| ve in a world that is increasingly dependent on | | | | growers and farmers have to undergo a lengthy |
| pesticides and chemicals but is that the best way? | | | | certification procedure, over several years to ensure |
| What is the long term impact of those chemicals on | | | | all their produce complies with the regulations. It is an |
| our health and our lifestyle? Is organic better? More | | | | expensive process, as is the maintenance of the |
| and more people have concerns about the ever | | | | registration. Whilst preparing for certification famers |
| increasing level of manmade chemical compounds in | | | | cannot sell their produce as organic and are subject |
| our everyday foods. All the various chemicals that | | | | to stringent conditions which can often cause |
| are used on farms have an impact on the food we | | | | considerable financial hardship. This results in the |
| buy at our local supermarket or grocery store and in | | | | premiums we often pay for organic foods - but it is |
| the luscious dishes we have when eating out. The | | | | well worth it for the improvement in flavour and |
| constant need to drive prices down and production | | | | quality in my opinion. Most people who eat an organic |
| up puts enormous strains on the growers and | | | | diet as far as possible feel that they have better |
| farmers but is this the right way to go? | | | | health, more energy and suffer from less long term |
| Surface pesticides are one thing - sure enough we | | | | illnesses. Research is underway looking at the long |
| scrub our vegetables well - but that doesn't have any | | | | term benefits of an organic diet. |
| effect on the chemicals within the food. Organic | | | | Most food shops and supermarkets now sell organic |
| foods are an alternative, or even growing your own. | | | | produce, the large supermarket chains are bowing to |
| Whilst that might not be organic in the strictest | | | | customer pressure and stocking an ever increasing |
| sense of the word at least you know what you are | | | | range. This increasing market has helped to bring |
| eating and you have been able to make informed | | | | prices down. More and more farms are opening their |
| choices about what garden chemicals you use. | | | | own shops, selling their produce direct to the |
| Detoxing is one of the current trends - why do we | | | | consumer and this generally provides both the best |
| need to detox, it never used to be thought | | | | prices and the freshest food. The distance some |
| necessary for our health whereas now we take it | | | | supermarket foods travel is truly astonishing - it does |
| for granted that it is something we should do | | | | neither the food, nor our environment any good. |
| regularly to cleanse our bodies of all the chemicals we | | | | Sometimes it is impossible to get organic foods or |
| take on board as part of our daily lives. Eating organic | | | | they are beyond your budget, in that case, buy the |
| foods ought to reduce the need for detoxing which | | | | best that you can. A little of something good is far |
| is never a very pleasant experience. Research is also | | | | better than a lot of something bad! Make sure you |
| ongoing which suggests that organically grown food | | | | thoroughly wash any fruit and vegetables, a good |
| has a higher nutrient value than that which is subject | | | | vegetable brush is inexpensive and will make sure |
| to fertilisers and pesticides. | | | | you get rid of all the surface residue. Even if you are |
| So what exactly is organic? For food to be classed | | | | buying organic foods you should make sure you |
| as organic, it should be grown free of many | | | | wash everything under running water. As a word to |
| chemicals by way of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or | | | | the wise, don't forget to wash fruits that you peel, |
| the hormones that are used on animals to encourage | | | | chemicals and germs can easily be transferred from |
| rapid growth. Equally the plants and animals should be | | | | the skin to your hands and into your mouth! |
| free of any form of genetic engineering. Organic | | | | |