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Organic Food vs. Conventional Food and the Best Way to Keep Organic Food Fresh

April 11, 2011 By poorgani Leave a Comment

Article by Mark Gold

Is there any nutritional difference between organic and conventional food?

Though the consumer demand for organic food has increased, there is still skepticism as to whether or not it is healthier for human consumption. There are definite facts that state organic food is much healthier for you. What we do know is that fewer chemicals are used in small organic farming and the chemical residues that remain on the conventional produce aid heavily in the accumulation of fatty tissue. The residues that are prohibited for use on organic foods are hydrogenated fats, phosphoric acid, preservatives, colorings, hormones, antibiotics, GMOs and 7000 other artificial flavorings that are permitted in conventional food (which imposes many health issues).In addition, basic farming methods in organic farming lend a hand in healthy food consumption. The restriction in the use of drugs to produce organic foods also keeps animals healthy with a rare occurrence of listeria, salmonella and cryptosporidium (common diseases found in conventional livestock). E-coli are virtually non-existent in organic beef, but in conventional beef kill over 200 Americans and Britons each year.

Are we paying too much for organic food?

There has been much debate on this issue, and yes organic foods are more expensive than conventional foods. But there are factors that may indicate that in addition to the health issues, the actual dry matter of food in organics may yield more actual food for consumption. Conventional farming uses a method called agrochemicals which speeds up the growth of the food by changing its structure and adding more water to it (as the result it will wilt and shrink more during cooking).The average price difference between organic and conventional food is 20%, however organic foods can contain up to 26% more dry matter(less water). One must ask oneself, could it actually be cheaper to use organic?

Can organic food help you lose more weight?

Did you know that certain types of organic based nutrients can act as an appetite suppressant and do not contain excitotoxins? What are excitotoxins? These ingredients can cause neurological disorders by overexciting nerve cells and actually cause hunger.

Is it true that the consumer is happy with conventional produce?

No it is not. According to many consumer surveys (USA and Europe) most people are concerned about pesticides, NPK fertilizers and additives as a whole. This suggests that organic food based nutrients are something which people are taking more notice of.

Does organic farming increase the risk of food poisoning?

The theory is that if we do not use modern day chemicals we cannot effectively fight E Coli on crops. This is in fact not correct and studies show that the overall agricultural, hygiene, harvesting and production practices of organic food producers actually enhances the safety of the food with the absence of pathogens and incidents of E Coli.

Once you have decided to enjoy the benefits of organic foods over conventional foods you will undoubtedly want to keep it as fresh as possible. The most effective way to keep organic food fresh is called eggstrafresh®. It helps to provide increased freshness of all of your organic and conventional foods, including fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, dairy, even bread for as much as 3-5 times longer, saving you hundreds of dollars per year. eggstrafresh® is environmentally safe and does not release any gases or odors, it simply keeps your food fresh longer. Visit http://www.eggstrafresh.com to learn more about this incredible little device.

About the Author

Mark Gold has more than 27 years of experience in the Food and Beverage Industry. He has written numerous articles on foods and food preservation.

Nutrition by Natalie What is the difference between organic food and conventional food? Is organic really more healthy for you? The USDA lays out certain guidelines that farms have to follow in order to be able to claim the food is organic. In this video Natalie discusses what each of those guidelines are. What is surprising to learn is some of the growing practices of conventional farming and food processing. As an example, chemical plants and waste water treatment facilities will actually sell their toxic waist to conventional farms to use for fertilizer. What you eat is an important part of health and nutrition. Visit Natalie’s website at www.nutritionbynatalie.com This video was produced by psychetruth http www.myspace.com A full version of this video can be seen on LiveVideo.com www.livevideo.com Copyright 2007 Zoe Sofia. All Rights Reserved.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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How to Eat Healthy with Organic Foods

April 11, 2011 By poorgani Leave a Comment

Article by Regina Fine

When you go to the grocery store or supermarket to buy food, do you pick simply any produce or are you specific about getting organic foods? There is a big difference between the two of them and, after reading this article you may decide that organic foods are the right choice. Let’s take a look at the advantages of purchasing organic produce.

While organic and not organic produce may look identical, organic foods must be able to meet specific standards of manufacture, including special growing and treating requirements that are unique to foods that can be classified “organic”. For harvest foods, the organic products can’t be grown using any chemicals. Eventually, the food can’t be genetically altered.

Previously, organic foods were grown on small family-owned farms. Today, however, they are grown on larger farms and are easily available in most supermarkets and health food stores. In United States, parts of Europe and Japan, the production of organic foods is federally regulated as opposed to other countries where special organic certification is required for these foods to be sold.

