Organic Love

I'm sure you've seen it in every super market. The section that's labeled ORGANIC. I know what you're thinking. Those are just for hippie-tree-huggin-granolas who think they're too good to buy normal food.

WRONG.

I used to think that way, but over the past couple of years as I've researched and read different articles my mind has changed completely.

Here's just 5 pesticides that are contaminating our food, air, and water.

1. Glyphosate: Used on corn, cotton, canola, soy (which have been genetically modified mind you), parks and home gardens. Mississippi Basin studied the ground soaked with residue and found that the water had considerably higher amounts permissible in drinking water. This chemical has been linked to  BIRTH DEFECTS, NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, FERTILITY ISSUES AND CANCER. 

2. Atrazine: Used on corn mostly; we go through about 75 MILLION POUNDS per year. This chemical DISRUPTS THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, HAS BEEN LINKED TO BIRTH DEFECTS, INFERTILITY AND POSSIBLY CANCER. 

3. Chlorpyrifos: Once mainly used in garden situations, chlorpyrifos is now being used on apples, corn, oranges, almonds, and cotton. Low-doses of it can cause fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and blurred vision. Higher doses can cause RESPIRATORY PARALYSIS, ADHD, AND LOWER IQ'S.

4. Metolachlor: Used on corn, soy, and sorghum, as well as some lawns and trees. THE EPA HAS RECOGNIZED THIS AS CANCER CAUSING. Other side effects include JAUNDICE, CONVULSIONS, DIFFICULTY BREATHING, AND NAUSEA.

5. Metam sodium: "This widely used fumigant and pesticide is commonly applied to potatoes in concentrations as high as 150 to 300 pounds per acre." NAUSEA, DIFFICULTY BREATHING, DAMAGE TO THYROID, VOMITING, HORMONE DISRUPTION, AND BIRTH DEFECTS. 

Those are only 5... There are tons more in use right now, and some that aren't legal in the U.S.A. (ie, products from Mexico, China, etc.)

These pesticides don't just stay on the surface of your food, and wash off with a little water. They seep into the tiny pores of your fruits and veggies contaminating the entire thing. It also seeps into the ground causing runoff to be contaminated. 

Still not convinced?

Did you know that plants adapt to their environment, much like animals?

What does this mean?

Plants can become pesticide and herbicide resistant. 

Meaning, the farmers then start using a different, sometimes stronger chemical to treat their precious investments. 

Now I know that organic means dipping into your wallets a little deeper, but wouldn't you rather pay a price right now, than in the future on medical bills? It could save your life.

Also, if you're supermarket doesn't offer a lot of things in the organic section, use my rule of thumb. Always buy fruits and veggies with thin skins organic, and thicker skins can be bought normally.

Here's a link to the Dirty 12 and the Clean 15 if you have any other questions. 

(Seriously though....)