Choosing Organic Produce-

A Tasty Way to Make a Big Difference

by Asante George a.k.a. Luvli Lotus

www.LivingOurBliss.net

photos courtesy of Living Our Bliss

"People are applying the precautionary principle to their own lives

by purchasing food that has not been produced by industrial methods.

From the simple stance of hazard avoidance, organically produced food is the best option that we have."

--Dr. Vyvyan Howard, toxico-pathologist at the University of Liverpool

Choosing delicious and nutritionally superior organic food is a delectable way to live green. Read on to find out just how important organic food is to your family's health, the health of our fellow creatures, and the health of the planet we share.

What is Organic Produce?

Organic produce must be grown and handled according to strict standards. Farming procedures can include no chemical input. No prohibited substances can be applied to the land for three years before yield is considered organic. Organic farms are annually inspected by a third party certifying agent accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure these standards are met. Organic farmers utilize ecologically integrated practices including cover cropping, use of beneficial insects, and crop rotation. Food grown with agricultural chemical is referred to as conventional food.

Choosing Organic Food is Beneficial for your Health

Organic fruits and vegetables don't just taste amazing, in many ways they are also nutritionally superior. Conventional farming utilizes artificial fertilizers which produce lush growth by swelling produce with water. Organically grown produce contains more “dry matter” (i.e. food). This is one reason that organic produce contains higher levels of nutrients on a pound-for-pound basis when compared to conventionally grown produce. American nutritionist Virginia Worthingtom has confirmed that choosing organic food over conventional food can make the difference between achieving the recommended daily allowances of certain nutrients.

Evidence is emerging that phytonutrients and antioxidants that are a part of the plant's own defense system are present in greater amounts in organically grown produce. This is because the organically grown plant must rely on it's own natural defenses rather than relying on protection from pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other agricultural chemicals. Higher levels of lycopene have been found in organic tomatoes, polyphenols in organic potatoes, flavonols in organic apples, and resveratrol in organic red wine.

The mainstream food industry regularly claims that pesticide residue in conventional food is in very small amounts and within acceptable safety limits. Conventional food proponents also claim that pesticide residue is no threat to human health. Most standards that determine the amount of pesticide residue considered safe set standards for individual pesticides and do not take into account the residue from a combination of agricultural chemicals. Emerging research confirms that a combination of agricultural chemical residues, when acting together, can increase toxicity up to 100 times. In unison these agro-chemicals can result in reproductive, immune, and nervous system effects not expected from individual chemical residue. Isreali researchers have attributed symptoms such as headaches, tremor, depression, lack of energy, poor memory, anxiety, nausea, indigestion, and diarrhea with ingesting pesticides. Belgian researchers have found that women diagnosed with breast cancer are six to nine times more likely to have the pesticides DDT or hexachlorobenzene in their bloodstreams compared to women who do not have breast cancer.

Most alarmingly, many agricultural chemicals used in conventional food production in the United States are regulated by the U.S. Chemical Weapons Convention. They are regulated by this entity because are become harmful chemical weapons when used in greater amounts.

Choosing Organically Grown Food is Good for the Planet

Organic farmers work in harmony with nature by respecting the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem. Organic farmers continue to lead the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative researched aimed at reducing agriculture's impact on the environment.

Organic farmers utilize practices that sustain diverse ecosystems and build healthy soil. They do not use or release chemicals which harm soil, water and wildlife. Wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotations and retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

When calculated per unit of area or per unit of yield, organic farms use less energy and produce less waste then conventional farms. For example organic farms do not produce waste from packaging materials from pesticides.

Where Can You Find Healthy and Delicious Organic Food?

Farmer's Markets- Farmer’s markets provide wonderful opportunities to connect with the people who grow our food and purchase directly from them.

Organic Farms- Go directly to the farm to get your organic produce. Find them online, in the phone book, or inquire at your local health food store.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs- A farm or group of farms offer premade produce boxes for pick-up or delivery.
Health Food Stores and Co-ops- Some health food stores and co-ops have extensive organic produce selections.
Super Markets- Many super markets now carry organically grown food and some have designated organic sections.

Choosing to purchase organic food today means having more organic choices tomorrow. Vote with your dollar to make sure organic food becomes a healthy standard. Your taste buds, your body, and the planet will thank you.

Asante George a.k.a. Luvli Lotus is the author of Living Our Bliss: An Introduction to Sun Food and a certified Living Food Educator and Chef.

Visit her website www.LivingOurBliss.net.