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How Do You Know if it’s Really Organic?

And what does going ‘organic’ really mean…

Understanding just what is ‘organic’ can be a problem….

Depending on the laws governing the sale of Organic produce in your Country, and what sort of outlet you are purchasing from, it’s not always straight forward as we would like.

I know here is Australia, I can go along to a local ‘organic’ market, but at the end of the day, you can’t really be sure that the produce is what they say it is… At least there is a little more assurance, if you purchase from a large supermarket that has ‘certified organic’ displayed on the produce… but even then I just wonder!

There are some things you can be aware of though, that can at least increase your chances of getting what you pay for, and when it’s all said and done, it probably goes without saying that it’s best, where you can, to grow your own.

This probably the only way you know exactly what has gone into producing your fresh fruit and veggies.

So you might notice when you go shopping that organic produce is labelled as such, but how do you know if it is, what it says it is?

Let’s just cover a bit about what it means when the term ‘organic’ is used.

According to Wikipedia organic foods are “Foods that are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.”

Currently it also means that there is no GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) factors involved… This is really important and probably fast becoming the MOST IMPORTANT REASON to buy organic foods.

Organic foods (as I have mentioned in earlier articles) are grown and stored without chemical pesticides and artificial fertilizers. They are not irradiated and have not been genetically modified – this is all very important.

Unfortunately, while this all sounds great, the word “organic” is not exactly a legal term, and sometimes it can seem almost meaningless.

In the Australia and the United States, the legal term for organic food is “Certified Organic”.  In the United States food can be certified by the USDA when it meets certain conditions set out by the National Organic Program (NOP). In Australia it is the ACO or Australian Certified Organic standard which is the body governing certified organic foods, which includes imports and exports.

Under the control of these governing bodies, Certified Organic produce must be grown using organic methods without chemical pesticides, genetically modified ingredients or petroleum or sewage-based fertilizers. It also cannot be processed with irradiation or contain prohibitive preservatives.

Certified Organic livestock must not be given antibiotics or growth hormones, and which is so important from a humane standpoint, they also need to have access to the outdoors.

When it comes to processed Certified Organic foods, 95% of the ingredients must be grown organically to contain the seal. And if a label says it is “made with organic ingredients,” it only needs to be made of 70-95% organic ingredients (there might be some variation of these guidelines depending on the country involved and their specific requirements).

Food that carries a certification seal is generally thought to provide the consumer protection, however, there are those who question the level of protection provided.

Some critics are concerned that the regulations deal with the way the food is grown, but it offers no guarantee of the quality of the product. There are also reports that the certification standards are lacking, which is outlined in the 2010 US audit report from the Inspector General.

So exactly what does this all mean for you and me… the consumers?

1. Products, especially non-food items, can be labeled as organic, but they are not required to meet the appropriate guidelines. These non-food products are not subject to the Certified Organic standards.

2. The guidelines can be difficult to enforce properly, which means some foods might be labeled as Certified Organic when really they shouldn’t be.

3. Some food that is actually organic is often not certified, either because the grower chooses not to get certified or isn’t able to get certified because of the costs involved or for some other reason.

What can you do?

Obviously, there is no ‘perfect’ system that can guarantee the food we buy is actually what it says it is, even though you can increase the likelihood that it is actually certified organic and most likely going to be better than available alternatives.

While there are problems with organic labeling, it is still very important to read labels…

If you do some research and become smarter about processed foods, then you can apply some common sense and deduct fairly accurately just how good a product may or may not be.

• Look at the number of ingredients that are listed… Do you recognize them or do they just sound like a lot of ‘chemicals’?
• Take particular notice of the wording of things like “made with organic ingredients”, which is a typical way of making something sound good, when in reality the amount of ‘organic ingredients’ is minimal.
• Remember the ‘less is more‘ principle – the closer your food is to natural and the less processed then the better it’s going to be.

Some other things you can do, besides growing your own, is to get to know local organic growers and support your local organic farmers markets and become educated about the most common GMO types of foods… like corn and canola oil etc. It has never been more important than in the current world we live in, to know where your food is coming from. It does take a bit more effort, but the more you do it, the better you will get at it, and the easier it will become.

The future health and well-being of you and your family likely depends on it!

Isn’t Organic Food Expensive?

