Organic for health

Organic Skin Care-The Best Solution On the Market

2009-05-18T02:03:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, people's concern about green living is beyond the environment issue to personal care and a lot of individuals are now interested in organic skin care. Purifying the workplaces and homes are not enough but you need to cleanse your body as well as your skin. Organic skin care is necessary especially if you want to keep your skin clean and healthy.

A lot of non-organic products in the market contain high percentage of water as the base ingredient. Though water is known to be a natural ingredient, these products are highly diluted, which are not effective in cleaning your skin. In addition, you have to be aware of the fact that many non-natural skin care products use mixtures of artificial fillers and thickeners to make their products creamy and smooth. Others even use chemicals as preservatives that are harmful to the skin and to the overall health. It is recommended to select an organic skin care product and the best way to do this is to read the labels carefully.

Natural skin care products use mineral and plant ingredients that are usually referred as botanical-based. A natural and organic skin care product does not use any chemical or man-made ingredients. Its main focus is the rejuvenation of the skin and stimulation of cell growth, which begins with proper cleansing, gentle toning and then followed by moisturizing. The good thing about organic skin care is that it is not harsh to the skin. Though deep cleansing is necessary for the skin, it must not be done in a method that can strip away the natural oils of the skin.

Nowadays, organic food is becoming an accepted lifestyle and the popularity toward organic skin care is increasing. Each day, more people are getting interested in shifting into organic skin care products. There are a lot of organic skin care products can cleanse, exfoliate, condition, hydrate, nourish, purify and moisturize the skin. Products are certified organic are those that contain materials grown on soil and pesticide-free. You can be sure that organic products are free from insecticides, synthetic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and chemical and hormones fertilizers.

It is a fact that using organic skin care products has a lot of benefits. We are all aware that it is hard to trust any product that was manufactured in a laboratory because of the chemicals involved in the process. With this in mind, many individuals are becoming more interested in the numerous benefits of organic and natural skin care products. Though there is a large number of people that benefit from commercial skin care products, it is difficult to ignore the harmful effects with their use.

A busy life and stressful surrounding can greatly affect the skin's condition and there are countless skin care products in market today that attempt to bring back the main qualities of the skin and try to protect it from the harmful effects of the daily life. Because of the fact that organic skin care products do not utilize chemicals, they carry great advantage of giving harmful effects to the skin. Using organic skin care products is definitely an effective way to keep your skin healthy and more youthful-looking.

Organic Chocolates - Just What are They?

2009-05-13T01:54:00.000-07:00

When you drop by the grocery store, you might find that most of your favorite fruits and vegetables have similar items placed in another shelf but with the word “organic” on their tags. Even your favorite snacks and desserts have organic ingredients which include organic chocolates. But what is the meaning of organic in the first place? Some may think that organic means producing food synthetically but it’s quite the opposite. Organic food is the result of the most natural way of growing produce minus the chemical enhancements. The same thing is true for organic chocolates which are produced from the seeds of cacao. The seeds are from plants that were not treated with any pesticide, germicide, or any chemical fertilizers.

Organic chocolates may only be gaining in popularity nowadays, but they have been around for more than 1500 years. The Aztecs in Mexico were one of the first who farmed cacao and enjoyed drinking concoctions made from its seeds. They valued the taste of organic chocolate as well as its health benefits. Modern agriculture have turned 360? and realized that synthetic and chemical treatments have negative effects to health and the environment. As early as the 1970s, experts came to the conclusion that insecticides and fertilizers may enhance growth of agricultural products but can be harmful resulting to different diseases and even cancer.

With all of these findings, chocolatiers around the world are now producing organic chocolates. These gourmet chocolate products are made with cacao ingredients that were planted in an environmental-friendly way. The cacao trees from where the seeds for organic chocolates are made from were not treated with any harmful chemicals to enhance its growth. Thus, you can be assured that when you eat organic chocolates, you will not be ingesting substances that will risk your health. On top of this, you will not be deprived of the wonderful taste that you expect from any of your favorite chocolate bars.

