Are you Organic?

make sure you read the labels close, not just the part that says organic. The regulation as to what can be called organic is very loose to say the least.

I buy organic vegetables when I can, but it's not always in the budget. I use the dirty dozen and the clean 15 to help me choose what's more important to buy organically:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/the-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-of-produce/616/

If I can get produce that's local, but not necessarily organic, I'll always go for that.

I don't think you'll notice a difference in how the foods make you feel or anything, but you may notice a difference in taste and size. For example, real organic local strawberries are small, deep red and sooooooo delicious. Strawberries from California that I can buy at the grocery store are HUGE, varying shades of red, with white hulls and little to no actual flavour.

I buy almost everything organic. including grass fed meat and free range eggs. Now that summer is coming up we are hitting the farmer's market for everything. I spent less there than i would at the super market, not to mention i know it goes to our local farmers. What I can't find there i'll get at whole foods or sometimes hyvee. I love whole foods not just for their selection, but their staff. They are all very friendly and helpful.

I just feel better all around since going organic, and the 15 pounds i've dropped doing it doesn't hurt. although i'm not sure if that is the organic food or my diet change in general.

I also love the learning opportunity it creates for my kids. We always talk about what farm things came from. We get to talk to the people that raise it. I can't say enough good things. And honestly i don't feel that much of a tug on my purse strings. if you stick to the basics, no processed stuff....it can sometimes be cheaper.

I also only buy organic vegetables and fruits that are on the "Dirty Dozen" list. These fruits and vegetables are more likely to absorb pesticides than others (things like peaches, spinach, bell peppers). Other veg like onions or avocados just isn't worth the price as the absorption of pesticides is minimal.

I don't really buy into the claim that people feel better after eating organic produce. I doubt the pesticides were making one feel sluggish. I could believe someone feels better by switching to organic boxed and convenience foods, since organic ones don't use artificial ingredients (e.g. there is no such thing as organic Polysorbate 80 or organic Red dye number 40).

If I ever make enough to shop at Whole Paycheck for normal groceries, I'm sure I just might. Probably won't ever happen though, and I'm okay with that.

If there is an organic option then I always buy it.

Although not 100% pesticide free Organic vegetable growers do use fewer pesticides and the use of them is better regulated, this can only be better for us and the environment in the long run.

I struggle to find Organic meat, you can usually get Organic chicken breasts but very little else. I like the idea of Organic meat as the conditions that the animals are raised in are so much better than non-Organic. Although I eat meat now I used to be Vegan because I felt so strongly about animal welfare.

I have bills to pay, unfortunately.

I think organic for the most part is a bunch of crap. There was an episode on dateline the other night about it. I plan to raise most of my vegetables this year though.

It's also really bad for the topsoil. Plus, a lot of farmers now have switched to what they call the soft approach to pest control. They feed the plants better, so they're better able to protect themselves from pests, and they use non-chemical forms of pest control to control the remaining pests.

I shop from local small farmers as often as I can, even if it isn't organic. For other foods, including meats and fish, I shop at Trader Joe's. Even the nearby big chain grocery store, Publix, carries organic, some of which are under their own label. I wash fruits and vegetables, and salad greens no matter where I get them.