A new study by scientists at the University of Washington (UW) has found that an organic diet can greatly reduce a child's exposure to certain insecticide residues in just three days. While multiple pesticides and their breakdown products are present in every American child from before birth throughout adulthood, the study, which focused on school-age children, showed dramatic reduction in organophosphate insecticide exposure after just a few days of a diet composed mostly of organic foods. Levels went back up to pre-study levels after just a few days back on conventional foods. Click here for a pdf of an attractive flyer on this topic from The Organic Center. has the goal of communicating credible, science-based information about organics to the public, resulting in greater awareness and use of organic products, the conversion of agriculture to organic methods, and improved health for the Earth and its inhabitants. EdibleNature supports the valuable work of The Organic Center and just last month donated $10,000 to the organization.

Simply Organic is extending its top-selling line of organic spices and seasonings with seven proven winners. The brand is adding organic cayenne, chili powder, cloves, curry powder, bay leaf, paprika and nutmeg -- some of the fastest-growing organic spices in the natural channel. (Cayenne and curry had extraordinary growth rates of 42% and 21% respectively.) The addition of these seven popular spices is expected to further boost Simply Organic's position your organic brand of choice. The spices will all be sold in Simply Organic's distinctive 6.25-oz. glass bottle that offers at least 50% more product than traditional 4-oz. bottles. Like all Simply Organic products, these new items are organic and kosher certified and contain no genetically engineered, irradiated or ETO-treated ingredients. The products are freshness sealed and dated.

Aura Cacia will promote its Aromatherapy Deck and Bubble Bath in the consumer press this month as the product reaches store shelves across the country. The Aromatherapy Deck is a collection of 54 artistically designed cards to help inform and educate consumers about essential oils and how to use aromatherapy to enhance their lives. Three different types of cards -- Essentials, Benefits and Formulations -- may be viewed in any order and make everyday aromatherapy applications fun and easy for both beginners and those experienced in aromatherapy. The beautifully designed Aromatherapy Deck is perfect for a coffee table and provides an attractive and inexpensive gift option.

The gentle formulas of the natural liquid Aromatherapy Bubble Baths create a spa-like setting in the home with luxurious, dense mounds of delightful bubbles. The bubble baths come in four enticing natural scents -- Tranquility, Heart Song, Lavender Harvest, and Soothing Heat. All are paraben-free and use a gentle, natural surfactant instead of sodium lauryl sulfate, making them one of the most natural bath products available. The Aromatherapy Bubble Baths are packaged in attractive, shatterproof plastic 13.5 ounce bottles with a suggested retail price of $8.99.

A new report shows that even though consumers are unsure of the meaning of the term "sustainability," giving it very different personal meanings, the majority seem ready to purchase a wide variety of products from companies with the ethics of sustainability -- but few know where to find these products. Some of the findings:

- 72% of U.S. consumers believe their purchases have significant impact on society.
- 71% say they would likely pay more for sustainably made products.
- Only 5% of consumers can name companies that they know have values based on sustainability.
- Only one out of ten consumers knows where to buy sustainably made products.

A study by economists at Iowa State University has shown that the potential regional economic impact of organic crop production exceeds that of conventional crop production. Funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the study found organic rotation farming produced 52 percent more gross sales revenue, 110 percent more value added, 182 percent more labor income, and 56 percent more jobs than the same 1,000 acres farmed using conventional corn-soybean rotations. A summary, news release and .pdf of the study are all available at the study's web page.

And for those interested in exploring the economic potential of organic production, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has launched HowToGoOrganic.com -- an online resource for farmers, processors, and those interested in creating new organic enterprises.

The Canadian government has officially declared that black, green and oolong teas have medicinal qualities. Of course this is old news in the scientific community, but significant when put in the context of how difficult it is to convince the U.S. and Canadian governments to acknowledge health benefits of herbs. After reviewing hundreds of studies, the Canadian government stated that there is enough evidence to prove these particular teas are safe stimulants, support cardiovascular health and are an important dietary source of antioxidants.

Despite a panel of American nutrition experts declaring last year in the Journal of American Clinical Nutrition that tea is second only to water as the healthiest beverage choice, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has rejected petitions similar to what Canada approved this week, saying there is no evidence supporting these herbal health claims. (A recent clinical trial in the United States suggests the main extract from green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may help improve circulatory function in humans with coronary artery disease. Other scientific studies have linked tea consumption to health benefits that include lower risk of certain cancers, increased weight loss, improved heart health, and protection against Alzheimer's.) Our new partner website AfternoonTeaStore.com has all the best and most popular teas at reasonable prices.