Grating Eggs Tricks Your Brain Into Thinking You’re Eating Cheese

You probably don’t use a compost-powered sous vide machine to cook your eggs, and most likely, said eggs weren’t laid that very morning by the flock of organically-raised heritage-breed chickens on your sprawling, stunning, experimental working farm. But that doesn't mean you can’t use Blue Hill at Stone Barns’ nifty egg grating technique to add unique and excellent texture to your breakfast—and you might even be able to skip the cheese. (Though you totally don’t have to.) On a recent trip to the much-loved restaurant, our captain whipped out a rotary grater—the kind you might see cranking out fluffy clouds of Parmesan atop pasta dishes at an Italian restaurant—and loaded it with a freshly-cooked egg. 

After a few cranks of the handle, there was a springy little pile of yolk and white shreds on my plate next to a slim slice of potato-chip-crust pizza (seriously, there is a reason that chef Dan Barber and his team at Blue Hill have won a bazillion James Beard Awards and other accolades), and a goofy grin on my face. The grated egg looked for all the world like sumptuous, gooey mozzarella, which totally tricked my brain into thinking I was scarfing down a heap of cheese. Then my brain started cranking—how had I never tried this before, and how might I incorporate into every single breakfast and brunch until the end of time?

The technique itself is incredibly simple, and can be done with a rotary grater, hand or box grater, or a Microplane. Just hard boil an egg to whatever level of firmness you like, then grate it. If you’d just like to use the whites, peel the egg and stop when you see yellow, or incorporate the yolks by slicing the egg in half and rubbing the cut half along the grater. 

The shredded egg can be deployed in countless ways: sprinkled on buttered toast, worked into breakfast tacos or quesadilla in place of (or alongside) cheese, heaped on huevos rancheros, tossed into salads either fresh or re-fried, topping breakfast pizza or whatever other creative uses you might devise. Wanna get extra-wacky? Pickle the egg to add even more fun flavor and color to your meal, and play around with the temperature of the eggs, or different sizes and shapes of grater holes. Crack the code, have plenty of fun, and come up with some great new ideas for using your grated eggs.

11 Things It's Best to Buy Organic

Your guide to natural shopping

By now, we all know there’s a benefit to buying some stuff organic. But these days you’re faced with the option of getting everything organic—from fruits and veggies to mattresses and clothing. You want to do right by your body, for sure, but going the all-natural route en masse can be pricey.

So we wondered: What’s really essential for our health? That’s why we came up with this definitive list. Here's what should be in your cart—and what you don’t have to worry about.

Beef

You’ve probably read plenty of stories about the risks of eating chicken. But the most important protein to buy organic may well be beef. "Research suggests a strong connection between some of the hormones given to cattle and cancer in humans, particularly breast cancer," says Samuel Epstein, MD, professor emeritus of environmental and occupational medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Specifically, the concern is that the estrogen-like agents used on cattle could increase your cancer risk, adds Ted Schettler, MD, science director at the Science and Environmental Health Network.

More on organic beef

Though there are strong regulations about the use of hormones in cattle, "not all beef producers are following those regulations strictly, and some studies continue to find hormone residue in cattle," Dr. Schettler says. When you buy beef that’s been certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), you’re not only cutting out those hormones, you’re also avoiding the massive doses of antibiotics cows typically receive, which the USDA says may lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in people.

Strawberries

Strawberries may be a superfood—but they pose a potential risk unless you go organic. In addition to having up to 13 pesticides detected on the fruit, according to an Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis, conventional "strawberries have a large surface area and all those tiny bumps, which makes the pesticides hard to wash off, so you’re ingesting more of those chemicals," explains Marion Nestle, PhD, a professor of nutrition and public health at New York University and author of What to Eat. 

If you can, also skip conventional peaches, apples, blueberries, and cherries, which are typically treated with multiple pesticides and usually eaten skins-on.

