When first going raw... how important is it to buy organic?

[renerdrat]

Sometimes I see how important organic foods are.. and I mean, I know it's a better alternative, but it's just so much more. Especially when something is on sale that isn't organic. Like grapefruits are on sale 3 for a dollar, and organic ones are like 80 cents each..

Have you went on all organic and all normal and noticed any difference? Or what is your opinion on them?

Oh and is it true that they have like.. twice as much nutrients?

[ReneeH]

Absolutely!!! Ok, let's take your example, shall we...

Organic Grapefruit: .80 X 3 = $2.40
Conventional: 3 for a dollar

Do enough research on it and you'll shift away from conventional... I used to think that way too...i really did. But, then I began asking myself: Is it worth it to me to spend $1.40 for Fruit with the highest possible nutrients, no pesticides or herbicides....? To spend $1.00 and get 3 Grapefruits grown conventionally that's full of things I don't want to put in my body, it's not worth it TO ME...if I can help it.. There is a HUGE difference in taste of Organic too! I belong to an Organic Co-Op, so that cuts the price for me. Why not see if there is one in your area?

Also, you can get a good Veggie wash for your Veggies, but it will never equal what you'd get by buying Organic.

It basically boils down to this: What kind of body do you WANT? What kind of body are you BUILDING?

[sport]

If you are on a budget then study up on "the dirty dozen" and learn what fruits and veg are likely to have the highest levels of pesticides and get those organic or else do without the.
The ones on the lower levels of the scale and the ones that you peel then you can be more lax with.

[renerdrat]

If you are on a budget then study up on "the dirty dozen" and learn what fruits and veg are likely to have the highest levels of pesticides and get those organic or else do without the.
The ones on the lower levels of the scale and the ones that you peel then you can be more lax with.

I think that sounds like a good idea.

Oh and renee.. like do you feel any different if you're eating organic vs conventional?? Or do you have negative reactions to eating conventional?

[ReneeH]

Honestly, yea I do... When I can't get Organic, if its not available at the time, I will buy what I can get...but the fruit/Veggie is inferior IMO..in taste, quality, and nutrients. You gotta do what you gotta do, though!

A friend of mine who introduced me to the co-co tried to tell me the same thing and I didn't listen at first. When I began eating organic I realized what she meant. I feel SO much better eating Organic and my dishes tastes even better. Looking at the whole picture, if your grocery bill goes up let's say $5.00 because of buying Organic, then that's money you've saved from going to the doctor because Organics will help you not to get sick off of the pesticides/herbicides that's in conventional.

I don't necessarily have negative reactions, conventional is still leaps and bounds better than SAD!!! But, the longer I'm Raw the more connected I feel to it--to the point where I wanna eat from the best possible source that I can.

I feel like I've evolved even more to attain a healthier ME by choosing Organic. But you may not be as far as I am in the race, so if you can't buy organic then don't let that stop you from eating RAW!!!! It may take you a little longer, but you'll get there!!! :)

[queenkel]

My grocery store doesn't have a big organic section, so I just buy what I can organic and get everything else not. HOnestly though, if they sold everything organic I probably couldn't afford it anyways.

[JCB44]

There is not too much organic food here and what is here is pretty expensive. I buy it some times but for the most part I get by with regular produce. I think that organic is probably better in the long run, but do the best with what I have got

[ReneeH]

Here is Celery for $1.49 CONVENTIONAL

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000421.jpg

And here it is ORGANIC for $1.27!!!!!

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000423.jpg

So, in this case, Organics is ChEAPER!!!

Also, here is Lettuce. *Conventional $1.77

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000425.jpg

And Organic $1.99

http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u336/Pioneerspiritnee/Mobile%20Uploads/1000000422.jpg

(like my SHOE!!!!). :-D


Here, Conv is cheaper by a whopping 22 cents!!!!!! *

This is only 2 examples (here in Katy, TX), but if you just compare, in reality you MAY have to pay more for Organics, but isn't it worth paying 22 cents for a more quality product? *:-)

But, really if you can't where you live, just do the best with what you have! When you CAN, do...when you CAN'T, don't worry 'bout it...

