Organic… what does that actually mean? Is it the latest fad, or does it sound like something that should be healthy, yet we don’t really know why? Organic seems to be making the news a lot lately, we don’t know if we can trust a label when it says “Organic”, and there are questions about where our US Organic foods actually come from. With consumer demand so high, some companies are admitting to acquiring Organic foods from outside of the US, leaving us unsure about exactly what “their” standards are and if they’re the same as ours. In addition, organic farmers with the best intentions have found that their crops to be contaminated with Genetically Modified seeds that have been wind blown onto their farms from the conventional farm close by.
Organic Foods are those fruits, vegetables and other plants that are grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides. In organic meat and poultry, there is no use of antibiotics or hormones. No Genetically Modified (GM) foods, no irradiation and no sewer sludge in the products are allowed. Organically grown foods are good for the environment because the farming methods keep the environment healthy. Organic methods of building soil fertility do more than just increase yields; they also build up minerals and micronutrients for robust, nutritious plants. Organic farmers protect their soil and local waterways through a variety of methods. The soil from organically grown food is full of vitamins and minerals from previously grown crops which are rotated to keep the minerals in the soil.
A group called the NOP (National Organic Program) implements the Organic Standards. When you buy a food labeled Organic, you can be sure you are getting a product that is both healthy for the environment and healthy for you and your family.
Buying food from your local farmer insures getting the freshest produce possible; however, it doesn’t mean they grow according to organic standards. In other words, pesticides and herbicides may still be used; you can check with your local farmers as to their methods.
So is organic the healthier choice? Recent studies on organic vs. non-organic foods have shown more nutrient content in the organic vs. the non-organic foods. One contributing reason might be because conventionally farmed use of pesticides and herbicides disrupt the plants ability to produce the protective compounds that in turn are the very same compounds that are cancer protective for us when we consume the plants. Without the use of pesticides, plants are able to produce those compounds. Other research studies have shown that the fruits and vegetables in the US now have ½ the vitamin content of their counterparts from 1963. These studies were based on a comparison of published USDA figures. Based on these studies, it appears that organic foods may be more beneficial than conventionally grown foods making them more in demand by consumers
Where can you find organic products?
- Local grocery stores almost always have an organic food section in the produce area and sometimes throughout the store.
- Local Farmer’s Market or Food Co Op. Check the specifics to see if they are practicing organic farming methods.
- Specialty Health, Grocery stores like Whole Foods Markets or Trader Joes. Look for the USDA certified organic label.
About the Author:
Maria Fill is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Provider of Real Living Nutrition Services ®. To learn more about Maria visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com/mariafill.aspx
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Fill
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Work at Home - Know What it Takes
You know you've got a sweet cushy job when you're making lots of money and not working. Not having to report to a boss, no punching in at the time clock, what can be better right? Does this sound like your kind of job? I'm willing to bet on it. Of course it's not all bells and whistles, to get to this point you have to put in some work.
No ones going to hand you a magic potion or software and puff you're set for life, it not that easy but its easy enough. So easy in fact that all you need is a few hours a day and you will be well on your way. In some cases you don't even need money or a web site.
When people ask me what I do, it's not always easy to answer. Do you want the long version or the short version I ask? When I get asked how many hours I work, sometimes I say 2-3 hours a day and sometimes I say 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Both answers are the truth, depending on my mood. There is of course the inevitable question of how much money I make. Here is where I just smile and say, "you mean since I've been here talking to you?"
So you want to run your own home business, well as you can imagine being your own boss takes discipline. There is no one looking over your shoulder making sure you get the job done but this is both a blessing and a curse. Without discipline you're doomed to failure. Its great setting my own schedule, but I've got a job to do and there's no one else who's going to do it for me. The great thing is when you see the fruits of your labor coming in you will want to work more at it than you think. Money is the great motivator and what's better; working eight hours for your boss or working ten hours for you.
So what do I do? The really short version; I do Internet Marketing. The search engines are my greatest love, it's a win-win situation. People come to the Internet and my website with needs, my job is to help them find what they want. I've had my share of all-nighters in the beginning and still do, you will also. Not because you have to, but because you'll want to. Simply because in the not so distant future while you sleep at night or you're off on that great vacation, your computer will still be at work making you money. Now tell me that isn't a sweet deal.
Don DaSilva is a Web Entrepreneur and aspiring writer.
Did you find this information useful? You can learn a lot more about Legitimate Home Based Business Opportunities at http://mastermindsresearch.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_DaSilva
No ones going to hand you a magic potion or software and puff you're set for life, it not that easy but its easy enough. So easy in fact that all you need is a few hours a day and you will be well on your way. In some cases you don't even need money or a web site.
When people ask me what I do, it's not always easy to answer. Do you want the long version or the short version I ask? When I get asked how many hours I work, sometimes I say 2-3 hours a day and sometimes I say 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Both answers are the truth, depending on my mood. There is of course the inevitable question of how much money I make. Here is where I just smile and say, "you mean since I've been here talking to you?"
So you want to run your own home business, well as you can imagine being your own boss takes discipline. There is no one looking over your shoulder making sure you get the job done but this is both a blessing and a curse. Without discipline you're doomed to failure. Its great setting my own schedule, but I've got a job to do and there's no one else who's going to do it for me. The great thing is when you see the fruits of your labor coming in you will want to work more at it than you think. Money is the great motivator and what's better; working eight hours for your boss or working ten hours for you.
So what do I do? The really short version; I do Internet Marketing. The search engines are my greatest love, it's a win-win situation. People come to the Internet and my website with needs, my job is to help them find what they want. I've had my share of all-nighters in the beginning and still do, you will also. Not because you have to, but because you'll want to. Simply because in the not so distant future while you sleep at night or you're off on that great vacation, your computer will still be at work making you money. Now tell me that isn't a sweet deal.
Don DaSilva is a Web Entrepreneur and aspiring writer.
Did you find this information useful? You can learn a lot more about Legitimate Home Based Business Opportunities at http://mastermindsresearch.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_DaSilva
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