I did something last week that I never expected to do: I bought something organic.
Here's the tale of what happened that dark and stormy night. (Or day. Probably day). The stars were mal-aligned. Aurelia was switching to whole milk. And the forbidden thought snuck into my brain: she's going to be drinking a LOT of this...should I buy organic??
I believe that "natural" is not necessarily better than "synthetic", and sometimes it's actually a good deal worse. I'm quite certain that genetically modified foods are not of the devil. All of our food is genetically modified, but now we can modify it in a single generation instead of over centuries. But the fear of excessive hormones made me give in on the organic milk front.
There's a nagging suspicion in the back of my brain that I made this decision based on hype rather than scientific understanding. Did the massive propaganda campaign for going "green and organic" finally get through to me? Or are my fears founded in reality?
I'm not sure yet. I haven't actually done any research on the differences in chemical composition of organic vs. conventional milk. It's on my list.
But for now, we're a two-milk family. Organic whole for Aurelia and Standard 1% for the rest of us. There goes my mocha budget.
I buy regular whole milk for the boys and Peter. For myself I buy organic 1%. I like the taste of the organic mainly because it is ultra-pasteurized. SInce I am married to a plant breeder I have a unique perspective on engineered plants. I prefer plants that are traditionally bred since I depend on someone who does traditional breeding. Peter says that until recently the scientists doing the genetic engineering of fruit and vegetables have not done a good job. "For example, they used poor quality plant material to genetically improve." says Peter. He says that they have learned from those mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI like to buy organic produce to support smaller farms. We don't have a local grocery store here. I like to think that would support smaller farms.
You could get a cow. Or a goat. :)
ReplyDeleteMegan--
ReplyDeleteI'm the same as you! I think a lot of this organic hype is crazy!
And I am so sick of hearing my friends go on and on about herbal remedies or natural childbirth. Throughout the centuries, the "natural" rate of women dying in childbirth is 10%. I'm happy for our progress!
But, at the same time, we buy our chicken and beef from farmers who don't use hormones! Hormones just freak me out!
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