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

Being unavoidable That You Are Buying Organic Foods

You're not alone if you're concerned in eating healthier foods, but not sure how to start. It can be intimidating to listen to person spout out words like organic. Then you hear population talking about how inescapable foods aren't as a matter of fact organic and come to be even more intimidated. If you're concerned in eating healthier, going organic is a good start and may be easier than you think.

Fortunately, there are standards in place to define organic. A collection of agencies certify either foods are organic. Two of the most important are the Usda and Qai. In order for producers to receive organic certification, they must comply with the certifying body's specifications. This assures that you are getting exactly what you expect to get when you buy a product that is labeled as an organic food.

Organic Fruit

You might think that any enterprise could just slap a seal on its product or print a label, but there would be stiff legal consequences to doing so as soon as it's discovered. It is more likely for an private store or furnish salesperson to wrongly claim something is organic than a large food producer. One of the ways you can protect yourself is to shop at reputable stores and local, small stores with rights you trust. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the grocer. This can be particularly beneficial in ascertaining the trustworthiness of small, locally owned grocery stores.

If you're having trouble a looking reliable source to buy locally, you can avail yourself of a wide collection of online organic food options. It is extremely recommended that you stick to small, specialty organic food stores. Buying organic fruit and vegetables from large store chains can be a confusing process. In many cases, you may be able to buy your requirements directly from the manufacturers. If you have some single products you like, the maker sites are good places to start. Even when they don't sell direct, they typically have links to the retailers who sell their products.

Of course, if you have a good, food specialty store or a good health foods store near you, the freshest food can normally be bought locally. However, you should not ignore supermarkets in your hunt for organic food. More and more large supermarket chains are starting to carry organic food lines. Often, these supermarkets offer much more affordable options. You should pay particularly close attention to the organic certifications of the foods you buy in these supermarkets. If they are certified organic, you can be reasonably sure that they are, when you buy organic foods from a supermarket.

The information given above is just a normal set of recommendations to be reasonably sure you're buying healthy, organic foods. If you want to buy with more certainty, you can always take extra explore measures such as looking maker reviews and studying all of the certification standards. either way, you're taking inescapable steps towards better health when you begin to replace parts of your diet with organic foods. When you buy organic foods, you're buying more natural foods. You'll probably feel better just knowing that you are buying healthier foods and taking steps to control your own health.

Being unavoidable That You Are Buying Organic Foods

bialetti italian ultimate 13 piece cookware set circulon 2 12 piece cookware set

Buying At The Organic Food Store Near You

Organic food stores are cropping up all over the nation. Many big-chain retailers now feature an organic line of products available to the consumer, while specialty shops are appearing across the land. Chances are good that if you live in a mid-sized city or up there's one within biking distance, if not walking. But how to get the most use out of an organic food store?



If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article's author on cheap cash register and used cash registers.

Related : anolon advanced bronze 10 piece cookware set cuisinart chefs classic stainless 14 inch stir fry kitchenaid gourmet distinctions 16 1 2 inch

What Are The Benefit Of Buying Online Organic Food?

The possibility to order online organic food has made the lives of so many people a lot easier. Even when products are available in the local hypermarket, people prefer to order online organic food as a way to save the time and effort of going shopping. Online retailers provide good discounts, and they now offer all sorts of delivery facilities in order to attract more customers.



If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article's author on touch screen cash registers and pizza POS system.

Tags : breville sk500xl ikon cordless 1.7 liter stainless anolon advanced cookware set cuisinart multiclad pro stainless 12 pc cookware

Buying Organic Food for Less: How to Save Money on Organic Fruits, Vegetables and More

______

*Featured article from the Organic Liaison Blog

______

ABOUT ORGANIC LIAISON

Kirstie Alley's Organic Liaison is a brand new, innovative weight loss program with the goal of "liaising" people from conventional eating habits to healthier organic ones while losing weight and supporting the body 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Organic Liaison membership offers a complete system including Rescue Me ™ weight loss elixir, the first USDA certified organic weight loss product; access to online tools including a daily journal, weight loss graph, daily menu planner; as well as other natural supplements and health tips to help members lose weight safely and effectively. Organic Liaison worked with experts in the fields of organics, nutrition and fitness to create an outstanding natural weight loss lifestyle and a comprehensive health and fitness community for their members.

 

*Find Organic Liaison on Facebook.

