If you are visiting this blog, you already know that you are what you eat. I would suggest broadening that motto with, you also are what you drink…

Soft drinks & juices

When it comes to carbonated soft drinks, they should be completely eliminated from our menu. Contrary to common belief, even juices may be unhealthy. In fact they may contain artificial flavorings or sweeteners that replace sugar which may be detrimental to your health.  You should always check the ingredients label before you buy. Drinking fruit and vegetable juices can be very beneficial, but only when they are freshly squeezed. Juices from the store that contain added sugar or worse, aspartame and other sweeteners have the opposite effect. When it isn’t an option to have freshly squeezed juice, try to choose organic juices with no artificial additives. It is also important not to buy drinks in plastic bottles, as they may also affect our health. Recent studies conducted by scientists from the University of Copenhagen found that juices packed in PET bottles contained an increased level of antimony trioxide (a suspected carcinogen, listed as a priority pollutant by the US Environmental Protection Agency) which is used as a catalyst in PET production.

Tea & coffee

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world next to water. If you are a tea enthusiast, it would be better to choose an organic blend that comes from leaves grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. The organic teas have better flavor and contain more polyphenols and catechins which are antioxidants that are beneficial to your health. Those who prefer the energizing power of coffee also have a wide selection. When buying coffee, you can choose organic coffee which is grown without chemicals, and also choose from shade-grown coffee which is even more environmentally friendly. Shade-grown coffee comes from farms with thick layers of trees and bushes that also provide home to numerous species of animals. There is also a more modern method of growing coffee, introduced in 1970s, called sun cultivation where coffee is grown in rows under the sun with little or no forest canopy. Sun cultivation has become popular because the process is more rapid and the yields are higher. However, it requires increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, and has led to deforestation of many areas of coffee cultivation.

Alcoholic beverages

Who doesn’t like a drink or two, especially on a Friday evening? These days we have a wide variety of organic alcohol beverages to choose from – beers, wine and even some more sophisticated spirits like gin, vodka, rum, or whisky which are all available at liquor stores and at bars. To be certified as organic alcohol, the beverages must be made of ingredients grown on certified farms and processed in a certified organic distillery or brewery. If you have some time and patience, you can buy kits to prepare your own wines or beers as well. This way you will be able to control precisely where the grains and fruits come from and also create a unique beverage suited to individual taste.

Written by PennySaverUSA.com. Visit us online to find classifieds with organic food.

Oregano can be used for many things other than just a kitchen herb, and its medicinal uses are well documented in both Chinese and Western medicine. Before looking at the medicinal uses, however, a quick review of the herb itself and the active ingredients, will provide some of the theoretical information needed to understand these uses.

Oregano is also called pot marjoram, and is native to Europe; mainly the Mediterranean areas of Southern Europe, and also to central and southern Asia. It can be grown in most temperate climates and has a place in most herb gardens in the western world. Like many such plants, it is high in flavonoids that are well known for their antioxidant properties. It also possesses antibacterial properties that render the herb useful in the preservation of foods.

Used by the Chinese in the treatment of gastric problems, jaundice, vomiting and fever, oregano also contains the monoterpene phenol known as thymol that has strong antiseptic properties, and its isomer, carvacrol, another antibiotic that acts synergistically with thymol to increase the antibacterial effect of both. The ingredients of oregano oil are very similar to those found in thyme, which is used medicinally for much the same type of conditions as oregano.

Oregano extracts have been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions such as those above that can be caused by microbial action, and also other conditions relating to the digestive, respiratory and immune systems. The overuse of prescription drugs for fairly common respiratory and digestive problems has resulted in the over-prescription of antibiotics. People tend to rush to their doctors at the first signs of a cough or a sneeze, and in the current litigious society, the physicians are loathe telling their patients the truth: that they are overreacting, and that they do not require antibiotics for their treatment.

Should the patient’s condition worsen the doctors find themselves at the receiving end of a massive claim for damages because the patient has had to take a few more days of work than they should have. Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but there is no doubt whatsoever that certain medications are being prescribed when there is no need, simply so that the physician cannot be accused of making the wrong call and the resultant financial cost that would ensue.

