Raw Planet

Health Benefits
Another point to consider is that Sucrose itself is a disaccharide made up of a combination of Glucose and Fructose so the exact amount of Fructose may vary accordingly.
Due to its rich mineral profile, Coconut Sugar has numerous health benefits but like all concentrated foods, it should be enjoyed in moderation.

Our Coconut Sugar is unfiltered and preservative free. It has a low on the Glycemic Index (GI) of 35. By comparison, most honey has a GI of 55 and cane sugars have a  GI of 68.

The Glycemic Index provides a ranking for carbohydrates according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a low GI (less than 40), produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, avoiding the sugar “highs” and “lows” that we experience when consuming foods with high GIs.

Coconut Sugar also has a nutritional and mineral content that is richer than most other commercially available sweeteners. When compared to brown sugar, Coconut Sugar has twice the iron, four times the magnesium and over 10 times the amount of zinc.

Many people with an intolerance to fructose have found Coconut Sugar to be beneficial since it is primarily sucrose based (up to 89% depending on the crop). However, it is important to note that it isn't entirely fructose free and can contain between 3 to 5%.

Another point to consider is that sucrose is a disaccharide made up of a combination of glucose and fructose, so the exact amount of fructose may vary.

Due to its rich mineral profile, Coconut Sugar has numerous health benefits but like all concentrated foods, it should be enjoyed in moderation.

How to use:
Coconut Sugar can be used 1:1 as a replacement for cane sugar in any recipe. It's suitable for baking, and makes a great addition to tea and coffee.

Growing
Yogyakarta in central Java is the home of the Indonesian villagers who grow and harvest our Coconut Sugar. They use a centuries old technique to provide us with this healthy sweetener, which in turn ensures a steady source of income for their community. Our Coconut Sugar gives these farmers the potential for a better life. This is a unique tradition of the Javanese and they are known to produce the best quality Coconut Sugar. Farmers climb the coconut palms and collect the sugar blossom nectar by gently slicing the flower. Click on the video below to see them doing it.



Processing
Once harvested the nectar is transferred into kettles. The evaporation process lowers the moisture content of the nectar before it is allowed to set into a solid nectar "brick". Once the nectar has cooled and solidified it is then ground into granules.

Tropical palms are an ecologically beneficial tree crop that grow in diverse, wildlife supportive agro-ecosystems, restore damaged soils and require very little water. In fact, since coconut palms can grow in such severely depleted soil, using so little water, that they require very little maintenance. Not only that, but over time they actually improve soil structure, fertility and water conservation, thereby allowing marginalised land to become lush jungle.

Compared to cane sugar, coconut trees produce 50-75% more sugar per acre but use less than one fifth of the soil nutrients and water, making Coconut Sugar an extremely sustainable product.

This has led many traditional communities throughout the world to consider coconut palms as the “Tree of Life”, as one tree can provide a multitude of usable goods, such as roofing material, food, coconut water, building material and shade for crops.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size 5g

Loving Earth Organic Goji Berries are certified organic Goji Berries. They are grown in a pristine, certified organic part of the Ningxia autonomous region, located between Tibet and Inner Mongolia. The goji berry is sacred to the people of this remote autonomous region and they hold a special festival every year to honor and celebrate the life giving qualities of this extraordinary berry.

Are you wondering how a tiny red berry can have such a positive effect on your health?
    * To start, the goji berry is higher in antioxidants than any other known food.
    * The goji berry contains 18 amino acids – the building blocks for protein.
    * The goji berry contains over 12 times more protein than apples, oranges, or strawberries.
    * The goji berry is a better source of beta-carotene than carrots themselves.
    * 21 trace minerals, including Germanium
    * 6 essential fatty acids including Linoleic acid, which significantly promotes body fat loss
    * Vitamins B1, B2, B6, E
    * 500 times more Vitamin C than oranges
    * 4 Unique Polysaccharides (Master Molecules) found in no other food source
    * 15 times more nutritional iron than spinach
    *  Beta Sitosterol: An anti-inflammatory agent found to lower cholesterol, and used to treat sexual impotence and prostrate enlargement.
    *  Zeaxanthin and Lutine: Valued for their role in protecting the eyes.
    *  Betaine: Used by the liver to produce Choline which assists detoxification reactions in the liver. Betaine is known to protect DNA, enhance
       memory, promote muscle growth and protects us from fatty liver disease.
    *  Cyperone: A sesquiterpene used in treatment of cervical cancer. It is also known to benefit heart and blood pressure problems as well as
        menstruation problems.
    *  Solavetivone: A powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent.
    *  Physalin: A natural compound that boosts the immune system. Found to be effective in treating leukaemia, hepatitis B and cancer.

