They also review prior studies and found that most studies focus on short term effects of organic eating – mainly antioxidant activity to the body – and didn’t focus on the long term health outcomes.

While questions remain as to whether organic foods have any extra nutritional value, people buy organic for a number of other reasons as well.

Organic foods are made without the use of conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics or hormones — which could potentially reap benefits for people’s health and the environment.

What this means to you and I is that these are the foods that we should seek out organics foods to avoid all the pesticides.

This year list in order from highest to lowest pesticides resides is:

1. Celery

2. Peaches

3. Strawberries

4. Apples -  We recommend peeling a fruit or vegetable like apples to strips away many of their beneficial nutrients.

5. Blueberries

6. Nectarines

7. Bell peppers -  Safer alternatives include green peas, broccoli, and cabbage.

8. Spinach – One of the most contaminated green leafy vegetable.

9. Kale

10. Cherries

11. Potatoes

12. Grapes – Imported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically.  No amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape’s thin skin.

It just goes to show you that what many think are perfectly healthy for you may not be the case do to how they are grown and the pesticides sprayed on them to bring them to the market place.

Salt intake has been associated with increased risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke.

The Health and Human Services recommends that adults limit their daily salt intake to 2,300 milligrams: about 1 teaspoon. If you are over 40, are African-American or have high blood pressure, you shouldn’t have more than 1,500 mg a day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 70 percent of adults fall into one or more of these three categories.

The average American consumes far more, however, eating about 3,900 milligrams of sodium a day. In a study last month from Stanford University, researchers found that reducing the country’s salt intake by 9.5 percent could reduce nearly half a million strokes and heart attacks and save more than $32 billion in medical costs over the lifetime of adults.

Until standards are set to encourage the reduction of salt intake, it would be a good idea for every one to salt limiting salt intake on their own.

1.  Nuts.

Nuts like almonds, cashew and walnuts are high in fiber.  Fiber slows your digestive process, keeping hunger and unhealthy mid-afternoon snacks at bay.

2.  Greens

Greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like folate and Vitanim C that can lower your risk of cancer.  They can also have prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

3.  Yogurt.

Yogurt helps your digestive system.

4.  Onions.

Onions help reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of stomach cancer.  The stronger the onion the greater the benefit.

5.  Whole Grains.

Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and whole oats can help flatten your belly by reducing fat storage in your lower abdominal region.

First Organic Vitamins is a 100% organic Vitamin C Complex that provides the full complex of vitamin C from foods, and phytonutrients such as anthocyanins, sulforaphan, lutein, carotenoids and others.

Some believe that wheatgrass helps prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, is a natural energy stimulate equivalent to coffee or caffeine but without the crash.  Wheatgrass also gives better complexion and a healthy grow associate with physical fitness.  The slowing of graying hair is also to be a benefit of consuming wheatgrass.

The best way and cheapest way to take advantage of the benefit of wheatgrass is to get a home grown kit so that you can grow it at home with relative ease and put it in your blender and drink it on a daily basis.

It takes about 10 days to grow.  All you have to do is set up the kit and add water.  You can make the wheatgrass with other fruits to create exotic cocktails.  Whatever you eventually decide to do the benefits and results will be immediately felt and seen by others.

Wheatgrass provides chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes.  Some people consumers grow and juice wheatgrass in their homes.

It is often found in popular juice bars, alone or in mixed fruits and/or vegetable drinks.

Its the job of the consumer to explain food labels to see if they are buying what they want.

For example,

Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential component of a healthy diet, but that doesn’t mean every product emblazoned with the word is a healthy source of it.

The FDA allows certain foods that are rich in two of the omega-3 fatty acids to advertise that they can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, but only if they’re also low in saturated fats or other risk factors.

Which is why many eggs and some walnuts use this bit of marketing misdirection: The packaging has the phrase “omega 3,” but nothing specifically about heart health, according to the CSPI.

The FDA specifically prohibited eggs from carrying the “qualified health claim” linking omega-3 fatty acids to heart health because eggs are high in cholesterol; it ruled out walnuts because the omega-3 fatty acid found in the nuts isn’t one of the two that has been linked to heart health.

These products, and others, dance around the truth and the law by simply stating that they contain omega 3s, which bathes the food in a healthy light they don’t necessarily deserve.

Another example is free range eggs.  The government does not regulate the use of the phrase “free range” or “cage free” on eggs.    So just because the label says free range does not mean that those eggs that you purchase were raised ethically, with room enough for hens to roam the yard.

And lastly, not all fiber is good fiber.  Unnatural fibers are unlikely to lower blood cholesterol or blood sugar.  Currently fiber is being added to all kinds of foods so that you the consumer think it might help you.

For the real thing in fiber, look for foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans.

Products containing at least 70 (%) percent organic content can be labeled “made with organic ingredients.”

Those foods labeled simply “organic” must have at least 95-percent organic ingredients, by weight or fluid volume, excluding water and salt.

Anyone who knowingly sells or labels a product “organic” that is not produced and handled in accordance with these regulations can face a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

Foods grown and processed according to the federal standards will in most cases bear the seal “USDA Organic.” As its use is voluntary, companies may choose not to display the seal.

If you see a food that is labeled “transitional,” that means the farmer produced it during the three-year conversion period from conventional to organic.

Because organic vegetables are not always that cheap to buy at the local supermarket, Many American are turning to growing it themselves.  This has become easier if you visit your local hardware store.  Stores like Home Depot, OSH, and other retailers, now have their own organic food section where you can pick up all you need to get started with your very own organic gardens.

Its alot easier then you think.  It can also be fun as well.  So give it a try.  You might find it addicting and fun as well.

nocoupons

• 10 ounces pre-washed baby spinach
• 2 slices bacon, finely chopped
• 3 ounces Canadian bacon, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 red onion, sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1 pound button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Place spinach into a large bowl. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for about 4 minutes, or until it is just crispy. Add Canadian bacon to the skillet and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently. Remove meat from pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Drain any remaining fat from the skillet. Add olive oil and onions to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, or until onions soften slightly. Add mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 more minutes. Put onions and mushrooms on top of the spinach. Add apple cider and vinegar to the skillet and turn the heat up to medium-high. Stir to scrape up any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until cider is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Whisk in mustard, salt and pepper, to taste. Pour warm cider dressing over the mushrooms and spinach and toss until the vegetables are well coated. Sprinkle the bacon on top and serve.