Organic Food Blog

For those who subscribe solely to an organic diet, eating out can be a nightmare. Your options are limited and oftentimes, organic fare is thought of as “strange” or “unusual.” So what do you do when you want to go out for a nice [organic] meal at a restaurant that offers fabulous food and a great atmosphere?

Well, if you live in New London, CN, you head to Mangetout, a new organic food eatery that boasts delectable food and a delightful atmosphere. According to Mangetout owner Elisa Giommi, the restaurant specializes in sandwiches, salads and desserts, all made with the very best in organic ingredients. She shops for her organic products locally —she gets a number of her organic foods from United Natural Foods in Dayville, her organic coffee from a local coffee shop and her napkins from Flavours of Life, a local fair trade store.

Giommi says she believes in using spices and international recipes to add flair to her organic offerings, which helps to enhance the experience for those who might not be so enthusiastic about eating organically.

As the organic food movement continues to grow in popularity, restaurants like Mangetout will continue to pop up in towns around America. Serving as healthy alternatives, these organically-inclined eateries offer patrons a unique option to savor foods that are both good for them and for the environment.

Like many other food industries, eating organically requires a great deal of education on the part of the consumer. Looking at labels, taking note of reputable brands and being skeptical of ingredients has become second nature and as much a part of going to the grocery store as bringing along the list. However, the chief complaint of many who have made strides to eat organically has been: “How do I know my food is really organic?”

This becomes even more of a concern when you hear stories about so-called organic markets stocking their shelves with produce from the local grocery story. Experts say that the only way to be sure is to look for the USDA Organic Seal. Additionally, the government does have safeguards in place to try and protect consumers who purchase organic food products. The Organic Food Production Act actually requires the USDA to have in place — and enforce —strict guidelines when it comes to those who tout their foods as organic.

Ultimately, however, this is where developing a relationship with local growers, particularly those who grow organic, come in handy. As you develop a trust and rapport with local organic growers, you know exactly who you can trust to deliver your organic goods. Additionally, you can utilize online resources specifically geared towards helping those new to eating organic to identify fraudulent foods.

As you become ingrained in the organic food culture, you will become more savvy about knowing when you’ve gotten authentic organic food or a clever fake!

One of the things I most love about the organic food industry is discovering what the “next big thing” might be. From new advances in growing organically to new organic brands enhancing our supermarket shelves, this is a segment of the grocery industry that is always, always growing.

Which is why I find it so interesting that the next step in organic foods has nothing at all to do with people. In fact, you could say the industry has gone to the dogs….literally.

Organic pet food has taken the multi-billion dollar pet food industry by storm. People are now becoming more interested in making sure Fluffy or Fido has a nutritious, pesticide-free, organic option for food. According to IBISWorld Inc, a marketing firm based in Illinois, the organic pet food market is booming, with better sales than ever! This of course was helped by that nasty pet food fiasco last year where poisonous substances found in dog food killed numerous animals around the country.

Upon releasing results of their study, IBISWorld, Inc. has this to say about their findings: “Pet owners are continuing to review their animal’s diet as a means of improving overall health, including the extension and quality of life. This has resulted in consumers turning toward all-natural pet food products.”

Now, not only can you enrich your quality of life with an organic lifestyle, you can do the same for your pet. How fantastic is that?!

How cool is this….there is an entire conference being held in Michigan surrounding the topic of organic food. The Michigan Organic Conference will feature a slew of educational sessions for those who love organic food as well as farmers who grow it. There will also be a film festival surrounding the topic.

What’s so cool about this festival is that it shows how eating organically is really moving to the forefront of our society. For so long, diets and speciality eating plans have been part of mainstream culture when organic has always been one of the truly healthy ways of eating.

The idea behind the conference is to offer consumers in Michigan an opportunity to meet and greet with the people who grow and sell organic foods in the area. What would be nice is if we could have a traveling festival such as this one that traveled around the country. This would be such a fantastic way to introduce people to the idea of eating organic and educate them on the benefits. Once we see what a success regional festivals such as the one in Michigan can be, perhaps a national organic food conference could be in the near future.

