Organic Products - The Present Scenario
"Going Organic" seems to be the new buzzword. Whether its Hollywood celebrities or The National Geographic, everyone is talking about how to go green and switch to organic products. So, while you are browsing the endless brands of lotions and creams on the supermarket shelf, you choose only the ones that say 'organic' or 'natural.' You go home in peace thinking you did your job, you choose right and you have nothing to worry about. Right? Well, we suggest, think again. Hundreds of organic skin care products are flooding the global skin care market every day. The credibility definitely becomes questionable.
The Organic Catch
Many of us become the target to the shrewd marketing gimmicks of skincare products manufacturing companies that mislead consumers by claiming to be organic, while the truth is harshly far from it. Most skin care products that declare themselves as being Organic, in reality may merely have a few organic ingredients blended with preservatives and chemical agents. Unfortunately, the loophole is in the system, since there is no rule what so ever, restricting companies from labeling their products as 'Natural' or 'Organic.'
Organic Skin Care Products - The Concept
The basic difference between an ordinary skincare product and an organic skincare product is that the organic products are made with organically grown ingredients. Therefore, unlike conventionally cultivated materials, which are exposed to harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides, organically grown materials are toxin free.
Organic Skin Care Products - Some Facts
When a skin care product is certified as 'Organic,' it generally contains 95% organic ingredients and 5% of inorganic materials, which belong to an approved National List.
When a product is certified as 'Made from Organic Ingredients,' it means it contains only 70% of organic ingredients and the other 30% contains inorganic materials from the approved National List.
Organic Purchase - The Pre-requisites
Taking into consideration all the facts it can be said that 100% pure organic products may not really exist. Still, we can definitely find the next best things for us. A few things to keep in mind before buying any organic products:
Read the Ingredients Carefully - If you cannot even pronounce a chemical's name, it maybe that it should not be there. If you are unsure about the ingredients, browse through the internet to find more information on them. Fact sheets on most chemicals can be found easily, online.
No Additives - True organic products should not contain any artificial colors, synthetic dyes, artificial fragrances, or preservatives.
Check Certification - Check for USDA (United States Departments of Agriculture) seal or ACO (Australian Certified Organic) logo on the products.
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Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Do 100% Organic Skin Care Products Exist?
Natures Organic Market offers flat rate shipping on More Milk Plus, Organic Iced Tea, and organic products.
How organic hair care products are different
If you are into organic food, then you should seriously consider using organic hair care products, organic clothes and organic cosmetics. Why wear harmful things and surround yourself with them? These are extremely harmful to us and also the planet. Organic hair products are safe and wholesome; they will keep your hair clean and healthy while being completely safe for the planet.
That being said, one needs to be careful. It has become increasingly common among product manufacturers to use the terms organic, chemical free, natural and environment friendly on the product packing without it meaning anything. This enables them to charge heavy prices without giving the consumer the true organic product.
You should exercise care. Your completely organic hair care products are different. For one, they will have botanical and natural ingredients. Read the product packing carefully. The label should list extracts that come from flowers, and this includes the essences too. Some of the hair care products have ingredients that are harsh and dangerous, and can cause cancer. Organic hair care products are different; they do not have such dangerous ingredients.
Avoid buying any hair care product that has Proplylene Glycol and Sodium laureth sulphate. Propylene glycol is used to keep hair soft and retain moisture. It is a strong irritant and can harm the skin. Repeated and prolonged use can cause kidney and liver damage. Sodium laureth sulfate is carcinogenic. Not only can it cause hair loss, it can also travel in your blood stream and give rise to health issues. There are some parabens that are also commonly used in hair care products that are irritants and cause allergic reactions.
As a general practice do not buy anything that lists an ingredient on the label that you cannot understand. If something contains flowers, essences, fruits and oils that you can recognize you can use them. If anything other is listed, avoid the product. It may not be organic to begin with, and it just may be very harmful to you.
One major deterrent to buying and using organic products has always been the cost factor. Always remember that it is not expensive to buy and use organic products. It works out cheaper in the long run, because you are only paying for the product, and not for any health issues that may arise from using dangerous chemicals. So be safe and buy organic. It is healthy and beneficial for you and the planet.
That being said, one needs to be careful. It has become increasingly common among product manufacturers to use the terms organic, chemical free, natural and environment friendly on the product packing without it meaning anything. This enables them to charge heavy prices without giving the consumer the true organic product.You should exercise care. Your completely organic hair care products are different. For one, they will have botanical and natural ingredients. Read the product packing carefully. The label should list extracts that come from flowers, and this includes the essences too. Some of the hair care products have ingredients that are harsh and dangerous, and can cause cancer. Organic hair care products are different; they do not have such dangerous ingredients.
Avoid buying any hair care product that has Proplylene Glycol and Sodium laureth sulphate. Propylene glycol is used to keep hair soft and retain moisture. It is a strong irritant and can harm the skin. Repeated and prolonged use can cause kidney and liver damage. Sodium laureth sulfate is carcinogenic. Not only can it cause hair loss, it can also travel in your blood stream and give rise to health issues. There are some parabens that are also commonly used in hair care products that are irritants and cause allergic reactions.
