This story of a doctor who eats nothing but organic foods for three years, (three years because that is how long it takes for a farm/factory animal to be deemed organic), caught my eye.
Interesting topic, this “certified organic,” government-label thing is.
As a child, I wondered why the produce my family grew in our tiny backyard garden looked and tasted so drastically different from the produce we would buy at our supermarket.
The green apples I would pick from our tree were dense, firm yet tender, always juicy yet crisp with a bright tangy-tart flavor. Never dull. The waxy, bright fluorescent green apples from the supermarket never measured up.
The tomatoes I picked always smelled of thick green tomato vine and when cut, juice, seeds and pulp came gushing out. There was a zingy acidic-sweet flavor in each bright red slice.
The tomatoes from the store were sometimes too soft or firm, and mealy in texture. And never that same candy apple red color.
I didn’t yet understand that the ‘lives’ of the produce in the store versus my garden were drastically different.
Fresh picked and quickly eaten; versus, picked, sorted, cold-stored, shipped, laid-out, boxed and sold. Watered with care in small quantities; versus, mass-produced.
Organic food stems from an idea: home-grown. Organic is spontaneous, natural. Not constructed or planned.
I am certainly a fan of organic versus non-organic. On all levels, from societal to nutritional. But sometimes I wonder about a highly structured and regulated system which governs over ‘certified organic farming’. It defeats the purpose.
Those apples and tomatoes I picked in my backyard as a child were indeed 100% organic. Yet I am certain that if I had filed an application to certify my yard –some government official would’ve denied it.
Choosing the right kinds or organic foods is all that matters. Organic bananas are pretty pointless, except for taste differences, if any. But organic strawberries are a must. General rule: no wrapper, no non-organics.
Yah the government regulations are tough, but at least there is a standard in place. Regulation always walks a fine line my friends.