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Organic Food

I would never even think of putting chemicals on the food I grow in my garden. Why would I buy food that was grown that way? Organic food is grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. The soil is amended with lots of natural nutrients (compost and manure) and is alive with beneficial organisms. Organic food has a higher nutritional content and has a much nicer flavor. Organic food is grown in a way that replenishes the nutrients in the soil and is sustainable. It is beneficial to the earth, the farmers, the animals and insects, and us who eat it. I buy organic food because I believe that it is the ethical way to grow food and the best way - in all respects. That is how I grow food and that is how I want farmers to grow my food.

I also try to eat only organic meat. What is organic meat? It is meat from animals who were fed organic vegetarian feed and were not given antibiotics or growth hormones. You can taste the difference! I believe they are also treated better (as in free-range chicken and eggs). Again, for me this is about supporting ethical practices and the way I want my food to be grown.

You may be able to reduce your exposure to pesticides by about 50 percent if you reduce your consumption of the following twelve fruits and vegetables (buy them organic if you can!):

 1) strawberries
 2) bell peppers
 3) spinach
 4) cherries
 5) peaches
 6) Mexican cantaloupes
 7) celery
 8) apples
 9) apricots
10)green beans

11)Chilean grapes
12)cucumbers

(from the Environmental Working Group)

Dr. Andrew Weil adds to this list:

Wheat (and anything made with wheat)
Soybeans (and anything made with soy)
Potatoes
Button Mushrooms

I add to this list:

Meat
Dairy Products

When grocery shopping, also think about buying organic fair trade coffee and teas.

Resources

Whole Foods Market
If you live in the U.S. or in Toronto, Canada, this is an excellent place to shop for organic food.

Ten Thousand Villages
Fair trade coffee, tea, curry, and other indian spice mixes. As well as lots of other great stuff.

Fair Trade Store Online
Fair trade organic coffee, tea, and chocolate. As well as lots of other great stuff.

Square Foot Gardening
This is a book about gardening in less space using less effort. It is how I grow my own organic food (with an irrigation system on a timer added to it).

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