ORGANIC EATING (I'm ready to switch!)

Sp1nGoddess

Bump! On the hunt for organic grass fed meat...

baypathgradLyns

bump

BrownEyedJerseyGirl

I'm not a big milk drinker, so I tend to buy milk, and then it spoils before I finnish the carton. So I would waste so much money on the milk because I thew out to much of it. When I started buying organic I found that the expiration date on organic milk tends to be an entire month later than non organic milk. So, while the carton of organic milk is about a dollar more, I am really saving about 2 dollars by not having to thow out spoiled milk. So I'll never switch back to non organic milk.

Also, my husband would get an upset stomach in the mornings when he would drink a glass of milk, since switching to organic milk he has not had this issue again. Sooo, is lactose intolerance really more about the crap in the milk and less about the milk itself?

I noticed this also! I used to have to throw away milk because I would open the carton, drink a glass, go back a few days later and it was starting to spoil. The same thing with eggs. The organic tends to last so much longer so in the long run I was spending less money. Makes me wonder why the organic milk doesn't spoil so quickly. The expiration date is usually nearly a month out on the organic and only a week or so on the conventional.

runningmaria

If you have the space for a second freezer, buying 1/4 or a 1/2 of beef is a great and economical way to eat significantly healthier (grass fed and humanely raised) meat. I found my beef on craigslist (search for "beef" under the farm and garden category). I've been able to tour the farm, talk with the farmer, and see the animals both times I've done this.

kristelpoole

IMO, organic (but particularly local) makes my veggies and fruits taste soooooooo much better. We pay more for our organics, but it's worth it to enjoy our food. We also get a box of local foods and veggies delivered biweekly (even now - just more eggs and butter, less fruit/veg in the winter) which I love. I highly recommend farmers markets and don't be afraid to ask those farmers about their farming processes. Sometimes they just can't afford the certification.

If you start getting into it, eating well becomes a hobby or even a religion. Enjoy.

Recommendations:
Food Rules
In Defense of Food
Forks Over Knives

CNG223

bump!

PaleoPath4Lyfe

I'm not a big milk drinker, so I tend to buy milk, and then it spoils before I finnish the carton. So I would waste so much money on the milk because I thew out to much of it. When I started buying organic I found that the expiration date on organic milk tends to be an entire month later than non organic milk. So, while the carton of organic milk is about a dollar more, I am really saving about 2 dollars by not having to thow out spoiled milk. So I'll never switch back to non organic milk.

Also, my husband would get an upset stomach in the mornings when he would drink a glass of milk, since switching to organic milk he has not had this issue again. Sooo, is lactose intolerance really more about the crap in the milk and less about the milk itself?

I noticed this also! I used to have to throw away milk because I would open the carton, drink a glass, go back a few days later and it was starting to spoil. The same thing with eggs. The organic tends to last so much longer so in the long run I was spending less money. Makes me wonder why the organic milk doesn't spoil so quickly. The expiration date is usually nearly a month out on the organic and only a week or so on the conventional.

Organic milk lasts longer because producers use a different process to preserve it. According to the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, the milk needs to stay fresh longer because organic products often have to travel farther to reach store shelves since it is not produced throughout the country.

The process that gives the milk a longer shelf life is called ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processing or treatment, in which milk is heated to 280 degrees Fahrenheit (138 degrees Celsius) for two to four seconds, killing any bacteria in it.

Compare that to pasteurization, the standard preservation process. There are two types of pasteurization: "low temperature, long time," in which milk is heated to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) for at least 30 minutes*, or the more common "high temperature, short time," in which milk is heated to roughly 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for at least 15 seconds.

The different temperatures hint at why UHT-treated milk lasts longer: Pasteurization doesn’t kill all bacteria in the milk, just enough so that you don't get a disease with your milk mustache. UHT, on the other hand, kills everything.

Retailers typically give pasteurized milk an expiration date of four to six days. Ahead of that, however, was up to six days of processing and shipping, so total shelf life after pasteurization is probably up to two weeks. Milk that undergoes UHT doesn’t need to be refrigerated and can sit on the shelf for up to six months.

Regular milk can undergo UHT, too. The process is used for the room-temperature Parmalat milk found outside the refrigerator case and for most milk sold in Europe.

So why isn’t all milk produced using UHT?

One reason is that UHT-treated milk tastes different. UHT sweetens the flavor of milk by burning some of its sugars (caramelization). A lot of Americans find this offensive—just as they are leery of buying nonrefrigerated milk. Europeans, however, don’t seem to mind.

