These 3 Slow Cooker Recipes Will Surprise You! Simple YET Delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should organic be my first choice?

The health risks of conventional agriculture include asthma, allergies and diabetes. Healthy choices must be made when purchasing food.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers the following tips on how to pick "cleaner" food:

As much as possible, purchase organic fruits or vegetables

USDA organic labels can be found on meat, poultry (eggs, eggs), milk, cheese and yogurt as well.

Avoid processed foods that are labeled "natural" or "no added ingredients."

Make sure you read through all the ingredients. If an ingredient isn’t listed, it might be added during processing.

Frozen and canned meats should be preferred to fresh. Frozen and canned foods often contain less nutrient-rich ingredients like high fructose corn syrup.

What is an organic food processor?

Organic food producers use organic methods to grow their products. These foods include fruits as well vegetables, grains and dairy products.

Organic food production takes place on farms where crops are nurtured naturally. This includes crop rotation, soil preparation, and pest control.

To be organic, an agricultural product must meet the strict criteria of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).

These guidelines ensure that consumers can access safe, wholesome, nutritious food.

Organic foods offer many health benefits. They are free from heavy metal contamination and pesticide residues. They also have higher nutritional content and better taste.

USDA certified organic products must bear the USDA Certified Organic label.

This certification means that the product meets the standards laid down by the National Organic Program.

As well as ensuring that we eat healthier, organic food also helps protect our environment.

Organic farming methods help conserve natural resources like water and land. Additionally, organic farming methods help reduce greenhouse gas emission, which can lead to climate change.

Organic agriculture is more sustainable and uses less chemicals.

Because harmful gases such as ammonia or nitrates are less likely in the atmosphere, it also improves air quality.

There are many types of organic farming, including conventional, regenerative, agroecological, and permaculture.

Conventional agriculture refers to the use synthetic inputs, such as pesticides/fertilizers.

Regenerative farming involves compost, cover crops, and green manures to improve soil health. It encourages biodiversity.

Agroecology promotes healthy relationships between humans and plants.

Permaculture is a system that mimics nature and promotes self-sufficiency.

How can you tell organic food from non-organic?

Fresh ingredients are what chefs value the most. We feel better when our food is good.

This holds true for our food. Organics are traceable back to the source and provenance of their products. We also know that it didn't have any harmful chemicals.

Organic foods are produced without using synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms (GMO). These substances are not allowed for organic farmers.

But that doesn't mean there isn't an art to growing organic crops. There are plenty of ways to grow them safely.

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

Organic farming practices include crop rotation, composting manure, cover cropping, and intercropping. These techniques help prevent soil erosion and improve water quality.

They also reduce chemical runoff into waterways. Many of us live in urban areas so we have access to local farms that produce organic produce.

Two types of organic product certification programs exist. One is certified through the USDA National Organic Program and the other by independent certifying agents. Both require strict adherence to organic standards.

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

Organic meat is better

You probably know the answer if you have been paying attention for a while. However, the truth is organic food is gaining popularity at a time when conventional food is falling out of favor.

Organic foods continue rising in popularity because they are healthier. Organic foods are safer for our bodies and help to reduce pollution.

But there are two sides to this coin. Organic produce takes longer to grow, and it requires more resources. This means organic food will cost more than its non-organic counterpart.

Organic meats can be more expensive that those from conventionally raised animals. But there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

Local purchases can help you save money. Locally grown produce helps to keep the prices down because farmers are given incentives to grow healthy crops.

A great way to save money is to search for deals. There are often discounts offered when purchasing organics.

Consuming less meat is another way to save cash. Meat production can be costly due to the feed needed to raise livestock.

Organic food is healthier for the planet and our bodies than conventional food, but it's important to not overlook its cost.

Are organic foods 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 apples had eight times less pesticides than nonorganic apples. However, organic strawberries had four times the amount of pesticides as their conventional counterparts.

Research has also suggested that organic food may reduce mercury and lead exposure. A study concluded that children who ate organic meat had 33% lower levels of blood lead than those who didn’t. Another study concluded traditional fish should not be consumed by pregnant women, due to high mercury levels.

Overall, organic food does seem to be safer than its non-organic counterpart. Experts recommend eating fresh fruits and veggies whenever possible to reduce the chance of developing cancer.

Statistics

• 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)
• Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)
• 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)
• 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)

External Links

ewg.org

• Summary


• Clean Fifteen (tm) Conventional Produce Using the Least Pesticides

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• Evaluation of the micronutrient composition of plant foods produced by organic and conventional agricultural methods - PubMed


• Comparison of the total ascorbic and phenolic acid contents of air-dried and freeze-dried marionberry, strawberry and corn grown using conventional, organic and sustainable agricultural practices – PubMed

ecfr.gov

• eCFR: Home

usda.gov

• USDA

How To

How to afford Organic Meat even when on a Budget

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you save money on organic meat.

You will learn where to buy cheap organic meats, and what they cost per pound. This will teach you how to get the most out of your purchase.

Healthy eating doesn't require you to spend a lot. Sometimes, it takes a bit of creativity to save money while eating well. Here are my top tips for keeping food costs down and still enjoying the many benefits of organic meat.

1. Buy bulk food at wholesale clubs. Sams Club and Costco both offer great options for buying bulk foods like pork chops and chicken breasts. These stores often offer discounts on large quantities of meat, up to 50 pounds, if you are lucky enough to be near one. This way, you won't waste any meat. And if you buy it in bulk, you can freeze it, so it lasts longer.
2. Shopping online is easy - There are tons of websites that sell meat at reduced prices. Amazon offers Prime Pantry, a weekly deal with free shipping on orders above $35. You can get discounts on ground beef, beef roasts, lamb steaks and pork loins. You can easily browse their website to see what is available at different times.
3. Find a local farmer - Local farmers usually charge less than big box retailers because they do not pay considerable fees to stock their shelves. Local farmers also know exactly what their animals have eaten and drank so they can determine what's in their bodies.
4. Look out for cuts that are the leanest. It's generally less expensive to cook lean meat than fatty. The leanest cuts are therefore preferred. The most common ones are sirloin steak, tenderloin roast, top round steak, and flank steak. These cuts are low in fat and high-protein.
5. Explore new recipes. Don't be afraid of trying new things. Start cooking with ingredients that you have never used before. This is one of the easiest ways reduce your grocery costs. You'll be surprised at how many delicious dishes can you create using fresh tomatoes.
6. Remaining meat and poultry can be used for sandwiches, salads or soups. Leftover meat is perfect for making quick lunches or dinners.

Here you have it! So there you have it! My list of tips for getting organic meat without breaking the bank. Do you have other tips? What other tips do you have for me?