Aside from enjoying the delicious taste of organic chocolates, you will also love the health benefits you can get from them. These include lowering your cholesterol, stifling cough fits, adding magnesium to your diet, and raising antioxidants in your blood, among many others. Moreover, if you think that organic chocolates can be boring after a while then you are wrong. Chocolatiers worldwide have created variants that will tickle your fancy and satisfy your sweet tooth. Organic chocolate producers such as Booja Booja, a UK-based chocolate company have different organic chocolate flavors such as Midnight Espresso, Cognac Flambéed Banana, and Hazelnut Crunch. Other popular organic chocolate companies include Valrhona and Dagoba, among many others.

Most organic chocolatiers also produce standard chocolate varieties and chocolate products used for cooking and drinking. With the tastes and health concerns of consumers on their minds, organic chocolate producers have answered the need for chocolates to be healthy without diminishing their wonderful taste. This is the reason why many health and environment-conscious people prefer to buy organic chocolates.

How To Make Organic Vegetable Gardening More Productive

2009-05-08T01:52:00.000-07:00

Organic Vegetable gardening is very different from conventional gardening. A great deal of care and preparation must be undertaken before you get started. You will need to know how best to prepare soil and know how to enrich it and also provide it with adequate protection from insects that can often do a lot of harm to your vegetables.

Healthy soils usually produce healthy plants provided you incorporate the right Ingredients into your preparation there is no reason why you should not produce healthy abundant plants.

To get the right kind of fertile soil for your organic vegetables, you need to ensure that the soil will is as fertile as possible, and to ensure that you need to have proper amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and also potassium. Before doing anything else, you need to have drawn up detailed plans about how you are going to perform your organic vegetable gardening chores; obviously the type of soil that you use will be a major consideration as far as your plans to grow vegetables organically are concerned.

Your plan must decide what you wish to grow, know the space requirements, make a small scale plan and know where to place different vegetables, and also you will need to calculate the right distance between seeds and rows. Once you have your plans sorted out, you will be ready to get the full benefits of organic vegetable gardening which includes giving your taste buds a treat and being able to choose to sow your favorite vegetables.

In order to be successful in your organic vegetable gardening endeavors you should protect your garden from unwanted intrusion by pets or vermin and plan towards well and constantly cared for gardening this requires a strong will if you want to reap the many possible benefits. You will need to mix the soil well and do so at least three weeks before planting, the soil must have been well prepared to take the seeds and even maybe the transplants.

You also need to ensure that the soil has those materials that have plenty of nitrogen and the soil should have pH of approximately 7.0 and temperatures should hover close to fifty degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, the soil must be properly aerated and to prevent soil from turning acidic there should be enough lime present. While irrigating the soil, care should be taken to make the soil thoroughly wet at least once in a week unless it has rained, which will ensure that the soil is moist especially around the root zone.

Go to your local garden supplier they will be able to assist you with local conditions and where to source your organic compost and manures lime and other soil inputs. When you start of with a well prepared patch you will find it easy to control weeds and provided your plants are well fed and healthy you should have no problems with insects and other parasites.. Before you realize it you will be harvestinf your first produce and from then on there is no looking back.

Is an Organic Diet Better?

2009-05-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

Today we talk about all of us who have a growing concern about the processing which goes into much of our supermarket foods and if buying all or some organic items are actually better. Yes one pound of say organic garlic powder will cost slightly more than non-organic but here are some facts about organic herbs, spices,and other foods.

Why Buy Organic? There are a number of reasons why you might choose to buy organic. For the latest in wholesale and bulk gourmet cooking spices and certified organic herbs please see a link to our Florida Herb house below. You may have heard that organic food is healthier for you and your family as it contains more nutrients and less dangerous chemicals. Perhaps you care about the benefits organic food has on the environment, because organically grown foods don't add pesticides, fertilizers, and other dangerous chemicals into the environment. Or maybe you've found it just tastes better.

Organic produce contains more vitamins and essential nutrients. Tests have shown organic products to have significantly more vitamin, nutrient, and mineral content that promote many aspects of a healthy life from possible cancer prevention to relieving the symptoms of PMS. Eating the recommended daily amounts of organic fruits and vegetables gives you nutrients levels even a multivitamin can't match. This keeps your system functioning at optimum levels and makes you feel great.

Organically grown plants are grown without using unnatural chemicals so your food has less harmful chemicals. This not only helps protects you from chemicals that can cause cancer, heart disease, and even promote Alzheimer's; it also helps protect the environment from these chemicals as well. When harmful pollutants are put into the soil, they offset the natural balance. They can also work their way into streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, and underground water supplies; polluting the environment and possibly contaminating drinking water.

