Making Organic lifestyle choices is part of a growing trend, and finding organic food to feed your family has never been easier. Many people are taking advantage of sources of organic products in their local area.

They have been told that organic living, and health giving food can provide health benefits, and benefits to the environment, as it is grown without the use of inorganic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

Supermarkets, health food stores, farmers markets, consumer supported agriculture programs, on-line delivery services, co-ops and a host of other organizations help to make organic produce available to the consumer.

According to reports from a number of Organic Growers groups, this sector of agriculture is growing faster than any other.

In addition, home owners are growing their own vegetables as a way to by-pass the higher cost of organic produce in stores. They are more vigilant about the quality of the produce they feed to their families and see an advantage in growing their own fruits and vegetables. Organic products also tend to out perform regular produce in taste tests.

Organic agriculture is sustainable. By producing food without harming the soil, farmers work the land without the use of harmful chemicals and by using sustainable methods conserve natural resources like water, beneficial organisms and conserve natural nutrients.

Is it worth the bother? Are we buying more and more organic products just to join the trend? Is it an idea who's time has passed? A concept that is no longer valid in a hungry world, or is it a return to a healthier way to live?

What Does 'Organic' Mean?

Organic vegetables, and particularly farm animals are raised without the use of drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals, and are not subjected to ionizing radiation to improve shelf life. The animal feed must be grown without pesticides, herbicides or inorganic fertilizers.

The serving and consuming of organic food in organic restaurants or using organic recipes is a choice you make, because you think the food tastes better or because you think it is healthier.

The organic lifestyle choices also involves, or related to diseases affecting bodily organs as in 'organic disease' or 'degenerative diseases.' There are many published papers that link better nutrition and particularly organic nutrition to disease prevention.

You can also choose to avoid eating genetically modified (GMO) ingredients. You can grow your own organic vegetables, as in backyard organic gardening. Or you can buy only organic at the local store or market in the knowledge that organic produce contain no (GMO) ingredients.

There are over 40 genetically modified foods approved for sale in Canada for example, and about 70% of processed foods sold in stores have (GMO) ingredients. In the United States organic products are given a 100% organic, or 'completely organic label.

Don't confuse products with a natural label with those products with an organic label. They are not the same!

Natural products do contain (GMO) ingredients, and might have been subjected to the use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.

Products 'made with organic ingredients' are at least 70% organic, and no genetically modified ingredients.

Canadian consumers benefit from the new Canada Organic label, which also applies to imported goods. This move is designed to restrict the sale of fraudulent organic foods in Canada. This label does not however apply to produce sold at farmers markets.

All reputable and genuine organic vendors, are supposed to carry their certification papers with them. Ask to see the vendors papers if you have doubts about his produce.

Why Go Organic?

You might have read the latest research, and the studies that say organic food has more and higher levels of phyto-chemicals, which are associated with a lower risk of developing a degenerative disease. So the exercise and the health benefits might even help you live longer.

Considering some of the problems with the food supply it is not difficult to make a case for buying some of your food locally, or to grow your own, and avoid imported produce where possible.

If you think you want to grow your own, you will definitely get some exercise.

We will show you in this web site why and how you can grow the fruits and vegetables to feed your family. You might want to learn about growing vegetables outside in your backyard, inside in a greenhouse, inside hydroponically, in pots, window boxes, or containers. You might be satisfied to find your local farmers market and a reliable producer. Remember he must be certified and carry his papers.

You will also gain comfort in knowing that embracing the organic lifestyle; making some organic lifestyle choices will also reduce the number of chemicals in the environment, will promote biodiversity, and will have the added benefit of helping local people and local farmers.

Organic Lifestyle Choices

You can easily switch to organic living, and you don't really have to look any further than your local stores and markets to find what you want.

Start by reading food labels and look for some of the staples like milk, bread and potatoes. It is very difficult to get a totally balanced diet from organics alone but it is worth a try.

Don't forget to look for the Organic Canada label on local and imported products in your grocery store. A northern latitude country like Canada imports 40 - 50% of food we eat. If you live elsewhere, find out what the rules are.

Getting Started

If you really want to jump into organic living with both feet, start by digging up the backyard and grow some of your own fruits and vegetables, it's not difficult.

To help you get started, we also share more tips and advice on this website, about:

• The health benefits you will enjoy
• Getting started with organic gardening
• Planning your garden
• Vegetable gardening
• Healthy organic garden soil
• Plus many other tips for organic gardening!

Why not make some organic lifestyle choices It can be easy, healthy, and good for the environment!