Hence, many respiratory and gastrointestinal problems are becoming more common, because they are becoming increasingly resistant to the common penicillin clones that are normally used to treat them. Natural remedies are becoming more popular because they are now becoming more effective than the more ‘traditional’ pharmaceutical antibiotics. Oregano oil is one of those that contain at least two very effective antibiotic and antimicrobial substances that act synergistically to help cure many bacterial digestive and respiratory problems.

Throat infections, pneumonia and diseases of the trachea and other upper respiratory infections are generally bacterial infections, and doctors and researchers are increasingly seeking more effective drugs to which the bacteria have not developed resistance. Wild oregano is one of these that have been described by ancient civilizations over 5 millennia ago as being suitable cures for heart and lung conditions, and also snake bites and other wounds.

Oregano oil is once again receiving prominence in the search for alternative cures to which bacteria have not become resistant. Thymol and carvacrol can aid digestion and also calm upset stomachs. Oregano combats digestive problems caused by bacteria and also reduces intestinal gas and similar general conditions. Many other plants have similar properties, such as thyme and marjoram, that share similar constituents, and it is likely its effect in suppressing microbial activity that renders oregano so effective in treating these problems.

Oregano extract is available in the form of Oil of Oregano for the treatment of these conditions, or the herb itself can be used in cooking and in salads. It is very aromatic and goes with practically any type of salad.

Its effect on respiratory problems is also likely due to the antibacterial action of the thymol and carvacrol. Oregano oil has also been found effective in treating toothache, earache and relieving the itch of insect bites. It contains a number of minerals, such as manganese, copper, iron, zinc, potassium and calcium, essential in human biochemistry, and vitamins A and C that are strong antioxidants. The effect of oregano in helping to support the immune system through its antioxidant effect is also likely to be a significant factor in its curative properties for so many diseases and infections.

Not only is it effective in killing off some campylobacter and staphylococcus infections, to name only two, but it has also been shown to be a potent agent in killing off the common amoeba Giardia lamblia, that causes flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea and other problems of the digestive tract. This could explain some of its curative effects for many gastrointestinal conditions.

Other uses are for the treatment of yeast, fungus and parasitic infections, such as candida, although you must make sure that in using oregano, you are using it in the right form. The oregano you use must be the oily extract, because dried oregano has few health benefits apart from its mineral content, and the oregano you buy from local store will not be the same.

If you are finding it difficult to throw off a bacterial infection, in spite of prescribed antibiotics, give oregano oil a try. Bacteria, yeasts and fungi do not become resistant to it, and you might be pleasantly surprised with the ease with you have resolved your problem. The same is true of any persistent digestive problem you might have. That could be due to amoeba (if serious), bacteria or parasites, and oregano can deal with each of these. It will not kill off all bacteria or parasites, but you will have a better chance of overcoming the bacteria by using it than if you didn’t try it.

Oregano is definitely more than a kitchen herb, and in fact it probably has more medicinal uses that culinary ones. Although you should seek the advice of your physician if you are pregnant, there are few side effects and it is well worth trying if you are finding it difficult to throw off your condition or infection. Oregano Oil extract is available at your local or internet health food store.

I will give you a quick rundown of what organic really means, and why I think people should only drink organic coffee.

1) No synthetic fertilizers or herbicides may be used to grow certified organic crops.

2) Certified organic foods may not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

3) To be labeled 100% organic items may only contain organic ingredients (excluding water and salt).

4) Products baring the organic label must contain at least 95% organic certified ingredients, and the remaining 5% must be components
otherwise not available in an organic form.

5) The USDA organic logo is allowed to be be printed on any 100% organic or “Organic” item.

6) Agricultural products labeled “100 percent organic” and “organic” cannot be produced using forbidden methods, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation.

I’m not trying to belabor this issue with boring organic labeling information, but you need to understand what you’re getting into with “organic” products. I know you may be wondering when we’re going to get to the organic coffee, we’ll here we go. According to the definition of “organic”, organic coffee must be at least 95% organic.

You may be thinking, “who cares if my coffee was grown organically?” well here’s a few reasons:

1) Synthetic herbicides are awful enough, but just consider, sewage sludge!

2) There’s the , I’m going to play mad scientist with your food, issue. I don’t want my cup of Joe to have wombat genes mixed in just so the beans can have less bitterness.

