If you're eating non-organic celery, you may be ingesting 67 pesticides with it, according to a report from the Environmental Working Group.Hawaii Healthy Eating:  Honolulu's natural and organic market.Umeke Market | Sustainable EatingWhich of these produce would be healthier for you to buy "organic"?
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Not all of us can afford to go 100% organic. One solution that can help is to focus on just those foods that come with the heaviest burden of pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones. Whenever possible, deploy your organic spending power to buy organic versions of the 12 suggested buy organic foods Can't find organic versions of these foods? In some cases, we've listed safer alternatives that contain similar valuable vitamins and minerals. Sustainable Choice: GROW YOUR OWN. If you can't then head to the local Farmer's market - buy local! |
Making choices now that will impact the world forever. Visiting & Supporting Organic Farms in HawaiiWhile touring a certified organic farm on the North Shore this year I asked one of
the owners, if growing and farming organic saves so much money (and it does!) why
does it cost consumers so much more?? Mostly, because it is in high demand. Believe it or not, there are healthy food choices and alternatives to the expensive SUPER health food stores. We know what are thinking...that's way too much work. We say, working for a cleaner, healthier future for ourselves and our children is ALWAYS worth the effort. USDA Organic The most well-known organic label is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a part of the National Organic Program (NOP), they “develop, implement, and administer national production, handling and labeling standards for organic agricultural products.” The label may be used on raw, fresh products and processed products that contain organic ingredients. The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 created the need for consistent national standards for organically produced agricultural products. Organic crops must be raised without conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Animals raised organically must be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors. No antibiotics or growth hormones can be used. In production and handling, no genetic engineering, ionizing radiation or sewage sludge may be used. Synthetic substances are also prohibited. There are a few different classifications for organic products: * 100 percent organic: Contains only organically produced ingredients and processing aids. * Organic: Contains at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients. Remaining products must not be commercially available in organic form. * Made with organic ingredients: May be processed products with at least 70 percent organic ingredients. In order to become certified, applicants must submit information to one of the USDA’s accredited certifying agents. An inspection and compliance review will proceed before certification can be complete. | Top 12 Foods to Buy Organic 1. Meat. Raising animals with conventional modern methods often means using hormones to speed up growth, antibiotics to resist disease and pesticides to grow the grain fed to the animals. As the EPA puts it, "Antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones are organic compounds which are used in animal feeding operations and may pose risks if they enter the environment." Consumers looking to avoid meats raised with these substances can seek out certified organic meat. To meet USDA standards, this meat can come only from animals fed organic feed and given no hormones or antibiotics. 2. Milk. Pesticides and other man-made chemicals have been found in human breast milk, so it should come as no surprise that they have been found in dairy products. While any residues detected have been rare, and of low concentration, milk is of special concern because it is a staple of children's diets. Organic dairies cannot feed their cows with grains grown with pesticides, nor can they use antibiotics or growth hormones like rGBH or rbST. 3. Coffee. Many of the beans you buy are grown in countries that don't regulate use of chemicals and pesticides. Look for the Fair Trade Certified Organic label on the coffee package or can; it will give you some assurance that chemicals and pesticides were not used on the plants. It will also mean that fair prices were paid for the end product in support of the farm and that farm workers are treated fairly. 5. Apples. Scrubbing and peeling doesn't eliminate chemical residue completely so it's best to buy organic when it comes to apples. Peeling a fruit or vegetable also strips away many of their beneficial nutrients. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: watermelon, bananas and tangerines. 6. Sweet bell peppers. Peppers have thin skins that don't offer much of a barrier to pesticides. They're often heavily sprayed and victim to pesticides commonly used to keep them insect-free. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: green peas, broccoli and cabbage. 8. Strawberries. If you buy strawberries out of season, they're most likely imported from countries that use less-stringent regulations for pesticide use. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: blueberries, kiwi and pineapples. 9. Lettuces. Leafy greens are frequently contaminated with what are considered the most potent pesticides used on food. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: blueberries, kiwi and raspberries. 11. Potatoes. America's popular spud ranks high for pesticide residue. It also gets the double whammy of fungicides added to the soil for growing. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: eggplant, cabbage and earthy mushrooms. 12. Tomatoes. A tomato's easily punctured skin is no match for chemicals that will eventually permeate it. Can't find organic? Safe alternatives: green peas, broccoli and asparagus. |
 Just add Water provides organic produce from gardens and community supported farms in Hawai`i. We distribute weekly boxes of organic produce to you, and to health food stores and restaurants on O`ahu. Did you know, not all non-organic fruits
and vegetables have a high pesticide level 15 produce items that you probably do not need to buy "organic" version.. Mango, Sweet peas, Asparagus, Kiwi fruit, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet potatoes, Sweet onions Sustainable Sushi Choices and PracticeThe sushi that we eat today has its origins in fish preservation techniques that are hundreds of years old. Then, fish filled our oceans. Today, there are serious concerns about the number of fish left in the sea and it’s time to create new traditions. If you have a healthy appetite for fish and sushi, this appetite can come at a cost. Overfishing has put the future of many species at risk. Some fishing techniques, like dredging, damages the ocean floor habitat. Farming fish can cause massive pollution. Some retailers and restaurants are moving toward more sustainable sourcing practices, but you as the consumer can encourage them by ordering responsibly.READ MORE
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