As a general practice do not buy anything that lists an ingredient on the label that you cannot understand. If something contains flowers, essences, fruits and oils that you can recognize you can use them. If anything other is listed, avoid the product. It may not be organic to begin with, and it just may be very harmful to you.
One major deterrent to buying and using organic products has always been the cost factor. Always remember that it is not expensive to buy and use organic products. It works out cheaper in the long run, because you are only paying for the product, and not for any health issues that may arise from using dangerous chemicals. So be safe and buy organic. It is healthy and beneficial for you and the planet.
Does Organic Skin Care Work?
Well, compared to the scientific and advanced formula being touted by most cosmetic companies for their increasingly complex formulations, organic skin care may seem to be a simplistic, even boring way to look after the skin.
The truth is that if the most expensive and complex formula worked like they are meant to, we would not be asking this question. These artificial products that pretend to mimic natural skin care have caused rashes, blemishes and irritation. Some of them have been absorbed by the body and left dangerous residues and toxins.
The best skin care products are simple ones, using simple ingredients that one can understand, avocado oil, shea butter, almond oil, lemon oil, olive oil. These ingredients are excellent for the skin because they are purely essential oils or extracts that can either enrich and soften the skin or cure it from within. For instance eucalyptus oil is a natural astringent and has bacteria killing properties, and hence it is beneficial for acne. Shea butter is great for dry skin. Essential oils that are rich in fatty acid can help with anti aging properties.
Organic skin care products are completely free of chemicals. These products contain natural substances that deliver to the phytonutrients which nurture it, and also enable deeper absorption so that the skin is nourished from within. The skin looks and feels firmer and smoother, and is completely safe since it has no harmful ingredients.
We all desire to look the best we can, fresh and young with a healthy skin. This is why we need to have a good skin care routine and effective skin care products to help us with our appearance. Make up even expertly applied cannot hide unhealthy and blemished skin. Organic skin care is the most effective way to care for our facial appearance.
The best way to have effective skin care is to make the skin care products at home, but there are quality skin care products that can be really beneficial for our skin. All we need to do is analyse the product, check the ingredients and then use them.
Of course the best skin care is to have a regular routine. One should have a healthy diet, exercise regularly so that the skin is healthy. One should exfoliate the skin, cleanse it daily and then apply the best and safest organic skin care product so that it is absorbed well and the skin has a youthful glowing appearance.
The truth is that if the most expensive and complex formula worked like they are meant to, we would not be asking this question. These artificial products that pretend to mimic natural skin care have caused rashes, blemishes and irritation. Some of them have been absorbed by the body and left dangerous residues and toxins.The best skin care products are simple ones, using simple ingredients that one can understand, avocado oil, shea butter, almond oil, lemon oil, olive oil. These ingredients are excellent for the skin because they are purely essential oils or extracts that can either enrich and soften the skin or cure it from within. For instance eucalyptus oil is a natural astringent and has bacteria killing properties, and hence it is beneficial for acne. Shea butter is great for dry skin. Essential oils that are rich in fatty acid can help with anti aging properties.
Organic skin care products are completely free of chemicals. These products contain natural substances that deliver to the phytonutrients which nurture it, and also enable deeper absorption so that the skin is nourished from within. The skin looks and feels firmer and smoother, and is completely safe since it has no harmful ingredients.
We all desire to look the best we can, fresh and young with a healthy skin. This is why we need to have a good skin care routine and effective skin care products to help us with our appearance. Make up even expertly applied cannot hide unhealthy and blemished skin. Organic skin care is the most effective way to care for our facial appearance.
The best way to have effective skin care is to make the skin care products at home, but there are quality skin care products that can be really beneficial for our skin. All we need to do is analyse the product, check the ingredients and then use them.
Of course the best skin care is to have a regular routine. One should have a healthy diet, exercise regularly so that the skin is healthy. One should exfoliate the skin, cleanse it daily and then apply the best and safest organic skin care product so that it is absorbed well and the skin has a youthful glowing appearance.
Why use organic cleaning products
First let us understand how cleaning products behave in the atmosphere. Once they are used, they are released into the environment either due to evaporation of volatile components or due to rinsing down the drain. It is pertinent to note here that Janitorial staff which is exposed for the maximum amount of time to cleaning products show the effects of the hazardous chemicals used, like skin problems, irritation of the eyes, and even allergies and cancers.
Once these cleaning products reach our waters, marine life is exposed to them. This is particularly dangerous in cases of imperfectly treated or untreated wastes. This causes dangerous mutations and health problems in the marine life, which, when eaten by humans compromises their health too.
Some cleaning substances contain volatile organic compounds which affect the offices and other spaces in which they are used. When released outdoors, they contribute to smog formation.
