renewable energy. The provider they’ve chosen uses more coal energy than the US average, and Greenpeace would like them to choose renewable energy instead. Facebook, as Apple were, is indignant, and have responded by claiming that their choice of data centre allows them to be highly-energy efficient, and that it’s unfair to claim that they choose coal, as their data centre chooses the provider from which to buy electricity.
You can be sure, however, that Facebook and other large organisations have been paying closer attention than usual to where they get their energy from. And that pressure is being placed on electricity providers to supply more renewably-generated energy.
And for those who haven’t yet left Facebook in disgust, join our Facebook group!
The South African situation
Unfortunately, South Africans can’t choose a provider. We’re stuck with Eskom, and that means coal. Koeberg and nuclear power are next, providing a small portion, and renewable sources barely feature.
In spite of the progressive feed-in-tariffs instituted recently, Eskom is barely paying lip-service to renewable energy, and continues to look at new coal power stations, ensuring a legacy of toxic mercury for those unfortunate enough to live near them.
For those interested, we host our server in Denmark, thanks mainly to the high bandwidth prices here. Denmark happens to have one of the highest proportions of renewably-generated energy from its widespread wind turbines.
Now if only South Africa could get going on solar, after a scorching week like this past week, we’d far outstrip Denmark!
To order, head on over to www.ethical.org.za
Have a great week,
Ian and the Ethical Co-op team
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25
February
2010
The pretty Hummer
The poet John Keats wrote:
What is more gentle than a wind in summer?
What is more soothing than the pretty hummer
That stays one moment in an open flower,
And buzzes cheerily from bower to bower?
It’s fairly certain he wasn’t referring to the Hummer, General Motor’s gargantuan gas guzzler. Environmentalists though were celebrating this week at the imminent demise of the car everyone loves to hate. GM have announced that they have been unable to find a buyer for the brand, and the vehicle, which began life in the US-army, may soon be a museum curiosity from the Age of Excess.
Shimeji mushrooms
Fans of the mushroom section would have noticed the quiet arrival of two varieties of unusual mushrooms. Shimeji mushrooms are rarely seen as they are difficult to cultivate. Native to east Asia, they grow slowly, have a longer than usual shelf-life, and a somewhat bitter taste raw, but become sweeter when cooked.
They haven’t been well-studied, but there is evidence of their effectiveness in inhibiting tumours, similar to their shiitake relatives. We have white shimeji, brown shimeji, shiitake and king oyster mushrooms available this week.
Quinoa
Most people have come across quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), the little balls of protein power. A superb protein, containing significant amounts of all essential amino acids, unlike some proteins quinoa is gluten-free and easy to digest.
But did you know that, just as maize isn’t only yellow, or carrots orange, quinoa has many different varieties (over 1800) and colours too. Until quite recently, red quinoa was almost extinct, but thanks to its rapid spread through health food stores worldwide, it’s now widely known and cultivated.
There’s very little difference nutritionally between red and white quinoa, with the red apparently being fractionally ahead in some nutrient levels. It’s got a slightly firmer texture after cooking, and a slightly nuttier flavour. Even better, it’s available this week at an amazing introductory price – R32 for 500g.
To order, head on over to www.ethical.org.za
Have a great week,
Ian and the Ethical Co-op team
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19
February
2010
I read a report today on a study indicating that optimists are less likely to get heart disease. It’s an important study, because while many have known this intuitively or through personal experience, this is one of the first studies to find a strong link between positive emotions and good health. We may not be able to control everything that happens to us, but no matter how horrific the experience, we can always control our reaction to it.
There are those who seem strong no matter what happens to them, and those for whom life is always a struggle, no matter the opportunities they are given. It’s always possible to change, to go from a predominantly pessimistic to a predominantly optimistic attitude. I know I have.
