Buying Organic: Is It Worth The Money?

In order to answer that question, let's first define the term organic. Food that is organic has been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics or hormones.

Conventional vs. Organic

In contrast, conventionally grown fruit and vegetables, have pesticide residues and artificial chemicals on their skins, even after washing, that seeps into the bodies of the produce as well. Dairy products from conventionally raised cows contain hormones and antibiotics that are as used as part of standard farming practice in order to maximize dairy production. Commercially raised beef, chicken and pork also contain antibiotics and hormones.

Benefits of Organic Food

Organic food is more expensive than conventionally grown food, but it is worth the investment. Not only will you significantly cut down your exposure to toxic chemicals that can continue to accumulate in your body over time, but there is evidence that organically grown food contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients than their conventionally grown counterparts. A study published in 2003 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that organic produce had 50-60% more cancer fighting anti-oxidants than conventional produce. Organic milk has been shown to contain higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids (a type of fat that has been shown to have anti-cancer properties), anti-oxidants and Vitamins A and E. Grass fed, pasture raised beef also has a much higher level of omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally raised beef- in fact, the amount of omega-3s in grass-fed beef is similar to the amount found in omega-3 rich salmon.

Choosing Which Foods To Buy Organic

We all want to eat the healthiest food we can, but most people these days do have to pay attention to their budget. So, are there some foods that are more important to buy organic than others? You bet. The Environmental Working Group has a ranking of the "Dirty Dozen"- produce that has the highest pesticide residue. The ranking starts from the most contaminated.

BUY ORGANIC

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Cherries
10. Kale/Collard Greens
11. Potatoes
12. Imported Grapes

EWG also has a list of the "Clean 15"- produce with the lowest amount of pesticide residue. The ranking starts from the least contaminated.

CAN BUY CONVENTIONAL

1. Onions
2. Avocados
3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapples
5. Mangoes
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwis
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potatoes
15. Honeydew Melon

Even if you can't buy organic produce, don't skimp on fruits and vegetables. It is still better to eat conventional produce than to substitute them with unhealthy snacks and processed foods.

Remember, Organic Is Not Just For Produce

What about dairy products? If you drink milk, you should buy organic. You can also try some of the non-dairy milks such as soy, almond, oat or rice milk. It is best to alternate these and not stick to just one.

In general, It is best to limit meat consumption and try other protein sources such as beans and whole grains. If you are going to eat meat, buy organic whenever possible- it is a much healthier choice.

What About Fish?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not yet adopted specific requirements for organic fish. Food&Water Watch, a non-profit organization which advocates policies for healthy and safe food and drinking water, recommends the following guidelines:

1. Choose domestic seafood. Less than 2% of imported seafood is inspected for contamination.
2. Choose local seafood rather than seafood that has been shipped from far away.
3. In general, choose wild over farmed seafood. There are, however, some good farmed seafood options, such as U.S. farmed catfish, tilapia, yellowfish snapper, shrimp, mussels, clams and oysters.

For more information, check out The Smart Seafood Guide at http://foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/seafood/guide/

Give It A Try

Don't feel overwhelmed! Even if you try 2 or 3 organic alternatives over the next few weeks, you will be making a substantial change for the better in your overall health.

Reina Marino, M.D.

Dr. Marino specializes in Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine in the Philadelphia area. She uses nutrition, stress management and exercise to help people lose weight, increase their energy, and decrease their stress so that they can look and feel like their younger selves and bring their best to their families, friends and work.

Find out more at http://drreinamarino.com. You can contact Dr. Marino at rm@drreinamarino.com or by calling 267-519-0810

Related : staub 9.5 inch saute pan cuisinart multiclad unlimited 12 piece cookware

Putting Compost on Your Organic Garden

Organic garden fertilizers are not only great for your plants; they also slow the moisture loss of the soil reducing the need for watering. Chemical fertilizers usually destroy some of the nutrients of the soil, and by reusing of the soil is also reduced.

Plant this in your garden and forget about it. Apart from the nice North facing wall it sits happily in front of, there was nothing else helping it. Plant and animal matter is normally used and sometimes supplemented with fine dolomite lime (providing calcium and magnesium while raising the pH and " sweetening" the soil) and other mined ingredients. Hopefully the end result of all this work will give the gardener all of the mineral elements his or her next crop will require.

Plants that live in conditions that suit them require less maintenance and are less likely to succumb to diseases and pests.

Soil is prepared properly for the garden, Apply the water deeply for the plants. In summer we should spend the extra concentration for protect the plants. Soil solarization is an organic method of keeping weeds from taking over. Organic garden compost or mulch varies in cost and availability. Soil that has been mulched is also less likely to form a hard crust. Many gardeners have also discovered that they have fewer problems with plant disease when they mulch.

Soil in raised beds warms up and dries out faster in spring and is easer to work. You can reform the beds each spring or make the beds permanent by framing them with rot-resistant wood, plastic or stone.

Mulching helps the soil retain moisture, suppresses weeds, reduces temperature fluctuations, and can prevent soil crusting. Many organic gardeners find that plant disease problems decline as the health of the soil improves. Mulches are invaluable in both water conservation and slowing down weed germination.

Organic gardening Compost is where you recycle food scraps and other waste products into the soil so that it helps to feed the plants. Things you would normally throw away such as eggshells, leftovers like meat, potatoes, tomatoes, cheeses, anything that you would normally eat can be composted into the soil to help it become rich in nutrients and help to feed the new plants. Compost and composted manure, mixed with peat moss, make great soil for organic container gardening. You can also use straight peat moss.

Author: Gregory Wadel

Tips To Producing An Awesome Organic Garden

[http://wadeshealthmatters.info]

Friends Link : all clad stainless 7 piece cookware set anolon advanced 10 quart stockpot circulon infinite circulon 10 piece cookware set

Have You Tried Organic Food?

