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ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE   

What do we mean by an Alternative Lifestyle and what are the different areas of our lives incorporated under it?

One of the main themes that GAIAFEST, The Festival of Holistic Living, to be held between the 3^rd & 7^th June at the Elysium Centre in Ghajn Tuffieha, intends to address is Food and Nutrition.

When we are in pursuit of an alternative lifestyle, we need to consider the different facets of what this entails, including our food and nutrition habits, what we must avoid at all costs, the type of products we choose to purchase and use, as well as the type of water we consume. In Part I of this series of articles we shall first have a look at why it is best to opt for Organic Food and avoid Genetically Modified Organisms, pesticides and additives. In Part II we shall explore the different means of leading a relaxed and healthy lifestyle in tune with our bodies, souls and minds. Finally, in Part III we shall have a scientific look at why distilled water is the best type of water for us to drink, and why we should make that extra effort to buy Fair Trade products, despite the difference in price.

Part I FOOD & NUTRITION

A wonderful way to support and encourage greater balance and peace in your life is to be more aware of the subtle, yet profound ways that food is affecting us every day, on a physical, mental and emotional level. For example, eating heavy, dense food can leave us feeling heavy and dense, whereas eating more light and vibrant foods encourage us to feel lighter and more vibrant!

We make life much easier for ourselves on all levels when we give our body optimum foods that require minimum of effort to digest whilst giving maximum possible nutrition and life-force.

Our energy comes directly from what we eat. That food, just like us, is a living entity. Its energy comes from the sun and its nutrients come from the earth. All that we consume must be healthy in order for us to be in good health. Being healthy is more than being without a cold or an illness. It also includes reproductive health. By eating foods polluted with man-made chemicals, the robustness of our reproductive health is diminished ever so slightly in each generation. Even though are we each unique, it would be a mistake to think of oneself as a separate entity. Our genetic material has been intricately intertwined through the millennia. Even before we were born, if our parents were exposed to a pesticide, then we have been affected. No matter how small the concentration, we have been affected. The genetic code of our very being, the one that must be passed on to succeeding generations is damaged. Just as we are all related to one and other, we are also related to the earth and the sun. Beginning with the process of photosynthesis, plants turn the energy of the sun into a form that animals can utilize. It is channelled up through the chain of life, or food web, to us at the top.

If we are what we eat, we need to be aware of some basic facts about our basic needs.  It is important to understand why we need to avoid GMOs, and incorporate organic food into our diets.

What does GMO mean? Genetically Modified Organism is the most common usage (though 'manipulated' or even 'mutated' might also be appropriate!) The acronyms GEO (Genetically Engineered Organism) or simply GM or GE are also used. Genetic engineering is a radical new technology that forces genetic information across the protective species barrier in an unnatural way. Why be concerned? One of many good reasons is that these laboratory-created mutations are unlabelled, virtually untested and on grocery shelves everywhere.

Say No To GMOs! When gene technology is used to alter the genetic makeup of and food crop or food ingredient, it is considered to be genetically engineered. Genetically engineered plants have genes from other plants, and some even have genes from animals. In addition, antibiotic genes and promoter genes are often added to support the transfer and activate the gene in its new home. These can cause their own type of negative side-effect.

Are GMOs safe for human consumption? Not necessarily. According to The American National Institute of Health, four to eight percent of children and one to two percent of adults exhibit allergies to certain foods and the building blocks of foods, mainly proteins. Moreover proteins that in small quantities were safe may now exceed toxic levels, or new proteins may be produced that were not produced before.

Can GMOs harm the environment? Yes, in several ways. Despite early claims that the need for pesticides would decrease with the planting of GE seeds, time has proven this claim faulty.  Pesticide has continued to increase as pests develop resistance to the genetically altered crops. Pesticide use has also been linked to water and soil contamination.  GMOs can spread their novel genes by bird, insect or wind into wild populations thus contaminating the natural gene pool. Furthermore genes from crops resistant to herbicides may spread to weeds, thus creating ‘superweeds’ that the herbicide can no longer control. GMO plants can also unintentionally harm other species.

