Tammy's Recipes

I will buy organic if i can get it cheaper, but i do not know that it is that much of a difference myself. I prefer the ones I can grow myself and know where they have been!

I much prefer knowing where things have been as opposed to just a random organic label. Now, I do buy things organic over regular almost always, even if it's only the bare minimum of organic standards. I even prefer to buy organic crackers--I draw the line at other organic convenience food--just because it's organic doesn't mean it's good for you :P.

I buy organics for many reasons. One reason is I DO believe in supporting an organic movement--even if corporate greed has crept in. Another reason is that even with the minimum standards, lowering the use of pesticides has a world-wide impact in bettering the sustainable environment. And I have certainly noticed a difference in taste (especially with milk). I have even noticed health differences, and I feel good about keeping as few chemicals as possible away from my kids. But I do agree that it is important to check labels and the best thing is to know where stuff is coming from. Sustainable and local are important too...and again, just because it's organic high fructose corn syrup doesn't mean that it's any better for you.

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http://lilirishlass.blogspot.com

Organic isn't always worth the extra cost, for sure. Organic bananas have no flavor compared the conventional ones, and I've given them plenty of chances. And it's true about the milk--most is ultra-pasteurized so you can't do much of anything with it but drink it.

I think locally grown is best. Your food didn't ride hundreds of miles to get to you and the cost benefits real people, not large companies. Where I live, most local foods are organic simply because the farmers have smaller scale operations and more time to devote to caring for their fields.

Hi Tammy,
I was wondering if you had seen a magazine called Clean Eating? it's a wonderful magazine that I am really enjoying(a newer publication I think too...) They have great recipes and there is an article in there about organic foods as well.

I'm sure they have a website somewhere...
-Julie in Ontario :)

My "rules" for my family are 1) buy local because it tastes better, is in season, helps the local economy, and stays fresher longer (and probably other reasons, too) and then 2) buy organic for the most contaminated items, but buy conventional for all the "12 cleanest items." I also steer clear of non-organic corn, since it is often a gmo, and items containing corn syrup (like ketchup).

Here is the list of the 12 most contaminated and the 12 cleanest fruits and vegetables: http://www.foodnews.org/fulldataset.php

I make my weekly menus and grocery store list on a google doc and write out these 12 most contaminated (ie, what to buy organic, if not local) and the 12 cleanest (what to buy conventional) fruits and vegetables at the bottom of my list.

I prefer to buy local or grow my own. I buy organic if my budget allows, esp. for produce from the "dirty dozen" (See post above). There have been a lot of problems with organic products lately due to producers trying to get on the band wagon but not wanting to follow all of the rules exactly. I don't think something that' "organic" but trucked to my state of MI is that much healthier than something traditionally grown (minimally though) but local. How old is the produce coming from across the country? Also a lot of big money producers have started growing in Mexico organic products to make things cheaper. That practice is starting to make it so that small time farmers can't compete with the prices. Here's a link on the deception of organic milk.

We buy lots of organic produce from local growers. We believe strongly in supporting local agriculture and local businesses, and that means buying what we don't grow ourselves either from the farmer's market in the summer, or from our food co-op in the winter. We don't buy organic processed/junk food at all because organic or not, it still isn't good for you.

I can definitely taste the difference in some things, and then not so much in other things. Commercial farming has hurt our food supply and made it difficult for small family farmers to get by, so if you can't buy organic or don't feel the need, at least try to buy locally and support family farming.

I found the article you linked to really common-sense. The only thing in favor of buying organic is that sometimes the only items without the cruddy ingredients we don't allow in the house (high-fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oil, etc.) happen to be organic, so we might buy organic ketchup, for example, or organic jam.