I’m Going Completely Organic
I’ve tried for years to make the switch to eating only organic foods. At first, it wasn’t easy because there were few places to get organic food around here and there was no guarantee that’s what you were getting. In recent years though, organic food has managed to work it’s way into the larger grocery stores and with the certification process they have now you can be relatively sure it’s pure. I’ve spent the last couple of years weaning myself off the standard foods and onto organic foods. My goal now is to be completely organic by the end of the new year.
So why am I going completely organic? That’s easy, it’s better for you and the environment. I’ve always prided myself on eating healthy and taking care of myself. Plus, we all know how I feel about the environment, I’m a treehugger need I say more. The Organic Trade Association was nice enough to put together a list of ten good reasons to go organic.
Organic products meet stringent standards
Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.Organic food tastes great!
It’s common sense – well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals.Organic production reduces health risks
Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.Organic farms respect our water resources
The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.Organic farmers build healthy soil
Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils.Organic farmers work in harmony with nature
Organic agricultural respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.Organic producers are leaders in innovative research
Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.Organic producers strive to preserve diversity
The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy
USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike!
Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically – even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way.
Those are definitely enough good reasons to go organic. People have asked me why I don’t just go vegetarian. I really can’t see myself going that far because of the lifestyle changes it requires, but I am planning on switching completely to free-range meat. That will be a little tougher since it hasn’t become as popular as organic foods. The biggest adjustment I have to make is in my food budget. Organic and free-range foods are more expensive, but it’s worth it for my health and peace of mind.
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