Fall 2011 Manna Recipe Contest!

Dear Friends of Manna Bread:

Are you willing to share your favorite way of preparing Manna bread (sprouted or sourdough)?

Post your favorite recipe on our Facebook wall!

Deadline: Monday, October 17, 2011 at noon CDT.

We are giving away one free case of 8 loaves (your choice of flavors --- CDN addresses get 8 free-loaf coupons instead). Randomly selected from all recipe entries.

EXTRA ENTRY: If you add a photo, your name will be entered twice.

We will post all recepies on our website after the contest is closed.

THANKS FOR SHARING :)

Your Manna Organics Team

DID YOU KNOW? MANNA ORGANICS IS A CERTIFIED GREEN BUSINESS!

Yes, indeed!  The City of Lisle – where our company is located at – audited our business and awarded us with their ‘Green by Choice - Sustainable Lisle Business’ award.

Most of our operations are sustainable, and most certainly are all of our products, which, as most of you know, are entirely organic.

These are some of the things we do to save (some) of our planet’s resources and energy:

We recycle significantly

We buy things in bulk as much as possible

We buy local as much as possible

We use energy saving bulbs

We turn lights off when not in use

We use low flow faucets and toilets

We (often) use tree free paper (made of sugarcane fiber)

We print only when necessary

We use reusable mugs, glasses, plates, napkins

We use green cleaning products where allowed

We use biodegradable/dissolvable packaging peanuts

Not only that - also our marketing efforts and direct ordering processes are geared towards saving our natural resources, as we essentially use electronic media.

Besides all of our green business processes and policies, we participate in a number of Green Fests across the country every year.

DO YOU KNOW THE BENEFITS OF FIGS?

Figs grow on the ficus tree (Ficus carica) and are native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Fig trees are known to be the first trees ever to be cultivated. Currently, California ranks third in the world in fig production after Turkey and Greece.

Nutrients in Figs:

Figs - both fresh and dried - are an extremely good source of natural sugars, minerals, vitamins and fiber. They contain good levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin B3.

- Figs are Good for Diabetic Patients

Many studies have shown that fig leaves have anti-diabetic properties, and that they reduce the amount of insulin needed by diabetics. Figs are rich in Potassium, too, which helps in controlling blood sugar.

- Figs for Blood Pressure

The Potassium in figs also helps to control blood pressure, thus helps in avoiding hypertension.

- Figs are Good for Preventing Heart Disease

Figs contain phenol, Omega-3 and Omega-8, which can help reduce heart disease. Studies have also shown the ability of fig leaves to lower the levels of triglycerides. Triglycerides are the major form of fat that the body produces and stores, and high levels of triglycerides can be linked to heart disease.

- Figs as a Laxative

Due to the high levels of fiber, figs promote a healthy bowel function. Syrup of figs is a well-known gentle laxative.

Have you tried our Fig Fennel Flax Manna Bread before?

You can order it directly on our website at http://mannaorganicbakery.com.

Manna Sourdough Sale Extended!

Manna Sourdough Sale extended for a limited time! A case of bread for only $21.00.
Order now!

BENEFITS OF SPROUTS

There are many benefits of sprouting grains:

Ø  During the germinating process of grains, the starches that are in the endosperm convert into easily digestible natural complex sugars.

Ø  As some of the grain’s energy is used in this process, sprouts have fewer carbohydrates, thus less calories than the legume or grain in its whole form.

Ø  Phytic Acid and Enzyme Inhibitors are neutralized: Sprouts contain enzyme inhibitors, which are there to prevent the seed from germinating while in storage. These are neutralized while sprouting.

Ø  Phytic acid binds with calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc, which makes it very difficult for us to absorb these nutrients. It is also irritating to the digestive system. While grains, legumes or seeds are sprouting, the growing plant activates phytase, an enzyme that helps breaking the phytate bond, and dissolves phytic acid.