In 2003 the US was the largest producer of GMOs with 105.7 million acres. According to the World Health Organization, there were three million cases of severe pesticide poisoning and 20,000 deaths globally in 1996.

Truth Untruth - Pesticides are rigorously tested?  

Grandfathered pesticides
 

A great many pesticides are "grandfathered in", or approved for use without any testing because they were created before regulations. The truth is that pesticides are tested by the manufacturer, and the results are given to the relevant authority. That is, when, how and if that manufacturer feels like it. Pesticide testing is done by manufacturers and/or paid for by manufacturers. A testing company outside of the manufacturer, or "third party" is paid to do the tests. This is a great conflict of interests. There should be no connection between the payment for testing and the manufacturer. It is argued that their use of third party companies is not a conflict of interest. However, when future contracts depend upon performance, it is in the best interests of that third party to provide favourable results that would allow the manufacturer to profit. 

Industry Fronts
 

Corporations in the US have gone so far as to establish their own testing company which has the appearance to the inexperienced of being an independent entity, or third party. They also establish lobbying organizations and front groups with "green" or consumer-friendly names. In reality, they are heavily financed by corporations, with specific and direct interest in its chosen battles.

What can you do to protect yourself?

1.       Select organic fruit and vegetables whenever possible. Wash or peel non-organic produce.

2.       Choose fruits and vegetables in season. This means that your exposure to the chemicals used to delay ripening, prolong shelf life, preserve colour and so on, will be limited.

3.  Supplement your diet with antioxidant nutrients-vitamins A, C, and E, and the minerals zinc and selenium-since the detoxification of many pesticides involves these nutrients.

10 Top Reasons to Go Organic  (and there are many, many more!)

1. Organic produce is not covered in a cocktail of poisonous chemicals. The average conventionally grown apple has 20-30 artificial poisons on its skin, even after rinsing. Trust your instincts, and go organic!

2. Fresh organic produce contains on average 50% more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other nutrients than intensively farmed produce. Science says that it's good for you.

3. Going organic is the only practical way to avoid eating genetically modified food. And by buying organic food, you are registering your mistrust of GMO's and doing your bit to protest against them.

4. If you eat dairy or meat products, going organic has never been more essential to safeguard you and your family's health. Intensively-reared dairy cows and farm animals are fed a dangerous cocktail of antibiotics, hormones, anti-parasite drugs and many other medicines on a daily basis, whether they have an illness or not. These drugs are passed directly onto the consumers of their dairy produce or meat, which must be a contributing factor to meat-related diseases like coronaries and high blood pressure.

5. About 99% of non-organic farm animals are now fed GM soya. And there has never been a reported case of BSE in organic cattle in the UK. Common sense says that organic is safe food.

6. Organic produce simply tastes so much better. Fruit and vegetables full of juice and flavour, and so many different varieties to try!

7. Organic farms support and nurture our beautiful and diverse wildlife. Over the last thirty years, intensive farming has led to dramatic erosion of the soil.

8. Organic food is not really more expensive than intensively farmed foods, as we pay for conventional foods through our taxes. We spend billion of pounds every year cleaning up the mess that agro-chemicals make to our natural water supply. Go organic for a genuine more cost-effective future.

9. Intensive farming can seriously damage farm workers' health. There are much higher instances of cancer, respiratory problems and other major diseases in farm workers from non-organic farms. This is particularly true in developing countries, and for agrochemical farms growing cotton. So go organic if you care about other people.

10. And if you simply like the idea of your children and grandchildren being able to visit the countryside and play in the forests and fields just like we did when we were young, go organic for the sake of all of our futures.

Why is it important to avoid additives?

In Europe, additives are divided into different classes, so called E-Numbers. Not all of them affect your health, but they appear to cause allergic reactions or intolerance. Moreover many additives are suspected to cause asthma or even cancer and many of them derived from animal or genetically modified organisms.

Chemicals are purposely added to food to change its colour, preserve it, prevent rancidity, keep fats emulsified, and foods stable. Most of the chemicals are synthetic compounds, some with known negative health effects. But more importantly, we don't really know what the long-term consequences of consuming such large amounts of additives are. It is therefore best to avoid all additives, with a few notable exceptions.

