Healthy Lifestyles: Five Compelling Reasons to Go Organic

“To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” –Gautama Buddha

Have you ever given much thought about what you eat? Did you ever stop to think about the ingredients of the food you are consuming every day? Were they sourced? Are they natural or organic? Or are they heavily laden with chemicals and preservatives?

These are the things we should constantly ask ourselves if we want to maintain and keep a healthy lifestyle. Having a blasé attitude towards what you eat would eventually lead to future consequences. Sure, that salad might not look so appetizing today but choosing that over flavored chips can make all the difference between a healthy geriatric life and one that would potentially have you visiting doctors on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, going organic is not an easy decision—particularly because chemically laden food items have always been the norm and it can be rather difficult to adapt to this change. However, if we truly want a healthier lifestyle we have to commit to choosing organic over conventional food products.

Unfortunately, going organic is not as easy as everyone might think. Apart from the marked difference in food flavor, organic food products are a lot pricier than their conventional counterparts. However, price point aside, going organic has been shown to have a myriad of benefits and advantages that it significantly outweighs the higher cost. After all, you really cannot put a price tag on your health. So, think of going organic as a long-term investment on a healthier lifestyle. In this regard, you can even see the greater price as an offset to exorbitant medical and clinical fees had you insisted to keep your conventional diet. If you had been contemplating of going organic for a while now, perhaps you should visit the Weekend Market in Manila and take a look at their organic offerings.

In any case, here are some of the excellent reasons why you should go organic:

You do not deal with chemicals

If you choose to organic, you will only be dealing with dirt—not chemicals. Of course, dirt is an inevitable consequence of having natural and organic food. However, while you might be able to wash the dirt off of conventional food, it is not enough to remove the waxy residue, chemicals and other pesticides that might have embedded themselves in your food. Conventional farming uses synthetic pesticides. Studies have shown that the consumption of such food can lead to chronic diseases and health conditions with long-term exposure.

Nutritionally Sound

A common misconception among consumers is that you get about the same amount of nutrients from food regardless of whether they are sourced organically or conventionally. However, studies have shown that organic food tends to deliver thirty percent more vitamins and nutrients than their conventional counterparts. This is because chemicals such as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides can block a plant’s ability to create nutrients.

Better Taste

If you have always believed that all food taste the same whether they are sourced conventionally or organically then prepare to have your mindset changed. Organic food items have been shown to be more flavorful than their organic counterparts because the latter does not have as much antioxidants. More importantly, higher levels of synthetic fertilizers in conventional sourcing of food compromises soil quality which can eventually stress the plant and significantly impact its resulting taste.

No to GMOs

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs for brevity) make up a huge fraction of the most common crops in the world today. Over the years, people have been encouraged to avoid GMO as research has heavily alluded to its potentially harmful effects. To ensure that you do not buy any GMO products, buy only organic.

Promote humane treatment of animals

More often than not, conventional livestock are sourced from farms that practice inhumane and confined conditions. More importantly, they are constantly pumped with synthetic hormones to increase production and keep up with the consumer demand. Unfortunately, these stressful conditions coupled with the inhuman treatment can cause a significant decline in the animal’s health and quality of life. Organically sourced products—while more expensive—have access to the outdoors and are kept in human treatment.

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10 Eco-Friendly Friendly Products for a Chic, Sustainable Lifestyle

Buying eco-friendly products is one way to save the Earth. These items are safe for the environment as they are either biodegradable or have a long staying power. They are also made of Earth-friendly material and are non-toxic. Several organic store Manila have these items to encourage consumers to spend and consume ethically.

1. Eco Bag

First, the average plastic bag takes 15 to a thousand years to decompose. It can clog landfills, pipes and damage bodies of water. Pieces of plastic are the most common cause of death of sea creatures as they resemble plankton or a jellyfish. The cost of recycling plastic is high, so most people dump them on the landfill.

An "eco bag" or reusable bags are made of cloth. The sewn bag is durable. It can carry more weight than a plastic bag. It also encourages quick bagging during checkout. Most, of all it is washable.

2. Metal Straws

According to the Pocholo Espina, the Chief Executive of Sip PH, "Straws are the third most pollutants you can find during coastal cleanups." Using a metal straw does not only reduce personal plastic consumption. It also reduces waste that goes into the ocean and other bodies of water.

There is the standard metal straight one, straw with a bend, and the "milk tea" straw for bubble teas. A set comes with a flexible brush with tiny bristles to clean the inside of the metal.

4. Mesh shopping bags

Mesh shopping bags are stylish. You must have one if you are an eco-warrior. The see-through produce bag is made of biodegradable cotton to keep you stylish while shopping for fruits, flea-market finds, and vegetables. Is a canvas bag is bulky, mesh shopping bags are a viable alternative.

