Organic Foods

Okay, so organic doesn't necessarily mean vegan, but a good many people become vegan because they're worried about their health.  And that's where organic foods come in.  Enough people have asked me now about organic that I felt I should say a little something.

I've written an article about the subject that you can view here:  What is Organic and Why Does it Matter?

Or I'll give you the quick version here:

• Organic foods are grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or sewage sludge. 
• The soil the vegetables are grown in is healthy and organic and the water is clean.
• Organic farms typically care about the environment and do what they can to protect it.

So why should you buy organic?  Well, it comes down to health, really.  Organic usually costs a little more, but it's not too hard on the budget.  Organic means you're not getting a chemical dressing with your food. 

Now, if you're on a budget like most of us are, you're thinking, "Well, that's all well and good, but I just can't afford it!"  Fortunately, organic food experts have identified what they call the "dirty dozen."  So if you can only afford to buy some organic instead of all, there are certain foods to focus on.  According to Organic.org, the dirty dozen include peaches, nectarines, apples, strawberries, pears, cherries, imported grapes, sweet bell peppers, spinach, celery, lettuce, and potatoes.  They also give a list of the 12 least contaminated foods (which will give you an idea of foods that are relatively okay to eat even if not organic).  This list actually changes from year to year, but many of these dirty dozen never leave the list.

Yes, there are also organic meats and milks, but my blog is not about them, so if you're interested, you'll have to do a little more research on your own.  The same principle applies, though.  Organic means fewer chemicals you'll be exposing your body to.