Since foods without preservatives are more likely to spoil, it's important to buy fresh produce and consume it relatively quickly. However, there are some additives you don't need to avoid:

The Macrobiotic Approach to Food & Nutrition

We are the result of and are continually influenced by our total environment, which ranges from the foods we eat and our daily social interactions to the climate and geography in which we live. In considering all factors that influence our lives, the macrobiotic approach to health and healing views sickness as the natural attempt of the body to return to a more harmonious and dynamic state with the natural environment. As what we choose to eat and drink and how we live our lives are primary environmental factors that influence our health and create who we are, the macrobiotic approach emphasizes the importance of proper dietary and lifestyle habits.
By using macrobiotic principles, to address and adjust environmental, dietary and lifestyle influences, thousands of individuals have been assisted in the recovery from a wide range of illnesses including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many others.

Some traditional and basic macrobiotic practices include eating more whole grains, beans and fresh vegetables, increasing variety in food selections and traditional cooking methods, eating regularly and less in quantity, chewing more and maintaining an active and positive life and mental outlook. General dietary and lifestyle guidelines for person living in a temperate, four seasons climate have been established by Michio Kushi. These guidelines outline basic dietary proportions along with healthier lifestyle habits and are not intended to define a specific regimen that one must follow, as additional adjustments are required for individual application, which will vary according to personal situations.

Additional Dietary Suggestions

Cooking oil should be vegetable quality only. To improve your health, it is preferable to use only unrefined sesame or corn oil in moderate amounts. Salt should be naturally processed sea salt. Soy sauce and miso may also be used as seasonings.

Other Lifestyle Suggestions

Eat only when hungry

Proper chewing is important for good digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

Eat in an orderly and relaxed manner. When you eat, sit with a good posture and take a moment to express gratitude for the food. You may eat regularly two or three times per day, as much as you want, provided the proportion is generally correct and each mouthful is thoroughly chewed. It is best to leave the table satisfied but not full.

Drink liquids moderately, only when thirsty.

For the deepest and most restful sleep, retire before midnight and avoid eating at least 2 to 3 hours before sleeping.

Wash as needed, but avoid long hot baths or showers, which deplete the body of minerals. To increase circulation and elimination of toxins, scrub the entire body with a hot, damp towel every morning or every night.

Use cosmetics and cleaning products that are made from natural, non-toxic ingredients. Avoid chemically-perfumed products. For care of the teeth, brush with natural preparations.

As much as possible, wear cotton clothing, especially for under-garments. Avoid wearing synthetic or woollen clothing directly on the skin. Avoid wearing excessive accessories on the fingers, wrists, neck, or any other part of the body.

Spend time outdoors if strength permits. Walk on the grass, beach or soil up to one half hour every day. Spend some time in direct sunlight. Exercise regularly. Activities may include walking, yoga, martial arts, dance, etc.

Include some large green plants in the home to freshen and enrich the oxygen content of the air. Open windows daily to permit fresh air to circulate, even in cold weather. Keep your home in good order, especially the areas where food is prepared and served.
Avoid using microwave ovens. Use earthenware, cast iron, or stainless steel cookware rather than aluminium or teflon-coated pots.

Minimize the frequent use of television and computer display units. When using a computer, protect yourself from potentially harmful electromagnetic fields with a protective shield over the screen and other safety devices.

If you wish to learn more about the above topics, share your ideas with other likeminded people in a relaxed environment, and buy your own organic produce, you are welcome to join us at GAIAFEST the Festival of Holistic Living. The Gaia Foundation will be launching GAIAFEST at the ‘Elysium Visitor Centre’ in Ghajn Tuffieha in June.Torch-lit footpaths will lead you to stalls selling organic food using Gaia’s own produce, natural health products, services and fair-trade goodies. During this week of diverse activities, different themes and demonstrations will be gathered together, in one beautiful, well-kept and lovingly nurtured natural space in the north of the island. This innovative Festival aims to create an open space available to all, where themes like Food and Nutrition, and others of likewise importance in creating a truly Alternative Lifestyle shall be addressed, including varied live demonstrations presented with the aim of promoting further awareness.

