| Do you really need to go organic if you want to | | | | 1. Meats & Poultry: |
| achieve greater health in your life? That's what I've | | | | For those of you who haven't given up meat yet in |
| been asking myself every time I go to the grocery | | | | your diet (myself included), look for certified organic |
| store and see all the rising prices of basic food items. | | | | meats and poultry products which have come from |
| Well, the truth is many of us have been unaware of | | | | organically fed animals and farms. |
| the toxins we've been putting into our bodies | | | | 2. Dairy Products: |
| through our diets which have typically been high in fat | | | | When shopping for low fat milk, yogurt or cheese, |
| and sugar, low in fiber, and also containing processed | | | | look for dairy products which are labeled organic |
| and chemically treated foods as well. This has caused | | | | from organic dairy farms where they feed their |
| excess toxin levels in our bodies which it has to work | | | | animals with chemical free feed and grains. |
| harder to try to process and eliminate or they will | | | | 3. Coffee: |
| seep into the body and cause many disorders and | | | | Coffee which is imported from foreign countries |
| diseases, even cancer. An important thing we can do | | | | typically is grown with even less regulations against |
| for greater health in our life is to lower our toxin | | | | the use of pesticides than we have here in the U.S. |
| levels in our bodies by first choosing a healthier diet | | | | Instead, look for packages of coffee labeled with the |
| of natural foods that are higher in fiber, lower in | | | | Fair Trade Certified Organic labels which means that |
| sugar and contain powerful vitamins and antioxidants. | | | | the local farmer whom it was purchased from didn't |
| However, in addition, we can lower our toxin levels | | | | use chemicals or pesticides when growing his crops. |
| and increase our health even more by choosing | | | | 4. Vegetables: |
| organic food products whenever possible and | | | | Many vegetables are typically loaded with pesticides |
| available. Organic foods tend to be a little bit more | | | | in order to keep them insect free. Vegetables that |
| expensive, but are much more healthier foods | | | | have very thin or no protective skins are typically the |
| because they have been grown or produced without | | | | most dangerous because the pesticide is literally |
| the use of dangerous chemicals, pesticides and | | | | impossible to wash off and can even be absorbed. |
| herbicides and in the case of meats, without the use | | | | Whenever possible, look for and purchase organic |
| of antibiotics or hormones, and therefore have lower | | | | lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery. |
| toxin levels and a higher vitamin and nutrient content. | | | | 5. Fruits: |
| Whenever possible and budget permitting, you should | | | | Same as the vegetables, many fruits are heavily |
| choose organic foods over non-organic foods and to | | | | contaminated with pesticides and if they have a thin |
| help you get started, I've put together a quick list of | | | | or no outer protective skin, can be very dangerous |
| the top 5 organic foods you should start with in | | | | to consume. When shopping for fruits, look for and |
| getting going organic in your home for yourself and | | | | purchase organic peaches, apples, strawberries and |
| your family: | | | | grapes. |