I was looking for some new ideas for Valentine’s Day when I found this great article on how to be an “Organic Romantic”. From organic chocolates to locally, sustainably grown flowers- the options are endless for a more eco-friendly V-Day! Check out the article HERE.
Check out the full article, HERE!
I was out shopping, looking for mascara, and noticed that a lot of products say “hypoallergenic” on them. It got me thinking, what does hypoallergenic really mean? Is it a material that’s used? Is there a certification for it? Less allergic than what? I was surprised at some of the answers I found.
As it turns out, our President Walt knows about this topic.
“Hypoallergenic is a word that was created by a small cosmetic company in the early 1960s, and was quickly adopted by the advertising industry to describe products that produce fewer allergic reactions.
The Greek prefix HYPO literally means “less” or “below,” so when a product is designated as hypoallergenic it means that it will conceivably trigger fewer allergic reactions in people who suffer from allergies.
The term does not relate to chemical exposures. The expression has no medical definition, and there is no certification process or organization that reviews whether a product using the word “hypoallergenic” can prove any lessening of allergic reactions.” – “Sleep Safe in a Toxic World” page 22.
With some further research, I found that the use of the word “hypoallergenic” certainly doesn’t stop at cosmetics. It’s evolved with everything from bedding, cleaning supplies, shampoo even to pets. What a wide array of t items that can potentially be labeled “hypoallergenic”!
The frustrating thin, is that it allows companies to make you believe that you are buying a product that will reduce the severity of allergies or even prevent the chance of having an allergic reaction, when in fact there are no certifications for it. It can be used in any way by companies to market their products, and is one of the most commonly used greenwashing terms out there. (For more information on greenwashing, check out our blog HERE.)What does “hypoallergenic” mean?
“Hypoallergenic” is used to represent synthetic products and materials in a flattering light. For example, a polyester dust-mite cover may be of use in keeping dust mites at bay for allergy sufferer, but that’s only part of the story. Such products can also expose users to chemical offgassing and other hazards. Choose certified materials and products for relief from allergy symptoms and chemical exposure. –Lifekind website (http://www.lifekind.com/index.php/site_organic_products?sub=site_organic_ask)
Next time you see the word“hypoallergenic” on a product, ask yourself, “What makes this product hypoallergenic?” You may find that no measures are actually taken to make this loosely used marketing word true.
Everyone gets excited to attend Vegas with the hopes of winning big, and OMI is no different. As we gather in Las Vegas at the World Market Center, we will be presenting a HUGE industry announcement as well as introducing new products. (If you can’t visit us in Las Vegas stay tuned on the OMI blog for more information.)
Mark your calendar and book your flight to come and check out OMI’s brand new showroom, January 28th – February 1st, at Showroom C-1507.
Call the OMI sales office at 1-800-951-9196 to schedule an appointment at Market and for more information on new products and announcements.
Visit our website HERE.
This is a great time of year, when families get together and celebrate the holidays. Here are some eco-friendly tips to get your house ready for the festivities.
Have old ornaments that don’t make the cut to be used on your tree? Use your vintage or extra ornaments to create a sparkly wreath for your front door. 
Centerpieces on your table are a great way to add decoration with a variety of materials. Let nature be your guide. Use things your can find in your own yard such tree branches, oranges, apples, pinecones, and more.
Or you can use edible treats in clear vases to add color and fun to your tables.
Are you getting a Christmas tree? Rather than getting a tree that was grown on a tree farm or one made of plastic try making one out of reclaimed wood to add a unique and fun look.
Even the holiday cards you receive can be used as decoration, by simply hanging them on some ribbon.
So whatever you chose, have fun decking your halls!
I just came across this great blog from our sister company, Lifekind. I figured I would share it with you:
Read the full article on their blog
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After I read this, I went home and checked my pillow, and found that my pillow needed to be replaced too! I chose the Crush 100% Natural Shredded Rubber Pillow for myself, while my husband enjoys a firmer pillow, so I am thinking a great holiday gift would be the Molded 100%-Natural Rubber Latex Pillow! I also saw the importance of a Pillow Barrier Cover for our pillows, to protect them from the things that we don’t want getting into them.
The Crush 100% Natural Shredded Rubber Pillow
Certified Organic Cotton Bed-Bug and Dust-Mite Pillow Barrier Cover
Wool-Wrapped 100% Natural Shredded Rubber Pillow
100% Certified Organic Cotton Pillow
The Molded and Contour 100% Natural Rubber Latex Pillows
Pillows make such a great economical choice for a gift to help family members sleep safer. With the holidays fast approaching, why not give a small piece of comfort with an OMI pillow. Or if you’ve determined that you need to replace your favorite pillow, click HERE to find your local retailer to try out an OMI pillow today.
