Diamond Springs bottling facilities use protected springs in Virginia and North Carolina as the sources of their water. Underground water flows up through cracks in the earth and goes through a natural purification process as it runs through layer after layer of rock. This spring water is completely safe to drink. They test their sources regularly to verify that they are of extremely high quality.

For more information about this product visit DiamondSprings.com.

Deb Lovan is spending the month working with her brother and the Global Partnership for Afghanistan organization to enrich the lives of people in this war-torn country. The GPFA helps rural Afghan men and women to develop sustainable incomes through Farmer-owned enterprises. GPFA supplies high-quality trees and farm-to-market guidance, as well as technical
and business training to strengthen the university agricultural programs.

Enjoy some of these pictures: More will follow.

Trip to the Salang Pass

Salang Pass - highest tunnel in the world.

Deb and her brother

Gathering Mulberries

Farm

Solar Drying Rack

What are Omega Essential Fatty Acids?
Omega Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are polyunsaturated fats that are responsible for proper function of all cells in the body, for that reason they are critical to overall health.
These fats are identified as essential due to the fact that your body cannot function with out them, but because the body is unable to manufacture them, omegas must be obtained from our diet.

Sources of Omegas
Omega EFA can be added to our diet through nutritional supplements as well as through a variety of foods. Popular EFA supplements include:

• Fish oil

• Flax oil and fiber

• Chia seed fiber and oil

• Coconut oil

• Borage and Evening Primrose oil

There is a large selection of foods that naturally contain Omegas. With the growing popularity of EFA, due to recent studies supporting their health benefits, some companies are now adding omegas to products, such as peanut butter, cereals, even orange juice.

Some good sources of naturally occurring omegas are:

• Fish – Salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and tuna

• Nuts- walnuts, brazil nuts, almonds, pecans, and cashews

• Seeds- Pumpkin, flax, sunflower, sesame and hemp seeds

• Oils- Flax, canola, soybean, wheat germ and olive oils

• Some fruits and vegetables- avocado, olives, collards, kale and spinach

• Grass-fed meats and eggs

• Milk and cheese from grass-fed animals

What are Omegas beneficial for?:
There are several different omegas, including Omega 3, 6 and 9, each having unique health benefits, with various scientific studies verifying their benefits.

Two important types of Omega 3 are EPA and DHA

EPA- for healthy heart and body

• Maintains a health heart and circulatory system

• Enhances joint flexibility and movement

• Promotes healthy immune function

• Supports optimal metabolism and body composition

• Promotes balanced blood sugar levels

• Supports the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response

DHA- for healthy mood, mind, and memory

• Supports learning and memory

• Promotes positive mood and well-being

• Supports and protects the brain, eyes, and nervous and immune system

• Essential for the proper development of infants and children

• Recommended by doctors for pregnant and lactating women

GLA (Omega 6) – for healthy skin, hair and hormones

• Nourishes hair and skin

• Supports healthy joints

• Enhances hormonal balance

• Maintains optimal body fat metabolism

• Provides a “feel good” effect and improves moods

Oleic Acid (Omega 9) – for healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• Major constituent of the “Mediterranean diet” associated with lower incidence of chronic degenerative diseases such as coronary heart disease

• Supports healthy blood vessel function

• Promotes healthy cell membrane structure

For the month of August, look for signs throughout the store pointing out foods with naturally occurring Omegas as well as supplements and items with added Omegas. Including these foods in your diet can help you reach your daily goal of omega essential fatty acids, helping you achieve and maintain good health.

Grocery News

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a new vendor that we are very excited about.

Peace Coffee is located in Minneapolis.  In late November 1995, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) invited a small group of Mexican farm leaders to Minneapolis to discuss the U.S. Farm Bill. At the end of the meeting, Luis Hernandez from La Selva, a Mexican coffee cooperative, complained that despite all the talk, he hadn’t sold a single coffee bean. He looked at the IATP and said, “You guys should be selling organic fair trade coffee.”

Fast forward to December 1996, the first shipping container of coffee landed: 38,000 pounds of conventional and organic coffee from Chiapas. The IATP created a company, Headwaters International and later the brand name, Peace Coffee; the rest is history. After the first container, a partial container of Guatemalan Peace Coffee was purchased. A portion of the “profit” went to support Guatemalan peace efforts in collaboration with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Rigoberta Menchu. To further their commitment to the environment, both social and ecological, they adopted the policy of bicycle-powered delivery wherever appropriate. Bicycle delivery in Minnesota …brrrrrrrr.

Since their beginnings in a basement office, Peace Coffee has expanded into a green building in the heart of south Minneapolis that houses both their offices and roastery, where they roast five days a week to provide super fresh, fabulous coffee.

Peace Coffee continues to grow. It seems fitting that their company evolved out of the conversation between policy analysts and coffee farmers: they pride themselves on expanding their business while staying true to their passion for good coffee and thriving local communities.  Tidal Creek is excited to be their first North Carolina retailer.

