Originally, all foods were "organic" – grown and prepared without pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, hormones, irradiation to prevent spoilage, microwave cooking, etc. They were also unrefined, whole foods, or with at most minimal refinements. Since World War II and the advent of chemical farming and food processing, the soils and foods of much of the world have been depleted of minerals and other nutrients.

Read more: Top Ten Reasons to Eat Organic

We have a family ritual of giving thanks before each meal. Sometimes it's rather routine, and other times it feels more alive. During those times, we often talk about the food we're about to eat (or maybe have all ready started to eat before everyone else if you're one of my six-year old sons). We talk about how nature has such a variety of colors – how could there be so many shades of green? Or, about how a particular food was grown – on a vine, in the ground, on a tree? Maybe how an animal was raised – did it get a chance to wander around the farm and eat the kind of food that would have made it healthy and happy, or did it suffer on a farm without seeing the light of day and get force fed grains instead of grass? 

Read more: Eat Locally

There's so much buzz about organic foods these days. It's becoming more and more mainstream. Conscientious moms (and dads) are voting with their dollars and big business is finally listening. You may even purchase organic at your house. When you pick up a gallon of organic milk, does your eye catch the price difference from conventional milk? Mine does. You may feel a twinge of uncertainty – is this really worth it or am I being taken for a ride here? 

Read more: Is Organic Worth All the Buzz?