Since using chemical cleaners creates such a dangerous impact on the environment, it is definitely desirable to use organic cleaning products. Organic cleaning products are healthy for the environment. They are biodegradable and do not leave toxic waste residues which means they are definitely good for the planet and also living creatures. Continuous use of such products improves the quality of air indoors, and also reduces the harmful effects on water and air. Moreover they can effectively remove contaminants from the building, and organic wastes in any case are less hazardous.
So how does one choose one’s cleaning products? Of course we need cleaning products that work, and do not impact our budget needlessly. So while purchasing a cleaning product one should take the price and the performance of the product into account. One should also check if the product has lower VOC or volatile organic compounds and other factors that can have environmental impact. If the product is made with resources that are renewable, it is desirous. Be careful about vague marketing terms like “environmentally safe” or “eco friendly” etc. Always inquire about these terms since they may mean nothing at all.
Your product should have the least amount of chemical substances that are corrosive and cause harm or irritating to the skin, eyes etc. Check if any content is a known human carcinogen or harmful to the reproductive system. Also check if any compound present is ozone depleting. Purchase products made from bio based solvents like pine oil, citrus, vegetable oil, has low VOC content. These are safe and organic.
Once these cleaning products reach our waters, marine life is exposed to them. This is particularly dangerous in cases of imperfectly treated or untreated wastes. This causes dangerous mutations and health problems in the marine life, which, when eaten by humans compromises their health too.
Some cleaning substances contain volatile organic compounds which affect the offices and other spaces in which they are used. When released outdoors, they contribute to smog formation.
Since using chemical cleaners creates such a dangerous impact on the environment, it is definitely desirable to use organic cleaning products. Organic cleaning products are healthy for the environment. They are biodegradable and do not leave toxic waste residues which means they are definitely good for the planet and also living creatures. Continuous use of such products improves the quality of air indoors, and also reduces the harmful effects on water and air. Moreover they can effectively remove contaminants from the building, and organic wastes in any case are less hazardous.
So how does one choose one’s cleaning products? Of course we need cleaning products that work, and do not impact our budget needlessly. So while purchasing a cleaning product one should take the price and the performance of the product into account. One should also check if the product has lower VOC or volatile organic compounds and other factors that can have environmental impact. If the product is made with resources that are renewable, it is desirous. Be careful about vague marketing terms like “environmentally safe” or “eco friendly” etc. Always inquire about these terms since they may mean nothing at all.
Your product should have the least amount of chemical substances that are corrosive and cause harm or irritating to the skin, eyes etc. Check if any content is a known human carcinogen or harmful to the reproductive system. Also check if any compound present is ozone depleting. Purchase products made from bio based solvents like pine oil, citrus, vegetable oil, has low VOC content. These are safe and organic.
Should a guy use body cream with collagen and elastin
Well, the answer is yes. Consider this, you will be spending time and money to by creams to put on your body, so why not buy something that helps you firm your skin and get rid of wrinkles. That being said, you need to be aware of the products available in the market since many products that supposedly are anti wrinkle creams do nothing but moisturize the skin. Check the product label for the magic words collagen and elastin, and then check if it does anything to help your body produce these proteins naturally.
Moreover, to be entirely effective the cream must also have the following:
1) Your body cream should nourish the skin. For this it should give your body the necessary vitamins and nutrients. A quality anti wrinkle cream for men must nourish the body with essential vitamins and nutrients. As one grows older the body’s natural reserves get depleted and the body cream should contain natural things that make the skin look healthy. The product should contain vitamins and essential nutrients in a form that gets absorbed by the body.
2) An effective men's body cream must protect the body surface. There is a very thin film of oil on the skin surface, it is acidic and has a pH of about 5.5 which wards off bacteria and toxins. The body cream must form a defense against the environment to help the natural oils.
3) It must be antioxidant. Any body cream worth buying should protect against free radicals. This is especially true for men since they are more vulnerable to aging because of free radicals. These free radicals attack collagen and start the wrinkling process.
4) The best men's body cream should offer UV protection. The sun rays cause harm to the body and this dries up the skin. Many skin care products contain UV protection so do check up and buy one that offers adequate protection.
5) The highest quality body cream for men will help replenish collagen and elastin. As mentioned above Collagen and elastin are absolutely vital for any body cream to be effective. They reverse the signs of aging. Aging causes loss of these two proteins in the body. Be aware of the fact that many creams have these proteins but in forms where they can not be absorbed. You need a cream that stimulates the body into increasing production of collagen and elastin.
Moreover, to be entirely effective the cream must also have the following:1) Your body cream should nourish the skin. For this it should give your body the necessary vitamins and nutrients. A quality anti wrinkle cream for men must nourish the body with essential vitamins and nutrients. As one grows older the body’s natural reserves get depleted and the body cream should contain natural things that make the skin look healthy. The product should contain vitamins and essential nutrients in a form that gets absorbed by the body.
