What is the "Organic" buzz?

For more than a decade, organic food or produce has been the alternative for a healthy diet. Lets face it: we humans are constantly growing our numbers and we all need to eat. This has put a great strain on production systems, so crops receive a little “help” to get higher yields. Although most of the things used in the crops you take home are relatively “safe”, they do have traces of fertilizer, pesticides and other things that can affect your health.

Will you drop dead? Not likely… however, there is a chance that you will have certain complications in the long run. The solution? Get organic stuff! But, what is it? Well, strictly speaking, anything that is alive is organic, no matter how much pesticide, steroid or genetic engineering is involved. However, there is an international standard that defines “organic” produce.

This means that you can go to the organic section and buy an absolutely healthy, non tampered with produce. Yea, right. The standard defines certain chemicals that can be used on that particular produce, so there is a certain window of opportunity for companies.

So, how you can fix this? The solution is growing things by yourself. Yes, there is a little work involved and you will lose some of the space in your house, but also you will have control over your plants and you will save a few bucks.

Companies have exaggerated the advantages of organic produce and the dangers of the traditional one, making organic produce to have a much higher price tag in the supermarket. If you can have a couple of plants in your house, specially the expensive ones, you will be saving a substantial amount every year, not to mention that is a good exercise.

In these times of magic formulas for agriculture, pollution and global warming, having a little organic garden will give you a little advantage over everybody else and you will learn a lot of useful things. You just need a little space and imagination.

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