List of Organic Farmers In Malaysia as at May 2012

I thought it might be useful to list all certified organic farmers under Skim Organic Malaysia. This will help you identify certified organic farmers amongst the rest when grocery shopping. The names below were extracted from the SOM website. I also noticed a lot of organic farmers had not renewed their certification. As such the list here are farmers/suppliers with valid certification only

1. DQ Farm Products - Durian
2. Zenxin Agri Organic - Vegetables
3. Nasaha Enterprise Sdn Bhd - Herbs
4. Golden Meridien Sdn Bhd - Local Fruits
5. Hatiku Agrikultur- Vegetables
6. Yu Hao Enterprise - Vegetables
7. Jin Teik Organic Health Foods - Mushrooms and Vegetables
8. Berjaya Hill Berhad - Local Vegetables
9. Ng Kok Weng - Vegetables
10. Ganofarm Sdn Bhd - Mushrooms
11. Vita Agrotech Sdn Bhd - Mushrooms
12. C&C Mushroom Cultivation Farm - Mushroom
13. Leo Kim Ong - Leavy Greens
14. Jerum Organic Farms - Mushrooms
15. Today Mushroom Industry - Mushrooms
16. Sri Ain D Herbs - Herbs
17. Nas Agro Farm - Mushrooms
18. Borneo Highland Resort - Vegetables
19. Mazlina Karim - Mushroom
20. Aloe Vera International - Aloe Vera

I have a hunch that most of the farmers/supplier who have not renewed their certification  still display the certification seal on their website and labels. To renew your certification you will be subject to an on-site inspection according to SOM guidelines. The list continues below.

21. Choo Ling Hock - Vegetables
22. Chay Yee Yong- Vegetables
23. Lee Ong Sing  - Vegetables
24. Go Green - Vegetables
25. Kahar bin Abdul Rahman - Mushrooms
26. Suan Mokkh Garden - Fruits
27. Lee Sek Weng - Vegetables
28. J-Biotech Eco First Agro - Vegetables
29. D'Lonek Sdn Bhd - Vegetables
30. Elegant Green Trading - Vegetables
31. Highlang Sprout - Taugeh
32. Bin Florikulture - Vegetables
33. Ng Tzu Ting - Mushroom
34. Green Oasis Resource - Leafy Greens
35. Tan Soo Kiaw - Vegetables
36. Kop Pembangunan Desa

I buy organic produce from a local store called Jaya Grocer and as you know organic vegetables comes with a markup price. So i checked the names of suppliers on my greens with the list above. My organic vegetables come from MJ Sunrise which is part of Golden Meridian and  Agri Village. Agri Village buys fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers and businesses that subscribe to SOM standard in order to supply safe, fresh produce to retailers, wholesalers and foodservice operators nationwide and overseas.

Lemon Water

One of the things I have been incorporating into my list of daily must-dos is to drink lemon water. I first became aware of lemon water when i was diagnosed with cancer and my aunt suggested I have a cup of lemon juice at least once a week. Now I cut a few slices of lemon on throw it into my drinking water . It taste strange at first but you get accustom to it after awhile.

So why lemons? Lemons mixed with water creates a beverage when imbibed, helps raise the body's PH level. Lemon juice when metabolised, is alkalizing and therefore can balance out the acidic body. You don't want to be acidic as this makes you susceptible to falling ill, feeling fatigue, etc

Lemon water also stimulates digestion and relieves heartburn and bloating. I suffer from bloating if i have eaten food that is acidic. Now i sip lemon water after a meal and it has helped to alleviate bloating.

Drinking freshly made fruit juice or lemon water first thing in the morning is a great habit to incalculate. Please do not drink lemon juice in its concentrate form as i tried this once and got a tummy ache. So always dilute in water!

A word of caution as lemon is alkaline when metabolised but acidic in the mouth hence its good practice to rinse your mouth after drinking to eliminate residual acid. I have read that some find drinking lemon water regularly helps to reduce sugar cravings and calms digestion.

Suggest you keep a couple of lemon slices in the fridge so you can add it into your drinking water daily.