Cookware

Your pots and pans are just as crucial to upgrade as the food you cook in them: "Most nonstick cookware contains a fluorochemical called PTFE that breaks down to form toxic fumes when overheated," says Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist at the EWG. "Those fumes can coat the inside of the lungs and cause allergy-like symptoms." 

Tests commissioned by the EWG showed that in just two to five minutes on a conventional stove top, cookware coated with nonstick surfaces could exceed temperatures at which the coating emits toxic gases. Switch to stainless steel, ceramic, or cast iron cookware.

Popcorn

The linings of microwave-popcorn bags may contain a toxic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which is used to prevent the food from sticking to the paper. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFOA is a likely carcinogen. "We don’t know all of the hazardous effects of PFOA yet, but we have some evidence of a link to cancer, as well as to effects on the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems," says David Carpenter, MD, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany.

Pick up an air-popper or make your popcorn in a pan on the stove top.

Yard pesticides

Some lawn and garden pesticides contain suspected carcinogens, according to EPA data. Long-term pesticide exposure may be related to changes in the brain and nervous system, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center reports. "Not only are you breathing the chemicals in, but you bring them indoors and onto carpets via your shoes," says McKay Jenkins, PhD, a journalism professor at the University of Delaware and author of What’s Gotten Into Us?

Healthier brands like BurnOut and EcoClear are made from vinegar and lemon juice, and are effective weed-killers. To find less-toxic lawn-care companies in your area, go to Health.com/lawn-care.

All-purpose home cleaners

Time for spring-cleaning? Using common household cleaners may expose you to potentially harmful chemicals. Ammonia and chlorine bleach can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. And some cleaners contain phthalates, some of which are endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with normal hormone activity, says EWG senior scientist Becky Sutton, PhD.

More about cleaning products

Although there’s no definitive proof that phthalates cause problems in humans, "the greatest concern is how early-life exposure will affect male [reproductive] development," Dr. Carpenter says. There’s weaker evidence, he adds, that phthalates affect the nervous and immune systems. Go natural with the cleaner you use the most frequently and in the most places, such as kitchen-counter spray—look for brands approved by Green Seal or EcoLogo, two organizations that identify products that have met environmental label guidelines.

Water bottles

You’ve probably heard that many hard, reusable plastic water bottles could be bad for you because they may contain BPA, or bisphenol A, another endocrine disruptor according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

"For adults, the biggest concern with BPA is that it may increase the risk of breast cancer in women and reduce sperm counts in men," says Dr. Carpenter, who explains that BPA can leach out into the water in the bottle. To be safe, sip from an unlined stainless steel or BPA-free plastic bottle.

Food-storage containers

BPA strikes again: Many food-storage containers are made of the hard, clear polycarbonate plastic that may contain BPA. As is the case with water bottles, the BPA can leach out of the plastic in these containers and seep into your leftovers. 

"The leaching is increased during heating, but it also leaches to a smaller degree even when cold foods are stored," Dr. Carpenter explains. Glass containers are your safest—not to mention planet-friendly—bet. Both Rubbermaid (at left) and Pyrex make glass ones with BPA-free plastic lids.

Milk

The milk you’re drinking may not be doing your body good: Dairy products account for a reported 60 to 70 percent of the estrogens we consume through our food. If that seems like a shockingly large number, it’s mainly because milk naturally contains hormones passed along from cows. What worries some experts is that about 17% of dairy cows are treated with the hormone rBST (or rBGH), which stimulates milk production by increasing circulating levels of another hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).

More about organic milk

"Elevated levels of IGF-1 in people are associated with an increased risk of cancer, including breast cancer," Dr. Schettler explains. In fact, the use of rBGH is banned in Europe and Canada. Although research has yet to definitively conclude whether drinking rBGH-treated milk increases your IGF-1 levels high enough to cause concern, Dr. Schettler says it’s advisable to buy milk that hasn’t been treated with it. So pick up milk that’s labeled rBGH-free, rBST-free, or is produced without artificial hormones.

