To Be or Not To Be…Organic

Organic is a simple but very provocative word; the meaning of which varies upon the need of the user. For example, I grew up with the definitions: of, relating to, or containing carbon compounds. We are organic beings. Also, relating to, being, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with the carbon compounds of living beings and most other carbon compounds. Now, a few examples: Acetaminophen, yeah, the non- aspirin stuff you take for aches and pains. That’s right, organic. Here is another you may or may not recognize, Perchloroethylene – dry cleaning fluid; and of course a favorite beauty product: Retinol (Vitamin A). Some organic compounds are good, some are deadly. So, how do we decide?

Additional definitions of organic include things containing organic substances: a fertilizer of plant or animal origin (compost for example), a pesticide whose active component is an organic compound or a mixture of organic compounds, and finally, a food produced by organic farming. Okay, that last one has specific lines of delineation, mainly without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers and growth stimulants. How do we know that the chemicals being allowed into commercially prepared organic fertilizers are actually safe?

Did you know when testing synthetic chemicals for their ability to cause cancer, only about half are carcinogenic? Many of us assume synthetic equals bad. I personally believe that synthetic simply means our bodies might not assimilate it without repercussions down the road.

Until recently, nobody bothered to look at natural chemicals (such as organic pesticides) because it was assumed that they posed little risk. The studies, when conducted yielded somewhat shocking results: about half of the natural chemicals studied are carcinogenic as well.

This is a case where everyone (consumers, farmers, researchers) made the same, dangerous mistake. We assumed that "natural" chemicals were automatically better and safer than synthetic materials, and we were wrong. It's important that we be more prudent in our acceptance of "natural" as being innocuous and harmless. Here is another interesting tidbit. The list of inert ingredients rarely tested or considered to be of concern, can be found in both synthetic and certified organic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.  We now know many inert ingredients pose extreme hazards to wildlife, plants, animals, and humans. Yet, they remain an unlabeled, undistinguished part of many products.

 

The electronic code of federal regulations for the National Organic Program contains enlightening information on what is and isn’t approved for organic food (plant and animal) production. After reading the regulations, I decided to take a closer look at some approved chemicals. The first one I checked out shocked me. The list, current as of September 15, 2011, includes Tolazoline (Parenteral-Systemic) which can only be obtained through a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. I learned many things:

1.      No studies have been conducted on the carcinogenicity of this product.

2.      The warning: “Not to be used with animals in food-production.”  

3.      Products produced by Novartis containing Tolazoline were withdrawn from the U.S. in July 2002

4.      Other companies still manufacture products containing Tolazoline.

5.      Adverse affects of this drug on the “safe” organic approved list: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage -may be fatal, hypochloremic alkalosis, systemic hypotension, acute renal failure, especially oliguria, thrombocytopenia, diarrhea or nausea and vomiting, increased pilomotor activity (goose flesh), peripheral vasodilation (flushing), and tachycardia.

 Why, I ask you, is it still on the approved list? Is anyone really watching this? Is meat tested? If it was so “safe” why did one company producing it withdraw it from the US market? Shouldn’t it be withdrawn from the guidelines? Who oversees the overseers of our organic certification program? Can we really trust the labeling on certified organic foods? Are they worth the price if they have just as many chemicals (albeit approved) as those not certified as organic?

It comes down to this for me. Know the origin of your food; all food. Ask your local farmer/rancher/butcher what is really used on their animals. They will actually tell you. Be a wise and informed consumer. Then make your own decision to be or not to be organic.

One of THOSE Days...

Wow, I have rewritten today’s blog post at least six times. I started with the weather – wondering if fall is really ever going to get here – then moved on to fence building. The list continued as I wrote paragraph after paragraph just to end up deleting every one.

Some days are simply like today is for me. This is one of those “I feel like rambling” and “doing nothing at all” kinds of day. I am sure there must be a country song that covers this, I simply haven’t looked. It doesn’t matter if you are single, married, man, woman, have kids, are a kid, or are even a dog. Okay, if you are reading this and are a dog, I really want to meet you. There are so many things you could teach my dogs. But I digress. I believe everyone has days like today.

