The John Tesh Blog

Buying organic on the cheap- it IS possible. Here's how.

With food costs rising over the last several months, you might wonder if adding organic milk to your grocery cart is really worth the extra money.  It is.  Yes, organic food is more expensive, but when it comes to the staples of your diet, and your family's- organics are indeed a worthwhile investment, and the payoffs might surprise you:  benefits that influence your health today, and long-term.  Prevention magazine clues us in about which foods are worth the splurge, which we can skip, and how to save money while keeping your diet nutritionally and ecologically sound:

Organics 101
First- 3 ways organics benefit your health:

They Have More Nutrients:  Reports of organic food not being better for you are way outdated.  A brand new analysis of about 100 studies, including more than 40 published in the past 7 years, found that the average levels of nearly a dozen nutrients are 25% higher in organic produce.

There May Be Weight Benefits:  Research in rats found that those fed an all-organic diet (versus conventional food) had lower weights, less body fat, and stronger immune systems.  Plus, the "clean diet" animals were calmer and slept better.  (How'd you like to be the researcher into that particular study??)

You Consume Fewer Toxins:  Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables exposes you to about 14 pesticides a day.  A study supported by the EPA measured pesticide levels in children's urine before and after a switch to an organic diet.  After just 5 days, the chemicals decreased to undetectable levels.

Top Produce Picks

Government lab tests show that even after washing, certain fruits and vegetables carry much higher levels of pesticides than do others. Between 2000 and 2005, the not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed the results of nearly 51,000 tests for residues on produce. Based on the data, they created a "dirty dozen" list of the most contaminated fruits and veggies. Top offenders include: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, grapes (imported), spinach, lettuce, and potatoes. Always buying these foods organic is ideal, but if you can't, focus on those you eat all the time.  The saving tip?  Buy organic produce in season (preferably local), when it's most affordable--usually at half the cost. Not only does your wallet benefit, but so do the local farmers supplying the grub. You're guaranteed that the produce is fresh and little energy was wasted in its journey from the farm to your kitchen.

Milk:  Is it Worth the Splurge?  The experts say YES.  Per half gallon, organic milk is more expensive--about $4 versus $2.50--but it's worth the splurge. Recent studies revealed impressive findings on organic milk. Some highlights include: It contains 75% more beta-carotene, as much as a serving of brussels sprouts. It has 50% more vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that aids the immune system and fights cancer and heart disease. It provides 2 to 3 times the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, and about 70% more omega-3 fatty acids. Organic milk also contains more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). This good fat has been linked to numerous health benefits, including stronger immunity, less belly fat, a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and healthier arteries.  The saving tip?  Many organic dairy companies such as Stonyfield Farm and Organic Valley offer printable coupons on their sites for as much as $1 off a half gallon of milk or 16-ounce container of yogurt.

Is There More to Your Meat?
Again- research goes with organic here.  A study in the journal Meat Science compared the nutritional content of organic and nonorganic chicken meat. The researchers found that the organic samples contained 28% more omega-3s, essential fatty acids that are linked to reduced rates of heart disease, depression, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, and Alzheimer's disease. Animals raised organically can't be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal by-products (which can transmit mad cow disease.)  The saving tip?  Get picky about portion size.  The recommended portion size for meat and poultry is 3 ounces, the size of a deck of cards. Stick to this amount and round out your meal with less expensive whole grains and veggies to dramatically cut meal costs and improve nutritional balance. A pound of organic whole chicken for $4 can feed a family of four with brown rice and in-season veggies on the side.

Are There Organics You Can Skip?  You bet.  Step into any health food store and you're likely to find an organic version of just about everything, including cotton candy. While it's true that organic "junk foods" are better for the planet, they generally aren't better for you. A six-pack of organic soda costs $5; yes, it's made without high fructose corn syrup, but each can contains 160 calories (20 more than a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola Classic) and zero nutrients. Cutting back on sweets and nutritionally void extras altogether is the best way to get the most nutrition bang for your buck.

Another Tip To Save?  Buy generic vs. brand name, since nearly every mainstream supermarket now carries organic store-brand options.  Additionally, buy in bulk when possible.  Organic options can be found at the big name shopping clubs, or go local with a community health food store.  Does you live near a neighborhood co-op?  Try there- great support of local efforts, and a great money saver, too!  You can purchase many organic  grains (including brown and wild rice and whole oats), pastas, flours, dried fruits, and nuts in the bulk sections of stores for far less. Organic brown rice in bulk is about 99 cents per pound.

It may seem like a lot all at once- try one food staple at a time, perhaps.  Soon you may find shopping with a different, organic, mindset becomes a new habit that's easy to stick with!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Got the itch? What you need to get RID of it!

