by Marlene Affeld
Many people are electing to avoid the risk of chemical contamination of their bodies, families and homes. Fortunately, solutions for addressing change exist and are readily available. Choosing eco-friendly products allows us to live a natural, green lifestyle.
The benefits of sleeping on organic bedding, selecting organic foods and wearing organic clothing are numerous.
Organic Foods
The Organic Food Association advises: It’s common sense; organic food is good food. Good to eat, good for the environment, good for the small-scale farmers and farm workers who produce it.
Organic farming is all about health and wellness. In order to assure optimum health and resistance against diseases, the natural balance in our own bodies and in the environment must be maintained. The use of artificial fungicides, chemical pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and genetic engineering interfere with this delicate balance; with unknown and often harmful consequences! Organic farming affects more than what can be tasted or seen.
Over the previous fifty years, commercial farmers have, of necessity, continued to increase the amount of these hazardous applications. Cereal crops are sprayed as many as 8 times during the growing season. Many fruit and vegetable harvests have been sprayed 10 to 15 times. Following the harvest the spraying process is repeated to prevent grow of bacteria during storage and transport. Excessive spraying of fruit and vegetable crops destroys natural bacteria, leaving the plants increasingly vulnerable to attack from unwelcome pests or disease. More insecticides and fungicides are then required to fight off infestation and decay. However, these pests rather quickly become immune to the chemicals applied and their population rapidly grows. More powerful and increasingly toxic chemicals are then required to contain the infestation.
Organic certification is the consumers assurance that products have met stringent standards and have been grown and processed according to strict procedures without contamination from carcinogenic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or artificial food additives. Organic or non organic, which would you rather put in your body? We are what we eat. When our diet is built upon natural organic choices we are providing our bodies optimum food, produced in optimum conditions. Organically raised vegetables and fruit provide more minerals and nutrients than commercially grown produce and are more intensely endowed with flavor, color and aroma; they just taste better!
Organic meats are produced from animals that have been treated humanely and reared on certified organic pastures and feeds. Certified organic meat guarantees that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have not been used at any stage of growth production.
Organics And The Environment
The USDA estimates that within the next ten years half of all Americas food products will come from only 1% of the farms. The EPA states that commercial agriculture is accountable for 70% of the pollution in our countrys rivers and streams. Small scale organic farmers finance innovative and far reaching research designed to minimize agricultures impact on the environment. They maintain and preserve bio-diversity by planting heirloom varieties of plants and gathering seeds for future crops. The loss of a large quanity of species is one of the worlds pressing environmental concerns. The happy news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been gathering, preserving seeds and growing unusual and unique varieties for decades.
Organic farming methods naturally enrich the soil with chemical free manure and compost. Well balanced soils produce healthy, strong plants, nourishing for people and for animals. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms as it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair and equatable prices for crops. Organic farming may be one of the last ways to assure the survival of both our ecosystems and our rural farming communities .
Conventional farming practices endanger workers and their families. Scientific research confirms pesticide related health problems which include cancer, birth defects, memory loss, paralysis and death. Unsecured storage, improper application methods and unsafe handling and transportation procedures are not at all uncommon and often lead to tragic mishaps. As pests develop resistance, farmers desperate to maintain or increase crop yields often resort to repeated applications of expensive and stronger chemical products. Faced with increasing costs, depleted fields and contaminated ground water, several small farmers have been forced to abandon their livelihood.
Organic farming, as an alternative, is safer and healthier for farmers and promotes fair compensation in the food supply chain. Organic farming provides afinancially viable and socially acceptable alternative to large scale farming and the accompanying dependence on government crop subsidies. Support of the small farmer supports our economy.
Organic production substantially reduces health risks. Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered and approved prior to extensive research that linked these hazarous chemicals to cancer and other significant medical problems. Crop dusting has often resulted in drifts of toxic pesticides and herbicides from fields to residential areas.
Organic agriculture is one of the best ways to prevent more of these chemicals from contaminating the ecosystem. An increasing body of research indicates that chemical contaminants are considerably more prevalent in the foods we eat, in our bodies and in the environment than we previously believed.
