lohas11
May 20
(C) MBN 2007 Joyce Chow
LOHAS 11 FORUM TO USHER IN
NEW DECADE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LIFESTYLES Several Celebrities Expected To Attend In Addition To Record-Breaking Number Of Top Executives
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 11, 2007: The LOHAS industry (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) has generated significant momentum in its first ten years, changing the way many businesses work -- and positively impacting the consumer choices of millions of people. Given this track record, it should be no surprise that LOHAS plans to launch its second decade in a big way with the LOHAS 11 Forum, May 14-16 at the Marina Del Rey Marriott Hotel in Marina Del Rey, Calif.
The LOHAS Forum, the top annual, business-to-business gathering of thought leaders promoting sustainable lifestyle choices, has grown each year, as more businesses continue to embrace sustainability. Organizers predict LOHAS 11 will break former attendance records, attracting more than 600 leaders and decision makers from global businesses, governmental agencies and other organizations. Beyond business leaders, a number of environmentally focused celebrities, including Ed Begley, Jr., Mariel Hemingway, Tae Bo Founder Billy Blanks, and Celebrity Chef and TV Host Sara Snow are expected to participate.
Since the 1990s, the results of LOHAS-oriented businesses and organizations have skyrocketed across myriad business categories. Organic and natural products, one of the fastest growing LOHAS sectors, is a $50 billion+ market, solar energy has seen double digit growth in the last 10 years, and wind energy is five times as popular today as it was a decade ago.
The movement also has spawned many new industries. Alternative energy is part of the international consciousness and has even become a part of our national policies. More than $2 trillion dollars have been invested in socially responsible causes and businesses.
Statistics & Predicting The Future
LOHAS 11 will feature new statistics about sustainability globally, as well as trend forecasts, and will serve as an educational and networking venue. It also will spotlight the best and brightest business will up the ante by setting an ambitious agenda for the next decade.
"LOHAS 11 promises to mark a turning point for the world of LOHAS business," said Ted Ning, LOHAS 11's conference director. "LOHAS has grown incredibly in the past decade, literally helping sustainability move from the 'nice to do' category to the foundation of countless, profit-making industries and businesses. But there's still more to be done, and we want LOHAS 11 to be the springboard for even greater momentum. We want to help successful businesses to make even more meaningful contributions in the next decade, and to make more and more companies aware of the opportunities LOHAS holds."
Speakers and breakout sessions will show what top businesses everywhere are doing to advance environmental sustainability and healthy consumer choices, while enhancing local, regional and global economies.
Scheduled speakers include: Producer of An Inconvenient Truth Lawrence Bender; Director of Yahoo! Lifestyles Amy Iorio; Starbucks Director of Corporate Responsibility Dennis Macray; Product (RED) Vice President of Marketing Julie Cordua; Stonyfield Farm CEO/Founder Gary Hirshberg; Founder of Odwalla and Adina CEO Greg Steltenpohl; Virgin Unite Director Jean Oelwang; Futurist/Philosopher Peter Russell; Sounds True CEO Tami Simon; Terracycle CEO Tom Szacky; and Chicago Department of Environment First Deputy Commissioner Karen Hobbs.
Sustainability 10 Years From Now
Beyond the speakers and breakout sessions, LOHAS 11 also plans to survey hundreds of key business leaders to help paint the ultimate vision of what the sustainable business world could look like in 2017 and beyond.
Key corporate sponsors and participants will include: Starbucks, Office Depot, Gaiam, Inc. Magazine, Discovery Channel, Burt's Bees, Jurlique, Dr. Weil Lifestyle LLC, Green & Black's, Sustainlane, Cisco Home, Numi Tea, Organic Bouquet, Native Energy, Body + Soul Magazine, Spectra Funds, RSF Social Finance, Ogden Publications, Ecomedia, Forward Asset Management, Wellworks, Active Interest Media, Blue Planet Water, Econscious Clothing, Steaz, Dwell, Veev, Nature Works LLC" International Spa Association (ISPA), Organic Vintners, Bison Brewery, PR Newswire and CSR Wire.
