Organic Foods

SRP

SRP

Cathlete
Just wondering about everyone's views on organic foods. Do you eat them? Are they too expensive? Do you think standard foods are hazardous to the health? Etc., etc.

I've been wanting to switch over for a while, but kept delaying due to economics. But I've finally decided that a little higher grocery bill is worth it, both for my health and as a statement to the food producers - we need less chemicals, more clean food. And when I say clean, I mean that literally - no pesticides and additives, just plain old food.

The decision makes me feel good, but I'm still getting used to it, where to find the groceries, and breaking old habits, you know. It's still very tempting just to go to Wal-Mart where the prices are good, and pick up everything I need at one time, from bread to contact lens cleaner.
 
Hi, Shannon. Good question!

I am slowly starting to buy organic foods from the grocery store. A few things at a time. Right now, I'm buying about 50% of my fresh fruit organically-grown, and my canned stuff (like tomatoes, veggies, beans, etc) are also at about 50%.

I'm also SLOWLY moving into the realm of soy products and gluten-free items (and other stuff like that). LOL. I am SUCH A NOVICE at this that I don't even konw the correct terms for it! LOL. Fortunately, my local Giant store has a newly renovated health food section that carries TONS of stuff. I found this gluten-free baked potato crisps that I LOVE with salsa.

I buy almost NO PROCESSED foods, and the majority of the meals I make for me and my boys are made from scratch, so I KNOW what's being put into it.

Anyway, the price is part of the reason I haven't totally moved over, but it IS WORTH it.

I am CONVINCED that all the preservatives and additives in a lot of foods are PART of what causes cancers and other illnesses. There are other factors, of course, but I think all the chemicals and other junk hurt us in the long run.

Of course, this is all MY OPINION! But I am interested in what others have to say!

Gayle
 
Hi Shannon. Good for you for taking charge of what you eat! Our lovely food system allows so many ill provoking chemicals to enter the food we ingest that it truly should be a crime. Yes the foods definitely are more expensive but you'll be able to shop around and look for specials so the bite out of your pocketbook may be a bit more manageable. There are co-ops that you could buy organic foods from in bulk that are definitely more reasonable. I haven't gone that route myself but lots of people do.

I'd like to suggest also considering buying organic meats, poultry, dairy, etc. In fact, right now, I'm focusing more on this area than the produce. Our animals are injected with anti-biotics and hormones which WE ingest. Think about it. We are basically taking hormones when we eat all of the above foods. Many young girls are having hormonal issues at such an early age. Hmmmm, wonder why! Our bodies are receiving exactly what these animals are receiving and it's not good and then we get sick and who makes out? The medical/pharmaceutical companies because then we are prescribed drugs to counteract drugs that we have unknowingly ingested. :( Ooooh, don't get me started here, lol. I have found that some of the truly "organic" proteins I get are cheaper than the supermarket. You should also be able to buy organic, free range eggs at your market or at a local farm. Slowly you can incorporate these foods into your diet and hopefully you can find some reasonable options for prices. It's soooooo worth it! Good luck and here's to GREAT HEALTH!!!!! :7 :7 :7

Bam
 
Bam-I'm so glad you mentioned the meat. I honestly never really thought of it that way. As I said, I am also just starting off in this direction, so I really appreciate any and all advice given in this area!

WOW! Lots to think about!

Gayle
 
You're welcome Gayle! :) I've been practicing alternative health for well over 20 years. The more you know, the scarier it gets but we as individuals can take control of our own lives and choices. Thankfully we're still free to do that although it can get challenging every now and then but in the long run, we're DEFINITELY worth it! What would this country do if we all got healthy? I don't think it would be prepared for that even though they "supposedly" want us to be. Puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeze!!!! lol

Bam
 
Hi Shannon,

I think this is a worthwhile endeavor.

I would suggest looking to see if there's a natural foods co-op or natural foods store somewhere in your area. I've found places like that tend to sell organic freshh foods at better prices than the supermarkets.

The co-op in my area actually has their fresh stuff at very competitive prices, particularly produce that's in season.
 
Since it's just DH and I, the money spent on organic foods doesn't add up as much as a larger family so I occasionally buy organic chicken, pork and beef. I'm just not convinced I am helping my health all that much. There is so much more that we are exposed to in the way of chemical outgassing. Not much we can do to control that unless we're prepared to wear gas masks.

I guess every little bit helps :)
 
When you guys say "co-op", what exactly do you mean? You mean like a Farmer's Market? I'm not sure what you mean.

Thanks!

Gayle (the OTHER Gayle, lol)
 
We don't have a co-op around here, but there is an excellent natural foods store not far from where I work. Plus, some of the local grocery stores (nearer home) are adding organic selections.

I've decided to use part of my tax returns to supplement the old grocery bill!! :) I'd say that's a worthwhile investment.

I know we can't avoid all the toxicities in the world - heck, just driving down the freeway exposes us to exhaust fumes. But yeah, I think every little bit helps. And I have a good friend who has two young girls. She is going organic for their sakes, to avoid the growth hormones, etc., that are under fire right now.
 
I *think* co-op means that the customers can also be members or shareholders. The co-op I shop at has a monetary membership option (don't know how much) that allows you to get a discount. They also have member volunteers that volunteer at the store a certain number of hours for additional discounts.

I think the members also have some say in the buying/selling policies of the store.
 
I live about 5 minutes from an outstanding grocery store and they carry all sorts of organic produce. What I have found is that a lot of it is rather nasty looking--the tase is fine--it just doesn't look as good as the other produce. That, coupled with the fact that it's expensive, keeps people from buying it. I often wonder how the grocery store can afford to continue stocking it if people aren't going to buy it.

I don't stress about it. If organic is available I buy it. I agree with the poster who recommends organic meat and dairy and that's what I buy.