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ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE

Part II

HEALTH & FITNESS

Here we shall explore further facets of what it takes to live and experience an alternative lifestyle, including Yoga, Tai chi, Martial Arts, Body Talk, Massage and Aromatherapy. Read on and find out what may be just right for your particular disposition, in order to harmonise your energy with that of the world that surrounds you.

An alternative approach to health care emphasizes the interrelationship between body, mind and spirit can play an important role in recovery and healing. Although some people with certain health problems recover using alternative methods alone, most people combine them with other, more traditional treatments such as therapy and, perhaps, medication. If the health problem is serious it is crucial, however, to consult with your health care providers about the approaches you are using to achieve mental and physical wellness.

BodyTalk

What do you get when you combine the wisdom of advanced yoga and advaitic philosophy, the insights of modern physics and mathematics, the energy dynamics of acupuncture, and western medical expertise? A revolutionary new form of health care called BodyTalk. It is an astonishingly simple and effective form of therapy that allows the body's energy systems to be re-synchronized so that they can operate as nature intended.

Each system, cell and atom is in constant communication with each other at all times. Through exposure to the stresses of day-to-day life, these lines of communication become compromised, which then leads to a decline in physical, emotional and/or mental health. Reconnecting these lines of communication then enables the body's mechanisms to function at optimal levels, thus preventing disease and rapidly accelerating the healing process.

BodyTalk can be used as a stand-alone system to treat many health problems, or seamlessly integrated into any health care system to increase its effectiveness and promote faster healing. Holding contact on specific points of the body, the practitioner lightly taps on the head and the sternum. This activates the brain to do the necessary repairs and also restores a new state of balance. BodyTalk's major assets are its simplicity, safety, and the speed of its results. It is non-invasive, objective in application, and works effectively on humans and animals alike. Anyone who receives BodyTalk has nothing to lose and everything to gain as far as one’s health is concerned.

Yoga

Practitioners of this ancient Indian system of health care use breathing exercises, posture, stretches, and meditation to balance the body's energy centers. Yoga is used in combination with other treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. There are many similarities between Yoga and Tai Chi. They both stress softness, pliability and total relaxation as essential in bringing about inner peace. Special exercises have been developed in which a form or posture is taken and held. During this time, concentration is placed on breathing. Concentration on the movement and flow of breathing integrates the biorhythms of the body into harmony. This relaxes the mind and body and brings peace. Aerobic in nature, Yoga is an excellent way to attain complete fitness. The attention to alignment makes Yoga an effective therapy for many physical problems such as foot, knee, hip and low back pain. Tension in the shoulders and neck, headaches, varicose veins and moderately high blood pressure can all be improved through the practice of yoga asanas.

To develop softness and pliability in Tai Chi, concentration is placed on entering the form through slow movement and continuing through a series of forms and postures until the whole set is completed. It is like a rubber band being pulled taut and then slowly released again and again. Of benefit to all ages, Tai Chi uses flowing movement to create good biorhythms which produces good breathing, harmonizing body and mind.

Yoga and Tai Chi both allow the individual to proceed at their own pace and level of ability. Both require very little equipment, and results can be felt immediately. Both result in increased energy, flexibility and a positive, healthy attitude.

Martial arts are in fact systems of fighting with a strong spiritual dimension. Some Eastern martial arts for example have a tradition of being about more than simple fighting. Focus and concentration are used as a means of achieving a centred and balanced state at one with the forces of the universe. Certain martial arts, such as Tai Chi Chuan may also be practiced to improve mental or physical health. A skilled martial artist responds to what his opponent is actually doing, not to what he thinks his opponent will do. By fully receiving his opponent, becoming one with him in spirit, the martial artist effortlessly and spontaneously responds to his opponent’s every move. In the same way we respond spontaneously and naturally to life when we are fully open and receptive to it.

Martial arts are characterized by the controlled, mindful application of force in ways selected for empirical effectiveness. In this sense, boxing, fencing, archery, and wrestling can also be considered martial arts.

