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Fonio is a lip-smacking, gluten-free, nutrient-rich, low GI grain from the millet family. It has a light nutty flavour and fluffy couscous-like texture. OTI gluten-free white Fonio grain is rich in iron and amino acids and a source of zinc, phosphorus and vitamins B1 (thiamin) and B3 (niacin). Fonio is naturally gluten-free, and low in sugar, which makes it great for diabetics and those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease. It is, in short, the perfect new grain for juice-cleansing, and those who are health-conscious. The OTI fonio grain in particular is perfect for smoothies for its very neat content. We have learnt in previous posts about how to use fonio to prepare other meals. This recipe varies due to the fact that everyone has a preference when it comes to smoothies. Some prefer fruit smoothies, while others would prefer vegetable smoothies and sometimes, a mixture of both. It is quite a simple process and requires less time and effort. Good news is that OTI fonio is very clean so you don’t need extra washing. Directions Pour OTI gluten-free Fonio grain out of the pouch into the blender. Blend the fonio grain for it to become a smooth powder. Add the powder to your own choice of mixed fruits, vegetables or both. Blend the mixture. Transfer the Fonio smoothie to a bowl, and top off with your desired toppings. You can make your order for OTI gluten-free white Fonio grain either from Organic Trade and Investments directly or from any of our authorized distributors; BackToEden Healthy Foods or KAB (+233 (0)24 661 7495).

Fonio is a rare, ancient grain that is highly nutritious originating from small pockets throughout Africa. Similar to quinoa it is a good source of protein, so if you wanted added protein to your oatmeal without protein powder, fonio grain is the way. In short, fonio grain is a gluten-free grain with a low glycemic index (making it diabetic friendly), containing many amino acids. It is also a plant based source of Magnesium, Zinc, Thiamine (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Calcium, and Phosphorus! See below for a great oatmeal alternative breakfast recipe made with gluten-free fonio grain. Ingredients: 1 cup OTI Organic Gluten-Free White Fonio Grain. 6 cups water. 1 Tablespoon African Honey/other sweetener of choice Toppings: Berries and/or nuts of your choice. Directions: In a saucepan, boil water. Once water starts to boil, turn heat down to low. While stirring, slowly add Fonio to avoid clumping. Once it is nice and creamy, transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with honey and top with your favorite fruit and/or nuts. Breakfast is ready! Let’s munch in! You can purchase your gluten-free white Fonio grain either from Organic Trade and Investments directly or from any of our authorized distributors; BackToEden Healthy Foods or KAB (+233 (0)24 661 7495).

Agrihouse Foundation is organizing the 3rd Livestock, Poultry and Fisheries (LiPF 2021) training and Trade Show. LiPF, which will take place at Efua Sutherland Park from Friday, 21st May to Saturday, 22nd May, 2021, is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture’s Ghana Poultry Project (USDA_GPP) and the National Farmers and Fishermen Award Winners Association (NFFAWAG). This program was developed as one of Agrihouse Foundation’s contributions towards ensuring that growth in all facets of the agriculture sector are in tandem, receiving equal attention, support, and resources as they all deserve. Organic Trade and Investments is seizing this opportunity to showcase their products at this Show with distributors; Back2Eden and KAB representing the interest of the Company at the upcoming agrifair. Back2Eden will be sharing some fonio recipes, while KAB is eager to showcase some of OTI's finest and premium raw materials for the cosmetic industry. According to the Organizers of the event, LiPF is bringing about 500 individuals together and promises to create an exciting business and agricultural atmosphere where actors along the agricultural and food value chain can interact and strike deals. Esthy Asante, Organic Trade and Investments’ CEO and Head of Business Development, commended the initiative launched by Agrihouse Foundation: “It is indeed a great opportunity for OTI’s local distributors to market their products and establish a great and solid relationship with prospects and current buyers. We hope LiPF 2021 will pave the way for the made-in-Ghana OTI brand to grow nationwide,” she said. This is a call for agribusinesses to book for a place with Agrihouse Foundation for this trade show. The new Communications Assistant of Organic Trade and Investment; Amma Odamea Amoako, who took the lead to set up the Company’s local distributors for this event encourages prospective buyers to patronize OTI products at the fair. “The general public is invited to stop by Organic Trade and Investments’ stand for business engagements with OTI Representatives who will be at the fair on Friday and Saturday which is 21st and 22nd of May, 2021.” Contact Numbers: Odamea - +233(0)55 621 9719 , KAB - +233(0)24 661 7495 and Back2Eden - +233(0)24 644 1829

