When I altered my diet, I made sure to eat exactly the same food I ate before, just organic. I wanted to make sure it was actually my diet that was making me feel better, and that it wasn’t all just in my head. I keep reading all of these reports that organic food isn’t more nutritious than conventional food. At sometimes triple the price, there has to be some serious evidence to support buying it, especially if it doesn’t necessarily have more nutrition. So for five whole weeks, I ate my usual diet of burgers, fries, chicken wings, scrambled eggs, hash browns (made them myself with organic potatoes), sandwiches, chili, spaghetti, you name it, all organic. Shoppers drug mart even has a nativa organics line that has organic ginger snaps, maple cookies, Oreo cookies etc. I would really like to stress that I didn’t alter my diet at all, just simply ate 100% organic. I didn’t eat in one restaurant, but instead made restaurant food at home (like I said, chicken wings, burgers etc). What followed was probably the worst five weeks of my life.

The first week was probably the most extreme. I got the shakes, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, intense withdrawal and detoxification symptoms. It was the same as, or worse than when I quit smoking. For the following weeks the symptoms were still there, but they did alleviate a bit. Bit by bit, I felt better and better and better. I no longer sweat profusely all the time, body odour has disappeared, my eczema has gone, which I had for 20 years, I sleep soundly the whole night until my alarm rings (never happened before, I always woke up several times throughout the night). The difference is night and day. I feel as though I have woken up from a dream. All this from simply eating organic. Isn’t that insane? If someone had told me that if I simply ate organic I would be horribly sick for about 5 – 6 weeks and then most of my health issues would disappear I would have thought they were nuts. A question comes to mind, what was in that food I used to eat? People say certain things are okay in moderation, but when you take into consideration this:

• the tap water I drink has chemicals and chlorine in it
• soft drinks are loaded with chemicals
• produce is laden with pesticides
• the air we breathe is laden with chemicals
• lots of food is full of preservatives
• household cleaners have lots of chemicals that are harmful to humans
• carpets and dust in houses has lots of toxins in them

It’s the buildup each and every day that makes people’s systems out of whack. Without the ability to cleanse the liver due to being overloaded, these toxins reduce the bodies ability to cleanse itself. I no longer drink soda pop, I have eliminated the preservatives and pesticides in the food I eat by eating organic, and only use biodegradable cleaners at home now. By doing these simple things, my health has improved dramatically. Just goes to show you how a little work goes a long way. By “educating” myself I improved myself. Let’s apply this strategy to the earth. If we just chill out for a bit and allow it to replenish itself, it might do a world of good.

I am a guy who loves building green products. Click the link to enter my site, make sure to check out my blog!

Author: Katherine Gabel
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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• Organics and Healthy Living; as I explain to my kids, just because the lolly is organic does not make it a great food choice. Many companies have jumped on the organic bandwagon producing a vast array of organic foods which may also contain cheap ingredients such as palm oil (environmentally questionable to produce), and large amounts of fat, salt and sugar. Organic doesn’t always mean healthy, but you can be sure that organic foods will not contain many of the nasties found in conventional foods; Monosodium Glutamate, artificial colours, flavours and hydrogenated fats. Organic fruit and vegetables are shown to contain larger amounts of beneficial nutrition, organic dairy contains higher levels of good omega oils, and organic meat tends to be less fatty. Organic foods are unlikely to contain hormone, pesticide and chemical residues. Carefully produced organic foods are higher in nutrition, especially when eaten fresh and sourced locally.

• Organics and big business: Organic is big business, and all the big names want a piece of the action, but may not have the same ethical and philosophical background of smaller organic producers. Sometimes you will have to use your discretion about the ‘organic-ness’ of a product depending on what about ‘organic’ is important to you. I personally see certain organic products as beyond the pale, for example Nestle Organic Breakfast cereal; for me the organic nature of the ingredients is overshadowed by the practice and nature of the organization selling it. It is also worth noting that certain supermarket organic own-brands use powdered foreign milk in their products, (cheaper than fresh British organic milk) and source the cheapest and lowest end of the organic scale for their brands, with some ingredients barely scraping an organic certification. You may wish to do your homework and choose non-supermarket brands which as well as including organic ingredients, also care about sustainability, animal welfare, packaging issues. Using local shops farmers markets, roadsides and farms will put much more into the pockets of the producers, ensuring that they can afford to maintain high standards. Often the supermarkets are creaming the profits of Organics, with little of the inflated price benefiting the producers.