I recently received an e-mail message that read " Lemon Kills Cancer Cells - Surprising Benefits of Lemon" allegedly from Institute of Health Sciences In Baltimore. This is a hoax e-mail. The Institute of Health Sciences has issued a statement to say the content and information did not come from them. Although there are beneficial effects to lemon water this e-mail contained unproven, unsupported and significantly exaggerated claims as a cancer remedy and should not be considered a valid scientific report.

Scientific studies (2005 Science Daily and Medicinal use of Citrus published by University of Florida) however do indicate compounds in citrus, including lemon, have potential as anti- cancer agent. However it is not yet clear exactly how citrus will prove to be in preventing or fighting against cancer. It is also not accurate to say lemon is a viable alternative to traditional treatments like chemotheraphy. To be useful health advice needs to be valid, accurate and supported by credible medical sources. (www.hoax-slayer.com)

Giving from the Heart

The giving of charity can often be just as rewarding to the giver as to the receiver. However to select one charity is difficult hence my advice is to follow your heart and find one that appeals most to you. Here are a couple of organizations worthy of consideration.

The Truly Loving Company (TLC)

Buy bath and body products, floor, kitchen and bathroom cleaners. All dividends declared by TLC goes to five charitable causes such as Shelter Home for Children, National Stroke Association of Malaysia, The Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Association Johor, Rumah Aman and Hospis Malaysia. To ensure the money is distributed effectively the company has constituted a council to oversee the admission and review of selected charities as well as allocation of dividend. They also have a green-product range!
www.thetrulylovingcompany.com

Hospis Malaysia

Organisation provides palliative care and medicine at no cost to anyone with life limiting illness in Klang Valley. Services encompass both homecare and day care. Cash donations or/and medical equipment are appreciated.
www.hospismalaysia.org.my

The Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Association of Johor

A home for mentally disabled children who suffer from cerebral palsy,hyperactivity, autism and others. There are also children who have been abandoned or abused. Cash donations or buying items on their wish list are welcomed.
www.handicabjb.org.my

Epic Homes

Founded to build sustainable housing for underprivileged Malaysian communities, particularly indigenous people or Orang Asli. Homes are built and repaired by volunteers. One can donate to purchase building material or spend a weekend building a home.
www.epichome.org.my

Kiva

A San Francisco based non-profit organization that facilitates interest free lending to alleviate poverty. Donors loan to low-income entrepreneurs of their choice around the world and repayment are remitted back to the donor via Paypal. Kiva works with microfinance institutions in five continents to provide loans to people without access to banking system. I have been a member of KIVA for 4 years now and have lent to a number of single mothers who would like to start a small business to support their families in Asia and Africa. So far I have been paid in full which I then lend out again to another individual. You will find KIVA’s website organised and user friendly.
www.kiva.org

All of us can have a profound influence on the lives of others through the act of giving – Bill Clinton

Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.” – Barbara Bush

Top Documentary Films

I came across an amazing website that shares a number of good documentaries. Browse and discover the wide array of insightful films. http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/

Mineral Water Bottles

Mineral Water Bottles

Have you ever wondered about the little numbers on the bottom of plastic products, usually surrounded by arrows? I presume many have not noticed it.  These are called the resin identification codes and were introduced in 1988 by the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. to help with recycling.

Today, most single-use plastic water bottles are made out of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE), which is marked with a 1. Reusable plastic water bottles are usually made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is marked with a 2; Polypropylene (PP), which is marked with a 5; or Polycarbonate (marked with a 7 or the letters "PC").

While it's tempting to just re-use that water bottle you bought at the gas station or supermarkets, you may want to toss it in the recycling bin instead. Chances are the bottle is made out of PET. While manufacturers such as the American Plastics Council have said that washing PET bottles with soap and water will keep the bottle safe, health and environmental groups are concerned that re-using these bottles leaches phthalates (endocrine disruptor), specifically DEHP (also called BEHP), into the water.

Among other concerns, an October 2008 study published in Environmental Research found that pregnant women exposed to high levels of DEHP gave birth to baby boys with smaller penises and undescended testes. Other studies have found that degraded PET bottles leach DEHA, which is known to cause liver problems and may be a carcinogen.

