When It’s Worth The Extra Ka-Ching To Purchase Organics (Part Two)

If you were to carefully size up the visual appearance of a conventionally-produced food item (whether veggie, fruit, dairy or meat) alongside that of its organic counterpart, do you think that you’d be able to distinguish which is which? Nope, I peeled off all of the tell-tale labels and I even removed the little twist-tie thingies. As a matter of fact, just forget about the packaging altogether. With no overt tell-tale signs, how would you be able to tell the difference?

Okay…you could probably venture a guess that organic fruit and vegetables tend to be less supermodel-y than conventional varieties. With no GMO tweaking allowed, the indigenous genetic traits and quirks in organic produce can naturally emerge – but do you really want to run all the way to the bank with that? You could also convince yourself that the organic version is more vibrant in color and possesses a healthier glow, but we’re not talking about baby’s cheeks – how about trying another strategy? They say that the nose knows…so if you were to smell each one, do you think that you’d be able to identify the organic version with 100% certainty?

Surely your taste buds could rise to the challenge. Let’s say that I placed a glass of conventionally-produced milk right in front of you and asked you to take a sip, hold it in your mouth for 7 seconds and then swallow it. Would you be able to discern anything unusual beyond its familiar dairy flavor? Do you think that you could detect bovine growth hormones, antibiotics or chemical fertilizers? Considering that 80% of a cow’s diet consists of waste seeds and fiber produced from the conventionally-farmed cotton industry, is it likely that you could identify the countless pesticides that were ingested by the very same cow that ultimately produced the milk I poured into your cup? 

Talk about having a conundrum -- as consumers, we’re faced with the all-too real challenge of feeding our families without unintentionally poisoning them in the process. The food we purchase may look like a chicken, walk like a chicken and even squawk like a chicken, but inside its gooey center, a freaky scientific experiment has gone horribly wrong. Don’t worry -- this is the part where I offer you a little comfort. You don’t have to go bankrupt in your quest to spare your body from toxin madness! Below, you’ll find a simple guide to the grocery store goodies and badies. The next time you navigate the aisles, you’ll know exactly when it is highly advisable to reach deep down into your pockets for peace of mind and when it’s actually safe to cut corners with conventional foods.

Fruits and Vegetables With The Highest Pesticide Contamination – Crops with shorter growing seasons tend to be ravaged by insect invaders, which results in the liberal application of chemical pesticides. (Good for farmer yields, but really bad for our bodies.) If you really want to honor your temple, this would be the right time to put your money where your mouth is and buy organic.

Peaches

Apples

Bell peppers

Celery

Nectarines

Strawberries

Cherries

Kale

Lettuce 

Imported grapes 

Carrots

Pears

Meat and Dairy – Why Should I Pay The Organic Price Tag?

There’s no doubt that the cost of organic meat and dairy products is significantly higher than their conventional versions, but don’t let their twin-like appearance fool you. The differences in production are so distinct that once you read through the following list, you may never want to reach for your old standby again.

Conventional Meat and Dairy

• Animals are consistently fed antibiotics, synthetic parasiticides, hormones, GMO crops, questionable junk food diets/animal by-products, sewage sludge (yes, you read that correctly) and they are exposed to the most consistent levels of airborne and crop-derived pesticides. If it’s true that we are what we eat, then it would stand to reason that the garbage disposal system in place yields meat and dairy products that are genuinely unhealthy.
• Animals live among unusually large populations in conditions that are typically inhumane. Both factors stress and weaken the immune system, which in turn causes a wide range of ailments to occur. Drugs are consistently used as a form of preventative maintenance.

Organic Meat and Dairy

• A mandatory audit system and paper trail is in place, ensuring that strict standards of production are documented and adhered to from farm to plate.
• Animals are raised in more natural environments (no cramped feedlots or tiny cages) and able to graze and socially interact.
• Diets are completely vegetarian, and the grain or grass that they consume is pesticide/GMO-free.
• No risk of Mad Cow Disease.
• Animals are never treated with drugs, growth hormones or antibiotics. 
• Studies have proven that their higher levels of contentment and overall nutrition yield dairy and meat products that are lower in saturated fat and contain greater amounts of conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids.

If money were no object, many of us would automatically opt for the “safer bet” – but in the real world, organic products are pricey. Still, there are viable options for every budget. About My Planet suggests buying organic items directly from local farms, purchasing larger quantities (which are traditionally cheaper) and then taking time to prep and portion items yourself. What about growing your own garden this summer and arranging to swap your excess bounty with neighbors (to ensure diversity in your diet)? Have you ever considered eating a mostly plant-based diet? Your investment in occasional bits of organic meat would then be easier to $wallow. When all is said and done, there are always coupons….

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For part one of this article, please click here.