Organic foods might include vegetables and fruits, which are not treated and come directly from the farmers through farmer’s markets and supermarkets. Some of these foods are only available during certain seasons. One can also buy organic eggs, dairy products and meat in their fresh and unprocessed forms.

Organic eggs are usually supplied by free-range chickens. Organic meats must not arrive from animals that have been treated with any hormones, steroids or antibiotics.

One can find organic foods in the organic products section of the supermarket but usually they are more expensive than their conventional food equivalent. Processed organic foods can comprise of canned products, frozen foods, prepared items and snacks.

Although, non-organic ingredients must be free of artificial food additives and none of them can be processed using chemical ripening methods, genetic modification or irradiation. Sometimes, the organic food must be produced using energy-saving techniques and packaged in recyclable or biodegradable materials.

It’s not quite easy to identify whether or not the food is really organic. Sometimes, you need to buy directly from an organic farmer in order to be sure the food is organic. Recently, though, organic foods can be identified by governmental labeling, announcing that the food is “certified organic”.

Keeping in mind the safety and healthiness of organic foods, you may wish to make you and your family doing well by buying organic products. The food tastes superior and you can be sure you are getting a product that won’t be harmful to you.

About the Author

Do you want to live longer staying healthy? Here is the Ultimate Healthy Eating Information Resource for you to explore. Go to http://www.eating-healthy-info.com and be amazed.

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Buying Organic Food for Less: How to Save Money on Organic Fruits, Vegetables and More

April 11, 2011 By poorgani Leave a Comment

Buying organic food is the right choice – it’s healthier, it tastes better, and it’s better for the environment. Although the production costs of growing and transporting organic foods sometimes means that it’s more expensive at the grocery store than conventional food, it is BETTER for your health in the long-term. Think about it: doesn’t it make more sense to spend NOW and save yourself years of doctor’s bills then it is to keep a couple extra bucks to yourself and suffering the consequences LATER?

Nonetheless, who doesn’t like to save some money? To help you pinch a few pennies, here are some ways you can SAVE (in the short-term AND long-term!) when you buy organic food:

Buy your most important purchases first. If you’re looking to try a new organic recipe this week, make a list of items you’ll need. You can try organic blueberries another time if you absolutely need organic bell peppers for a new dish.
Remember that thin-skinned fruits and vegetables are the MOST susceptible to pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and so on. If you have to limit your purchases, be sure to buy the following foods ORGANIC: apples, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, lettuce, peppers, and spinach.
Buy your fruits and vegetables in season when they’re both freshest and in plenty supply. For example, spring is a great time to buy asparagus, zucchini, and strawberries (did you know May is National Strawberry Month?) -Shop at farmer’s markets and independent grocery stores, or join a food co-op. These places often offer a wider variety of organic foods, including fresher fruits and vegetables. Some food co-ops may require a membership fee or ask you to volunteer at the co-op for a few hours per month, but members usually get a discount when they shop. Use Organic Liaison’s Organic Network Locator to find grocery stores and farmer’s markets selling organic food nearest you.
If you’re a meat-eater, eating organic meats is definitely better than eating meat that comes from factory farms, where animals have been fed nutritionally-empty grains and kept in tight spaces until they’re slaughtered. Since meat is often more expensive, try choosing one kind of meat (beef, chicken, lamb) and experimenting in the kitchen. Use your “meat of the week” as the centerpiece around which you create your meals, such as chicken pasta one night, followed by chicken tacos the next.
Buy in bulk whenever possible. You can always freeze leftover portions you don’t use for next week.
Search for coupons from organic food companies like Organic Valley, Amy’s, Stonyfield Farm, Health Valley, and more. What are your tips for saving money on buying organic food? Share with us in the comments!

Photo: alancleaver_2000′s Flickr photostream/Creative Commons

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*Featured article from the Organic Liaison Blog

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ABOUT ORGANIC LIAISON

Kirstie Alley’s Organic Liaison is a brand new, innovative weight loss program with the goal of “liaising” people from conventional eating habits to healthier organic ones while losing weight and supporting the body 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Organic Liaison membership offers a complete system including Rescue Me ™ weight loss elixir, the first USDA certified organic weight loss product; access to online tools including a daily journal, weight loss graph, daily menu planner; as well as other natural supplements and health tips to help members lose weight safely and effectively. Organic Liaison worked with experts in the fields of organics, nutrition and fitness to create an outstanding natural weight loss lifestyle and a comprehensive health and fitness community for their members.

 

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