NATURAL VS ORGANIC

Organic vs. natural

NATURAL DOES NOT MEAN ORGANIC. 

There's a lot of confusion out there about the distinction between organic and natural, and we think it's a shame, because the differences can be huge! The first thing you should understand is that, except for meat, "natural" doesn't have a set, strictly defined or regulated definition, while "organic" does.

When you see the word "natural" on food packaging, it can mean any number of different things, depending on where in the US you are, who the food manufacturer is and what store is carrying the product. In fact, you might be surprised to learn what they consider natural. 

When you see "organic" on a product label or packaging, you can be assured that that organic product was made without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides, GMOs, antibiotics or artificial growth hormones

But the term "organic" is strictly defined in the US by uniform, federal regulations. "Organic" means the food or fiber bearing the label was made with a set of farming and production practices defined and regulated, in great detail, by the USDA.

For more detailed information on the USDA organic standards, visit their web site athttp://www.ams.usda.gov/nop or call the National Organic Program at 202-720-3252, or write USDA-AMS-TM-NOP, Room 4008 S. Bldg., Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence, SW, Washington, DC 20250.

Look for USDA ORGANIC SEAL! 

all OTV produce is USDA certified organic. 

ALL THE TIME :) 

Whats fresh... Kohlrabi!

Kohlrabi is a member of the cruciferous (cabbage) family; 

the stem just above the soil swells to a fat little round, with leafy green tops. 

 The tops are edible - they are very cabbage-y - and can be cooked in the manner of any tough green.  The bulb itself is great RAW (YUM) or cooked. 

Quick Kohlrabi Pickles

2-4 small kohlrabi bulbs, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 1/2" cubes

Organic olive oil (optional)

Rice vinegar 

Kosher Salt

Fresh Black Pepper

Place the kohlrabi chunks in the bowl of a lidded, airtight container.  Drizzle with a touch of olive oil, a good splash of vinegar, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.  Replace the lid and shake well.  Taste and adjust seasoning.  Place in fridge, shaking occasionally.  They are best after they have marinated for a few hours, and will last about a week, becoming more intensely flavored but still largely retaining their lovely texture. 

ENJOY!

A new RADIANT HEALTHY year!

joy, peace and feeling good in 2013

Start fresh in 2013 with OTV!

Order weekly organic produce HERE

<3

OTV

Better than donuts and bagels! Top your apples

This snack is prefect for Kids! (and adults)

Simple slice apples, core out the center and create a "donut" or "bagel" shape.

Top apples with almond butter, dates, dried berries, jams, tahini...

Fun organic snacking

Enjoy and happy Holidays

<3

OTV

Thank you for supporting organic!

The way nature intended...

More reasons for supporting Organic!

1. Better for your planet

Over 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions come from food and farming today. Nitrogen fertiliser manufacturing is the worst offender. To produce just one tonne takes one tonne of oil, seven tonnes of greenhouse gasses and one hundred tonnes of water. Organic farmers work with nature to feed the soil and control pests. By choosing organic, local and seasonal - we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

2. Great for You

No food has higher amounts of beneficial minerals, essential amino acids and vitamins than organic food. Organic food avoids pesticides and all controversial additives including aspartame, tartrazine, MSG and hydrogenated fats. Organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants and Omega 3. Organic milk for example, is on average 68% higher in Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

3. Kind to animals

Animal welfare is at the heart of organic systems. Soil Association standards for meat and animal products rigorously protect all aspects of animal wellbeing - from rearing, feeding and shelter, to transportation and slaughter. Organic animals are free to pursue natural behaviour because they have plenty of outside space to thrive and grow, and are not routinely drugged with antibiotics. Organic standards prohibit cruelty and guarantee truly free-range lives for farm animals.

Yes, that’s right. Many shoppers don’t realise that organic products are also free range. Eggs and meat with the Soil Association symbol have been reared to the highest level of free-range standards. Birds are looked after in smaller flocks, spend more of their lives roaming outside on fresh grass and have more space in their houses.

