Organic Food Blog

You know, I always find it interesting when critics of the organic food industry come out against eating organic foods. I just don’t see the point — why bash people for trying to lead a healthier lifestyle? The latest flap is going on over in England, where critics are coming out in droves against eating organic, saying there is no difference in organic and non-organic food.

I’m sorry, but I just don’t see how this argument makes the least bit of sense. The health benefits of growing — and eating — organic food are plain for anyone to see. I mean just the fact that organic fruits and vegetables are not growing using harmful pesticides make them better for you. I don’t see how anyone can argue that eating pesticides and not consuming them are one and the same. The same goes for organic dairy products. Animals used in organic farming are not given harmful hormones or growth steroids to enhance their dairy or meat products. How can this not be better for you?

If critics of organic foods want to go on consuming the harmful chemicals found in product and meat in mainstream markets, let them go ahead and do so. But do so without trying to sell us on the fact that eating organically is not the healthier alternative. It may be more expensive, but in the long run, I am willing to pay money to help preserve my good health for as long as possible.

Before I began eating somewhat organically, I too was under the misconception that organic food had that oats and granola, no-seasoned tastless quality. However, as I began to pore the Internet for great recipes to help my family adjust to eating organic, I realized that not only was it all in the types of recipes I chose, but also in how I added my own unique flair to them.

For example, last night, we had one of my tried and true organic favorites: spaghetti with mushrooms, onions and marinara sauce and yes, the entire meal was organic. I got the recipe from the Eden’s Web site after trying their Kamut spaghetti noodles once. Their original recipe just calls for mushrooms and a smattering of other veggies, but since I like a heavy on the veggies-style pasta, I add way more onions, peppers and a slew of special spices and seasonings to mine. My family loves it and everyone asks for seconds. In any case, here is the recipe courtesy of the Eden Foods site:

Marinara with Mushrooms and Spaghetti

Serves 7 | Prep Time 0:15 | Cook Time 0:30

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons Eden Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup Eden Maitake Mushrooms
1/2 cup Eden Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms
25 ounces Eden Organic Spaghetti Sauce, 1 jar
or Eden Organic Spaghetti Sauce - No Salt
1/2 cup carrots, diced
1 cup zucchini, diced
or yellow summer squash
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2 teaspoons Eden Shoyu Soy Sauce, optional
14 ounces Eden Organic Kamut Spaghetti, 1 package
Eden Organic Parstley Garlic Spaghetti, Eden Organic 100% Whole Grain Spaghetti, or any Eden Organic Pasta

Directions

In separate bowls, soak the maitake and shiitake with warm water to cover for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside. Soaking water may be saved for later use in soup stock.

Heat up oil in a sauce pan, sauté garlic and onions for 2 minutes. Add shiitake, maitake, carrots and zucchini, sauté 3 minutes. Add all other ingredients, except pasta, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes over a low flame.

While the sauce is cooking, prepare the pasta according to package directions and drain when done. Serve the hot marinara over the cooked pasta.

Nutritional Info

Per serving: 340 Calories, 7g Fat (17% calories from fat), 14g Protein, 62g Carbohydrate, 13g Fiber, 0mg Cholesterol, 362mg Sodium

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 17, 2008)- Pennsylvania’s revised milk labeling standards issued today rescind prior controversial standards guidance that could have adversely affected the labels on organic milk, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) noted.

As a result, organic milk can continue to carry verified production-based claims, including that the milk was produced without the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), a genetically engineered growth hormone used to stimulate milk production. These labels are sometimes characterized as “absence claims” because they describe truthfully what is not used in the production of the product.

“OTA is pleased that organic product labels will continue to inform consumers about organic production practices. No organic dairy farmer uses rBST,” said OTA’s Executive Director Caren Wilcox.

Many people complain about the price of organic foods and wonder how to eat healthy and organically without breaking the bank. Specifically for those who have a family, eating 100% organic can be a strain on the budget. Until it becomes a more affordable option, here are some tips on making the switch to organic without emptying your pocketbook:

* Take it one food group at a time: You can start by beginning to eat organically in one specific food department, such as fruit or vegetables or meat. In many cases, it comes down to which foods contain more pesticides than others. For example, vegetables such as oranges or broccoli have been known to contain less pesticides than say apples, which contains more pesticides than many other fruits and vegetables. So perhaps it would pay to buy organic apples to mix in with your other fruit.

