About Organic Food

For years, I have suffered with eczema. I have tried just about every natural and topical remedy that I could find. About 15 years ago, my eczema covered both hands and both forearms. It was so severe that people thought that I was a burn victim. My dermatologist at the time, Dr. Olansky (the elder), gave me bi-monthly steroid shots. The shots were mildly effective; however, I wanted a non-invasive, non-drug remedy. So, I became a vegetarian for a short period of time, during which time my symptoms disappeared. Being the meat-lover that I am I slowly added chicken, beef, tuna and salmon back into my diet.

What I did not seem to fully understand, at the time, was that all food items are NOT the handled with the same care. Farmers around the world have different beliefs about good farming practices. In the U.S., our food supply is generally governed by the USDA, which has banned many pesticides over the years. However, there are still some farmers, worldwide, who chose to disregard the safety of produce and other food, by using harmful pesticides. As I begin to juice more, I have made the decision to only buy organic produce. So, as I head downstairs to throw away the celery and other potential toxic produce, I am preparing my grocery list for my trip to Sevananda in Little Five Points. This food cooperative is dedicated to supporting local farmers, as well as to the belief that healthy food should come from healthy farming practices.

As I move further into my 40's, I am well aware of the fact that my health is directly tied to what I choose to eat.

Day 46 & 47: Another Green Drink

Day 47: This morning started off right. As I responded to discussions online, I could hear Cardinals singing outside my window. When I went downstairs for breakfast, I peeked outside my window on my kitchen's door to the sight of Cardinals, Mourning Doves and smaller birds feasting on some seeds that I scattered about the yard.
Since they were starting their breakfast off with a healthy start, the least I could do was to join them.
My morning juice consisted of an organic apple, 1/2 a bunch of organic Romaine lettuce, 10 blueberries, 10 petite red grapes, about 12 spinach leaves and 1/4 cup of almond milk. (See pic. above.)

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Day 46: I spent this day with my Mom and Grandmother down home. What a wonderfully cool, yet sunny day it turned out to be. Knowing that breakfast was awaiting me in the little house that we call "home", I managed to juice only one apple as I dashed off to the turkey sausage, grits, biscuits and cheese eggs that Mom so graciously cooked. Juice has NOTHING on a good southern breakfast.