Goji Berry Antioxidants  
Free radicals damage cells and DNA, increase the cancer risk, and accelerate the aging rocess. The more antioxidants, the more effective the neutralizing capacity is in slowing down the aging process. If free radicals go unchecked, they can even attack and damage DNA, possibly causing deformation and mutation of the blueprinted cells.
 
Immunity Enhancer
Due to aging, the body's immune system often becomes dysfunctional, where in immune cells can have difficulty recognizing the difference between the body's cells and foreign cells. This can lead to auto-immune problems. The polysaccharides found in Goji berries have been known to inhibit three kinds of inflammation. These polysaccharides were also found to stimulate the interleukin-2 and gamma interferon, which are anti-inflammatory and induce immune responses.
 
ORAC Test
The ORAC Test is a standardized test adopted by the US. Department of Agriculture to measure the Total Antioxidant Potency of foods and nutritional supplements. The antioxidant capacity of the blood seems to be tightly regulated.  A significant increase in antioxidants of 15 to 20 percent is possible by increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in ORAC value.  Dr. Cao and Dr. Prior of the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University have established a recommended 5,000 ORAC Units Daily to have a significant impact on plasma and tissue antioxidant capacity and for helping prevent certain age related diseases.

ORAC Scale: Orac Units per 100g
Egg plant – 390
Corn – 400
Onion – 450
Grapefruit – 483
Kiwi fruit – 602
Cherries – 670
Red bell pepper – 710
Red grapes – 739
Oranges – 750
Beets – 840
Broccoli – 890
Alfalfa sprouts – 930
Plums – 949
Brussel sprouts – 980
Raspberries – 1220
Spinach – 1260
Stawberries – 1540
Kale - 1770
Black berries – 2036
Blueberries – 2400
Raisins – 2830
Prunes – 5770
HIMALAYAN GOJI JUICE 90% concentrate - 18,999
TIBETAN GOJI BERRIES – 27,500

Dried Goji berries and Human Growth Hormone 
Goji berries are known to have a unique polysaccharide that stimulates the pituitary gland in the anterior of the brain to produce more Human Growth Hormone, the master hormone in our bodies. HGH is know to slow down, and even reverse some of the effects of aging. For centuries, people in Asia that have customarily eaten Goji berries have been documented to live longer and healthier lives with little or no incidence of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimers disease, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple scirosis, or a host of other "dread" diseases that are afflicting many of the Industrialized Nations of the world.

Professor Li Qing Yuen is documented as being the oldest person to have ever lived in recorded history. Born in 1678 and living to 1930, he was documented by the Government of China as having lived to 252 years of age. Twice he received Longevity Awards from the Government. It is said he ate Goji berries on a regular daily basis.

More Benefits
Goji berries have been traditionally regarded as a longevity, strength-building, and sexual potency food of the highest order.  The goji berry was celebrated as early as the first century A.D. by Shen Nong Ben Cao in the Divine Farmer's Handbook of Natural Medicine (one of the most important texts in the history of Chinese medicine).

 "Lycium [the goji berry] tonifies jing [vital energy] and qi [breath] and strengthens the yin tao [capacity for physical exercise]."
  - Tao Hong Jing, Commentary on the Divine Farmer's Handbook of Natural Medicine

Recently, in several study groups with elderly people, goji berries were given once a day for 3 weeks.  Many beneficial results were experienced and 67% of the patients T cell transformation functions tripled and the activity of the patients white cell interleukin-2 doubled. In addition, the results showed that all the patients spirit and optimism increased significantly, appetite improved in 95% of the patients, 95% of the patients slept better, and 35% of the patients partially recovered their sexual function.

