The trend towards people buying organic foods has risen substantially over the last couple of years as people have become more aware of the process our foods go through before we get them on the table.  Organic foods are free from chemicals, fertilisers, genetic modifications and the farmers practice agricultural practices which allows for sustainability of the land and water resources. This movement of wanting healthy foods has been driven in last few years when companies started to genetically modify foods to improve the yields that the farms can take whilst making them cheaper to grow.  The growing problem with genetically engineered foods is that the modified seeds then spread to other crops infecting their crops and increasing the amount of genetically engineered food which we are consuming.

Every month has seen an increase in range and amounts of organic foods which are now available even in big chain supermarkets, and the more organic foods that are purchased will result in a greater range of products at a cheaper price as the market will become more competitive.  Most organic foods will have a sticker on them to say that they have been approved by a third party which ensures that the product fills the criteria to claim that the particular product is organic.

There are several reasons why you should consider purchasing organic foods which includes;

• The fruit and vegetables are denser in vitamins and minerals as their growth has been normal instead of enhancing the speed of growth of particular fruits and vegetables.  This allows certain nutrients to be absorbed from the ground which can then be passed on to you when you eat the produce.
• In general animals are often forced to endure hard lives with frequent exposure to pesticides, abortifacients, hormones, tick dunking and antibiotics before they get to you and many are locked in feed lots to increase their growth rate so they don’t get any sunlight, exercise or green grass.  Organic meat producers allow the animals to roam around to eat the grass and are not exposed to the same chemicals as their counterparts.
• By eating organic foods you are inadvertently reducing the amounts of chemicals which are being used in agriculture, which means there are fewer chemicals contaminating our environment.
• Organic foods taste better as they actually taste like they are supposed to unlike many foods which all taste the same due to the processors that they go though.
• Organic fruit is not irradiated.  That’s right most fruits and vegetables are irradiated before they get to you which destroy bacteria on them.  Which poses a couple of problems as many of these bacteria tell us that the fruit is off by that mouldy growth or putrid smell, and what happens if some of the molecules are left unstable from the process?

Organic foods are far more beneficial for you, your health and the environment so try and replace as much of your regular fruit, vegetables and meats with organic alternatives.

Recipes supplied courtesy of the "Golden Door Health Retreat"

Apple & Sprout Salad with Coconut & Lime Dressing

Serves 6

Dressing:

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup apple juice concentrates

1 cup long thread coconut (optional)

1 cup kaffir lime leaves, packed

Method:

1.      Blend all ingredients together

2.      Dressing can be stored for 2-3 weeks

Salad:

1 cup bean sprouts

1 cup cucumber, chopped, continental or Lebanese

1 cup red capsicum, sliced

½ cup mung bean sprouts

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

3 red apples, peeled and sliced

Method:

1.      Combine all salad ingredients together and toss with dressing to taste.

2.      Serve immediately