Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

Organic Bytes: 2010 - The Year of Eating Organically

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

December 30, 2009

Organic Bytes #206: 2010 - The Year of Eating Organically

Health, Justice and Sustainability News

from the _Organic Consumers Association_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=lCbuJReFWvPd4cLMNkhOUdZi\

t/9o21YI)

Edited by: Alexis Baden-Mayer and Ronnie Cummins

_Organic Bytes on the Radio_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=Y5Ix0JQFOlCb16g3EmQ46NZi\

t/9o21YI)

_Organic Consumers on The Huffington Post_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=gASFobKzais6hjDaeHcv5tZi\

t/9o21YI)

_Organic Consumers on Common Dreams_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=2n6ZoNhFxJBAM4Iffsx7PdZi\

t/9o21YI)

2010 New Year's Resolution: Boycott Chemical & GMO Foods, Eat Organically

 

In This Issue:

* Why We Should All Eat More Organic Food

* How to Identify Real Organic Food

_Subscribe_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=+T090Cro/VOb9KTzYDR6zq/g\

7GKSPxgA) | _Un_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=FRX3rKkjlibYVTdjmX06rNZi\

t/9o21YI) | _Read Past

Issues_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=pyqW3jQ5SutvZRmehAk5b9Zi\

t/9o21YI) | _OCA Homepage_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=7CbgHjaVfr2R8nk9cD87F9Zi\

t/9o21YI) | _Donate_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=Vxh+z713lFEtIIfCSxlgo9Zi\

t/9o21YI)

 

Why We Should All Eat More Organic Food

Organic Food is More Nutritious

Organic foods, especially raw or non-processed, contain higher levels of

beta carotene, vitamins C, D and E, health-promoting polyphenols,

cancer-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids that help ward off heart disease,

essential

fatty acids, and essential minerals.

On the average, organic food is 25% more nutritious in terms of vitamins

and minerals than products derived from industrial agriculture. Since on the

average, organic food's shelf price is only 20% higher than chemical food,

this makes it actually cheaper, gram for gram, than chemical food, even

ignoring the astronomical hidden costs (damage to health, climate,

environment, and government subsidies) of industrial food production. Levels of

antioxidants in milk from organic cattle are between 50% and 80% higher than

normal milk. Organic wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, onions and lettuce

have between 20% and 40% more nutrients than non-organic foods.

Organic food contains qualitatively higher levels of essential minerals

(such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium), that are severely depleted

in chemical foods grown on pesticide and nitrate fertilizer-abused soil. UK

and US government statistics indicate that levels of trace minerals in

(non-organic) fruit and vegetables fell by up to 76% between 1940 and 1991.

Organic Food is Pure Food, Free of Chemical Additives

Organic food doesn't contain food additives, flavor enhancers (like MSG),

artificial sweeteners (like aspartame and high-fructose corn syrup),

contaminants (like mercury) or preservatives (like sodium nitrate), that can

cause health problems.

Eating organic has the potential to lower the incidence of autism,

learning disorders, diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, allergies,

osteoporosis, migraines, dementia, and hyperactivity.

Organic Food Is Safer

Organic food doesn't contain pesticides. More than 400 chemical pesticides

are routinely used in conventional farming and residues remain on

non-organic food even after washing. Children are especially vulnerable to

pesticide exposure. One class of pesticides, endocrine disruptors, are likely

responsible for early puberty and breast cancer. Pesticides are linked to

asthma and cancer.

Organic food isn't genetically modified. Under organic standards,

genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are prohibited.

Organic animals aren't given drugs. Organic farming standards prohibit the

use of antibiotics, growth hormones and genetically modified vaccines in

farm animals. Hormone-laced beef and dairy consumption is correlated with

increased rates of breast, testis and prostate cancers.

Organic animals aren't fed animal remains or slaughterhouse waste, blood,

or manure. Eating organic reduces the risks of CJD, the human version of

mad cow disease, as well as Alzheimer's.

Organic animals aren't fed arsenic.

Organic animals aren't fed byproducts of corn ethanol production (which

increases the rate of E. coli contamination).

Organic crops aren't fertilized with toxic sewage sludge or coal waste, or

irrigated with E. coli contaminated sewage water.

Organic food isn't irradiated. Cats fed a diet of irradiated food got

multiple sclerosis within 3-4 months.

Organic food contains less illness-inducing bacteria. Organic chicken is

free of salmonella and has a reduced incidence of campylobacter.

