Touch of Heavens Organic Shop, Organic Herbs, Spices, Natural Remedies, Nature Cures

Fat Free: Product has less than 1/2 (0.5) grams of fat per serving
99% Fat Free: Every 100 grams of food will have 1 gram or less of fat
Low Fat: Product has 3 grams of fat or less per serving
Light (Lite): Product has 33% fewer calories of 50% less fat per serving than a comparable product.
Lean: For meat and poultry only. Product has less than 10 grams fat, less than 4 grams saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams cholesterol per serving.
Low Calorie: Product has 40 calories or less per serving
Saturated Fat Free: Product has less than 0.5 grams saturated fat per serving. This value will be rounded to zero.
Trans Fat Free: Product has less than 0.5 grams trans fat per serving. This value will be rounded to zero.
Low in Saturated Fat: Product has 1 gram or less saturated fat per serving.
Cholesterol Free: Product has less than 2 milligrams of cholesterol per serving. This value will be rounded to zero.
Low Cholesterol: Product has 20 milligrams or less cholesterol and 2 grams or less of saturated fat per serving.
Sodium Free: Product has less than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving. This value will be rounded to zero.
Very Low Sodium: Product has 35 milligrams or less of sodium per serving.
Low Sodium: Product has 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving.
Good Source: Used for fiber, protein, vitamins, or minerals. Product has at least 10% of the Daily Value for that particular nutrient.
High in (Excellent Source): Used for fiber, protein, vitamins or minerals. Product has at least 20% of the Daily Value for the particular nutrient.

At Touch of Heaven’s organic shop we are proud to be a part of the retailer of certified organic herbal products. In fact, we believe that when it comes to your health and well being, organics should be your first and only choice. When we review materials, or survey harvesting sites we always take our health, and the health of our customers into very serious consideration. If an Harvesting Organic Lavender

herbal product is available in a Certified Organic form,that will be our first and only choice for our products…. regardless of price.
After all, it is our health that we are talking about, so why skimp? We are hopeful that one day soon all the products that you see throughout our catalog will be grown and sold with organic certification, and we are currently forming partnerships with several organic associations and farmers. The point of this is to implement a ubiquitous acceptance of organic herb cultivation and to introduce more of these products to the public. We can never stress the importance of organics enough, so to make things simple we have highlighted why the world needs not just organic but certified organic. There is a small selection of herbal products offered by Touch of Heaven’s Organic Shop that are not certified organic. In this case, they were harvested in the wild (wildcrafted), thus liberating ourselves from commercial farming dependencies, where chemical use may be employed.
Organic Lavender Farm

Pesticides? No Thanks!
Organic farming methods often involve more labor but take far less of a toll on the environment and your health. In fact they improve the local ecology through soil building, crop rotation, careful harvesting, assimilation of the local environment and composting. Conventional non organic crops require large amounts of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers which are directly sprayed on the crops or injected into the ground. This presents serious problems in the form of runoff from the originating farms, and contributes to the contamination of our ground water supply. This residue will also be fed through wildlife by a process that is known as bio-accumulation, forever changing the blueprints mother nature designed. It also neutralizes the composition of the soil creating an addict like dependency for synthetic supplements, which of course lead to an increased use in chemicals. We need to remind ourselves that when we do not buy organic, we are assuming a risk. Not only with the planet but also with our health.

Benefits of Buying Organic
1. Chemical free food/herbs. (Need we say more?)
2. Natural sustainable agriculture. (Organic crops build healthy soil through crop rotation, using composting methods, and relying on natural cycles of life to help reap bountiful harvests)
3. Farm worker safety. (Non-organic harvesters are directly exposed to agricultural chemicals. Adding enormous health risks, skin irritations, lung degeneration, and several known cancers. Organic harvesters need not worry about this)
4. Reduced pollution. (Organic agriculture avoids substances that contribute to
air, water, and soil pollution and it does not contribute to the problem of chemical manufacturing and waste disposal)
5. Our bodies will thank us!

