Yet another reason to go organic - Research verifies it really is more nutritious

While it's generally agreed in the natural health arena that organically produced fare is superior in safety compared to crops that utilize GMOs or chemical pesticides, the fact that it's more nutritious might be overlooked by consumers. Conventional growers insist there isn't a substantial difference between the two, yet several studies have found otherwise.

Labels Demanded for Frack-Irrigated Food

SACRAMENTO (CN) - A California lawmaker Monday introduced legislation requiring farmers, producers and retailers to label food products irrigated with recycled fracking wastewater.  Assembly Bill 14 , by Rep. Mike Gatto, D-Glendale, would require farmers and manufacturers to inform buyers that the product was grown with water used in oil and gas field activities, including hydraulic fracking. It would require retailers to place conspicuous signs informing customers of products containing ingredients irrigated from recycled wastewater.

"We Will Drive a Stake Through the Heart of the DARK Act" — Blumenthal Joins Advocates In Push To Label Genetically Engineered Food

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined advocates Thursday at the Hartford Farmer’s Market to urge support for the Genetically Engineered Food Right-To-Know Act.

The legislation, which was introduced in February, would require the Food and Drug Administration to clearly label genetically engineered foods “so that consumers can make informed choices about what they eat,” Blumenthal said.

Last month, the U.S. House passed H.R. 1599, which has been dubbed the DARK (Deny Americans the Right to Know) Act by its opponents. It passed the House by a vote of 275 to 150.

The Big Sellout -- Majority of Organic Companies Owned by Mega Corporations

Mega conglomerates like Dean Foods, Coca Cola, Hain, Kraft, PepsiCo and Heinz have gobbled up most of the organic food industry, leaving little to spare -- spawning the term 'Big Organic.' These very same companies have a track record of destroying healthy food through industrial, genetically modified and conventional farming practices. The bottom line for these corporations -- profit, plain and simple. While they take their share of the $30 billion-a-year organic food industry, small and true organics are laid to waste.

Launch A Revolution From Your Backyard With An Mini Eco-Farm

From edible landscaping to biointensive gardening, Americans around the nation are discovering the financial beauty of creating practical solutions to our food woes. Beyond the dangers of GMO's and industrial farming, a basic fact remains: food costs are skyrocketing. Savvy individuals are recognizing the value in growing their own food to ensure nutritious, organic, and cost-effective produce. A revolution is quietly gaining momentum in backyards across America that resists dangerous farming practices, nutritionally depleted produce and increasingly restrictive governmental control over our food supply.

Breast cancer awareness grande dame Susan G. Komen claims organic food may be harmful

(MassReport) Before we start, let me give you a little bit of background information on Susan G. Komen. Komen is an organization that emerged in 1982 who’s mission was to fight breast cancer. In fact, their original name was “The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation”. Since 1982, they have donated over $1 billion dollars to breast cancer awareness, support, and research programs. They’re even responsible for the famous pink ribbon logo you see everywhere during breast cancer awareness month.

Carrageenan: a popular natural ingredient that may compromise health

Found in an astounding array of foods, from cereal bars to non-dairy milk substitutes, carrageenan is not as harmless as it may appear upon first glance. Linked with gastrointestinal inflammation, lesions and malignant tumors, carrageenan can cause significant damage. And if you think purchasing organic will keep you safe, think again. A true case of buyer beware, taking a second look at your favorite foods may prevent a number of health problems down the road.

Troubled history

Used throughout the food industry, carrageenan is an extremely common ingredient. You might be surprised as to the sheer range of products that utilize the additive, including the following organic examples:

ALERT: Certified Organic Food Grown in U.S. Found Contaminated with Glyphosate Herbicide

By Brian Shilhavy, Health Impact News Editor

Think you can avoid glyphosate by buying organic? Think again. A new investigation by Tropical Traditions reveals that many products in the organic grain market in the U.S. contain glyphosate residue at levels almost the same as conventional grains.

