Convince Me to Go Organic...

I think it's more important that you do research into the benefits of organic foods and make that choice yourself.

I chose to do organics for my family because of the pesticides used on foods. I also have heard that the hormones used in foods causes problems in people, as well.

I don't buy organics from the store as the FDA has passed a few "laws" that allows big business to stamp "organic" on their foods, even if they are not organic (meaning, if they use such and such a pesticide or if they use less than a certain amount of pesticide, they can claim the food is organic). To me, it's either organic or it's not. I thin it's also important to avoid foods that use Trans Fats (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils). The FDA has also passed a "law" stating that as long as the food contains less than 0.045% trans fat, the food can be labled as "0% Trans Fat". If it has no trans fat, they can label it, "Trans Fat Free". Read your labels!!! Do some research into Trans Fat...it's not good for you in any amount.

I buy my meat, fruit and dairy from a family share farm program. It's not that much more pricey than going to Whole Foods and it's much faster to put in my order and just go pick it all up at one time as opposed to dragging two kids to the store and buying all of this stuff.

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I agree that its hard to avoid all things that are not organic, but there are certain foods that you should buy organic.

Do a google search for the dirty dozen of organic foods. There are certain foods (esp apples and strawberries) that the chemicals begin inside the fruits while they grow and there is no way to wash it off.

There is a TON of information out there on the top things to buy organic. I always buy these "dirty dozen" foods and then the others when they are on sale.

I would also encourage you to look into environmentally friendly/non-toxic cleaners. I use Shaklee cleaners (featured on Oprah's Earth Day show) and know that none of the products will harm my family or the earth and they do a great job cleaning - better than the store bought stuff we used to use. I can give you info on these products if you are interested.

You are doing a great job by looking into organic for your family. Great Job!
B.

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I have read that dairy is the No. 1 thing to switch because of hormones added to cows. Of course it is also expensive. I recently switched our dairy because I now have a daughter and have read that there is concern that girls are starting puberty so early as a result of the milk. Who knows if that is true but we decided not to risk it! With your fruits and veggies well there are chemicals on your food that you can't just "rinse" off. You actually need to wash with amild soap. I read that on average we injest 40lbs of pesticides a year from the chmeicals in our food. CRAZY. We switched to organic and found that tcforganics has a FABULOUS service and saves us a ton of time. They deliver a box of fresh fruit and veggies for $27! It lasts us all week sometimes two, and nothing goes to waste or spoils and I have not had anything that tastes bad/old. They have a website that lists reasons etc. www. tcforganics.net I have also read that switching to organics can help allergy symptoms and certain other ailments.

As far as cleaners, our family tried going organic however we are back to the smelly stuff. I simply found that I like the "smell" of a clean house and I haven't found anything yet that I think cleans as well. Of course I have heard that that smell can be quite toxic. If you happen to find an "organic" cleaner that smells great and cleans well (No dust appearing an hour later or your floors looking dingy once dry) let me know!!! Good luck in your search

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My family has been eating as much organic, preservative free, chemical free no AGED steaks for about a year now. Non-organic milk is pushing girls into early puberty, my friends 2nd gr twins were proof of that.

Fruits and vegetables last ALOT longer when they arent riddled with pesticides. Meat tastes way better and I cant stand meat, so it must taste good if I say that. We will NEVER again eat aged steaks. Aged steaks means the meat is allowed to hang until it develops green slime and mold and then its considered aged and fed to you. GROSS!!!!!!!!! I am about to go on a kosher kick also. The treatments of these animals is disgusting, even if they are being raised for food, they dont have to be butchered like they are. Studies have shown, the less stress an animal goes thru, the less crap in your food. The more stress, the more crap in your food from adrenal glands and the like. I dont want my family eating that.

My migraines have been great, my asthma and allergies have been great, I have more energy since we stopped eating out, stopped eating so many foods laden w./chemicals, preservatives and red dyes. Even my 8yr old wont eat mcdonalds and that IS NOT from us brainwashing her. She has admitted the food just tastes gross. And let us not forget about the chemical the food manufacturers put into our foods to make us crave more and more.

Of course its all a personal choice and while organic may cost more at the present, in the long run it will work out. I havent spent $100/mo in 6 months for my prescriptions for allergies and migraines. Thats huge!!!!!!!

K.
www.arkparties.com

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Fresh Picks is another great local organic delivery service, they work with local organic farmers and they deliver to your home, which is a huge boon. You can select how much and how often, and it's easy to change your order as needed. www.freshpicks.com.

I concur with those emphasizing the importance of organic dairy. It's unrealistic to think you can eliminate non-organic foods from your child's life completely, but you can minimize the exposure. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence - for example, the increasingly earlier onset of puberty - to indicate that the amount of hormones we are ingesting are affecting us.

I do a little research on the major organic providers - for example, Horizon does not have a good reputation. Stonyfield Farms and Organic Valley are much more reputable. But if you can, you're better off going local, and then you're supporting independent farmers as well.

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You've gotten some great info from the other posters here about which foods etc. to get organic. I just wanted to make a few comments about the organic food industry and organic foods.
1. Check for USDA Organic labeling. Lots of our "organic" food is being imported from mexico, brazil etc now. It may or may not be labeled with the same standards as the USDA organic standard.
2. Local is frequently more important than organic. Go to the farmer's market and ASK the farmer whether they use pesticides etc. Lots of farmers do not, but may not qualify for USDA organic labeling for other reasons (or may not seek the label b/c it's expensive). By buying locally you reduce the transportation costs associated with your food, reduce carbon emmissions, and keep your dollars local. You can also get local food delivered to you through a CSA (community supported agricultur - check out Angelic Organics) or through Freshpicks (www.freshpicks.com).

If you're interested in learning more about where our food comes from (which, I admint, I find fascinating) I highly recommend picking up a copy of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollen. He is a science writer for the New York Times magazine (most of this book was published as articles in the magazine over the past several years). In particular, I would read the "Big Organic" and "Local Organic" chapters. This book, more than anything, convinced me that I need to put LOCAL as my #1 priority and ORGANIC as my #2 priority

Many consumer groups also evaluate the organic practices of the big agri-businesses. For example, the Tribune published reviews of different organic dairy companies. Horizon (owned by Dean Foods), "O Organics" (Safeway), and Trader Joes (I was surprised to see) scored low. 365-Organic, Organic Valley and several others scored much higher. Lots of big corporate organic producers follow the letter - but not the spirit - of the organic standards, which is why it's nice to be able to talk with the farmer yourself. And lots of companies may have the spirit - but are not technically organic - like Brown Cow yogurt.

That said, better corporate organic than corporate non-organic.

It's tough to find "objective" articles about this as far as health benefits go (the USDA's stance has remained firmly that there's no difference). It's a very charged topic, as you can see. BUT there are clear environmental benefits, not to mention organic frequently tastes a lot better.

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