This is a topic that seems to make some people feel uncomfortable, but this is a guilt free zone. You have to do what is best for you and your family - there's no judgement here.
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Our organic journey started about a year and a half ago and has developed over time as we've learned more . It started when a friend told us about the documentary Food Inc. The content of the movie really opened our eyes to the food industry and how our food is being handled/processed before it finds itself in our kitchen. Another concept that really stuck with us is the idea that we're all voting with the purchases we make. The brands we buy, we're supporting as if we're voting with approval for what that company does (and the way it processes food). I won't go into more detail about the movie since you can find a lot about it online, but if you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it for the purposes of educating yourself about the food we eat.
If you're interested in eating organic and don't know where to start, produce is a good place to start for many people. Here's a list of produce that typically have more chemicals on them ("dirty dozen") and ones that are fine to not buy organic ("clean 15") as they aren't as susceptible to the chemicals or pesticides used on them.
Dirty Dozen: Buy these organic
1
Apples
2
Celery
3
Strawberries
4
Peaches
5
Spinach
6
Nectarines – imported
7
Grapes – imported
8
Sweet bell peppers
9
Potatoes
10
Blueberries – domestic
11
Lettuce
12
Kale/collard greens
Clean 15: Lowest in Pesticide
1
Onions
2
Sweet Corn
3
Pineapples
4
Avocado
5
Asparagus
6
Sweet peas
7
Mangoes
8
Eggplant
9
Cantaloupe - domestic
10
Kiwi
11
Cabbage
12
Watermelon
13
Sweet potatoes
14
Grapefruit
15
Mushrooms
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An easy list we've got on our fridge is this one:
 |
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Here are some key differences between conventional farming and organic farming:
| Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|
| Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. | Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants. |
| Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease. | Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease. |
| Use herbicides to manage weeds. | Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds. |
| Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth. | Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease. |
This is just the tip of the organic iceberg, but it's a starting point.
So what do you think? Any thoughts about eating organic or about Food Inc? We're definitely NOT experts on the subject, just have learned a little by little to educate ourselves about what we put in our bodies.
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