The importance of eating organic fresh locally grown produce...

"In organic farming the soils are nurtured by adding organic matter, rotating crops and planting beneficial cover crops, unlike conventional farming where the soils are replenished with chemicals and synthetic additives.  Organic farming works in harmony to sustain health, fertile and biologically active environment."  (From www.calorganicsfarms.com)

Food certified under U.S. Dept. of Agriculture regulations as organic must be produced without most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Antibiotics, growth hormones, and feed made from animal parts are also banned.

These are excellent films regarding Genetically Modified (GMO) Foods

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4257109745160540352&q=9%2F11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94d-KVorSHM

Other articles about organic foods:

http://www.organicfoodinfo.net/ 

http://lookwayup.com/free/organic.htm

http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/polyphenolics031203.cfm

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/12-27/health-benefits-of-organic-food-article.htm

http://www.sustainableenterprises.com/Body/organic.htm 

PAN UK has produced a new updated poster illustrating how much of our food is contaminated with pesticides. For example, 93% of the (non-organic) oranges in one study had residues, and 78% of apples. Even staple foods, such as bread, have traces of toxins. These are not occasional findings: they are routine. The health effects of chronic exposures to these chemicals can be serious: disorders found in studies to be associated with pesticides include Parkinson’s disease, cancer, suppression of endocrine function, kidney damage and neurobehavioural deficits in children.  Note:  This poster is related to pesticide use in the UK not the USA.

Download the poster here:  http://www.pan-uk.org/Projects/Food/foodposter.htm 

Tip of the Week: The Most Dangerous Ingredients in Conventional Foods

1) Sodium nitrite -- causes cancer, found in most processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, sausage. Used to make meats appear red (a color fixer chemical).

2) Hydrogenated oils -- causes heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, general deterioration of cellular health, and much more. Found in cookies, crackers, margarine and many "manufactured" foods. Used to make oils stay in the food, extending shelf life. Sometimes also called "plastic fat."

3) Excitotoxins -- aspartame, monosodium glutamate and others (see below). These neurotoxic chemical additives directly harm nerve cells, over-exciting them to the point of cell death, according to Dr. Russell Blaylock. They're found in diet soda, canned soup, salad dressing, breakfast sausage and even many manufactured vegetarian foods. They're used to add flavor to over-processed, boring foods that have had the life cooked out of them.

Source: A new book by Mike Adams, entitled "Grocery Warning" takes a scientific look at a plethora of problematic ingredients in the everyday foods we eat.

Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_705.cfm