Make

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Serves 8

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 large Piñata apples
8 slices sturdy organic bread (such as country Italian or multi-grain)
4 teaspoons organic butter, softened
½ - ¾ pound sliced organic Smoked Turkey
8 thin slices organic cheddar cheese

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Ingredients for the filling
8-10 large organic peaches, peeled and cut into thin wedges
¼ cup organic sugar
1 tablespoon fresh organic lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the biscuit topping
1 cup organic flour
½ cup organic sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ stick cold, unsalted organic butter, cut into small pieces
¼ cup boiling water

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Serves 8

8 cups mixed organic salad greens, divided
1 ripe organic mango, peeled and chopped
1 small, ripe organic avocado, chopped
½ cup pitted, sliced organic cherries
¼ cup of sliced organic almonds
Organic raspberry vinaigrette bottled dressing, to taste

The local and organic food movement is spreading to an area not commonly associated with freshness, or even taste: hospital kitchens. Advocates say higher-quality produce, and smaller servings of meat, will help patients.

But the idea, which stems from a trial documented by a Johns Hopkins public health study, has its critics.

The Hopkins paper argues that sustainably raised meat has less cholesterol and more vitamins than traditionally produced meat.

In two of my previous blogs on organic foods I reviewed the published studies that have shown that organically-grown food has more vitamins, minerals and health-promoting 'phytonutrients', as well as far fewer pesticides than commercially grown foods. So, if one chooses what foods to eat, at least partly on the level of nutrients they provide, as well as their potential for toxicity (or lack thereof), then organic foods would already be a good choice. But, is there evidence that these foods really help us to be healthier?

1. Nothing's Missing

Everyone likes organic when you're talking about carrots and bean sprouts, but organic wine? That sounds like something fun was taken out, like diet soda or safe sex. Don't worry - all the alcohol is still there. It's made from the same grapes, in the same regions and in the same way wine has been made for thousands of years. All you might be missing are the chemical residues sometimes left over from conventional grape growing. You can live without those.

Courtesy of Earthbound Farm

Earthbound Farm co-founder Myra Goodman always says that people are surprised that her kids have always loved vegetables, and some even wonder if perhaps they carry a rare gene because they grew up as the children of organic farmers.

Courtesy of Earthbound Farm

Courtesy of Stonyfield Farm

Try farm-fresh eggs and raw, local honey in this indulgent cheesecake. This recipe uses our pure organic yogurt and less cream cheese.

Makes: 12 servings