Here are some suggestions on how you can save money while eating organically…

I think perhaps the most common objection I hear to trying to eat organic food, is that it is too expensive, and they cannot afford it. Obviously, I am not going to sit here and tell you that buying organic produce and other foods is ‘cheap’… It can be quite expensive depending on how you go about it… But there are still some things you can do if you happen to be on a tight budget, or if you just want to make sure you are getting the best value for your dollar.

Below are some ideas to get you started:

1. Make Small Progress to Start

Remember that you don’t have to do it all at once… Start with deciding on one or two items that you know are affected most by pesticides. As you might already know, there are some items of fresh produce that are subjected to a cocktail of chemicals in the effort to make them more ‘attractive’ as well as to increase their shelf life, allowing longer distances for transporting to a point of sale.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) actually provide a list of the most affected fresh produce items… These include celery, strawberries, spinach, blueberries, potatoes, peaches, bell peppers, and even good old apples! If you check out their site at the link below you will find the “EWG’s Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce” , and you can even download an app for your mobile phone if that is more convenient for you when you are shopping.

Get the “Dirty Dozen” & “Clean Fifteen” Info Here

Plus you can search your Mobile App Store for “Dirty Dozen” to find the app for your phone… Is should look a little like this…

2. Check Out the Local Farmers Markets.

I mentioned this in my last article… and really this can be a great money saver as well as making sure you are getting very fresh produce. Most produce markets will at least have ‘Organic’ stands, however, you can often find totally Organic Markets, where everything is organic or at least pesticide free.

Good old Google is a great place to start if you need to find some Markets in your area, and if you are in the US you can check out the Local Harvest website and see if they have anything listed in your area.

If you are in Australia, you can head over to Australian Farmer’s Markets Association and see if you can find anything listed near you… Of course, don’t forget ‘word of mouth’, just asking a few different people do they know of any local fresh food markets can also help you find what you are looking for.

Buying your fresh fruit and veg from local growers not only can be much better for you, it also helps support the local economy which is a big plus!

3. Remove Processed Foods from Your Diet

This might seem to be a bit difficult to start with, but if you work at one thing at a time, it is going to be a whole lot better for your health and your wallet.

Processed foods, while they can seem to be convenient, are actually expensive… Obviously, time and money goes into manufacturing, packaging and marketing these foods. Not only are you paying for what goes into producing these foods, you also have no control and often no idea of what really goes into them. Clearly, the companies producing these foods are doing so to make a profit. Their prime objectives rarely include you and your families health as a top priority. As a result you will see things like “Canola Oil” which is being marketed as a ‘healthy’ oil (nothing could be further from the truth if you do a bit of research).

Companies, would rather believe the ‘propaganda’ behind what they include in their food products, so long as it means a better bottom line for their profits.

Processed foods can never provide the same level of nutritional value as fresh food can, so replacing processed foods with fresh can also be one good way to start saving money, and improving your health… all at the same time!

Just take a bit of a stock take on the foods in your refrigerator, freezer and pantry, and consider the percentage of processed foods you are currently consuming… And don’t forget, that even buying bread that has already been cooked, is actually purchasing processed food.

Start reading labels and aim to consume the most nutrient dense foods you can, and providing you buy wisely, you will soon start to see and feel the benefits…

4. Buy Bulk or On Sale then Can, Dry or Freeze it.

Ok… so this is most definitely one way you can start saving a ton of money on your food bill…  Yes… it does take a bit of effort, but really it can be quite a bit of fun once you get into it, and you become familiar with just how easy it is to do some of your own food preserving. Once you become familiar with it, you might even want to invest in a good quality food dehydrator, vacuum sealer, mylar bags, food storage buckets and shelving… You might want to purchase some canning equipment and maybe even some containers specifically made for freezer food storage.

Again… Don’t try to do too much at once… Start with one method and become skilled at that, and then add another. My favourite is drying foods. I like that best because it is light and easy to store and if you get a hold of items like the vacuum sealer you can actually build up a store of food that you can use for your family camping or hiking trips… or to make sure you have an emergency food supply on hand.

It’s the same money-saving concept that people have been using for years and you can apply it to organic foods as well. Invest in a food dehydrator, canning equipment and freezer-ready containers, so you can store organic foods for later eating.

If you plan and can set things up right, assuming you have the space (be creative here if you are a bit short of space), then you can save a lot of money, not just on food but on other household items that you purchase… even things like toilet paper can be purchased in bulk and when it is on special.