Celery

When researchers at the EWG analyzed 89,000 produce-pesticide tests to determine the most contaminated fruits and vegetables, celery topped the chart. "In terms of the sheer number of chemicals, it was the worst," says Sonya Lunder, senior analyst at the EWG. Celery stalks are very porous, so they retain the pesticides they’re sprayed with—up to 13 of them, according to the EWG analysis. Lunder also advises buying organic bell peppers, spinach and potatoes because they scored high for pesticides, as well.

Tomato sauce

When picking up tomato sauce or paste, choose the glass jar or box over the can. "The lining on the inside of food cans that’s used to protect against corrosion and bacteria may contain BPA," explains Cheryl Lyn Walker, PhD, a professor of carcinogenesis at MD Anderson Cancer Center and past president of the Society of Toxicology. 

In 2009, Consumer Reports tested BPA levels in a variety of canned foods and found it in nearly all of the brands tested, suggesting that the chemical leaked in. "What can happen is that BPA in the lining can leach into the food," Walker explains.

Natural splurge

Some regular mattresses may have been treated with potentially toxic flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which have been linked to learning, memory, and behavioral impairments, according to Lunder. 

Though PBDEs were phased out of mattresses in 2005, they can still be found in other household items, including carpet padding and some electronics. The EWG advises opting for products that haven’t been treated with brominated fire retardants and choosing less-flammable materials, such as wool.

Organic Coffee

Organic Coffee is a coffee that is grown without using any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, on a land that was given sufficient time to detoxify itself, without the aid of any genetically modified organisms and finally processed and packed without the involvement of any chemical.

Health Benefits: Organic Coffee is good for health (except for the caffeine in it) in the sense as it does not contain any toxic residues of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, artificial flavors or colors, or preservatives. Therefore, these harmful substances cannot enter your body, unlike the case of non-organic coffee wherein these toxic chemicals are present. That does not mean that Organic Coffee can be drunk in excessive quantities.

Other Benefits: The other benefits of Organic Coffee relate to the environment. Since no chemicals are used in its production, processing and packaging; it does not pollute the environment. There is also no risk of smaller animals like birds, rodents, or squirrels, etc. being poisoned and killed due to these toxic chemicals. Therefore, this coffee helps a lot to preserve the biotic environment and its healthy balance.

Processing: Organic Coffee is processed using dry milling or wet milling. Dry milling basically means separating beans from dried coffee berries. This drying, again, is done by machine drying or sun drying. Wet Milling is costly, lengthy and not environmentally friendly (uses a lot of fresh water to wash) unless it is applied to coffee beans, where no chemicals are involved. However, it is one of the surest ways of producing high-quality gourmet beans and big firms often use this method.

Roasting: Organic coffee roasters are used for sorting, roasting, cooling, stabilizing, and packing. Roasting of coffee can be done by drum roasting or hot air roasting. Organic coffee roasters take care that no chemical salts, gases, flavors or additives are added in this stage to influence the taste and flavor. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Dean’s Beans Coffee Roasters are two trusted names who roast coffee.

Varieties

Organic Coffee is available in many varieties, based on the method of farming and its contribution towards the environment. Here are some of them:

Organic Shade-Grown Coffee: This variety is grown in the natural shade of tropical forests without clearing land for farming. Growth is slow, but the coffee is tastier and more flavored. The biggest benefit of this coffee is that no forests are cut down for this and, of course, no chemicals are used. It is richer in taste than its regular counterpart. There are a few varieties of Organic Shade-Grown Coffee, mainly named after their various styles of farming. They include organic rustic, organic traditional polyculture and organic specialized or reduced shade. It has less availability and hence priced higher than the other types of coffee.

Organic Bird-Friendly Coffee: This is almost same as Organic Shade-Grown Coffee, with the difference that this is particularly concerned with preserving the natural habitat of birds.

