Friday, March 12, 2010

Buy Organic!

Organic has been a focus of mine for the last 5 years. I try to eat organic, buy organic and live organic. Now I say try because even though I live in California, where organic is seen on every shelf, of nearly every store, it isn't always available. Well how can this be possible?

Organic products are nice to have. They are fresher, tastier and are environmentally friendly. Though there is a price that comes with this. Organic is pricier and this is not going to change. We can all help by buying organic when it IS made available and eventually more company's will create and offer more organic products, thus lowering the prices.

As it is today, I often see restaurants say that they use organic produce and ingredients "when available". This can be farther from the truth. In California, we have the luxury of having organic produce nearly year round. Okay, maybe there are some ingredients that can't come in organic 365 days a year. By labeling the menu's "when available" restaurants allow themselves the opportunity to save money buying conventional produce, yet advertising an organic menu. Why is this?

Well, you and I as consumers, we want organic food at a conventional price. We do not want to buy a $4 pint of strawberries. Premium health and longevity, for ourselves or for the earth, is priceless. Hey, but who really has the money these days to buy 100% organic. If you cannot buy organic all the time, I understand, but you should stay away from the "Dirty Dozen" as they are the most contaminated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals.


12 Most Contaminated
  • Peaches
  • Apples
  • Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Celery
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Cherries
  • Pears
  • Grapes (Imported)
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Potatoes
12 Least Contaminated
  • Onions
  • Avocado
  • Sweet Corn (Frozen)
  • Pineapples
  • Mango
  • Asparagus
  • Sweet Peas (Frozen)
  • Kiwi Fruit
  • Bananas
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Papaya


Be Organic. Stay Organic.



Enjoy.



Vegan Chef Period.

1 comments:

  1. nice post, Barry!

    here in Northern California it is easy to use all organic ingredients if you only use local and seasonal ingredients. Most restaurants and caterers, however are scamming when they say "use mostly organic or mostly local when available". It is sad how many people take advantage of the "green business" scene in this area.
    one restaurant that advertizes as using all organic ingredients, i see in berkeley bowl in the mornings buying only stuff from the rotting produce section, sadly.
    Then of course there is whole foods and safeway selling factory farmed food disguised as organic. scam central. The buyer must be very beware

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