| An organic food diet not only reduces the amount | | | | access to many delicious fruits that have short |
| of toxins you and your family are exposed to, | | | | harvest seasons. It also exposes us to chemicals |
| but organic food has also been found to be more | | | | that are illegal here, but not in all countries. |
| nutritious. Chemical fertilizers used on | | | | In order to ensure that the organic foods you |
| conventionally farmed foods induce rapid growth | | | | purchase really are organic, shop at farmer's |
| by causing more water uptake, which results in | | | | markets where you can talk to the farmers |
| bigger produce with lower nutrient content. | | | | themselves. In the stores, look for the official |
| Those chemicals don't simply go away, as the big | | | | USDA organic stamp. |
| growers would like you to believe, either. If simple | | | | Just because produce is being sold at a farmer's |
| washing would remove them, then the first rainfall | | | | market or roadside stand, doesn't mean it is any |
| in the field would have eliminated the farmer's | | | | better than the grocer's; however, many stands |
| desired effect. Many produce items in the grocery | | | | sell the same imported foods that you find in |
| store are also waxed, and there is no way you | | | | grocery or even discount stores. |
| are going to get the chemicals out from under | | | | As always, the best way to protect yourself is to |
| the wax. | | | | educate yourself. Know what you are buying and |
| Much of the produce available at grocery stores is | | | | where it came from before you consider eating it. |
| imported. That is what allows us our year-round | | | | |