Organic Kona Coffee: This Organic Kona Coffee is grown on fertile volcanic soil of the Kona region in Hawaii. Organic Kona Coffee is produced in farms that do not use chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. They are absolutely dependent on the fertility of the soil (enriched by volcanic ash and lava), organic fertilizers, and biotic pest control methods. It has a distinct taste and flavor due to the climate and soil in that region. While Organic Kona Coffee itself is a delicacy, the Pea-Berry variety is the best. Always look for the certificate for authenticity and “100% Organic Kona Coffee” on the packets. Many fraudsters will be trying to sell normal coffee under the Kona tag.

Organic Decaffeinated Coffee: The Organic Coffee which has the caffeine removed.

Organic Green Coffee: Organic Green Coffee is the Green Coffee that is obtained from coffee plants that are grown organically.  This coffee is obtained from raw coffee beans which are not roasted. No chemicals are used in processing (fermentation/washing etc.). Taste of organic green coffee depends on good soil, right altitude, climate and processing.It is a rich source of antioxidants and contains Chlorogenic Acid, which is believed to be far more effective in neutralizing free radicals than the antioxidants in green tea.  It boosts metabolism and the presence of caffeic acid helps energize the body after fatigue. Some varieties include Blue Mountain Cenaproc, Colonial Caranavi, Peaberry, Kenya AA, Tarrazu, Yirgacheffe,  Antigua, and Altura.

Species of Coffee

The varieties discussed above also belong to certain species of coffee. The following are the two main cultivars of coffee, grown in different regions.

Coffea Arabica: This is the most widely used species. Almost all the coffee beans that come from Arabia, Eastern Africa, Asia, and Latin America belong to varieties that fall under this species categorization. People have their own opinions, but Arabica is considered far superior in quality to Robusta.

Coffea Canephora (Robusta): Varieties of this species are spread over the Central and Western Africa.

All the varieties of Organic Coffee mentioned above can be used in making Organic Espresso Coffee. Furthermore, when these varieties are purchased through a Fair Trade Organization, they are called Organic Fair Trade Coffee.

Organic Fair Trade Coffee

Organic Fair Trade Coffee is a movement or way of selling or marketing organic coffee to ensure that a justified portion of money from the sales of organic coffee should go to the farmers that actually produce it. There are various fair trade organizations and bodies through which, if purchases are made, then farmers get paid appropriately. They are also paid a premium against a price rise of coffee around the world. The farmers are given an indirect share in the international business this way by bypassing the brokers. To achieve this target, the sale of Organic Fair Trade Coffee is guided by certain principles laid down by various fair trade organizations and bodies. FINE is the most widely recognized Fair Trade Governing/Promoting body, which is mainly operational in Europe. Besides governing, monitoring and promoting fair trade, these bodies also do the certification of fair trade articles. Therefore, all the Organic Fair Trade Coffee that is selling in the market needs to be certified by one of these certifying bodies, as well as by an agency that certifies Organic products.

Organic Gourmet Coffee

Organic Gourmet Coffee is premium quality coffee (predominantly some of the best varieties of Coffea Arabica) that is grown organically, meaning without using any artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or weedicides and are flavored with different organic flavors like vanilla, mint, almond, mocha, caramel, and amaretto to suit different tastes.

Organic Gourmet Coffee is classified depending upon flavour, content of caffeine, processing or milling.  Flavoring can be done by spraying organicflavors or soak the beans in them. It can also be done while brewing or adding flavours to ground coffee. Based on content of caffeine it can be divided into two types, namely caffeinated and decaffeinated. From the point of view of health, the decaffeinated one will be the best, but you may have to compromise with the taste and flavor slightly. You should choose a good variety like Blue Mountain, Kona, Columbia Supremo, Pea Berry, Sidamo, or Tarrazu. That will give you a good taste as well as good flavour.

Organic Espresso Coffee

An Organic Espresso Coffee is the espresso coffee made with organic coffee. Therefore, any organic coffee can be made into Organic Espresso Coffee, provided that it is perfectly roasted, suitably ground, you have an espresso machine, and the temperature of the hot water used is just right. Make sure to use organic cream and milk. Use light roasted beans as very dark roasted beans lose their aroma and taste. Preferably, fresh ground Organic Coffee should be used for Organic Espresso Coffee. It’s easily available at outlets such as Starbucks however, if you need it more frequently at your home, you will need a good Espresso Machine, a bag of good organic coffee beans.