*Follow Kirstie Alley on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Thanks To : calphalon unison 10 piece set presto 8 quart pressure cooker

Buying Food From Organic Farmers

Are you interested in improving the way that you eat? If you are, you'll want to examine natural, organic foods. After a close examination, you'll see that there are a number of benefits to eating organic. Organic foods are available for sale at supermarkets, organic food stores, and online. With that said, organic foods are also commonly sold directly by the farmers who grew them. If you have local farmers who sell organic foods, you should consider doing your shopping directly through them.
When it comes to buying many organic food products, such as fruits and vegetables directly from organic farmers, many individuals wonder why they should do so. In all honesty, there are a number of reasons, as well as benefits to buying organic foods directly from the source. One of those benefits is the assistance that you'll be providing to local farmers. It's no secret that many farmers find it difficult to stay afloat financially. In fact, hundreds of small farms shut down each year. Instead of shutting down, many farmers are now making the switch to organic foods.
A large number of farmers, all across the United States, are now making the decision to go organic. Unfortunately, this decision isn't always easy. It can be costly in the beginning, as well as very risky. Although you may not necessarily think about it at the time, you can provide financial relief and assistance to organic farmers by buying their products directly from them. When you buy organic fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer or farmers who grew them, they're able to receive all the profits, not just a portion of them. In this aspect, you can consider buying organic fruits and vegetables directly from farmers your good deed for the week or month.
As nice as it is to hear that you should purchase some organic foods directly from the farmers who grow them, how do you go about doing so? First you should check out your local farmer's market farmer's markets typically involve the setup of stands and booths in or around your town square. Many farmer's markets in the United States allow a large number of farmers to attend and set up booths. Depending on your local farmer's markets, its size and who's present, you may be able to find organic food sold.
In addition to visiting one of your local farmer's markets to see if organic foods are for sale, you can also visit local farms in person. To help you decide which farms should be visited look for signs or advertisements in local newspapers. It's also usually easy to spot farms where organic foods are being sold because many set up roadside booths or have a storefront building on their property, which is usually easy to see from the road. If you do make the decision to shop with a local farmer, be sure to bring cash, as many small operations are not equipped to accept checks, debit cards, or credit cards.

To read about asparagus urine and growing asparagus, visit the Fruits And Vegetables site.

My Links : lodge logic pre seasoned 10 1 2 inch round griddle rachael ray 10 piece cookware set all clad stainless steel 10 piece cookware set

Buying Fruit and Vegetables For Juicing

Once you start juicing and you feel the benefits of raw living juices you may well find yourself buying rather a lot of fruit and vegetables! This is a GOOD THING!! But it can add up so here is the easy guide to economy fruit and vegetable buying.

Farmers Markets: These are great local produce often at bargain prices and low food miles!! Fresh as it comes! Remember that food picked and sent in from abroad is slowly losing its nutrient delivering POWER! This is why farmers markets are idea, cheap, plentiful produce that is direct from grower to you! No freezing and no time delay, the next best thing to plucking things from the tree yourself.

Organic Fruit

GO wholesale check out your local distribution center, in London we have New Covent Garden market and Spitalfield market. These operate nocturnally opening around midnight and finishing by 6am to supply the fresh fruit and vegetable trade, but you can go along and buy a fair amount then take it home and freeze it.

Negotiate show loyalty to a local green grocer and negotiate for larger amounts, a simple one this but it works everyone is excited by a good deal but don't go trying this at your local supermarket will you!!

Fruit and Vegetable Co-operatives these excellent community spirited projects buy fruit and veggies in bulk then pass on the savings to local people via a volunteer workforce. A great way to do your bit, help out and get your juice supplies.

Grown your own! The real ideal, if you don't have a garden then equip yourself with some pots, grow bags or trays and some seeds and start your own home farm. I always say, fresh is best, and what could be better than popping outside and picking a green salad straight from the garden.

Well there are a few ideas for healthy and cheap ways to keep your fridge or garden full of fresh natural produce ready for your juicer.

Buying Fruit and Vegetables For Juicing

Mark experiments a great deal with his juicer and blender in a quest to be as healthy as possible.

See Also : all clad stainless 7 piece cookware set lodge logic pre seasoned 15 inch cast iron skillet circulon infinite 10 piece cookware set

6 Great Ways to Make Buying Organic Products More Affordable

As we all know, increasing fuel costs are pushing prices higher and higher on just about everything. So, many Americans are looking for ways to save money and are wondering if buying organic products is within their budget.

Using organic products reduces the toxic stress on our bodies and the environment. Not to mention, that most organic products are of higher quality, with more nutrients in food and less fillers in household products. Ultimately, purchasing organic is the best choice and investment to make for your health and the health of the planet.