"Business people interested in learning how to make their industries more sustainable and sustainability more profitable should attend LOHAS 11," added Ning. "It promises to be eyeopening and educational in many ways, as well as entertaining."
About LOHAS Forum
Since its inception in 1996, LOHAS has been the catalyst for the adoption of sustainable living and environment-friendly practices within the North American and global business community. The LOHAS 11 Forum features highly influential speakers and panelists who address and explore some of today's most prominent issues and business challenges in the world of health and wellness. Other events include musical performances, culinary experiences, demonstrations and networking receptions.
The New Green Is Black.
Jorg&Olif Dutch citybikes show that going green is THE style statement at the 2007 LOHAS 11 Forum
May 14-16th / Marriott Marina del Rey
May 2007 - Jorg&OIif will be one of the key style leaders exhibiting at LOHAS. They will draw their usual stylish crowd and appeal to conference goers that care about aesthetics as much as the impact they have on their environment.
Specializing in European-inspired urban lifestyle products, Jorg&OIif is the first to introduce the sensible and stylish Dutch citybike to the North American urban landscape. Their collection showcases how choosing a citybike as a mode of transportation is smart way to integrate your personal style with a healthy lifestyle.
"We don't believe that something should just be environmentally and socially responsible - it should also be desirable, practical, and of high quality," says co-founder Rob MacDonald. The Dutch citybike proves that neither style nor comfort should be compromised when looking for smart ways to get around the city.
The Dutch citybike is built to last a lifetime, and in this spirit, Jorg&Olif continues to name their bicycles "Oma" and "Opa," as they do in Holland, to reflect the tradition of Dutch grandparents passing on their bicycles to their grandchildren. "Being able to pass along a product after many years of use is not only a strong environmental benefit, but a true sign of a practical, quality product," says MacDonald.
A revered icon of design and mobility, the Dutch citybike is the ultimate fusion of fashion and function. Since many American city streets aren't exactly pannekoek-flat, Jorg&Olif citybikes have been sensibly customized with a gearing system designed to tackle the hills (3-speed & 8-speed models available). The bikes are also loaded with smart features like chain guards, wheel guards, and fenders to keep your clothes clean, sturdy carrying racks, built-in safety lock and lights, and a bell and pump. Upright handlebars allow for a tall, comfortable, and very elegant riding position to enjoy the scenery.
And, the best feature of all: a Jorg&Olif citybike allows riders to just hop-on-and-go in their business or casual attire, perfectly integrating "active transportation" and healthy living into one's day to day activities without compromising style.
"We are thrilled to see exactly who is riding our citybikes," says co-founder Jane Cox. "With 75% of our customers currently not cycling, and the majority of them being women, who typically don't cycle as much as men, we are excited to see how a practical and stylish bicycle is appealing to a non-sporty urban audience and encouraging them to drive less and ride more!"
Their lifestyle brand features the exclusive Jorg&Olif Dutch citybikes alongside a unique collection of urban bike and fashion accessories including helmets, hats and bags.
"We believe that aesthetics and ethics go hand-in-hand: one should not have to compromise personal style while riding a bicycle," says Cox. "In this spirit, we work with sustainable materials and local designers to offer the best in fashions that not only meet our quality and design requirements, but are earth-friendly."
Visit Jorg&Olif at their booth in the Exhibit Hall at the Marriott Marina del Rey, May 14th_16'h.
mypath*TV.
The mind, body & spirit channel
MyPathTV Partners With Online Spirituality Leader, Beliefnet.com
Mind, Body, and Spirit Internet Channel Partners With Leading Online Spirituality Community to Bring Video Programming and Healthy Living Support to Internet Consumers
NEW YORK & PETALUMA, Calif. - Finding online resources for personal transformation, health and fitness, spirituality, organic cooking, relationships, meditation and much more, just got easier for Internet users worldwide. Two online leaders in the mind-bodv-spirit arena - MyPathTV (www.mypathtv.com) and Beliefnet (www.beliefnet.com) - have joined forces to enhance video and other content for visitors to their sites.