Safe use of plastic bottles

If you plan on washing and re-using your plastic water bottle, your best bet is to go for polyethylene (marked with a 2) or polypropylene (marked with a 5). However, you may want to consider foregoing a plastic bottle entirely, and choosing one made from glass or stainless steel.I highly recommend it.

Other Plastic Tips

In general, avoid exposing plastics to extreme heat, like in the dishwasher or microwave. Even if the plastic claims to be dishwasher or microwave safe, heating it to extreme levels will cause it to degrade, and could release chemicals into your food and drink. And don't fill your plastic water bottles with hot liquids, like tea or coffee, for the same reason. Remember not to re-use single-use plastic products, like water bottles, because they will quickly degrade.

www.ehow.com/about_5529531_harmful-plastic-bottles.html

Environment

Plastic water bottles are poorly biodegradable, so much of the landfill plastic is ultimately burned which releases unknown but large amount of toxic smoke into the atmosphere.

Personal Practise

I stop re-using single use water bottles (those with resin identification marked 1) and got rid of all similar bottles at home. I have filtered water at home and I fill my stainless steel water bottle everyday. I sometimes purchase mineral water from the store but will immediately discard it once I have finished. I try not to bring plastic water bottles home. I have also stop re-heating food in plastic containers in the microwave. No plastic containers are used to heat food on the stove, microwave or oven despite having the microwave safe label. It can be difficult to get your family accustomed to this change but its well worth the effort.

Lead in Lipsticks

I read a report by FDA on Lead in Lipsticks. FDA published lead levels on 400 lipsticks tested. Average lead amount found was 1.11 parts per million. The report was publish to assure the public that lead levels were still safe and within acceptable standards. So is this a concern to women folk and should we jump on the bandwagon to sought lead free alternatives?

Before we get all riled up, did you know lead can be found in the following

Air, Dust, Tap Water, Bottled water, Garden Soil, Chocolate, Coffee, Candy, Pottery etc

So basically just about everything contains lead. For example Chocolate absorbs lead from the environment during production, and there is a slight concern of mild lead poisoning for some types of chocolate. The average lead concentration of cocoa beans was a very low ≤ 0.5 nanogram/g, one of the lowest reported values for a natural food. Lead concentration of chocolate was as high as 70 ng/g for chocolate products and 230 ng/g for manufactured cocoa.

200,000 ng equal to 0.0002 grams or 2 milligrams is the WHO tolerable daily limit for lead consumption.

Lead is a toxic metal found in mineral colour pigments used to give cosmetics their colour. There are varying levels of purity when it comes to mineral pigments thus the wide range of lead levels detected in the FDA test results.

Top 20 contenders in this report are

-       

     - Maybelline Color Sensational 125 Pink Petal  - 7.19 (parts per million – ppm)

-       - L’Oreal Colour Riche 410 Volcanic  - 7.00 ppm

-       - NARS Semi-Matte 1005 Red Lizard – 4.93 ppm

-       - Cover Girl Vibrant Hues Color Q580 Ruby Remix – 4.92 ppm

-       - NARS Semi-Matte 1009 Funny Face – 4.89ppm

-       - L’Oreal Colour Riche 165 Tickled Pink – 4.45

-       - L’Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lip Colour 748 Heroic – 4.41ppm

-       - Cover Girl Continuous Colour 025 Warm Brick – 4.28 ppm

-       - Maybelline Color Sensational 475 Mauve Me – 4.23 ppm

-       - Stargazer Lipstick 103 – 4.12 ppm

-       - Stargazer Lipstick 103 Matte – 4.06 ppm

-       - Revlon 009 Fabulous Fig – 3.32 ppm

-       - Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lip Color 27 Mauvey – 3.12 ppm

-       - Avon Beyond Color 558 Mad for Mauve – 3.08 ppm

-       - L’Oreal Endless 530 Mauve Amour – 2.87 ppm

-       - Revlon ColorStay 375 Ripened Red – 2.84 ppm

-       - Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer Toffee – 2.81 ppm

-       - Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl 631 Luminous Pink – 2.81 ppm

-       - Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lip Color 27 Mauvy – 2.80 ppm

-       - Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl 643 Satin Plum – 2.77 ppm

I was surprise to see Burts Bees so high up on this list of contenders. I was disheartened as I recently shifted to their products especially the Shimmer Lipstick range. They never advocated that their products were certified organic or did not contain metals but they did give the impression that a lot of care and consideration was given to produce a range of personal care products that are 100% natural. I guess “natural” does not carry much weight in the cosmetics industry other than an advertising gimmick.