5. Start With Eating One Fully Local and/or Organic Meal a Week.

This is a great idea for getting started, and it gives you the opportunity to ‘work your way‘ into changing your eating and buying habits. One meal a week should be reasonably economical, but don’t forget, once you get to having more organic meals, then you’ll be able to take advantages of bulk buy’s and specials…

Also, don’t forget to make good use of leftovers, and don’t just throw them away. It is always a great money saver if you can stretch your food to do two meals instead of one… At the very least, don’t forget to compost your organic food scraps!

6. Eat more vegetarian meals.

Maybe you are already a Vegan or Vegetarian, but if not, then even though you might be reluctant, try eating more vegetarian meals. If you experiment with some different recipes, you might be very surprised just how delicious these can be, and if you remove meat from the meal, you are automatically saving money.

At the very least, if you simply can’t or won’t remove meat from your meal, then at least cut it right back to a smaller portion and increase the portions of the veggies… One way to do this and not even notice, is to make meals like Stir Fries or Vegetable Soup (add some  cooked beans like Red kidney or Canellini to your soup to add even more flavour

7. Pick your own.

This is a really great idea, but it will depend a little on where you live. Some farmers will allow you to ‘Pick Your Own’ fruit and veg. and in the process charge you a lot less. This is not only a great way to save money, but you can get some extra fresh ari and exercise at the same time!! A win-win… 🙂

There is a lot more opportunity for this in the United States, than say, here in Australia, however, if you are unsure as to whether or not this is possible near you, then maybe approach some farmers and see if they are open to the possibility.

Don’t forget to make the most of the “you pick” opportunities by getting enough to can, dry and freeze. Take a look for ‘you picks’ in your area by visiting PickYourOwn.org, but make sure you confirm they are organic growers first. You can even find some places in Australia on the same site.

8. Grow Your Own

This possibly goes without saying, and really I have saved the best tip for last. Just like, picking your own, the more you can grow yourself, the more money you can potentially save. Even if you don’t have a lot of space, if you get clever at growing in containers or vertical gardening, you will be able to supplement your fresh food supply to some degree.

Not only can you save and benefit from growing your own, but you are developing skills that could turn out to be life-saving in the event of a disaster or some unexpected emergency situation.

Don’t Wait to Get Started!

When it comes to eating organic and saving money, every little bit helps. The better you get at implementing all these tips the more money you will save, and the better off you and your family will be. And remember, the long term health benefits of eating more naturally will likely save you plenty in health costs in the long run.

So keep a look out for the next part in our Going Organic Series… where I will discuss what it really means by ‘organic’….

Have a great day…

Going Organic Series – Part 2

Below are eight reasons why you might want to start eating organic…

In recent years ‘organic’ has become a bit of a buzz word… even a status symbol in some circles, but really that can undermine the most important reasons why we need to consider eating organic foods as much as possible if not totally.

Aside from the direct health benefits from the food itself, there’s the bigger picture, especially if you can actually start  growing fresh organic produce for yourself.

It’s a way of life that takes us back to a more natural way of living and farming. One that has pretty much been destroyed by the machine and chemical infused food production industry which has become more the norm.

Of course we can all make the choices for ourselves, even though, sometimes financial and other constraints make the choices more difficult. There are however many ways we can make this ‘organic’ choice without it being too costly, in fact, it can even save us money, and we can usually grow something even if our available space is extremely limited.

Unfortunately, in the current world, there’s a lot of apathy; people sometimes choose to ‘stick their head in the sand’ because they would rather live in some sort of self-denial that there is really a problem and of course there are others who are just not aware of the extent and seriousness of the problem.

It’s possible that very few of us really appreciate the potentially positive impact on our lives, that can come from something as simply consuming only or mainly healthy food on a daily basis…

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~ Hippocrates

If you can appreciate why reducing chemicals and choosing healthier foods is so important, then hopefully, you will find some additional reasons here, to get started today!

Perhaps you are a little on the fence and are not totally sure exactly why going organic is worth it?

Organic eating has a number of benefits and here are just a few of them:

1.  Eliminate or minimize the ingestion of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Even when you wash your fresh produce, it is impossible to remove all the harmful chemicals. Some of these chemicals are shown to affect your nervous system, cause cancer and many more health problems. Aside from the personal exposure to dangerous substances, there is also the environmental factors to consider. Conventional farming uses harmful chemicals which then contribute to the contamination of waterways, the soil and the air. By supporting organic, you are also supporting a cleaner environment.

Action Point: Consider getting rid of other chemicals in and around your home – look at safer options for cleaning products and other methods for eradicating pests.