There are a number of natural oils, such as argan oil that are used as hair masks. It’s been proven that avocado oil is also an excellent agent, which can be used as a natural hair mask. In fact, Natural Pure Avocado Oil (Oleum Perseae Americanae) is a multi-purpose and essential oil that is cold pressed from the pulp of the finest premium Avocados fruits (Perseae Americanae), grown in West Africa and other parts of the world. You can make one in your own Avocado based hair mask at the comfort of your homes with the addition of some other essential oils. For a lump-free, protein-rich hair treatment, whip together the following ingredients: 1 avocado 1 banana 1 tbsp. avocado oil 1 tbsp. coconut oil 1 tbsp. jojoba oil 1 tbsp. honey METHOD Mix solids in the blender to avoid a lumpy texture. Add the avocado, jojoba, coconut oil and honey after and apply the mask to your hair. Let the paste set for at least 20 minutes or up to three hours. Wash off the avocado mask with warm water or a chemical-free shampoo, depending on your Preference and condition your hair as you want. Why Use Argan Oil as a Stylish Agent If your hair doesn’t need a lot of conditioning, you can do this once a month or even less frequently, but if your hair is really asking for a drink, you could do it every couple of weeks. I would say that if your hair is normally thin or light, skip this hair mask—it’s really deep conditioning and might weigh your hair down and cause breakages.

People have used olive oil for hair care for thousands of years, with the motive of adding shine, body, softness, and resilience. Olive oil’s primary chemical elements are oleic acid, palmitic acid, and squalene. These are all emollients, which means they have softening qualities. In fact, many shampoos, conditioners, and pomades contain lab-made versions of emollients. Olive oil adds softness and strengthens hair by penetrating the hair shaft and preserving moisture. The shine said to come from olive oil is due to the oil smoothing the outer cuticle of the hair. If you’ve never used or you’re looking for other ways to use olive oil to condition your hair, here’s how to start. This is in 3 parts; Measure, Massage, and rinse. Find out how to use avocado oil as hair mask. Measure If you’ve never experimented with olive oil as a hair product before, use just a tablespoon or two for your first treatment. How much olive oil you should use depends on how deeply you want to moisturize and where. The ends won’t require more than a tablespoon. If you’re treating your entire head, you’ll need at least 1/4 cup of olive oil — especially if you have long or very thick hair. Massage Massage the oil deeply into your hair for a few minutes. You can also massage it into your scalp if you have dry scalp. For the most effective conditioning, wrap your hair in a shower cap and let the oil soak in for 15 minutes or more. Rinse Comb your hair with a wide-toothed comb before you shampoo the oil out. This will make combing and styling afterward easier. Shampoo rigorously and dry your hair to see results. You might need to shampoo twice, depending on how much you’ve applied. There’s nothing harmful about conditioning with olive oil. Unless your hair is dry enough to require a moisturizing treatment every day, use it once a week or less often for the best results. I hope you have learnt something today. Let us know in the comment section.

In our previous post, we started a thread on vegan recipes using Fonio. We learnt how to make basic fonio as a side dish. Today, we are going to learn how to make TURMERIC COCONUT FONIO. In this hearty vegan recipe, Fonio is cooked in a creamy turmeric coconut broth. In addition to coconut milk and turmeric, this recipe calls for garlic, onion, ginger, thyme, green onion, red bell pepper, and salt. Turmeric Coconut Fonio is easy to be prepared, ready in minutes. This gluten-free grain is cooked in an incredible flavorful turmeric coconut broth. Let’s dive into the recipe. Ingredients 1 cup OTI Fonio 1 cup vegetable broth, or water 1 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, mince 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1 stalk green onion, chopped 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced 3/4 teaspoon salt Spring onion, chopped for garnish Instructions Place OTI Fonio in a bowl, don’t wash because it has been washed well. Set aside. Add coconut milk and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a boil. Add onion, garlic, ginger, thyme, green onion, turmeric, red bell pepper, and salt. Cook for about 5-8 minutes. Add OTI Fonio and stir to coat. Cover saucepan and reduce heat to cook for another 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir. Let’s know what you think in the comments and share pictures of your cooked Turmeric Coconut Fonio dish. You can make an order for your OTI Gluten Free Fonio on our e-store.

Beeswax exhibits numerous benefits on the skin and hair. It has numerous uses and everyone needs to make good use of beeswax by following our blog for more information. Waxes, balms, and oils are vital for keeping beards soft and shiny. Waxes in particular are also used for styling beards into a desired shape. Beeswax is a key ingredient in both waxes and balms. It helps moisturize hair and firmly hold it in place. Beeswax can even reportedly act as a sealant, repelling everyday dirt and grime. You can create your own beard wax or balm by following through with the recipe below. 4 HEALTH BENEFITS OF BEESWAX ON THE SKIN Ingredients 1 ounce of beeswax 2 ounces of shea butter 3 ounces of coconut oil and avocado oil each Argan oil DIY beard balm recipe Place one ounce of beeswax, two ounces of shea butter, and three ounces of coconut and avocado oil into a cooking vat on very low heat. Stir often and make sure that the ingredients don’t boil. Once they have turned into liquids, take the vat off of the heat. Before the mixture begins to solidify, add a few drops of argan oil to leave the wax with a lovely scent. The coconut oil you added earlier is needed to dilute the avocado oil and avoid skin irritation. Stir the mixture well and pour into a metal storage tin. Cover the top and leave overnight. Did you try this tip? Are you seeing improvement in your beard's growth? Share your experience with us in the comments or on our social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).

