What does organic, natural, sustainable all mean? Why is it important: a beginner's guide.

I have never been one to eat "organic" foods. I also have never been on a diet. I do not believe in limiting yourself on the foods you eat. So, thus far the organic lifestyle and "going green" have completely gone over my head. Unfortunately for me, last summer I lived with a bunch of girls who had caught the organic fever.

The other day I was out shopping with a friend, looking for some place to eat, when she suggested Whole Foods. For those that don't know, Whole Foods is "the world's leading retailer of natural and organic foods" and accordingly "believe in a virtuous circle entwining the food chain, human beings and Mother Earth: each is reliant upon the others through a beautiful and delicate symbiosis." Is this a little much for you? Me too! But, I still went in an effort to be healthier, plus my "self-professed broke" friend always eats here, so I figured it would be cheap. Oh, how wrong I was! So, we decided to eat the hot Indian food they had out which was part of a rotation of food types, such as Italian, American, etc. Where was the arroz con habichuelas?

I decided I would eat in one of these big green bowls they had instead of a plastic container because I would save 15 cents. Unfortunately, the bowl weighs a ton, and they charge you by weight, so I'm not sure if I saved anything at all. I got something to drink on sale, and went to check out. Almost $20 each for my friend and I!  I looked at the salesperson like "Are you crazy!?" but sucked up and paid. So, we walked upstairs to the dining area to eat. The food was good, but the nann (Indian bread) was a little bit too stale for my taste. Maybe I would eat here again, if some guy wanted to take me out to Whole Foods and offered to pay, but I doubt if I go again by myself. I have a favorite little Indian spot on Amsterdam and 79th that is much cheaper and much tastier (it is also a great date restaurant! except the guy I date and I had gone one day during their one-hour break to find everyone laying down in the dark... kinda creepy, huh? but not creepy enough not to go back!).

Anyways when I went to throw my napkins and things away, the garbage was labeled "Landfill" which was a bit disheartening. I guess I kinda felt good for eating healthy, but like most of the United States I discovered how much organic food weighs on your pocket.

So for the benefit of all my MiApogeo readers, I began to do a little research on organic food.

According to Whole Foods,
"Organic agriculture is a production method that emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality. Organic food products are produced using:

- Agricultural management practices that promote healthy eco-systems and prohibit the use of genetically engineered seeds or crops, sewage sludge, long-lasting pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.
- Livestock management practices that promote healthy, humanely treated animals by providing organically-grown feed, fresh air and outdoor access while using no antibiotics or added growth hormones.
- Food processing practices that protect the integrity of the organic product and disallow irradiation, genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) or synthetic preservatives."

The USDA's National Organic Program sets standards and regulates the labeling of organic food. Farms must be certified by the USDA (unless their income is less than $5000) in order to promote their products as "organic." The USDA standards are strict in their allowance of growing and production methods.

According to the USDA "products labeled as "100 percent organic" must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients.

Products labeled "organic" must consist of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Any remaining product ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances approved on the National List or non-organically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form.

Processed products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase "made with organic ingredients" and list up to three of the organic ingredients or food groups on the principal display panel. For example, soup made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients and only organic vegetables may be labeled either "soup made with organic peas, potatoes, and carrots," or "soup made with organic vegetables."

But you need to pay close attention to labels, because the term "organic" can be used on secondary labels to identify specific ingredients that are organic regardless of the "greeness" of the final product. There are also no restrictions on claims such as "pesticide free," "no drugs or growth hormones used," or "sustainably harvested."

Another label that is often used is "free range," which can be deceiving. For example, free range chicken can mean the "coop door is open for five minutes a day, whether or not the chickens go out."

Also look out for "natural" labels which are often used to fool you! "Natural" usually means the product has little processing. But, the use of "natural" has no rules attached to it, nor is it inspected or watched in any way.

Beware, "organic" does not naturally mean healthier. Organic is a process, the way in which food has been grown and produced. Often, people find organic food to be tastier and healthier, but this is not always true.

My advice: going green is great for the environment and ensuring that you leave behind a better world for your children. However, it is more expensive, and many products are deceiving. Please look for "organic" and do not be fooled by products claiming to be "natural."