Organic seems to be the way to go, for a healthier life and for a more sustainable environment. It’s natural to think of foods that we HAVE to eat for good health, like fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy, when we hear the word organic, but who would have thought that foods we LOVE to eat and which tend to be addictive, like chocolate, coffee and the like, also find a place under this theme? Well, they do, so the next time you go organic shopping, make sure you check out these aisles too, rather than stopping with just the produce section:

• Say it with Chocolate: Who doesn’t love to sink their teeth into a big bar of gooey chocolate and savor it as it melts on their tongue? Now you can do it with less of a guilty conscience, thanks to the organic form of this delicious candy. Organic chocolate is made from organic ingredients that must meet the strictest standards; they cannot be genetically modified, the milk powder must be free of the recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone that’s given to cows to make them produce more milk, and the cocoa must be grown under conditions that preserve the bio-diversity of forests and protect the natural habitats of animals and birds local to the area. So go ahead, indulge yourself even as you contribute to the environment in your own way.

• Wake up and smell the Coffee: If you must have your daily fix of caffeine, the least you can do is make sure it’s organic. Organic coffee is grown according to the standards set by the US Department of Agriculture – the crop must be nourished without the use of synthetic pesticides and other banned substances for three years, and farmers must adopt a crop rotation plan that prevents soil erosion and a decrease in the amount of natural nutrients.

• Add more goodness to your life with Tea: Tea, especially Green Tea, has been proven to be loaded with antioxidants that are beneficial in reducing the signs of aging and in keeping cancer-causing free radicals at bay. Now there’s more good news for tea lovers – organic tea brings more health benefits because of the way it’s grown, using eco-friendly techniques in estates that are self-sustaining. The leaves are prepared by hand and dried in natural sunlight.

• Settle down with these Snacks: Not all snacks have to be detrimental to your health. Baked as opposed to fried chips, organic fruit bars, low fat crackers and cheese – these are just a few options you find when you cruise along the organic snack aisle with your shopping cart. Now you don’t have to worry about your kids refusing to eat fruits and veggies in lieu of snacks; you can both give them what they want and make sure they eat healthy too.

• You don’t have to say no to this Alcohol: That is, if you’re environmentally conscious, a vegan or want a healthier option when you’re in high spirits (pun intended). Au contraire to various claims, organic alcohol does not give you less of a hangover or taste better than its non-organic counterpart, so stop right there before you go on a drinking binge. Organic means the spirit has been distilled from ingredients that have been grown on certified organic farms where no pesticides and fertilizers are used, and processed in a certified organic distillery where no nitrogen or other chemicals are used in the distilling process. Yes, you can say cheers with more meaning now when you drink, but make sure you stay within the limits of sobriety.

There’s a mad scramble to jump on the bandwagon labeled “organic”, mostly because these foods are sold at a premium cost. Of course, people are willing to pay more if they’re sure they’re getting a better and healthier product, but the question here is, are they really getting what they pay for? Unfortunately, there are products that are not wholly organic and yet sold under the organic umbrella. To make sure you get your money’s worth of health, check the labels carefully or better still, buy brands that your trust even if they’re more expensive.

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of ekg tech salary. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.

With the rise in demand for healthier natural and organic products, suppliers are scrambling to meet consumers’ needs. Many people are making shift in their daily routines, from diet to alternative transportation. Organic living is an amazing way to do right by yourself and your planet. However, the full benefit of living organic isn’t attained by many, as the availability and prices often hinders the overall goal.

Changing our habits is a difficult task, but doing something new for thirty days helps to solidify the habit in our mind. Additionally, this is an appropriate amount of time to see real changes occur in our lives, reaching beyond the honeymoon phase or placebo effect sudden shifts in lifestyle seem to create. Try living a fully organic lifestyle for 30 days, by changing these 5 key areas of your diet and recreation. You will certainly see and feel a difference in a variety of ways.

Dairy Products

Switching to organic dairy products reduces the amount of hormones and preservatives you take into your body. Why put processed oil and byproducts into your body when can have real milk and cheeses without all of the extra harmful additives. The cattle that produce these products are also not harm by overloading them with unnatural hormones simply to boost production.

Organic Meat

Living organic doesn’t mean you have to become a vegetarian. If you must eat meat, buy organic. As with the dairy products, hormones are not used to plump up the livestock, and the animals are fed organic grains and grasses, not anything unnatural or chemical-laden. Many great organic meats are available at a variety of chains and local markets around the country.

Organic Produce

Organic fruits and vegetable are available now more than ever in supermarkets around the country. These staples of our daily diet are grown without harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and the growers of these products are committed to sustainable growing practices. Help make a difference in your own health and the health of Mother Earth by supporting these companies and individuals.

Organic Packaged Products

If you are trying to make excuses as to why you can’t witch to organic products, it’s no use. Many pre-packaged snacks and other products are now available in organic versions in stores across the country. Even frozen organic vegetables are available as alternatives when you can’t find the fresh produce in your stores. Look around for organic potato chips, nutrition bars, and juices, among many other things.

Organic Beer and Wine

Thought we had missed out on this one? Unwind at the end of the day or week with a bottled of organic wine or beer. Made from 100% organic ingredients and environmentally sensitive bottling and sealing practices, these beverages are made to taste great, all while keeping any extraneous chemicals from getting into your body in the process.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of nursing schools online. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com.

The below two videos were produced as a WH-TV News Special. They cover the pro’s and con’s of organic farming and whether or not it can feed a nation on a long-term, large scale. They look to be a few years old, but nonetheless, they are very informative when describing how organic farming really works.

Organic Farming: Can It Feed Us (Part 1)

Organic Farming: Can It Feed Us (Part 2)

While these two videos are pretty long, and look to be a few years old. It’s clear that there are many health benefits to growing your own organic foods and organic farming. Consumers should definitely consider buying more organic foods while shopping at the grocery store. The more consumers buy organic foods, the cheaper organic foods will become over the upcoming years.

According to a study by the University of Michigan Health Systems, one specific compound found in Green Tea can be the key to preventing & treating Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The Green Tea compound that has researchers excited is called Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

EGCG shows promise because scientists believe that it could restrict the amount of inflammatory molecules associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers also believe that EGCG can also decrease the joint damage associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

“Our research is a very promising step in the search for therapies for the joint destruction experienced by people who have rheumatoid arthritis,” said Salah-uddin Ahmed, Ph.D., the head researcher for this study.

While researchers are very optimistic about the long-term benefits of EGCG, it is still unknown how it will truly effect humans, as only animal tests have been done. However, the results of the primary tests look very promising for eventual human benefits.