Martial arts may focus on

• Striking (Boxing, Kung Fu)
• Kicking (Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do)
• Grappling and throwing (Wrestling, jujutsu, Judo, Aikido)
• Weaponry (e.g. Kendo and Fencing)

Most martial arts include some study of all these, and some explicitly attempt to be complete. Some martial arts, such as the traditional Chinese arts, go beyond this to teach side disciplines such as qigong, acupuncture, acupressure, bone-setting and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.

RELAXATION AND STRESS REDUCTION TECHNIQUES

Massage therapy

The underlying principle of this approach is that rubbing, kneading, brushing, and tapping a person's muscles can help release tension and pent emotions. It has been used to treat trauma-related depression and stress. Massage provides relief to people of all ages—from infants to seniors—and from all walks of life—the weekend or competitive athlete to the home gardener or overstressed, overworked executive.

Treating the Body

Massage therapy addresses a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension, which, experts believe, accounts for 80%-90% of disease. Massage has been proven beneficial in treating cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, post-operative surgery, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation, and depression, to name just a few. Bodywork offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Massage has many physiological effects, such as:

• Increasing circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.

• Relaxing and softening injured and overused muscles.

• Reducing spasms and cramping.

• Increasing joint flexibility.

• Reducing recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminating subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

• Releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. For this reason, massage is being incorporated into treatment for chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.

• Reducing post-surgery adhesions and edema and reducing and realigning scar tissue after healing has occurred.

• Improving range of motion and decreasing discomfort for patients with low back pain.

• Relieving pain for migraine sufferers and decreasing the need for medication.

• Providing exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reducing shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

• Contributing to shorter labor and reduced tearing for expectant mothers, as well as lessening the need for medication, minimizing depression and anxiety, and shortening hospital stays.

Treating the Spirit

Massage also provides another therapeutic component largely absent in today’s world: tactile stimulation, or, more simply, touch. Many adults have reported cathartic experiences on the massage table. As a therapist carefully unwinds a client’s stressed and tired muscles, the therapist may very well be unwinding the taut, pent-up emotions that one doesn’t always have time to process in the middle of the day. And the feeling of being touched in a safe, caring, compassionate manner can be a very powerful experience reminding the client that she or he is not alone in the world.

One need only experience a good massage to know it's beneficial to body and soul.

Aromatherapy

If you are health conscious, then you know that pleasant-smelling products aren't just for women. From combating stress, easing pain to alleviating tension headaches, aromatherapy is a relatively inexpensive and harmless way to boost your health. The use of plant oils for their purported medicinal qualities is an ancient art, reputed to be at least 6,000 years old.

Most people also believe that its origins began in Egypt. A medical papyrus considered to date back to approximately 1555 B.C. contains treatments for all kinds of ailments and the methods of application are similar to the ones used in Aromatherapy today.
The Egyptians used a method called infusion to remove the oils from aromatic plants and incense was probably one of the first methods of using aromatics. Frankincense was burned at sunrise as an offering to the sun god, Ra and myrrh was offered to the moon.

In the late 1930s, after a botched experiment, a French chemist named René-Maurice Gattefosse, dipped his badly burned hand into a container of pure lavender oil. Supposedly, the swelling, pain and redness disappeared after his chance treatment and the burn healed very quickly. He then proceeded to test other plant oils and discovered several others with skin healing properties. Soon after, other French scientists impressed with his discoveries, developed techniques that remain relatively unchanged to this day.

Essential oils are typically blended with other oils to create different "recipes" for different emotional or physical effects, or used individually, both in the forms of compresses, salves, massage oils, diffusions, soaks, or perfumes. Although doctors have not proven any direct link between aromatherapy and specific physiological benefits, the emotional response obtained from breathing in pleasant scents may help with psychosomatic problems by triggering positive emotional responses. Many oils have minor health-boosting effects. Eucalyptus, alleviates discomfort from colds, unblocks nasal passages and provide a cooling effect. And others counteract nausea, such as peppermint. At a minimum, the pleasant scents will leave you feeling refreshed and your spirit soothed.