By choosing organic products we lessen this toxic burden. Organic farmers regularly rotate crops and plant cover crops to combat weeds, nutrient leaching and erosion. “Soil is the foundation of the food chain”. The focus of organic farming is to use methods that build and maintain healthy, sustainable soils.
Organic Skin Care And Personal Products
Skin care and cosmetics are the least regulated products under the US Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Whether it is soap, moisturizers or deodorants, skin care products are an essential part of daily life. Do we really understand what these products actually contain and what we are forcing our skin to absorb?
Have you ever suffered from itchy,stinging or burning skin? Chances are that your skin absorbed irritants and chemicals from your skin care products. The skin absorbs ingredients in all the products that come in contact with our skin. Consider nicotine or HRT patches. They rely completely on skin absorption.
As parents we are concerned for the well being of our children. We tenderly comfort and bathe them with a wide range of products. These include soaps, shampoos, creams and lotions, many of which are applied to babys delicate skin several times a day. The skin is the largest organ of the body and the skin of an infant can be up to 100 times more sensitive and receptive to toxic chemicals and irritating ingredients that the skin of an adult.
Without even realizing, parents put their babies at risk daily. Did you know that applying powder to your new babys sensitive skin may pose a cancer risk later in life? The principle ingredient in most baby powders is talc, which several medical studies have confirmed as a known carcinogenic.
Lanolin is a featured ingredient in many skin care products. When processed from organically raised sheep, lanolin is a wonderful healing balm. The danger lies in non organic lanolin that has been acquired from sheep that were dipped or sprayed for lice with chemical pesticides that are contaminated with carcinogenic ingredients such as DDT, dieldrin or lindane. The residue of these toxic chemicals remains in the processed lanolin and can cause severe reactions and long lasting health concerns.
Chemical free and all natural, organic products offer eco-friendly options that eliminate these dangers. You can avoid these and similar safely risks by using only certified organic products formulated from natural sources such as plants, fruits, vegetables and flowers. These products to do not contain synthetic chemicals such as lauryl sulphate, phthales, parabens, artificial fragrances or dyes.
Organic Textiles
By the end of 2008, the sale of organic textiles worldwide is expected to exceed $3 billion. Global demand for organic textiles is increasing in response to consumer demand. Organic production takes additional time, requires more skills and knowledge and costs somewhat more. But it is worth it. Organic materials do not bear hidden costs to the environment.
Choose Earth Friendly Products! Choose Organic!
The consumption and use of green technologies is all about the challenges and choices we face if we are to continue to enjoy a high quality of life within the finite resources of our planet. If we become passionate about sustainability, together we can help make the planet a cleaner and healthier place for all of us to live.
Do you wish to live a lifestyle that protects future generations? Do you want to to live in the greenest, healthiest environment possible with a conscience,respect and appreciation for the earth that sustains us? The quality of life for future generations is dependent on the choices we make today!
Studies show that about a fourth of the US adult population has a profound sense of environmental enlightenment and social responsibility. Half of us will buy organic and make earth friendly choices in many aspects of our daily living. Consumer education and awareness is a powerful force for change.
The consumption of organically raised products has grown by 20 per cent in the last year alone. Organic alternatives are readily available and the trend is escalating. Sustainability should be within everyones reach. Our choices matter and have a long term global impact. Let us decide to choose wisely!
Author Bio: M. Affeld is part of the Nandu Green Team – Nandu Green is a green lifestyle portal, offering quality, unique, intriguing and innovative merchandise from around the globe. Nandu Green offers a unique selection of unparalleled treasures, solutions for life’s special occasions all in one location.
Marlene Affeld writes for Nandu Green about the environment and all things natural. Luxury gifts and services! We have shopped the world for you! Decorative collectibles, luxury corporate gifts and rare offerings for the true connoisseur. Here you will find fashion, beauty, health and wellness choices for fine living enthusiasts with a vibrant lifestyle in mind.
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