Many people who now eat Goji berries on a daily basis notice improved eyesight, restoration of hair color, improved libido, mood enhancement, noticeable improvement in energy levels, better sleeping habits, and more zest for life.

 "Pang jia [goji berries] cure illness related to the heart and clear heat [discomfort and illness] within the body."
  - Gama Rangjunduojie, Tibetan Medical Doctor

Production
The plants grow like bushes with vines that reach over 15 feet. The berries are never touched by hand as they will oxidize and turn black if touched while fresh. They are shaken onto mats, and then dried in the shade. These berries are grown without pesticides or other chemicals in one of the purest places on earth.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. What quantities of Goji Berries should I consume daily?
The Tibetan Medical College in Lhasa Tibet recommends 5 - 25 grams daily as being the recommended daily adult dose for general well being. For those with illness of those feeling unwell or with particularly low energy the The Tibetan Medical college recommends a minimum of 15 grams daily and up to 30 grams daily.

2. How should I eat the Goji's?
Go ahead and enjoy our wonderful Goji Berries straight out of the pack. Another great way is to make a cup of Goji Tea. Boil up some water and pour over 10-15 Goji Berries at the bottom of your cup, let sit for 3-5 minutes or until cool enough to drink and savour your freshly made cup of Goji Tea. Goji Berries are great as a snack or pick me up any time day or night. In the morning they are also great on Muesli, in yogurt or added to fruit salad.  Add Gojis to salads, smoothies, cookies, muffins and cakes. Some very cool bars and nightclubs are even introducing Goji Berry Martinis and having them on their bar counters instead of nuts and other nibbles. Many health clubs are also handing out Goji Berries to their valued members and guests after fitness classes and workout sessions.

3. How should I keep my Goji's fresh?
Gojis can be kept in the resealable plastic bage either in the fridge or in the pantry or store in a glass container.

4. Are any additives or preservatives added to the Goji Berries?
No, absolutely not, We don't like them, refuse to use them and would never spoil our wonderful Goji Berries with preservatives or anything unnatural.

5. Are your berries irradiated as are many other fruits that are imported from overseas?
Absolutely not. We insist that that our product is never irradiated by quarantine in any country. Our Berries are naturally shadedried in wonderful Ningxia countryside  on mats that enable our wonderful berries to soak up the pristine and pure Himalayan air.

6.  What is the difference between whole Goji Berries and Goji Juice?
Whole berries are whole food containing proteins, essential fatty acids, and have no depleted nutrients that can occur when a fruit is juiced. Many Goji Juices on the market contain preservatives, added sugars, fillers such as Apple & Pear juice and are high in sugars.

Choice (Australian Consumer) has tested goji juices in Australia including Himalayan Goji Juice 90% concentrate and found only a very low ORAC rating of 18,999 compared to Tibet Authentic Goji Berries of 27,500.  Many juices contain only 20% goji juice concentrate.

7. Can pregnant women consume Goji Berries?
Absolutely! During pregnancy it is important to increase vitamin and nutrient intake and the Tibetan Medical College recommends at least 10g daily for pregnant women.

9. Can children enjoy Goji Berries?
Absolutely! Children need the goodness of vitamins and nutrients and the Tibetan Medical College recommends that children enjoy up to 5 gram daily of Goji berries.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 20g

Serving Suggestions:  The indigenous mountain people who grow these berries eat them by the handful and say the best way to start the day is with a handful of gojis. It is recommended to eat at least 10 grams a day, which is approximately a handful. However you can eat as much as you like - straight from the packet.They are also delicious in a trail mix with raw cacao nibs - there is a great flavour synergy between the bitterness of the cacao and the sweetness of the gojis. Add to your  cereal, juice or smoothie.  Soak in cold water in a jar in the fridge to soften, making them easier to chew.

