Why Organic?

Organic food is more expensive. The cost of living is rising because of the rising cost of fuel and you already have insane amounts of bills to pay. You're not made of money, right? Me either. So, why organic, especially if it costs so much?!?!

Organic food does not contain pesticides. Pesticides, you remember, are designed to kill bugs. They also kill birds and rabbits and other animals who make their homes outside. Pesticides kill earthworms, who are actually necessary for us to sustain life on this planet (yeah, I know they're weird and gross, but we can't live without them). Anything that is designed to kill something can't be yummy and healthsome. Furthermore, pesticide residues wash away when it rains and end up in ground water, and travel to lakes and streams and faucets. Gross! It also isn't sustainable.

Most companies who manufacture food aren't concerned about sustainability, environmental issues, or our health. They are, however, concerned about where we consumers spend our money. Your dollars are the greatest force of change in this situation. They're also really important to you, because you need them. I can't afford to buy everything organic, so here are some "rules" that I follow:



1. Try to buy local food that is in season. Local food is cheaper because it doesn't have to travel far. Gas prices are unreasonably high and using tons of it creates all manner of yucky environmental chaos. Check out your local farmers market. If you don't know where that is, check out www.localharvest.org.

2. Follow the rules of the "Dirty Dozen" and the "Clean Fifteen." If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/the-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-of-produce/616/.

3. Don't buy anything from South America that doesn't have a thick skin. DDT is still legal for use in South America, and it's still incredibly dangerous.

4.  Don't buy manufactured snack food. Junk is junk. Even if it's organic. Things like chips and candy and donuts are crap. The organic version might eschew high fructose corn syrup and trans fats, but it's still crap for your body and tough on your wallet.

5. If you're not vegetarian or vegan, practice "Meatless Monday." Meat consumption is hard on the environment and hard on your body. Check out www.meatlessmonday.com for more information.