It seems like everyone and everything is going organic, from food to personal care products and clothing. Keep reading!
It seems like everyone and everything is going organic, from food to personal care products and clothing. There is no stopping for the organic lifestyle phenomena.
To be called organic, a certain product must be sustainably farmed or come from a sustainably farmed source, free of chemicals, and never exposed to radiation. More importantly, it must not be genetically modified and subject to antibiotics and growth hormones. For animal products, they should have gone through humane farming in which the animal source was fed and raised naturally. For example, poultry should be free-range, beef should be grass-fed, and fish should be wild caught. As for produce, no pesticides must have been used.
But is there really a big difference between organic goods and the regular products that we consume every day? It seems so, as celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Jessica Alba, and Alicia Silverstone have gone that route for a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Courtney Cox even went to the extent of switching her beddings and beauty products to organic ones. The same goes for Miranda Kerr who vouches for the organic skin care so much that she even created her own beauty line.
Eating organic does not only lengthen one’s life but also makes it more comfortable. Carrie Vitt of DeliciouslyOrganic.net cured her recurring migraines through organic eating. Her family was also rid of severe asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and eczema after following the same diet.
Some people claim that going organic has also cured them of something as life threatening as cancer. Nutrition activist Tom Arguello cured his testicular cancer by switching to non-GMO and unprocessed food. He and his family even planted an organic garden in their home so that he could have easy access to unadulterated greens and fruits. He also completely removed red meat from his diet and ate only wild-caught fish and chicken.
He combined his new diet with exercise and getting enough Vitamin D from the sun. In a few months, he was in remission. Like Vitt, Arguello was also able to influence his family to go organic, and they are reaping the benefits along with him.
Organic produce has higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that serve as your defense against diseases. Additionally, organic meat has lower fat content than meat from conventionally fed animals. You also would not have to worry about acquiring disease from organic meat, as the animal sources were raised in their natural habitats eating their natural healthy food.
Aside from maintaining one’s health, there are claims that going organic can actually lengthen one’s lifespan. Bernardo LaPallo, who lived up to 114 years and claimed to never have been sick his entire life, attributed his long life to eating a lot of organic fruits and vegetables. Even at his old age, he was still sharp enough to publish a book just before his 114th birthday. His personal website reveals that even as a centenarian, he was able to shoot short cooking clips to show his recipes.
Now, who wouldn’t be enticed to go organic if this lifestyle promises that kind of human longevity?
And while there is no scientific data yet on whether going organic can really aid in weight loss, it seems to have worked for some people. Holistic healthcare practitioner Ange Alex switched to an organic diet after she got an intense allergic reaction from chemical pesticides being sprayed on a cornfield in Iowa. At around the same time, she found out that the cause of the bird flu epidemic, aside from its poor living conditions, was its high GMO and high soybean diet, which prompted her to change her diet. After switching to an organic diet, she dropped a whopping 40 lbs., improving not only her health but also her physique. Organic food also helps balance hormones, so this may have contributed to her weight loss, too.
Start with what’s readily accessible to you. Look at your local supermarkets and farmer’s markets and list down the organic options available. From there, you’ll get an idea on which items you can replace with an organic option the next time you go grocery shopping. Remember, you do not have to deprive yourself of great-tasting meals. You may opt to just choose the organic alternative to your everyday cooking ingredients and still use the same recipes.
Organic meat and dairy are healthier for you, organic meat has 50% more omega-3 fatty acids than regular meat, and organic dairy has 40% more linoleic acid than regular dairy. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for the heart, while linoleic acid can prevent cancer from developing. So if you want to focus on changing just a few items in your grocery list, go for meat and milk because the difference in benefits is more obvious here.
If you can’t go organic all at once, at least do it for items that are eaten without peeling. Since thin-skinned produce is consumed without peeling and sometimes even cooking, you will ingest skin that has been exposed to pesticides and chemical fertilizers. To prevent this from happening, replace your conventionally grown thin-skinned produce with organic. Thicker-skinned produce like bananas, avocado, and melons have to be cut or peeled before consumption anyway, so you have fewer chances of eating parts with chemicals. This is a good compromise while you’re still in the transition phase.
