Pesticides In Food
Pesticides in food
One of the first reasons I began eating organic was because of the pesticides in food, but quickly learned that they also taste a lot better too. I find that the people who grow the organic food take more pride in their work which gives the food a better energy. If you’re not eating organic, it’s pretty hard to avoid pesticides in the food, but with a little help from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) list of good and bad foods, you can avoid the chemicals as much as possible.
The EWG always recommends organic produce choices. For those that are not able to source it out, here is their list of the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Dozen
According to their
Shoppers Guide to Pesticides, the EWG tells us that those who eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables consume an average of 10 pesticides a day compared to 2 for those who eat conventionally grown produce.
Pesticides are toxic.
The Environmental Working Group has a downloadable PDF with more information as well as a new iPhone app so you can carry the shoppers guide to pesticides with you when you’re out.
If the dirty dozen include any of your favorite foods, I suggest you at least source out cleaner versions of them.
Avoiding the pesticides in food is but one reason to eat organic, but it’s a real compelling one. Personally? I find the taste of organic to be much better and the price of organic to conventional really is comparable.
Labels: health, Organic-Food, pesticides
Organic Dairy Farmers Need Support
As you may be aware, I'm not the least bit for dairy. I don't believe it has any place in our diet. There is ample evidence by major universities and organizations in the world about the adverse effect of dairy on our bodies. T. Colin Campbell, in his book The China Study, proved a direct link between dairy and both diabetes and prostate cancer (pg 178).
Of course there is research done that shows the benefits of dairy, but when you look at who's performed them and dig deeper into the testing, you can clearly see that they're "making the science work" in their favor.
Some approve of dairy, many disapprove. It's not "pseudo-science" at all - it's real.
With both sides weighing in on the subject, it's up to us to make the final decision about what goes in our bodies. Weigh the evidence for yourself and come to your own conclusions. If you've been eating dairy for years, then I suggest taking the "
no dairy test" for yourself for 90 days and see what happens.
Supporting Local Farmers
Now, hat said, I am very much for local farmers and especially like to support organic and bio diverse farming.
I believe that it's critically important to support local foods and to actually meet the people who grow it for us. If you eat meat, visit the farms of the local growers and see their operation first hand. Visit and support farmers markets. Know where you food comes from.
For those who want to consume dairy, there are better alternatives than cartons of milk for sale in the supermarket, and that is what this post is about. It's about knowing what's going on in or around your community. It's about becoming aware and support those who are doing good work.
from the
Organic Consumers Association (OCA):
Boycott Bogus Organic Dairy Brands
The OCA has called for a boycott of bogus organic dairy brands such as Horizon and Aurora (suppliers to Wal-Mart, Safeway and other giant chains), who have inundated the market with misleadingly labeled "organic" milk produced on factory farms. Recently, the situation has worsened as organic feed prices have increased and recession-pummeled consumers have cut back on the amount of organic milk they are purchasing. The result is a surplus of organic milk, depressed milk prices, and an increasing number of organic dairy farmers across the U.S. being driven into bankruptcy. Consumers can support ethical organic dairy farmers and preserve organic integrity by boycotting Horizon and Aurora products and instead supporting local organic farmers and dairy cooperatives like Organic Valley and others.
read more about "When Dairies Watch the Good Times Turn Bad" (the
NYTimes)
Labels: dairy, milk is bad, Organic-Food
Fresh Organic Food Delivered To Your Door
Would you like to have fresh organic produce delivered to your door on a weekly or bi weekly basis? If you live in Edmonton, Calgary, Okotoks, High River and Airdrie, then I'd like to introduce you to Farm Fresh Organics who's mission statement is
We promise to promote organic farming, locally and internationally, to achieve global harmony with nature.
FARM FRESH ORGANICS is Canada's home delivery service system delivering a variety of healthy and vibrant certified organic fruits and vegetables right to your door, the majority grown on local certified organic farms when in season. We also provide a mouth-watering assortment of bulk and dry goods. Our family business originated on Vancouver Island back in 1998.
Farm Fresh Organics has future franchise plans that include Saskatoon and Regina Saskatchewan and also Winnipeg.
Personally, I think this is a great way to shop. Why not have the organic produce delivered to you rather than you having to go shopping? Makes sense to me.
For more information, visit
www.freshorganics.ca or call 403-210-3700. Tell them I sent you.
A big thank you to Diane, a new member of my
weight loss forum for the tip.
Labels: Organic-Food
