This is a continuation of our 3-part organic series. To read part 1, click here.

Here’s a question to ponder: how can we grow healthy food with poisons?

Really think about that for a second. Or ten.

Pesticides (poisons) destroy the natural ecosystem of the soil, eventually leaving a sterile land. As the helpful, friendly microorganisms die off, more and more pesticides are needed as the harmful pests are now better able to take over. Additionally, insects can develop immunity to these pesticides, again leading to more and more poisons that must be used in order to be effective.

Now, if you know me, you know that I hate bugs. Terrified of them, actually. BUT, I understand that they’re a vital part of the soil cycle and so I accept them. In this case only. Nowhere else. I’m lookin’ at you, centipedes.

Back to the matter at hand…

In this nutrient-poor, chemical-rich soil, plants cannot grow naturally, so synthetic fertilizer is needed. The only (synthetic) minerals contained therein are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This can lead to a relative deficiency in many other trace elements including magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, boron, and chromium. And remember that friendly fungus that assists in the plant’s absorption of minerals? That has been destroyed by chemicals, too, so the plant ends up even more nutrient deficient. A sad, scary, dangerous cycle.

By the by, pesticides don’t just ruin the plant’s health; they can ruin our health too. Many conditions can be associated including cancer, poor immunity, allergies, neurological issues, low thyroid function, hormone imbalances, and skin issues such as eczema. No, it probably won’t happen by eating one apple, but a constant intake over time can certainly add up. Keep in mind that many toxins are stored in our fatty tissue. Think brain, breast tissue, excess fat, and more. Just sayin’. (P.S. Apples are the absolute worst on the “Dirty Dozen” list, which is a measure of the pesticide residues in produce, and it’s put out each year by the Environmental Working Group. Check out the full list here.)

I’m not sure if you’ve heard of Dr. Oz (ha), but he recently spoke of the dangers of GMOs (genetically modified organisms). The story on these is one for another day, but suffice it to say that they are best avoided whenever and wherever possible. By choosing organic, you are avoiding GMOs. Check out this short video where Dr. Oz talks about a scary new GMO pesticide that may be about to hit the market: click here for that. Friends, this is scary stuff.

Another important tidbit regarding organic farming is that the farmers strive to ensure a good supply of minerals for their crops. There are a few different ways this can be achieved, and it differs from farm to farm. One way is in rotating the crops annually, so that a vegetable is not planted in the same spot year after year, therefore taking up the same minerals from the soil over and over. Planting vegetables in a different location each year keeps the ever-important variety of minerals present in the soil, which equals more nutrients in our food. Organic farmers can also use cover crops to keep the soil fertile and mineralized, and to prevent erosion. Another great “mineral adder”, if you will, is the use of manure. They don’t just take from the land, but they replenish the soil as they go. And again, in many other situations, manure would just not be okay. But in this case, I’m totally cool with it.

Let me ask you something.

Why are we so quick to pop a pill when we have a discomfort or ailment? Why don’t we reach for nutrients instead, of which our bodies are made? Consider that many of us may have deficiencies in certain nutrients as well as too many toxins in our bods. You know by now how both of these unfortunate events can happen. In the words of Bernard Jensen, “Mineral-deficient soil may be one of the greatest original sources of disease in the world today … Simply stated, food crops grown on depleted soil produce malnourished bodies, and disease preys on malnourished bodies.” Enough said.

You know when we sometimes just feel tired and weak? That’s how your cells and tissues feel when they’re lacking one or more minerals. Our cells don’t work as well, our tissue structure is weakened, and health issues can develop. Our bodies need nutrients to work properly and for us to feel good, plain and simple.

We cannot continue to rely on manmade chemicals to keep us as a civilization going, especially if we expect to maintain our good health. It just won’t happen. We cannot reasonably expect our bodies to continue to be strong despite the overwhelming load of toxic chemicals we feed them every day, not only from our food but from the cleaning products (and air fresheners) in our homes, and the stuff we put on our skin. Eventually, we will break down. We’re starting to see it already with the diseases that are becoming so scarily common, and let me tell you, this will just continue to happen unless we do something about it.

So let’s.

It is in our power to choose which farmers to support, and therefore how healthy our food is. Healthy soil = healthy ecosystem = healthy food supply. It really is that simple.

You hold the power. Next time you’re at the grocery store, use it! I hope you now know what to choose, and equally as important, why.

Feel free to put your questions or comments below… I’d love to hear from you!