| I was recently at a function giving my expertise on | | | | same industry that sells the hormone-injected foods. |
| how to get fit in any busy schedule when I overheard | | | | One of my biggest frustrations is that big corporations |
| a conversation that troubled me. It was between two | | | | will pay anything to make you believe what they want |
| women. They were discussing the idea of organic | | | | you to believe. |
| foods. | | | | Let's face it, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know |
| One of them commented on how they don't like the | | | | that if you consume less chemicals you will be |
| idea of so many different chemicals and hormones | | | | healthier. |
| used and the other said in a nut shell that it was more | | | | Eating organic vs. conventionally grown foods will be |
| hype than anything and that Canada did not allow | | | | debated forever, but in and amongst all the reasons |
| hormones to be used in our food. | | | | that are given, one thing cannot be ignored... organically |
| I was shocked. I wanted to go over and shake her | | | | raised foods should be free of of harmful chemicals |
| and ask her if she was serious, but I also wanted to | | | | that are present on commercial farms. Does this alone |
| be sure to have my facts very clear. | | | | not make it worth consuming organic foods? |
| The Search Begins... | | | | The most common response I get when I encourage |
| I hit the internet to try and confirm what I knew already. | | | | an organic diet is the cost. You do pay more for |
| I looked up in all my resource books about organic vs. | | | | organic food, but the organic food industry has been |
| Non organic foods, and I even went right to the meat | | | | growing substantially since the 1990's and the costs |
| department of a major supermarket to ask how their | | | | have come down. There have been many times |
| meat is grown. What I found was comforting to me. It | | | | where I have purchased organic produce for the |
| was everything that I already knew and believed, but | | | | same and even less than their conventional |
| what was shocking was the direct "say it as it is" | | | | counterparts. |
| response that I got from the meat manager from the | | | | I have found a great organic grocery store (not a big |
| supermarket. | | | | chain) close to me that I shop at every week. They |
| My question to him was simple....does Canada use | | | | have a special that when you buy in bulk it's cheaper. |
| hormones in their meats when raising chicken, cattle | | | | So each time I go I get 5 lbs of lean beef and get $1 |
| and pigs. He didn't even hesitate. It was a resounding | | | | off per pound and my chicken I get a big bag of |
| "yes". He went on to say that in the example of a | | | | boneless, skinless chicken and save a great deal over |
| chicken, that it takes 6 weeks for a chicken to fully | | | | purchasing the same amount from the grocery store |
| mature. | | | | down the street. I simply divide it when I get home and |
| There is no way a chicken is fully mature without the | | | | it did not cost too much more than I would have paid. |
| use of hormones. He then continued explaining to me | | | | It's all about priorities...To me it's worth it. |
| that is why organic chickens are more expensive. | | | | Someone once said that people are more concerned |
| They take longer to mature. | | | | with having an expensive or flashy looking car than |
| I appreciated his honesty and continued my search. | | | | spending a few extra dollars for good health. |
| After all my looking, I'm still convinced that eating | | | | Look around and find either a great little organic store |
| organic is not a scam. | | | | like I did, or find the local farmer's markets or if you are |
| How can consuming less pesticides and more vitamins | | | | lucky you can find organic farms quite close to you. |
| and minerals be a scam? I know there are studies for | | | | In the end, when you are eating organic, what harm is |
| everything you want to believe. If you think eating | | | | being done? No matter what side you listen to, your |
| organic is no different, you can find studies to support | | | | body will be free of harmful chemicals and pesticides, |
| that. Although with some digging and research many | | | | and getting more vitamins and minerals...a risk worth |
| of them are unfounded, or even sponsored by the | | | | taking. |