Why to Eat Organic

Eating foods grown in traditional ways, without pesticides and toxins can be extremely beneficial for health and overall well-being.  Fruits and vegetables grown organically often taste better and also help to protect the environment. It is often assumed that it is always expensive and difficult to purchase organic foods, but there are several ways to obtain organic food without breaking the bank!

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Certifying food as organic, officially, is a very expensive and extensive process.  Because of this, many small family farms choose not to certify their produce officially, but still grow their food "organically," just as if they were a certified farm.  Many small family farms sell food that is "organic" simply by virtue of the way that it is grown.  This produce can often be bought at a very reasonable price, which supports the local economy.

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Another benefit of eating organic produce, is that certain vegetables are often only available when they are in season, allowing the produce to only be consumed at its freshest.  Also purchasing organic foods at their freshest teaches consumers that foods do in fact have a season, and consuming produce at its appropriate time can be a very rewarding and tasty experience!  

Recipe for Organic Lemon Chicken

from http://www.myorganicrecipes.com/lemon-roast-chicken/

Ingredients

1 whole organic chicken 7-8 pounds

¼ cup butter

2 fresh bay leaves

1 handful fresh oregano leaves

6 garlic cloves, sliced

juice and zest from 1 lemon

1 lemon, cut in quarters

2 tablespoons sweet paprika

1/3 cup white wine

1 cup water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out, pat it dry with paper towels.

Place the chicken in a roasting pan. Sprinkle salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the oregano, all the garlic and lemon. Rub the outside of the chicken with butter, pour over the lemon juice, season with salt, pepper, paprika and sprinkle with lemon zest. Tie the legs together with kitchen string. Pour in the pan wine, water and bay leaves.

Roast the chicken for 1 ½ hours.