Some Interesting Facts Concerning Pesticides
1. The EPA estimates that US sales of pesticides in 2000-2001 exceeded $11 billion dollars, thus representing over 2 billion pounds of pesticides being dumped on U.S. farm soil, homes, gardens, schools, golf courses and more. This number is about 8 pounds for every man, woman and child in the entire country.
2. There are over 21,000 different pesticides on the U.S. market containing over 875 active compounds. Many of these have been proven to have health implications and the others are unknown.
3. In the study, Food and the Environment: A Consumer's Perspective, 86% of respondents said they believe there is a connection between the health of the environment and their own well-being.
4. Since 1945, total U.S. crop losses from insect damage have nearly doubled. During the same time, insecticide use has increased tenfold. Today, 71 known carcinogenic pesticides are sprayed on food crops. (In Harmony's report, Pesticides: Losing Their Effectiveness)
5. EPA estimates that there are approximately 20,000 physician diagnosed pesticide poisonings each year among agricultural workers. These are only the ones which have been reported.
6. The EPA reports that Americans ingest and are exposed to over 167 times more dioxin every day than the acceptable daily level.
7. According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, only 1% of all imported fruits and vegetables are tested by the Food and Drug Administration for illegal pesticide residues.
8. The CDC has gone on record as stating… Pesticides are toxic to life forms by their very design.

Use At Least 10% Organic For A Better World
Here are some statistics concerning the incorporation of organic products into our own lifestyles which we find to be faithful and staggering.
By converting at least 10% of your food, fiber and cosmetic purchases you will;

Links for Organic and Pesticide Free Resources
Organic Consumers Association http://www.organicconsumers.org/
(Protecting organic standards for the consumer)
Don't Panic, Eat Organic! http://www.rain.org/~sals/my.html
(One of the most thorough and expansive online organic resources)
The O'Mama Organic Report http://www.theorganicreport.org/
(A resource for organic living, information and inspiration)
NCAP (Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides) http://www.pesticide.org
(A fabulous organization on the frontline in the battle against the use of pesticides)

What is fat and are all fats created equal?
The terms fatty acids and fats are often used interchangeably, but a fatty acid is the basic unit or building block of a fat molecule. There are three main types of fatty acids or fats found in foods: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated and they function differently in the body.
Foods of animal origin are typically highest in saturated fatty acids. In contrast, foods from plant origin are usually higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. All fats contain 9 calories per gram and approximately 115 to 120 calories per tablespoon.

FAT %

monounsaturated

polyunsaturated

saturated

Olive Oil

73%

13%

14%

Canola Oil

61%

32%

Flaxseed Oil

62%

32%

10%

Palm Oil

40%

10%

50%

What is hydrogenation? What are trans fats?
Hydrogenation is the process of adding hydrogen to oil and this process creates the trans fatty acids in the oil. Trans fat is a specific kind of fat that is formed when oil manufacturers change a liquid oil into a solid or semi solid fat such as shortening or margarine, and is composed of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The primary sources of trans fats are processed foods such as crackers, cookies, chips and deep fried foods such as French fries because they are usually made with margarine or partially hydrogenated shortening. Trans fats are also found in trace amounts in nature in some animal based foods.
How do different types of fat act in the body? Studies have shown that trans fat and saturated fat increase the low density cholesterol level (LDL), the bad cholesterol in the blood, which increases the risk of heart disease. Trans fat can also lower HDL’s (good) cholesterol levels. In contrast, unsaturated fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats do not increase the LDL’s (bad) cholesterol levels.
What is oleic oil?
Oleic oil is a vegetable oil which contains a high level of the monounsaturated fatty acid oleic oil. Studies show that higher levels of monounsaturated fats in the diet support heart health. Oleic oil is listed in the ingredient panel as mid oleic oil or high oleic oil and the oil is derived from safflower or sunflower oil. The high oleic acid content
of this oil makes it more stable, therefore increasing the shelf life of a product that it is in, such as crackers, cookies and potato chips.
What are mono and diglycerides?
Mono and diglycerides are components of fats that act as emulsifiers in foods and they are typically vegetable sourced. An emulsifier is an additive that functions to keep oil and water or other nonfat liquids from separating, but they do not actually contain fat. Mono and diglycerides are often used in baked goods, snacks, sauces and frozen foods.