I am sitting here with a cold cup of very strong leftover coffee, procrastinating and trying not to feel guilty. I know I felt like this when I worked outside my home, for the life of me, I can’t remember what I did to get over it or push through. As it happens, I spent hours this morning researching pigs and pig farming. Yep, pigs. Not that we plan to raise any of our own, at least I don’t think we do, I just wanted to learn more about the different opinions on upkeep, shelter, breeding, butchering, etc. Now that I have assimilated all that information, I am simply going to file it away. So, can I count that as being productive or simply procrastinating and wasting time? The jury is still out on that one.

The smoke is heavy in the air today from fires in the distance. It has given everything a pinkish, smoky kind of hue. It would be really bright today if the sun could burn through. Maybe that has something to do with my mood. Procrastination is high on my list today. I know, there is still cooking and baking to be done – no they are not the same thing, errands – the important kind, laundry – well that needs to be done every day whether or not I do it, and I really need to get on the treadmill. Wait, that last part definitely deserves its own post.

If my long term goal is to positively impact the world, is publishing this on a blog for others to read making any steps toward that goal? I think yes. I just need to include ways to turn this day around.

1.  Put on some upbeat music. 
2. Dance around when no one is looking.
3. Try out a new recipe, or two.
4.  Eat some dark chocolate or a piece of pie– yeah, this one always works.
5. Hug a tree. Figuratively speaking, sit outside and appreciate nature. This works best if it is not raining or storming outside unless you don’t mind getting wet.
6. Read a good book. Sometimes we just need to curl up and read something great.
7.  Watch a movie with your daughter, son, husband, wife, or a friend.

I am sure there are many other choices available, we simply have to push ourselves to make one. I decided to take a break from writing and put these to the test. So far, I have put on some music, danced around the kitchen, made up a new pork roast stew recipe – it is simmering in the oven, and ate a piece of banana cream pie. It works! I am headed out the door to sit by our pond, listen to the waterfall, and count the lasted number of baby Koi. I think I might even take the Kindle with me and read for a bit. The movie will have to wait until this evening.

Falling Off the Deep End

I rant. Thankfully, I have someone in my life who listens with a sympathetic ear and then laughs. If I am being laughed at or laughed with is the question. But, this is not a question I need to be answered at this point in my life. Right now, knowing I can let off steam about kids, politics, farming, property prices, dogs, noise, pollution, chemicals…and the list goes on…is what matters to me.

I live in Idaho with my husband. We have three young adult children, two small dogs, one outside cat, one Betta, four promiscuous Koi with untold new offspring, and two frogs. We are moving to a 40 acre small farm. Actually, we are moving to 40 acres of land in the Palouse. It will be a small farm, soon. I think. I hope. I believe.

Certainly, soon is a relative term. I said, “Soon” four years ago when we decided we wanted to move out of the city. I do not have a bucket list; I have a “Soon” list. These are the items I want to accomplish in my life within a delineated time frame. My husband and I have dreams. We also have the goals, plans, and guidelines to make these dreams come true. Providing for ourselves, preparing for the worst case scenario and believing in the best in all things, sharing knowledge and experience with others, always learning and searching for better if not smarter choices; these are our basic goals. Wikipedia defines self-sufficiency as the state of not requiring any outside aid, support, or interaction, for survival. This is not our goal. We believe in supporting, interacting and assisting others as a community, so our definition differs slightly. We want to slow down, do things ourselves, and be self-sufficient in a fast food world. Perhaps, more realistically, we want to be more self-reliant. Any progression to that end will make us “more” than we are now.

I have some family who actually think my husband and I have fallen off the deep end, others who simply think we have bitten off more than we can chew, and finally, there are those in my family who want to join the journey and do the same thing. Although I am not a funny person by nature, I hope you will find humor in many things I write. I invite you to follow along, sit back with a cup of coffee or tea, laugh, cry, and join in the discussion. This is definitely a journey and I look forward to you being part of the ride.