The partnership brings together Northern California-based MyPath TV, a leading Internet television channel dedicated to mind-bod v-spirit programming, and New York-based Beliefnet, the trusted online resource for
_ spirituality content. Both sites offer visitors access to the latest video and audio programming, blogs, newsletters and other information from leading experts in the mind-bodv-spirit arena such as Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Shakti Gawain, Ram Dass, Dr. Joan Borysenko, Sheri Huber, the Dalai Lama, Dr. Larry Dossey and others. The relationship includes video programming from MyPath TV to enhance Beliefnet's video offerings and MyPath TV's access to Beliefnet's diverse spirituality content.
"We are thrilled to build this partnership with Beliefnet. They are the leading online destination for spirituality and MyPath TV is the richest online resource for video programming on wellness and personal development," said Joseph Lehnen, founder and president of MyPathTV. "MyPathTV and Beliefnet have a lot to offer each other, and together, even more to offer our audience."
In addition, on Monday, May 14, MyPathTV launched a major redesign of its site. Enhancements of MyPathTV.com include improved navigation tools as well as additional interactive features such as blogs, weekly columns, newsletters and community features to round out its rich video program offerings.
,
Numi Organic Tea ranks #24 at the Ninth ANNU4L
ICIC -, INC. MAGAZINE INNER CITY 100Fi!stest growing inner-city comp;jnies in the US
Boston, MA, May 3, 2007, 8 pm - ·To.day~ the 2007 ICIC-Inc. Magazine Inner City' 100 list was released, and Numi Organic Tea is ranked #24 on the list of the fastest grqwinginner-city companies in America. Extraordinary growth is the predominant trait of the 2007 Inner City 100, a ranking created by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Inc. Magazine of the, 100 fastest-growing businesses in inner city communities n-ationwide.
, ,
Now in its 9th year, the Inner City 100 list provides unmatched original data' on the fastest gr6wing inner-city businesses in the U.s.' For·the 2007 list, ~ over,4,500 new nominations were received. The,2007 Inner City 100 winners 'grew at a compound annual gr,owth rate of 49 percent, and an average rate of 535 percent between 2001 and 2005. Collectively, the top 100 iriner city , businesses have employed- nearly 19,000 people and created 12,000 new jobs over the past five years; both of these figures are the highest in the program's history and show sighs of continued growth.
Seventy-six percent of companies expect steady growth, 15 percent expect their revenues to double, 5 percent expect thei,rrevenues to triple, and a mere 2 percent expect their revenues to decline in 2007. Individually, the average Inner City 100 company's revenues were $39 million - the largest average revenues in the history of the Inner City 100 program.
"An ability to recognize .growth and build upon it is the trait that most distinguishes the 2007 Inner City 100 winners," says Dorothy Terrell, president and CEO of ICIC. "Thepe companies have identified profitable market niches that few others have seen. They have rLin successful regional, national and even global businesses from inner city locations because of their
~. sa'ilvy growth orientation, and have'translated their tremendous growth into more jobs, income, and wealth for inner city residents. Inner City 100 2007 is truly the year of Recognizing Growth."
#24 Numi Organic Tea Oakland, CA
. ,
2005 Employees: 33
5-year Standard Growth Rate: 572.79% CEO: Ahmed Rahim
I In the fall of 19,99, the brother1and-sister team of Ahmed and Reem Rahim had a vision - ~o start a tea manufacturing company
.
would revive the serenity, creativity, and c·omfort associated with this anCient beverage. Ahmed, the CEO of Numi Tea, is fluent in English, Arabic, French, German and Czech; he discovered tea's transcendental qualities while co-owning and running two tea houses in Prague, Czech Republic. Ahmed's sister Reem is a biomedical engineer and artist whose paintings are exhibited on Numi's packages. A company that started as a dream i'n Reem's OCikland / apartment recently movet;l into a 25,000 square-foot space on the Oakland waterfront. Since the company's beginnings, Numi has been known for exotic teas, including Rooibos (Red Tea), Lemon Myrtle, , Honeybush, and Dry Deser~ Li~e.The company takes pride' in using only, full-leaf tea and promotes its products with the slogan, "Taste the Numi Difference." All of the company~s teas are Fair Trade and' certified organic, kosher and halal (permissible for followers of
Islam). '
The 2007 Inner City 100 winners operate from 56 cities in 29 states. Twelve companies on the list are based in California; Texas has 10, Massachusetts has eight and New York alild Michfgan each have six. Three states (Florida,
Missouri and Pennsylvania) have five companies on the list. Detroit has six
winning companies, Boston has five, and Oakland and Washington each have four companies listed on the Inner City 100.
