84 Days | Organic Eating

 
To eat organic or not to eat organic?  THAT is the question!

It's a big questions these days, so I wanted to share what I've learned through my studies of the Habits of Health, and just a little of my own personal experience as well.

First, it's easy to read a post like this and want to take it to an extreme.  That's not the point.  The point is to educate ourselves in the best possible things we can do for our overall health.  However, using quality processed foods can have also have a place in our world too (but, emphasis on quality).  We live in a very fast-paced, yet sedentary world--so, grab and go, convenient foods seem important to our lifestyle.  And while we can grab and go whole foods, many times they aren't available to us or other obstacles stand in our way.  

So...how can you incorporate organic foods into your life? 

First, let's make sure you all understand what organic really is.  It's more than just a "buzz" word.

ORGANIC FOODS are produced according to certain production standards, meaning they’re grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. Livestock are reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.

Interestingly enough, 75 published studies have found that organic food is more nutritious than non-organic, and a study out of Canada reports that those who have the most organochlorines (pollutants from pesticides, which are stored in fat cells) experience a lower metabolism as they lose weight. Another researcher found that pesticides can cause weight gain. 

So, what do I think about it?

Personally, I try to eat as much organic food as I can. I want to avoid ingesting pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics as much as possible—and I don’t feed them to my family either. So, I've been eating organically for quite some time.  Now, when I have things that are not organic or "clean" I have adverse health side-effects almost immediately. 

Choosing organic, whole foods does not oppose things like the meal replacements many of you are using--so don't stress.  Those are made with the highest quality ingredients and use very small amount of things like sugar substitutes.  Being someone who firmly believe in organic eating, I have researched them and believe they are an appropriate choice to aid in solving a bigger health risk--being overweight and obese. But we can take small steps today to put the habit of organic eating into place in our lives.   As I said earlier--this post is to educate you on why choosing organic is a good choice, NOT to give you one more LAW you have to follow.

HOWEVER...consider choosing organic, whole foods when you're making your lean and green meal.  Or when you're grabbing a piece of produce to eat on the fly!   

Here's a fun tip!  Remember the 9


To discover whether the produce you’re buying is organic or conventionally produced, check the PLU (price look-up) code.  You know, that four or five-digit number usually located on a small sticker affixed to fruits and vegetables. If the code has four digits, it’s conventional. If it has five digits and begins with the number 9, it’s organic.

Think organic is too expensive?

Tip #1: Choose the organics that matter! 

If you have to pick and choose, produce with a hard shell around it that you won’t consume is less important to buy organically than something you’ll sink your teeth into directly. Produce known to be highest in pesticide levels include: apples, peaches, strawberries, cherries, spinach, lettuce, and celery. 

Tip #2: Salt Water Soak. 

If you soak produce in a sea-salt water solution, you can draw out some of the pesticides. The recipe is 1 teaspoon of sea-salt to 1 cup of water. Let the salt dissolve and soak for 2-10 minutes. Rinse/scrub in clean water afterward. You can check out this website for

How to Soak Produce.