Harvesting a year's worth of garlic & amending my clay soil + trials to keep it weed free

By Cherry Crawford July 11, 2023 14 mins read 327 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 ...

Harvesting a year's worth of garlic & amending my clay soil + trials to keep it weed free

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should organic be my first choice?

Many health issues have been linked to conventional agriculture, including obesity, diabetes and cancer. When buying food, you must make wise choices.

The Environmental Working Group has the following tips for choosing "cleaner" food.

Always buy organic fruits & vegetables.

USDA organic labels should be used on meat, poultry and eggs as well as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, honey, and other dairy products.

Avoid processed foods that claim to be "natural" and "no additives."

Carefully review ingredient lists. If an ingredient doesn't appear on the list, it could be added to the product during processing.

Choose fresh meats over frozen or canned ones. Frozen and canned foods often contain less nutrient-rich ingredients like high fructose corn syrup.

Do organic foods have health benefits?

Although organic foods are not for everyone, they can be very healthy. They can be beneficial for your health if you eat them often.

Organic food is free from artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides as well as hormones, antibiotics and genetic engineering. Organic produce is not grown with harmful chemicals that could pose a risk to human health.

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

Studies show that organic foods contain more nutrients and antioxidants than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.

Organic farming methods are more expensive than conventional methods but they can often produce better results. When farmers grow crops organically, they encourage soil fertility and biodiversity.

This helps protect against erosion and conserve water resources. Organic farms also require less energy and fuel, as they aren't treated using toxic chemicals.

People worry that organic foods will be more expensive than those made from conventional food. Prices will vary depending where you live. Organic apples, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive that conventional apples.

However, organic fruit is more affordable if you compare the price of a basket of both types.

So should you go organic?

It all depends upon who you are. If organic food doesn't appeal to you, you shouldn't bother.

However, if you enjoy good-tasting food, you can buy organic 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.

Why is organic foods important?

Our health is dependent on organic produce. It is the best option to ensure that we eat nutritious food. It's healthier for us as well as more environmentally-friendly because it doesn’t rely on pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals.

Organic farming uses natural methods to grow crops without harmful chemicals. Organic farming is safer for animals and humans because it produces fewer pollutants. When you choose organic food, both you and the earth are protected.

The benefits of organic food go beyond our health, though. We all know how toxic processed food can make you feel. But did you know that most organic fruits and vegetables aren't treated with chemical spray either? That means that they taste fresher, look brighter and last longer too.

Because of this, organic foods are so important. Because it's not only healthy for you, it's healthier for the world.

What are natural beauty products?

Organic Beauty Products are natural products without synthetic chemicals such as petroleum, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, and artificial preservatives. These ingredients are commonly found in conventional beauty products like cosmetics, shampoos, and perfumes.

Organic beauty products can also be made without animal testing, and they do not contain any genetically altered organisms (GMO).

The USDA defines the term' organic' as "a system of production that fosters cycling of resources" and has been used for decades to describe foodstuffs grown without pesticides.

The harmful effects of chemical compounds on our bodies have led to an increase in the demand for ecofriendly beauty products.

These include skin irritation, hormone imbalance, premature ageing, and cancer.

Organic beauty companies are committed to creating healthy and safe products for consumers while protecting the environment.

Which are the best organic vegetables?

Organic vegetables provide the most healthy and nutritious food for people. They are considered the healthiest food on Earth.

Organic produce is organically grown without pesticides. These chemicals pose severe risks to our health and environment.

Organic produce also has more nutrients, vitamins minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. They also contain more fibre, essential fatty acids, enzymes, fiber, and enzymes. This makes them more healthy because organic produce absorbs nutrients better.

Organic vegetables taste great and are safe to eat. Organic produce is free from known side effects.

All grocery stores can carry organic produce. Organic fruits and veggies can be purchased at any grocery store provided they comply with USDA guidelines.

What are the advantages of organic farming?

Organic farming gives farmers the opportunity to grow food without the use of chemical pesticides. Organic farming is a way for farmers to produce food without using harmful pesticides.

Organic farming also offers more natural fertilizers. These fertilizers can be used to help grow healthier plants and to reduce the amount produced chemical waste.

Organic farming is also sustainable. For example, organic farming uses composting techniques to re-use nutrients in the soil. This reduces pollution and conserves valuable resources.

Organic farming can increase crop yields and help the environment. This is because organic farming requires less water to grow the crops.

Organic production methods also mean that farmers receive higher prices for their produce. Consumers who become more aware of the dangers of pesticides and chemical fertilizers demand healthier foods.

This leads to a greater demand for organic food products. Organic farming is becoming more popular because of this.

Statistics

To provide the highest quality products and services to every customer, with a dedicated workforce that puts the customer first and takes the extra step to achieve 100% customer satisfaction and loyalty. (hollinsorganic.com)
As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)
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)
Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

Organic foods: Are they safer and more nutritious?

Organic food is produced without chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They are grown in natural environments without artificial inputs (fungicides/herbicides/hormones, antibiotics or genetic engineering). Organic farming practices include crop rotation and cover crops, the composting of animal manure, the recycling of wastewater, as well as integrated pest management (IPM).

In 2002, USDA National Organic Programs (NOP) were established to regulate the production and handling of organic products that are sold in the United States. NOP regulations make sure that organic agricultural product conforms to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In addition, the NOP rules mandate that organic products must be free from prohibited substances, including pesticide residues, veterinary drugs, growth hormones, genetically modified organisms, irradiation, sewage sludge, industrial waste, and heavy metals.

The United States offers two certification programs for producers that want their products to be certified organic: one for farmers, ranchers and the other for manufacturers. Both programs require that operations are audited annually to verify compliance with the strict standards. Many certifying agents offer this service, including CCOF Certified Organic Farmers & Ranchers (QA International), American Grassfed Association, and Quality Assurance International. All three organizations provide third-party verification of farms' adherence to strict guidelines regarding environmental stewardship, labour practices, and livestock care.

The USDA's Economic Research Service estimates that organic agriculture was responsible for $4.7 billion of 2013 sales. That year, retail spending on certified organic products totalled nearly $1.5 billion, representing a 23 percent increase since 2009. The number of grocery stores that sold organic products increased 12 percent over the same period. Spending directly on organic produce grew by 29 percent while that on meat, poultry, eggs and seafood only grew by 1 percent.

Organic food is more expensive, but consumers believe its quality is worth the extra cost. Consumer Reports' 2015 survey found that 88% of respondents would spend more on organic food if it had higher nutritional values. Health Affairs also reported that organic food intake is associated with fewer health problems, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

While there is no evidence that organic food can prevent or treat any diseases, there are some studies suggesting that eating them may improve your overall health by reducing your exposure to pesticides and other contaminants. 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.

According to a 2014 report by the Environmental Working Group, the incidence of foodborne disease caused by E.coli, salmonella or listeria monocytogenes, E. coli and E. coli O157H7 was lower when organic chicken, non-organic pork, beef, lamb and milk were compared. After 2006, when USDA required stricter organic standards in animal raising for human consumption, the group noted that E.coli O157 was less common among children and adults.