Production of organic products also includes a pledge to help conserve valuable natural resources. These producers conserve water by using less irrigation; they conserve soil by taking measures to prevent runoff; they also conserve valuable energy sources by working the land less and selling their food locally. By not using dangerous chemicals and by keeping natural non-farmed areas, organic producers also help to maintain wildlife biodiversity. The main goal of an organic farmer is to grow their crop without taking from the local environment. That way, the land will be available for future generations to farm.

While it may not seem like a lot, each person helps. By buying organic products, and encouraging others to do so as well, you are taking a small dent out of the problems traditional agriculture is causing. You are also helping to send a message to traditional producers that some of their methods are unethical and unacceptable. This makes it beneficial for not only your family, but for other families now and in the future.

Important Organic Gardening Tips You Need To Know

2009-04-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Organic gardening is just like regular gardening with the only major difference being that there are no pesticides and other chemicals used in the process. If there are any sorts of products used in organic gardening they are all natural and gentle, and safe to use.

Organic gardening has quickly become extraordinarily popular, and in fact a large majority of people around the world are now eating organic food. The benefits that organic food offers are truly wowing and it is a big surprise that we have not all switched to organic food a long time ago.

Whether you are an experienced organic gardener or are just getting started in the hobby, there are a few organic gardening tips that you are going to want to be aware of and which are going to be very useful to you.

Compost

One of the best organic gardening tips is to use compost with your plants. The reason that this is one of the most important organic gardening tips is because it will affect your plants so much. Compost will improve soil structure, texture, and aeration, all which will greatly affect how well or poorly your plants grow.

Compost is also used in regular gardening and is considered as being one of the best vegetable gardening tips.

Look for Alternatives

Another of the best organic gardening tips is to natural and organic alternatives to the chemical fertilizers that you see on the shelves. There are many effective inorganic fertilizers which will do the job just as well as those with chemicals, only you will be taking better care of the plants you are growing and on the environment in general.

These are just a few of a multitude of organic gardening tips, and really the best idea is going to be for you to read as many of these tips as you can, to get the most education on organic gardening in general and get a better idea on the different things that you can do to have success with your plants.

Organic gardening is really a wonderful thing, and more and more people are getting involved with it all the time. We as a nation are beginning to realize the incredulous benefits that organic foods offer us and how pointless it really is to use so many chemicals on such a regular basis when we really don't need to at all. You can even prepare homemade recipes that will work on your plants.

The Benefits of Organic Herbal Products

2009-04-24T05:20:00.000-07:00

Organic herbal products are something that most people do not even consider. When a person thinks of going to buy herbal products they most likely do not consider that some herbs that are used are not organic.

Many additives are put into supplements that claim to be all natural, and this can defeat the purpose of a person wanting to use herbal remedies to fight their ailments. They are something that the consumer needs to consider when they are looking at using any type of herb.

Organic herbal products have a great advantage over their counterparts. When a consumer finds herbal products organic in every way, they are finding a true gem. No additives or pesticides have been used when creating the herb that they are going to use for ailments or even cooking.

When a person purchases them they can be assured that they are getting the best product that uses the best herb supply available. They will feel more confident knowing that they are really using something all natural for their body whether it be ingesting in food, medicine, or even using as a beauty product.

One thing that most people do not even think about with these types of products is that they will help to boost a person's immune system more so than a herbal product that is not organic.

Organic is all natural, and just as food is all natural, an organic type of product is better for the health of the consumer then something that is not organic. The one downside is that the effects may take longer to feel than those of non organic ones.

An even better reason for the consumer to purchase these types of products over other herbal items is that they rarely have side effects. The main reason for this is that they are one hundred precent all natural, and this helps to reduce the toxins that one allows into their system.

However, one thing to really consider when using them is they still may interact with other medications. A person should always beware and if questions are found one should consult their doctor or pharmacist.

The choice that of herbal products is strictly up to the person. If an individual chooses to take these types of products over regular herbs then they are only going to help their body in the long run.

This is the reason that most want to take herbs in the first place, and organic products only help to speed the process of immunity and health boosting up a little faster with their organic material.

Organic Food for Weight Loss

2009-04-18T05:12:00.000-07:00

At present the market is flooded with scores of weight loss supplements and with the percentage of obese individuals increasing in number with the passage of time, it is doubtless that these supplements make brisk business.

