I never used to buy organic. Too expensive, too hard to find, too time-consuming. Why would I need to anyway, weren’t normal products perfectly safe and fine?

I’d toddle off to the fruit and vege section of the supermarket and not think twice about whether there had been chemicals sprayed on the produce.  I wouldn’t even wash my veges when I got home (not enough time, again).  And I’d slap on any old moisturiser as long as there was a promise of me looking like Miranda Kerr the next morning.  I was totally unaware.

It took me a blow in the side with a serious illness to do a 360 on what I was consuming and putting on my body.  After over a year of research (which continues to this day), I quickly realised why not choosing organic could be seriously impacting my health.  And it could be impacting yours too! So today I want to share with you my top 3 tips on why you should be avoiding conventional products, and switching to organic ASAP baby:

1.  Better For Your Health

Conventional/non-organic food and beauty products are laden with toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, pesticides, contaminants, GMOs, artificial/synthetic ingredients, and harmful preservatives.  Whilst that apple at the supermarket might look fairly harmless, chances are it’s been sprayed by at least one of the 400 chemical pesticides routinely used in conventional farming.  And that cream you’re about to rub on your face?  Is probably full of hormone-disrupting parabens, sulfates, phthalates, heavy metals, petroleum waxes, nano-particles, synthetic fragrance/colours, TEAs, DEAs, Silicones and PEGS.  No wonder the incidence of auto-immune disease seems to have skyrocketed the past few years.

Quite apart from the nasties, conventional products don’t have much of the good stuff left in them either.  Statistics indicate that levels of trace minerals in conventional produce have fallen by up to 76% since 1940.  That means there’s only a quarter of the goodness in that pile of peas vs what your Gran was consuming!

In contrast, organic products are on average 25% more nutrient dense than their conventional counterparts, according to a comprehensive recent review of 97 studies.  That means more vitamins, minerals, cancer-fighting antioxidants, and essential fatty acids per calorie consumed (and dollar spent).   Did we mention they taste and feel better too?

2.  Better For The Environment

Organic products are made without the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides or artificial growth hormones, meaning they keep billions of kilos of chemicals out of our air, soil, waterways, oceans and eco-systems.

Organic farmers use natural methods for fertilisation and pest control, such as crop rotation, composting, and manure. They also produce less carbon dioxide than regular farms, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offset climate change – and we like that!

3.  Better For Animals & Communities

Organic products have significantly higher animal welfare standards.  Beauty products for example are often accompanied by a “cruelty-free” label, meaning they haven’t been tested on our furry friends.  Organic farms are also pleasure havens for wildlife, with up to 50% more birds, bees and butterflies cruising their trees and vines.

Organic manufacturing often supports local indigenous peoples too by paying a fair price for labour, and reinvesting back in their communities through education and health.

So there you have it.  Organic products are better for your health, better for the environment, and better for animals and communities.

So how can you take action now and make the switch?

Pick one product (food or beauty) that’s almost run out, and challenge yourself to replace it this coming week with an organic alternative.

Small baby steps are the key to creating massive change – to both your health, and our planet.  I promise you will feel a surge of goodness, both physically and emotionally, when you do it!

So take action now: Pick your product and get out there and go organic. Leave a comment below with what you’re planning to replace.  Need help?  Ask a question below – i’d be more than happy to point you in the right direction!

Much love,

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Sources: organicconsumers.org, soilassociation.org, ewg.org