2) An effective men's body cream must protect the body surface. There is a very thin film of oil on the skin surface, it is acidic and has a pH of about 5.5 which wards off bacteria and toxins. The body cream must form a defense against the environment to help the natural oils.
3) It must be antioxidant. Any body cream worth buying should protect against free radicals. This is especially true for men since they are more vulnerable to aging because of free radicals. These free radicals attack collagen and start the wrinkling process.
4) The best men's body cream should offer UV protection. The sun rays cause harm to the body and this dries up the skin. Many skin care products contain UV protection so do check up and buy one that offers adequate protection.
5) The highest quality body cream for men will help replenish collagen and elastin. As mentioned above Collagen and elastin are absolutely vital for any body cream to be effective. They reverse the signs of aging. Aging causes loss of these two proteins in the body. Be aware of the fact that many creams have these proteins but in forms where they can not be absorbed. You need a cream that stimulates the body into increasing production of collagen and elastin.
Is it time for organic skin care
Yes it is time for organic skin care. There is no better time to take corrective action and arrest the process of aging but now. However, it should be done naturally. Aging is a natural process, and no one can escape it. However, we can definitely do something about how gracefully we age and how little of the effects of aging show on our bodies and faces.
No two people age at the same rate or in the same way. Moreover, some of us escape most of the bad effects of aging and others are not so lucky. There is a lot that one can do to conceal the superficial signs of aging and also control how it makes our bodies degenerate.
The very best organic skin care is to control and take corrective action on our lifestyle. Lifestyle factors can be changed and that too in a completely natural way. We can stop smoking, and we can change our diet. These are two things that reflect on our skin, and if we stop smoking and start eating natural food, the effects will show on our skin in a very short time.
A balanced all natural diet will ensure that we consume all the essential nutrients and this will improve our health and our skin. This does not require supplements and any chemicals. Exercise along with the balanced all natural diet will also take care of our skin not superficially but will positively impact it from inside.
After this, we need to aid the healing process and maintain the skin tone by using skin care products. This is an increasingly confusing area since there are so many products that are touted to be organic but are not effective and good. We need to choose our skin care products carefully. Here are some tips:
Contents to avoid
Mineral oil: Also called liquid paraffin, paraffin wax. Mineral oil is cheap and so is commonly used. It clogs the pores causing acne
Dioxane: It is a chemically formulated coconut derivative. There is nothing organic about it. This is suspected of causing cancer. So avoid it.
Perfumes: These are downright dangerous as they contain known carcinogens. Avoid them at all costs.
Parabens: Often listed as methyl or ethyl paraben, improves the shelf life of the product, but can cause allergies and rashes, prolonged use can cause cancer and affect the endocrine system
Alcohol: Can strip the skin of essential oils
Contents to look for are natural organic products that you can understand. Do not get confused. We know most of the organic products that go into skin care. Some that you do not know are CoQ10, a natural antioxidant, Cynergy TK which stimulates collagen production of the body.
No two people age at the same rate or in the same way. Moreover, some of us escape most of the bad effects of aging and others are not so lucky. There is a lot that one can do to conceal the superficial signs of aging and also control how it makes our bodies degenerate.
The very best organic skin care is to control and take corrective action on our lifestyle. Lifestyle factors can be changed and that too in a completely natural way. We can stop smoking, and we can change our diet. These are two things that reflect on our skin, and if we stop smoking and start eating natural food, the effects will show on our skin in a very short time.
A balanced all natural diet will ensure that we consume all the essential nutrients and this will improve our health and our skin. This does not require supplements and any chemicals. Exercise along with the balanced all natural diet will also take care of our skin not superficially but will positively impact it from inside.
After this, we need to aid the healing process and maintain the skin tone by using skin care products. This is an increasingly confusing area since there are so many products that are touted to be organic but are not effective and good. We need to choose our skin care products carefully. Here are some tips:
Contents to avoid
Mineral oil: Also called liquid paraffin, paraffin wax. Mineral oil is cheap and so is commonly used. It clogs the pores causing acne
Dioxane: It is a chemically formulated coconut derivative. There is nothing organic about it. This is suspected of causing cancer. So avoid it.
Perfumes: These are downright dangerous as they contain known carcinogens. Avoid them at all costs.
Parabens: Often listed as methyl or ethyl paraben, improves the shelf life of the product, but can cause allergies and rashes, prolonged use can cause cancer and affect the endocrine system
Alcohol: Can strip the skin of essential oils
Contents to look for are natural organic products that you can understand. Do not get confused. We know most of the organic products that go into skin care. Some that you do not know are CoQ10, a natural antioxidant, Cynergy TK which stimulates collagen production of the body.
Why is Organic Food Better
The virtues of organic food are many, and even though there are very irresponsible people who stridently go on trying to argue that there are no known benefits of organic food, consider these reasons given in this article on why organic food is better.