Michele:)
 
I try to get organic as much as possible. Kind of hard where I am (when I first came to town, I was so used to getting most of my produce organic, it was quite a transition to not be able to).

I think organics are better for the consumer, better for the environment, better for the people working in the fields. Organic produce also has higher levels of some nutrients, like phytonutrients and minerals (which are determined by the soil in which a plant is grown). Organics are also a sure way to avoid irradiated and genetically modified foods.

If I had my druthers, I'd go 100% organic!
 
>When you guys say "co-op", what exactly do you mean? You mean
>like a Farmer's Market? I'm not sure what you mean.
>
>

A co-op is a buyers cooperative. They started in the 1950s? or so in Minnesota (I used to co-manage a whole foods co-op in Mankato, Minnesota, and went to a conference once where some old-time co-op founders were present). Modern day co-ops often evolved from a buyers club, where several people and families would get together to buy food in bulk and save money. Then, storefronts were developed, and open to the public, but people who volunteered their time working would get a discount. Now, there aren't a lot of actual co-ops around anymore (there's one in Urbana, Illinois, and several in Madison, Wisconsin), since they have turned into regular stores.
 
> I often wonder how the grocery store can afford to
>continue stocking it if people aren't going to buy it.

My local grocery started carrying organic produce, but they didn't do much to push it. The first few weeks, they had apples, carrots, lettuces, mushrooms, cucumbers, celery, oranges, potatoes, lemons.

A few weeks later, it was down to carrots, celery, oranges and bagged spinach. ;(

I was really happy to see the apples, because I try to get them (and grapes, and strawberries) organic whenever possible, because they usually have the most toxic pesticides and the most quantity of pesticides used on them. There are lists of produce that has the most pesticide and least pesticide used, and they can be used as guides for buying organic.
 
I love organic foods! They taste better and I know I'm eating something that is really good for me. Not just mostly good for me. Unfortunately, I don't always buy organic. There are somethings that I have yet to switch. Like Oranges, the organic ones are so much smaller at my grocery store. And my hamburger, it's just soo much more expensive I find it hard to switch. But other than that most of my produce, especially the veggies and the chicken are organic. Same thing with my popcorn, and crackers and cookies. When I buy my son a treat I will get some oreo looking cookies from the organic food isle. They are so much better tasting and much better for him. No hydrogenated oils, and I can pronounce every ingredient. I love that!

Kathy
 
I'm personaly reluctant to shell out double the $$$ for something that claims to be organic but there is often no way of really knowing if it is. I'm loathe to buy "organic" milk that is twice the price of the perfectly fine milk from my local dairy. I do take advantage of our local farmer's markets and look for free range animal products, particularly from local farmers. Sometimes I buy processed/boxed/canned foods because I simply do not have enough hours in my day to cook every meal from scratch and frankly, I don't loose sleep about it. However, I do what I can to donate healthy fresh foods to our local food pantry since the poor do have such yuppie choices as buying "organic" food. I hope you will all consider donating healthy foods to those who could use it.


BTW, one "organic" product I highly recommend in Health Valley Soups. They are low on fat and very low on sodium yet still remain tasty and are great to cook with.
 
<<I'm loathe to buy "organic" milk that is twice the price of the perfectly fine milk from my local dairy. I do take advantage of our local farmer's markets and look for free range animal products, particularly from local farmers.>>

I have to agree with you on buying local stuff, particularly with dairy and meat.

I'm totally addicted to Muir-Glen's Fire Roasted tomato products!
 
>I was really happy to see the apples, because I try to get
>them (and grapes, and strawberries) organic whenever possible,
>because they usually have the most toxic pesticides and the
>most quantity of pesticides used on them. There are lists of
>produce that has the most pesticide and least pesticide used,
>and they can be used as guides for buying organic.

I do try to buy organic as much as possible as well (produce and DH's meat). As much as I try to clean my fruit, I just never feel it is good enough. I've read the same about apples, grapes, and strawberries having the most pesticides:(. I believe imported canteloupe and raspberries is up there as well. I try to grow my own apples and strawberries in season but I must admit given up on the grapes....my vines look pretty bad. For the few extra cents, I do buy organic and have some peace of mind.... I also know I am helping the environment in my very small way.

Robin:)
 
Okay, you guys are going to love this:

My BF DH is an sales/marketing exectutive for Sepro, a pesticide company that his father owns and built. When he found out that I only buy organic foods, he sat me down and gave me this huge lecture on how the chemicals are actually better for you because they assure that there will be no fungus on the produce I buy. When I explained to him that I know what fungus looks like and I don't buy food that has fungus on it (in fact, organic is more expensive because more of the crops are lost), he then went on to how injecting bovine with steroids and hormones are actually good for them because it makes them grow faster, stronger. I asked them how it was good for them when it is bad for us and how could the steroids possibly be good for us as a byproduct. He said it just is better because that way farmers can make more money and produce enough cattle for our food and to meet our eating demands. We went back around to the veggies and fruit again and he said that the chemicals are actually good for me. I asked him how again, he then went back to the fungus thing again, plus farmers can produce more of a crop... so he really didn't answer any of my questions with any "real" answers.

Just listening to him strengthened my convictions even more to buy organic because the bottom line is money, profit, production and providers care nothing about the health of my family. But like someone before me said, DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED! ;)

Another girlfriend (who also eats only organic) and I were talking about how when we go eat at other people's homes or in resaurants we feel sick because our bodies aren't used to the chemicals and preservatives. That, to me, means that pesticides cannot be a good thing and that my body doesn't like it. JMHO. :)

I know this is long, but there is one other thing that I wanted to add: paying tens more in my grocery bill/trip now will save me hundreds of thousands in hospital bills later.

Missy
 
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