We've been proponents of organic food since I don't remember when...but if you needed anymore compelling evidence, here it is. An article posted today on WebMD here shows that pesticide exposure in the womb and during early childhood can have a dramatic impact on IQ. "Even at relatively low levels, organophosphates may be most hazardous to fetuses and young children, where healthy brain development depends on a carefully orchestrated sequence of biological events."
Although our friends at the FDA banned the use of these products in residential locations in 2001, it is still in use commercially....
Fruits and vegetables are still sprayed with these organophosphates - so here you are thinking you're helping your children develop good eating habits by loading them up with fresh fruits and veggies...only wait, they're not so great when they're chock full of chemicals that impair your child's mental development.
So, even more reason to make sure you choose organic. The more we learn about pesticides and the impact on human (and planetary) health, the more it becomes a no brainer...pun intended.
Choose organic. It's that easy. Want to learn more? Start here to learn more about why choosing organic just makes sense.
Here's to working together to create a greener planet. shopOrganic.com.
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Showing posts with label pesticides. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pesticides. Show all posts
5.17.2010
Science Shows Link Between Pesticides and ADHD
A new study links Attention Deficit disorder with pesticide exposure - (here's the link to the story). I don't know about you, but this isn't really as much a surprise as a confirmation of what we already knew but had little scientific evidence to cite.
Pesticides were actually developed as chemicals for warfare. After World War II, someone had the no-so-brilliant-thought to spray those chemicals that were stockpiled on plants to kill pests. I'm not quite sure why no one ever thought about the fact that those chemicals sit on the leaves of the plants, soak into the roots of the plants and are then ingested. I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time....
I guess it's easy to sit back and second guess 60 or 70 years' worth of 'conventional' agricultural wisdom, but it still seems like a no brainer that you don't want to douse your food in poison.
This article points to the link between certain pesticides and ADHD. I remember an elderly friend of mine once speaking a bit mockingly of all these new 'disorders' - but maybe there really are a new host of disorders all stemming from our dousing our environment with toxic chemicals.
Of course, at shopOrganic, we've always believed it was healthier for our bodies and the planet to eat organic; now the scientific community is starting to look at the underlying science and is coming to the same conclusion.
So, while it's important to teach children to eat a balanced diet, it also needs to be a diet free from toxic chemicals. Go organic, you and your children are worth it.
Read more!
Pesticides were actually developed as chemicals for warfare. After World War II, someone had the no-so-brilliant-thought to spray those chemicals that were stockpiled on plants to kill pests. I'm not quite sure why no one ever thought about the fact that those chemicals sit on the leaves of the plants, soak into the roots of the plants and are then ingested. I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time....
I guess it's easy to sit back and second guess 60 or 70 years' worth of 'conventional' agricultural wisdom, but it still seems like a no brainer that you don't want to douse your food in poison.
This article points to the link between certain pesticides and ADHD. I remember an elderly friend of mine once speaking a bit mockingly of all these new 'disorders' - but maybe there really are a new host of disorders all stemming from our dousing our environment with toxic chemicals.
Of course, at shopOrganic, we've always believed it was healthier for our bodies and the planet to eat organic; now the scientific community is starting to look at the underlying science and is coming to the same conclusion.
So, while it's important to teach children to eat a balanced diet, it also needs to be a diet free from toxic chemicals. Go organic, you and your children are worth it.
Read more!
8.11.2009
The Have's and the Have Not's
Most of the time, when we talk about the "have's and the have not's" we're talking about material possessions and wealth - I'd like to turn that on its head for a moment and talk about when not having something is better.
The debate about the benefits of organic foods has really fired up. From my perspective, it's likely driven by a lot of people who have a vested interest in conventional foods - but setting that aside for a moment, let's just boil this down to a more rational discussion.
Let's say, just for the sake of this discussion, that there is no nutritional difference between organic and conventional foods (I don't personally believe that, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief for a couple of minutes). Does that end the debate? Is that slam dunk for conventionally grown foods? Nope. Not even close.
This is where the "have not's" win handily. Organic food does NOT have chemicals, organic food does NOT have pesticides, organic food is NOT made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
But wait, there's more (or, uh, less)!
Organic food not only doesn't have these things, growing organic foods does not involve the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms so it also keeps all that gunk out of the soil, the water and the air (aka the earth). Think about the multiplier effect in either direction. It's all connected - the debate about nutritional benefits may rage on, but I still prefer the "have not's" kind of food. Better for me, better for this big swirling globe we all call home.
Pesticides and other chemicals HAVE been shown to have an adverse impact on the human body and on the plants and animals of this planet. So, I don't know about you, I would rather go without and go organic - in this case, the have not's have a clear advantage.
New to organic food? Take a look at these best sellers at shopOrganic.com for some great ideas on where to start.
Now, go out there and enjoy your day! Read more!
The debate about the benefits of organic foods has really fired up. From my perspective, it's likely driven by a lot of people who have a vested interest in conventional foods - but setting that aside for a moment, let's just boil this down to a more rational discussion.
Let's say, just for the sake of this discussion, that there is no nutritional difference between organic and conventional foods (I don't personally believe that, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief for a couple of minutes). Does that end the debate? Is that slam dunk for conventionally grown foods? Nope. Not even close.
This is where the "have not's" win handily. Organic food does NOT have chemicals, organic food does NOT have pesticides, organic food is NOT made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
But wait, there's more (or, uh, less)!