Health experts agree that organic food is natural, pure and highly nutritious. Moreover it is tastier and completely safe. Organic food is grown without any chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizers and growth hormones. This means that it is pure. Raw organic food cleanses the body, eliminates toxic waste. It is rich in nutrients, trace minerals and vitamins, therefore very nutritious.
A. Organic food is good for the planet
Organic food farming does not harm the planet. Large scale use of fertilizers and pesticides has harmed our soil. If we start production and usage of organic food, it will help balancing the bio system and also be beneficial for our earth.
Consider why organic food is better even in the short term:
The local fauna will not be harmed since groundwater and topsoil will not be contaminated by chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Our water bodies will be safer for the same reason.
Balance of nature will be maintained.
Artificial aids to farming consume a lot of energy. Organic food relies on natural sources so less energy will be consumed
Wasteful agriculture will not be done, so it will prove more economical in the long run.
Since we will not be polluting the environment, we will be helping to save our planet.
B. Organic food is good for the farmers’ health:
Farmers today are constantly exposed to extremely dangerous chemicals that are present in pesticides and fertilizers. They have led to serious health problems in the farmers and farm hands since they are constantly exposed to them. The digestive system, respiratory organs, nervous system, skin, eyes suffer due to constant exposure. This can be the cause of birth defects, cancer etc.
C. Organic food is good for health:
Pesticides act at the cellular level, leading to mutation of the cells. This can cause a rise in dangers such as cancer and other health problems. If children and infants are given non-organic diet, they are exposed to these health risks since they are susceptible to health problems. Everyone should opt for an organic diet, and this should particularly include children and infants as their health is our responsibility.
Health experts agree that organic food is natural, pure and highly nutritious. Moreover it is tastier and completely safe. Organic food is grown without any chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizers and growth hormones. This means that it is pure. Raw organic food cleanses the body, eliminates toxic waste. It is rich in nutrients, trace minerals and vitamins, therefore very nutritious.
A. Organic food is good for the planet
Organic food farming does not harm the planet. Large scale use of fertilizers and pesticides has harmed our soil. If we start production and usage of organic food, it will help balancing the bio system and also be beneficial for our earth.
Consider why organic food is better even in the short term:
The local fauna will not be harmed since groundwater and topsoil will not be contaminated by chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Our water bodies will be safer for the same reason.
Balance of nature will be maintained.
Artificial aids to farming consume a lot of energy. Organic food relies on natural sources so less energy will be consumed
Wasteful agriculture will not be done, so it will prove more economical in the long run.
Since we will not be polluting the environment, we will be helping to save our planet.
B. Organic food is good for the farmers’ health:
Farmers today are constantly exposed to extremely dangerous chemicals that are present in pesticides and fertilizers. They have led to serious health problems in the farmers and farm hands since they are constantly exposed to them. The digestive system, respiratory organs, nervous system, skin, eyes suffer due to constant exposure. This can be the cause of birth defects, cancer etc.
C. Organic food is good for health:
Pesticides act at the cellular level, leading to mutation of the cells. This can cause a rise in dangers such as cancer and other health problems. If children and infants are given non-organic diet, they are exposed to these health risks since they are susceptible to health problems. Everyone should opt for an organic diet, and this should particularly include children and infants as their health is our responsibility.
Should you go Organic?
All farming originally was organic farming. Farmers used natural pesticides and even the fertilizer was manure and compost. However after World War II and the advance of science, farmers started using a lot of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. With the advent of the twentieth century, genetically modified (GM) foods and growth hormones added more artificial things into our food. This is actually done to cut labor costs and increase the crop yield, but these chemicals are extremely harmful, they poison our bodies and the planet and wear out the topsoil in the fields.
Some farmers have opted out of the modern methods of farming; some never joined this chemical revolution. They use traditional methods like crop rotation to keep the soil fertile, use manure and natural pest control methods. The crop they obtain by these safer methods is called organic food. This is safer and more nutritious.
Food is considered organic if it is certified by U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is a major benefit of going organic. Such food is grown under strict control and monitored at every stage of farming by a responsible authority. Farmers have to meet federal regulations which state that farmers must avoid the usage of any kind of toxic pesticides and fertilizers for three whole years before the harvest. Only then will the product be classified as organic and sold as such. Organic farmers are required to have a plan that they submit to the authorities which states the procedures of farming used and the material. Crops are inspected each year to ensure that regulations are met with. Even processed food that are canned can be certified as organic if they do not use harmful additives like sulfites, nitrites and nitrates. They also have to comply with approved procedures.
Consider this, farmers are required to be vigilant and take all necessary steps to prevent seepage of fertilizers and pesticides from the adjoining farms into their soil so that their crop has no residue of chemicals. If they fail to do so, their crop may show such residue when it is tested and they are not given the “organic” certification.
We live in a polluted planet and our soil has a lot of chemical residue. Conventionally grown crops are not subjected to such vigilance. We owe it to our own health to adopt a diet which is pure and healthy. Moreover, growing organic food is much healthier for the planet. So do not ask if you should go organic. Do yourself a favor, eat organic food.