[GreenT]

I used to feel the same same way about organic. I didnt think that it was that big of a deal, especially with the difference in price until i watched this video series. I am now switching over to all organic. Here is a clip of that video series that explains more about organic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME41oog34BU

[MelanieBear]

When you buy organic, you are investing not only in your own health, but in farmers who care about the planet.

I believe in supporting people who are doing the right thing. The only time I don't worry about the organic label is if I'm buying from a local farmer's market, talk to the farmer, and they say that they use organic practices buy haven't been able to afford certificaton yet. I make exceptons for that situation if I believe what they're telling me.

[RawKnitster]

Organic has become more and more important to me. I realize now, it should have all started with being organic. Especially soft fruits and greens. I refuse to eat either unless they are organic. And don't fall for "they aren't sprayed". What was used as a fertilizer is just as important.

If you can afford it, vote with your dollars for organic. The more consumers that demand organic, the more available it will become. If your store doesn't have it, ask the manager to get it.

If you can't afford ALL organic, do the best you can. :)

[Raw Angel Mom]

There is the option to look for the fruit/vegetables that won't do as much arm if they aren't organic.

If you are going to do raw food to improve your health, well why would you waste $1.00 on conventional that contain poison.

On the other hand, it is best if you can buy from your local farmer that don't use armful pesticide or dangerous product.

You need to be careful with GMO. They usually start with the digit "8", organic with "9" and conventional with "4" or "3". Now why you need to be careful, is that if the food is GMO but it was grown organic, they don't have to mention it is a GMO. You need to check for the source of the food.

If you eat an organic broccoli versus a conventional. Not only, you don't have the pesticide but you have far more nutrient.

I have been investing in my health and for the planet since 2000, as soon as i committed to buy organic, i got a 5% raise from my work which covered the difference in my grocery bill. Since then, the price of organic food has come down dramatically and is more affordable now.

Support most of all your local farmers. They work hard to feed you.

[kayvebear]

Life is too short. If you are gonna spend your money anywhere it should be on healthy food. 100% organic 100% of the time

[christineg62]

I always try to eat organic, This is the dirty dozen you must eat organic they are the most 12 Most Contaminated. I belong a organic food co-op so I'm very lucky :)

■Peaches
■Apples
■Sweet Bell Peppers
■Celery
■Nectarines
■Strawberries
■Cherries
■Pears
■Grapes (Imported)
■Spinach
■Lettuce
■Potatoes

These according to the list are the 12 Least Contaminated
■Onions
■Avocado
■Sweet Corn (Frozen)
■Pineapples
■Mango
■Asparagus
■Sweet Peas (Frozen)
■Kiwi Fruit
■Bananas
■Cabbage
■Broccoli
■Papaya

[Seductive Arts]

Sometimes I see how important organic foods are.. and I mean, I know it's a better alternative, but it's just so much more. Especially when something is on sale that isn't organic. Like grapefruits are on sale 3 for a dollar, and organic ones are like 80 cents each..

Have you went on all organic and all normal and noticed any difference? Or what is your opinion on them?

Oh and is it true that they have like.. twice as much nutrients?

I think the prices of some organic foods at Whole Foods are ridiculous, especially the ones fruits and veggies with thick skins to protect them from pesticides, if they were used.

I get organic when I can. My local convenient grocery store sells a batch of convenient green onions for $1, but they sell organic for $2.

I wish I was lucky like ReeneeH where the only difference between organic and convenient is only a 25 cent difference. Mine is more like a $1 to $2 difference for certain produces.

[renerdrat]

I always try to eat organic, This is the dirty dozen you must eat organic they are the most 12 Most Contaminated. I belong a organic food co-op so I'm very lucky :)

■Peaches
■Apples
■Sweet Bell Peppers
■Celery
■Nectarines
■Strawberries
■Cherries
■Pears
■Grapes (Imported)
■Spinach
■Lettuce
■Potatoes

These according to the list are the 12 Least Contaminated
■Onions
■Avocado
■Sweet Corn (Frozen)
■Pineapples
■Mango
■Asparagus
■Sweet Peas (Frozen)
■Kiwi Fruit
■Bananas
■Cabbage
■Broccoli
■Papaya

ooh thanks for that

[renerdrat]

thanks for replies, I think what I'm gonna do is just try to buy mostly organic, but things that are just far too expensive I'll just go conventional