The list is proof of concept that doing business in an inner city area holds a distinct competitive advantage. ICIC has been studying the economic condition of the largest 100 American cities for, more than a decade and is working to ,revitalize inner cities across the 'country.
The 2007 Inner City 100 winnejs are attending the Inner City 100 Summit in
Boston for a two-day event featuring seminars for Inner City 100 owners and managers' at Harvard Business School, a reception at.the Samuel Adams Brewery, and a gala awards dinner at the Westin Copley Hotel The record number of new nominations received this year was largely due to. the Inner City 100 National Program Sponsor Merrill Lynch and Staples and nominating partners such as National Association of Manufacturers, the SBA and the U.S~ Conference of Mayors. For more inform'ation about the 2006
The list can be found at www.innercityl00.org
, (
\ Editor's Notes:
To qualify for the Inner City 100 list, companies were r;equired to have at least 51 percent of their operations located in an economically distressed urban area; have at least 10 employees; and have a five-year operating sales history that includes at leastsix months of sales in the first year of consideration, an increase in year five sales over year four sales~ and fifthyear sales of at least $1 million. The specific rankings were based on total revenue growth over the five-year period. An economically distressed urban area is defined by ICIC as having a 50 percent higher unemployment levEll, 50 percent higher poverty level, and 50 percent lower median. income thEm the metropolitan statistical area.
About the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City ,
, ---
The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national nof-for-I?rofit
organization founded in 1994 by Harvard Business ,School professor Michael E. Porter. ICIC's mission is to promote economic prosperity in America's inner-cities through private sector engagement that leads to jobs, income and wealth creation for local residents. ICIC brir:1gs together business"and civic leaders to drive innovation and action, transform thinking and . accelerate inner city business growth and investment. \
About Inc.
Inc is the leading magazine 'written for the men and women who own and manage small-to-mid-sized, fast-growing companies. Published 12 times a year, Inc helps its 1.5 million readers by providing expert advice and practical solutions as they face the opportunities, pitfalls, and rewards of growing a company. www.inc.com. the 'Web site for growing companies, was named Best Online Magazine/by Folio and Best Overall New Publication (all media) by the Computer Press Association.Inner City 100 Sponsors: Chevron, Merrill Lynch, PricewaterhouseCoopers,
and Staples Foundation for Learning, Staples '
ORGANIC TEA
A leader in Fair Traded tea, Numi is one of the first chosen for Wholefoods Markets' Whole Trade™ G,uarantee Program tv
Numi chosen in the 1st Round
May 3, 2007 (Oaklana, CA) - Numi is pleased to announce that it meets the criteria required and is chosen to be included in Wholefoods f'vlarkets' new Whole TradeM Guarantee Program! The Wholefoods program stands for a Commitment to Ethical Trade, the Environment and Quality Products. The products in this program must, meet specific criteria that demand quality in four areas of responsibility:
MeetsWholefoods' high Quality Standards
Provides more money to producers '
Ensures better wages and working conditions fo.r workers
Cares for the environment
Numi is a leader in the natural and specialty tea category and is one of the
( ,
top importers of Fair Trade Certified™ tea into the US. Numi works with
Transfair for Fair Trade Ce'rtification and has also been instrumental in the launch of the new Fair Labor Practices and Community Benefits, Certification developed by SCS, a leading u.s. sustainability standards developer and certifier in sectors such as food, forestry, fisheries, and c'ut flowers.
, Ahmed Rahim, CEO and Co-founder, Numi Organic Tea, stated, "As a leader in the field of sustainable agriculture and fair labor practices, Numi has long recognized the importance of conducting our operations in a manner that supports the needs of workers,/their families, ,and communities. Companies such as ours now have a broader platform to be independently certified for our efforts to ensure a safe and equitable workplace for workers who are our lifeblood. We strongly believe in this new approach and are eager to be one of the first companies to get certified.~
Known for their authentic, premium tea blends, Numi sets themselves apart from other tea companies by only using real ingredients in full-leaf tea blends without oils or essences that are common in the market.