• Organics and the environment: at the moment the Soil Association are debating the inclusion of air freighted food under their label due to the high cost to the environment of flying in out-of-season produce. Much organic produce is also ridiculously over-packaged. To really cut back on packaging, use local shops where you can select produce and put it in paper bags, or use a box scheme. Riverford organics are dedicated to minimising packaging, and most packaging is reusable, made from recycled materials, and compostable: http://www.riverford.co.uk Organic farming does benefit the environment, using much less energy, fewer chemicals, less intensive production, and often more care and attention to supporting wildlife. The smaller the operation, the less environmental impact.

• Organics and animal welfare: An organic label on an animal product does not guarantee animal welfare or free range status and may be from a production unit using organic foods, but conventional production methods. If you are concerned about animal welfare, look for the soil association stamp. Alternatively buy local where you can see the animals range freely or talk to meat producers at the market; often they have pictures of their animals and farms which they can show you. Take a look at my favourite dairy farm Jess’s Ladies http://www.theladiesorganicmilk.co.uk for ideas on how it really should be.

• The Soil Association: There are many different Organic classification organizations nation and worldwide. The Soil Association carries the highest animal welfare, and environmental standards, as well as respecting human rights and fair trade; look out for their stamp on products which you buy. But it is worth checking out other organics as well. In order for a producer to become certified they must undertake several years work on their land, during this process a producer is said to be undergoing conversion, look out for local producers in the process of conversion, and also road-side garden sales where people state that their produce is Organic.

There is so much more to ‘Organics’ than simply the product. If a packet says ‘Organic’ it does not always guarantee the integrity of its contents. If you care about the environment, workers rights, animal welfare, and real quality food, you may need to think carefully about what and where you buy.

Vikki Scovell BA(hons) PG DIP is a fully qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. She is a qualified Nutrition Adviser, GP Referred Trainer and runs successful Community and Corporate Exercise classes and events. Vikki is a consultant in Healthy Eating and Exercise initiatives to schools in the independent sector and publishes School and General Healthy Living newsletters. Vikki believes passionately that everyone can make small changes to their lifestyle to ensure that they live happier, longer and healthier lives. She lives in Gloucestershire in the U.K. with her partner Jeremy and two young children Apple and Honey. For inquiries for nutritional advice, personal training, corporate wellness and general inquiries visit http://www.fitbite.co.uk

Author: Vikki Scovell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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This kind of extra due diligence on behalf of the eco friendly event catering company illustrates a passion for food and the environment that is perhaps slightly absent from other more traditional catering companies that will only give you what your heart desires and will go to any length to procure it. When employing the services of an eco-friendly catering company you, the client, will know that the food that is served up on your guests plates will probably have been in the ground at most two days previous to the event; sometimes even that morning. That freshness will be apparent not only in the food but also in the way that it is served and a good chef will be able to make even the humble turnip into a feast for a king.

If you are planning a outdoor catering event this year then take the time to speak to your local event catering company with regards to their sourcing policy and bear in mind that most foodies who source locally also prefer to source organic too. Happy Eating!

Lettuce and Lovage was formally set up at the beginning of 2009 by Jo Trendall.

Jo is a self-confessed foodie, passionate about hospitality, knowledgeable on old and new world wines and, as a planner has a great eye for detail. Lettuce and Lovage Catering Company is based in Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 and at Folly Farm near Chew Magna, North Somerset (BS39) and caters for weddings, BBQs, corporate events, Hog Roasts, Garden Parties, Buffets and Breakfasts, sandwich lunches and more. We are also contract caterers and will be very happy to discuss your company or school’s requirements.

If you would like to meet up or just have an informal chat on the phone, please feel free to contact Jo Trendall at Lettuce & Lovage any time to arrange an informal chat. Tel: 01179 856 767

Author: Jo Trendall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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