In our previous posts on vegan recipes, we have learnt how to make basic fonio and Tumeric coconut fonio. Today, we are learning another recipe, Ethiopian Sweet potato fonio. For all the sweet potato lovers out there, try whipping up OTI Gluten-Free White Fonio Flour in this Ethiopian-inspired recipe. The sweet potato Fonio tacos feature chickpeas and a dairy-free mint yogurt sauce. Now let’s dive into the recipe. Yield: About 6 tacos 1 small sweet potato (about 2 cups diced) 1 15-ounce (425g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 tbsp. (15ml) maple syrup 1 tbsp. (15ml) olive oil 1 tsp natural spice blend 1 tbsp. (15ml) coconut oil 1 leek, minced 1/2 cup OTI Gluten-Free Fonio Flour 2 cups (470ml) water 3 tbsp. tomato paste 6 taco shells (or small tortillas) MINT YOGURT SAUCE 1/3 cup (100g) non-dairy unsweetened yogurt 1 tbsp. (15ml) lemon juice 1/4 tsp salt 3–4 fresh mint leaves, finely minced RECIPE Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, toss the chopped sweet potato and chickpeas with the maple syrup, olive oil, and the natural blended spice. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft. Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of coconut oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced leek and sautée for 3-5 min, or until softer. Add the OTI Gluten-Free Fonio Flour, water, tomato paste, and natural blended spice. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to low-medium and cook for 7-8 min. Remove from heat and let it sit 3-5 min, the Fonio will absorb the remaining water. Warm the taco tortillas in a skillet. Fill each tortilla with about 1/3 cup of Fonio and top with the sweet potato and chickpeas. Top with chopped red onions, a sprinkle of natural blended spice, and drizzle with the mint yogurt sauce. Serve immediately, or place the tacos in a large baking dish and bake for 15 min in a 350°F preheated oven. If you bake the tacos, drizzle with the mint yogurt sauce just before serving. MINT YOGURT SAUCE Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Did you make this recipe? Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made! Purchase your Natural Organic Gluten-free Fonio Flour from our distributors; Back To Eden Foods and KAB.

As well as encouraging hair growth, beeswax can also be used to remove it. It’s one of the most common ingredients being used recently in hair removal wax. Commercial waxes often combine beeswax with resin and essential oil. You can also use pure beeswax for hair removal at home. BEESWAX - THE NATURAL INGREDIENT FOR BEARDS GROWTH DIY hair removal with beeswax To make your own beeswax hair removal mixture, take a couple of teaspoons of beeswax and place in a double boiler or a bowl straddling a pot of boiling water. (You may need a little more if you’re planning to wax a significant amount of hair.) Let it fully melt before removing from the heat. Applying liquid wax to your skin could result in a nasty burn, so wait until the beeswax begins to solidify before doing so. Test a small amount on the inside of your wrist. If it still feels too hot, wait a little longer. When it’s reached the perfect temperature, lay it on thick to the desired area with a waxing stick. Apply in the direction of hair growth. Wait until it cools and hardens before grabbing a corner and pulling it off. Do this in the opposite direction to your hair growth. Afterwards, soothe skin by applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Let's know your experience in using beeswax as a natural ingredient for any final product.

Aloe vera has numerous benefits on the face and skin. These benefits were elaborated on in our previous post. Now, let’s learn about the benefits of Aloe vera gel on hair. Aloe vera is a small plant with thick leaves containing a gel-like substance inside of them. Aloe vera is found everywhere around the world. Aloe vera has been used over the years for its medicinal healing properties. It is believed that the aloe vera plant has various applications aside from its skin benefits: It strengthens your hair and makes your scalp healthier. The best mode of application of aloe vera on your hair is to use the gel extracted directly. The OTI Aloe Vera gel is clear in color, slightly thick and 100% organic. Without wasting time, let’s delve into the benefits of aloe vera gel on hair. Aloe vera gel calms an itchy scalp Seborrheic dermatitis; the clinical term for the condition is commonly known as dandruff. The symptoms of an itchy scalp and flaking skin under your hair can be treated with aloe vera gel. A study found that aloe vera gel resolves the scalp inflammation that dandruff causes. The fatty acids, cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol, and lupeol, found in the aloe plant have anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe vera gel deep cleans oily hair Aloe vera gel cleanses the hair shaft efficiently, stripping off extra oil and residue from other hair products. Aloe vera gel doesn’t irritate your hair strands while it cleans. Unlike other chemicals in hair products, aloe vera gel is gentle and preserves the integrity of your hair. Using aloe vera gel makes the hair look healthier, shinier, and softer. Strengthens and repairs hair strands Aloe vera gel contains excellent vitamins (E, C, and A) for healthy hair. All three of those vitamins contribute to cell turnover, promoting healthy cell growth and glossy hair. The Vitamin B12 and folic acid in aloe vera gel keep your hair from falling out. Aloe vera gel is a product that people use on their skin after sun exposure. The vitamin content in aloe vera suggests that it helps repair sun damage to your hair, too. Aloe Vera Gel promotes hair growth With the above-stated points, when your scalp has been cleansed and your hair has been conditioned with aloe vera gel, you will experience a reduction in hair breakage and loss slows down. That means your hair will be healthy and will grow faster. Bonus Tip: To apply the Aloe vera gel in your hair, rub the aloe vera gel into your scalp and hair, and letting it penetrate your hair follicles could condition and improve damaged, dry hair. After letting it sit for an hour, rinse the gel off with a light shampoo. Did this help? Let us know in the comments section.