Lead Poisoning

Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. It interferes with the development of the nervous system and is therefore particularly toxic to children, causing potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders. (Wikipedia Lead Poisoning)

Lead Free Cosmetic Brands

Extract from http://earth-friendly-beauty.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/burts-bees-response-to-lead-in-lipstick.html

The following brands all have fabulous lip products that are free of toxins like lead. Ere Perez, Inika, Adorn, Youngblood, Alexami, Emani, RMS Beauty, Miessence, Dr Hauschka, NVEY ECO, Lavera, and Ilia (just to name a few). Kiss My Face also do a lip shimmer that is very similar to Burt's Bees but without the lead. I would love to hear from anyone who have tried these brands and if its available in Malaysia, Singapore or Australia.

Preventive Measures (www.epa.gov)

Simple steps like keeping your home clean and feeding your family a well-balanced diet will go a long way in preventing lead poisoning. You can lower the chances of exposure to lead in your home, both now and in the future, by taking these steps:

• Use only cold water to prepare food and drinks.
• Flush all water outlets used for drinking or food preparation.
• Clean debris out of all outlet screens or aerators on faucets on a regular basis.
• Keep your home clean and dust-free.
• Wipe up any paint chips or visible dust with a wet sponge or rag. Clean dust around areas where there is friction and dust can be generated, such as doors, windows, and drawers.
• Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
• Teach children to wipe and remove their shoes and wash hands after playing outdoors.
• Ensure that your family members eat well-balanced meals. Lead interferes with some of the body's basic functions. Our bodies can't tell the difference between lead and calcium, which is a mineral that strengthens bones. Children with healthy diets absorb less lead.
• Make sure your contractor is Lead Safe Certified.

Conclusion

I am not saying go organic as most if not all natural lipsticks has not been tested for lead post manufacturing. If cosmetics company stop iron oxides and titanium oxides in cosmetics, which is doubtful will ever happen and switch to say fruit pigments to color cosmetics then we’re still going to contend with lead that can show-up in fruits and vegetables, either from soil it’s grown in or the lead that lands on it from environmental dust. Remember there is far more lead in bottled water than from lipsticks.

Nevertheless we should know what ingredients are used and how our lipsticks fair amongst  peers in the industry.

Unit of Measurement

"Parts per Million" is a way to quantify very low concentrations of substances. For example, 1 ppm is equivalent to 1 milligram of something per liter of liquid (abbreviated as mg/L) or 1 milligram of something per kilogram of solid substance (abbreviated as mg/kg).

In terms of percents, 1 ppm equals 0.0001 percent.

If a product has 20 ppm, that would mean it contains 20 milligrams of gluten (about 7 thousandths of an ounce, or 0.0007 ounces) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) or per liter.

The Story of Bottled Water (2010)

Who is the Fairest of them all

Asians love skin whitening personal care products. We seem to be obsessed with our fair skin. I never really noticed how much until my boyfriend pointed out that he couldn't find a personal care product without "whitening ingredient" This brings me back to the days when my mom tried to get me to use Fair and Lovely- India's number 1 fairness cream. As an indian child i was told that being fair is an asset!

Anyway I searched whitening creams on amazon and the results showed 1,158 products. You can get whitening cream for just about any type of skin and for any body part. Wow! we have come a long way from just Fair and Lovely. Now everyone from L'oreal to Estee Lauder makes whitening creams.

What baffles me is why do we need a whitening facial form for men?