4. Encourages wildlife

The Government’s own advisors found that plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% greater on organic farms. Organic farming relies on wildlife to help control natural pests, so wide field edges are left uncultivated for bugs, birds and bees to flourish. They are also not sprayed away by the fertilisers, chemicals and pesticides routinely used on non-organic farms.

5. GMO free

Genetically modified (GMO) crops and ingredients are banned under organic standards. Shoppers wanting to avoid GMO products may be surprised to know that over a million tons of GMO crops are imported each year to feed non-organic livestock, which in turn supply our supermarkets with pork, bacon, milk, cheese and other dairy products.

Simply make your own salad dressing...

Massaged salad dressing 

For any salad mixture of your choice, great on kale and hearty greens. 

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 tsp salt, 1 clove garlic, crushed 

 1 T fresh ginger, crushed 

1T light Tamari

1/2 cup water

pinch cayenne 

Massage this dressing on any salad greens. This can be left on over night or served right away. 

Delicious!

Creative with CILANTRO!

Fresh & Simple...

Cilantro Lime rice

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• Coarse salt
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook until water is absorbed and rice is just tender, 16 to 18 minutes.
   
2. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine cilantro, lime juice, oil, garlic, and 2 tablespoons water; blend until smooth. Stir into cooked rice, and fluff with a fork.
   

Get prepped for THANKSGIVING with OTV!

                             What's fresh this week (THANKSGIVING)! 

                         Nov. 18-24, 2012  - Thanksgiving week       

We will provide recipes for all produce for  

    Thanksgiving week on Nov 16th email! 

All Organic Mixed Vegetable & Fruit share:       

Garnet sweet potatoes, Romano beans (like Italian flat beans!),white button mushrooms, fresh herb bouquet of Thyme, sage and Rosemary,
Heirloom lettuce, Romain lettuce, Heirloom cherry tomatoes, celery,carrots with tops, Russet potatoes, Winesap apples, Golden sweet tangelos,Red Bartlett pears
and of coarse fresh cranberries!

(We figure each box will serve 3 people for dinner dishes...plus a dessert...please plan accordingly!
Also remember, when you order the large size MIXED box you get 2 

of the Standard Mixed size - and 10$ off!) 

Southeast local produce this week: Fresh Herbs, Heirloom lettuce,
Heirloom tomatoes and Garnett sweet potatoes! 

All organic Fruit share:    

Pink Lady apples, Winesap apples, Golden sweet tangelos,
Red Bartlett pears,  fresh cranberries, a Pineapple and Bananas! 

All organic JUICING share:    

Cranberries, Pineapple, juicing carrots, ginger, red beets,  

celery, green kale, Romaine lettuce, cucumbers, Lemons,
Winesap apples and Black Arkansas apples!

Holiday organic & raw snacking!

Holiday Nut Pack special!

 (Holiday special:  $5.00 off  the "Pack" when your order together!)  

Great variety of raw & organic nuts and berries for the holidays! Make trails mixes, place out nuts for nibbling before meals or incorporated these into your favorite dishes and salads. 

Includes organic & raw (no roasting, salting or added flavorings)-

Pecans, dried Cranberries, Macadamia nuts, Pumpkin seeds and pure organic maple sugar!  

Order online on our featured items page.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER 

Lets J U I C E, organic and fresh!

All organic JUICING BOX:    

Green kale, juicing carrots, celery, green peppers, Romaine lettuce, cucumbers,
Granny Smith apples, Navel oranges, Ambrosia apples, lemons and a pie pumpkin!  
(Yes - juice that pie pumpkin!) 

OTV JUICING BOX   $ 48.00     Our Organic JUICE share is locally grown, U.S. grown and from select countries to allow for more varieties.  We adhere to strict USDA and International Organic
standards for every item.  

Juice for inner and outer Radiance

Raw juice is an excellent means toward inner and outer radiance while delivering vital nutrients the body craves.  It is not a fad or a diet, – as it can easily be added to any daily routine.  Raw juice is significantly more nourishing for the body than packaged juice because the nutrients are highest within the first 48 to 72 hours of processing.

Give thanks! And we thank you!