Organic Coffee Pods

Organic Coffee Pods are small packets containing ground organic coffee, somewhat like tea bags, packed in filter paper or cloth pods, each containing a sufficient quantity of Organic Coffee to prepare one serving for an average coffee drinker. They are targeted to reach those office dwellers that just have enough time to drop a pod into hot water and sip their cup without stopping their work.

How to select and store Organic Coffee?

Here are some tips that you need to follow after you buy Organic Coffee:

1) If you bought whole beans, try to grind them just before you want to brew it to get the best flavor and aroma out of them. Buy only the fresh beans and if possible roast them at home.

2) Always buy “100% Organic Coffee” beans. Do not compromise with “Organic” or “Contains Organic” types.

3) Look for the uniformity in size, shape, and color of the beans. The presence of discolored, wrinkled, and smaller beans in the lot indicates poor quality.

4) Do check the date of manufacturing, packaging and date of expiry.

5) Never store your coffee, ground or whole beans, in your fridge.

Availability of Organic Coffee

The availability of Organic Coffee is pretty good, but it is nowhere near that of non-organic regular coffee. The basic reason behind this is low production. As no artificial fertilizers are used on it, the production is quite low. However, awareness is growing, the demand is increasing, and so is production as more and more farmers are taking up organic farming. If it is not available in your locality, you can use the phone or Internet to order a dealer to ship some for you.

Consumption and price

Availability affects consumption! Naturally, the consumption of Organic Coffee is far less than that of regular coffee. The good news is that it is increasing with the awareness. The production of Organic Coffee is less and its demand is growing. So, it is obvious that it is costlier than regular coffee.

Organic Certification

Like any other organic product, certification is an important aspect to be considered while buying Organic Coffee. When you buy it, you must ensure that the pack is accompanied with a valid certificate from a recognized certifying agency. There may be many such agencies operating in different regions, but some recognized ones are as follow:

Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS)

USDA National Organic Program (NOP)

European Organic Regulations (EU 2092/91)

Export Certificates for Japan (JAS Equivalent)

Indian National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)

Quebec Organic Reference Standard (CAAQ)

Bio Suisse Standards

IOFAM Basic Standards

Market Share: Organic Coffee has a long way to go to reach the market share of regular coffee, but it is rising steadily. Presently, it is around 0.5% of the total market share of coffee.

When you have to make choice between Regular Coffee and Organic Coffee, it is always better to go for Organic Coffee since it good for your health as well as for the environment. A few bucks more for this goodness is worth it, so keep up the pace and promote Organic Coffee! Cheers!

Bulk Organic Coffee

When it comes to making profits from your organic café, you must consider saving those extra dollars you pay on buying organic coffee at retail prices. You can save by buying your organic coffee in bulk. To order the right quantity of bulk Organic Coffee, you first need to work out your café’s consumption, season etc.  EOQ or Economic Order Quantity is mostly used to determine the optimum order quantity. It helps in minimizing shipping and other charges, making maximum utilization of the storage space available to you. There is a mathematical formula for Economic Order Quantity, given below.

EOQ = {2(Annual Usage in Units)*(Order cost)/(Annual Carrying Cost per Unit)}^1/2 

Q* = {2C*D/H}^1/2

Where,

Q = Order Quantity

Q * = Economic Order Quantity

D = Annual Usage in Units

P = Cost per Unit

C = Order Cost (Fixed Cost per Order)

H = Annual Carrying Cost per Unit (Cost of refrigeration, rent of storage space, cost of preservation etc.)

