My love for Organics and my wallets hatred for them.

Hello readers!!! Allow me to begin by apologizing for the two week late post. It's been a beyond crazy two weeks and it seems both Fridays came and went with a flash. On the plus side, it has been two weeks of environmental positives in my apartment. I was able to do a load of clothes and "line" dry them, (the line being my shower rod). I also purchased all things needed to begin my organic fire escape garden. The only minus this week came in the form of water, the exact resource I spent last week talking about, seems to be posing the biggest challenge. It looks like cutting down on those, oh so wonderful long hot showers, is harder than it looks. Because I'm a glutton for a long hot shower Ive resorted to either setting the timer on my phone to go off after 3min or taking the option of a shallow bath. I'm still missing the warmth, but realize that most people don't even have enough water to brush their teeth. In fact, National Geographic documented that the average American household uses 350 gallons of water a day, while the average household in rural Africa gets by on 2...if their lucky. That's a statistic that really puts things into perspective and gives me reason to stop my complaining.

Now onto the Organics!!! This week I want to discuss the world of Organics and mindful eating. My first introduction to Organic food was while living in Houston during grad school. I happen to live right next to a WholeFoods store, but at the time had no idea what organic food meant or was. After a day of being fed up with having to drive my car to Kroger, I decided to walk the five feet and enter this "hippie" store. Immediately I was taken back by the color that greeted me. It's as though I entered Eden in the middle of urban Texas. Everything that greeted my senses, from the color of the fruit, and the smell of clean aromas, (not bleach and cardboard, but plants), was amazing. I began walking around and exploring each isle and sampling food that felt good going down. I was hooked! However, my grad school wallet was less than pleased, (may I point out it is still less than pleased half the time). It wouldn't be until New York that I realized paying the extra $1.00 for eggs was not only good for the environment, but also an investment in my health.

Ahhh New York City, everything you could possibly want at your finger tips. New York has opened my world to Farmer's markets, Trader Joes, local fruit, etc. I don't really know why I wasn't aware before that these things existed, but it should open every ones eyes to the fact that our children need to be exposed to this stuff and fast. NYC also gave me this book.....

The Conscious Kitchen, by NYC native Alexandra Zissu, became my healthy living bible. It is a book that is not only easy to digest, (no pun intended), but is so valuable in helping the average person reevaluate the way they buy and think about food. Zissu breaks every item in your kitchen down, from fruits and veggies to non-stick cookware and plastics. After reading this book, Lenny and I not only recycled all non-stick cookware and plastic, but also created our wedding registry with items off her list. With complete 100% satisfaction I recommend this book to anyone who is serious about the well being of their families and the environment. 

The benefits of an organic and local eating lifestyle are endless. I realize you have probably heard a million celebrities, politicians (a.k.a Michelle Obama), and other big names go on and on about these benefits, but take it from someone who knows the value of a dollar. . .Organics can and will change your life. 

I recently was told that someone very close to me had been directly effected by the added hormones in regular dairy. I have been aware that added growth hormones in cattle and dairy cows can not only cause early onset puberty in young children, (some as young as 7), but can also aid in the mutation of cancerous cells. But to hear that someone so close to me was seeing the effects brought on by a life of drinking industrialize farm dairy milk, really brought it home. Organic milk does not contain added growth hormones, nor does it contain antibiotics. By making the switch to Organic milk, you not only see the benefits yourself, but your children will benefit too. 

Like I said before, I love Organic eating. . .my wallet does not. If I had my druthers Organic food would be affordable for the masses. However, more farmers markets around the nation are excepting food stamps. It's all about education. We need to educate our youth and lower economic areas that eating better is an investment in their health. Think of it this way, for every extra dollar spent on USDAORGANIC food, it is one less dollar given to the insurance company or the pharmaceutical companies. You owe it to yourself and to your family to educate them on the food your family consumes. What you uncover may shock you and you don't have to live in a city like NY to find great local farms. Take initiative and ask questions! You have the right to know what your eating and where it came from. 

When you purchase food that was grown organically, you are placing your vote for better standards in food safety from the USDA/FDA, your supporting farmers, and helping the planet by decreasing your carbon footprint, (local travels less).

"If you ever thought you were too small to make a big difference, than you've clearly never been bitten by a mosquito" - Jeanette Walls

I have decided to end this post with a two books that helped me to become an Organic/local eater: 

THE CONCIOUS KITCHEN         Alexandra Zissu

THE KIND DIET                             Alicia Silverstone

Have a wonderful weekend!!! And I just want to do a quick shout out to my cousin Mary who finished the Boston Marathon today. . .truly inspiring. 

Happy Saving!!

Laura