Preorder your fresh Heritage White Turkeys!

These are raised locally in Trenton, Florida!

These turkeys are full breasted and fully pastured.
They are hormone and antibiotic free.
Only USDA approved grain fed.
The turkey are freshly frozen - only for the few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. We will thaw these on ice so you will be able to pick up on the
WEDNESDAY before Thanksgiving - Nov. 21st!
These turkeys will range in size from 12 - 26 pounds each.
Price per pound is $6.50. (If you are checking - you will see our local pricing is a great value compared to other comparable turkeys on Local Harvest.org for instance! Plus no shipping fees! )

Please let us know the approximate pounds you are looking for and
we will try and accommodate your request as closely as we can!
We will bill according to the ACTUAL turkey you receive. 
We will bill a deposit of $ 25.00 when you place your order and the remainder will bill on Thanksgivingweek.

Turkeys are pre-order and in limited supply.

Last day for us to receive your order is

FRIDAY NOV. 16TH
to get your Turkey reserved!

www.offthevine.org
OR CALL US 850-374-2181

Yes - of course! Off the Vine will have all the organic traditional vegetables

and fruits to complete your Thanksgiving meal!

Contact us by email @ support@offthevine.org

                                           or give us a call 850-374-2181

Homemade Raw Caramel Apple Dip, Its fall!

Hello all  :)
Fall is here, 

and that means APPLES! Organic fresh apples falling off trees and into your homes.
OTV wants to know your favorite apple recipes, 

please send pictures and or post them on our Facebook page!
We are excited to what you have to share :)

Here is a recipe for a coconut carmel apple, simple to make and a fun treat for kids,adults and YOU!

Homemade Raw Caramel Apple Dip

1 cup raw cashews
1 cup medjool dates, pitted (about 8 to 10 dates)
1/4 cup organic honey (or less, to taste)
2 teaspoons vanilla
pinch sea salt
To make RAW – place the cashews into a small bowl and cover with water.
 Let soak at room temperature for about 2 to 3 hours.
Place the pitted dates into a separate small bowl and cover with water.
 Let soak for about 2 to 3 hours. Drain and Rinse nuts and dates (save the date water)
Place cashews into a blender along with the dates, honey, vanilla and salt.
 Add about 6 to 8 tablespoons of the date soaking water and blend. Blend until smooth, scrape down the sides as needed. Scoop out into small bowls and serve with fresh sliced Fall Apples.

ask about our "Good Neighbor Plan"

Apply to become an OTV "Good Neighbor Plan" or Branch Manager.

Simply call us and we'll help your local community receive fresh Organic produce!

Call: 850-374-2181

Easy to do - the minimum order amount needed to form a 'GNP' is 6 boxes!

This works great for neighborhoods, offices and healthy food groups looking for organic produce each week!

Share organic with your community :)

Love,

OTV 

Cheers to GREEN JUICE! Your body and energy will thank you :)

Did you know about the OTV juicing box? 

all Organic juices, fresh and simply energizing! 
This weeks all organic OTV JUICING BOX: 
Juicing carrots, celery, basil, green kale, cucumbers, bok choy, Gala apples, black grapes, Ruby grapefruits and lemon

Click here to order- www.offthevine.org

On the go? Have busy children? You can still get your GREENS in :) 

FRESH greens- on the go J U I C E!  
1 cucumber
3 stalks of celery 
handful of kale 
2 apples
store this in a mason jar, tighten the lid and YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY!

Live, Learn and taste, Raw Energy Class!

RAW ENERGY - Organic & Raw Food 

 Gazpachos & Soups - Salads & Slaws

When: Thursday September 13, 2012 6:00 - 8:00 pm 

Where: Kitchenique- 36150 Emerald Coast Parkway  Destin, FL 32541 (850) 837-0432

Shana Wolf, Owner of Off the Vine Organic Produce Company, explores healthy eating and the benefits that comes with this lifestyle. With this first class in the Fall 3 series at Kitchenique, Shana will turn fresh, local and organic produce into salads and gazpachos while maximizing nutrition and taste. Enjoy smooth soup bases with chunky toppings that add texture and visual color to food presentations you can also do at home. Pair up leafy greens, vegetables, fruits and nuts plus freshly made dressings to enhance the wonderful varieties of organic produce.