Arriving at the result – Deduction of Formula: The above formula can be deduced as follows;

Total Cost = P*D + C*D/Q + H*Q/2,

Differentiating the whole equation and equating it to zero,

dT*C(Q)/dQ = d/dQ (P*D + C*D/Q + H*Q/2) = 0,

H/2 = C*D/Q²

Q² =2C*D/H

Q* = {2C*D/H}^1/2

Health Benefits of Organic Food

Organic food is extremely popular and everyone wants to know about their benefits. The sweeping public opinion that organic food is healthier than conventional food is quite strong, and is the main reason for increase in its demand in its demand over the past 5-6 years. Organic Facts is a strong proponent of organic food; however, this website also believes in putting across the most accurate facts to its visitors.

This article will explain what organic food is, how it is beneficial and what are the standards for the same. This is to substantiate the public opinion that we have on organic food being good for the health.

First of all, there is a small amount of scientific evidence to show that organic food is better in quality than conventional food. Scientific research conducted thus far on various organic food items has not been able to give strong evidence about the superiority of organic food over non-organic food. This is more so because bulk of the scientific research is based on funding provided by the governments and industry.

As a result, even the FDA and the USDA clearly mention that non-organic food is as healthy as organic food. However, there are some scientific studies that have proved organic milk and organic tomatoes to be better than the non-organic varieties. Studies are also ongoing about a variety of other types of organic food that may have additional health benefits compared to the non-organic varieties.

Organic Milk

Recent research conducted on organic milk has shown that it has more antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, and vitamins than non-organic milk. According to the researchers at the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research at the University of Aberdeen and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, organic milk is healthier than non-organic milk, since organic cows are pasture grazed which results in the better quality of milk.

Organic Tomatoes

According to a 10-year study conducted by the University of California, Davis, organic tomatoes are produced in an environment that has a lower nutrient supply since nitrogen-rich chemical fertilizers are not added. This leads to an excessive formation of antioxidants, such as quercetin (79% higher) and kaempferol (97% higher) in organic tomatoes. As we all know, antioxidants are good for health and help in reducing heart disease and the chances of developing cancer.

These studies have increased the hopes of numerous people who strongly believe that mankind should stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides and shift to more sustainable organic farming practices. There are many studies that prove that there is some pesticide and fertilizer contamination in non-organic food, and there are others which claim that organic food is not healthy because they contain harmful bacteria and viruses because of not using strong chemicals to protect against these toxic substances. However, none of these studies that show chemical contamination or the presence of bacteria/viruses show any direct impact on the overall health of individuals.

Health Benefits of Organic Food

In general, organic food consumers, manufacturers, and farmers strongly believe that organic food has the following benefits compared to conventional food.

Antioxidant Capacity

A number of studies have been completed regarding the effects of antioxidants derived from organic foods on your overall health, and the predominant results have shown that antioxidants tend to have more of an impact when they come from organic foods. This may be due to the fact that foreign chemicals are not negatively interacting with the different vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds that are so essential for the positive impact of fruits and vegetables in the prevention of things like cancer, heart disease, premature aging, vision problems, and cognitive malfunction. Recent research suggests that choosing organic food can lead to increased intake of nutritionally desirable antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic heavy metals.

Pesticide Reduction

One of the major complaints that organic food consumers cite when choosing organic over non-organic is the presence of pesticides. In order to keep crops from being attacked by the natural world, including bugs, pesticides are required. Although they do a good job keeping certain pests away from the crops, they also are composed of powerful chemicals like organophosphorus. This is an unnatural mineral compound that is not required by humans, but more than 80% of this material in our bodies comes from eating pesticide-coated foods. Organophosphorus has been connected to a number of developmental problems, including autis mand ADHD, so those organic food lovers do have a pretty strong argument in this case. To be fair, many people do choose to go organic to make sure that their children grow up healthy and unaffected by the toxins of the world during their developmental years.

Heart Health

Increased amount of time grazing on grass also increases the amounts of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) that can be found in the animal products. CLA is a heart-healthy fatty acid that can boost cardiovascular protection, and it is found in higher quantities in breast milk and in meat for animals that have been raised free range or cage-free.