3) For you decaffeinated coffee drinkers, organic coffee is your best friend. Conventional decaffeinated coffees are decaffeinated using toxic organic solvents such as methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. Organic decaffeinated coffee is processed using hot water, and NO chemicals. There is epidemiological evidence to suggest that drinking conventional decaffeinated coffees is associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

4) Chemicals are not good for the farmers. A lot of coffee farmers in 3rd world countries can’t read sufficiently, which may result in improper mixing of chemicals and inadequate protective clothing.

I could go on and on about why you should only purchase organic coffee. I haven’t even got into all the environmental damage that is caused by just manufacturing the pesticides and herbicides.

Lastly, one must think about the utter love and attention that comes from growing coffee organically. The farmers inspect and baby their crops, resulting in perfectly developed organic coffee. It’s never too late to start buying organic coffee. So give it a try, you may be surprised.

Just one 320-acre farm going organic equals 117 cars taken off of the road or 1,462,500 miles not driven!” That’s the conclusion of Chris Hill and Greg Bowman, contributors to the Rodale Institute’s NewFarm.org website which has been heavily involved in researching the impacts of conventional and organic farming.

Seems that buying organic food—be it oranges, carrots, soybeans, or lentils—can be an effective way of shrinking your carbon footprint and living green. That’s because organic farming is a powerful atmospheric scrubber. By cultivating diverse crops, organic crops are better able to sequester carbon. In otherwise, they serve as a carbon sink.

But why is growing organic food better at carbon sequestration than growing food conventionally with fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides? Over their 23-year comparison of organic and conventional corn-soybean farming systems, these were the conclusions gathered:

• Retention of organic matter: A general rule of thumb in farming is that the more organic matter is retained in the soil, the more carbon is sequestered. Organic farming generally makes use of animal manure and cover crops as a means of amending the soil; conventional farming on the other hand uses chemicals which deplete the organic matter found in soil. Pound for pound, organic farming adds rather than takes away soil organic matter and therefore helps to sequester carbon.

• Lower fuel consumption: Organic farming systems use about one third less fossil fuels compared to conventional cropping systems because of a lower dependence on heavy machinery. This lower dependence in fossil fuels results in fewer greenhouse gases expended to grow the same amount of food.

These two factors make for a great climate solution. In fact, if the US were to participate in the Kyoto protocol, it could meet 73% of its proposed targets by converting all 160 million acres of corn and soybean farmland to organic farming methods! That would be like taking nearly 60 million cars off the road.

So in addition to organic foods’ better flavor and higher nutrient content, organic food can help you lower your greenhouse gas emissions! Buying organic from the grocery store, therefore, is a great way to shrink your carbon footprint.

If you want to further enhance your environmental impact, grow your own organic food using, compost, natural fertilizers and soil amendments! This is a cost-effective way to get your daily nutrients and a fun activity for the whole family.

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Organic fruits and vegetables are grown with natural fertilizers like mulch, and compost. The farmers rotate crops to reduce pests and disease and they also weed the fields by hand. This ensures that the food is all natural without any chemicals.

Conventional food is grown using chemical pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. These chemicals are not harmful in small doses, but many people fear the long term exposure to them may lead to serious diseases.

If you’re like me, you want to buy organic food only when it promotes health. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) has compiled a list of fruits and vegetables that rate highest in pesticides and refer to them as the “Dirty Dozen”. They did research and found out that some crops demand higher doses of pesticides to ward off unwanted pests, while some produce grows just fine without all the added chemicals. Read on to see the complete list of the “Dirty Dozen”.

Organic food is nutritionally superior because natural fertilizers contain a spectrum of nutrients that add to it’s quality. Non-organic food is grown with extra nitrogen which helps it grow big and look good, but it lacks the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that come with organic fertilizers. Even if you can get over the idea of eating traces of bug killer, it’s still wise to choose organic for the added nutritional benefits. It’s true that produce today contains only a fraction of the nutrients that our grand parents ate. Quality has been sacrificed for looks and durability.

The cost of traditional produce is cheaper, but as the demand for organic food rises, the cost should lower. And remember: The price of organic food is not higher, the price of traditional food is lower because of the corners that have been cut by the producers.