Organic: Does it HAVE to be?

 'Organic' is a buzz word filled with friction that has become as addictive to the consumers eye as the 99p price mark once was.

Actually I don't think any of us ever fell for that?  Did we?  I am sure I have always rounded it up to a quid.  Ok, so the 99p store (dare I plug it?) is very fun to be in, but I don't want 4p change at the end, I would rather give them four round pounds and be done with it, it only sits at the bottom of my shopping bag with the receipt listing pointless items for months under the passenger seat of my car.  Pennies, do we still use pennies?  Someone let me know would you?   

Anyway, enough of that.  Organic promises health and happiness, it assures you that you are doing the right thing.  By simply popping those three syllables on the label we know that this is going to be fantastic and we leave the shop feeling like we have done something wonderful, commendable, for ourselves and for humanity.  This is mostly true but you still need to keep a watchful eye on that 'promise of goodness'.

Organic is good, organic is great, if you grow it yourself then you are a total charm.  If however you buy it from a supermarket be aware that organic rules are regulations are not always as absolute as they seem and companies can still hide preservatives and flavour enhancers to organic produce.  ALWAYS check the label for 'yeast extract' and 'spices' both of which can contain hidden nasties like the well known MSG.  Be aware that a product that contains 'No MSG' is more than likely to have something equally hideous that goes under a different name within its ingredients.  It is a minefield of packaging deceptions for the consumer. 

So, does it HAVE to be organic?

The simply answer to this question is No.  It does not HAVE to be organic, but I would like it to have spent some time in ground or on a tree or a bush at a recent point in it's life.  I would prefer that it came from the part of the world I am living in, or as close as possible.  Most of all I would prefer that it is not taken apart, put together, taken apart, blended, filled with preservatives, shaped, dried and finally heat sealed in plastic ready for keen consumption.

We cannot realistically all afford to have organic produce, but we can make the best choice possible.  Choose local, wash all non-organic vegetables very well especially when juicing.  If possible grow your own vegetables or look for farmers markets and local schemes.  Most of all make sure you are getting a good range of colours, textures and flavours in your vegetables, eat them raw, steamed, juiced, smoothied, get them into your nutrient starved body and enjoy the benefits in your skin, hair  and mood.

Start today, go and have a hunt for new green stuff to try and find new ways of getting it in to your body fast!

Over and Out.

Josie.