GM Maize in SA
Syngenta has applied to grow a new genetically-modified maize, GA21. As with all commercially-grown GM crops, there are no benefits such as “feeding the world” or “increasing yields” or “reducing herbicide use”. Instead, this maize has been modified to be immune to Touchdown Forte, Syngenta’s herbicide, a similar model to Monsanto with their Roundup herbicide. Again, seeds are used as a vehicle to sell more herbicide, which in practice has led to higher levels of herbicide use due to the plant’s immunity.
Recent amendments to the law allow the Minister of the Environment to insist on an Environmental Impact Assessment in cases such as these. Activist.co.za is running a petition requesting that this happen – lend your support at the activist.co.za website.
Free tickets to Natural and Organic Show
We’re not going to be exhibiting at this weekend’s Natural and Organic Exhibition, but many of our suppliers are, so it’s a great way to find out more. Urban Sprout are offering their readers free tickets – visit their website and follow the link from there.
Gojis, dates and other oddities
Organic dates have been almost impossible to come by recently, but we’re pleased to have some available again. They’ll go quickly, so get your orders in now. And, for goji lovers such as myself, who find that the 200g bag runs out half way up Table Mountain, we’re now offering goji berries in a 1kg bag. There’s also a variety of unusual fresh veg available – check out the site for more.
Admin and customer service ace wanted
We have a vacancy for an admin ace, with great customer service skills. It’s a fulltime position, available immediately. Go here to find out more.
Have a great week,
the Ethical Co-op team
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19
February
2010
We’re looking for a customer service and admin ace.
- you’ll be the key point of contact for customers, dealing with them warmly and professionally both by phone and email.
- you’ll also be holding the office together, helping out in the areas of finance, admin and logistics.
The pay’s not great, but you’ll be working with a passionate bunch of people in an open and transparent environment, making a substantial contribution doing something you love.
If that appeals, contact us for more information, or send your application to admin (AT) ethical (DOT) org (DOT) za, with the subject line ‘Admin Application’. We’re looking to hire immediately, so send in those applications nows!
Ian Gilfillan Jobs 1 Comment »
12
February
2010
No GMO eggplant for India
India has placed a six-month moratorium on the launch of a new genetically-modified aubergine. The aubergine, which has a bacterium introduced that’s poisonous to insects, was rejected by the environment minister after strong opposition from state governments and the lack of consensus from scientists.
It would have been the first genetically-modified food crop to be permitted for cultivation in India (India grows GM cotton) and opponents feared it would have set a poor precedent of allowing more varieties through with the minimum of testing.
The pressure is building on India, let’s hope it holds.
Lutein
Lutein is a carotenoid, an organic pigment found in plants. Carotenoids act as anti-oxidants in the body, and a diet high in carotenoids is essential for vibrant health.
There are over 600 carotenoids, and lutein is one that’s key for the eyes. It’s concentrated in a small part of the retina essential for central vision. High lutein intake is associated with a reduction in macular degeneration, the key cause of blindness in older people.
So which foods are high in lutein? Most of the green leafy vegetables have high levels, but there’s one that stands out. As I was told, if you’re looking for eye health, don’t think carrots, think… kale! Yes, kale tops the lot, a good reason not to go ”off yer kail”.
Spirulina
But that’s not the only green stuff we’ve got. New on the site this week is spirulina. At the UN World Food Conference in 1974, spirulina was declared best food for the future. It’s a fantastically healthy food, brimming with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. 65% protein by weight, and 12% more digestable than beef, and grown right here in the Western Cape. Available in powder or tablet form, and the tablets, unlike most, don’t contain any binder, just pressed spirulina.
Spirulina suffers, deservedly in my opinion, from a reputation of being rather unpleasant to taste. The thought of spirulina juice makes even kale juice seem delectable by contrast. So, it goes best with other foods, and is disguised extremely well by chocolate. A regular diet of chocolate-spirulina smoothies should have you glowing with joy and health in no time!
To order, head on over to www.ethical.org.za – there are a few other new products lurking this week as well.
Have a great week,
the Ethical Co-op team
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5
February
2010
How big is too big?