However, it is necessary to make individuals aware of the fact that most of these weight loss supplements are not effective in causing weight loss and the usage of some of these are detrimental to the body and its organs as well.

Under such circumstances, it is safest to follow the various guidelines that have been set down by the United States Food and Drugs Administration or FDA and buy only those products which have been sanctioned by the FDA. The latest fad to have reached the market is organic food and it is considered to be very effective in causing weight loss.

It is primarily necessary to realize what is meant by the term organic food. Organic food simply refers to those food components which have been produced naturally without the use of synthetic supplements or pesticides or preservatives of any kind. While at present certified organic food are widely available, researchers have opined that not only are these organic food extremely nutritious and beneficial for health, but at the same time they are quite tasty as well.

One of the major reasons due to which organic food are considered to have an edge over cooked food is that heat used at the time of cooking changes the composition of the proteins, fat and carbohydrate contents and it also leads to the loss of various important nutrient elements and enzymes which are of good use to the body.

On the other hand, organic food aids considerably in weight loss and the consumption of organic food makes a person feel more energized and full and as a result of swift bowel movements, the absorption of nutrients is faster and it prevents the accumulation of excess fat. Organic food helps in the cleansing of the blood stream and facilitates swift removal of toxins form the body.

Natural organic food not only aids in losing weight but in course of this process it does not compromise with the nutritional value of the food substances consumed. All nutritional elements that benefit the body are retained. Organic foods are natural substances and hence they are valuable for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while aiding in excess weight reduction and shedding of excess calories.

These are Some of the Benefits of Organic Pet Food

2009-04-12T04:21:00.000-07:00

Organic pet food is fast gaining popularity. The sale of organic pet food is increasing at a rate, which is three times greater than human organic food sale. People are getting aware that like humans, pets too need healthy and holistic food. Organic food means the food that is manufactured without the use of chemical substances like the preservatives, antibiotics, pesticides and hormones. Organic food is the healthier form of food, which contains 18 organic nutrients that are certified. Organic pet food has a positive impact on the health and the emotional well being of the pet resulting in increase in its longetivity.

The organic pet food helps in improving the skin conditions and allergies of your pet. This is because the organic food is manufactured using high quality grains and sources that are high in protein. Organic food also helps in increasing the immune system of your pet keeping away health problems like the skin infections. In addition, since the organic food is free of chemical substances, your pet is not affected by the health problems due to these chemicals.

The organic pet food is also low on fat and therefore, organic food does not create weight problems in your pet. It is studied that cats and dogs with greater weights are more likely to suffer from back problems, organic failure and hip dysphasia. Since, the organic food contains high nutrition per ounce of food your pet does not tend to over eat and gets satisfied with small amount of food does maintaining his body weight.

The organic pet food is conveniently available for dogs and cats. Though the organic food is expensive as compared to the non-organic pet food, they provide higher benefits to the pets. Organic dog treats are also available for the dogs, which are hypoallergenic and also free of wheat gluten. The advantage of organic pet food is that the organic food is easy for the pet to digest, as there are no chemicals added, which results in the absorption of all the healthy nutrients present in the food.

To cut down on the cost one can even make organic pet food at home. While preparing the organic food at home it is very essential to choose only the fresh ingredients including the poultry products like the beef, turkey, and chicken. It is advisable to use vegetables like the carrots as it contains beta-carotene, which is very useful for the pet. It is also recommended that the meat be thoroughly cooked and blended together with the help of a food processor. The vegetables and the meat must be mixed and cooked together with the use of brown rice for the binding purpose. Thus, your organic homemade food is ready to be served to your pet.

The organic food made at home needs to be stored in an airtight container and should not be stored more than four to five days. Serving of the home made organic food should be done as earlier, practiced with the ordinary food. For example, if your dog is in a habit of eating one cup of dry food a day then the organic food must be served in the similar quantities. The home made organic pet food can be prepared once a week.

The Benefits of Organic Gardening

2009-04-04T04:17:00.000-07:00

Organic Gardening is gardening without the use of man-made chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It is said by some of its supporters to be more in harmony with nature. An organic strives to work in harmony with natural systems and to minimize and continually replenish any resources the garden consumes.