Organic food is grown and harvested in the old fashioned way, as food used to be in the 'old' days. Today, most of the fresh produce you find in your supermarket is grown artificially, with the aid of pesticides, chemical fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides, to ensure that maximum growth is gained from the land and the biggest harvest possible is collected. This means more produce is made available to you in your local supermarket, but at what cost to your health?

Organic foods are naturally grown and harvested. They contain more nutrients, less pesticides and chemicals than standard produce, and because they are naturally grown, they more often than not taste better. On average, conventional produce has only 83% of the nutrients of organic produce. What's more worrying is that 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides and 30% of insecticides are considered to be carcinogenic - cancer forming. Going organic makes sense!

SIMON'S TIPS: ORGANIC FOOD

Upgrade to organic gradually. Start with fruit, vegetables, grains and dairy products. If you can afford it, look to choose organic meat and fish too. You will find an Organic section in your local supermarket.

You can order fresh Organic food online if you prefer, and have it delivered to your door. Just type in 'organic home delivery' in your favourite search engine and see who pops up in your local area.

If you can't find the organic version of what you want, buy the conventional alternative instead. It won't always be possible to find what you want at your local supermarket, so rather than go without, and fear the consequences of eating non-organic food, simply pick the conventional alternative and wash it thoroughly with a vegetable scrubbing brush before eating or cooking.

Be aware of fruit and vegetables with high pesticide levels. Peaches, apples, strawberries, nectarines, pears, cherries, raspberries, grapes, spinach, peppers, celery and potatoes. Make sure you ALWAYS wash your fruit and vegetables before use, whether they are organic or not.

Switch to Organic grains and dairy, but still go easy on their consumption. These foods may contain fewer chemicals than their standard counterparts but they should still be eaten in moderation. Avoid organic white products, like rice, bread and pasta. Still stick to whole wheat varieties.

Find an Organic Farm Shop. Keep your eyes peeled for a traditional farm shop that sells organic fruit and vegetables. You will be able to pick and choose what you want, buy the right amount for what you need, and buy in bulk at a lot cheaper price than your supermarket equivalent.

These places are great for trying different varieties of fruit and vegetables, and also eating what is currently naturally in season. To find the nearest Farm shop in your area, type in 'Farm Shops' to a search engine.

Simon Dainton is a Certified Personal Trainer and fat loss expert. Founder of Fitstreet Personal Training in the UK, his Programs of Lifestyle change guarantee clients results, combining effective exercise, nutrition and lifestyle adjustments. For more information and to receive your FREE fat loss guide, go to http://www.fitstreet.co.uk/ For the latest fat loss news and tips, check out http://fitstreet.blogspot.com

Recommend : krona-7.5 quart stock pot with vented straining calphalon unison nonstick 10 piece cookware set

Neemthe Organic Health Solution

There is a dream in the world of medicine that some day a magic pill will be developed that will cure or prevent multiple health problems. But nature has already created a remarkable tree that does just that. The Neem tree, native to East India and cultivated in other parts of Asia has been called the "village pharmacy" for centuries.

Even before ancient herbalists discovered the analgesic qualities of the willow tree, from which aspirin is derived, people used branches, fruit and leaves from the neem tree to treat or prevent a wide variety of health problems. Its medicinal qualities are outlined in the earliest Sanskrit writings and its uses in Hindu medicine date back to very remote times. In India, the tree is variously known as "Divine Tree", "Heal All", "Nature's Drugstore", "Village Pharmacy" and "Panacea for all diseases".

Used for thousands of years, home remedies made from the Neem tree are non toxic and no hazards have been documented with normal dosages. Organix South, the company currently marketing Neem products in the U.S. does not recommend taking Neem internally. However even the Extension Toxicology Network documentation for using neem as a pesticide shows that it is "relatively non-toxic" and caused no significant problems even at the extraordinary high dosages fed to laboratory rats as part of the approval process required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What is this amazing gift from nature and what is it used for? The Neem tree is a fast growing member of the mahogany family, native to the India-Pakistan region. It can reach a height of over 50 feet and produces a fragrant white flower which turns into an olive like fruit. All parts of the tree including seeds, leaves, flowers and bark may be used for medicinal preparations. Neem oil is the basic ingredient commonly found in commercially available Neem products.

The uses of Neem vary widely. It is an antibacterial, antifungal, antivirus agent. It can be used to eliminate garden pests, yet is safe and effective for dental and skin care. Neem oil products for pets are used for skin rashes and allergies. Extracts made from the leaf are showing promise in treating diabetic conditions and help boost the immune system.

One primary advantage of Neem oil is its soothing, high fatty acid content making Neem oil especially gentle and nourishing when used for itchy, sensitive or dry skin conditions. Skin ailments, especially ongoing, chronic problems, often respond very well to Neem oil. Clinical studies indicate that brushing with Neem bark extract helps reverse peridontal disease.

Neem tree products, marketed under the name TheraNeem, are a safe, effective organic remedy for a wide range of health ailments and conditions. It is one of the few organic health products that is standing up to the scrutiny of true scientific testing. The results of current medical studies show great promise for even more medicinal uses of this amazing tree that can put "the village pharmacy" in your medicine cabinet.

Carol Bond is the founder of Carol Bond Health Foods http://www.carolbond.com a leader in the nutritional supplement industry for over 25 years. Believing that people are sick and tired of being sick and tired, Carol Bond is dedicated to bringing the finest supplements that can be found on the market today to everyone who wants to live longer, live better.

Related : lodge logic pre seasoned 15 inch cast iron skillet kitchenaid 12 inch cast iron grill pan