Going Organic

**SassyMummy** · 13-11-2006 15:42

I've recently noticed that I've been choosing organic meats over regular meats, after seeing an episode of "Jamie's Kitchen" where the kids went to an organic pig farm.

I always assumed that organic meat was organic purely for the foods the animals were fed... but the farmer on Jamie's Kitchen said that to be organic, the animals have to live a very "natural" life as well... free to run around, breed at will and whatnot.

I really liked that, and hence have been trying to buy organic meats whenever I can.

I've also, for many years, used free-range eggs after seeing a video on battry hens at school. They cost heaps more, but for me, it's worth it...knowing that at least these animals were given a decent life (before they were killed to be eaten).

It's a bit gross thinking that animals are killed so that I can enjoy a burger, but there's no way in hell I'm giving up meat, so I appreciate that the meat I'm choosing to eat (if I can find/afford it) has had a decent life...

I've also found that they taste SO much yummier (you don't get that greasy "animal fat seeping through my pores" feeling like you do with regular meats).

I was wondering what organic products you purchase and why?

I don't buy organic veges or anything else simply for the fact that they are organic... for whatever reason, I just don't care about organic veges/fruit etc.

So what organic stuff do you buy, and why?

**Shanaynay** · 13-11-2006 15:48

I always buy organic chicken - the **** they put into regular chickens.......anitbiotics........steriods

Organic milk - DD drinks so much of it I figure it's worth it

Organic rice crackers - same

Organic and free range eggs - again, because of the **** they put in chickens, and becasue of the way regular chickens are housed and treated

Basically I believe organic is definately better - who wants to ingest chemicals they don't have to?

But in saying that, I do shop on a budget so can't afford to buy organic everything - I buy as juch organic as I can afford

**candice_bree** · 13-11-2006 15:54

I always buy free range eggs...

I too saw the story about how battery and caged hens are stuffed into individual tiny cages and fed their own sh1t... Not something i want to be either eating or supporting!

I too also buy organic chicken, for the same purposes, i like to think the chicken got to range freely before, well we know what for!!

**Bron** · 13-11-2006 15:56

I always buy organic free range chicken and eggs. I get stressed by the living conditions of chickens.

I often buy organic fruit and veggies, if they are available.

**bronny-jane** · 13-11-2006 16:00

if you want it to have a nice life why eat it

**Bron** · 13-11-2006 16:01

Yes bronny-jane, I wrestle with that crisis often. I am regularly tempted towards vegetarianism.

**bronny-jane** · 13-11-2006 16:05

Originally Posted by bron

Yes bronny-jane, I wrestle with that crisis often. I am regularly tempted towards vegetarianism.

ive been thinking the same thing....but i do love a nice medium rare steak....and i dont like cows

**Mikeswifey** · 13-11-2006 16:44

Growing our own vegies is very important to us and we try not to use any "commercial" fertalizers, only organic stuff like organic chook poo, our own compost etc.

My MIL buys Otway Pork which is organic pork.

I have brought organic chicken breasts a few times.

We also buy Norganic Crunchola cereal, an organic musili.

We have free range eggs only, from the local butcher or from my cousin. So so much nicer than cage and alot friendlier.

We also buy all our summer fruits from the local farms in my town - eg. cherries, strawberries, at least we can see where they come from and can see the conditions they are grown in.

We would go full organic for sure, but its extremly pricey to do so.

**TwoBlue** · 13-11-2006 16:47

will not buy cage eggs and get very tempted to have "words" with people i see pick them up at the supermarket (but i restrain myself)

I also grow a fair few of my own vegies but otherwise i dont stress too much about fruit and veg being organic...

My local butcher advertises that his meat was "happy" before it was slaughtered, i guess that counts as organic but i never thought about it that way... his meat is sooooo tender and yummo !!

**Funkychicken** · 13-11-2006 19:47

Sassymummy, you can buy a fantastic book at the newsagency called Clean Food-Organic. It now has a few editions i think. It lists all sorts of reasons as to why organic is best and gives a comprehensive list of where to go to buy organic in your state. It advertises organic producers and shops that sell organic. Definately worth buying or you can probably get it at your local library if you don't want to buy it.

We always have organic or biodynamic milk. Dairy products can be so full of hormones that the cows have been treated with. We also get organic yoghurt.

Organic honey, organic tea and coffee (fair trade only), organic chicken, sausages, and mostly other meat if we buy it but not always.

Organic flour and oats.

Fruit and vege's when we have a good week income wise but otherwise I settle for locally grown from the markets.

Organic cloth pads are my newest purchase and the children have some organic cotton clothing.

I use organic dishwashing liquid. This breaks down in a day or two-well before it reaches the waterways, although ours goes out to a paddock behnd our house.

Our own chickens=our own fresh eggs.

I can't recommend the above-mentioned book highly enough for anyone looking to switch to organic or begin buying more organic products. I think is costs about $20.