Here are some known hazardous chemicals in skin lightening products.
Hydroquinone – The most common bleaching ingredient used in skin lightening products and is also found in film developing products. It is used in cosmetics, hair dyes, and medical preparations. Because it is considered a possible carcinogen (a substance that encourages cells to develop cancer) and has risks of causing respiratory issues, it is banned for use in cosmetics in the UK , EU, Japan and Canada, however, it is still allowed in the U.S.
Mercury – Many skin lightening creams have this chemical in them usually in the form of Mercury Chloride and Ammoniated Mercury, which is a carcinogenic. Toxic levels of mercury can lead to mercury poisoning which causes neurological and kidney damage, and may also lead to psychiatric disorders. In addition, it can lead to severe birth defects.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids – Commonly found in facial chemical peels, these are not ideal to be used without professional guidance. These should not be in anything you use at home regularly.
Arsenic – This is immediately thought of as “poison,” which is exactly what it is. Some skin lighteners do contain this as an ingredient.

If you want to know more here is a link to skin whitening creams banned due to its high level of mercury.
You may want to stay clear of these products.http://www.whiterskin.info/mercury-is-a-dangerous-skin-lightening-ingredient/#Listcreams

Summary of brands of products banned due to their content of Hydroquinone or Mercury.

• Creams – Jaribu, Mekako, Amira, Tura, Yesako, Rico, Madonna, Mrembo, Shirley, Kiss, Uno21, Princess, Zarina, Envi, Viva, Ambi, Lolane, Nadinola, Glotone, Nindola, Claire, Mic, Tonight, Fulani, Clere, Binti, Butone, Malaika, Dear Heart, Miki, Crusader, Nish, Island Beauty, Malibu, Palmer’s, Care Plus, Topiclear, Carekako, Body Clear, A3 , Dream Successful, Symba, Ikb, Cleartone, Clear Essence, O’nyia, Elegance, Mr. Clere, Fairlady, Clear Touch, Ultime, Baraka, Peau Claire, Immediat Claire. Pimplex and New Shirley.
• Lotions – Amira, A3 Cleartouch, Jaribu, A3 Lemon Skin, Kiss, Rico, Princess, Peau Claire, Clear Touch lotion, Fair & White body clearing milk, Sivoclair, Extra Clair, Precieux Treatment and Clear Essence milk.
• Soaps – Movate, Mekako, Jaribu, Tura, Acura, Rico, Fair Lady, Elegance, Miki and Jambo.
• Gels – Ultra Clear, Topiclear and Body Clear.

Finally whatever you decide please read all ingredients very carefully before applying any skin lightening cream or treatment bought from a non-professional outlet. Especially, if bought on the Internet and at local beauty parlours.

Personally I don't use any of these products. I accept my skin colour fair, tan or on the dark side it doesn't matter.

The Story of Cosmetics (2010)

Monavie

My dentist recommended Monavie on one of my regular visits. He said its a health juice packed with fruits high in anti-oxidants and works like a miracle! A bottle cost close to RM100. At the time i was desperate to try anything ( being just diagnosed with cancer) so i bought a bottle. A small cup twice a day.

The website states Monavie has the antioxidant capacity of approximately 13 servings of common fruits and vegetables in just four ounces.( http://www.monavie.com/). As i was drinking i noticed a thick residue at the bottom of the bottle. Well its imported and would have added preservatives to ensure longer shelf life.

You see I am all for healthy juices but without the additives or preservatives. Whats wrong with buying a juice extractors and making your own anti-oxidant drink. You could do carrot,celery and apple for instance. You could google and find combination of fruit juices that would deliver optimum amounts of anti-oxidants. I believe fresh juice is better than bottled juice unless your pressed for time and you want something fast without the hassle. The less we consume products packed in bottles and cans the better off we will be.

Further reading i discovered that one of the ingredients in Monavie is sodium benzoate which is a preservative that helps maintain a products freshness. Now Sodium benzoate and Vitamin C in Monavie reacts to form Benzene which is a known carcinogen. Below is an extract from Monavie website:
In the presence of trace amounts of certain metals, which act as catalysts, vitamin C can produce free radicals that convert benzoate into benzene. The FDA and World Health Organization have set a standard for benzene levels in water and that level is 5 parts per billion. MonaVie tests its MonaVie juices for benzene regularly, and we are always well below the FDA’s and World Health Organization’s acceptable levels for benzene.

OK so its within the acceptable standard levels however i firmly believe if we can reduce the consumption of preservatives we should endeavour to do so. What troubles me most is the number of young children drinking these "miracle" juices. I think we should educate our kids to drink fresh fruit juices and use Monavie as a last resort only.