Facts about Organic Food

In the past two decades, consumers' concerns about the safety of the food we eat have raised a multitude of questions about food buying and growing. One of the major concerns has been the pervasive use of pesticides in farming and the hazardous presence of the pesticide residues in food. As a result, more and more consumers have resorted to organic food, which is a smart option to enhance our health. In this article, you will learn about the pros and cons of organic farming, and get to know some interesting online organic-food stores.

Organic crops are grown without toxic pesticides or growth hormones. The soil is usually enriched by natural mineral fertilizers only. Instead of pesticides, organic farming relies on beneficial insects that eat harmful insects. Plus, they also use a nifty farming technique called "crop rotation" to rob insects of food and prevent weeds from developing.

Advantages of Organic Food

• Nutrition - Organic food is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes which will help your body fight off infections more effectively.
• Toxin-Free - Since It is pesticide-free, it lowers the risk of cancer and certain birth defects.
• Taste - Organic products tend to taste better than non-organic ones. For example, a study by Washington State University in 2001 claimed that organic apples were sweeter and had firmer texture, compared to those of conventional farming.
• Environment - Organic farming is better for the environment since it does not use toxic chemicals that will run off to pollute soil and water. Also, it promotes a use of the land that will maintain richness in the soil for the next generations.

Downsides of Organic Food

• Cost - Organic food usually costs 10% - 40% higher than non-organic products because of the following reasons: 1.) They are produced on a smaller scale and usually must be cultivated by hand, and that labor is expensive. 2.) Farmers need compensations for their lower yields, as some of their crops are lost to insects and animals. 3.) It is also more expensive to raise animals humanely than to keep them in small pens and cages. Pasture raised animals require a lot of space, and supplementing their grazing with organic feed costs a lot more than simply feeding them the least-expensive non-organic grain available.
• Appearance - Organic fruits and vegetables tend to have imperfections. But keep in mind; don't let looks fool you.

Country Sun Natural Foods

Country Sun Natural Foods provides a great variety of organic food products from coffee and tea to pet food and sports supplements. The website also features up-to-date health information, interesting news on natural products, healthy recipes, and accurate health tools you can use to assess your lifestyle such as the calorie burner counter, nutritional needs calculator and body mass index.

Kalyx Natural Marketplace

Kalyx offers a wide selection of organic products including dried fruits, baked goods, teas, spices, cereal, herbs, snacks, etc. Plus, they also provide aromatherapy and household items.

Door To Door Organics

Door to Door Organics is a family owned business located in Pennsylvania. They have been delivering certified organic products to homes and businesses since 1996. However, the company only delivers in the following areas: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia.

Mother Earth Foods

This is a great place to buy organic food, nutritional and herbal supplements, as well as body care products. For those of you who need some health advice, Mother Earth Foods offers a program called Holistic Health Services that supports clients through consultation and wellness education.