More Health and Wellness Products Are Putting Sustainability First
In today’s business and consumer markets, sustainability is so much more than a trendy buzz-word. More than ever, successful companies are incorporating environmentally sustainable practices into their business models, and nowhere is this more important than in the health and wellness industry. While health and wellness products have traditionally focused on sustaining those characteristics among people, many businesses and products are now focusing on sustaining the health and wellness of the planet at the same time. Here’s how many health and wellness products are putting sustainability first.
Ethical Sourcing
An important first step when creating any kind of product is sourcing the raw materials. More than ever, health and wellness products are emphasizing ethical and sustainable sourcing. This means that the ingredients in their products are sourced from farms, mines, or manufacturers that engage in sustainable practices. These sustainable practices include environmental consciousness as well as fair trade and compensation protocols for workers. After all, sustainability is about the health of the environment and the health of local workers and communities.
Holistic Farming
Health and wellness products, by their nature, tend to rely heavily on farming and farmers for their base ingredients. To emphasize environmental sustainability and to take the idea of ethical sourcing a step further, many companies are investing in partnerships that emphasis holistic farming practices. Unlike many commercial farming practices which, over time, ruin the local ecosystem with the use of pesticides, chemicals, and other aggressive soil-depleting practices, holistic farming emphasizes organic production, soil-building, and biodiversity. These sustainable holistic practices take the future health of the earth into account so that the local ecology can continue to thrive for generations.
Eco-Responsible Partnerships
Like in any business, the health and wellness industry requires countless partnerships with other businesses in order to take a product from dream to reality. Health and wellness companies need to partner, not only with those who produce the raw ingredients for their products, but also with manufacturers, packaging companies, shipping services, and more. Many companies are putting sustainability first by partnering with outside businesses that share their values. For example, it’s important when thinking about sustainability to consider the environmental impacts of plastic packaging and the carbon footprint of shipping a product across the globe. To emphasize sustainability across all aspects of their business, health and wellness companies are partnering with others who offer biodegradable packaging or who participate in carbon-offset programs.
Charitable Giving
Another way that health and wellness products are putting sustainability first is by committing a percentage of their profits to charitable giving. More and more companies are establishing ongoing charitable giving to environmental and community organizations that work toward improving sustainability even further. By committing to ongoing donations based on a percentage of profits, these companies make it easier for non-profits to do the work they need to do because they can count on an ongoing source of funds. A charitable giving program not only helps the planet, it also contributes to the sustainability of the business itself as more and more customers are inclined to purchase from a company they know is giving back to the world as a whole.
Healthy People, Healthy Planet
Although health and wellness companies and products have always understood and emphasized the importance of healthy people, they are now linking the idea of healthy people to the idea of a healthy planet. Ultimately, what’s good for people is usually also good for the planet. By combining the two ideas, health and wellness products are doing good for them both. For example, products that are free of toxins, synthetics, and chemicals are not only more environmentally sustainable, they are also better for the customer’s health and wellness. Furthermore, many companies are moving away from animal testing and creating vegan products which they believe are healthier and safer for not just people, but animals and the environment as well.
Heath, wellness, and sustainability naturally go hand-in-hand. More than ever, companies and products are recognizing the important link between creating products that are good for both people and planet. Sustainability is being incorporated into every step of the process from farming, to manufacturing and delivery so that customers can enjoy both health and wellness products and our beautiful planet for years to come.
5 Herbs To Add To Your Regular Cooking Routine
If you’re looking to expand your culinary repertoire to include more super-foods, herbs are a great place to start. They can easily be added to existing recipes to boost your gut health, immune system, and overall well-being. Unlike a lot of other popular superfoods, they are also simple and inexpensive to acquire. Whether you’re swinging by the grocery store or growing them yourself, herbs are readily available all year round and can make a big impact on both the flavour and the health value of your meals. With that in mind, here are five herbs to add to your regular cooking routine.
Oregano
Oregano is a classic kitchen staple that is easy to incorporate into any number of recipes, particularly Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, or grilled meats. In fact, adding oregano to meat has been shown to reduce the toxicity of the cooking process. Oregano is a powerful antioxidant which can support the health of your immune system. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can improve conditions such as osteoporosis. Oregano is antifungal and antibacterial which can boost gut health, combat food-born pathogens, and fight off candida.
Fennel
Fennel can be consumed in a number of ways since the leaves, seeds, and bulbs are all edible. Fresh fennel leaves make a great addition to a salad or a meat marinade and the seeds add a big boost of flavour to Indian and Middle Eastern style sauces. Fennel is full of potassium, calcium, and vitamins which can improve bone health and lower blood pressure. It’s also high in fiber which improves gut health by preventing constipation and promoting regularity. The components of fennel seeds stimulate digestion, reduce intestinal inflammation, and help your body better absorb the nutrients in the rest of your food. The presence of iron and amino acids are also helpful in the treatment and prevention of anemia.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a delicious savoury herb that can be cooked with anything from lamb, beef, and chicken to root vegetables like potatoes and yams. Whether you grow it fresh or keep your cupboards stocked with the dried leaves, rosemary is easy to get your hands on all year round. Rosemary is full of rosmarinic acid and essential oils which are anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. Many recent studies have also found that rosemary can stimulate brain function and improve your memory. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are particularly beneficial at preventing stomach and staph infections. It has also been traditionally used to remedy stomach aches, bloating, and irregular bowel movements thanks to its anti-inflammatory nature.
Mint
Mint is perhaps one of the best-known herbs for improving gut health, and with good reason! Incorporate it into a dessert to help your stomach digest a heavy meal or add some fresh leaves to a salad to pump up the flavour while healing everything from colic to cramping and gas. Mint is from the carminative family of herbs which are all great at helping to clear gas and trapped wind from the digestive tract. The aroma of mint alone activates your salivary glands and stimulates digestive enzymes which makes it a great herb to include in an appetizer to prepare the body for healthy digestion. The aroma can also help treat nausea and headaches naturally.
Sage
Incorporating sage into your diet can lower inflammation, boost your immune system, and regulate your digestion. The herb’s peppery flavour makes it ideal for use in savoury dishes and with meat. It pairs particularly well with poultry so try adding a healthy dose to your next roast chicken or turkey. A sage tea is particularly beneficial if you suffer from gastrointestinal inflammation and its antimicrobial elements can strengthen your immune system. In addition, there is also emerging research which suggests that sage is great for your cognitive health and can stave off diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
If you’re looking for a natural way to increase your overall well-being or your gut health in particular, consider incorporating these herbs into your regular cooking routine. With a few small additions, your usual recipes can easily and affordably be transformed into delicious and healthy meals your body will thank you for.
