Caring for the soil is of the utmost importance in organic farming. This is because it forms the basis for health for all life forms. You may be asking, “Why is soil important?” Nutrients in soil strongly affect how healthy plants become and, subsequently, how healthy we are. Ultimately, soil and health are very closely linked.
Many people are now choosing organic as one way to help optimize their health and well-being. The vitamin and mineral content of fresh produce and other foods varies for a number of reasons. The type of food and how the soil is cared for are important considerations. Equally so are the growing environment and the processing method, among other things.
Soil and health are closely linked
Sophie Grigson and William Black explain the links between soil and plant health. “Healthy soil encourages healthy plants, plants which are strong and disease resistant, which means there is less need for artificial pesticides in organic production”. Their book “Organic – a new way of eating” highlights the fact that if we feed the soil, the plants will look after themselves.[i]
Sally Fallon reiterates the links between soil and health in her book “Nourishing Traditions”. She explains that nitrogen fertilizers used in conventional (non-organic) farming produce high yields. This is partly due to pulling minerals from the soil. The food suffers because its vitamin and mineral content is depleted. She explains that the vitamin and mineral content of conventional and organic crops can vary greatly. In fact, some commercially raised oranges have even been found to contain NO vitamin C![ii]
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You are what you eat
The old saying ‘you are what you eat’ really does ring true. Are you consuming food that was once a sickly animal fed routine courses of antibiotics? Did this animal live on a genetically engineered diet full of pesticide-sprayed grains? With an inability to properly digest grains and this onslaught of synthetic substances, how healthy do you think this animal was?
Are you eating food that has been sprayed copiously with a herbicide that has been engineered to kill EVERYTHING around it, except that particular crop? If so, how do you think this affects the soil’s health and your body’s subsequent health? Soil and health are closely related, so eating food grown under organic principles can be considered an excellent addition to a healthy lifestyle regime.
Yes, our bodies are amazing, and yes, they can process and eliminate a certain degree of ‘rubbish’. However, when they become overloaded, they have a limited ability to summon the resources required to neutralize the onslaught of poisons entering them. Therefore, it makes sense to limit our exposure to toxins, and choosing organic whenever possible is one way to do so.
Organic farming helps ensure you receive high-quality nutrients for your body, allowing your cells to be as healthy and strong as possible. Growth hormones, protein-rich feeds, and routine antibiotic use are not allowed. Similarly, neither are synthetic chemical fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, or pesticides.
Where to get organic products
iHerb is a great ‘go-to’ online health shop for certified organic and natural products, and they deliver all over the world.
They stock a massive range of groceries, household items, and personal care products. Not all the products are organic, but each item is clearly labeled with all information and ingredients. Therefore, it is easy to find organic if you want it. Try typing ‘certified organic’ into the search box, or search by brands that you know are certified organic. You can learn more about my thoughts on iHerb in this post.
Read more about the advantages of organic farming
Monsanto Roundup may be the best weed killer, but what is it doing to your health?
It’s more sustainable and it costs less!
[i] “Organic – a new way of eating”. Sophie Grigson and William Black. Headline Book Publishing 2001
[ii] “Nourishing Traditions. The Cookbook that challenges politically correct nutrition and the diet dictocrats. Revised second edition. Sally Fallon with Mary G. Enig. Ph.D. 1999, 2001 New trends Publishing Inc.
P.S. If you’re into food sustainability and conscious decisions, find out how to minimize wastage of food and make the most of your fresh produce.
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