Ø  Sprouting also increases the grain’s vitamin C and A contents, the vitamin B content, in particular B2, B5 and B6, as well as the amount of carotene significantly.

Ø  In order to maintain strong and healthy, our body needs a balance of acid to alkaline food. Generally, there are too many acid forming foods in our diet. In particular grains and legumes are known to react acidic and need to be balanced with more alkaline foods, such as greens and fruits. While sprouting, grains and legumes become a more alkaline forming food, hence more beneficial to our health.

Ø  Furthermore, the amount of protein and minerals increases drastically whit the germinating process.

To learn more about the benefits of sprouting, you can read the following articles:

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/01/why-sprout.html

http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sprouts.htm

http://www.godsdirectcontact.com/vegetarian/sprout.html

All our Manna Breads are hand crafted from sprouted whole organic grains.
You can order them online on our website at http://mannaorganicbakery.com.

Manna Sourdough Sale Extended!

Manna Sourdough Sale extended for a limited time! A case of bread for only $21.
Order now!

BENEFITS OF CARROTS

Carrots are vegetables that provide a variety of nutrition to our bodies. They are known to be good sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin K, biotin, fiber, calcium, potassium and thiamine.

Carrots can grow throughout the year, in almost all seasons. Most adults and children like carrots, second after potatoes.  Here are the most common health benefits of carrots:

1.    Prevent Cancer

Studies show that consumption of carrots can reduce the risk of cancer, in particular breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer.

2.    Improve Vision

Since carrots are very rich in vitamin A, and vitamin A is good for the eyes, they also improve the eyesight. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause night blindness.

3.    Prevent strokes and heart diseases

Many studies show that regular consumption of carrots reduces the risks of heart related diseases and strokes. Eating carrots frequently reduces blood cholesterol levels. These effects are mainly due to their high levels of carotenoids and soluble fiber.

4.    Nourish Skin

Carrot oil is known to be good for dry skin, as it makes the skin softer and firmer. Carrots have also cleansing effects on the liver, which in turn cleanses the skin from impurities caused by liver toxins.

5.     Help in Anti-aging

The beta-carotene in carrots functions as an antioxidant which helps in fighting cell damage in the body, and also aides in slowing down the aging of cells.

6.       Dental Health

Carrots can even function as natural abrasives, keeping teeth clean after a meal and they also stimulate gums.

Did you know that our Carrot Raisin Sprouted Manna Bread contains only 3 ingredients?

We shred organic carrots and add them together with organic raisins to the dough made of raw sprouted organic wheat kernels, then bake it into a delicious loaf at a low temperature for short time.

You can check all our Manna Breads on our website at: http://mannaorganicbakery.com/index.php

Sourdough Manna bread on sale for a limited time!

Manna Sourdough Sale - for a limited time! Get yours while it's on. A case of bread for only $21. Order now!

European Court of Justice Ruled on Sept. 6, 2011:

Honey which has been contaminated with pollen from GMOs cannot be marketed as such, it needs prior approval. The European Court of Justice ruled that any food products which contain GMOs – intentional or not – have to undergo an approval process.

Beekeeper Karl Heinz Bablok from Bavaria had sued the state of Bavaria for damages, when in 2005 DNA traces and proteins of genetically modified maize MON-810 were found in his honey. The state of Bavaria grew genetically modified maize MON-810 for research purposes in 500 yards distance from Mr. Bablok’s beehives.

With this decision, the European Court of Justice considers honey cross-contaminated with pollen from GMOs to be a genetically modified food in the sense of European genetic engineering law.

Advocate General Bot had already expressed in February 2011, that even a minute trace of pollen from MON 810 maize in honey – though unintentional - would mean ‘that such honey must be the subject of authorization to be placed on the market’.

To read more you can check the following links:
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/eu-court-backs-german-beekeepers-in-gm-pollen-case
http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/eu-court-rules-on-gmo-contamination/