The global scientific community has constantly acknowledged the negative and at times long lasting effects of small doses of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals on people, especially during the early stages of development as a fetus and during infancy. These pesticides and other agricultural chemicals release toxins into our systems whose effects are still being studied and about which the scientific community finds little consensus due to the lobbying activities of some of the great multinational corporations, whose businesses might be negatively affected in case all the scientific evidence comes to light. So with all this evidence that is constantly being released why is organic food not on every table?

 I grew-up on a predominantly organic lifestyle and I can still vividly remember the reaction I got from my very first chemical grown apple. I got a swollen tongue; there was fluid in my ear drums that caused me to lose my balance thus couldn’t drive and flu like symptoms. After numerous visits to my doctor’s office, to a cardiologist I was finally sent to see an allergist who then figured out I was allergic to pesticides.  I was stumped to say the least; I knew pesticide was used to kill inserts etc. I innocently asked the doctor if someone could have sneaked it into my food. The Dr simple asked me to list all what I had eaten the past couple of weeks, it was easy since at that point I had only bought apples and rice from the super market (still had my food from home my mami made) and she said it is the apples…..little did I know that pesticide was also used in the preservation of food…. That was almost 18 years ago.

We all know organic costs a bit more but I personally believe the benefits outweigh the difference in cost. My experience with the “pesticide-sprayed” apple resulted in about 3 weeks of school and work absence, and about 6 different doctors’ offices co-pays.  I could have saved time, anxiety, and tons of money in co-pays alone!

 You would be surprised to find out how affordable eating organic can be. The key is to try and eat seasonal as much as possible because produce is always cheaper when in season. Other ways of cutting costs include: buying from your local farmers market, joining a local CSA* or a local co-op,  and MOST IMPORTANTLY  avoid  shopping the big name grocery stores for organic foods, that is where you truly throw your $$$$ out the window.

 Also, buying organic helps you prioritize a whole lot better. You don't buy as much nonsense and junk food and you don't waste so much. Believe me, when you pay more for your food, you will make use of EVERY item you buy. Society has   trained us to always overindulge, people don’t usually eat because they are hungry they eat because they can afford to buy it. When you buy a $1 bag of chips, you feel free to ingest the whole bag in one sitting because it's cheap. But when you spend $3-4 on a bag of chips, trust me you will make it last the WHOLE week. Changing your diet and household products to organic can seriously reduce allergies and eczemas and thus reduce the number of doctor’s visits. Therefore at the end of the day, organic is good for your wallet, good for the environment and most importantly good for the health of your family.

Here is the list of the top 10 foods containing the most pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research group based in Washington, DC.

If you cannot buy organic versions of these foods, you can still evade harm by looking for an alternative that contains the same valuable vitamins and minerals.

The List:

• Strawberries

• Bell peppers

• Spinach

• Cherries

• Peaches

• Mexican cantaloupe

• Celery

• Apples

• Apricot

• Imported grapes

If you need more scientific facts on why organic produce is better than pesticide-sprayed goods, please click on the link below:
http://www.yummyspoonfuls.com/why_organic.htm

Moving forward into the twenty-first century, humanity must make strides to live better, not only in a technological sense, but more importantly in a culinary sense – making wise food choices.  The smartest savings account you can set up for yourself and/or your family exists in your refrigerator, not your local bank, contrary to popular belief.  When you eat right, you are on the way to saving right, because what ever savings you amass over the years will not be used to combat diseases caused by a lifetime of poor food choices.  To achieve this goal, things just cannot be business as usual – we have to be drastic in our resolve to eat right, and save right.  Your health is really your wealth.

*CSA =Community Supported Agriculture where you buy a farm share and get a box of produce every week.

"A Nation is only as healthy as its children."
- Harry Truman