_LEARN MORE_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=2BfgRLG5BmrtDofxzO0RHdZi\

t/9o21YI)

 

How to Identify Real Organic Food

Look for the USDA Organic Seal or the Words " Made With Organic Ingredients "

When you see the " USDA Organic " seal, you know that the food is at least

95% organic, does not contain genetically modified organisms, was not

irradiated, and comes from a farm that:

* Employs positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop

rotation practices.

* Provides outdoor access and pasture for livestock.

* Refrains from antibiotic and hormone use in animals.

* Sustains animals on 100% organic feed.

* Keeps records of all operations.

* Is inspected annually by an accredited Third-Party Organic Certifier.

If it is a multi-ingredient product, it was made at a certified organic

processing plant that takes strict measures to avoid contamination of organic

products.

Products that are " Made With Organic Ingredients " are at least 70% organic

and are also free from genetically modified organisms and food

irradiation.

Organic Food On a Budget

When comparing prices in the grocery aisles, the organic version of

particular items is often 20% on the average more expensive, but if you make a

pledge to eat more organic, you'll likely save money overall by eating out at

restaurants less often, packing your lunch, and cooking from scratch.

_LEARN MORE_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=G3eFvCWnZr1cfvWxiNkVHtZi\

t/9o21YI)

 

Let Us Know You're Going Organic in the New Year!

_Organic Consumers Association's Facebook Fan Page_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=CHU8pmZoR7C5V+XXeh3CudZi\

t/9o21YI)

_Organic Consumers Association's Facebook Group_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=DJLokHQzzLg9XFD8bMY6UNZi\

t/9o21YI)

_Organic Consumers on Twitter_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=aDXDyJhRR9ikeEcqrUq/0dZi\

t/9o21YI)

 

PLEASE DONATE!

OCA Needs Your Help to Spread the Organic Revolution

OCA and our national, now international, network of organic consumers and

farmers understand that we have a positive life-affirming solution for the

global food, health, and climate crisis: organic food, farming, and

ranching. But to get out our all-important message we need your support and

your

donations. So please send us a tax-deductible donation today.

The OCA's yearly fundraiding drive kicked off at the beginning of

December, so please help us reach our goal of raising $75,000 by January 1st,

2010!

_PLEASE DONATE_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=re1+VX6ouHUN1RRgIP3kQNZi\

t/9o21YI)

 

LOCAL ON NEWS OF THE WEEK

ON - Get Involved Locally

* Learn more about OCA related action alerts and other news in ON

_here_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=5MmxZo7QjqBW1O18zncu6NZi\

t/9o21YI) .

* Join ON discussion groups in our _forum_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=GK9EKVLdykFxrfOozZ6rW9Zi\

t/9o21YI) .

* Post events in ON on our community _calendar_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=WdKYZo+i5j/NE7cioPLKqa/g\

7GKSPxgA) .

 

 

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=Hhbaej03EWUG9DNeqtwf/tZi\

t/9o21YI) Message from our Sponsors

Living Tree Community Foods

Dear brothers and sisters,

We invite you to _watch Master Live Food Chef Diana Hirsch_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=2pUIDULsYKU1/1vlv7BhhNZi\

t/9o21YI)

using Living Tree Tahini to make Alive Hummus. We make our Tahini in

Berkeley, a wellspring of the human spirit.

For details about our nut butters, olives and olive oil, we invite you to

explore our website.

We invite you to visit us online at _www.livingtreecommunity.com_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=gJUGxjeYOECfaFsWnokpFNZi\

t/9o21

YI) or call toll free at 1 800-260-5534

(http://salsa.democracyina

ction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=G4c/W7lbkKh1NulcqtYWR9Zit/9o21YI)

 

Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web

sites,

print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power!

Organic Bytes is a publication of _Organic Consumers Association_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=2PJvkUaAUJ98qOmRpJS+19Zi\

t/9o21

YI)

6771 South Silver Hill Drive - Finland, MN 55603 - Phone: 218-226-4164 -

Fax: 218-353-7652

_Read past issues and print- friendly PDF versions of Organic Bytes_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=5Gzg/PhLYiaNdaIi37J3P9Zi\

t

/9o21YI) |

_Subscribe_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=gASFobKzaiti9HTrp1EK49Zi\

t/9o21YI) | _Donate_

(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2 & c=++hG0RO5mgYGJVStZjPZrNZi\

t/9o21YI)

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...