###
About NUMI Organic Tea
Numi LLC is a leader in the natural & specialty tea category. Brother and sisterYounders Ahmed and Reem Rahim founded tl?.e company in 1999, which is known for premium 'full leaf teas, herbal teasans and an innovative line of Flowering 'Teas. NUMI's whole leaf teas are never treated with artificial flavors, colorings or oils common to the market., Numi is committed to global consciousness and sustainability in its packaging and business practices. NUMI has grown 60% annually since opening its doors and continues to win 'the hearts and shelf space of retailers'in 50 states and 15 countries.www.numitea.com
INTRODUCING THE GREENCORE CONSUMER
Study Commissioned by Ogden Publications (Mother Earth News, Utne Reader, Natural Home) Suggests Green Movement Propelledby Small Core of Influencers
TOPEKA, Kansas (May 15, 2007) - Who are the individuals pushing the green movement forward? Ogden Publications, the nation's leading publisher of magazines focusing exclusively on health and sustainability, suggest it's the "GreenCore": individuals from all walks of life - single, married, parents, professionals and everyone else - who are introducing, nurturing and advocating the green ideas the mass market will eventually embrace.
Who are they? How do they live? Why do they seek to influence others? Ogden Publications - publishers of Utne Reader, Mother Earth NeuJs, Natural Home, The Herb Companion, Herbs for Health and a variety of other titles - recently commissioned a study that explores the importance of this influential community and the benefits marketers and others gain by reaching them.
"It's widely accepted that the $250 billion LOHAS market is the most exciting and dynamic consumer-driven movement of our generation," said Bryan Welch, Ogden Publications publisher and editorial director. "Our magazines have been defining this market for 37 years, since long before the audience reached its current size and scope. In our recent research project, we were looking to gain a better understanding of the individuals who brought the LOHAS market to where it is today and will most likely drive its future growth. We think it will be a $1 trillion market in a few years.
"We call the most committed, most influential individuals in this audience the GreenCore, and they represent perhaps 10 percent of the overall LOHAS audience," Welch continued. "So, they're manageably sized and can be reached
(Mother Earth News, Utne Reader, Natural Home)in a cost effective way. We have discovered that the GreenCore is highly networked and 'evangelical,' making its overall impact far exceed its size."
Among the findings:
GreenCores are everywhere; there are no professional or political requirements for membership. Their affiliation is based more on their passion for living conscientious lifestyles. However, the single most commonly cited occupation among GreenCores was educator.
GreenCores are highly networked, combining friends, colleagues and acquaintances into large personal spheres of influence. Their peer groups include wealthy-but-well-intentioned friends on the novice end of the green spectrum to fellow GreenCores who live their commitment close to the land, "off the grid or raising llamas, for example," Welch said.
GreenCores focus on nurturing their network. Nearly half (48 percent) spend more than 10 hours a week with their network, and 35 percent spend more than 15 hours. That's about 30 percent more time than other "influentials" spend in their networks.
GreenCores are opinion leaders on issues related to the environment and sustainabili ty. They are voracious readers / researchers about issues, methods and products that touch on the sector. Many have worked on jobs that touch on the green issue spectrum.
People listen to GreenCores. They are highly credible in a marketplace in which consumers are traditionally suspicious of corporate motives. Its members have a tendency toward the evangelical: they live to spread the word.
"They actively strive to influence their network and others," Welch said. "In fact, 67 percent say network members rely on them for information.
"One of the key reasons the GreenCore demo has disproportionate influence is because they act on their green beliefs," Welch said. "They are vigilant in the sense that they demand action, but they're also responsible in the sense that they feel it's their responsibility to show the rest of their network the tools necessary and to provide encouragement."
Marketers seeking to reach the overall LOHAS market would find their dollars and efforts maximized by reaching the GreenCore audience.