As part of Organic Trade and Investments’ dedication and commitment to scaling up and responding to the needs of the agribusiness community in Ghana, strategic steps have been taken to get OTI on board the Ghana Fruit Cart platform. Ghana Fruit Cart specializes in swift deliveries of groceries, fruits, and vegetable supplies. The CEO of the Company; Esthy Asante, explains what motivated the Company to join forces with Ghana Fruit Cart: “Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) believes in and practices coopetition and mutual partnerships. This is why we have partnered with Ghana Fruit Cart, one of Ghana's best and fast-growing online grocery stores to facilitate the distribution of our products nationwide,” she said. As a form of introduction, Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) is a woman-owned export trading e-commerce company established in 2015 to focus on promoting small-scale farmers and producers from Africa and facilitate the accessibility of organic and natural ingredients from the Continent to the rest of the world. OTI has extended its operations from export trading to sales in Ghana to accommodate the needs of individual consumers indirectly. Already, through its two authorized local distributors; KAB Designs & Trading (+233 24 661 7495) and BackToEden; the Company has managed to channel some of its most popular raw materials onto the local market. Fostering ties with Ghana Fruit Cart comes as a plus to provide easy access and fast delivery of OTI branded products to the Ghanaian community. Individual consumers can now add to their online cart when doing their groceries on the Ghana Fruit Cart platform all their favorite OTI 100% organic and natural products including; Gluten-Free Fonio grain and flour, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, and Organic Aloe Vera. Organic Trade and Investments’ Communications Assistant; Odamea Amoako, urges the public to embrace the news with joy and invites everyone to visit the Ghana Fruit Cart OTI Store and make their orders through their partner’s online groceries store: “Spread the good news to your friends, family, and loved ones,” she said.

Organic Trade and Investments (OTI) has confirmed its participation at the upcoming 2nd Organic and Natural Virtual B2B Trade Talk Shop after successfully exhibiting at the 3rd LIPF Agrihouse Exhibition barely a month ago. The B2B virtual fair, hosted by Organic and Natural Product Expo is happening from the 22nd to the 23rd day of June, starting at 7:00 AM and ending at 2:00 PM GMT. With less than a week to go, Warren Hickinbotham of Organic and Natural Product Expo unveils the current status of the upcoming virtual fair: “We are in the final push to our much anticipated Organic & Natural Virtual Trade Talk Shop. The speakers have been finalized and there have been over 200 registrations so far,” he says. Joburg, Trade Intelligence, USAID, and Wesgro, just to mention a few, are some of the speakers and companies that will share their thoughts and experiences. This is a free-to-attend trade virtual event, which will deliver two days of interactions, aimed at equipping agribusinesses and individuals with practical knowledge, skills, and ideas that will drive businesses forward. Delegates at this event include retail buyers, importers and exporters (Africa, the US, and Europe), distributors, sector associations, and government bodies, both locally and internationally. Organic Trade and Investments will be represented by OTI’s Business Support Manager; Joyce Asante, and Amma Odamea Amoako, the Communications Assistant. OTI will showcase its organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, organic cocoa butter, organic aloe vera gel, 100% Gluten-free White Fonio grain and flour, and African organic black soap at their virtual booth. Amma Odamea Amoako, the Communications’ Assistant of Organic Trade and Investments added that: “We, at OTI, look forward to getting on board with you to listen in to the fantastic lineup of speakers who will deliver practical information you can apply to your businesses.” Another exciting news is that you can engage via chat with other delegates and visit the featured supplier and partner pages for more info on the products and services they offer. Register now via this link: https://organicandnatural.howler.co.za/virtualtalkshop21 Make a date to visit our virtual booth during the two-day event.