by Donnalynn Civello, Resident Health + Wellness Expert, HHC, AADP

 Why organics you might ask? Over the last 60 years our food supply has undergone a huge shift in mineral/nutrient density. Pre-World War II, our foods were considered whole, unprocessed and untainted with chemical stabilizers, preservatives and fertilizers. Our foods were considered clean – untreated with pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones and antibiotics.

 Today, we are not so lucky…. our food supply is highly denatured utilizing chemical farming, heavy processing and refining. Our soils have been stripped of their vital nutrients resulting in a food supply that is not only deficient in its nutrient and mineral base, but one that is latent with chemical residue and other environmental pollutants.

 Where do these toxins end up you might ask? Very simple…on your plate and in your body. The accumulation of these toxins in the body creates a buildup of acids which begin to eat away at the body slowly attacking the organs and tissues and on a cellular level.  These acids create chronic disease and illness such as heart disease, cancers, osteoporosis and diabetes. The body is not accustomed to dealing with a buildup of chemical toxins so over time those toxins start to deteriorate the body. Without a clean diet rich in vitamins and minerals, the body does not have shot at neutralizing these acids.

 At Litewing Naturals, we believe that organics represent a responsible initiative to restoring the health of the human body and the wellbeing of our planet.

Here are our top 10 reasons to buy organic products:

1. Keep Chemicals off Your Plate
Support organic agriculture. It keeps harmful pesticides out of our air, water and food supply. These pesticides were prematurely implemented before anyone understood the grave repercussions on the body, e.g. cancers, and other disease. 

2. Educate Future Generations
We are responsible for setting a conscious example to our children of how to respect our bodies and our planet. Our world as we know it will not change unless we create that change. 

3. Protect Our Water Supply
Pesticides are one of the key environmental factors that are polluting our waters nationwide affecting over 50% of our country’s population.

4. Organic Farming Promotes a Healthy Ecosystem
The health of our soils is of utmost importance. Organic farming respects the natural balance by including forage crops in rotation, retaining fencerows, wetlands and other natural areas.

5. Save Energy
Today we expend more energy on producing synthetic fertilizers than we do on tilling, cultivating and harvesting our crops.

6. Support Local Farmers
Most organic farms are small and need support. It is easier and cheaper to buy large scale farmed conventional produce than it is to invest in organics. Look locally for organics and save energy. It is a win-win for everyone.

7. Support a Conscious Economy
Although organics are a bit more expensive, those costs pale in comparison to the overall costs for hazardous waste clean-up and environmental damage caused by conventional farming.   Not to mention our society’s health-care costs. 

8. Promote Biodiversity
Crops need to be periodically rotated in order to circulate and regenerate the soils. Unfortunately our soils today are exploited via economies of scale and therefore stripped of their nutrient/mineral base.

9. Nutritious Farming
Organic agriculture promotes nourishing soils which contribute to more nutritious produce than conventionally grown produce.

10. Enhanced Flavors
Organic agriculture has a much sweeter taste than its conventional counterpart. Your organic produce may not last as long in the refrigerator but it will taste much more superior.

 Certified by SUNY and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), Donnalynn is Executive Director of Ethereal Wellness (www.ethereal-wellness.com) and a Holistic Health Coach and 200hr RYT who works with clients to help them restore balance into their lives by helping them to make healthier nutrition and lifestyle choices.