Organic Revolution - The organic revolution is a global phenomenon witnessed in every part of the world. Global organic food market was about USD36.7 billion in 2006 and over 30 percent or USD13.6 billion of the global demand stems from the US, according to Datamonitor.

Organic Food - Organic food refers to food items that are produced, processed and packaged without using chemicals. Organic food is increasingly becoming popular due to its perceived health benefits over conventional food. Droves of people are turning to organic produce as a way to feel safer about the foods they eat. People are worried about the foods they put into their bodies. With all of the reports of food poisoning from fruits and vegetables, many people are worried about what they are eating.

Organic Cosmetics - The organic concept is not limited to food items. Due to excessive usage of harmful chemicals in cosmetics, people are turning towards organic cosmetics also . One can often see organic skin care products, organic shampoos, organic soaps, and organic make up products on the shelves of organic stores.

Organic Chemicals - We now know just how dangerous all of those chemicals that we spray plants on can be, too. Many chemicals have been banned because they were shown to cause cancer! But some of these dangerous chemicals have not yet been banned, and there may be plenty of hidden dangers that have not yet been discovered.

Organic Gardening - When you garden organically, you can feel safer about the food you eat. You all know that the food you are feeding your family is safer and healthier than the questionable stuff you find in the grocery store. You and your family deserve to eat food that will not give you all cancer!

For example, organic carrots are widely known for being much sweeter than traditionally-grown carrots. They do not have the same bitterness that other carrots can have. This is a very good reason to grow your produce organically, even if you are not worried about the chemical effects to your body and the environment.

There are obviously a few drawbacks to gardening organically, too. You have to deal with pests differently, and it can be a longer and more complex process to rid your plants of certain pests. Instead of picking up some chemicals, you have to pick off insects by hand and drop them into soapy water.

You have to spray your plants with solutions made of things like hot peppers and garlic to prevent some bugs from eating them. It can be difficult. You also have to stick to organic fertilizers, rather than using easy chemical fertilizers.

Then anything that depends on the second species for food might start to die. This could spin out of control if the problem became too widespread. This is unlikely, but it is not impossible. Organic produce is also known for its superior flavor.

Organic Fertilizers - Organic fertilizers can actually be cheaper, because you can make them yourself. Fish emulsion is a common organic fertilizer. It is a sort of tea made from dead fish. Seaweed fertilizer is another tea-like fertilizer that many organic gardeners swear by.

And of course there are natural compost that can help you make use of your kitchen waste! The benefits of organic gardening far outweigh the few drawbacks. It may be a bit more work, but it is so rewarding!

Wildlife Protection - Organic gardening is also extremely beneficial to the environment for several reasons. For one thing, every time you spray your plants with chemicals, those chemicals wash off of your plants and onto the ground. From there, those chemicals wash down into the ground, and eventually make it into the groundwater!

Chemical fertilizer kills too many species of insects that can cause an imbalance in the local wildlife. If you and your neighbors kill off a large portion of the population of one insect, then anything that depends on that insect for food might also start to die off.

When the insects on your plants are poisoned, they can be eaten by birds or other animals. These animals can then become sick and die. If the toxicity was high enough, any animals that eat those animals might also perish. This can have a very strong environmental impact.

As you can see,the advantages and benefits of organic gardening far outweights its disadvantages and costs. Organic gardening not only protects us and our families, but also future generations.

Why it is Good to Eat Organic

2009-03-29T03:13:00.000-07:00

Eating organic food benefits not only the individual but also the larger society and the environment. Eating organic food creates a chain of positive consequences, from consumers to farmers to monarch butterflies. This choice is about health as much as it is about sustainable development. Here are the top ten reasons why it is good to eat organic foods.

1. Organic foods taste better.

Organically grown fruits and vegetables are allowed to grow slowly. They are not forced to ripen using chemical fertilizers. As such, they have lower carbohydrate and water content, giving them a fuller taste than non-organic ones.

2. Organic foods are healthier.

A study by the Environmental Protection Agency shows that more than 60% of all herbicides and fungicides and 30% of insecticides cause cancer. Because organic foods are grown without use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, organic foods are free of chemicals that are potentially harmful to the human body. Studies show that nitrates in fertilizers also significantly reduce or eliminate the amount of Vitamin C and minerals in plants. Organic foods, as such, contain higher levels of minerals such as iron, magnesium, antioxidants, and chromium.