Organic Fruit

Before you make a rash decision to choose lower quality products because the price tag is less, consider these 6 great ways to make buying organic products more affordable.

Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. For example, fruit such as strawberries are typically more expensive when they make their first appearance in stores. Wait a few weeks to a month, and you'll notice prices dropping. If you can't buy all organic, choose organic products that your family eats the most. If your family eats a lot of fruit but doesn't use a lot of condiments, buy the organic fruit and forgo the organic condiments. Then, your getting the maximum benefit of nutrition and avoiding the most toxins. Buy locally raised organic produce and meat by supporting farmers markets and seeking out local ranchers that raise free range animals. Here you are eliminating the "middle man". Plus, the shelf life on your food will be longer and the nutritional value will be greater. Join food coops and wholesale buying clubs. Membership clubs can be a great way to maximize convenience as some carry a variety of household necessities and deliver to your door. They are also a smart decision because the savings and benefits really add up. Buy in bulk. Many health food stores and food coops offer discounts on bulk purchases. In my family, we use a lot of almond milk, so I buy it by the case and save 10%. Flours, grains, nuts and beans are just a few things that you can buy in bulk and save over prepackaged options. Avoid buying processed, refined foods like cookies, candy, chips and frozen pizzas. These prepackaged treats are spendy, and their nutritional value is typically less than treats you can make at home from scratch. So, spend your money on whole foods like fruit, vegetables and non-refined grains.

Organic or sustainably raised products are typically of higher quality than non-organic or non-sustainable products, because the sustainable industry standards are higher. There are of course exceptions to everything, so be a wise shopper by reading labels and by knowing which companies promote sustain ablility, quality and integrity.

Avoid ill-health for yourself, your family, your pets and your environment and buy quality organic products. Improved health will save you time, money and grief and will give you quality of life for the future.

6 Great Ways to Make Buying Organic Products More Affordable

Kelly Hoffman has 10 years of study in natural health. On her website, she shares eye-opening health lessons and also how to save money on top of the line natural health products. For more information, click HERE

"I think it is so important to share experiences. It might just be that one friend, relative or testimonial that helps, teaches or supports someone to better health without drugs or surgery."

Kelly Hoffman, The Natural Health Girl

Friends Link : anolon advanced 12 inch open round griddle

Organic Food: Buying Smart at the Health Food Store

Buying organic food at the health food store can cost an arm and a leg, but if you want to enjoy the fresh taste of organic food without the high prices, there's good news. By shopping around you can enjoy organic foods without busting your monthly food budget. Here are a few tips to get you started enjoying organic food on the cheap.

Tip 1: Avoid buying organics at your "regular" supermarket; you'll almost always pay more at the big conventional food stores for organic products.

Tip 2: Do your research. You probably have more organic food choices in your area than you realize. Organic organizations are good places to start. A quick search online will help you locate groups in your area.

Tip 3: Two words: farmers' markets. Farmers' markets are good sources of fresh organic produce. And locally grown fruits and vegetable will always taste better than those that have been shipped thousands of miles in the back of a truck.

Tip 4: Purchase shares in a local agricultural CSA, or co-op program. In return for your investment, you'll receive regular boxes of fresh produce from the upcoming harvest.

Shares in a co-cop or CSA usually go for about $300 to $400 for a 6 month period. It's well worth the money!

Tip 5: Join buying clubs. This is a really good way to get great organic food on the cheap. Buying clubs usually offer between 30 to 40 percent off the market price.

Tip 6: Buy organic food in bulk. Buying in bulk can stretch your food dollar. For certain items, you can just grab the bulk containers, but make sure you have a cool, dry storage place for beans and lentils, etc.

Tip 7: Buy seasonal produce. The best time to buy any organic produce is the peak of its growing season.

There's more produce toward the apex of a fruit or vegetable's growing season, and this has a tendency to push prices down. Stock up on your favorite organic veggies and fruits during their high-season.

Tip 8: During the off-season, purchase preserved foods. In the winter, avoid high-priced fresh produce and buy canned or dried fruits, and veggies instead.

Organic peas and corn will hold up well, as will fruits like peaches and berries, to help you through the winter months.

Buying organic food and health food produce doesn't have to break your piggybank. Shopping smart and particularly, seasonal, will help you enjoy organic foods year-round, while sticking to your food budget.

Cody Greenlaw
If you want more information on Healthy Eating, please visit my website at http://www.eathealthy101.com

Tags : le creuset 9-piece cookware set simply calphalon nonstick 10 piece set