Orgasmic

The other day a woman came into my office complaining of a burning sensation in the back of her throat. After examining her, I informed her that she was most likely suffering from acid reflux. I then went on to explain that the treatment for this condition was medication along with dietary changes. “Dietary changes?” she exclaimed, “My diet is just fine. Everything I eat is orgasmic!” After fighting back the urge to invite myself over for dinner, I went on to explain that eating organic foods is not a guarantee against developing illness and disease. This encounter made me realize two things: First of all, many people have unrealistic expectations about the benefits of organic foods and, secondly, some of us have no idea what organic actually means.

The dictionary is always a good place to start, so that is where I began my search. (Translation for the younger generation - the “dictionary” is a thick, heavy version of Google with lots of paper pages that you can actually turn.) The first definition of “organic” that this book offered was “a chemical compound that contains carbon.” I’ll have to admit, that does describe most of the food that I prepare, but I don’t think this is what they mean. The second definition was, “related to an organ.” That didn’t seem to apply here. I don’t remember the last time I saw a pancreas on the shelf of my local organic food store, or hearing cathedral music at the checkout counter, for that matter. I knew that I struck gold with the last definition, “grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides.”

The USDA states that organic food is grown by farmers who use renewable resources and emphasize the conservation of soil and water. Over 70% of organic food produced in the U.S. is fruits and vegetables. They are produced without conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. To meet organic standards, farms are certified by Government-approved inspectors. To be labeled “organic”, at least 95% of the requirements must be met, but if all the requirements are met, the food may be stamped, “100% organic.” Organic foods do not have to be labeled as such, and many non-organic foods are labeled as “all-natural” or “hormone-free” to enhance their marketability. In general, organic foods are more expensive than their non-organic counterparts.

I don’t think anyone will disagree with the statement that our bodies are flooded with chemicals. They enter our bodies through the air we breathe, the food and water we eat and drink, and the creams, soaps and cosmetics we place on our skin every day. All of these chemicals are either broken down by our body or stored in our cells, and this not only consumes a tremendous amount of our energy, but may also lead to cell damage and certain diseases. Organically produced foods help us a great deal in this battle, but they also help promote good farming practices and environmental conservation. The danger comes when we accept an “organic” diet as a substitute for striking a balance in our lives. We all need a balanced, varied diet. Just whip the good, the bad and the ugly into a medium-sized shake and enjoy! Get out there and move your body safely in any way possible, try to love someone or something and, please, don’t forget to laugh! And if you’re still a bit confused by all this, don’t worry, because you’re not alone. I’m still wondering if I’d rather eat the pesticides or the pests!