Why Go Organic?

Perhaps I'm old fashioned, cheap, or just an ass, but I really don't understand the whole "Organic" craze that's sweeping everything from cereal to produce to even tampons. The less environmentally friendly of the population are finding more and more obstacles in their way at their nearest supermarket.

It seems that more and more companies and brands are going "green" and making organic versions of already existing products to lure in the inner tree-hugging hippy in us all. At the core, organic sounds good: it's good for you, it's good for the earth, it's good for Susan Saradon. But my question is ... really?

On one hand, I can fully appreciate the fact that ingesting toxic chemicals is probably not the best thing. Fortunately, the ever-increasingly-awesome Consumerist has posted on the cost effectiveness of going all natural and when it is beneficial in doing so.

On the other hand, as far as food is concerned, not having any pesticides or chemicals in your sirloin steak may sound healthier, but

No conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than is conventionally grown food. And the USDA — even though it certifies organic food — doesn't claim that these products are safer or more nutritious - Scientific American

This is not to mention that organic products are higher priced than their earth-raping counterparts by up to 40%. And there is also the argument that organic farming yields less crops, feeds less people, and other things that are way above my rudimentary agricultural skills.

So, if you have conflicting evidence in both directions, why would you choose the higher of the two options? I can safely say I have never bought a single organic item in my life and I generally don't jump on the popular bandwagons. While I don't prefer toxic chemicals dumped into water supplies, we've dealt with worse in the past (not me personally, but humanity as a whole).

So forget you Seventh Generation and your overpriced laundry detergent/dryer sheets/god-knows-whatever-else. I'll stick with Tide and the world will keep turning.

Of course, if I'm wrong, I'll be dead so I probably wouldn't care too much.

Scientific American: Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?
Consumerist: When Is It Worthwhile To Buy Organic?

Don't Eat the Beef

Another day, another recall. This time the recall affects over 150 tons of frozen beef patties and other beef products potentially contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

With all the recalls of food products abound recently, it looks like you'd be better off sautéing some lead paint chips for dinner. Yeah, the risk of nerve disorders and fertility problems certainly don't sound appealing, but those are potential problems with long-term exposure.

At least you'll escape worshipping the porcelain god like a bad date with a beer bong.

Don't Assume Salad is Always Better

Ah, salad. The food of choice for anorexics and dieters who crave sustenance while minimizing calories without considering that dousing the bowl in ranch dressing, cheese, and croutons will not lead to a particularly healthy choice.

Now, there is even more evidence to worry about eating like a furry woodland creature: E. coli to go along with your salmonella. The FDA announced Tuesday that Dole Foods would be recalled a selection of "Dole Hearts Delight" for probable E. coli contamination.

Those who cannot possibly stoop to chopping their own components of salad and choose to purchase the pre-packaged bags of salad should exercise caution or else suffer the wrath of debilitating stomach cramps and diarrhea. At this point along with the previous recall of spinach you may be better off sticking with your all fatty red meat diet. Sure, you may develop heart disease and die of a stroke before you die of loose stools but why risk it? You can always go to the gym to shed that excess fat, right?