With over 80% of the U.S. food supply now reportedly contaminated with the herbicide glyphosate, many people are turning to USDA certified organic products to avoid this toxic chemical.

Welcome to America’s only completely “Organic City”

(Earth We Are One) Imagine living in a city where all produce sold or served is guaranteed 100% organic by law, with zero crime rate and it’s own Institute For Natural Medicine and Prevention. Would you believe this city does exists? In the heartland of north America?

Too much of America is now controlled by the vast agro-chemical industry, poisoning us and our environment with genetically modified crops, fueled by corporate greed and manipulation. This has come with many well documented harmful effects on our health as well as the devastation of many species including bees, birds and butterflies.

However, back in 2001 Marharishi Vedic City, just 60 miles south of Iowa was officially incorporated. The city was inspired by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who who introduced the technique of Transcendental Meditation (TM) more than 40 years ago and brought enlightenment to millions of people all over the world in a scientific, systematic manner. The name “Vedic” is derived from the Sanskrit word Veda,” meaning“knowledge.” Vedic philosophy is often referred to as the precursor to the modern Hinduism lifestyle.

A key move came in April 2005 when the Marharishi Vedic City council voted in favor of aban on the use of all synthetic pesticides and fertilizers within the city limits, making it officially the first all-organic city in the country, in line with the natural Vedic principles.

Searching for a good egg: Which type is best - Organic, free-range, pastured or cage-free?

If you eat eggs, the variety you choose can make a big difference in nutrition. Conventional, organic, free-range or pastured? Terminology can be confusing or downright misleading. Mother Earth News decided to cut through the hearsay by testing pastured eggs to see if they lived up to their reputation as a higher quality food. The results may surprise you.

The dark underbelly of certification

To some, it may be shocking to learn their pricey, supermarket organic eggs have very little nutritional difference between conventional, "battery hen" types. Or that free-range can simply mean a chicken has access to a cramped outdoor space for a few minutes a day. Like most matters concerning commercially produced food, certification can be wildly deceptive. To clarify, the Food Renegade offers the following insights about the different varieties of eggs:

It’s not a fairytale: Seattle to build nation’s first food forest

By Clare Leschin-Hoar

Forget meadows. Seattle's food forest will be filled with edible plants, and everything from pears to herbs will be free for the taking.

(take part) Seattle’s vision of an urban food oasis is going forward. A seven-acre plot of land in the city’s Beacon Hill neighborhood will be planted with hundreds of different kinds of edibles: walnut and chestnut trees; blueberry and raspberry bushes; fruit trees, including apples and pears; exotics like pineapple, yuzu citrus, guava, persimmons, honeyberries, and lingonberries; herbs; and more. All will be available for public plucking to anyone who wanders into the city’s first food forest.

Buying clubs - A fresh approach to eating healthy on a budget

No doubt about it. Food prices are skyrocketing, especially organic, high-quality fare. With crop failure, bizarre weather patterns and the cost of living on the rise, it's no wonder eating healthy can be a challenge. But a relatively unheard of revolution is spreading across the U.S. and beyond: local buying clubs. Using the power of numbers, food costs are slashed by up to 50 percent. And the club offerings are of outstanding quality -- often organic, eco-friendly and healthful. It's a win-win situation for the consumer, farmer and environment.

Approved by the USDA -- Common additive in organic food triggers significant inflammation and cancer

Found in a wide variety of organic products, from almond and hemp milk to cottage cheese and yogurt, carrageenan is an familiar ingredient. Unfortunately, many are unaware that it can wreak havoc on the intestinal tract and cause inflammation of the gut -- aggravating conditions such as IBS, Chron's disease and ulcerative colitis. Carrageenan is also implicated in tumors and lesions of the intestine along with other inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and arteriosclerosis. 

Lobbyists for the additive proclaim 'food grade' carrageenan is completely safe, the only culprit is degraded carrageenan. What proponents fail to address is the likely conversion of food grade carrageenan into the degraded form during digestion. Scientists have suspected this to be the case since the 1980s. Read more »