Organic food not only doesn't have these things, growing organic foods does not involve the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms so it also keeps all that gunk out of the soil, the water and the air (aka the earth). Think about the multiplier effect in either direction. It's all connected - the debate about nutritional benefits may rage on, but I still prefer the "have not's" kind of food. Better for me, better for this big swirling globe we all call home.
Pesticides and other chemicals HAVE been shown to have an adverse impact on the human body and on the plants and animals of this planet. So, I don't know about you, I would rather go without and go organic - in this case, the have not's have a clear advantage.
New to organic food? Take a look at these best sellers at shopOrganic.com for some great ideas on where to start.
Now, go out there and enjoy your day! Read more!
5.18.2009
Healthy Kids Begin Organically
Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and it's now one of the leading childhood health risks. Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult onset diabetes because it was most often seen in older, sedentary people. It took years of unhealthy diet and lack of exercise before these would finally take their toll. Pediatricians these days are seeing more and more children with Type 2 diabetes, almost unheard of a generation ago.
In fact, two thirds of U.S. teens have one or more "adult" medical conditions. Clearly, overweight, obese children with Type 2 diabetes (and/or metabolic syndrome) is among the most urgent health issue facing our country. Kids need healthy food and healthy lifestyles, including active play time, to build the foundation of a healthy life. Dr. Alan Greene, Clinical Professor at Stanford University, is a technical advisor to The Organic Center and firmly believes that organic food is a critical component in raising healthy children.
What's the connection between obesity, Type 2 diabetes and organic food? There are many and in this post and several to follow, we'll discuss the answers to this question.
Part I - Getting Children Off To A Good Start
For a woman contemplating preganancy, the six months prior to conception, the nine months of pregnancy and the first two years of a child's life are periods of heightened vulnerability to developmental abnormalities, some with significant and lifetime consequences. An expecting mother's diet during pregnancy provides the nutrients available to the developing fetus and also plays a major role in determining how many toxic chemicals are present in amniotic fluids. Toxic chemicals in amniotic fluid can block normal development. So, yes, eating food loaded with chemical and pesticides does impact a developing fetus while in the womb and for a lifetime afterward.
Eating a well-balanced diet full of organic fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains can eliminate dietary exposure to pesticides and harmful chemical food additives. An organic diet during early childhood can establish and sustain taste-based preferences for healthy (nutirient dense) foods for a lifetime of healthy eating. Children develop their taste preferences during early life and starting them off with nourishing, organic foods can help them develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
How can we get children off to a good start? Before, during and after pregnancy -
- Purchase more organic fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy
- Plant an organic home or family garden or participate in organic community farming
- Consume a healthy breakfast every day
- Cook and eat healthy meals at home
- Try new recipes and quick meals using organic, raw and minimally processed foods
Beyond diet, engage your child in active play every day. Learn to play with your child and you'll benefit from a more active lifestyle as well. Walk in the neighborhood, dance to silly songs, play hide and seek or tag. Think of activities that are fun, engaging and active and build a family foundation of health and wellness.
Until next post, be well, be healthy, organically -
Now go out there and enjoy your day!
(Click here to download and read the full report entitled "That First Step" from The Organic Center now.)
Read more!
In fact, two thirds of U.S. teens have one or more "adult" medical conditions. Clearly, overweight, obese children with Type 2 diabetes (and/or metabolic syndrome) is among the most urgent health issue facing our country. Kids need healthy food and healthy lifestyles, including active play time, to build the foundation of a healthy life. Dr. Alan Greene, Clinical Professor at Stanford University, is a technical advisor to The Organic Center and firmly believes that organic food is a critical component in raising healthy children.
What's the connection between obesity, Type 2 diabetes and organic food? There are many and in this post and several to follow, we'll discuss the answers to this question.
Part I - Getting Children Off To A Good Start
For a woman contemplating preganancy, the six months prior to conception, the nine months of pregnancy and the first two years of a child's life are periods of heightened vulnerability to developmental abnormalities, some with significant and lifetime consequences. An expecting mother's diet during pregnancy provides the nutrients available to the developing fetus and also plays a major role in determining how many toxic chemicals are present in amniotic fluids. Toxic chemicals in amniotic fluid can block normal development. So, yes, eating food loaded with chemical and pesticides does impact a developing fetus while in the womb and for a lifetime afterward.
Eating a well-balanced diet full of organic fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains can eliminate dietary exposure to pesticides and harmful chemical food additives. An organic diet during early childhood can establish and sustain taste-based preferences for healthy (nutirient dense) foods for a lifetime of healthy eating. Children develop their taste preferences during early life and starting them off with nourishing, organic foods can help them develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
How can we get children off to a good start? Before, during and after pregnancy -
- Purchase more organic fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy
- Plant an organic home or family garden or participate in organic community farming
- Consume a healthy breakfast every day
- Cook and eat healthy meals at home
- Try new recipes and quick meals using organic, raw and minimally processed foods
Beyond diet, engage your child in active play every day. Learn to play with your child and you'll benefit from a more active lifestyle as well. Walk in the neighborhood, dance to silly songs, play hide and seek or tag. Think of activities that are fun, engaging and active and build a family foundation of health and wellness.
Until next post, be well, be healthy, organically -
Now go out there and enjoy your day!
(Click here to download and read the full report entitled "That First Step" from The Organic Center now.)
Read more!
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