3. Reduce exposure to pesticides

Pesticides are not entirely washed away by rainwater. A study by the Government Pesticide Residue has show that more than 40% of all harvested fruits and vegetables in non-organic farms contain pesticide residues. Pesticide residues are highest in pears (95%) and grapes (72%). Pesticide residues can create harmful effects on fertility and development of fetuses.

Organic foods are 100% pesticide-free.

4. Environment-friendly

Organic farming creates less carbon dioxide and emissions that pollute the air since it doesn't use fertilizer and other chemical sprays.

5. Preserve wildlife and biodiversity.

Conventional farming especially those used by large-scale agri-businesses involves mono-cropping. This method results in depletion of soil nutrient and reduction of species variety. Use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are non-specific, and so may also kill other insects and animals. Organic farming, on the other hand, uses methods such as crop rotation and composting--- methods which are basically about working with nature than against it.

6. Preserve water quality.

Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals may runoff into streams or seep into our groundwater. Testing of groundwater in many municipalities in the US have shown that drinking water sources are positive with traces of farm chemicals. Organic farming keeps our water resources free from pollutants and nitrogen leaching.

7. Improve soil quality.

Conventional farming techniques, particularly tillage, cause soil erosion and loss of topsoil. Organic farming adopts a "no-till" method. New crops are planted directly on crop residues. This method maintains both the structure and fertility of the soil.

8. Protect farm worker health.

Conventional farming, which involves use of fertilizers and pesticides, exposes farmers to the highest amount of harmful agricultural chemicals than any other segment of the population .

9. Organic foods are GM-free.

The effects of genetically-modified organisms are not yet fully understood, but certain studies show that GMOs are potentially harmful to humans and animals that consume them. GMOs also pose significant risks to wildlife biodiversity and to the ecosystem.

10. Organic farming expends less energy.

Processing of chemical fertilizers involves substantial amount of energy input (electricity and water). Transport of commercial chemicals from factory to store to farm requires fuel energy. Since organic farmers use natural farmers such as manure and compost, they often turn to renewable and alternative energy sources in the making of these fertilizers. These natural-fertilizers are also made or sourced within or from near the farm, giving farmers savings on transportation fuel.

Organic Foods- Pros and Cons

2009-03-25T04:14:00.000-07:00

What is organic food: How is it produced?

The process in most cases starts with organically grown crops so a quick explanation: Organic farming produces crops and rears cattle without the use of chemicals and artificial additives. It is farming the natural way and concentrates on producing a fertile soil.

Animals reared on organic farms are housed properly they have room to move about and behave like animals.They are fed healthy food sources and not those laden with drugs and other chemicals.

So in summary the answer to what is organic food is.…crops and animals produced and fed with natural food and without the use of chemical additives.

What is organic food: How can it benefit me?

To answer this question, I'll highlight two items:

1. Milk: “When you choose a glass of conventional milk, you are buying into a whole chemical system of agriculture,” says Dr. Greene. People who switch to organic milk typically do so because they are concerned about the antibiotics, artificial hormones and pesticides used in the commercial dairy industry.

One recent United States Department of Agriculture survey found certain pesticides in about 30 percent of conventional milk samples and low levels in only one organic sample.

The level is relatively low compared to some other foods, but many kids consume milk in large quantities.

2. Potatoes: Potatoes are a staple of the American diet — one survey found they account for 30 percent of our overall vegetable consumption.

A simple switch to organic potatoes has the potential to have a big impact because commercially-farmed potatoes are some of the most pesticide- contaminated vegetables. A 2006 U.S.D.A. test found 81 percent of potatoes tested still contained pesticides after being washed and peeled, and the potato has one of the the highest pesticide contents of 43 fruits and vegetables tested, according to the Environmental Working Group.

WHY DO ORGANIC PRODUCTS COST MORE?

The first place I go upon entering the grocery store is the produce section. Here is where I do most of my shopping, and inevitably where I tend to spend most of my money. Does that surprise you? It shouldn't if you buy organic produce. Many people are turned off to the choice of purchasing organic products because they tend to be more expensive. Others, meanwhile, are seeing the benefits of buying organic as a necessity for good health.

The reason for the added expense in terms of organic products is that organic dairy, wheat/grains, meat, and produce farmers are not able to produce the mass quantities that other non-organic farmers can. They follow strict guidelines which require the use of no hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides in order to keep the food safe and healthy.