We often hear about banks that are “too big to fail”, or car manufacturers that must “survive at all costs”. Usually, it’s for our own good. Only large, well-captitalised companies can implement the important changes we need to make to thrive in the 21st century, right?
Quite the contrary.
Real innovation so often comes from small groups and the young upstarts tuning into the times. Literary movements can be three of four highly influential people. Political tsunamis occur because of the works of one writer, or a few, seemingly chance meetings. History is written in terms of people, not only because we understand it best that way, but because huge social changes are so fundamentally affected by key people at key times.
As the now cliched Margaret Mead saying goes, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
That works both ways around. Where many see shadowy forces behind much of the world’s ills, you can equally say never underestimate the power of a few thoughtless and greedy people to change the world.
When it comes to the environment, we see the same pattern. While the large companies or organisations, with bloated bureaucracies, can’t seem to get the simplest things done, small, innovative people and companies are changing the world quickly.
Greenpeace regularly publishes a guide to greener electronics, listing the environmental efforts and sins of the various manufacturers. It caused an outcry when it first came up, with Apple Computer listed at the bottom, but Apple, to their credit, have implemented some of the most critical changes, and now sit at the upper end of the scale. Nintendo, Microsoft and Lenovo are at the bottom, Nokia and Sony Ericsson at the top.
However, a small Indian company, Wipro, has trumped everyone else and produced a computer completely free of hazardous PVC (polyvinylchloride) and BFR (brominated flame retardants), right down to their power cords.
In cars, while General Motors killed their electric car in 2006, and Chrysler canned theirs shortly after using it to get US government bailout money, a number of small companies have been successfully selling electric cars for a while, mainly in Europe and Asia. The most well-known is Tesla, with their sports car capable of going 217 km/h.
How are you making a difference?
Rhubarb rhubarb
I have a soft spot for rhubarb, as it was the first edible plant I ever grew, on a tiny plot in my parent’s garden. Not that I ever ate it. The tart, sour taste was too much for my custard and ice-cream trained pallette. One of the tragedies of a modern diet, high in refined sugar and other sweeteners, is that we lose our appreciation for the other tastes. Bitter, sour, astringent – these are tastes, not unpleasant horrors to be avoided at all costs.
Rhubarb is pleasantly tart, and a very good source of Vitamin K, calcium, potassium and manganese. The traditional way of describing the benefits of a food are in terms of their components. Vitamin A is good for the eyes, zinc for the brain, and so on. While this is in some sense true, there’s usually much more complexity, and it’s more important how things work together. Just as pesticides, tested individually, may seem safe, in untested combinations, it’s very unlikely the body welcomes them. Similarly, while the various vitamins and minerals, tested individually, all show certain effects, their effect together is is much more important.
Rhubarb however is perhaps an exception. While most think of calcium as being good for the bones, and it is, taken in isolation as a supplement it can do more harm, as the body may be unable to utilise it properly, leading to calcification in the wrong places, even while the bones remain weak. It’s all about that digestive system again, and how we utilise what we eat. A good dose of sauerkraut may do more good than popping lots of pills. Rhubarb, however, is really good for the bones. Vitamin K, calcium and manganese are all important for bone health, and rhubarb contains them in ample supply.
Perhaps more people though have heard of the phrase “rhubarb rhubarb” than have tasted fresh rhubarb. The term apparently began when stage directors would instruct crowds of extras to say “rhubarb rhubarb”, giving the impression of general hubbub. There was even a 1980 film, “Rhubarb rhubarb” where the only dialogue uttered was the word “rhubarb”, over and over (and over) again.
Candida
Talking of digestive systems, this week’s video is by the dynamic David Wolfe, on the topic of Candida. View it on the blog.
Coconuts
This week we have coconuts new on the site. They’re young green coconuts from Mozambique, which means they’re high in water, and low in the coconut flesh, perfect for drinking. We still have coconut oil available too. It’s one of the only oils to be cooking with as it has a very high heat point, and doesn’t have harmful side-effects when heated for cooking, like most other oils. Of course, you can have it raw too – it’s a great ingredient in smoothies.
