10-26-2009, 06:03 PM
You're kind of talking apples and oranges here (so to speak). If it's hormones you're trying to rid yourselves of, then you need to concentrate on farmed animal products (dairy, meat, fish). I stick to wild fish, and organic chicken, beef and milk for the most part (though I try not to be fanatical and will buy non-organic if the cut I want is not available as organic), and in general those organic products are much better quality and often taste better than the nonorganic kind. In general, my philosophy is to buy smaller quantities of higher quality animal foods for about the same amount of money and I'm much happier and healthier than when I used to buy larger quantities of cheaper stuff.
As for pesticides, that's an entirely different kettle of fish (so to speak). The jury is still out on whether the levels of residual pesticides in our foods is harmful or not. Unfortunately, the public attitudes on this are more akin to religious beliefs than reasoned understandings (both the pro- and anti- pesticide groups). Here's a fairly objective article on this topic: http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactShee...nsumer.cfm .
I tend to buy organic versions of most veggies and fruit (but again, I'm not fanatical about it) because I can pick them up for not much more than the non-organic versions. Of course, that means avoiding Whole Foods, which is the expensive way to go.
Have you looked around for alternative food sources? Your comment of "I've never seen a sign in the meat department" indicates that you're limiting your choices by shopping at a mainstream supermarket. Look around...there's a lot more than the local supermarket, and the prices of those alternate stores are all over the map, both high and low.
As for pesticides, that's an entirely different kettle of fish (so to speak). The jury is still out on whether the levels of residual pesticides in our foods is harmful or not. Unfortunately, the public attitudes on this are more akin to religious beliefs than reasoned understandings (both the pro- and anti- pesticide groups). Here's a fairly objective article on this topic: http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactShee...nsumer.cfm .
I tend to buy organic versions of most veggies and fruit (but again, I'm not fanatical about it) because I can pick them up for not much more than the non-organic versions. Of course, that means avoiding Whole Foods, which is the expensive way to go.
Have you looked around for alternative food sources? Your comment of "I've never seen a sign in the meat department" indicates that you're limiting your choices by shopping at a mainstream supermarket. Look around...there's a lot more than the local supermarket, and the prices of those alternate stores are all over the map, both high and low.