Some farmers have opted out of the modern methods of farming; some never joined this chemical revolution. They use traditional methods like crop rotation to keep the soil fertile, use manure and natural pest control methods. The crop they obtain by these safer methods is called organic food. This is safer and more nutritious.
Food is considered organic if it is certified by U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is a major benefit of going organic. Such food is grown under strict control and monitored at every stage of farming by a responsible authority. Farmers have to meet federal regulations which state that farmers must avoid the usage of any kind of toxic pesticides and fertilizers for three whole years before the harvest. Only then will the product be classified as organic and sold as such. Organic farmers are required to have a plan that they submit to the authorities which states the procedures of farming used and the material. Crops are inspected each year to ensure that regulations are met with. Even processed food that are canned can be certified as organic if they do not use harmful additives like sulfites, nitrites and nitrates. They also have to comply with approved procedures.
Consider this, farmers are required to be vigilant and take all necessary steps to prevent seepage of fertilizers and pesticides from the adjoining farms into their soil so that their crop has no residue of chemicals. If they fail to do so, their crop may show such residue when it is tested and they are not given the “organic” certification.
We live in a polluted planet and our soil has a lot of chemical residue. Conventionally grown crops are not subjected to such vigilance. We owe it to our own health to adopt a diet which is pure and healthy. Moreover, growing organic food is much healthier for the planet. So do not ask if you should go organic. Do yourself a favor, eat organic food.
When should you buy organic
It is indeed a much better choice to make organic food the normal diet for you and your family but sadly organic food is expensive and it can be out of reach for most people. So you can balance your expenses by choosing when to buy organic and when you can buy non organic food. There are foods that can be considered safe even though they are not organic.
1. Avocado: They have a thick skin that protects the food from chemical residue of pesticides. However, do ensure that you rinse it in water before you peel it open.
2. Banana: Again this is a fruit which has a skin that will be discarded. Buy them when they are yellow with tips that are green. They can ripen on the kitchen counter.
3. Pineapple: This has a spiny and thick hard skin that protects the fruit inside.
4. Kiwi: It has a fuzzy skin that acts as a barrier. However, do ensure that you rinse it thoroughly before eating.
5. Mango: This is another fruit that has a thick skin that is discarded, hence safe to eat non organic. However rinse before eating.
6. Papaya is another such fruit. Rinse the fruit, peel it and discard the peel before eating.
Vegetables that are safe to eat even if they are non organic
1. Asparagus: It is a vegetable that is safe from pests. You can buy them non organic. As with the fruits rinse it thoroughly before cooking.
2. Broccoli: Another hardy vegetable that pests seem to not like. So it is safe to eat.
3. Cabbage: Similar to the above two, it is hardy, relatively ignored by pests so does not need too many pesticides. You can discard the top leaves so that you do not need to contend with pesticides at all.
4. Onions: They also do not face many pest threats so are not overloaded with pesticides.
The rule of the thumb here is to buy fruits and vegetables that have thick peels which will be discarded while cooking from the conventional sources. However if the vegetable or fruit has a thin skin, you should ensure that you purchase these from organic sources. You do not need to take a risk with your health and the health of your family. Always take care to rinse the fruit or vegetable prior to using them even if you are going to discard the peel.
1. Avocado: They have a thick skin that protects the food from chemical residue of pesticides. However, do ensure that you rinse it in water before you peel it open.
2. Banana: Again this is a fruit which has a skin that will be discarded. Buy them when they are yellow with tips that are green. They can ripen on the kitchen counter.
3. Pineapple: This has a spiny and thick hard skin that protects the fruit inside.
4. Kiwi: It has a fuzzy skin that acts as a barrier. However, do ensure that you rinse it thoroughly before eating.
5. Mango: This is another fruit that has a thick skin that is discarded, hence safe to eat non organic. However rinse before eating.
6. Papaya is another such fruit. Rinse the fruit, peel it and discard the peel before eating.
Vegetables that are safe to eat even if they are non organic
1. Asparagus: It is a vegetable that is safe from pests. You can buy them non organic. As with the fruits rinse it thoroughly before cooking.
2. Broccoli: Another hardy vegetable that pests seem to not like. So it is safe to eat.
3. Cabbage: Similar to the above two, it is hardy, relatively ignored by pests so does not need too many pesticides. You can discard the top leaves so that you do not need to contend with pesticides at all.
4. Onions: They also do not face many pest threats so are not overloaded with pesticides.
The rule of the thumb here is to buy fruits and vegetables that have thick peels which will be discarded while cooking from the conventional sources. However if the vegetable or fruit has a thin skin, you should ensure that you purchase these from organic sources. You do not need to take a risk with your health and the health of your family. Always take care to rinse the fruit or vegetable prior to using them even if you are going to discard the peel.
Do most organic compounds contain carbon?
