30 things we're currently loving CURRENT FAVOURITES

By Jessica Rogers April 9, 2023 12 mins read 4674 Views

At Belovedsaffron.com, we believe that the key to good food and healthy eating is the proper use of spices, herbs, and other fresh ingredients. We strive to bring awareness of sustainable, organic farming and a wide range of flavors worldwide to our readers.

Our mission also includes recognizing the many wonderful chefs and home cooks who dedicate themselves to creating delicious meals for their families or acclaimed restaurants worldwide.

We treasure any contributions you would like to make to our blog, or if you have a family recipe you'd like to share with our community, please reach out at [email protected]. You are amazing, and so should your tasty cooking!

For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

30 things we're currently loving *CURRENT FAVOURITES*

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you determine if food has been grown organically?

Ask any chef and he will tell you that fresh ingredients are the most important thing. This is because eating well makes us feel better.

This is true for food as well. Organics are traceable back to the source and provenance of their products. It was not treated with harmful chemicals.

Organic foods can be made without synthetic pesticides. These substances are not permitted to organic farmers.

Growing organic crops is an art. There are plenty of ways to grow them safely.

Sustainable agriculture is sometimes called organic farming. It is a less resource-intensive alternative to conventional farming, but still provides enough nutrients to sustain life.

Organic farming methods include crop rotations, composting manure and cover cropping. These techniques prevent soil erosion while improving water quality.

They reduce chemical runoff from waterways. Local farms can be found in cities that raise organic produce.

There are two types for organic products certification. The USDA National Organic Program certifies the one while the independent certifying agency certifies the other. Both require strict organic standards to be adhered to.

USDA seals and O Seals are symbols that indicate organic certification.

Organic foods are better for us.

According to the Environmental Working Group’s latest report on pesticide residues, organic fruits/vegetables had nearly half as many pesticides than non-organic. Organic strawberries contained four times more pesticides that their conventional counterparts, and organic apples contained eight percent less.

Other studies suggest that eating organic food reduces exposure to toxic metals like lead and mercury. One study revealed that children who ate organic meat had 33 per cent lower blood lead levels than their counterparts who didn't eat organic meats. Another study concluded traditional fish should not be consumed by pregnant women, due to high mercury levels.

Organic food is generally safer than non-organic. Experts recommend that fresh produce and vegetables be used whenever possible to reduce your chances of developing cancer.

What is the difference in organic and non-organic foods?

Organic food is produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, or genetic modification. Organic farming practices improve soil health and water quality as well as animal welfare.

Inorganic foods are grown with pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and sewage sludge. Radiation is used to treat irradiated food; biological engineering techniques are used to create genetically modified organisms (GMO).

"Natural" is sometimes used interchangeably in the context of "organic." But, "natural" does not necessarily refer to organic. Natural products can also be labeled with synthetic ingredients.

Organic produce is more nutritious than traditional produce due to the fact that it contains less harmful chemicals and pesticides. Organic farmers are free from artificial fertilizers and pesticides.

Are organic foods good for your health?

While organic foods may not be suitable for everyone's health, they are healthy for some people. They can be beneficial for your health if you eat them often.

Organic food is produced without artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetic engineering. Organic produce is free from harmful chemicals that could cause harm to human health.

There are also fewer additives used during processing. Organic products are more nutritious than those made from non-organic ingredients.

Studies have shown that organic fruits and vegetables contain more nutrients than those grown conventionally.

While organic farming is more expensive than traditional farming, it often produces better results. Organic farming encourages soil fertility and biodiversity.

This helps prevent erosion and conserve water. Organic farms don't use toxic chemicals and require less fuel and energy.

Some people fear that organic foods can be more costly than conventional foods. However, prices will vary depending on where one lives. For example, organic apples can be more costly than conventional apples.

If you take a look at the cost of a basket containing both types of fruits, you will see that organic is less expensive.

Do you want to go organic?

It all depends upon who you are. Organic food is not for you if you don’t like it.

Organic food can be purchased if you like good-tasting food. Organic food is safer than traditional commercial produce, as they are not subject to chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Organic agriculture preserves our environment by conserving natural resource and encouraging biodiversity.

Statistics

Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)
When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)
According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (en.wikipedia.org)

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How To

Organic foods are healthier and more nutritious.

Organic foods are produced without the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They are grown in natural environments without artificial inputs (fungicides/herbicides/hormones, antibiotics or genetic engineering). Organic farming methods include crop rotation, cover, composting animal manure and recycling wastewater.

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) was established in 2002 to regulate the production, handling, processing, labelling, sale, and distribution of organic products sold in the United States. Organic agricultural products must be produced in accordance with federal standards as set out by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Additionally, organic products must not contain prohibited substances like pesticide residues or genetically modified organisms.

There are two types available in the U.S. for producers who want their products to be labeled "organic". One for farmers and ranchers, and one for manufacturers. Both programs require that operations are audited annually to verify compliance with the strict standards. There are several certifying organizations that offer these services. These include the CCOF Certified Organic Farmers & Ranchers as well as Quality Assurance International and the American Grassfed Association. These organizations offer third-party verification that farms adhere to strict guidelines about environmental stewardship and labour practices.

According to USDA's Economic Research Service in 2013, organic agriculture generated $4.7 billion in revenue. In 2013, organic agriculture accounted for $4.7 billion in sales. This represents a 23-percent increase over 2009. Groceries sales increased by 12 per cent during this time. Direct purchases of organic produce saw a 29 percent increase in spending, while seafood, meat, poultry and eggs experienced a 1 percent growth.

Although organic food can be more expensive than regular food, many consumers feel that its quality is well worth the additional cost. According to a 2015 survey conducted by Consumer Reports, 88 percent of respondents said they would pay more for organic food if it meant higher nutritional value. A Health Affairs study also found that organic food consumers are less likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease, depression, and other diseases.

Although there is no evidence eating organic foods prevents or treats any diseases, some studies suggest that consuming them might improve overall health by reducing exposure to specific contaminants and pesticides. For example, a review of 31 studies published in 2010 concluded that organically raised beef had significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals and parasites than conventionally raised beef. A separate analysis of 11 publications from 2012 produced similar results.

The Environmental Working Group's 2014 report examined data from the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. It found that foodborne illnesses caused by E.coli, salmonella and listeria monocytogenes and verotoxin producing E.coli O157:H7 declined when organic and non-organic chickens, meat, lamb, dairy, and cheese were compared. The group also observed that E.coliO157 is a less prevalent cause of illness in humans among children than adults. This was because the USDA has imposed stricter organic standards on animals raised for human consumption.