"Tapping into the exciting, enormous and quickly-evolving LOHAS market can be daunting for marketers, no matter their budgets," Welch said. "Our theory is that within this growing LOHAS marketplace, there lies a core group of individuals influencing the larger market through their opinions and their actions. And, tapping this audience is easier and more effective."
Within the GreenCore, an Even Greater Influence
Ogden conducted the research last fall through focus groups and surveys conducted in partnership with Group SJR, a market research and consultancy firm based in New York and Los Angeles.
They focused on individuals leading highly green lifestyles, people participating in environmental activities daily. Half of the individuals surveyed were readers of Ogden Publications titles.
"We learned that even within this highly influential GreenCore audience, Ogden readers were even more dedicated to living green lifestyles and promoting green ideas," Welch said.
Among the findings within the GreenCore group:
Ogden subscribers are nearly twice as likely to be involved in activities related to environmental/ social responsibility
Thirteen percent of Ogden readers own hybrid cars, compared to six percent of the non-Ogden readers
Seventy-six percent of Ogden readers say buying organic/local is very important, compared to 47 percent of non-Ogden readers
Fifty-nine percent of Ogden readers invest in green or socially responsible companies compared to 50 percent of non-Ogden readers
Sixty-seven percent of Ogden readers always recycle, compared to 58 percent of non-Ogden subscribers
About Ogden Publications
Ogden Publications publishes Mother Earth News, Natural Home, Utne Reader, Herbs for Health, The Herb Companion, Capper's, Grit, American Life & Traditions, Farm Collector, Steam Traction, Gas Engine Magazine and Motorcycle Classics. The company also provides insurance and financial services and runs a network of highly successful Web sites. The magazines and Web sites reach people interested in self-sufficiency, sustainability, rural lifestyles and memorabilia.
PROFIT WITH PRINCIPLE
Springfield, MA-based Social(k), the nation's most diverse socially responsible retirement plan, today is day-lighting the names of 29 major companies each with more than two billion dollars of retirement assets in Boston-based Fidelity Investments. The assets of the 29 companies, which include Verizon Communications, Ford Motor Company and Eastman Kodak, total $228,303,397,058 (complete list below). Social(k) fund President Rob Thomas made the announcement due to concerns the financial titan invests in companies doing business with the genocidal regime of Sudan. Fidelity Out of Sudan will be writing these companies to request they divest their retirement assets of Fidelity Investments so long as the company retains major investments in Sudan.
Thomas and Fidelity Out of Sudan urge the companies to divest their retirement assets due to Fidelity Investment's large holdings of PetroChina and Sinopec, two Chinese oil companies helping fund the genocide in Darfur. According to various sources, approximately 70 percent of the oil revenue is used by the government of Sudan to fund the military which is implicated in the death of hundreds of thousands of Sudanese people.
The divestment campaign builds on the approach used to end apartheid in South Africa but limits the focus to a small number of companies that are funding the genocide. To date, the debate has focused primarily on personal investments but the substantial retirement assets should also be divested, Thomas noted.
"The basic tenet of the Social(k) retirement platform is to do well by doing good," said Rob Thomas, president of Social(k). "Companies should divest their retirement assets from investment institutions involved in immoral practices and put those assets in funds that enable investors to profit while maintaining high principles."
Thirteen states and 42 colleges and universities (including Harvard, Yale, and the University of California) have already taken action on divestment from Sudan, according to Fidelity Out of Sudan (http://fidelitvoutofsudan . com/whohasdivestedfromsudan).
Companies and organizations that have already signed with Social(k) include three of the social responsibility leaders helping pressure Fidelity investors to divest: Co-op America (Washington, DC), Social Investment Forum (Washington, DC ), and the Social Venture Network (San Francisco, CA) as well as two of the nation's top socially responsible investment fund families (parnassus Investments (San Francisco, CA) and the Winslow Management Company in (Boston, MA).
NAl's Donation of Children's Vitamins to Vitamin Relief USA Creates "Miracles" for Mississippi Delta Families
Over 80% of Surveyed Parents Report Improvements in Children's Energy
Ojai, CA - Since March 2006, Natural Alternatives International (NAI) has provided over 6 million children's chewable vitamins through Vitamin Relief USA 's (VRUSA) Children's First program to schools throughout Sunflower County and Bolivar County, in some of the Mississippi Delta's poorest areas. Today, parents report that NA1's vitamins have not only dramatically helped the children but also strengthened families.