Don’t forget
People are quite frequently leaving cold items behind at collection points. Remember, your cold items will be stored in a cooler box at the collection, and are marked separately at the top of your order sheet. Please don’t forget them!
To order, head on over to www.ethical.org.za.
Have a great week,
the Ethical Co-op team
Ian Gilfillan Newsletter 1 Comment »
5
February
2010
David Wolfe is always a dynamic speaker, and this video is a small segment from the 2009 Longevity Experience seminar in California. Here, he talks primarily about candida.
I suggest viewing it in fullscreen, as the video size unfortunately isn’t customisable.
The video is originally from the Longevity Conference site, where you can also find more details about the full video.
Ian Gilfillan Video 1 Comment »
28
January
2010
As a child, sauerkraut wasn’t exactly top of my favourite food list. The thought of fermented cabbage just didn’t get me salivating at the lips.
I never revisited it as an adult until, one day, a year or so ago, a friend served up a bowl of sauerkraut. I was hooked.
Sauerkraut is high in Vitamin C (as is cabbage generally), and keeps for a long time in its brine, it was used by sailors to ward off the dreaded scurvey. While British sailors used limes for this purpose, earning the nickname “limeys” from their enemies, German sailors used sauerkraut, the basis for the term “kraut”.
Making sauerkraut is easy – just add salt and water. Various lactic acid bacteria (naturally present on all vegetables) kick in and the fermentation process begins. It’s these same lactic acid bacteria that exist in a healthy digestive system preventing the growth of parasites and yeasts.
It’s easy to damage our intestinal flora. Antibiotics cause particular damage, as does alcohol, birth control pills and refined foods. The high levels of bacteria in sauerkraut are a great way to restore digestive balance. They also contain two particularly powerful cancer-inhibitors, isothiocyanate and sulphoraphane.
It’s also purported to be a powerful hangover cure. If anyone has success with this, please comment below!
Change is the only constant
For those who’ve had a long holiday, a reminder that we’re now open for orders until Tuesday afternoon, 2pm. We get our fresh produce from the farm on Wednesday, pack through the night, and get it to you fresher than ever on Thursday.
Don’t forget to keep an eye open for new collection points closer to you. This week Amber Way in San Michel, Noordhoek, is back on the map. You can set your default collection point by going to “Change Details” after logging in.
To order, paddle on down to www.ethical.org.za.
Have a great week,
the Ethical Co-op team
Ian Gilfillan Newsletter 2 Comments »
22
January
2010
Earth has an amazing capacity to regenerate itself. Whenever people talk of “saving the earth” they usually mean “saving humanity”, or at least, saving our standard of living. The earth will be just fine.
I wrote last year of salmon returning to the River Seine. If images of salmon cruising through Paris, one of Europe’s largest cities, seems remarkable, perhaps another comeback is even a more remarkable. South Wales was once land of the coal mine, where the rivers ran black with coal dust. The River Taff alone at one point received 100,000 tonnes of colliery waste each year. Pitheads and slag heaps once dominated the landscape but the coal industry declined. From a high of 620 mines, the last mine was closed in 1994, although a group of retrenched mineworkers bought it and kept operating it until two years ago. Government and community groups have been working on water quality ever since the mines began to close, and now, for the first time, salmon have returned to all rivers in the area.
Salmon are a signature species, needing very clean water along the entire river, as they spawn at the top of the river in the shallows, then swim down to the sea, and finally back again. That the waters of south Wales are clean enough to welcome them back gives us all hope.
GM surging ahead in South Africa
Meanwhile, according to a Monsanto spokesperson, plantings of GM crops are surging ahead in South Africa. Shortly after the release of the recent study implicating three varieties of Monsanto maize with organ failure, the spokesperson estimated that 10 percent more white maize has been planted. White and yellow maize plantings are estimated at 2.5 million hectares, of which over 75 percent is GM, he said. Just in case we’ve forgotten the official line, he finished off by claming that GM technology aims to “feed the world, secure food security, and alleviate famine and poverty”, none of which are achieved by allowing our food supply to be monopolised by the world’s largest seed company, one with a proud history of producing such useful contributions to society as the chemical weapon Agent Orange and Bovine Growth Hormone.
