Once only "health nuts" sought out organic food. Now more people every day are realizing that organic farming is one of the things that can heal the planet. To encourage organic farmers, many are choosing to buy only organic food.

Organic Produce

It's hard for some people to justify buying organic produce. The retail experience has typically been confusing and a bit disheartening. When regular produce and organic produce are side by side, it might seem like the regular produce is a better deal.

Produce raised with the help of pesticides and chemical fertilizers may be more attractive and it will most likely be cheaper. The cost for your health and the planet's health will be expensive, though. Penny pinchers will typically purchase the cheapest produce without giving a thought to how it got there or why it looks the way it does.

To help with this dilemma, many well-known grocery store chains have decided to buy mostly organic food and can sell it cheaper since they buy so much of it.

Since many large farms in this country are busy raising food for cattle instead of people, a lot of our produce is flown here from other countries. The ecological cost to the planet of both transportation pollution and chemical pollution makes this produce very expensive in the long run.

On the other hand, many small local farms are growing healthy produce and transporting it to local grocery stores, restaurants and farmers' markets with very little energy waste. Even if they cost a bit more, these items should be the clear choice for both your own health and the planet's.

Organic Meats

All children picture an idyllic grassy farm with happy animals roaming free. This picture might even include a big red barn. Children unfortunate enough to see the reality of most farms today would be horrified by the difference.

Instead of a variety of colorful crops, most modern farmers grow soybeans and corn. These, in turn, are sold to cattle farmers as feed. This kind of cattle farm, usually known as a factory farm, primarily keeps its animals inside, sometimes in small pens or cages with no access to fresh air or grass.

Since there are so many animals packed together and since they are primarily being fed foods that do not agree with them, they are producing methane. Methane is one of the major contributors to global warming.

Anyone concerned with their own health, animal welfare or the health of the planet, would not want to contribute to this cycle by eating ordinary meat. However, there are still small farms where the animals are allowed to move freely and eat organic grass and hay. This type of farming does not contribute to global warming or animal abuse.

Directories like this one can help you find sources for organic meat in your area, even if you live in the city.

Organic Skincare

Many forget the importance of organic skincare. Whatever you put on your skin can make its way into your bloodstream, so it is just as important to be as careful about what goes on your body as in it.

For generations, harmful chemicals have been prevalent in skincare products and makeup. For example, lipstick, most of which is ingested, can contain up to five toxic chemicals in one tube. These days, however, finding organic skincare and makeup is easy. It is a selling point for many companies and well-advertised.

Organic farming is one way to bring the planet back to health. The demand for organic everything is growing and that is a sign that people are finally making the connection between their own health and that of the planet.