Going Organic
by Shannon LeMintier
With a new baby on board and leading a preventative based lifestyle, “Going Organic” is a no-brainer for my family. I love the idea of buying products that are grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, where Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are not used on farms and animals are not given hormones or drugs to promote rapid growth. In a nutshell, that’s organic and that’s for me.
But how can you tell if what you are buying is the healthiest, freshest and most flavorful food from eco-friendly farms and companies? While juggling family, work and a modest attempt to get a few sun salutations in each day, who has time to read and weed through it all?
Consider the following points when moving toward an organic lifestyle with an eco-friendly heart.
3 Things to Remember:
- The USDA Organic seal can be confusing! If it doesn’t say it is 100% organic, it’s not.
- “All natural” is not organic and may not be healthy at all!
- Many “health food” stores contain a mixture of conventional and organic foods. Just because you are shopping in what seems to be a healthy place doesn’t mean everything is good for you!
3 Simple Action Steps:
- Even if foods are organic, once a food is overly processed and refined it starts to count as junk food. Oh, and need I go on about all the packaging…
- Eat foods in season and as close to home as possible! This just helps ensure the vital nutrients and flavors are not lost on days of travel as well as minimize the carbon footprint left behind.
- Buy from local farms and farmer’s markets! You will directly support your local economy and in the same time get the fresh, wholesome foods your body desires.
What If:
If organic is not available, wash and peel fruits and veggies and choose from the following least contaminated list.
12 Least Contaminated *
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn (frozen)
Pineapples
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Kiwi Fruit
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Papaya
12 Most contaminated *
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Pears
Grapes (imported)
Spinach
Lettuce
Potatoes
So, be good to yourself and your family by Going Organic. Along the way, help our planet! Buy products from companies that use sustainable farming practices, emphasize global stewardship and provide superior, healthy products.