Organic Confusion

Ok, so we're making some changes here in the Vinkle household. I have been learning and realizing that making the sacrifice to but more natural and organic foods was necessary for the health and safety of our family. So, finally I found a butcher that carries some organic meats so I went there. I was prepared to pay more, but YIKES, this was a LOT more! I got it anyway, and I don't know if it was in my head or not, but those burgers were mighty tasty. (I also found organic chocolate chip cookies, whose fat and calories do not count.) Today at Tops I also looked for natural, organic, and more whole foods. Well, let's just say my bargain hunting pride was bruised a little when I got very few bags for $83.00.

But, this is a sacrifice that I feel will benefit my family, so can you really put a price tag on that? Here is a portion of an article taken from naturalpath.com:

"Skeptics claim that labeling foods organic is just a marketing tactic to get consumers to pay a premium. And, some scientists maintain that there are no discernible health differences between the two.
However, there are numerous health benefits, both personal and planetary, to eating an organic diet.
Organic foods minimize exposure to pesticides, which have been proven to be toxic in the human diet, and often linked with cancer. This is especially critical for children, who are even more susceptible to the effects of toxins than adults.
Organically grown foods have reduced amounts of heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and solvents like benzene and toluene, when compared to conventionally grown foods. Minimizing exposure to these toxins is beneficial, as accumulation of heavy metals is associated with many diseases such as allergic reactions, nerve disorders, and cancer.
Organic foods are also more nutritious than their conventional counterparts. Recent studies have found significantly higher levels of nutrients and antioxidants in organic produce. Analysis shows that organic foods have, on average, 27% more vitamin C, 29% more iron, and 14% more phosphorus. A study by Globe and Mail and CTV news, found that today's potatoes, compared with those from 50 years ago, contain 57% less vitamin C, 57% less iron, and 50% less riboflavin. Modern industrial broccoli has 63% less calcium, 34% less iron, and a decrease in seven other vital other nutrients."

There are countless resources out there, some that tell you not to bother at all, others more middle of the road, and some that are nazi-ish in their organic beliefs. i get so confused!

For a full list of what the best produce is to buy organic click here