– Foods. Choosing organic groceries as much as possible can make a real difference to both your health and the environment. The increased use of naturally produced meats and produce has meant that the acreage of organic farmland has more than doubled in just the last three years alone! You can help keep the good news going by doing your part.

Choosing natural meat products such as beef will virtually eliminate the influence of artificial hormones on your family’s health. Mad Cow Disease has been linked to the use of animal protein-based feed in livestock; organically raised cattle eat greens from fields and organically grown feeds and are never given unnatural animal products to eat.

Hormones in milk may cause early onset puberty in girls and other health issues: choose organic and you won’t have to worry about artificially created problems. Natural beef and dairy products also taste much better!

Potatoes are the number one consumed vegetable in our nation. If you switch to organic potatoes, you will not only reap the health benefits of not consuming pesticides, you will also be a catalyst for increased natural farmlands. If demand for organic potatoes increases, more chemical-free fields will be set aside to grow them, and this can only mean good news for our delicate earth and streams.

As for fruits, apples are one of the most pesticide-contaminated foods out there. These chemicals have been linked to decreased intelligence and problems with attention in children, and other health issues for adults. Organically grown apples and other fruit are chock full of nutritious vitamins and fiber, and one of these a day may indeed keep the doctor away.

– Choose organic skin care and other personal products. Women literally put hundreds of synthetic chemicals a day on their bodies! Some skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, itchy rashes, and allergic reactions are directly linked to these chemicals.

Making the switch to natural products will contribute to more beautiful and healthy hair and skin; most of these goods also come in environmentally friendly packaging.

Simply switching to organic foods and health care products is a good place as you try to start living a more natural life. Begin slowly and gradually add more green practices to your household as you get used to organic living and become more informed. You and your family will reap the benefits of living more organically, and so will the planet.