The increasing demand for organic products by the consumer has resulted in more and more corporate conglomerations capitalizing on this rising trend (and letting nutrition and quality fall by the wayside), but still doing just enough to slap the “organic” symbol on their packaging and charge a premium price.

This results in the consumer standing between two food options (maybe it’s the organic cereal vs. the non organic cereal or even the organic milk vs. the non -organic milk), and trying to decipher if the cost difference is worth the health benefits.

TASTE AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE:

The biggest study ever of organic food was completed in 2007 and found that organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40% more antioxidants than conventional equivalents, and that the figure was 60% for organic milk. The 4-year study was funded by the European Union and was the largest of its kind ever undertaken.

These results were simply announced to the popular press, and have not yet undergone the rigors of scientific peer review, so conclusiveness of this study is debatable.

Some studies have shown higher nutrient levels in organic fruit and vegetables compared with conventionally grown products. However, due to the difficulty with designing such experiments, the evidence was not considered conclusive.

A 2001 study by researchers at Washington State University concluded, under judgement by a panel of tasters, that organic apples were sweeter. Along with taste and sweetness, the texture as well as firmness of the apples were also rated higher than those grown conventionally. These differences are attributed to the greater soil quality resulting from organic farming techniques compared to those of conventional farming.

However, a 2002 meta-analysis (a review of all past studies on the subject) found no proof that organic food offers greater nutritional values, more consumer safety or any distinguishable difference in taste.

Eating Organic Food To Improve Your Health

2009-03-21T04:12:00.000-07:00

Organic food is food that has been grown without the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers. The food is as natural as can be, safer for the environment and usually tastes better too. Most importantly though, eating this food is healthier for you and may provide many health benefits, which is what this article is all about.

Even though further research needs to be done to gain a better understanding of the benefits of organic food, there is still much valuable information to share with you.

Before we discuss the actual health benefits of eating whole food, lets take a look at the advantages it has over non-organic food.

It's a fact that this food is highly nutritious and contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin C and minerals like magnesium, calcium and iron are just some of the nutrients organic food contains higher amounts of.

Whole foods also contain higher amounts of antioxidants, which help reduce the risk of developing cancers.

You may be surprised to know, but the vegetables we eat today are nowhere near as nutritious as they were 50 or even 15 years ago. Farmers tend to take shortcuts when growing food, and the fastest way is generally not the best way to do something. This trend is expected to continue, so if eating highly nutritious food is important to you, looking into organic foods is something worth considering.

If you were wondering why organic food hasn't exactly taken the world by storm, it's mainly due to the extra cost associated with organic growing. Demand is greater than supply and as a result, you can expect to pay about 20% extra for this kind of food..

Numerous studies have been conducted to find out the benefits whole foods can provide us humans. Many results are still fairly inconclusive however there have been many reported cases of benefits when animals are fed organic food.

The reason for the vagueness in health benefits is due to many reasons such as: incorrect method of testing and the lengthy time it takes to determine results of this nature. However several studies have shown benefits such as:

Decline in colds and other conditions
Improves dental health
Improves flow of your overall system
Greater chance of sprains and fractures
Reduces chance of injury
Better over health

As mentioned, the subject of organic food vs non organic food is very iffy and many researches believe that this food provides little to no health benefits.

Thinking about it logically, surely food that has been grown as it was intended to and that contains no added toxic chemicals has to be considerably healthier for us.

Whether the extra cost associated with organic food is worth the money is entirely up to the person. There is insufficient evidence to say something like "eating whole foods will reduce the likelihood of getting heart disease".

Even though it's likely that eating organic food will produce significant healthier benefits long term, as of now it comes more down to ones opinion than solid fact.

Why Choose Organic Foods?

2009-03-13T04:08:00.000-07:00

Are you concerned that the food you are eating may be harmful to you and your family? With news reports about GM (genetically modified) foods, health scares about eating beef, chemicals on food affecting people's health and the intelligence of children, it's no wonder that many are looking to organic foods as an option.

WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING?

Organic farming produces plant and animal foods without the excessive use of chemicals. It focuses on using fertile soil along with a variety of crops to maintain healthy growing conditions which produce a food with more nutrients and less chemicals than typical commercial foods. Organic farming prohibits the growing of GM foods, a controversial issue among commercial growers.

