How to Find Organic Food and Recipes

It seems like more and more people in the mainstream are talking about organic food.  What was once limited to the fringe group of the extremely health-conscious has become something that is very common.  Organic food, simply put, means that it was not grown with the aid of any chemical pesticides or fertilizers.  This ensures that the food has not absorbed any toxins that could possibly be passed on to you or your children when you eat the food.

Unlike some other commonly used terms like “natural” or “healthy,” to be legally labeled

“organic,” the food has to meet strict guidelines.  This gives the word actual meaning with the force of the government behind it as opposed to “natural,” which really means nothing to the consumer.  If you buy something, whether it is a fruit, vegetable, or even a cookie, if it is certified organic, you can rest assured that it is truly organic and has not been grown with any toxic products.

Given the growing popularity of organic food, it is much easier to find it than it was even 10 years ago.  As it has been for decades, the number one place to find organic food is at local farmers’ markets.  Keep in mind, though, that not all produce at farmers’ markets is organic.  You need to ask before you purchase or check that particular farm’s signage and labels to see if they have an organic farm.  Farmers’ markets are easy to find during the summer months in cities and even small towns throughout the country.  States that have climates conducive to year round growing likely have farmers’ markets throughout the year as well.

Another place to check for organic food is the grocery store.  Some towns are privileged enough to have stores that specialize in just fruits and vegetables, or even larger specialty stores that deal heavily in organic products.   It is important to note, however, that even if you are getting your food at a health food store that it does not guarantee that it will be organic, so be sure to check the labels.

Even if you do not have a specialty store in your area, there is a good chance that your regular supermarket will have some organic produce and other products.  Just check the labels and ask your grocer if you cannot find any organic items.  Some stores will keep all the organic products in one area so they’re easier for consumers to find.  If your local store does not carry enough organic food for your liking, talk to the manager about having a wider selection.

Once you have obtained the organic food that you desire, you will need some organic food recipes.  The good news is that they are in abundance and you will not have any trouble finding delicious things to make with your organic food.  The best place to look for recipes is online.  There are many websites that specialize in healthy cooking that will be able to give you a ton of recipes.  The best sites are those where you can search by ingredient.  This is great if you bought an organic eggplant and have no idea what to do with it.

There are also online communities that specialize in organic food.  At these sites you can meet other like minded people and share recipes and tips for preparing organic food.  Websites like this are great for those of you who live in areas where organic food has not really “caught on.”  You will feel less alone in your quest to prepare healthy organic meals for your family if you have other people to communicate with about it online.

Another great source for organic food recipes is the library.  Many people do not think of the library when they think of cookbooks, but most libraries have a great collection of cookbooks.  Often if a library does not have a particular book that you want, they can get it from another library through interlibrary loan.  Some libraries are often willing to purchase a new book for the library on the request of a patron, but you may need to make a case for why the book would be of good value to the community.

One important thing that people new to the world of organic cooking may not realize is that you can really use any recipe and turn it into an organic recipe.  For example, if you have a great apple pie recipe that you love, you do not have to cast it aside just because you are cooking organically now.  All you need to do is substitute organic apples, organic sugar, etc. for the regular ingredients in the recipe.  This process really opens up a whole world of cooking for you, rather than only looking for recipes labeled “organic.”

Although it can seem frustrating at times to try to find organic food or find great recipes to cook your organic food, you need to remember throughout the whole process that the reason you are doing this is for the health of you and your family members.  That should be all the motivation that you need to keep up with it.