Organic Food Lover

We recommend eating natural and organic food wherever possible to reduce your exposure to pesticides as well as reducing the damage to the environment caused by the many chemicals used in conventional farming.

Organic products are produced without the use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides, growth hormones or routine antibiotics. Organic farming relies on crop rotation, improving soils by adding animal and plant manures, hand weeding, and organic pest control. Organic food is grown slowly, as nature intended, resulting in more vitamins and minerals and more flavour.

Although the quantity of pesticides absorbed from eating non-organic food is very small, they do accumulate over time. Pesticides absorbed from food are linked to many health problems including cancer, birth defects, genetic mutation, asthma, and nerve damage.

Organic farming also keeps animals healthy as the use of drugs is restricted. Salmonella, cryptosporidium, E.coli, and listeria are rare in organic foods.

Organic fruit and vegetables are fresh, "unprocessed" organic food, such as those purchased directly from growers, at farmers' markets, from on-farm stands, supermarkets, through speciality food stores, and through community-supported agriculture (CSA) projects. Unprocessed animal products like organic meat, eggs, dairy, are less commonly available in "fresh" form.

In Australia, organic eggs must be from free-range hens, rather than from battery chickens. Animals for the organic market may not be fed growth hormones or drugs such as steroids or antibiotics.

At first, organic food comprised mainly fresh vegetables. Early consumers interested in organic food would look for chemical-free, fresh or minimally processed food. They mostly had to buy directly from growers: "Know your farmer, know your food" was the motto. Personal definitions of what constituted "organic" were developed through firsthand experience: by talking to farmers, seeing farm conditions, and farming activities. Small farms grew vegetables (and raised livestock) using organic farming practices, with or without certification, and the individual consumer monitored.

Consumer demand for organic foods continues to increase, and high volume sales through mass outlets, like supermarkets, is rapidly replacing the direct farmer connection. For supermarket consumers, food production is not easily observable, and product labelling, like "certified organic", is relied on. Government regulations and third-party inspectors are looked to for assurance.

A "certified organic" label is usually the only way for consumers to know that a processed product is "organic".

Organic vinegar is a liquid produced from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient, acetic acid. The acetic acid concentration ranges typically from 4 to 8 percent by volume for table vinegar (typically 5%) and higher concentrations for pickling (up to 18%) although in some countries the minimum strength may be less. Natural vinegars also contain smaller amounts of tartaric acid, citric acid, and other acids. It has been used since ancient times, and is an important element in Western and European, Asian, and other traditional cuisines of the world.

The word "vinegar" derives from the Old French vin aigre, meaning "sour wine." Louis Pasteur showed in 1864 that vinegar results from a natural fermentation process.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Organic apple cider vinegar, otherwise known simply as cider vinegar, is made from cider or apple must, and is often sold unfiltered, with a brownish-yellow color; it often contains mother of vinegar. It is currently very popular, partly due to its alleged beneficial health and beauty properties (see below). Due to its acidity, apple cider vinegar can be very caustic, even burning the throat. If taken straight (as opposed to usage in cooking), it should be diluted before drinking. Others dilute it with warm water and add some honey. There have been reports of acid chemical burns of the throat in using the pill form of organic apple cider vinegar.

Organic maple syrup is a sweetener made from the sap of maple trees. It is most often eaten with pancakes, waffles, or french toast. It is sometimes used as an ingredient in baking, or in preparing desserts.

Organic maple syrup and its artificial imitations are the preferred toppings for crêpes, pancakes, waffles, and French toast in North America. Maple syrup can also be used for a variety of uses, including: biscuits, fresh donuts, fried dough, fritters, ice cream, hot cereal, and fresh fruit (especially grapefruit). It is also used as sweetener for applesauce, baked beans, candied sweet potatoes, winter squash, cakes, pies, breads, fudge and other candy, milkshakes, tea, coffee, and hot toddies.

Organic maple syrup and maple sugar were used during the American Civil War and by abolitionists in the years prior to the war, because most cane sugar and molasses was produced by Southern slaves. During food rationing in World War II, people in the northeastern United States were encouraged to stretch their sugar rations by sweetening foods with maple syrup and maple sugar, and recipe books were printed to help housewives employ this alternate source.

In New England, Quebec and eastern Ontario, the process has become part of the culture. One tradition is going to sugar houses (cabanes à sucre) in early spring for meals served with maple syrup-based products, especially the dish known variously as maple taffee (in English Canada), Tire sur la neige (in Quebec), and sugar on snow (in the United States). This is thickened hot syrup poured onto fresh snow and then eaten off sticks as it quickly cools. This thick organic maple syrup-based candy is served with yeast-risen doughnuts, sour dill pickles, and coffee. Owing to the sugar maple tree's predominance in southeastern Canada (where European settlement of what would become Canada began), its leaf has come to symbolize the country, and is depicted on its flag.

