GO ORGANIC
It’s so wrong to have to choose between conventionally grown fruits, vegetables or grains and organic ones. Both look the same, both can be firm, shiny, colorful and look delicious. Both provide vitamins, minerals, enzymes, micronutrients and fiber. Which one should we choose?
Organically grown foods generally taste better because the soil is nourished, well-balanced, and that will produce healthy strong plants. Studies have shown that the nutrients were higher in organic grown foods than the conventionally grown foods. Especially with heirloom varieties, which are cultivated for taste over appearance. A lot of vegetables and fruits have lost more than half of their nutrients in the last 50 years, because of the way we changed the way we cultivate.
The organic foods are grown and harvested without pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, (GMOs), antibiotics and growth hormones! All those chemicals are just plain scary! Just think, if you consumed an average apple you would be eating over 30 pesticides even after you have washed it!
“More than 600 active chemicals are registered for agricultural use in Canada, that means billions of pounds annually. The average application equates to about 16 pounds of chemical pesticides per person every year.”
All these chemicals reduce the nutrients and you will have to eat twice as much of regular food to compensate for the lost of nutrients that you will find in organic food and that means more chemicals in your body. I believe these chemicals have a direct effect on hormone balances in our body and more obesity, Alzheimer’s, birth defects and disease.
Unfortunately, a lot of these chemicals are still approved by our government. They are allowed even though they don’t have any extensive research on them. And now a lot of those chemicals have been proven to be linked to cancer and other diseases. They may have serious long-term impacts on the health and development of human species. That means the government is allowing food on our table that is toxic and full of chemicals and pesticides. I think if they were looking to do something at the source, right at the beginning of the food production, hospitals would be less busy and the cost of our health system would be cheaper and every Canadian family would be able to enjoy the benefit of healthy food at regular price.
Organic farming techniques provide a safer environment for everyone and reduce pollution.
They use natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants. They use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
They rotate crops and they give animals organic feed, a balanced diet and allow them access to the outdoors. They use preventive measures such as rotational grazing and clean farm housing to help minimize disease. Healthy food comes from healthy soil.
Organic food is a great benefit for the environment. That includes enforcing the humane treatment of animals, protecting the environment and relying on renewable resources
“Rodale Institute research shows that organically managed soils can store (sequester) more than 1,000 pounds of carbon per acre, while non-organic systems can cause carbon loss. For consumers, this means that the simple act of buying organic products can help to reduce global climate change.” from: http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/global_warming
Organic foods should be prepared with the same safety measures as conventional foods, make sure they will be washed well before eating to remove dust and dirt as well as any small levels of natural pesticides on the product. “
All organic foods have to meet strict Canadian government regulation; how these foods are grown and handled. Organic foods are less ‘processed’. Read the labels carefully to make sure they didn’t use or have little preservatives like sulphates and nitrates.
When I watch Marketplace on TV about the lousy labelling, I wonder about Health Canada. The labeling they do is not that great. Okay, it’s better than before and better than some other countries but still for the lazy people who work there, please start being the people who really care about others and about being healthy. Don’t just sit on your ass.
If you missed that show look at: http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/
“All foods in Canada that want to be labeled “organic” must follow the Canadian Organic Standards (COS). Foods that contain 95% or higher organic content and meet the standards can use the Canada Organic Logo on their packaging. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for monitoring organic foods to make sure that the Canadian standards are met.” (From Organic Products Regulations (OPR)
Food Labelling Modernization Initiative
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched a consultation with consumer, industry and other stakeholders to identify ways to better respond to changing consumer expectations and industry needs related to labelling. This review of Canada’s existing food labelling requirements will assess how the CFIA’s approach to labels can best provide consumers with the information they need to make meaningful and informed decisions. The review will also examine changes needed to allow industry to effectively market their products and communicate to consumers through labels.
For more information or to provide feedback on this initiative, visit http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/labelling/labelling-modernization-initiative/eng/1370111174659/1370111346666
Have a look:
This means all organic farms are having regular inspections plus they have to pay for the accreditation, which is very expensive, Because of that the cost of organic grown foods is more expensive. Unfortunately some grocery stores are asking way too much, thinking to make more of a profit. I can buy organic butter with the certification in the US for $3.50 a pound compared to $9.95 to $10.25 here in Vancouver. One day I drove by the dairy wholesale Avalon in Vancouver and stopped to buy their organic butter, thinking it will be cheaper but no it was the same price I pay at the grocery store. On top of that I had to drive to their place and spend more money on gas, which makes it not worthwhile. They are supposed to be wholesale!
Some farms are not certified organic but they are not using all these chemicals. They obtain a provincial certification for not using them and they have to follow some government regulation and inspection but not as often. Some of them just cannot afford the cost of being certified organic especially small farms.
Eating right and having a good quality of living is primordial for your health. In British Columbia we are fortunate to find all kinds of organic grown foods in our supermarkets or local farmer’s markets. I remember visiting Quebec and New Brunswick in 2010 and I had a hard time finding organic grown food. It was while I was there, I had the idea to add to the website a section that would help people find where the healthy food was and help them to find answers to their concerns.
You can still buy organic food for almost the same cost of the conventionally grown food you buy at your regular grocery store “if you look carefully at between all the different stores”.
If you have a “green thumb”, use it! Grow your own organic garden; you don’t need a big place. My friend grows tomatoes, cucumber and fresh herbs on her balcony of 3’X 8’. Supplement what you grow with organic food from your local farmer’s market, grocery and supermarket. You can find a farm, which is certified organic, and buy directly from them. A lot have websites, just call, order and then pick it up. Sometimes you can get together with some friends or family members and order a lot and the farmer will come to you. Buy a freezer, they are not that expensive. I have a small one I have put in my closet and it’s been very helpful.
I know the cost of organic food can empty your wallet in no time but your health is more important at the end. You will save in a long run by being less sick, preventing cancer and other diseases for you and your family.
Very good web site: have a look!
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/nutrition
Why we should eat organic!
Life in a Nightmare Egg Farm
On this website you can find for each province; grocery, butchers and farmers who can sell you organic grow foods. Just click on it!
(If you are Certified Organic or have a Provincial Certification of not using chemical and you are not on my list. Please contact me and we will add you info@anticancertools.ca)
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International:
OCIA International
OCIA It’s one of the world’s oldest, largest and most trusted leaders in the organic certification industry. A nonprofit, member-owned, agricultural organization, OCIA is dedicated to providing the highest quality organic certification services and access to global organic markets.
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Canada
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British -Colombia
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Alberta
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Saskatchewan
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Manitoba
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Ontario
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Quebec
Organic Textile Certification – Certified by Québec Vrai
The presence of the BIO Québec logo on products ensures that these products have been certified according to the Québec Certification Reference Manual and guarantees that the products contain at least 95% ingredients of organic origin.
Où trouver un détaillant de produits bio?
La certification biologique garantit que tout produit vendu au Québec portant la mention “biologique” a été produit conformément aux normes de l’agriculture biologique du Québec. Ces normes sont régies par le Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants (CARTV)
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ATLANTIC
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