Organic Verses Whatever

Hi all,


Do we take care of ourselves all the time or only when its convenient or only when its fashionable? And do we really know what is good for us and what isn't?

A chance meeting with another mother, we'll call her Kim (not her real name), at the local dairy got me thinking about this.

First, a bit of background.

I hadn't seen her since our kids were in the same class at primary school. She was always one of those perfect mums. Her husband is successful enough at what ever it is he does that he can take his weekends off, has a newish boat, and she doesn't need to even contemplate working. Two beautiful daughters exactly 3.3 years apart. She is a regular volunteer as a teachers aid, and coaches both her daughters sports teams. She is always smiling and chatty and never seems to snub anyone.

We both chaperoned on our kids school camp and this is where I got to know a little more about her.

One evening, while preparing dinner for the kids, one of the other mothers asked for a general opinion as to peel the carrots and potatoes or not. Kim said she never peeled anything as that was where all the nutrients were. I made no comment as I am not a nutritionist. I have cooked for kids and I know they don't like peels on some things and on other things, they don't really care.

The next comment came when one of the other mothers was describing how she, very successfully, made a particular sauce in the microwave. Kim spoke up to say she made the same sauce on the stove at all times as she didn't trust the microwave and had decided using it was unhealthy. Again, I didn't say anything because I feel I am not qualified.

Kim and I shared a room in the hostel where we were staying. In the evening, as we were both getting ready for bed, I couldn't help notice her beauty routine. Mine consists of a splash of water in the face or a shower (depending on how grubby I am), brush the teeth and hair, jammies and bed. I know, as a female, I should probably take much better care of myself but the whole cleanse, exfoliate, tone blah blah blah, well, I can't really be bothered. Not to mention, the cost.

Kim, however, could be very bothered. Using several bottles and tubes, she proceeded to do whatever it is your supposed to do, and more I'm sure, to her skin.

Now, I think we're similar in age and neither one of us are super models. Nor do we only have faces for radio. You know just middle of the road ordinary people. But with Kim's intense desire for all things healthy and natural, I had to wonder about the concoctions being liberally applied to her skin.


When I caught up with Kim at the local dairy, she was purchasing milk. An ordinary task yes, but for her, no. Kim normally buys certified organic milk direct from a not so local farmer, again, because her strong belief in all things healthy. She was buying her milk from the shop only because her husband had run out of milk for his coffee. The farmer they normally bought milk from had dried his cows off for the winter and had non available. She commented that her husband loved the creamy taste of the organic whole unpasteurised milk which I heartily agreed with. There really is nothing nicer in a cup of coffee then fresh whole milk.


On my way home, I contemplated whether it was the organic milk she preferred or was it the knowledge of where her milk had come from that she really liked? If it was the organic thing, then why didn't she buy organic from the local supermarket that was also open at the time and probably cheaper then the ordinary blue top at the corner dairy. Conversely, if it was the traceability thing, then why not buy milk from a much closer conventional farmer.

Don't get me wrong. Kim is a really lovely person with a generous soul. It only makes me wonder about society in general. We are constantly bombarded with all the things we should be doing to stay healthy. From skin care to organic milk to peeling your veges to using the microwave, society has taught us to question the safety of everything. Why do we have such little faith in some things and total trust in others? Is it because of the way society/popular media has "packaged" things to bend our perception, or is it the way certain things have "come out of the wash" and trickled out of the cacophony of noise that is modern media? Almost sort of like an urban legend that people accept as true?
I mean, there has been documented scientific trials comparing organic fruits and veges to conventionally grown produce. In all cases, there was little difference in actual nutrient, mineral and vitamin content between the two groups of food. When the fruits and veges were given to a number of people to try to tell which tasted better, the results were again, negligible. So why is it seen as so much better then? Fashion? Or perhaps the "feel good" factor, that traceability thing again?


I don't see myself as correct in all things. On the contrary, I have more to learn then anyone I know. So as far as what is the right or wrong way to do things, well, I sort of bumble my way through and depend heavily on my gut instinct. If there is legitimate scientifically researched material available on whatever it is I want to know about, then I'll go with it. Otherwise, I shrug and don't tend to worry too much about it.

We aren't organic farmers. I don't judge those who are because that is their choice. If one of my animals gets sick, it gets treated according to its symptoms. If that animal requires an antibiotic, I do not hesitate giving it. But I will not use antibiotics if they are unnecessary. I believe most farmers would agree on this point. Antibiotics are expensive and when used incorrectly, resistance can build up in your stock and then you have serious problems when an animal becomes really sick.

Trials at Massey University have shown little difference between homeopathic treatments and doing nothing at all. Homeopathy is way cheaper. If the treatments had been effective, it would have saved the agricultural community millions of dollars in pharmaceuticals. However, the trial proved that they are not effective. The only reason I found out about the trial was by stumbling across it one day in an obscure dairying pamphlet. This was a major trial, with extensive monitoring and clear results. Yet, I have not read anything about it since, nor have I seen it in any mainstream publications. Why?
Here's what I think. It isn't trendy for homeopathic stuff to not work, it isn't what people want to hear. They want to hear that it is so much better and that 100 plus years of scientific trial and even more error is not to be trusted. When a drug company gets caught being naughty, front page news. The millions of lives that are saved each day because of modern practices, not a mention. OK, OK, I agree that the drug companies make an absolute killing on selling there wares and they certainly hold the world to ransom.

But it can't all be as bad as what we perceive. Perhaps, for a change, we humans are actually on the right road, sort of, when it come to how our food is being produced. No one should be starving, the Green Revolution saw to that. There is enough food for everyone. It is just the distribution that's all cocked up.

Once again, I'd love discussion so please leave a comment.
Take care, 4cowgirlz