Affording Organics

Hi everyone,

As you all know, I’m really passionate about organic food, for my own families health and for our earth’s health. I believe it is an investment worth considering for every household and I know some families choose organic food at the expense of the other ‘little extras’ in life.

This week, at our house, we have had one of our little ones sick so this means I haven’t had the time to source my usual organic supplies and have bought just the regular fruit and veg. Weeks like this happen from time to time. Other weeks we haven’t been able to afford the extra cost of organic food. Oh well, I feel as though our family prioritises organic food whenever we can so I try not to feel let down by these weeks. I try to let these weeks be the exception rather than the rule.

Convienience and cost seem to be the two major factors preventing people from buying more organic food, even though the research links pesticides to ADHD, cancer and even the inability for children to develop full immunity from immunisations. The reasons children are so susceptible to pesticides are because they eat, drink and breath more per unit of body weight than an adult and their organs are rapidly developing. Yet pesticides are usually deemed safe if they would be ‘safe’ for an adult of 70kgs!

I thought it might be worthwile posting a few suggestions for every family to increase the amount of organic food they eat, please feel free to add to this list!!

• Buy organic produce when it is in season, it will often be priced very comparably to conventionally grown produce.
• Try the local farmers markets. These are important places for small organic growers, by cutting out the middle man they are able to pass on the savings to you (and hopefully make a bit more for themselves). The farmer can spend less money on packaging and this usually translates to a cheaper price. And as a bonus the produce is likely to be fresher!!
• Cut out processed foods. This includes all the flavouring sachets and bottles that you might use to whip together a quick meal! This will instanly cut out added preservatives and other chemical non-foods that make their way into the food chain.
• If you must use processed foods, choose organic processed foods. They will have less preservatives and additives but at the moment the problems with BPA in canned foods and PVC in jar lid liners still runs true with most organics (read the label, any BPA or PVC free products will loudly advertise the fact).
• All the major supermarkets now carry a range of their own organic produce. These are usually cheaper!
• Try an organic vege box. If it is delivered this is certainly convenient for alot of people.
• Grow your own. With spring here it is perfect to get something in the garden. Try squeezing the seeds from half a tomato into the ground. Do the same with pumpkin but beware, it won’t produce any fruit unless it is an organic one. We are experimenting with other seeds (passionfruit, apple, avocado) and I’ll let you know how we go, though it may take some time for these ones to grow…..
• Spread the word and ask other people how they are squezzing more and more organics into their life.

 I’m interested to hear how others are affording organic food.

Jeddah

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Is There a Safe Sunscreen?

It has been a while since my last post, we have been away holidaying by the beach enjoying some of the last days of warm weather. We usually avoid the middle of the day, going to the beach either before the sun is at it’s fiercest, or after.

But on holidays the rules change and we were at the beach all day most days. We wore our swim suits and I lathered myself and the kids up with sunscreen, knowing it was all we could do to keep from burning to a crisp. But was I really doing my kids a favour?

The issue of sunscreen is really choosing between the better of two evils. On one hand, sunscreens have shown to prevent skin cancer and on the other, sunscreen contains many chemicals that come under fire from a growing body of evidence.

The current best advice put out by the Environmental Working Group is to use sunscreens that use zinc and titanium dioxide as their main sun protective ingredients. Sunscreens that do not rely on these ingredients are more likely to contain ingredients that are known carcinogens.

However, zinc and titanium dioxide are used in sunscreens mostly as nanoparticles. These particles are smaller than cells and theoretically have the potential to work their way from the surface of the skin into cells. Up until recently all research undertaken has concluded that zinc and titanium dioxide nanoparticles do not filter past the first couple of layers of skin. However, at the point of writing, the first research that suggests that nanoparticles of zinc can infiltrate the body is being conducted.

To make any suggestions about not using sunscreens at this stage would perhaps be a little alarmist because in Australia protection from the sun is a necessity and our skin cancer rates are a testament to this fact. Read the Environmental Working Groups entire discussion here. The issue of sunscreens is one to keep a close eye on as there will surely be developments in the near future (hopefully before next summer!).

• Cover up when possible and avoid the sun at peak times (yes, I completely went against this advice while on holidays!).
• Use a sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc as the main sun protective ingredient. We generally use a zinc based sunscreen that supplies a complete list of ingredients on the pack.
• Keep posted on sites such as “Skin Deep”Cosmetics Database and this blog for the latest developments.

In fact please use the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to check behind the claims of all your skin products because often claims such as ‘natural’ and ‘non toxic’ are simply marketing tools. At Skin Deep you can check branded products or just individual ingredients to see if they are really as benign as the company makes out.

See ya,

Jeddah

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