2.  Avoid irradiated food.

Irradiation of food is something that has been introduced to reduce spoilage of food, increase shelf life and destroy harmful pathogens that could cause health problems. Really it is something that has come about as a direct result of the farming practices that are predominantly responsible for delivering our food supplies… especially with importing and exporting produce.

The big problem with irradiation, as with pretty much everything we do to ‘avert’ the problems we cause from our ‘convenient’ food production methods, is that there is a dark side to this practice. There is virtually no evidence to suggest that irradiation does not have ill effects on our overall health, and from my point of view, there would be more reasons to support that it likely does have a negative impact, than not.

At the very least I would rather err on this side of the equation as not. What is known, is that the nutritional value of food is reduced… and when you consider that nutritional content is already less, just by the way most of our foods have been grown as well as how they are stored and processed, then the last thing we need is something else to make our food less beneficial.

Action Point: To avoid this… buy locally grown produce or grow your own! Support local organic growers and growers markets.

3.  Get rid of GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms).

Clearly most of us are well aware that it is ‘money’ that makes the world go ’round, and if there stands to be some financial benefit, then really, the consequences to human health, to the health of our animals and the environment overall comes in second best.  Of course huge companies, like Monsanto that have everything to gain from convincing us that there is no problem from the practices they promote.  It is only when there is absolutely no option or that their ‘bottom line’ is adversly affected that they are motivated into removing what can be said to be harmful products and processes.

Much of Europe and Japan, have already banned the use of GMO foods… There is a lot of evidence to suggest that while there might be little observable short term problems, there are definitely long term dangers involved with regularly ingesting Genetically modified foods.

For me, this is another ‘no brainer’… Clearly, when we start meddling with things like DNA then we are asking for trouble, and I for one choose to band together with those who say ‘no to GMO foods‘. More and more of these are ‘creeping’ into our supermarkets and for the most part we remain unaware… Sadly the detrimental effects of these are likely to be attributed to other things, and will continue to be peddled to the public who remain ‘blissfully ignorant’ and will eventually bear the consequences.

Action Point: Buying organic means that you avoid GMO foods… so again, support local organic food producers.

4.  Healthier Meat Products

While I believe given the overall condition of the environment, eating a Vegan diet it best, should you choose to continue to consume animal products, then it would clearly be better to ensure that these animals are as healthy as possible.

The more ‘natural’ the lives of the animals are, then the happier and healthier they are going to be. When livestock is kept organically, as well as when their slaughter is done in a more humane and thoughtful manner, then the end result will be healthier food products, whether that be meat, dairy or eggs. The animals that are kept in an Organic environment, are fed a diet that is more in keeping with their natural diet, rather than compounding the chemical contamination problem by feeding them chemically treated grains, overuse of antibiotics and added hormones.

Conventionally-raised livestock are routinely given hormones to help them grow faster, with antibiotics given en-masse for preventative measures, in an attempt to avoid illness. Unfortunately, due to the often poor lifestyle and hygieneic conditions in which these animals are kept, the use of these chemicals becomes almost necessary.

Organically raised animals are generally kept under much more humane and healthier conditions, much more akin to a ‘natural’ existence. When undertaken properly, this most often eliminates the need for using potentially harmful chemicals and practices that lead to less than healthy animals and hence less than healthy meat and food by-products. Consumers are at least avoiding ‘second-hand’ problems that can occur due to unhealthy animals.

Action Point: Find locally grown produce – often sold through Produce Markets or Organic Butchers and Organic Supermarkets.

5.  Improved Environmental Factors

Without healthy soil we have nothing! The health of all living organisms whether, plant, animal or human depends on the health of air, water and soil.If the soil is depleted and contaminated, then no amount of clean air and water will help, so it is important that we look after the soil in a way that works with nature rather than us trying to ‘manipulate’ it for financial gain alone.

Organic growing and farming practices actually improve the health and quality of the soil which means that the food that we grow is going to have the best chance possible to be full of healthy nutrients and vitality. This benefits not only our own food crops, but the food crops of the food animals that are kept.

Many people don’t realize just how much our soils are depleted, and that we no longer get the nutrients we did from our foods just a few decades ago. In the US, for growers to obtain the certified organic label from the USDA, the soil must be free of prohibited chemicals for three years, and the same applies in Australia, in order to be certified organic or biodynamic produce.

Organic farming practices need to maintain and improve soil quality in order to achieve success as organic producers. You can learn more about soil health studies over at the Organic Trade Association.

