Ease into organic. If you never buy organic food, try adding at least one organic item per shopping trip. I’ve noticed that many popular brands are starting to go organic, so it’s not something just confined to the health food store or produce section anymore. For instance, you even find Kraft organic Macaroni & Cheese!

I understand how challenging it is to spend more on organic products, but if you build up to it slowly and avoid as many convenience foods as possible, you can do it without totally breaking your food budget. You may also find that if you seriously dedicate yourself to eating out less, you’ll have more cash to spend on groceries.

But why is organic food important?

•You can reduce health risks associated with exposure to pesticide residue.

•If demand for organic food increases, more farmers will convert to organic farming, which has been shown to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions when compared to conventional farming.

•Pesticides used in conventional farming contaminate groundwater and negatively affect beneficial insects like bees.

•According to a 15-year study, organic farming uses 50% less energy than conventional farming.

•Conventional farming is hard on wildlife. For example, nearly 70 million birds die from pesticide exposure each year in the US.

Keep going after the jump to see a round-up of posts about organic food at Tree Hugging Family, including “Best Foods to Buy Organic.”

11 Ways to Save Money on Organic Food

How What You Eat Affects the Environment

What’s Missing from the 12 Items You Should Always Buy Green List?

Homemade Organic Fruit Snacks

Tree Hugging Website Spotlight: Organic Guide

Best Foods to Buy Organic

Planning an Organic or Vegetarian Wedding Menu?

Why Choose Organic Cotton Clothing

If you haven’t taken our green sins poll in the sidebar, please do before it’s taken down this week! Also, visit soon for a round-up of green sin posts and a look at the poll results.

Image via USDA.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

The cute name and packaging didn’t hurt the case when I was choosing a chocolate bar last week, however Chocolove bars do live up to their packaging and name. I paid $2 for a 3.2 oz bar, and that was a sale price at Target.

My Chocolove bar is certified 100% organic by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. All Chocolove bars are certified kosher. While Chocolove isn’t licensed to use the term “Fair Trade,” they do purchase their cocoa from the World Cocoa Foundation, which encourages sustainable and responsible cocoa farming.

Here are the ingredients:

organic cocoa liquor, organic sugar and organic cocoa butter.

Pretty simple, just like the little squares with hearts on them. This bar would make a great gift for your sweetheart.

The Chocolove website has a better description of this bar than I could produce:

On a Caribbean Island, organic farming has stimulated the cocoa trees to produce cocoa beans that are full of character. The big fruity flavor, acidity, and bitterness of the beans are artfully crafted into a balanced full-bodied premium chocolate as only the Belgians know how to do. Upon eating, the extra cocoa butter softly gives way to tangy, bittersweet cocoa flavor. Satisfying and intriguing, you’ll want more…

Yes. I want more. That’s the problem.

My favorite things about this bar:
Yum taste, fair price, easily available in stores like Whole Foods or Target, 100% certified organic and the expiration date is clearly marked.

What I’d change about it:
I’d like it if Chocolove came in recycled packaging. It would also be nice if they’d extend their organic options to include more varieties.

Do you have a favorite organic chocolate bar?

Image via Chocolove.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This year think green. This way you can show your loved ones a little sugar, and still give the earth a big kiss too.

Our first stop is Taraluna – I’ve been a little obsessed with them lately, so it’s a good place to start. Taraluna is an organic-based, fair trade, non-toxic lovin’ company. Family owned too. If you don’t see anything here; no worries. This upcoming week we’ll look at some more green minded gifts as well.

For everyone:

Vegan Nuts & Chews Valentine Box: Of course we need a chocolate option (or two… or three). This box is vegan, and made in good old Humboldt County. Organic chewy caramels, crunchy clusters and buttery English toffee, in dark chocolate and dairy free. Perfect!

For me (um, I mean for her):

From Fair Trade Artisans in Nepal comes a unique necklace with Garnet, Blue Topaz and Amethyst Stones. I like it because it reminds me of a little tree. Plus I do love silver. Beautiful.

For anyone who likes their bath relaxing:

I would not shy away from giving lavender to a fella – I know many guys who like it. So this cherry red spa bucket would work well for most people. “Each bucket includes: 4 oz. organic lavender body oil, 4 oz lavender soy candle, a 4 oz bar of natural sweet lavender cold process soap and a natural loofah.”

Later today: I’ll wrap up our trash audit. Yesterday I was tying up month-end loose ends and missed our audit tip, so later on we’ll have some extended trash info (just what you always wanted, right?). Ya hoo, extended trash info!

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This is my contest entry; which doubles a nice autumn post for my tree hugging friends. It is autumn and that’s a great time for chocolate! Ok, anytime is a great time for chocolate. Try munching (or using) these green-based items. They also would make great gifts for a chocolate and nature loving pal.

Chocolate acorns! How cute.

Or try organic chocolate covered pumpkin seeds!

When it starts to get chilly outside you can curl up inside with Green & Blacks Organic Hot Chocolate.

Or warm up in a toasty bath with all natural, handmade Chocolate Soap from Herbaria.

So, munch on autumn chocolate foods, drink warm chocolate beverages, and then soap up in a tub of warm water. All the best things to do as the days turn brisk. Maybe even go enter Heather’s chocolate contest yourself to win some fine autumn chocolate leaves!

Post from: Tree Hugging Family