Words to Inspire


"I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health."
- Voltaire

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Benefits of Organic 


So many people are uneducated on the term organic. To associate the word gross with organic makes absolutely NO sense.


Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods that don't involve modern synthetic inputs such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.  

That might seem a little difficult to understand so in layman's terms organic is how your grandparents and great grandparents did it. All natural. 

A few reasons to go organic...

1.  It just tastes better.

2.  No pesticides

3.  Organic foods can be richer in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids not found in non-organic foods.

4.  Our bodies recognize food in pure form and can better digest organic foods. 

5.  It's better for the environment. Intensive farming methods erode soil, destroy ancient hedgerows, and decimate wild life. Organic farms look after the environment.

6.  The Environmental Protection Agency notes that 90 percent of fungicides, 60 percent of herbicides and 30 percent of insecticides are carcinogenic, or known to cause cancer. Eating organic eliminates all those carcinogens.

7.  Ninety percent of non-organic U.S. beef contains up to six distinct growth hormones, all of which have been banned in the European Union due to health concerns. Organic meat and other animal products do not contain growth hormones or antibiotics.

8.  Animal products certified as organic must come from livestock that has had access to the outdoors, has not been treated with hormones or antibiotics and has been reared on organic feed

9.  It can be cheaper, just grow your own!

10.  For the sole reason of eating food in its most pure form. Fresh, in season, and organic.


Now I'm not saying organic is the only way because it's not. There's no need in buying organic produce with thick skins unless you plan on using the zest of the skin, in that case buy organic, but if you're just eating a banana go ahead and buy it conventionally. And please do NOT buy organic water. Water is always organic. To wrap it all up here's a list of the dirty dozen foods you should buy organic if anything.


1.  Celery

2.  Peaches

3.  Strawberries

4.  Apples

5.  Nectarines 

6.  Sweet Bell Peppers

7.  Spinach, Kale, and Collard Greens 

8.  Cherries

9.  Potatoes

10.  Imported Grapes

11.  Domestic Beer

12.  Lettuce


XOXO, 
Claire  




1 comment:

  1. Claire,
    I love your blog - very impressive! Your knowledge of nutrition is amazing - I wish I knew what you do, especially at your age. Do you have any good recipes using kale? I use it in a smoothie with almond milk, bananas, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and ice - it's really good - you should try it. However, I buy a bunch of kale at one time, and there's only so much you can put in a smoothie. I hate throwing out a bunch of kale which is what always ends up happening. Please post some recipes using kale when you get a chance. Thanks so much!
    Your blog fan,
    Radha

    ReplyDelete