Co-op Kitchen News

We have spent a lot of time lately thinking about what the role of the Tidal Creek Kitchen is: to our customers and to the organization as a whole.  Tidal Creek has over 3000 owners.  There are some owners who would like the Co-op Kitchen to be 100% vegan.  There are also those who prefer to eat meat at every meal.  Some owners have allergies to wheat, gluten, soy, eggs, etc. And of course all of us would like to see variety from day to day, while always finding our favorite foods available. You can get an idea of the challenges we face in the Kitchen.

Our strategy is to loosely base each day of the week around a taste profile or ethnic bent.  On the hot bar, we attempt to provide two proteins: usually one is an animal based protein and the other is a vegetarian/dairy based protein.  We make a rice bowl with vegetables that is vegan and a soup that is vegan and an additional vegetable that is vegan, as often as possible. We use organic and local produce when it is available in the quantity and budget that we need.  Half of what we sell is at one set price and we have tried very hard not to raise that price to our customers, even as our costs have increased. We also try to avoid using soy in the food unless it is already soy based. Cheese or nut dishes are usually omitted, although the addition of either would be a welcome improvement.  And remember, when there is not a dietary option on the hot bar, there are the salad bar and grab-and-go to choose from.

We love the Co-op and the challenges it offers. Suggestions and feedback are welcome.  We continuously strive to expand and improve the Kitchen Department and appreciate your patronage!

Produce News

Premature spoilage of produce can be a troubling waste of money. But how can you win the battle when dealing with living organic foods? Conventional produce can be treated with inexpensive chemicals which aid in preservation. But these cannot be used for organic produce, as by definition no artificial chemicals are used during processing.

First of all, fresh organic fruits and veggies should be purchased in small bunches and eaten as soon as possible to maintain their optimal nutritional values and prevent loss.

Also, contrary to popular belief, storing your produce in the refrigerator is not always the way to make sure it lasts.  Most produce releases a natural gas called ethylene. When the gas is contained in a closed refrigerator it can cause all of your produce to spoil. So it may come as a surprise to some that the best place for some produce, especially unripened fruit, is on the counter top, away from direct sunlight.

For produce that you refrigerate, use a green bag, available at the Co-op. If you would like a complete list of how to store common fruits and veggies check out the article by Gretchen Goel, “Storing Organic Produce,” at bellaonline.com.

In Cooperation,
Your Produce Team

Wellness News

Crowded Buses and School Lunches – let us help you get your kids ready for Back to School!
Babies to teens, Tidal Creek has a quality multivitamin to meet your child’s needs. Get into a routine with everyday Owner Savings on Animal Parade and Vegelife vitamins. Want a gummy vitamin? Try kid-favorite Nordic Berries, they’re on sale in August! All Nordic Naturals for children are 15% off in August, so it’s the perfect time to give your kids a nutritional head start by adding Omega-3s – they are the essential building blocks for health and brain function. Give your kids a super start to every day, it’s easy with Amazing Grass’ SuperFood – 33 fruits and vegetables in one glass, and it’s chocolate!

Moms-to-be and Baby
We are excited to introduce Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics! Pregnancy teas and postpartum recovery to baby care, all Earth Mama Angel Baby products are made with only pure, natural worry-free ingredients. There is no better-smelling lotion than Angel Baby Lotion! And, once you fall in love with Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash, you can refill the self-foaming bottle in our bulk section!

Save your containers and refill in bulk, it saves packaging and saves you money! Also new in bulk is Zion Health Clay Bath Detox and Earthforce Oatmeal Bath.

Thank you for your continued support of our local business!
The Wellness Team

Some of you may know Robert, Mary, Miles and Laura Holst; for those of
you that may not, we would like to introduce you to our new neighbors.
Re-eco Design is a family owned business that creates art, fashion and
products for the home, using sustainable, recycled and re-purposed
materials. When we say family owned, we really mean it. Mary, Robert,
Miles and Laura Holst all contribute their artistic skills and talents
to creating one of a kind, handmade and recycled items.

Mary, a charter Tidal Creek Member and past day manager, designs unique
fashion accessories from reclaimed materials and found objects ….
Robert, also an original co-op member has been contributing visually
to Tidal Creek since its first days as creator of the first Tidal
Creek logo, signage and T’s. Robert is a fine artist and graphics
designer.

After many years as Graphics Coordinator with the  New York
Times Regional Media Group, Robert is happy to return to painting and
designing full time. He is currently helping us with the new t-shirt
design by updating our logo. Miles, a college student at NC State
College of Design, contributes with illustrations and silkscreen
prints. He is also the designer of the Tidal Creek Co-op 25th
anniversary T-shirt. Laura, a junior at UNC Asheville is the sculptor
and potter. She is also Re-eco’s business manager and her family is
grateful for her right and left brain capabilities. Laura is managing
the studio/shop while on break this summer. We invite you to visit
Re-eco and see what the Holst family has created. Their hours are
Wednesday through Saturday, 11am to 6pm, Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm.

www.re-eco.com