Miscellaneous – Real Raw Food

Panela (Cane Sugar)

Ian Dalwood — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:48:24 +0000

Certified Organic Panela from Peru.

Overview
Panela is a traditional unrefined sweetener made from sugar cane, a perennial grass that is grown in the northern region of Peru, where locals will make panela (or raw cane sugar). It is made from freshly pressed sugarcane juice that is gently evaporated to preserve its natural molasses content. Raw cane sugar has considerably more B Vitamins than refined sugar, specifically B3, B5, B6.

Unlike refined white sugar, panela is never bleached or heavily processed, allowing it to retain its rich caramel flavor, golden-brown color, and naturally occurring trace minerals. This wholesome sweetener offers a deeper, more complex taste while staying true to its natural origins.

Key Features

100% Unrefined: Made from pure sugarcane juice with minimal processing and no bleaching.

Rich Caramel Flavor: Deep, warm notes of molasses and toffee enhance both sweet and savory dishes.

Naturally Occurring Minerals: Retains trace minerals present in sugarcane due to its unrefined nature.

Lower Glycemic Index: Contains chromium, which reduces its effect on blood sugar.

Traditional Craftsmanship: Produced using time-honoured evaporation methods to preserve authenticity and quality.

Health Benefits:

Less Processed Alternative: A more natural option compared to refined white sugar.

Mineral Content: Contains small amounts of naturally occurring minerals from sugarcane.

Wholesome Sweetener Choice: Ideal for those seeking minimally processed pantry staples.

Usage Instructions:

Baking: Substitute 1:1 for white or brown sugar in baking recipes to add depth and a caramel-like richness.

Beverages: Stir into coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or smoothies for a smooth, molasses-infused sweetness.

Storage Instructions:

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to maintain texture and flavor.

Mirin

Ian Dalwood — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:32:05 +0000

Ohsawa Organic Genuine Mirin

Mirin is a traditional Japanese ‘sweet cooking wine’. It is made by fermenting rice, koji and shochu, resulting in a golden syrup that is sweeter than sake but has a lower alcohol content.

Ingredients – Organic Sweet Rice, Organic Distilled Rice Wine (water, organic sweet rice, koji seed), Organic Rice Koji (Rice, koji seed), Sea Salt

Apricot Pits/Kernels

Ian Dalwood — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 21:24:41 +0000

From Organically Grown Apricots in Naramata. (In-Shell)

Apricot kernels are technically a seed that is found inside the pits of apricots. They look like small almonds and have a similar amaretto flavour.

They are used in culinary and medicinal applications across Europe and Asia, and are commonly used for respiratory conditions, digestive disorders and certain types of cancer. They are a good source of vitamin E, B17, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium.

*Health Canada suggests adults consume no more than 3 kernels a day and to mix them with other food. Children and pregnant women should avoid bitter apricot kernels.

Wild Yam Oil

Ian Dalwood — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 23:24:01 +0000

NEW Formulation: For easier application, we have switched to making a wild yam oil. Contains simply whole wild yam and chaste berry powder infused in extra-virgin olive oil.

Wild yam contains saponins and diosgenin that support the body’s natural hormonal balance. It is not hormone replacement but instead supports the body’s natural production of progesterone and testosterone while also helping balance excess estrogen.

Commonly used by holistic practitioners and herbalists as a natural alternative to estrogen therapy for symptoms of menopause, menstrual problems, infertility and many other conditions. Some people report it may help with:

insomnia
cramping
heavy menstrual flow
and headaches

Can also be used by men to help:

Keep testosterone free and active by lowering SHBG
Soothe prostate inflammation
Speed muscle recovery and reduce post-workout soreness

How Wild-Yam Oil Works

Root to receptor
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) is packed with diosgenin, a plant sterol that human cells can convert into progesterone—the “balancing” hormone that opposes excess estrogen, calms the brain and supports skin, bone, prostate and thyroid.
Through the skin, not the stomach
Rubbing a small, measured dose (10–20 mg) into thin, blood-rich areas (inner arms, chest, neck) lets the hormone slip straight into circulation, bypassing the liver and avoiding the peaks and crashes of pills.
What it does inside

Women: smooths PMS, peri-menopause hot flashes, night sweats and post-meno sleep/bone support.
Men: lowers SHBG, freeing natural testosterone, aids deep sleep, faster recovery, and reduces nighttime bathroom trips.

Fast facts
Works in minutes, builds benefits over days; use cyclically (women) or 6 days on/1 day off (men); no estrogen, no progestins, no parabens; glass bottle.

Ingredients: *wild yam, *chaste berry powder, *extra-virgin olive oil. *organic

Apply a fingertip of this botanical cream to give your body the raw material to have more calm, strength and balance—naturally. Can be applied to the chest, neck, breasts, abdomen, inner arms or inner thighs for optimal absorption.

Xylitol

tom — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 23:06:10 +0000

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables but is typically derived from birch wood or corn cobs.