Organic foods can be found at most supermarkets as well as your local organic food store. Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.

Increasingly, organic food production is legally regulated. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic.

Historically, organic farms have been relatively small family-run farms — which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers' markets. Now, organic foods are becoming much more widely available — organic food sales within the United States have grown by 17 to 20 percent a year for the past few years while sales of conventional food have grown at only about 2 to 3 percent a year. This large growth is predicted to continue, and many companies are jumping into the market.

Organic Food Store

Visit you local organic food store to get fresh fruit and vegetables which are 100% organic as well all kinds of other organic foods.

Grub Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen is a highly rated book on organic living. The book suggests people spend more time in the kitchen, preparing healthy, organic meals as a way to improve their general health and reduce the serious problem of obesity in the US.

Grub Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen

The book not only has many recipes but also explains how to find and use the best ingredients from local sources, such as farmers markets and co-ops.

Grub Ideas also goes into detail as to why we should be buying organic food. In particular, it goes into detail about the dangers of pesticides, both to our bodies and to the environment.

If you check reviews of this book, you'll see most of them are very positive. I think Grub Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen is a good book for those who are new to organic living and would like information about the benefits of buying organic produce and the best way to find and use this produce. It's probably not for those who have been eating organically for some time and are already 'converted' to the organic lifestyle.

My Organic Market is an organic supermarket selling fresh fruit and vegetables which are 100% organic. They also sell frozen and refrigerated organic produce, dry grocery products such as organic flour, organic pasta, organic rice, as well as organic vitamins and supplements and health and beauty products.

My Organic Market

My Organic Market currently has 5 organic food stores in the US. These are located in:

• Rockville, MD
• College Park, MD
• Alexandria, VA
• Columbia East, MD
• Frederick, MD

The first My Organic Market supermarket opened in 1996 and the most recent store recently opened in 2007. The most recent store was created with the environment in mind with features including the use of skylights, bamboo counters, and other green fixtures.

The company states its priorities as to clean and restore the environment for our children and future generations.

Visit My Organic Market for more information on their policies and product ranges.

Organic Similac is formula for you baby which is made using organic milk and other organic ingredients. It is a healthy alternative for mothers who want to reduce their child's exposure to harmful toxins such as pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones, and synthetic chemicals.

Organic Similac

Similac Organic Infant Formula is certified organic by the USDA. Gaining certification is a rigorous process which insures that producers are in compliance with USDA regulations and that at least 95% of the product's ingredients have been produced organically.

Organic infant formula provides a balance of minerals and nutrients which is required by your baby and to give them the a healthy start to their life.

Similac have many products which new mothers could consider using to replace or supplement breast milk. Similac Organic is what we recommend if you are looking for organic baby formula.

The Complete Organic Pregnancy is a popular and highly rated book for mums to be and new mums who want to provide a healthy, pesticide free start for their baby.

While it's impossible to avoid all toxins while pregnant, following the advice in the book can help you minimise your exposure to harmful chemicals.

Harmful toxins can be found in:

• food
• cleaning products
• cosmetics
• furniture
• rugs
• air
• water

The Complete Organic Pregnancy book can help you to determine where toxins can be found as well as how to avoid them. It is especially important to lead an organic lifestyle while pregnant and to provide organic food for your baby. This book explains why that is the case and how organic products can help you and your child's short and long term health.

There are many reviews available for The Complete Organic Pregnancy and most of the give it 5 stars. It really is a fantastic book which all new mothers should consider reading.

There are a number of organic bird foods on the market which are produced without the use of pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilisers. Organic pet food is natural, wholesome and the healthy choice for your pet.

Organic products are produced without the use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides, growth hormones or routine antibiotics. Organic farming relies on crop rotation, improving soils by adding animal and plant manures, hand weeding, and organic pest control. Organic food is grown slowly, as nature intended, resulting in more vitamins and minerals and more flavour.

Although the quantity of pesticides absorbed from eating non-organic food is very small, they do accumulate over time. Pesticides absorbed from food are linked to many health problems including cancer, birth defects, genetic mutation, asthma, and nerve damage.

Organic Bird Food

Many of us choose organic products for ourselves and our family but why not for our pets too? Our dogs, cats, and birds etc are part of the family too aren't they?

Organic bird food is available online for delivery to your door or you can find it at some larger supermarkets. If you are looking for organic bird food and can't find any, the best option is to ask your local organic supermarket or your local bird or pet supplies shop to order it for you.