Immune System

In recent decades, one of the biggest projects for farmers and food growers has been genetic modification. Making tomatoes six times larger might sound like a possible option for solving some world hunger issues, but there is another side to it. Genetic modification is still in its early stages, so the long-term effects of it on human health aren’t understood as well as we would like. In animal testing genetically modified food showed a major reduction in immune system strength, an increase in birth mortality, as well as in certain sexual dysfunctions, cancers, and sensitivity to allergens. Although there are some good things about genetically modified food, organic food advocates point to the lack of concrete details about the long-term effects.

Antibiotic Resistance

People are very sensitive to issues of their health, and they often take precautions to make sure they remain healthy, like getting various vaccines and taking antibiotics as soon as a new strain of bacteria makes them ill. However, non-organic food sources, particularly livestock and feed houses, also use antibiotics to feed their animals. This extra dose of antibiotics may actually be weakening our immune system by basically overdosing on antibiotics, thereby reshaping our immune system so many times that it will eventually be unable to defend itself. Organic food growers and dairy farmers do not use antibiotics in their processes.

Overall Health

Since organic food is not prepared using chemical fertilizers, it does not contain any traces of these strong chemicals and might not affect the human body in negative ways. Natural fertilizers, like manure, work perfectly fine, and organic farmers are happy to use this smellier, yet safer, form of fertilizer.

Better Taste

Some people strongly believe that organic food tastes better than conventional food. The prominent reason for this belief is that it is produced using organic means of production. Furthermore, organic food is often sold locally, resulting in availability of fresh produce in the market, which usually does taste better than produce that has been frozen, shipped, and transported across long distances.

Environmental Safety

As harmful chemicals are not used in organic farming, there is minimal soil, air and water pollution; thus ensuring a safer and healthier world for future generations to live in.

Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is an important aspect of producing organic milk, organic meat, organic poultry, and organic fish. People feel happy that the animals are not confined to a miserable caged life when they eat organic animal products.

The below FAQs will help you understand organic food and its benefits in a better way

What is Organic Food?

Organic food refers to food items that are prepared according to the norms set by an organic certifying body. On an overall basis, organic food is food prepared and processed without using any chemicals. That is, organic food production does not involve the use of chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, or chemical preservatives.

The USDA categories food products into the following sections:

100% organic: Must contain 100% organically produced ingredients.

Organic: Must contain at least 95% organic ingredients.

Made of organic ingredients:Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients.

Have some organic ingredients: May contain less than 70% organic ingredients.

Is It Good for Health?

Normally people believe that organic food is better for your health than conventional food. However, the USDA and the FDA clearly state that conventional food is as healthy as organic food. Scientific research has also not been able to conclusively prove that organic food is healthier than conventional food because there has been counter research too to prove conventional food is better than organic one. The exceptions are organic milk and organic tomatoes. Recent studies on organic milk and organic tomatoes have shown that these food products are healthier than non-organic milk and non-organic tomatoes, respectively.

Where Can I Buy Organic Food?

Some of the best avenues for buying it are given below:

Directly from an organic farm

Local organic food markets

Health food stores

Retail chains such as Walmart or Whole Foods

Conventional stores that also stock organic food

Online

How Do I Know Something is Organic?

Organic food can be identified with the help of an organic logo on the packet. Companies, farmers, manufacturers, and suppliers, which follow all the norms set by a certifying body of their region, can put a logo of that certifying body on their food items.

Are Standards the Same for All Organic Food Products?

No, since the mode of production and processing is different for different food items, the standards are also different. For example, the standards for organic honey production are different from the standards for organic milk production or organic coconut oil production. Note that the standards vary from region to region. Some countries may follow a uniform set of codes. For example, about 18 countries follow the rules set by the International Olive Oil Council for organic olive oil production. However, there are some countries such as the US, which have their own standards for organic olive oil production.

Should I look for the word organic on the food item?

Yes, you should look for the word “Organic”. However, you should also check the logo of the certifying body.

It is illegal to sell non-organic food with an organic label. However, there have been cases of fraud before, which when brought to the attention of the authorities, have been dealt with strongly. Therefore, you should always check the logo of the certifying body properly and you should buy organic food items that have an authentic label on them.