Sizes & Packaging:  250g, 500g & 1kg in standup resealable ziplock plastic pouches. 2Kg - 10kg bags are also available.

About Hemp
Hemp has been called the perfect plant.  Hemp seed oil contains what is considered to be an ideal ratio of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids- 3:1, perfectly matching the needs of the human body. In addition to the EFAs hemp seed provides, it is also one of the richest sources of amino acids. Along with the EFAs, these two components are responsible for keratin formation, the primary protein that gives your hair structural integrity.

Hemp is quite simply, nature's health and beauty secret - and the secret is in the seed. Hemp seed oil and extract offer many benefits useful in personal care products. The reason hemp is so effective is largely because of the essential fatty acids (EFAs) it contains. More than 75% of the EFAs in hemp seed oil are poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), known for their excellent emollient and lubricating properties.

Facts on hemp
The hulled hempseed does not contain any Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). (THC is normally stored in the fleshy parts of the plant, especially the leaves. None is contained in the seeds, flowers, or roots of the plant.)

Hemp seed can be processed, much like soy, into many nutritious foods and cosmetic ingredients. Hemp seed is far more nutritious than even soybean oil and though it contains less total protein, it is far more digestible to humans.

Hemp seed contains, on average: 25% protein, 30% carbohydrates, 15% insoluble fibre, 30% oil, the nutrients carotene, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, calcium, iron, zinc, and the vitamins E, C, B1, B2, B3, and B6. Hemp seed also is one of the few seeds to contain Omega-6 and Omega-3 Linoleic acid, commonly found in fish and useful to the immune system.

Hemp oil has been found to be a highly nutritious, essential hair and skin aid for protection, growth and anti-aging.

Hemp has excellent healing and moisturising properties.

Because of its EFA profile, hemp seed oil instantly counteracts the effects of degreasing and dehydration, conditions that produce dry skin and hair.

In addition to improving the structural quality of the hair, hemp seed oil's high lipid content helps increase elasticity, volume, combability and shine. Hemp is used as fibre for rope, twine, tough cloth, and paper as well as other products where wood pulp is currently used.
Hemp could help preserve natural resources. For instance, hemp used for paper would replenish itself in 90 days instead of the 20-40 years required to grow trees. An acre of hemp can produce 4 times the amount of paper that an acre of trees can produce.

Hemp requires no herbicides or pesticides for cultivation and refertilises soil naturally making the ground useful for future crops.

History of hemp
Hemp has been in continual use by human civilization for at least 10,000 years.  The first written record of cannabis was supposedly penned by one of the early Chinese emperors around 2700 B.C.  Islamic/Arabic empires created Europe's first paper mill utilizing hemp in about 1150 A.D.  In 1563 A.D., as part of the economic and military build-up of the time (80 years war), Queen Elizabeth I orders all land owners with 60 acres or more to grow Cannabis or face a £5 fine.

For centuries the fibre of the hemp plant has been used for rope, sails and other textiles.  Early drafts of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution were written on hemp paper.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both farmed hemp crops – the colonists were legally bound to grow hemp as one of their crops and could use hemp to pay their taxes. During times of shortage, farmers were sent to jail for not growing hemp.

In 1941 Popular Mechanics introduced Henry Ford's new plastic car, manufactured from and fuelled by hemp (an early bio diesel variant). Hoping to break the petroleum industries' monopoly of control on his company, Ford illegally grew hemp for over a year.

The 1942 Japanese invasion of the Philippines cut off the US supply of Manila hemp, among other vital resources. The US government distributed over 400,000 pounds of hempseed to farmers in order to limit the supply gap as much as possible, subsidizing hemp cultivation during WWII. American farmers grew about a million acres as part of that program.

In New Zealand hemp businesses began to appear, in more recent times, during the early to mid 1990s. Hemp product availability has continued to grow ever since.

By 2004, a few U.S. states had again legalised production of industrial hemp and this continues to grow.  In 2005, for the first time a New Zealand hemp seed oil was available in health stores and outlets. Last year, a successful venture by two Canterbury businesses culminated, in March of 2006 with the first harvest of Hemp on a commercial scale in New Zealand. The crop was grown spray free and required very little irrigation.