Organic choices are hard to come by when dining outside, so it’s best that you just cook your own food at home. That way, you can be assured that you get to eat clean and organic all the time. Worried about your social life? Don’t be. In the case of social gatherings, you can eat at home first before partying with your friends, so you won’t go too hungry even when the venue does not have organic food on the menu. Or if the gathering is being held at a place that allows bringing of outside food or at a friend’s home, you can bring your own packed meals.
Let your family, friends, and even your local grocer know that you have gone organic. When your family and friends find out that you do not eat conventional food anymore, they are more likely to adjust to your preference when you eat out or when they invite you over. Or even if they don’t, they’ll at least not offer you non-organic food that will make your transition easier.
But why let the manager at your local food store know? Because if you start looking for organic meat and produce, he may begin to take note of how many people are looking for the same thing. And when the demand is high, your local grocer may actually consider bringing in the goods to his store, giving you better access to organic goods.
Aside from going to Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Wegman’s, you may also get your organic food at a cheaper price from online stores like Abe’s Market. Perfect if you’re just beginning your organic journey and want to see if it’s something that you can sustain.
There are also apps like Thrive Market that offer a wide variety of organic products that range from food and supplements to beauty products and items for the home. You can choose from over 500 brands that the app carries. A word of warning though: make sure that you are transacting over a secured server as online shopping sites like this are prone to being crawled for Pattern of Life analytics, which may be used not only for tracking your buying habits but also for identity theft.
Believe it or not, health problems like rashes, allergies, and asthma can be managed better by switching to organic clothing. Aside from being cooler on skin, clothes made of organic cotton and hemp have not been exposed to pesticides and other chemicals, and thus do not cause skin irritation.
Organic cotton also lasts longer than traditional textiles and feels better against the skin. But comfort is not the only reason you should support organic cotton production. The Organic Trade Association reported in 2003 that about 55 million pounds of pesticides are being sprayed on 12.8 million acres of cotton. Just imagine how much impact it would have on the health of our cotton farmers. They can be prone to birth defects, reproductive disorders, and weaker immune systems. Choosing to go for organic cotton is a way to express your disapproval of that kind of farming practice and encourage farmers to go the organic way.
Tracy Raftl of TheLoveVitamin.com cured herself of acne by using organic manuka honey. But it’s not just any organic manuka honey. She used one that have been rated for UMF (Unique Manuka Factor), OMA (Organic Manuka Active), or MGO (Methylglyoxal), which makes it appropriate for antibacterial and medicinal purposes. This kind of honey works on acne by drawing the moisture out of bacteria to kill it and unclogging pores to prevent inflammation. Organic honey of this kind also moisturizes and protects the skin (while being safe enough for sensitive skin) so that your acne scars heal more nicely. Look for one that has a rating of MGO 400+ for higher effectivity and best results.
Organic virgin coconut oil is also fast becoming a staple in every woman’s dresser with its many skin care applications. Use it as a moisturizer to give your face a glow and smoothen rough patches. Deep condition with it for smooth and silky hair or rub it on your scalp to fight dandruff. Remove even the most waterproof makeup with it. Mix it with brown sugar to exfoliate your body for that overall glow. Have no time to get a mani-pedi? No problem. Use organic virgin coconut oil to condition your nails and bring back its shine and for healthier cuticles. Organic virgin coconut oil also gives your good ‘ole chapstick a run for its money, as you can also use it to moisturize cracked, dry, or even sunburned lips. Lastly, add it to your bath and treat yourself a relaxing soak.The possibilities of using this multi-purpose oil are endless.
Ladies will also love the benefits of organic makeup because its chemical-free and nutrient-rich formulation means only the best ingredients come in contact with their skin. Many holistic practitioners also advocate the use of organic makeup for balancing hormones like Natasha Turner, naturopath and author of The Hormone Diet. So if you suffering from thyroid problems or any kind of hormonal imbalance, switching to organic makeup (along with a healthier diet for thyroid problems) may be helpful to you.
Organic makeup also contains natural sun protection, so no need to buy expensive sunblocks.
Whether you want to live longer or regain your vitality for life, organic living is worth a try. Different people have different experiences when it comes to this lifestyle, so try it out for yourself to see the effects on you. And if you have a serious illness, it is still best that you consult a doctor and get some tests done before making any drastic change in your eating habits and lifestyle. You have only one body, so care for it well.