Vera Sublet of Ruleville, MS, a fifty year old mother of an energetic first grader, reported a remarkable transformation not only in her child, but in their home life. She said, "Ricardo was difficult to raise by myself. He was very active and didn't want to listen to me or behave. Verbally he was hard to understand and he just wouldn't focus on school or doing what I asked him to do. When my eldest daughter left for college, I didn't know how 1'd raise this child by myself. I really needed breaks from him. After taking the vitamin tablets, his behavior has changed tremendously. Now Ricardo is so well behaved and focused. His self-esteem is really high particularly since he became an honor student. Our life together now is so much less stressful and happier. It's a great relief to me."
Elementary school parents in Sunflower County whose children received NA1's vitamins exclusively for six months reported dramatic improvements in their children. 80% of surveyed parents reported an increase in the children's energy while 78% reported an increase in appetite. Over 50% said children showed an increase in physical activity, sleep and well-being. Over 40% reported higher self-esteem, more positive attitude, improved grades and social behavior.
Ms. Sublet says, "I want the company who donates our vitamin tablets to know that they have changed my life and my son's life. They are the best things that could ever have happened. Whatever is in those vitamins, they work. They are like a miracle! "
"NAI has a long history of meeting the needs of families and children in need of dietary supplements to benefit their health - particularly in areas where disasters have struck and dietary needs are hard to meet," states Mark LeDoux, CEO of Natural Alternatives International. "From supplying essential supplements into Kosovo to a population decimated by years of war, to helping the families and children of our Gulf Coast seriously impacted by hurricanes and floods - NAI is committed to helping fulfill its charter of emiching the world with the best of nutrition. We are gratified for the opportunity presented by Vitamin Relief and are humbled by the gracious responses of the recipients of these NAI products."
"It is clear that the daily vitamins contributed by NAI are true gifts to not only the children but their entire families. We are deeply grateful to Mark LeDoux and NAI for their generosity," says Michael Morton, Vitamin Relief USA's Executive Director.
Vitamin Relief USA, a "Four-Star" rated charity by Charity Navigator, currently provides daily multivitamins to more than 26,000 needy children as well as 14,000 low income seniors at more than 300 sites in 31 states across the United States. Collaborative distribution sites include: Head Start, Healthy Start and WIC programs, K-12 public schools and school districts, Volunteers of America, Rotary Clubs, Health Care for the Homeless Clinician's Network, community health centers, Council on Aging programs, homeless and battered women shelters, Native American programs, Salvation Army, YWCA and YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, City Park and Recreation Departments, hospital outreach programs, public health departments, medical and nursing school community outreach programs, and countless other community-based and faith-based organizations.
Vitamin Relief USA is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization committed to improving the health status of children, seniors and adults at risk for malnutrition through vitamin supplementation. To support Vitamin Relief USA, or for further information, please call 805-715-2693 or log onto www.vitamimelief.org.
Natural Alternatives International (www.nai-online.com) founded in 1980, is an industry leader in the field of nutritional science, dedicated to offering the highest quality of products and services to its international clientele. With strategically placed facilities in the United States and Switzerland, and sales operations in Japan, NAI is able to fulfill the needs of its customers around the world.
Organic Bouquet, Inc. Acquires Organic Style™ from Rodale Inc.
Newly Incorporated Organic Style Limited to Launch Eco-Living Portal
Los Angeles (May 15, 2007) – Organic Bouquet, Inc. (www.OrganicBouquet.com)—pioneer of the $150 million eco-friendly flower market—today announced the purchase of Organic Style™ trademark and brand from Rodale Inc.
The newly incorporated company, Organic Style Limited, will become an international eco-lifestyle company, offering flowers, gifts, and products across multiple categories.
"We started six years ago with the development of our flagship brand OrganicBouquet.com," said Gerald Prolman, Organic Bouquet's founder and CEO. "Organic Style Limited will be a new 'eco-lifestyle' destination for people seeking high quality products that uphold the well-being of the planet and humankind."