Thanksgiving comes with all kinds of delicious favorite side dishes. Since we are in the office on Friday after Thanksgiving, we at OMI like to have a potluck at lunch where we bring a side dish with a twist to the classic recipes (as well as evolving them into our own organic creations). Here are a few of our favorites…
I myself am a wine lover, so when I found a recipe that included a sangria flavor with the traditional cranberry sauce, I knew that I would love it. Such a tasty rendition if you love the classic but want it a little different this year.
Sangria Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients
1. organic lemon
1. organic lime
1. organic orange
3 cups fresh organic cranberries
1. container (16-ounce) frozen organic strawberries
1. cup red wine
1 1/2. cup raw organic turbinado sugar
Directions
1. From lemon, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 3 tablespoons juice. From lime, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice. From orange, grate 1/2 teaspoon peel and squeeze 1/4 cup juice.
2. In 3-quart saucepan, combine lemon, lime, and orange peels, cranberries, strawberries, wine, and sugar; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, 15 minutes until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon, lime, and orange juices.
3. Spoon cranberry sauce into serving bowl; cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 4 hours.
Here’s a way to try something new with stuffing. Add a few veggies you have never used before, or like this fun recipe, add wild rice and wild mushroom
Herb Wild Mushroom and Wild Rice Stuffing
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) organic butter
2 cups sliced wild mushrooms ( options to try: morel, oyster, trumpet, shiitake, chanterelle or porcini, in any combination)
1 cup chopped organic celery
1 cup chopped organic white onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh organic thyme
1/4 chopped fresh organic Italian parsley
1 teaspoon sage, rubbed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
4 cups cooked organic wild rice
2 cups dry unseasoned bread cubes (try gluten free bread)
1 ½ cup organic chicken broth
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in large skillet on medium heat. Add mushrooms, celery and onions; cook and stir 5 minutes. Stir in seasonings.
2. Mix rice and bread cubes in large bowl; stir in vegetable mixture. Add broth; toss gently until well mixed. Spoon into 13×9-inch baking dish; cover.
3. Bake 30 minutes.
This new take on sweet potatoes with a streusel topping instead of the usual marshmallows makes for a delicious, sweet side.
Sweet Potato Gratin with Pecan-Ginger Streusel
3 pounds (about 6) medium organic sweet potatoes
1/2 cup apple cider or juice
1/4 cup organic Grade B maple syrup
3 tablespoons organic unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Streusel Topping
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten free, coconut flour)
3 tablespoons packed organic light brown sugar
3 tablespoons cold organic unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
2 tablespoons chopped organic crystallized ginger
1. Heat oven to 350° F. Lightly butter a shallow 2-quart baking or casserole dish.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until just barely tender when tested with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and run under cold water to cool. Pull off skin, then slice into 1-2″ thick rounds.
3. Arrange slices in prepared dish in concentric circles, overlapping slices slightly. In a liquid measuring cup, combine cider, syrup, butter and salt pour over potatoes. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make streusel topping:
1. In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or combine mixture with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs. Fold in pecans and ginger.
2. Remove potatoes from oven. Uncover and sprinkle with Streusel Topping. Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Refrigerate for up to 1 day. Reheat, covered, in a 375º F oven until heated through, 25 to 30 minutes.
Whatever choices you make for your meal, we hope you have a happy holiday and give thanks.
There’s no need to spend money on elaborate centerpieces when you can find beautiful décor in your own backyard. Pinecones and fall leaves, or even evergreen branches can be used to add holiday color and fragrance. Here are my top 4 favorite tips:
1. Gather things to make a wreath that can be placed around a candle or vase, then reuse it by hanging it on your door for the holiday season. If you have never created a wreath HERE is an easy tutorial.
2. While shopping for holiday meals at a local farmer’s market, keep an eye out for edible items such as colorful squash and gourds, apples, pears, berries and much more. These can be used as centerpieces, or if you cut out the center and place a candle inside, can be used as candleholders.
3. A clear vase is great for centerpieces! Since you can change its contents to fit any holiday, you can find many items around your home to add to it. This Thanksgiving, try adding fall leaves or some citrus. Simply cut up and set in water with a floating candle. Add cranberries for a bit of that holiday red!
4. Round discs cut from large tree logs can make unique pie or cake plates, candleholders, or even chargers. When cutting firewood, my husband slices ½-1” thick discs off the end of a log for me. And if they get spilled on at dinner, I just toss them back in with the firewood.
Make your holiday as eco-centered as possible this year by using what nature provides. Have a colorful and conscious holiday!
When you’re visiting one of our retailers, you may notice all of the OMI accessory options available. But how do you know what you will need?
Use this handy graphic (and an OMI salesperson) to help you determine how your mattress layers should be stacked up:
Snuggle up and try an OMI mattress or check out our accessories at a local retailer today to experience pure, organic comfort. Click HERE to find a store near you.
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