It was originally discovered by German chemist Emil Fischer in 1891 but remained in research until World War II when sugar shortages in Europe prompted the need for sugar substitutes. Later, in the 1970s in Finland, the dental benefits of xylitol were discovered, including reductions of up to 85% in dental caries and up to 50% in plaque. The first xylitol chewing gum was made in 1975 and was integrated into public health programs, including daily use in Finnish schools.

Xylitol is considered a healthy sugar substitute for several evidence-based reasons:

1. Low glycemic impact

Glycemic index ≈ 7 (table sugar ≈ 60), so it raises blood glucose only one-tenth as much as sucrose. This makes it useful for people with diabetes or anyone trying to avoid post-meal “spikes and crashes”.

2. 40 % fewer calories

2.4 kcal g⁻¹ vs 4 kcal g⁻¹ for regular sugar, helping to cut overall energy intake without sacrificing sweetness.

3. Tooth-friendly – actually stops cavities

Oral bacteria (esp. Streptococcus mutans) take xylitol into their cells, convert it to xylitol-5-P, but cannot metabolize it further. The wasted energy cycle starves and weakens the bacteria, lowering plaque acid and decay risk.
Regular use (5–10 g day⁻¹ in gum, mints, toothpaste) is linked to fewer new cavities in both children and adults; some studies show ≈ a 25–30 % reduction compared with sugar or even sorbitol

4. Additional whole-body benefits (early but promising)

Ear & respiratory infections: Chewing xylitol gum reduces acute otitis-media in preschoolers by roughly 20–30 %
Pre-biotic-like effect: Reaches the colon undigested, where it is fermented to short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate that nourish gut cells and may relieve constipation.
Bone & skin: Animal and small human studies suggest improved calcium absorption and skin-barrier function; more research is needed.

5. Tastes and bakes like sugar

1:1 sweetness intensity, no bitter after-taste, heat-stable, so it can replace sugar cup-for-cup in drinks, baking, preserves, etc.

6. Recognized as safe

Approved by FDA, Health Canada, EFSA; decades of use with no serious toxicity in humans (apart from mild laxation if you quickly exceed ~20–30 g)

Xylitol delivers the sweetness people want while providing calorie control, negligible blood-sugar impact, and proven dental protection, plus a growing list of possible extra health perks—a combination that places it among the healthiest practical sweeteners currently available.

Made from non-GMO corn. Xylitol made from corn has a much lower environmental impact. Birch trees take 15-50 years to mature before they can be harvested, and extracting the xylitol involves harvesting the bark, which can kill the tree.

Irish Moss – Whole Leaf

planetadmin — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:30:09 +0000

Wild Harvested Irish Moss from Canada.

Hand-picked Irish Moss (Chrondus Crispus) from the cold, rocky shores of Dark Harbour on Grand Manan Island. The rocky coastline and optimal shade provided by the cliffs create an ideal setting for the Irish Moss to retain its natural nutrients and flavor. Always sun-dried.

To make Irish Moss Paste:

Soak it overnight or longer and then rinse it well.
Put about 1/2 a cup of the moss with about 1 1/4 cup water in the blender.
Blend till it becomes a thick gelatinous consistency.
Then squeeze it through a nutmilk bag.
Place in glass bowl in refrigerator to set up.
Irish moss paste will last in the refrigerator for a at least 10 days.

Benefits:

Supports Digestion
Supports Brain Health
Boosts Immune Function
May have Anti-Tumor Effects
Improves Skin Health
High in Iodine
Aids Lung Health (Expectorant)
Reduces Inflammation
Increases Metabolism

*Irish Moss is basically flavorless and can be easily added to smoothie, juice and soup recipes or used as a thickener in sauces and raw desserts.

“The cheesecake recipe we used called for a couple tbsps of the moss gel and it really made a big difference in the texture and quality of the dessert. I’ve made raw cheesecakes before, but they were really thick and almost too rich (all nuts). The one I made with irish moss had a lighter, creamier texture but also more structure (it holds itself together)”.

Tongue Scraper

planetadmin — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:30:01 +0000

Copper Tongue Scraper

Scouring bacteria colonies off your exposed mouth muscle with your bare hands (and our 100% pure copper tongue scraper) is so metal. Tongue scraping is a quick and dirty habit that yields major results. Breath so fresh, you’ll have Kool & The Gang knocking at your door.

-Cotton carry bag with logo

-100% copper tongue scraper

-Anti-microbial

-Reduces bad breath

-Stimulates digestive system

-Long-lasting tool, can be reused over and over

-May replace mouthwash in function and reduce waste

Toothbrush – Bamboo

planetadmin — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:29:51 +0000

Bamboo Toothbrush

Over a billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown out in the US alone every year – enough to circle the globe four times over. It’s time to swap your plastic toothbrush for a home-compostable, rapidly renewable bamboo one.

