EAT YOUR BEST FEEL YOUR BEST NO. XI V | NO V EM B ER 2 01 3 F R EE N EWS LET T ER
{something sweet} DINNER ON THE FARM DIG IN AND GIVE BACK IN OUR ORGANIC FARM BENEFIT
OH, HONEY! A SNEEK PEAK AT OUR NEW ORGANIC MANUKA HONEY
ORGANIC LABELS 101 UNDERSTANDING ORGANIC PRODUCE LABELS
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WHAT’S NEW DINNER ON THE FARM OH, HONEY! ORGANIC LABELS 101
{ } introducing
our brand new
or ganic h o n e y
november 2013
WHATS NEW {this month at organic theory} we are going all-out on all things honey. we believe that nothing is better than sweetening your day with our pure organic manuka honey.
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NOVEMBER EVENTS
as the temperature get cooler so do the events here at Organic Theory - from benefits and cooking competitions to the celebration of our latest addition to the family, our very own organic manuka honey. here we have all the details to all our november events so you won’t miss out! theory: when life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.
ORGANIC THEORY HONEY LAUNCH PARTY 13TH - 15TH NOVEMBER
To celebrate our newly released pure organic manuka honey, we are holding a launch party at our restaurant where we will serve dishes cooked with our very own honey to add some sweetness to the season. RESERVATION: ohhoney@theorganictheory.com 269-208-4805 VISIT THE SITE: ohhoney.theorganictheory.com
ORGANIC THEORY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 04
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COOK SOMETHING YUMMY WITH HONEY 24TH - 25TH NOVEMBER
Other than a party, why not hold a cooking competition to celebrate our new organic honey? This competition is open to everyone and anyone. Simply send us your recipe and a picture of your creation. The finalists will then battle it out in front of our judges on the 24th and 25th of November. ENTRIES:
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yummyhoney@theorganictheory.com at the latest 15th November
COOK-OFF VENUE: Organic Theory Restaurant, 2nd Floor
DINNER ON THE FARM 28TH NOVEMBER
Nothing feels better than giving back and sharing. The evening will feature an elegant multi-course farm dinner experience showcasing a seasonal menu using farm-fresh produce and meat hosted at the beautiful Eater’s Guild Farm to benefit local organic farms. WHERE: Easter’s Guild Farm, North Westershire RESERVATION: dinneronthefarm@theorganictheory.com 269-208-4805
WALK WITH ME MARATHON 30TH NOVEMBER
To promote a healthier lifestyle, we have teamed up with our friends over at Fitness First for our very first 10km marathon. Wahether you like to run or prefer a more relaxing walk, join the marathon and get fit! WHERE: Start at Senayan, end at Menteng ENTRIES: walkwithme@theorganictheory.com £10/person Register by 25th November
ORGANIC THEORY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 05
ORGANIC LABELS 101
Navigating the maze of organic food labels, benefits, and claims can be confusing. What do the food labels such as “organic,” “natural,” “free-range,” and “non-GMO” really mean? Understanding this terminology is essential when you’re shopping for organic foods. theory: “natural” does not equal organic.
“Natural” is an unregulated term that can be
access to the outdoors. Cattle are naturally ruminants that
applied by anyone, whereas organic certification means
eat grass, so they tend to be healthier and leaner when fed
that set production standards have been met. These pro-
this way. In addition, grass fed beef has been shown to
duction standards vary from country to country—in the
have more of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
U.S., for example, only the “USDA Organic” label indi-
cates that a food is certified organic. Similar certification
means slightly different things in different parts of the
labels are also offered on organic products in other parts
world. Broadly, it means that the animals weren’t confined
of the world, including the European Union, Canada, and
to a cage and had access to the outdoors. Unfortunately,
Australia.
in the U.S. at least, the animal density can still be very high
Free range – Again the term “free range”
When you’re shopping for organic foods in
and the animals may have only short periods outside in
the U.S., look for the “USDA Organic” seal. Only foods
an area that’s quite small. Therefore, it is difficult to tell
that are 95 to 100 percent organic can use the USDA Or-
exactly what free range means when you see it on meat
ganic label. 100% Organic – Foods that are complete-
packaging in the U.S. You can contact the producer direct-
ly organic or made with 100% organic ingredients may
ly for clarification.
display the USDA seal. Organic – Foods that contain at
least 95% organic ingredients may display the USDA seal.
other countries where the use of growth hormones is per-
Made with organic ingredients – Foods that contain at
mitted, this term indicates that animals are raised without
least 70% organic ingredients will not display the USDA
the use of any added growth hormones. For beef and
seal but may list specific organic ingredients on the front
dairy products it can be helpful, but by law, poultry and
of the package.
pigs cannot be given hormones, so don’t pay extra for
chicken or pork products that use this label.
Contains organic ingredients – Foods that
No hormones added – In the U.S. and some
contain less than 70% organic ingredients will not display
the USDA seal but may list specific organic ingredients on
tified organic in the U.S., the use of the USDA Organic
the information panel of the package.
label is voluntary. At the same time, not everyone goes
The organic label is the most regulated term,
through the rigorous process of becoming certified, es-
but when it comes to meat, we often see many other terms
pecially smaller farming operations. When shopping at
used. In order to make informed choices, it is helpful to
a farmers’ market, for example, don’t hesitate to ask the
know what some of these terms mean, although their use
vendors how their food was grown.
can often vary from country to country.
Natural – In the U.S., this label means “mini-
the farmers do not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or
mally processed” and that the meat can’t have any artificial
drugs. Organic certification and maintaining this status
colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or any other artifi-
is expensive. Organic feed for animals can cost twice as
cial ingredients in it. Animals can still be given antibiotics
much. Organic farms tend to be smaller than convention-
or growth enhancers. For example, this term can be ap-
al farms, which means fixed costs and overhead must be
plied to all raw cuts of beef since they aren’t processed.
distributed across smaller produce volumes. Most organic
farms are too small to receive government subsidies. This
Grass fed – This term means that the animals
are fed solely on a diet of grass or hay. These animals have
Keep in mind that even if a producer is cer-
Organic food is more labor intensive since
makes organic food more expensive.
ORGANIC THEORY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 07
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