Does organic food cost more than conventional food?

Yes, organic food normally costs 20% to 100% more than conventional food. Organic food production is generally labour-intentsive and involves the use of organic fertilizers and organic pesticides, which are more expensive than chemical fertilizers and pesticides. That is why it costs more.

Can I produce it in my garden or farm

You can also produce organic food in your garden, organic gardening is a very common hobby for many people. you do not need any permission to produce it. However, if you intend to sell organic food, you need to follow the guidelines set by a certifying agency and get approval from them for using their logo.

Is organic food the same as natural food?

No, organic food refers to food items prepared without using chemicals. Natural food refers to food items that are only minimally processed.

Is it safe for children?

Many parents believe that organic food is safer for their children, since it does not contain any chemical pesticides and fertilizers. However, there is no scientific research to prove this.

Does it contain more nutrients?

So far, scientific research has proven this only for organic milk and organic tomatoes. Organic milk has more omega-3, CLA, vitamins, and antioxidants than non-organic milk. Similarly, organic tomatoes have more antioxidants than non-organic tomatoes. Recent research suggests that choosing organic food can lead to increased intake of nutritionally desirable antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic heavy metals.

This Essential Oil Relieves Pain Faster Than Both Pain Meds and All Other Natural Remedies

Pharmaceutical medications for pain relief cause various adverse effects and are loaded with dangerous chemicals.

On the other hand, there is an incredibly effective essential oil which soothes all kinds of pain extremely fast, with no negative effects.

This natural miracle is the oil of the curry plant – Helichrysum Italicum. Due to the warm yellow flowers and their fragrance, which is similar to curry, this plant Is known as the curry plant,otherwise, the curry comes from another plant.

Our plant is native to Europe and grows in a few regions, especially Italy, France, and their neighboring countries. Its essential oil can be quite costly, due to the fact that it cannot be found everywhere.

However, its amazing health benefits make it all worthwhile!

As this oil can come in different varieties, always pick the Helichrysum Italicum for the treatment of pain, as only this specific plant has the potent pain-fighting properties.

Most of the pain- relieving medication we use cause severe adverse effects. For instance, acetaminophen (Tylenol) dramatically destroys the liver, as well as ibuprofen (Advil).

On the other hand, this essential oil does not cause irritations of sensitivity, contains no toxins, and can be applied to the skin undiluted.

These are the most important benefits of its use:

• -Promotes cellular regeneration
• -Detoxifies the body
• -treats inflammation
• -Prevents bruising and blood clots
• -Provides relaxation of the tight muscles and connective tissue

Numerous pharmaceuticals offer some of these effects, bu this essential oil provides them all, and what’s best- almost immediately!

Th topical application of Helichrysum delivers unparalleled pain relief in all kinds of pain in the ligaments, tendons, joints, muscles,sprains, and bruises.

How to use this essential oil:

This oil can b used in two ways, depending on the severity of the pain.

In the case of chronic pain, begin with helichrysum diluted in a carrier oil, at a low dilution, like 5%, and gradually increase if needed. You can create the 5% dilution by adding 40 drops of helichrysum in an ounce of some carrier oil will.

For acute pain, like  a twisted ankle or a burn, you should apply the oil undiluted to the painful area to calm it down. Then, dilute it to about 20% with a ‘carrier’ oil like olive or Jojoba , and use it to massage the spot until it is completely healed.

Also, you can use the benefits of its combinations with other essential oils. For arthritis, mix it with ginger and/or black pepper essential oils to create a burning sensation which will improve blood circulation and soothe the pain.

For opposite effects, add a bit of  peppermint essential oil to get a cooling effect.

Note that this essential oil has no possible side effects. However, you should not apply it on open wounds, as It may interfere with the natural clotting of the body, or if you use blood thinners. People who take blood thinners should consult their doctor before starting any new treatment.

Hence, this amazing natural essential oil can be your strongest weapon against pain!