Hemp seed oil is considered to be the most nutritional of all oils available. It has a plethora of medicinal, nutritional, and cosmetic uses, making it a wonderful multi-purpose ingredient. It has been used for many years medicinally, and was even used during Ming Dynasty by the Chinese under the name of Ma Zi.

Hemp seed oil provides the body with complete protein, nutrition, and with all the essential amino acids necessary for health and wellness.

Medicinal and cosmetic use
Hemp seed oil is a highly nutritious food, and contains antioxidants, protein, carotene, phytosterols, phospholipids, as well as a number of minerals including calcium, magnesium, sulfur, potassium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. It is a source of complete protein and contains all 20 known amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids. It also contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E. The green color in hemp seed oil is a result of the high level of chlorophyll which is naturally present in the seeds.

Perhaps the most valued property of hemp seed oil is its percentage of essential fatty acids, which is higher than any other plant in the world. It contains both Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential fatty acids, in a proportion of 3:1. This proportion is the recommended balance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 acids, making it a simple perfect way to complete your diet.

Essential fatty acids are necessary for our health, and are responsible for the lustre in our skin, hair, eyes, transferring oxygen to every cell in our body, and even the clarity in our thought processes. They also lubricate and clear the arteries, strengthen the immune system, and help prevent viruses and other threats to our immune system. Essential fatty acids are not produced by the human body. Instead, they must be obtained from food sources.

Specifically, hemp seed oil has been shown to assist with the following medical conditions:
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Acne
• Osteoporosis
• Menopause
• Cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Premenstrual symptoms
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Weight loss
• Poor circulation
• Crohn's disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Gall stones
• Kidney degeneration
• Dry skin
• Immune deficiency
• Irregular hormone levels
• HIV virus
• Tuberculosis
• Low energy levels
• Low metabolism
• Dry skin and hair conditions

In cosmetic and body-care products, hemp seed oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, balances dry skin, fights skin inflammations, helps heal skin lesions, has antioxidants, and contains moisture balancing properties. The oil is non-greasy, readily absorbs into the pores, is an emollient, and has rejuvenating and moisturising properties for the skin. Adult users of hemp seed oil have reported softer skin, and stronger nails and hair after only a few weeks of using 1-2 tablespoons per day. The vitamins and minerals present in hemp- seed oil are easily absorbed through the skin, resulting in a more vitamin and mineral-enriched body-care product.

Usage instructions
The pleasantly nutty taste of hemp seed oil makes it easy to incorporate into your culinary recipes. In one tablespoon, you will receive 2.5 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids, 8 grams of Omega-6 fatty acids, and 2 grams of Omega-9 fatty acids - a perfect balance. No other single source oil has this ideal combination of essential fatty acids. Hemp seed oil is easily digestible in its raw state. It contains less than 10% saturated fats, and 70-80% polyunsaturated fatty acids, the highest of any vegetable oil . This is an unusually high level of the good oils, making this oil beneficial for culinary use. In culinary use, the oil will not clog arteries, as do saturated and trans fatty acids or shortenings.

This oil should not be fried, and should preferably be used cold. It may easily be added to salad dressings, pasta, vegetables, smoothies, soups, sauces, hummus, guacamole, pesto, or other foods after the heating/baking has been completed. If you must heat the oil, it may be gently heated for a short period of time.

Unlike flaxseed oil, hempseed oil can be used continuously without developing a deficiency or other imbalance of EFAs. This has been demonstrated in a clinical study, where the daily ingestion of flaxseed oil decreased the endogenous production of GLA.

Hemp seed oil may be added to any body-care or cosmetic product, including creams, lotions, facial or body oils, massage oils, shampoo, conditioner, shaving products, lip balm, soap, and any other product. In hair care products, it  increases elasticity, manageability, and shine.

Recent Canadian research has shown this oil to possibly be effective as a broad-spectrum ultraviolet skin sunscreen.