Another positive environmental effect that’s frequently overlooked is the reduction of food transport by purchasing locally grown food or growing your own. Food transport contributes to carbon emissions and the use of natural resources in the form of fuels for traveling as well as refrigeration that is used in an effort to keep food as fresh as possible.

Action Point: Look for Certified Organic symbols on food you purchase, and get rid of any artificial fertilizers and non-organic chemicals in your garden when you grow your own fresh produce.

6.  Wildlife Friendly

A healthy environment is attributed to an ecologically balanced one, and it is shown in a number of studies including one from Oxford University, that organic land management practices increase the biodiversity in both animal and plant species. This promotes overall a more beneficially healthy and well balanced eco-system.

Action Point: Consider transitioning over to organic growing practices if you are a grower, and if not then as I have mentioned previously, vote with your wallet, supporting the local Organic Growing Industry by purchasing organic produce and products.

7.  Supporting the Local Economy.

Of course, I have pretty much labored this point throughout, however, it deserves specific mention, mainly because economic times are tough… as far as economic circumstances are concerned. Governments are finding it more and more challenging to support and maintain a healthy economical environment. When it comes down to it, we can all do our bit by supporting our local economies, simply by purchasing as much as possible items that are grown and made locally.

Clearly, this is a ‘win-win’ situation, because not only do the local businesses stand to do better, but you also get to benefit from fresher and if you choose organic, then also healthier food. You are also contributing to an improved local environment making the world a better place for yourself, your children and their children.

Action Point: Find out who your local suppliers are… Ask around local produce supply stores about local growers. Check out the local papers or news boards for information about Growers Markets. Do a search on Google for Organic food suppliers and producers and see what comes up…

To Finish Up…

Obviously, there’s lots of reasons why Going Organic is such a good idea, and I have only touched on a few in this article… Maybe I should have mentioned that Organic foods usually taste a whole lot better as well!

Perhaps you are thinking… it’s all well and good, but isn’t eating organically way too expensive? And depending on where you are living this might be a valid concern, however, in the next article I am going to cover ways you can ‘go organic’ and do it on a budget!

Keep a look out for Part 3 in the series…. “Budget Ideas for Organic Eating”

What do you think about ‘Going Organic’? Are you growing any of your own Veggies or Herbs? Take a moment to leave a comment below… 🙂

Welcome to Part 1 in this new series Going Organic

Some practical suggestions to help you eat and live healthy…

Perhaps you are considering going organic… Maybe you have already started, but perhaps you have a few questions on your mind.

What does it really mean to go Organic?

What are the benefits for you and your family?

Is it really too expensive, or can you do it on a budget?

I have been an advocate of all things organic for as long as I can remember.

It isn’t always easy, and sometimes we can’t be ‘perfect’ with everything that we might want to be able to do, however, doing whatever we can is always better than doing nothing.

It has never been more important to be able to eat naturally, and to be aware of the affects on our health of what we consume on a daily basis.

If you are in the US or if you are here in Australia, there are government regulations that cover organic produce. Of course there are laws in other countries as well, and likely they all vary to a degree. It is a good idea to check out regulations that affect your location, so you can determine just how ‘safe’ purchasing ‘organic’ produce might be.

Of course living organically isn’t just about the food we eat, really it is about the rest of our environment, because we are bombarded with so many environmental chemicals from the polluted air we breathe to the cleaning products we use in our homes.

A few other related subjects that I feel are important are our overall health incorporates, our wildlife as well as the sustainability of food production… This is particularly important since the introduction of Genetically Modified foods that have infiltrated almost all of our processed foods.

Even though certified organics have been around for over a decade, I know there are still lots of questions around organic food and organic living, so I am hoping this series will help with some of these queries.

Here’s some of what you can expect in coming posts:

• Why eating organic is important…to you and the world around you.
• How to introduce organics, even if you’re on a budget.
• What does organic really mean and are you really eating organic?
• We’ll also discuss issues surrounding, meats, and produce in more detail.
• Being your own source of organic foods.
• Do you need supplements?

I plan on covering a good bit of information, and I know that living an organic lifestyle can sometimes be confusing, so just remember that you don’t have to do it all in one go. Think of it as a journey, and look at taking one step at a time, just adding healthier options slowly, incorporating them into your daily life routine and habits.

Not only will this be of great benefit to your own and your family’s health, but it will also have a ripple effect on the whole environment helping to make the world a better place.

The next article is going to be covering 8 reasons you want to eat organic… So until then take care and be healthy.