What does reduced fat mean? Reduced fat means that a product has at least 25% less fat per serving than a similar food. Reduced fat doesn’t necessarily mean low fat.
What is low fat?
Low fat means 3 grams less of fat per serving.

Are nuts fattening?
Nuts are naturally high in fat. However, the fat is primarily unsaturated fat. Nuts also supply many important vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are a convenient way to boost protein levels in a meal or a snack.
Are oils healthful?
There are more and more studies out there examining how unsaturated oils (like canola and olive) are healthy to include in the diet. Medical research shows that monounsaturated fats will help keep good cholesterol levels (HDL) high and actually protect against heart disease. Be cautious: highly saturated oils and trans fats do not have the same effects.
Should I follow a low fat diet?
Nutrition experts recommend limiting total fat intake to 30% of daily calories and to focus on keeping the saturated trans fat levels to 10% of total calories. Fats play a vital role in the body and area an essential component of your diet. It is important to eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods within the basic food groups. Build a plate of food which consists of a variety of bright colors and textures. Keep your intake of all foods in balance and enjoy most foods in moderation.
Is it necessary to eat fat?
Yes. It is necessary to eat fat, particularly essential fatty acids (EFA’s). EFA’s are unsaturated fatty acids and our bodies cannot make them. They can be obtained from both plant and animal based foods, and dietary supplements. Essential fatty acids are necessary for heart health, brain function, normal growth, immune function and inflammation control.
The two plant based EFA’s are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linolenic acid. Good sources of these EFA’s are sunflower seeds, corn, soybean, safflower, canola, flax, and walnuts. Good sources of the essential fatty acids from fish are eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-they are from sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and dietary supplements such as Trader Darwin’s molecularly distilled Omega 3 fatty acids.
Fats play a very important role in the body. They carry the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and help the body to absorb them. They also provide energy and feelings of satiety after a meal.

If I eat fat, will I get fat?
Eating excess fat calories is no more likely to make one gain weight than eating excess protein or carbohydrate calories. Many people have made it a primary goal to reduce their intake of fat, especially saturated fat and trans fats which are associated with high blood cholesterol levels and an increased risk for heart disease.

Although it is necessary for us to take in fat we need to do so in moderation. Any product that contain .5 grams of fat per serving or less is considered (Fat Free).
Please be aware that this list doesn’t contain all the products that may exist. We do our best to keep the information as up to date and as accurate as possible, and always remember to read product labels even if you do have a list.

    BEVERAGES
Non-Bubbly
100% Cranberry Juice                                      Organic Apple Juice
All Natural Apple Juice                                   Orange Apple Cranberry Juice Apple Grape Juice                                                             Organic Cranberry Harvest
Apple Cranberry Juice                                    Organic Lemonade
Black Raspberry Juice                                     Organic Mango Lemonade
Blackberry Crush                                            Organic Pink Lemonade
Blueberry Estate                                            Organic Spicy Cider
Blueberry Pomegranate                                   Organic Tea/Lemonade
Blueberry Pomegranate Green Tea                   Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice
Cherry Cider                                                   Organic White Grape Juice
Concord Grape Juice                                        Pomegranate Green Tea
Cranberry Raspberry Blend                              Rio Red Grapefruit Blend
Dixie Peach                                                     Strawberry Kiwi Juice
Dynamo Plus Calcium                                        Strawberry Lemonade
Electrolyte Enhanced Water                             Sir Strawberry
Fresh Pressed Apple Juice                               Triple Berry Juice
Gala Apple Juice                                              Tropical Carrot Juice Blend
Grapefruit Sunset
Green Plant                                                        Bubbly Beverages
Green Tea Unsweetened                                   Sparkling Apple Cider
Hibiscus Cranberry Blend                                           Sparkling Blueberry Juice
Lemonade, White Grape Juice)                         Sparkling Cranberry Juice
Just Blueberry                                                Sparkling Mojito Beverage
Just Pomegranate Lemonade                             Sparkling Pomegranate Juice
Kettle Brewed Green & While Tea
Kettle Brewed Unsweetened Black Tea               CANDIES & COOKIES
Low Sodium Garden Patch                                Altoids Gum Peppermint
Mango Nectar                                                 Altoids Gum Cinnamon
Mango Passion Fruit Blend                               Altoids Licorice
Nutrient Enhanced Waters (Lemonade,            Altoids Peppermint
Fruit Punch, Tropical Citrus, & Dragon fruit)    Assorted Fruit Jellies
Orange & Bergamot Green Tea                       Black Licorice
Organic 100% Pomegranate                             Organic Pop

EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY
Everyone benefits from eating more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are nutrient all stars, packed with naturally occurring antioxidants, phyto-nutrients, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, water and complex carbohydrates. Research has shown that people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases as well as increased energy. And, eating more fruits and vegetables instead of high fat foods may make it easier for people to maintain their weight because most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and low in calories.
For the best variety, eat a colorful array of fruits and vegetables to give your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like dietary fiber, potassium and Vitamins A and C.
All forms of fruits and vegetables count - fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice! Choose fruits without added sugar and vegetables without added butter, salt and other high-fat sauces.

How can we eat more fruits and vegetables?
Add a handful to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal, or eat as a mid-morning snack. Dried fruits are also nutritious additions to baked goods and salads.
Frozen fruits make for wonderful toppings for pancakes and waffles. Just defrost, warm if desired and spoon on top.
You’ll find many 100% juice options count as a serving of fruit or vegetables.
Salads make a great addition to lunch or dinner.
Snack on baby carrots and grape tomatoes, try them dipped in one of the delicious salsas, hummus or low fat salad dressings.
Add frozen fruits to smoothies or as toppings for your yogurt, ice cream, sorbet or cereal.
Use vegetables to complete your dinner meal. Defrost only as much as you need. They are also great added to soups.

WHAT’S A SERVING?
A general guideline for a serving of fruit is one piece of medium-sized whole fruit, 1/2 cup of cut-up fruit, 1/2 grapefruit or 1/2 cup of 100% fruit juice.
One serving of vegetables is about 1/2 cup cooked, 1 cup raw vegetables or 3/4 cup of 100% vegetable juice.

WHAT IS BLANCHING?
Blanching is a process by which vegetables are plunged into boiling water for only a few minutes, then removed and immediately cooled to stop cooking.
Many vegetables are blanched before they are frozen. Blanching sets the fresh color of vegetables by destroying the natural enzymes that can slowly lead to deterioration of the vegetable. It also keeps the veggies from becoming very soft in the freezer.
A blanched vegetable needs a shorter cooking time than a fresh vegetable.

What is an antioxidant?
Antioxidants, such as Vitamins A, C and E, are plant chemicals found in fruits and vegetables. They help to protect other substances from oxidation, which causes deterioration. In an apple, oxidation may cause an apple to turn brown. In the body, oxidation may cause cellular damage. Choose a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables to give your body a wide range of valuable antioxidants.
What are phytochemicals?
Phytochemicals are naturally occurring plant chemicals that have shown promise in supporting hearth health, eye health and immunity. They include plant sterols, flavonoids and sulfur-containing phyto-nutrients.
Dietary Fiber Tip:
To benefit from the maximum fiber content in produce, eat the edible skins of fruits and vegetables.
Cooking Tip:
Save time by using Trader Joe’s pre-washed bagged salads and pre-cut vegetables. Maximize nutrient retention by steaming or cooking vegetables in small amounts of water.

Fruit & Vegeis w/ Chart