The basis of “Organic” refers to methods of farming and processing foods that are safe for the earth and its future.

Organic farmers do not use chemicals to alter their food in any way. Farmers ensure their food is grown without the use of conventional pesticide, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge. For animals, organic means these animals are raised in a humane way without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or genetic modification.

In 2002, the USDA established standards for organic products. To meet these standards you must meet strict standards through an organic certification process. To achieve these standards farmers must follow methods that minimize environmental hazards such as soil degradation, and air/water pollution.
Farmers and companies that process and handle organic foods must meet these standards to achieve Organic Certification. Below are some rules that must be followed:

• Farmer and processor must have annual certification inspections
• Detailed records must be kept of practices
• No conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or harmful chemicals have been applied for at least 3 years
• Ecologically friendly methods and substances must be used improve soil conditions and control pests

USDA Organic is most notably known by their logo found on food that is at least 95% Organic. Many may think that “USDA Organic” logo means the product is 100 percent Organic which is untrue.

• 100 percent Organic with USDA Seal: All ingredients and methods used are Organic
• USDA Organic Seal: At least 95 percent of the ingredients are organic
• Made with Organic, no USDA seal: At least 70 percent of the ingredients are organic
• No seal or organic reference: Used when less than 70 percent of ingredients are organic. Check the ingredients label for what particular ingredients are organic
• All Natural: Be careful. When ingredients are labeled “natural” they may be confused with “Organic”. This statement is very misleading. Some ingredients may organic but most will not. This is a great advertising term used by the food industry to make you pay more for lower quality products. See the article "The Truth about All Natural Food" for more information.

Organic farmers do not use chemicals to alter their food in any way. Farmers ensure their food is grown without the use of conventional pesticide, artificial fertilizers, plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). For animals organic means these animals are raised in a humane way without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or genetic modification.

Organic farmers utilize traditional farming techniques with modern technology to balance our Earth’s natural ecosystem. Some techniques include:

Crop Diversity: Conventional farming relies on monoculture. Monoculture is the practice of growing one single crop over a wide area. Organic farming emphasizes Polyculture, planting multiple crops over a wide area. Planting a variety of crops through

Crop Sequencing has a wide range of soil benefits including – beneficial insects, soil microorganisms, and increases in local biodiversity. A diversity of crops avoids the susceptibility of pathogens and pests that monoculture growing is vulnerable too.

Crop Rotation improves soil structure and fertility while providing a balance through various crops to avoid depletion of important soil nutrients. Crop Rotation techniques include alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants to encourage soil nutrients and promote healthy soil conditions.

Green Manure: A type of cover crop grown to add nutrients and organic matter to soil. This promotes soil improvement and soil protection.

“The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings.”-International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM)

Through these techniques we can create a vibrant future for all living creatures.

A Raw Food Diet is based upon eating uncooked, unprocessed foods, normally organic in nature. When you heat food over 116 degrees Fahrenheit you destroy vital enzymes or “life force”. Eating uncooked, processed leaves these enzymes intact enabling higher absorption of important nutrients found in food. Cooking fats and animal flesh can create toxins in the body which attack or degrade the body in many ways.

A vegan diet consists of primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Vegans omit by-products of animals including dairy and eggs. A vegan diet takes a vegetarian diet one step further by applying ethical lifestyle choices in regards to the treatment of animals.

Many vegans are concerned about the planet and its future. This represents their lifestyle and ethics. A vegan lifestyle includes buying clothing that does not use animal products such as leather or wool materials. Purchasing cosmetics that have not been used for animal testing is taken with great importance. A vegan lifestyle encompasses a humane treatment for all life forms on earth.

Scientific literature suggests that a diet of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, nuts and fruits in addition to regular exercise is associated with lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and saturated fat intake. A vegetarian diet plays an important role in the reduction of life-threatening disorders and diseases including obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, stroke and cancer.

Just when you thought you thought you figured out what vegetarians are and what they are all about it gets more complicated! Vegetarians group themselves into different types in accordance to their food preferences and lifestyle choices.

• Vegans: omit all animal flesh including food and non-food products
• Lacto-Vegetarians: will consume dairy products but omit eggs, meat, fish and poultry
• Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians: consumes eggs and dairy products
• Pesco-Vegetarians (Pescetarianism): fish, dairy, and eggs are allowed
• Pollo-Vegetarians (Pollotarianism): fish and poultry such as chicken, turkey, and duck are allowed
• Flexitarians (semi-vegetarians): primarily follow a plant-based diet but will on occasion eat small amounts of meat, poultry, or fish