Yes, in order to be classified organic, the compounds have to contain carbon. This however must not be confused with the use of the term “organic” in popular terminology in which "organic" means natural and healthy. If we are discussing scientific terminology, as per that, an organic compound that comprises of one or more atoms of various elements will contain carbon in various combinations with elements like oxygen, hydrogen, sulphur and nitrogen etc.
All organic compounds need to contain carbon to be considered organic. Identifying such compounds is a science in itself. Organic compounds are identified firstly by the fact that they have carbon. They are also identified by chemical reaction for instance how they are broken down (in cases like proteins being broken down or amides in the digestive system). They are also identified by the molecular structure. These are the various ways to identify organic compounds. It can be a bit confusing for the lay man who considers water organic since it comes from natural sources, but since it does not contain carbon, it is not classified as organic in chemistry.
Another important component in an organic compound is hydrogen. Actually a compound needs to contain both hydrogen and carbon for it to be considered organic. Therefore carbon dioxide is not organic, because even though it contains carbon it does not contain hydrogen.
Some instances of organic compounds are glucose, fructose, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine.
A nutrient may or may not be an organic compound. An excellent example of this is the fact that plants do not need any organic compound for their nutrition. They make their own nutrients using inorganic material like water, carbon dioxide, minerals and even oxygen. However human beings need both organic and inorganic nutrients. To be a nutrient, the compound needs to be biodegradable. It needs to be broken down by the living organism into smaller parts that can then be absorbed by the body for its own food.
Let us consider the case of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. These are valuable nutrients that are used by the body. Now all the above mentioned compounds are biological compounds and are biodegradable and are absorbed by the human body. All organic compounds are biodegradable and therefore do not disturb the ecological balance of the planet. Even oils, alcohols, etc are biodegradable. Often all that is needed is the right sort of enzyme to break them into smaller particles for easy absorption.
All organic compounds need to contain carbon to be considered organic. Identifying such compounds is a science in itself. Organic compounds are identified firstly by the fact that they have carbon. They are also identified by chemical reaction for instance how they are broken down (in cases like proteins being broken down or amides in the digestive system). They are also identified by the molecular structure. These are the various ways to identify organic compounds. It can be a bit confusing for the lay man who considers water organic since it comes from natural sources, but since it does not contain carbon, it is not classified as organic in chemistry.
Another important component in an organic compound is hydrogen. Actually a compound needs to contain both hydrogen and carbon for it to be considered organic. Therefore carbon dioxide is not organic, because even though it contains carbon it does not contain hydrogen.
Some instances of organic compounds are glucose, fructose, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine.
A nutrient may or may not be an organic compound. An excellent example of this is the fact that plants do not need any organic compound for their nutrition. They make their own nutrients using inorganic material like water, carbon dioxide, minerals and even oxygen. However human beings need both organic and inorganic nutrients. To be a nutrient, the compound needs to be biodegradable. It needs to be broken down by the living organism into smaller parts that can then be absorbed by the body for its own food.
Let us consider the case of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. These are valuable nutrients that are used by the body. Now all the above mentioned compounds are biological compounds and are biodegradable and are absorbed by the human body. All organic compounds are biodegradable and therefore do not disturb the ecological balance of the planet. Even oils, alcohols, etc are biodegradable. Often all that is needed is the right sort of enzyme to break them into smaller particles for easy absorption.
Why Eat Organic Food
Eating habits are truly formed in our childhood. It is definitely easier when our parents have put healthy food on the table and we grow up eating such food. When we were children, we just ate what our mother put on the table. Those days nobody had heard of organic food. However, we were fortunate. Our mother cooked whatever grew in our garden. So we grew up eating natural and organic food.
Why eat organic food? Well let me explain. Our body needs nutrients to maintain health. These nutrients are absorbed from the food we eat and the food we do not eat.
Food can broadly be categorized as belonging to three major food groups, protein, carbohydrates and fat. Each of them has their own role in maintenance of body health. We need each and every one of them.
If you do not eat fat, as people commonly do, then you will develop a deficiency in fatty acids that are so important for the body. Your body will begin to starve. It will send hunger signals and you will end up over eating.
This can work in another way too. If you eat hydrogenated oils, they will inhibit your body’s capacity to absorb nutrients. This will also lead to your body sending out hunger signals. These oils are artificially created, and are simply not beneficial to you. You should avoid taking hydrogenated oils. Nutrients are very important for health, right down to our body cells, and one should avoid anything that inhibits their absorption.
These days we get many foods that are non-organic and grown with the help of chemicals. This is dangerous since chemicals do not help the body in any way. They do not give the body any nutrients. They change the body, right down to our body cells.
We need to understand what processed food is and how it is made. While processing food, nutrients are leached out of it, leading to a tasteless and bland food. So manufacturers add food additives to replace the taste. Food additives are chemicals and they do nothing good for our bodies, instead they harm the body. We can simply not replicate what occurs naturally in nature. Moreover our bodies are adapted to the nutrients in the same proportion as what occurs naturally. This cannot be replicated by our science.