Summertime- camping and hiking- getting in touch with the great outdoors!  But who wants to get in touch with some of the poisonous plants in such abundance?  No way!   Here's the quick rundown to keep your family and yourself, itch free this summer.

No doubt about it- you created many great family memories on your last camping trip, but seems like you brought back more than some muddy boots from that last hiking trail.  You know how it goes: first, the itching, swelling, and maybe a red rash- then the blisters.  Could be the classic signs of an unfortunate encounter with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.

Symptoms occur in susceptible people when urushiol, an oil found on the leaves of these plants, comes in contact with skin. 

Here's what to do:

• If you think you've touched one of these plants, wash the area as soon as possible using cool water to help remove the oil from your skin, so you can prevent further spread of the contamination.  You can use any kind of soap to remove the plant's oil- that's the most important fact here, my friend- get rid of that oil!
• Don't forget to scrub under you fingernails and wash any and all clothing that you were wearing- yes, that means your socks, too!  But after this, if your symptoms are developing, try these tips for relief:
• Apply wet compresses, such as cloth soaked in cool water, as you need.
• Use an over-the-counter calamine lotion or hydro-cortisone cream; applying as directed and needed.  Don't apply this to your skin that may have open wounds or broken blisters.
• Soak in a finely ground oatmeal bath to soothe itchiness.  Check with your local pharmacy for some ready-to-use options.
• You may find great relief with an oral antihistamine.  Talk with your doc if you have any conditions that may require a further professional opinion, and keep in mind signs of a serious reaction, which may include severe coughing or trouble breathing:

•             Fever over 100 degrees F
•             Severe swelling
•             Blisters or a rash on the face, genital area, or trunk
•             A rash that covers more than a quarter of your skin's surface

Got these symptoms?  Call 911, or your closest medical professional.  You see- this is the time to make long-lasting family memories- really; there's no room in the family scrapbook for pics detailing your son's widespread case of rash and itch in the family album!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

           

We're only another month until the blossoms of Spring pop out! How will your garden grow? Plan now!

Just one more month until Spring arrives!  I've been out with my band for a lot of this Winter, and know when you live with vastly changing climates (we do get cold in L.A., but not like some of you!) seeing the first signs of warm months ahead is pretty exciting.  So for you green-thumbers impatient to get out there and dig in the dirt, here's a step by step for you from the gardening section of MSN.com:

• The first rule for creating a no-fuss garden is to select plants that will do well for you. Evaluate your yard's growing conditions and pick plants and flowers that thrive there. Daylilies are virtually pest-free picks for hot, sunny spots, for example.
• Spreading 1- to 2-inches of mulch over your garden is one of the best ways to make gardening a breeze. Just about any kind of mulch will stop most weeds from growing and help your soil hold moisture when the weather's hot and dry. Mulches made from organic matter (like compost- see below) do double duty by improving your soil as they decompose.
• Go a little greener, and save yourself the hassle of hauling a hose and sprinkler around your garden beds and borders. Save time, energy, and cash with a water-saving soaker hose. This device is permeable, so water slowly seeps out through its length. Lay it in your gardens and cover the hose with mulch (so you don't lose much moisture to evaporation). Then all you have to do is turn on the water.
• Remember the saying 'A pound of prevention...'?  This applies to weeds, too!  Pull them out when they're young to prevent them from being a big problem. A single crabgrass plant can make 150,000 seeds in a season. Pull the crabgrass before it matures and that's 150,000 fewer weeds to whack in the future!
• Stop grass from invading your plantings by installing edging between your garden beds and the lawn. You can use just about any material, from bricks to plastic, to edge with -- but the most effective materials extend at least 6 inches deep so grass roots don't find their way underneath.
• Here's a hint: Save even more effort by installing a flat edging you can run the wheels of your lawn mower over. That way you can cut the lawn all the way to the edge of your beds and borders.
• Use a garden journal to save time and effort. Jot down notes every week as you garden, then refer back the next year. What worked, and what didn't?  For example, if you noticed that your phlox started getting powdery mildew last July, try spraying it with neem oil or a fungicide this June to prevent the disease.
• Seasoned gardeners know the value of compost. It pushes apart sticky clay particles so soil breathes better and water drains faster. Adding compost also helps sandy soils stay moist longer and retain more nutrients for plants. That's not all: Composting saves you money. The more you compost, the less you have to throw in the trash.
• Invest in the right tool for the job. Pick tools that are the right size for you and fit comfortably in your hands. And keep the blades on your shovels, pruners, etc., sharp by having them sharpened at your local hardware store (or sharpen them yourself with a file) every spring.
• Last tip?  As with so much of life- keep your gardening plan simple.  It's easy to get excited in this Wintertime planning and go overboard, buying more plants than you can take care of.  Remember:  you can always go back and buy more! 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.