* Milk is another good switch: These days, milk contains very high levels of artifical ingredients, hormones, pesticides and more. In fact, some of the problems found in children today during their developing years has been attributed to all of the additives in cow’s milk. Switching to organic milk can perhaps help you and your children to avoid some of the health problems that may come along with drinking regular cow’s milk.

These are easy tips that can begin your family’s switch to organic without busting your budget. In fact, you may not notice a difference and in time, you can switch over more as prices become more affordable.

Leann Lazar shares one of her favorite recipes for making a healthy, organic smoothie.

Not only are people right here in the United States seeing the benefit of eating organic, but other countries have also hopped onto the organic food train. Germany is one such company that has seen sales of organic food rise and it’s not just for people earning a lot of money. The average German family has introduced organic food into its every day meal plan, with food ranging from organic pizza to organic beer.

In this small European country, organic foods are plentiful and can not only be found in a variety of specialty organic stores, but also through several Internet sites. For example, in the last year, the organic food sector in Germany posted a 14% increase in overall sales.

Eating organic on a daily basis is surely a model that American consumers should look to follow. Eating organic should not solely be a special occasion meal, but a part of our every day food life.

As if we needed another reason to intensely dislike large, corporate retailers, comes the news that Wal-Mart recently received a slap on the wrist for labeling foods as organic that were nowhere near the real thing.

According to The Cornucopia Institute, which is an organic group based out of Wisconsin, Wal-Mart was labeling some produce as organic when this was not really the case. In a letter sent to the retail giant from the Wisconsin agriculture department, the company was warned about misleading consumers in reference to organic food products and that further complaints or problems could lead to criminal investigation.

Wal-Mart shot back, in their defense, saying that they don’t label their products as organic; their product providers do. However, they did say they are taking steps to ensure the integrity of products labeled as organic.

This problems occurs far too often among major retailers that don’t take the time or resources to ensure that produce and products labeled as organic really are just that. Perhaps this slap on the wrist in Wisconsin will help to begin changing this trend.

Many people wonder why you have to pay more for organic foods in most instances. There are a number of reasons for this, all of which boil down to one simple concept: you get what you pay for!

You may a little more for those organic carrots at the supermarket, but they are cleaner, healthier and you know they came from a wholesome source. You can paying for peace of mind. Can’t say that about your regular carrots, huh?

Here are three reasons why you pay more for organic food and why you shouldn’t complain:

Reason #1: Animal Welfare — Essentially, the better the animals are treated and the better their conditions, the better quality of food you will have. If the animals in question are being fed good food often and being kept in clean, sterile conditions, the chances that they will end with diseases or in poor health from malnourishment are much slimmer. Optimal treatment of animals is a staple of the organic farming industry.

Reason #2: Skilled Husbandry — This boils down to the fact that organic farmers must be more skilled in farming their land and handling their crops. Since there are no pesticides used in many facets of organic farming, farmers must weed by hand. They must keep a constant watch over all of their plants and animals to ensure that everything is growing and being nurtured as it should. This requires a great deal of education and knowledge on the part of those involved in the organic farming process.

Reason #3: Materials — In many instances, organic farmers must make their own materials from scratch, i.e. fertilizer. This is because many of the products on the market today are made with non-organic, artificial components and cannot be used in the organic farming process. Therefore, farmers must either pay more for organic materials or produce their own, which can translate into better quality, but higher cost for the consumer.

Just remember, you are what you eat. Organic food helps to guarantee that what you eat is healthy and natural and when you look and feel better, that will manifest in other areas of your life.

This Valentine’s Day, as you celebrate being with the one you love (even if that one is yourself), think about going organic to show your love for the planet. Living an organic lifestyle is not just about eating a certain way — it’s also about taking care of the planet and all of its inhabitants. Consider showering the planet with a Happy Valentine’s Day message by:

* Shunning those store-bought cards and going with a recycled card or one made with your own two hands. If you make your own, purchase paper that is made of recycled products. You can express yourself in a much more creative manner than any pre-made card ever could!

* Indulge in organic chocolates. Not only are you helping to spurn the fair trade movement (many countries that manufacture cocoa have issues with labor and working conditions), you are eating a product that is better for your health!

* Make sure your jewelry is free from conflict. This is particularly so when it comes to diamonds. Make sure that your stones have come from a conflict-free environment by questioning your jeweler as to the origin of the stone. A reputable jewelry store will know exactly where their stones originated and whether that is a conflict-free zone.