Items on menu: Chunky Tomato Gazpacho, Home style Minestrone Soup, Wilted Spinach Salad and a Cabbage & Kale slaw

New pick up Locations! Welcome to OTV!

                       OTV Now serving... ALABAMA                          

 NEW AREAS!

Brewton

Monroeville

Mobile 

Fairhope 

             Enterprise 

Dothan!  

Congrats to a Healthy   Alabama!

Please call OTV at 850-374-2181 to order.  

Good Neighbor Plan, eat organic with friends & family!

Join our OTV Good Neighbor Plans!

We are here to help you receive fresh organic produce! Join our Good Neighbor Plan family!  To become an OTV "GNP" pick up location simply call us and we'll set you up! This allow us to get more organic produce to folks that are out of our delivery areas by utilizing a central drop spot.  Easy to do - the minimum order amount needed to form a GNP is 4 boxes! This works great for close neighborhoods, offices and healthy food groups looking for organic produce each week! Join our Good Neighbor Plan family!  

Our service is all about quality produce and great customer service! We can easily form your Good Neighbor Plan with you and get you going. 

• All you need is 4 boxes each weekly order and your produce will come to you.We will need to determine a location for our drop off which will take in multiple boxes.  

• In some cases the Good Neighbor Host will meet us to receive their boxes and take them back to their area. In other cases we may be able to reach outside our delivery areas to reach the Host. 

• The Good Neighborhood Plan host will set a specific time to pick up at the selected location.   All boxes will need to be picked up or delivered by the Host within a 4 hour time frame from when the boxes are received by the Host.

• The Host will receive points towards free produce according to the number of boxes taken in each month!  The Host can then spend those points on ANYTHING that Off the Vine offers on our website.

• A great way to spend minimum hours each week to feed your family fresh organic produce!

Sign up today and start eating fresh organic produce with Off the Vine!

Never too late to start JUICING!

Each OTV J U I C I N G BOX is is intended to make 10-12 glasses of juice for either one or two users a week. 

Usage will vary by person. 

Enough to enhance your regular organic eating habits and help to incorporate juicing into your everyday diet. 

You will receive quantity with each item and look for our seasonal

 selection to change every 2 weeks.  

Each box will contain a variety of about 9-11 produce items each week -
all organic and all intended for juicing! 

Email us at support@offthevine.org or 

call us @ 850-374-2181.  

We are glad to help!

Why juice....?

1. Juicing helps you absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. This is important because most of us have impaired digestion as a result of making less-than-optimal food choices over many years. This limits your body's ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. Juicing will help to "pre-digest" them for you, so you will receive most of the nutrition.
2. Juicing allows you to consume an optimal amount of vegetables in an efficient manner. Some people may find eating that many vegetables difficult, but it can be easily accomplished with a quick glass of vegetable juice.
3. You can add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet. Many people eat the same vegetable salads every day. This violates the principle of regular food rotation and increases your chance of developing an allergy to a certain food. But with juicing, you can juice a wide variety of vegetables that you may not normally enjoy eating whole.

Celebrate 10 years with OTV!

Register to win!  

One lucky person or family will win a year of free organic produce 

- that's farm fresh Organic fruits and vegetables for a full year!  
We are so excited to share our Birthday with you!  

CLICK HERE TO WIN!

Sweet peaches!

Sweet summer peaches in bulk!

Want MORE peaches and Nectarines from South Carolina? Perfect to start off the Summer and to put away by jarring or freezing
Order" bulk" Peaches and Nectarines THIS WEEK ONLY!May 16th - Wednesday delivery. Limited areas. 
Peaches 60 count for 46.00
Nectarines 62 count for 46.00
Please email or call us to place this order!
850-374-2181 or email: support@offthevine.org

Peach fun fact!

The term, “you’re a real peach” originated from the 

tradition of giving a peach to the friend you liked.