Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Going Organic... why???

Yes i have become one of those organic eaters, thanks to Matt...

It all started when Matt started watching documentaries on food and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstalls TV series. Matt started telling me about the facts and the more we researched it and read about it the more we were determined to turn organic. 

I am not saying i eat organic 100% of the time, i can't stop going to restaurants or friends / families houses because they do not prepare organic food, however i have made the decision that when i am in my own house and when i am the one responsible for buying and preparing food, it will always be organic. 

I have  already had amazing results from eating locally fresh organic foods. 

I want to share with you some facts about the foods we consume regularly. 

Lets put aside un free range chickens and eggs, surely people know enough about the treatment of the chickens and the effects on our health with regards to that topic. 
I will leave out the fact that some meat producers in Australia are feeding their cows everything but grass which is the only food they should be eating. 
I wont mention the treatment of pigs, being impregnated repeatedly and left living in a tiny indoor pen.
I am not even going to start on genetically modified foods in America, GM farms are putting real farmers and people out of jobs and using immigrants to work long hours for nothing, not to mention the health concerns for GM foods.   

I will just stick to the facts about the fruit and vegetables we are consuming daily. 
We are meant to consume fruit and vegetables regularly, however most of us are consuming fruit and vegetables with a topping of pesticides and chemicals. 

CONFIRMED FACTS

1. Eating an un organic apple you are consuming over 30 pesticides.. even after you wash it

2. Potatoes and other root veg soak up everything in the ground, all the pesticides are absorbed into the vegetables. Once root veg are picked they are then sprayed again to stop the veg from sprouting and growing. We then consume the veg and all the pesticides. 

3. 93% of un organic oranges and lettuces tested had over 7 chemicals found in the produce.

4. Pesticides in our fruit and veggies make it harder for us to loose or control our weight.

5. 96% of Allergies, skin disorders, stomach & digestion problems, depression and weight loss problems disappeared on a group of 50 people in 2011 when they turned organic. 

6. Pesticides in our fruit and veg has been studied and linked to asthma, depression, weight gain and behavioural problems in children 

I wont continue with more negative facts, I would rather point out the positives of eating organic. 

WHY ORGANIC?

1. Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without toxic chemical inputs.

2. Eating organic means supporting local farmers who are producing quality healthy fruits, vegetables and meats. 

3. Organic produce is grown by caring for our earth. Organic farming is not about filling the ground with chemicals and pesticides . 

4. Organic food has been proven to be better for us. A lot of the worlds top cancer doctors have agreed that the pesticides and chemicals in our foods contribute to cancer and other diseases. Eating organic is deciding to give your body and mind the best care possible. 

5. Organic food has been proven to have higher nutritional value. 

6.Organic food is not treated with preservatives, radiation, hormones, antibiotics or synthetic additives or grown from genetically modified seed.

7. Organic food will remind you of the tastes of what real food should taste like. 


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Tuscany no matter the season....

I feel sooooo blessed because i have been to Tuscany at least 5 times in my life.
Every time i have been to Tuscany i have had time to really explore the towns and experience a real Tuscan experience.  

I have been to Tuscany in every season and i can honestly say every season is amazing. 
If you have an opportunity to go to Tuscany in any month of the year, GO!!

Summer, it is warm and every town is buzzing. Every villa has a pool and every local is making the most of the outdoor weather. The Summer Gelati flavours in Tuscany are a must. 

Autumn, the trees and bright and beautiful, the grape vines and bright red and purple and the temperature is still perfect. The air is fresh and the sun is warm.

Winter, the meat is amazing, the wine tastes even better and the towns are quiet and peaceful. There are so many amazing natural thermal waters and winter is the perfect time to try them out. You might even be lucky enough to see snow!

Spring, the weather is warming up, the locals are venturing out and the trees are filling up again. 
The food is fresh and the olive oil never tasted so good. 

Tuscany has the most amazing charm. I feel like it is real Italy. The image you have in your head of small lane ways, washing hanging from the windows, beautiful kind local people, small towns full of culture.. You will find it all in Tuscany. 

It does not matter how many times i visit Tuscany, it is imprinted in my heart. 
I could never get sick of the views and towns. 

MY TOP TUSCAN TOWNS

1. Florence
2. Lucca
3. Montepulciano 
4. Pienza
5. Chianti Region - Rada, Greve, Figline 
6. San Gimignano 
7. Cortona 
8. Volterra 
9. Val D'Orcia 
10. Montalcino 















Saluhallen östermalmstorg

December in Sweden is beyond freezing. A tourist in Stockholm is always looking for a warm break every half hour... well we were anyways. 

Saluhall in Stockholm is every foodies heaven. 
Saluhall is located in the centre in a beautiful old building. 
Anyone who appreciates good, fresh quality food will love this hall, 
It is expensive but everything is expensive in Sweden after living in Italy.

Saluhall is a great spot to stop to experience market life in Sweden and for a drink or to sample some food  or.... both.