Animals reared on organic farms are treated properly with room to behave like animals and are fed healthy food sources not laden with drugs and other chemicals.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOODS?

One of the common benefits proclaimed about organic foods is that they taste better - but there are many other benefits to incorporating organic foods into your diet. Besides the physical benefits to you there are environmental benefits and benefits to the animals and people who live and work on the farms.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Organic foods prevent people from ingesting regular amounts of pesticides and insecticides commonly found in commercial products. Animals are not routinely given antibiotics and other medication which enters the food supply to humans. Some research suggests that this excessive use of chemicals in food can be linked to increased health problems and interferes with the healthy development of children.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Organic food also protects the planet. Organic farming ensures that bio-diversity remains available in the foods we eat and the wildlife that live on the farms. Fruits and vegetables are naturally available in 100's of varieties. Commercial growing limits the variety of each food available by mass producing only a handful. Many species of birds, insects and other animals are affected by the chemicals and farming conditions used in growing commercial foods.

Organic farms grow a mix of crops and promote a balanced ecosystem including insects that protect crops from pests and worms and other micro-organisms which fertilize the soil.

HUMAN AND ANIMAL BENEFITS

Organic farming is considered 'sustainable' farming. The workers and the animals are not as exposed to dangerous toxins or working and living conditions. This enables people to continue growing healthy foods for the rest of society without reliance on huge machinery and chemicals.

The animals raised on organic farms are not subject to the terrible living conditions imposed on commercially reared animals who often live in exceedingly small spaces without the freedom to move or interact. These unhealthy conditions lead to a spreading of illness which is combated with regular doses of antibiotics.

On organic farms the animals' needs are given priority. Healthy food, clean living conditions and freedom to behave like animals means healthier animals. When animals are sick they are cared for individually according to their actual needs.

Organic, sustainable farming protects humans, animals and the environment. Increasing the demand for organic products will encourage this form of farming and ensure that the food supply available to our children is a healthy one.

How To Eat Organic Foods

2009-03-07T03:26:00.000-08:00

Some people wonder how to eat organic foods well the best way quite simply is, the same as you do conventional food!

With organic food you are eating food that is free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals that only serve to affect your health in a negative way.

All fruit is best eaten raw, and why not it tastes so good!

However, most people prefer to cook their food and of course this is fine.

You just need to preserve as much of the goodness as possible and one of the most effective ways of doing this is to steam your food.

This is a great way to naturally lock-in flavor and nutrients.

Alternatively please be aware that there are chemicals in saucepans and some of these will leach into your food.

You should replace worn saucepans particularly those that are chipped or scratched and especially if these are the non-stick variety.

What Is Organic Food Exactly?

2009-03-03T03:23:00.000-08:00

If you are concerned about the scare stories that always seem to be in the news regarding the quality of our food then you may be wondering about the fuss surrounding what is organic food

What is organic food: How is it produced?

The process in most cases starts with organically grown crops so a quick explanation:

Organic farming produces crops and rears cattle without the use of chemicals and artificial additives.

It is farming the natural way and concentrates on producing a fertile soil.

Animals reared on organic farms are housed properly they have room to move about and behave like animals.

They are fed healthy food sources and not those laden with drugs and other chemicals.

So in summary the answer to what is organic food is.…crops and animals produced and fed with natural food and without the use of chemical additives.

What is organic food: How can it benefit me?

The most common benefit is that of taste. The example I always remember is that of comparing conventionally grown sweetcorn to the organically produced version.

The taste of the organic version was amazing and re-awoke memories of how it used to taste when I was a child. It seems the taste has been leeched out of conventional sweetcorn, along with the quality of its nutrients presumably.

Besides the obvious benefit of taste there are also environmental aspects such as fewer chemicals in the soil leading to less erosion of the countryside and pollution of our rivers with nitrates.

Besides the pleasurable benefits to your senses there are also environmental reasons to finding out what is organic food. There are also benefits to the animals and people who live and work on the farms.

Organic farms grow a mix of crops and therefore encourage a balanced Ecosystem.

Pest reducing insects are encouraged back to farms and help to protect crops.

Worms and other micro-organisms thrive in the naturally fertilized soil that can be otherwise sterile on intensive, chemically enhanced farms.