Here is a list of my top reasons for choosing organic + Celery Root Coleslaw Recipe!
Why Organic?
1. Protect our children: The average child is exposed to 4 times more pesticides from food than adults. In May 2010, researchers at Harvard University found increased risk for attention deficit-hyperactive disorder among children exposed to typical levels of organophosphates, a common pesticide found on conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. The most sensitive newborn was found to be 65 to 130 times more affected than the least sensitive adult!!
2. Prevent soil erosion: The Soil Conservation Service estimates that more than three billion tons of topsoil is eroded from the United States croplands each year. Meaning soil is eroding seven times faster than it is naturally able to replenish. Soil is the foundation of the food chain in organic farming. In conventional farming, the soil is used more as a medium for holding plants in a vertical position so they can be chemically fertilized. As a result, American and Canadian farms are suffering from the worst soil erosion in history.
3. Protect our water quality and promote bio-diversity: Large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizer runoff can create massive algae blooms that suffocate aquatic life, creating large dead zones in our oceans.
4. “Frankenfoods” No Thank you!!! Conventional food has been irradiated (zapped with gamma rays) and X-rayed to prevent natural sprouting, ripening and molding processes. Organic food is your only guarantee that you are not eating Genetically Modified Foods (GMO’s) GMO’s have not been tested for safety and they are not required to be labeled in North America.
5. Keep chemicals off your plate: pesticides are poisonous and many have been linked to causing cancer. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found 6 different pesticides in a strawberry and peach and 5 in a carrot, grape, pear and lettuce leaf. About 60% of pesticides currently being used are hormone disruptors.
6. Protect farm workers health: Farmers exposed to herbicides have a 6-times greater risk of cancer than non-farmers. The World Health Organization estimates that over 200,000 people die every year from pesticide poisoning.
7. Tastes better and has a higher nutritional value: Organic farming starts with the nourishment of the soil which reflects in its taste. Researchers at Rutgers University found the amount of iron in organic spinach was 97% more than the commercial spinach.
Here is a delicious healthy version of coleslaw with a twist! I used celery root instead of cabbage and tahini to give it a nice creamy taste without the mayo!
Organic options may not always be available. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) offers a solution with its list of the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables otherwise known as the “Dirty Dozen”. According to EWG, consumers can reduce their exposure to dangerous pesticides by 80% by avoiding conventional fruits and vegetables on this list.
The Dirty Dozen: a list of produce that contains the highest pesticide content
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Nectarines – imported
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Blueberries
12. Potatoes
Source:http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/ June 2012
Here is a delicious healthy version of coleslaw with a twist! I used celery root instead of cabbage and tahini to give it a nice creamy taste without the mayo!
