The Economic impact of eating organically

or·gan·ic;

1. Of, relating to, or derived from living organisms: organic matter.

2. Of, relating to, or affecting a bodily organ: an organic disease.

3. Having properties associated with living organisms.

4. Resembling a living organism in organization or development; interconnected.

Someone commented to me that it wasn’t frugal to eat organically.  I guess that is true for most people who decide to eat the same, the only change being buying all the same “products”, just switching to the organic version.  That will definitely cause a huge increase in the amount you spend each week. 

When I say organic I mean it on a different level than simply switching brands.  I think of it as doing things on the most basic levels, making things from scratch. In other words I buy FOOD, not products.  A bottle of organic salad dressing is expensive.  Make it from scratch and the price falls substantially.  I am also not paying for the packaging it came in.  I often get to Friday, trash day in my neighborhood, with nothing in my trash can to take to the curb.  I buy in bulk, take my cloth bags to the store, use muslin bags for bulk items.  A mango or avocado needs no package, no label.   I feel disconnected from myself and the earth when I buy a box of cereal.  And it’s not organic, not live. When I hold a mango in my hand, it has energy, live nutrients, it screams at you to dive in.  Real organic grass fed beef gives us vitamins and minerals not present in feed-lot animals. To conserve, remember to conserve, feels like loving the earth, myself, all people.  I used cloth diapers for all my kids because the cost was insane in every way, financially, environmentally, how comfy they are.  To buy plastic just to throw it away has always felt like blasphemy to me!  Then there is the money difference, no comparison. 

But buying all organics, buying food that is intensely nutritious is really a great way to save!  The huge difference is in your health. I have had very few doctor bills since I began eating to truly meet my nutrient needs.  Up until 1986, when I stopped eating grains and dairy, I had constant health problems.  At that point I was eating what everyone considered a perfect vegetarian diet.  I got well, and have stayed well, have not had to take any antibiotics whatsoever for anything except when I had ankle surgery. Not one of my children, who range from 8 to 37, has ever had a cavity.  They have rarely needed to go to the doctor. 

68% of Americans are over weight.  That means they are malnourished.  When we eat a traditional human diet, healthy fats, meats, eggs and fruits and vegetables, we meet our nutrient needs, we don’t get sick…which saves a tremendous amount of money on doctor bills, prescriptions, lost days from work.  When we eat well we have plenty of energy which impacts how effective we are as people. It impacts our relationships. It effects how mentally alert we are, how organized we are…and how happy we are.  Not getting enough healthy saturated fats leads to depression, hormone imbalances, an impaired immune system, obesity.  Foods that are nutrient deficient (grains, flours, dairy) take the place in the body from foods that actually make us healthier. 

Eating organically, simply, is good for us and the planet.