5. Preloved Clothes

Fashion fades, but a person's style is eternal. Why not purchase old clothes from garage sales and online stores? Give life to the sellers old faves by dressing them up according to your own style.

There are several hidden gems when scouring consignment stores, bazaars and other local standees. Opt for these instead of the mass-produced products of the fast fashion industry.

6. Plants

Plants are free. Place a seed into the ground and voila! You have a  source of garnish, insect repellant or spice. Most of all, you have an oxygen factory and a toxin zapper.

Plants thrive in carbon dioxide and toxins from people, animals, vehicles, and other devices. They save other beings from lack of oxygen. They also prevent soil erosion. Plus, flowering plants beautify the area!

7. Bamboo Toothbrush

A bamboo toothbrush uses natural bamboo wood handle while its bristles are nylon infused with charcoal. The handle breaks down in eight months. Remove the brush using pliers to use the handle as compost. The brush is also BPA (bisphenol A - used to make plastics and resins) free! It is genuinely a double-duty product.

8. Konjac Sponge

A Konjac sponge is small and made of veggie fibers, but they are perfect for exfoliating the sensitive skin of the face. The sponge comes in pastel colors with the combination and natural infusions of bamboo, green tea, charcoal, and other biodegradable materials.

9. All-Natural Body Care Products

Choose organic, plant-based treatments for your hair, skin, and teeth. The body reacts to phytonutrients, especially when layering each product. Plant and herb treatments have actives that support our energy and the planet.

10. Wooden Spoons

Wooden Spoons are versatile, practical and they almost last for a lifetime. They are insulators. It minimizes burns and scalding accidents when cooking (and eating). It is durable. It can stir and scrape things without breaking. But, it's not hard enough to scratch non-stick pans and other surfaces.


Living an eco-friendly sustainable lifestyle should not be alienating. It should not only be for people who can afford it. It must be for everyone. Take your part to save the Earth. Try not to be wasteful or a waste contributor by using these products.


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Are Organic Foods Safer and More Nutritious?

Organic food items are now a staple of fresh produce aisles on most supermarkets. Perhaps, you are wondering why the sudden fondness of organic produce where people flock the weekend market all over the metro like AANI Weekend Market. There are studies claiming that there are no significant differences when it comes to the nutrient contents of organically and conventionally farmed. On the other hand, there are studies that proved otherwise.

Safer the way organic foods are produced

Primarily, organic farming practices are geared toward conserving soil and water and reducing pollution. Organic farmers do not necessarily use fertilizers and pesticides. For the latter, when a conventional farmer sprays pesticide on the produce, residues are left. Although the amount of pesticide residue does not exceed safety thresholds, the fact remains that we can ingest such.

Buying and consuming organic products, therefore, is a way to limit our exposure to these toxins. About 240 studies that compare organic and non-organic foodstuffs discovered that the former are less contaminated with agricultural chemicals. Conventional produce is discovered to contain 40% more pesticide residues. The percentage can be higher than reported.

Further, there is a separate study that organic foods have low levels of cadmium (48% on average). Cadmium is a carcinogen that accumulates within the body. Put simply, constant exposure to cadmium leads to the onset of certain cancers.

More nutritious due to higher antioxidant contents

Another nutritional difference between organic and conventional food is the antioxidant content. Research findings proved that organic fruits and vegetables contain 18 to 69% more antioxidants compared to their conventional counterparts.

Based on dietary interventions, the higher levels of antioxidants resulted in reduced risks of chronic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Certainly, antioxidants also fight the development of certain cancers.

Food safety tips

Studies said it. However, there are additional safety tips to keep in mind. First, choose and buy various food items from various sources. The practice not only reduces your exposure to chemicals but also provides you with a mix of nutrients.

Second, buy in-season fruits and vegetables. Better yet, buy fresh produce from the farmers’ market.

Third, read labels carefully. The term organic is not interchangeable with the term natural. Organic products are labeled 100% organic. Some products are produced using organic ingredients, and thus should be labeled ‘made with organic ingredients,’ for example.

Fourth, even when the product is labeled 100% organic, it is still best to wash the fruits and vegetables under running water to clean them further. Washing removes dirt, bacteria and chemical residue.

The value of having peace of mind over what you eat and what’s within what you are eating are immense. In the time when green living is more apparent than ever, the movement towards organic diet is a welcome change. Based on the findings, consuming organic foodstuffs is safer and more nutritious than consuming non-organic foodstuffs. 

Isn’t it a perfect time to go organic? Your call.