Fresher and later
Don’t forget that we’re managing to bring you your veggies an extra day fresher, which means that you can order right up until Tuesday 14h00. Do try get your orders in early though – not everything is available right up until the end. And if there’s anything you can’t miss out on each week, you can place a standing order, which gets automatically placed for you each week.
To order, head on over to www.ethical.org.za
Have a great week,
the Ethical Co-op team
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14
January
2010
Even Fresher
It seems to have been a scorchingly hot summer so far, in Cape Town at least, and yesterday took the sugar-free goji berry cake. So it’s great timing for our move to provide you with even fresher food. Whereas before, we’d receive our fresh produce on Tuesday, pack it on Tuesday and Wednesday, and get it to most of you on Thursday, now we’re receiving all our fresh produce a day later, on Wednesday. You still get it on Thursday, but it’s a day fresher.
No sitting on shop shelves for days – we get it, pack through the night, and deliver it straight to you.
Maize
Maize, mielies, corn. Whatever you call it, it’s one of South Africa’s staple foods. And, to our shame, most of the maize we feed our people is genetically-modified. The most comprehensive study to date of the effects of genetically-modified food on mammals founds a strong link between three varieties of Monsanto maize and organ damage, in particular to the kidney and the liver.
Now proving that something like food is harmful is very difficult. The design of the study is critical. There are countless studies, funded by the biotech giants, showing no correlation between their produce and any harmful effects. Most of these are seriously flawed. They only look at short-term effects. They use such a low dosage as to be meaningless. They compare unrelated feeding groups.
All these flaws are well-known to researchers, but the volume of these flawed papers muddies the waters, justifying the approval of their produce.
Short of force-feeding humans GM food, and seeing how their organs deteriorate, this new evidence looks pretty conclusive. Expect a rash of studies showing the opposite.
But it’s not just the cobs. So many products contain maize. Take a look at those ingredient lists next time you’re buying processed good – if it contains maize, and it’s not organic, it’s almost certainly genetically-modified.
There’s no difference
One of the classic tactics to get GM-produce approved is to claim that there’s no difference. It’s just like breeding a new variety, they say. That untruth has long been exposed, but in New Zealand it got taken to a new level. A poultry farm was feeding its chickens a genetically-modified soy feed, and claiming that the chickens contained no GM ingredients. Their defence that “research confirms that animals that consume feed with a component of GM are no different to animals that have been fed a GM free diet” was overturned by the New Zealand Commerce Commission.
Company of the Year
It’s ironic then that, as I mentioned last week, Forbes magazine announced its company of the year as, no, not us – Monsanto were the worthy winners. For many, businesses are measured simply on how much money they make for their shareholders, and by this measure Monsanto has been a success. However, just a few days after the award, Monsanto surprised analysts by announcing a loss, based on reduced herbicide sales.
Here’s wishing a fantastic 2010 for all those pioneering farmers doing things the right way, for everyone.
Safe?
The safety debate has been raging equally fiercely in other areas. Lead is well-known to be harmful to the body. The British and US governments have set a level of 10 micrograms per deciliter as being safe. However, another study has found that children who had blood lead levels between 5 and 10 micrograms per deciliter scored an average of 49 percent lower on reading tests and 51 percent lower on writing tests than children with levels below 5 micrograms.
Now that lead-free petrol is here, the prime source of lead contamination in South Africa is paint, particularly when it’s peeling or chipping, and children are particularly susceptible. If you’re planning a paint-job anytime soon, don’t forget our range of lead (and other nasty)-free paint in our Home & Garden section.
Have a fantastic week,
the Ethical Co-op team
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