UHT also destroys some of the milk’s vitamin content—not a significant amount—and affects some proteins, making it unusable for cheese.


:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

I personally prefer grass fed raw milk straight from the cow. I hate the preservation process that milk undergoes and there are many more instances of food bourne illnesses from milk going through the homogenization and pastuerization process than milk coming staight from the cow.

PaleoPath4Lyfe

Everyone has given great suggestions.

Food wise, search out local farmers for grass fed, free range, compassionate certfied meats. CSA, local Coops and growing your own veggies help with cost and quality tremendously.

If you have to purchase from the regular grocery market, then don't compromise on the dirty dozen that should be organic due to eating the skin and such.

Buying local keeps money in your local economy and builds sustainsable and lasting food sources for everyone.

Make your own cleaning supplies. Lemon juice, water, vinegar and baking soda are tremendous household cleaners and work way better than the commercial items.

You can also make your own deodrant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc. Message me if you want the recipes for any cleaning supplies or hygiene products.

The flouride in the water is awful for us also and the other stuff is just ewwww.

As far as cosmetics go, here is where I get my cosmetics from:

http://store.natures-harvest.net/servlet/StoreFront

My skin care is simple. 1 product..........Coconut oil. I use it for shaving, conditioning, cleansing, moisturizing, main component in my toothpaste and deodrant.

kristelpoole

Regarding milk, look into almond milk. Lots of nutrients, great taste and only 35 calories/cup.

Chinook71

Have you read Michael Pollan's books? The farmer in one chapter of his Omnivore's Dilemna, Joel Salatin also has a newer book called something like "Folks, this ain't Normal".

Both of these are fantastic and very informative!!

I also subscribe to a magazine called Clean Eating and absolutely love it!!

hoopzfanatic

Going organic is expensive but may be well worth it with how much healthier you may become.

Food Inc., Fast Food Nation, Fat Sick and nearly Dead are all excellent views on how big business looks at the consumers and the "food" they give us to ingest.

As mentioned before Costco and Farmers Markets are two excellent places to get some organic foods at a decent price point.

Good luck!!!

jennifershoo

I finally read everything! WoW! A lot of awesome infos from everyone! Thank you for this thread! :flowerforyou:
I watched Food inc. yesterday with my husband and I couldn't stop crying.
I'm very touched by how they treat the animals. I don't think I could ever be a vegetarian, but I want to switch to grass-fed cows products and cage-free chicken.
Switching to organic is definitely a long and expensive process, but I see it as investing in my health and my family's health.

ashleynicoleh04

Just recently I watched this documentary called FOOD INC. Ever since then I have been looking up ways to change my diet and eat organic/fresh food. I am done spending my hard earned money on big companies that care more about making themselves money than our own health! I would rather give my money to farmers who grow things naturally! The ones who care about everyone’s health. I am tired of being blind/fooled and stepped on by big corporations that run their business like crap! I have also been reading Fast Food Nation. I wish everyone knew the true behind what we are putting in our bodies. 5 days ago I could care less because I was uneducated about our food system. Now I want to stop supporting the "Bad guys" and start supporting the "good guys"! I want to start making small changes for my health and my families but I feel so overwhelmed doing this on my own! I have no idea where to start or what labels to believe! I know that this will be an expensive change but I care more about my health than my money. Please help in any way that you can. I really need it!

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

I read that book. It is great! I still need to watch that documentary. There is a forks over knives documentary that you might like too. I need to watch that also but heard it was good.

Juneliliy

very helpful information!

Shaneekwa

Bump

I juice a lot and when I do I use only organic fruit and vegtables. But I would love to make a complete switch

melbaby925

I live in Albuquerque, NM and just joined a farmer's distribution - I found them through Local Harvest like that other poster mentioned. There are not only your area farmer's markets but the local farmer/merchant co-ops and any delivery services too. You might be able to get your boxes delivered to your place once a week!

My resolution this year was to go organic and non-GMO with my foods. It's led me to cook more and I'm experimenting more with flavors and foods I've never eaten before. Amazing stuff!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! ...And it's pretty great to know that I'm supporting local farmers who care about what they serve to their customers as well as the environment.

jennifershoo

bump!

Hearts_2015

i was also going to suggest a CSA. i'm going to join one this summer and i am so excited!

You'll love it!:flowerforyou: