When we first started to carry the Greek Gods yogurts both of them used organic milk but someone pointed out to me recently that the honey no longer uses organic milk. So even though it is an excellent tasting yogurt Earth’s General Store will not be carrying this product.

It is strange that the Greek Gods honey yogurt that they sell in Costco IS certified organic because Costco wants it that way (this is second hand information from store customer – George). Pity that this company doesn’t support the organic food stores this way.

I may even remove the plain yogurt off the shelves – specially if it stops using organic milk.

I also noticed that the greekgodsyogurt.com site for the customers in the USA are worse off – they don’t use any organic milk in any of their yogurts just “Pasteurized Grade A Milk”. Pretty sad. Check out the .ca and compare it to the .com site.

This company is not an organic company.

Tree Stone Bakery has been regarded as one of the finest bakeries in Edmonton specializing in French type breads. Since we moved to our new location we have wanted to add their breads to our offering of local breads.

Well today it happened!

Yvan Chartrand dropped off some of his excellent looking and delicious ‘Pain Complet’ (organic whole grain sourdough) – fresh out of the oven. So if you missed going to his bakery (Boulangerie Bonjour Bakery) and picking up some of his bread now do not despair! Earth’s General Store has his bread (more variety to come in the following weeks).

Fresh, Local, Organic, Delicious – what more could you ask for?

- Posted March 17th, 2012

Earth’s General Store is pleased to add another unique raw item to our offering – Coconut Secret Certified Organic Raw Coconut Vinegar. This product is made from coconut tree sap and you can use it in place of apple cider or other vinegars in your recipes.

- Posted March 16th, 2012

We have a very good raw food section and it is expanding as fast as I can find suitable products to add to it (within my budget constraints of course).

Today we received a whole slew of new products from a new supplier:

All of the coconut oil sold at Earth's General Store is certified organic.

Coconut oil is a saturated fat that is quickly processed in our bodies. Coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid which is converted in the body to monolaurin. Monolaurin has been shown to be very good a fighting disease. Unlike other saturated oils coconut oil also has considerable levels of medium (MCT - medium chain triglycerides) and short chain fatty acids which have been shown to provide a variety of health benefits to humans (lowering cholesterol, food digestion, absorption of vitamins/nutrients and lowering blood pressure).

Earth's General Store offers coconut oil from the following suppliers (in alphabetical order):

• Alpha Health Products – DME (Direct Micro Expelling), Premium, and MCT oils - RAW

• Artisana – Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Coconut Butter - RAW

Organic vs. Natural [from The Organic Network website]

What’s the difference? Is there a difference? We’re here to help you understand that there is a difference!

When products are labeled with the USDA Organic symbol, here’s what you can expect and trust:

• No toxic synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fumigants
• No chemical fertilizers or sewer sludge used as fertilizer
• No planting of genetically engineered crops or use of cloned animals
• No synthetic hormones or antibiotics
• No artificial preservatives
• No artificial colors or synthetic flavors and sweeteners
• No trans fats
• No irradiation

And what is the definition of “natural?” Well, it varies. According to the USDA, there is no clear definition, nor any enforceable standard within the food industry, though many natural products are marketed as “sustainable” with one or more of the following claims:

At Earth’s General Store we have recently expanded our offering of vitamins and supplements. We have recently added Sun Warrior Vegan Raw protein, Natural Factors, PDX, Nutrition Now Pro-biotics, and Mega Food.

These additions compliment our vitamin Quest, Ddrops (Vitamin D), and NOW brand items.

Slowly but surely we are expanding so that people can find the assortment of products they are looking for in one place and at reasonable prices.

Check us out for your supplement needs.

- Posted March 2nd, 2012

Green Beaver is recognized as one of Canada’s good green corporations. Making a line of personal care products that include organic, gluten free, plant based and cruelty free ingredients.

One of my biggest complaints was they did not make their shampoos, conditioners, lotions and body washes in bulk… until now! Yes – right here at Earth’s General Store you can refill many of your Green Beaver personal care products AND for substantial savings.

Refill Don’t Landfill! with Green Beaver and Earth’s General Store.

- Posted March 2nd, 2012

To add another dimension of healthy food preparation (adding to our dehydration, sprouting, and raw food offering) Earth’s General Store has added Harsch ceramic fermentation crocks. These are recognized as the premiere fermentation crocks.

We carry the 5 litre, 7.5 litre, and 10 litre crocks. We also brought in some hardwood wooden tampers and mandolins that are sized to shred cabbage.

The prices are:

Today the media has endorsed that Chia as a superfood. The people involved in plant based health have known for many years that chia seeds have been a great source of omega-3 oils, protein, and fibre. They are not just for those ‘chia pet’ anymore but to help people control their appetite and cholesterol.

Earth’s General Store carries chia in bulk and packages (of course the bulk seeds are at a very good price compared to packaged prices). All of our chia seeds are certified organically grown.

Chia seeds can easily be added to your usual meals and/or incorporated in a green smoothie. There is a very nice chia pudding that you can make. My recipe uses a little more almond milk and is not as thick looking as the picture on the linked website.

Enjoy!

- Posted February 14th, 2012