Bamboo is superior! As an added bonus, Gaia Smiles Toothbrushes feature naturally antibacterial activated charcoal bristles. You can dispose of your bristles in any industrial compost when you’re ready for your next bamboo brush.

Toothbrushes come in your choice of Blue, Pink, and Black. All brushes come with a Gaia Smiles laser-cut logo on the handle. Enjoy your new oral care routine with the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing good for the planet as well as your teeth!

-100% plastic-free -Long-lasting bristles -Naturally, brighten teeth

Tooth Powder

planetadmin — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:29:42 +0000

Gaia Smiles Tooth Powder is made in Kelowna, BC.

Tooth powder is a dry, concentrated alternative to toothpaste. It replaces toothpaste in your daily routine. The powder form means you aren’t purchasing water, fillers, or preservatives. You add the water to your brush and get only intentional, tooth-loving ingredients in your jar.

No foaming agents. No preservatives. No fillers. No fluoride. No toxins. No surprises.

Together, the beneficial ingredients inside each jar help to:

provide minerals to saliva
absorbs toxins
naturally brightens teeth
support enamel growth and protection
provide bioavailable calcium to feed white teeth from the inside out
alkalize the mouth to create a hospitable environment for only beneficial bacteria
and block plaque’s communication, preventing build-up and bad breath

Ingredients: Bentonite Clay, Calcium Carbonate, Organic Xylitol (from Birch Trees), Himalayan Pink Salts, Essential Oils.

Original: Eucalyptus, clove, lemon and cinnamon essential oils

Peppermint: Peppermint essential oil

Wintergreen: Wintergreen and cinnamon essential oils

Charcoal: Activated coconut charcoal and peppermint essential oil (does not contain calcium carbonate)

37g jar. 4 flavours.

Cassava Flour

planetadmin — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:25:52 +0000

Certified Organic Cassava Flour from Brazil.

Cassava is a tuber crop and is similar in shape to a sweet potato. Cassava grows in many countries and is a staple in the diet of around 800 million people worldwide.

Manufacturers make cassava flour as follows:

They grate the cassava into small pieces.
Next, they dry out the grated cassava.
Finally, they grind the dry, grated cassava until it forms a very fine powder.

Cassava flour features in a number of recipes. As cassava flour is gluten-free, people who avoid gluten can use it as a replacement for wheat flour in a variety of recipes. Many people consider it the most similar gluten-free alternative to wheat flour in terms of taste and texture.

Cassava flour versus tapioca flour
Cassava flour and tapioca flour both come from the cassava root. However, there are some key difference between the two:

The part of the plant they come from: Cassava flour contains the whole root, while tapioca flour is made up only of the starchy part of the root.
Fiber content: Cassava flour contains more dietary fiber than tapioca flour.
Calories: Cassava flour has fewer calories per serving than tapioca flour.
Their use in recipes: Both flours work similarly in recipes. However, due to the higher fiber content of cassava flour, it can be more effective as a thickener.
Their taste: Cassava flour has a more noticeable taste — it has a nuttier flavor in comparison to more plain-tasting tapioca flour.Uses

Here are some of the ways a person can use cassava flour:

In baking: To replace wheat flour in a number of recipes, including:
- bread
- muffins
- cookies
- cakes
- brownies
In pasta: To make pasta dough.
Thickening: To help thicken a sauce, gravy, or pie filling.
Farofa: This is a Brazilian dish that involves toasted cassava flour and is similar to couscous.
Flatbreads: Cassava flour is great for making flatbreads and tortillas that a person could toast or grill.

Cassava flour does absorb more liquid than wheat flour. Therefore, a person may need to use slightly less cassava flour than they would use regular wheat flour in a recipe.

Benefits of Cassava flour

Cassava flour contains carbohydrates, which are the main energy source for the body.

Cassava flour also contains resistant starch. These are starches that the small intestine does not digest.

Resistant starches work in a similar manner to dietary fiber. They pass from the small intestines into the colon where they begin to ferment.

Resistant starches promote gut health by fedding the beneficial gut bacteria as they ferment.

There are a number of possible health benefits to eating resistant starches in cassava flour, including:

Digestive and colon health

As the resistant starch in cassava flour ferments inside the colon, it feeds the healthy bacteria there. During this process, the starches turn into short-chain fatty acids.

One of these short-chain fatty acids is butyrate. Butyrate is an important component in the cells of the colon.

Butyrate can also reduce the levels of inflammation inside the colon. This can help protect a person against a variety of digestive issues, such as inflammatory colorectal cancer and ulcerative colitis.

Insulin sensitivity

One 2012 study showed that resistant starch can increase a person’s insulin sensitivity. Cassava flour is high in resistant starch.

During the study, males who were overweight or had obesity ate 15–30 grams (g) of resistant starch each day. These males then showed increased insulin sensitivity in comparison to males who did not eat these resistant starches.

By increasing a person’s insulin sensitivity, resistant starches can play a role in preventing disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

During the study, female participants did not show the same results. More research is necessary to determine why.