   Diverse Live Demonstrations shall be given during GAIAFEST 2005

    If you are a teacher/advanced practitioner of Body Talk, Yoga, Tai Chi, any Martial Art,          Massage Therapy, or Aromatherapy you are welcome to participate, share some of your knowledge and give live demonstrations. Simply contact The Gaia Foundation, and reserve your space, as early as possible. Gazebos in the Foundations natural environment are being provided to hold these demonstrations, and the Conference Hall which seats a maximum of 70 people, will also be available for any suggested talks and seminars.

If on the other hand you are interested in any of these methods as a means of exercise, unwinding the body after strenuous sports, staying physically and mentally agile and fit, and for self-healing purposes, you are also more than welcome to join us at the festival and explore which methods you may find the most effective for your own particular way of life.

                                                            Website: www.projectgaia.org 

Erika Brincat for The Gaia Foundation © 2005

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ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE 

Part III  The Truth about Bottled Water and Fair Trade

Another essential factor of an Alternative Lifestyle is to be aware of the type of water and products we consume in our every day lives

Water is the major constituent of a living organism. For example, a tree is about 60% water by weight and a human is about 90% water by weight. We must pay attention where our daily intake of water is sourced. Here we shall try to identify the truth about bottled water and why distilled water is scientifically the most recommended. It is a fact that some types of bottled water are twice as expensive as petrol  - three times the price of milk, and 10,000 times more expensive than tap water. Is it worth it, and what impact is it having on our environment?  Is bottled water really healthier than tap water? These are a few of the questions we shall address in Part III of these series of articles.

In 1997, a FAO study on ‘Human Nutrition in the Developing World’ declared: ‘the claims that bottled “spring” or “natural” water contains near-magical qualities and great nutritive value are false”’. They admitted that bottled water may contain small amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and fluoride, but pointed out that tap water from many municipal supplies does too. Packaging is another paradox, because it helps us to conserve our vital resources and yet, it consumes resources. Today our efforts are turning towards packaging recovery and re-use.

To understand the truth about this matter one must know a little about mineral chemistry in living systems. In order for a mineral to be of any use to the body it must be presented in a form in which it can be used. That form involves an association with an organic (carbon based) molecule. Carbon based molecules are to be found in living systems, and are not found in the ground which is where mineral water comes from. Water from the ground comes with minerals all right, but these minerals are in salt form. When salt is presented to the body, with rare exceptions such as sodium chloride, it must be either stored or excreted. A good example is calcium carbonate. Carbonate is not a sufficiently complex organic molecule and therefore cannot properly contribute its calcium to living systems. The calcium comes out with a positive charge and precipitates by forming other salts. Common locations for precipitation of calcium are the lens of the eye (cataracts), the kidneys (kidney stones) and the walls of arteries. Unbound minerals must be excreted, which is extra work for the kidneys, or stored.

Now, as to the argument that distilled water leaches out minerals. This is true, and this is exactly what we want it to do. The minerals it leaches out are of the unusable, ionic form and we want these to leave the body rather than be deposited and cause disease. Distilled water does not leach out significant amounts of biologically available minerals, because they are absorbed by the body as needed. If they are present in excess then they are filtered through the kidneys and this is exactly what needs to happen with all things, which are in excess in the circulation. Distilled water cleanses the body through promoting healthy kidney function.

The purpose of water is to cleanse the body. To do the best job of that, it must be free of everything else, and only distilled water fits that bill.                      

As to carbon filtered and reverse osmosis water, these are better solutions than tap water or mineral water, however they still fall far short of the standard set by distilled water. Nature knows best and nature supplies distilled water in the form of rain. However, rainwater is no longer pure due to atmospheric pollution. The only remaining option is for us to distill our own water.

Bottled water, tap water, reverse-osmosis filtered water, and carbon-block filtered water, when tested, will conduct electricity, substantiating that these are not the best carriers for mineral-transport and mineral-absorption. Inorganic minerals and other substances like chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteria are removed from tap-water, by converting it into pure distilled water, the result is improved absorption of all nutrients, including minerals, and improved elimination of wastes at the cellular level.