The best thing we can do for our health is to eliminate processed food and go for organic food. We owe it to ourselves and our health to make this choice.
Why eat organic food? Well let me explain. Our body needs nutrients to maintain health. These nutrients are absorbed from the food we eat and the food we do not eat.
Food can broadly be categorized as belonging to three major food groups, protein, carbohydrates and fat. Each of them has their own role in maintenance of body health. We need each and every one of them.
If you do not eat fat, as people commonly do, then you will develop a deficiency in fatty acids that are so important for the body. Your body will begin to starve. It will send hunger signals and you will end up over eating.
This can work in another way too. If you eat hydrogenated oils, they will inhibit your body’s capacity to absorb nutrients. This will also lead to your body sending out hunger signals. These oils are artificially created, and are simply not beneficial to you. You should avoid taking hydrogenated oils. Nutrients are very important for health, right down to our body cells, and one should avoid anything that inhibits their absorption.
These days we get many foods that are non-organic and grown with the help of chemicals. This is dangerous since chemicals do not help the body in any way. They do not give the body any nutrients. They change the body, right down to our body cells.
We need to understand what processed food is and how it is made. While processing food, nutrients are leached out of it, leading to a tasteless and bland food. So manufacturers add food additives to replace the taste. Food additives are chemicals and they do nothing good for our bodies, instead they harm the body. We can simply not replicate what occurs naturally in nature. Moreover our bodies are adapted to the nutrients in the same proportion as what occurs naturally. This cannot be replicated by our science.
The best thing we can do for our health is to eliminate processed food and go for organic food. We owe it to ourselves and our health to make this choice.
What is organic
Organic is a general term that has various different definitions. If you ask a chemist he would say that it refers to a class of chemical compounds that have a carbon and hydrogen. Hence all hydrocarbons are organic.
A biologist would say that organic refers to living organisms and use the term in relation to living beings for example organic life, organic disease, organic growth etc.
These days the term organic is increasingly being used to denote a lifestyle that is eco friendly and green. It also is used in relation to foodstuff that is grown or raised on farms that do not use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and growth hormones. This has led to the use of such terms like organic vegetables, organic eggs, organic milk and organic pesticide (manure).
Organic vegetables and fruits are those crops that are grown without usage of chemical pesticides. No artificial fertilizer is used in such farms. These farms also do not use sewage sludge, radiation or genetic engineering. This means one does not have to worry about residue of pesticides and fertilizers that may lead to ailments. Since GM food is not produced here, we do not have to be concerned about cellular damage in our bodies.
Organic chicken, meat and diary products are also raised in a non-toxic way. They are raised and slaughtered humanely. They are not fed antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic chicken are cage-free and cattle are free range. These livestock are also raised to be vegetarian. Of course when the organic animals are ill, they are often given home remedies. In case they are given antibiotics their organic classification is permanently withdrawn.
Eco friendly methods of farming are used like crop rotation, composting and crop is grown which are best suited for the region where the farm is located. For instance watermelons are not grown in cold regions and peas in the desert. This means that organic products are healthier for people, animals and also the environment.
The only disadvantage with organic products is that they are very expensive. They may even cost twice as much as crops grown the conventional way. This is because they are labor intensive and cost effective short cuts like chemical pesticides and fertilizers can not be used. Weeding is done manually and with the help of natural predators. This is the price one has to pay for being eco-friendly and going organic.
A biologist would say that organic refers to living organisms and use the term in relation to living beings for example organic life, organic disease, organic growth etc.
These days the term organic is increasingly being used to denote a lifestyle that is eco friendly and green. It also is used in relation to foodstuff that is grown or raised on farms that do not use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and growth hormones. This has led to the use of such terms like organic vegetables, organic eggs, organic milk and organic pesticide (manure).
Organic vegetables and fruits are those crops that are grown without usage of chemical pesticides. No artificial fertilizer is used in such farms. These farms also do not use sewage sludge, radiation or genetic engineering. This means one does not have to worry about residue of pesticides and fertilizers that may lead to ailments. Since GM food is not produced here, we do not have to be concerned about cellular damage in our bodies.
Organic chicken, meat and diary products are also raised in a non-toxic way. They are raised and slaughtered humanely. They are not fed antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic chicken are cage-free and cattle are free range. These livestock are also raised to be vegetarian. Of course when the organic animals are ill, they are often given home remedies. In case they are given antibiotics their organic classification is permanently withdrawn.
Eco friendly methods of farming are used like crop rotation, composting and crop is grown which are best suited for the region where the farm is located. For instance watermelons are not grown in cold regions and peas in the desert. This means that organic products are healthier for people, animals and also the environment.
The only disadvantage with organic products is that they are very expensive. They may even cost twice as much as crops grown the conventional way. This is because they are labor intensive and cost effective short cuts like chemical pesticides and fertilizers can not be used. Weeding is done manually and with the help of natural predators. This is the price one has to pay for being eco-friendly and going organic.
