There's really one good reason why I love this word. I have peace of mind knowing I'm buying the real deal when it comes to my food. Legally, if a product advertises in any way that it is organic, it means it's really organic. Organic foods and products have the strictest labeling laws within the USDA. So, all this organic talk means...none of the ingredients have any trace of genetically modified organisms (GMOS, or how I like to say it GMNOS), none of the ingredients were grown in sewage sludge (yes this is real ya'll), and none of the ingredients have been treated with ionizing radiation. With all this stuff you would think I was talking about a lab experiment, not our food. There's a national list that specifies what can be labeled as organic, which all organic foods have to pass through. And there's also special agent people who authorize organic foods and ingredients. There's a lot more to it, but trust me, organic labeling is actually one thing our government is doing right. 

There are different organic labels; 100% organic, organic, made with organic..., and just listing organic ingredients. Always read labels. I always say if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. And if you can pronounce it, but don't know what it is or how it's made, don't eat it. Always, always read your labels before purchasing anything! 

I prefer 100% organic. This means that the food is real. The food is organic, there were no pesticides used, and even the processing techniques are certified. Organic vegetables and fruits are grown very naturally without any help from pesticides. Boxed items contain ingredients that are all organically certified. For those of you who eat meat, 100% organic means that the animal you are eating was allowed to see sunshine for 120 days, wasn't fed anything containing antibiotics, wasn't given any growth hormones, and there were no animal by-products in the feed. Isn't this reassuring?

Anyways, 100% organic is the way to go. Organic is pretty good as well, this means the same as above, however only 95% of the ingredients have to be organically certified. The other 5% can be non-organic, but they still have to be on that national list as certified non-organic. The other two labels are pretty much the same, they contain organic ingredients, just not enough to have that seal. 

So my overall love for this word comes from the satisfaction knowing I'm feeding my family good food. We are vegetarians and although we eat fruits and vegetables from local farmers, I still have to buy packaged foods such as rice and baby snacks, so I love having awesome options!

On the other hand, I really don't like the word organic. Here's why...I don't understand why we have to use this word. Organic foods are natural foods. Why can't we call organic carrots, "carrots?" And then call carrots, "genetically engineered to produce more, sprayed with pesticides to kill weeds and bugs around it, oh genetically modified some more so it won't be affected by the pesticides, grown in 120 days, peeled with chemicals, bathed in chlorine, nutritionally manipulated "carrots?" Think about it.

I don't understand the use of this word at all. I'm lost. You know our food industry is messed up when you have to put a label on naturally growing foods and it's against the law to label foods filled with poison. Literal poison. We didn't become a nation consumed by diabetes, alzheimer's, and cancer because it happened to be a coincidence. Read your labels. We are fed poison.

Another reason I don't like the word organic is because it basically means it's simply a carbon compound. A chemical compound with carbon atoms. In chemistry, "organic" focuses on the carbon content instead of the life behind it, or used to be behind it. This means organic and living things don't have to go hand in hand. When we purchase organic produce we expect that it be a living thing. Science doesn't view it like that. It's not a huge deal breaker for me, however this thought process is always in the back of my mind come grocery day...and it's hard to not think about, so I get irritated at the word. 

Overall, any food labeled "organic" is the best you can have. A lot of people fight with the question that organic foods cost too much. While these foods do cost a little extra, it's really not that much. Count how much money you spend on doctor visits, prescription drugs, medicines, insurance. If you put that amount into your grocery budget you would be eating real food and most of your health problems would go away. Personally for me, I end up saving money this way. One of my favorite quotes goes to say, "The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison." Eating real food can seriously heal anything you face. I am all for being proactive instead reactive so I enjoy eating well and taking care of myself instead of having to rely on doctors and medicines. Organic foods are the best foods to consume and they are very affordable if you are willing to budget for them.

I challenge each of you to shop 90% organic the next time you grocery shop. We eat around 90% organic. Almost everything I buy is certified organic, the other 10% I count as eating out during the month. I get all of our groceries at Whole Foods and the Farmers Market on $300 a month. It's very possible! Make a list before you shop, shop sales, buy in bulk, and enjoy this beautiful experience! Try eating 90% organic for one week and see how you feel. I guarantee you will feel better, have more energy, and maybe even some of those health problems will go away. You have nothing to lose, go ahead and try it out! And if you do accept this challenge, please write back to me and let me know the amazing benefits you got out of it!


xoxo
Cursty