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

Many people think that bottled water is much purer and much healthier than tap water. In fact, bottled water often contains higher levels of bacteria than normal tap water. Also the levels of minerals in many of the "mineral waters" are no higher than those of tap water. Spring and table waters can legally come from any source, ranging from natural springs to municipal water main taps. They are generally filtered for sediment and other contaminants, and perhaps carbonated and/or have flavour enhancement. The level of nitrates in bottled water is not necessarily lower than normal tap water. There appears to be no legal limit of nitrate levels in natural mineral water, while there is a limit of 50mgs per litre in tap water. Bottled waters and certain soda waters are often high in sodium, which in the long term can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

Imported bottled water generally only has to meet the standards of the country of their origin. It is sensible to choose bottled water over tap water when travelling in countries where the tap water may be contaminated, or when there is a risk of water born diseases. However in most cases, there is no real health reason to drink bottled water in preference to normal tap water. Particularly when the cost to the consumer for some types of bottled water is typically higher than the cost of petrol for your car! 

The Truth about Fair Trade

What is it and why should we opt to support it?

Fair Trade in Europe started as a grassroots movement about 40 years ago. The aim was to alleviate poverty in the ‘South’ – Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean – by building direct, sustainable relationships with disadvantaged producers and providing fair access to markets in the ‘North’. The aims are the same now, but Fair Trade has developed into a powerful force, symbolised by a high level of European co-operation.

The definition of Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.

Fair Trade organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.

All involved in Fair Trade accept that it has to include:

• paying fair prices to producers which reflect the true cost of production. World market prices often do not cover even the costs of the raw materials
• supporting producer organisations in their social and environmental projects, such as developing health facilities and tree planting
• promoting gender equality in pay and working conditions to change the traditional low position of women in society
• advising on product development to increase access to markets
• committing to long term relationships to provide stability and security, and  campaigning to highlight the unequal system of world trade which places profit above human rights and threatens our environment

What’s Wrong with the ‘normal’ world market trade?

From every LM 1 you spend on a jar of coffee, the exploited farmer in the developing world gets 8c. The big multinationals sweep up the rest, making millions at the expense of the hard-working producer. With this kind of trade, the rich countries get richer, and the poor who do all the backbreaking work to support their families remain poor. Coffee is just one of the tonnes of products that are traded in this absurd way: other foodstuffs, paper products, gifts, machinery, and furniture are some of the others. It’s all very nice to talk about injustice in world trade, but of course it’s not enough. Some immediate action is highly needed.

What’s Right about Fair Trade?

For more than 700 years, artisans in Thailand have been using the bark of the mulberry tree to make paper products. In a country where forests are dwindling, using this tree bark is a sustainable way to use the forest without harming it.  Grassroots HQ, an alternative trade organization employing 150 people, is committed to making a difference in their local community.  Grassroots HQ provides village women with viable income, raises their awareness of their rights, increases their confidence and self-respect and encourages them to unite as a cooperative and to stand up against exploitation, particularly by the sex industry.

Malta has its own fair trade representatives. For Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust trading fairly means:

• Having workers in Third World countries earn a fair wage for their work
• Having workers earn enough money to access basic health and education services
• Providing pre-sale payment which allows producers to invest in production without depending on unfair credit systems
• Ensuring environmental-friendly production
• Producing foodstuffs which are free from pesticides and GMOs
• Creating equal opportunities for men and women
• Establishing long-term trading relationships that encourage stability and serious planning
• Fighting child-labour
• Ensuring a democratic system of production that allows workers to join trade unions
• Guaranteeing an appropriate and transparent expenditure of funds in social, economical and educational programs run by the workers themselves.

Fair trade products currently on display at The Gaia Foundation include Cafédirect medium roast instant coffee from Costa Rica and Cafédirect 100% organic decafinated coffee from Peru’, ground coffee from Africa and Central America, a selection of teas from Kenya and Sri Lanka and 60% fruit-content mango jam from Kenya, as well as delicious chocolate and sugar.

Such natural and fair trade products shall also be available for sale during GAIAFEST 2005. If you would like to find out more about eco-friendly, natural and fair trade products, and possibly purchase some for your self, your family or your business, you are welcome to join us at The Gaia Foundation’s first annual Festival of Holistic Living to be held during the long weekend between the 3^rd and 7^th June, where the entrance fee is only 75c each.

 Erika Brincat © for The Gaia Foundation 2005

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