The announcement came at the LOHAS 11 Forum, with leaders from Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders in the organic and sustainable sector in attendance. LOHAS is an acronym which stands for "Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability" and describes a $226.8 billion U.S. marketplace for goods and services focused on health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living. Approximately 30 percent of the adults in the U.S., or 63 million people, are currently considered LOHAS Consumers.
Prolman also announced that Adrian Bellamy has become Chairman of the Board of Organic Style Limited. Bellamy also holds positions as chairman of the Body Shop (a division of L'Or�al, OREP: Paris Stock Exchange), chairman of Reckitt Benckiser PLC (RB: LON), and sits on the boards of the Gap (GPS: NYSE) and Williams-Sonoma (WSM: NYSE).
J.I. Rodale, Founder of Rodale Inc., is considered the pioneer of the organic movement. Rodale published Organic Style magazine from 2001-2005, during which time it became a leading resource for sustainable living.
"Gerald Prolman has exciting plans for growing the Organic Style brand. We look forward to working with him in the future," said Maria Rodale, Vice Chairman of the Board of Rodale. "My grandfather, J.I. Rodale, was instrumental in starting the organic movement, and we're all doing our part to help fulfill his vision to help and encourage people to achieve good health for themselves, their families and their communities."
Prolman plans to launch www.OrganicStyle.com in time for the 2007 Holiday season, and Organic Style as a custom publishing magazine in 2008.
About Organic Bouquet: Established in 2001, Organic Bouquet (www.OrganicBouquet.com) is the world's first online organic florist. Organic Bouquet is at the forefront of a profound and rapid transformation of the $20 billion floral market, setting a new standard that upholds the well being of farm workers, the protection of ecosystems, and the preservation of the Earth, while providing consumers with the highest quality products available.
Beliefnet
In the last year, Beliefnet has greatly expanded its video features and redesigned its site, emphasizing t091s and content that provide inspiration and spiritual self~help. The site's mission is to help members find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness.
"We're very excited about this partnership," said Elizabeth Sams, executive editor of Beliefnet.com . . "MyPathTV leads the industry in offering stunning, long-form video features. We are proud to offer their award winning programming to Beliefnet visitors - and to expand the audience for our short-form features to their subscribers."
Beliefnet recently won the top Internet award at the 42nd Annual National Magazine Awards presented by the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) and Magazine Publishers of America, and was a Webby Award Honoree for Internet "Best Practices" and a Best Spirituality Website finalist.
In addition to guided meditations, prayer circles, polls, quizzes and community discussion platforms designed to help people explore their spiritual paths; Beliefnet has carved ·a unique space in the blogosphere among respected and dynamic faith-based, family-centric and pop-culture bloggers. The site has a renewed focus on entertainment, health, wellness and parenting topics specifically created for its unique audience of women in the 25 - 54 age range.
Consumers can access programming by logging onto beliefnet.com or mvpathtv.com.
About MvPathTV
Northern Calif.-based MyPath1V was founded in 2005 by former Wall Street executive Joseph Lehnen and TEAM (www.teamgroup.tv). a leading Washington DC-based television production and services company whose clients include PBS, Discovery Communications, A&E Networks, National Geographic and Channel One. After searching for online resources to support him through a difficult personal transition, Lehnen's aim was to ease the path for others navigating their own life journeys. MyPath1V puts video programming from leading experts on wellness and personal transformation at the fingertips of those who need them. To learn more about MyPath1V or view programming, log onto www.mypathtv.com. In addition, users can access MyPath1V programming via global web services company, AOL at www.aolvideo.com.
About Beliefnet
Beliefnet, winner of the 2007 National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online is the largest spirituality online community, attracting more than 2.8 million unique visitors per month according to Media Metrix. More than 12 million people subscribe to daily email newsletters, accounting for more than 17 million subscriptions. The company is independent and not affiliated with a particular religion or spiritual movement. Beliefnet, Inc. is a privately held company funded by employees, individual investors, Softbank Capital and Blue Chip Venture Company.