I am definitely what you would called a dedicated “foodie.” I love food and I love trying new things. In my quest to eat healthier, much of my exploration has been devoted to finding organic food brands that actually taste…well…good. A lot of times, people shy away from eating healthy and/or organic because the flavor sometimes isn’t as explosive as the food found in our high-fat, high-calorie diets. But trust me, these brands more than deliver..both in great flavor and organic makeup. Here are my top three favorite organic brands:

Celestial Seasonings: I love all kinds of teas and their yummy organic flavors make up the overwhelming majority in my cabinet. The flavor is rich and bold and full of great antioxidants for the body.

Annie’s Homegrown: The very best in natural and organic pastas, their organic Alfredo Shells & Pasta tastes just as guilt-inducing as anything you will have at Olive Garden.

Amy’s Kitchen: Found on the frozen food aisle of grocery stores across the country, Amy’s is an organic food-lovers staple. The meals are easy and quick to prepare (as most frozen food is) and comes in an endless variety of dishes. Try the Vegetable Lasagna - it’s my favorite!

In this fast-food culture, there are so many reasons to go organic when it comes to your food. After all, obesity and a host of other related diseases have shown us the drawbacks to eating foods high in fat and low in essential nutrients and proteins. But when it comes down to it, there are a number of reasons to go organic in addition to preserving your health. Consider this:

• Organic foods are good for the environment. This is important because the steps we take now to protect our planet can have an impact on future generations. When farmers grow organic foods, they avoid using harmful chemicals and pesticides that can not only have long-term harmful effects in humans, but other species as well. Farmers who grow organic foods grow a generous, natural mix of fruits and vegetables that encourage diversity and balance in our delicate ecosystem.
• Organic farmers tend to treat their livestock better — in fact, their general health and well-being are a top priority for organic farmers. You will find less issues with mistreatment and unsafe living conditions. Animals are not exposed to harmful chemicals on a daily basis.

So the next time you buy organic, remember that you are not just doing your body a favor, you are doing something good for the environment and the world around you.

Anyone who has ever eaten organically knows that you pay for the better quality you receive. After all, it’s worth it to pay more to know that you are eating food free of pesticides and harmful additives to keep your body healthy.

But how much is too much? According to a recent report by the Associated Press, growing demands for biofuels and food in China combined with less supply coming from US farmers and more demand for organic foods have driven the price of all grocery goods through the roof — and the organic industry is finally going to feel the effects. In fact, industry experts say that this will truly test the devotion of those dedicated to eating organic. Just how much are you willing to pay for the health benefits of organic food?

Apparently, whatever it takes. According to the Natural Marketing Institute, when asked in 2001, 17% of consumers said that paying an extra 20% for organic foods was well worth the investment. When polled again in 2006, 26% of consumers said they would pay more for organic.

These numbers prove that a significant chunk of the American population understands there are significant health benefits to eating organic. And there is no price too high for that!

In the light of these studies, it is surprising that few studies have compared the health consequences of eating organic and conventionally grown produce. Any fruits and vegetables are better than none. In a study, those who ate the fewest plant foods had the highest cancer rates, and those who ate the most produce had the least cancer. Most pesticides are fat-soluble. If you eat plants that have been treated with them, you ingest a tiny amount of residue that accumulates in your fatty tissues, such as female breast tissue. But the real problem develops when you eat animal fat.

Food animals accumulate pesticides in their fat tissues throughout their lives. By the time people eat them, they have much higher levels than any of the feed plants they ate. When people eat meat, they consume most of the pesticides the animals ate. The higher up the food chain you eat, the more toxic chemicals you ingest. The cleanest produce is organic. Even organically grown fruits, vegetables, grains and beans may pick up some pesticide contamination because of chemicals in groundwater, in the air from neighbouring nonorganic farms or from fumigation of trucks and warehouses. But compared with conventionally grown produce, organic fruits and vegetables are significantly cleaner. If you opt for organic fruits and vegetables, the good news is that they are more available than ever. Health food stores, farmer’s markets and even some supermarkets now carry items called organic. So what are you waiting for?

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