So the British Foods Standards Agency (FSA) has deigned down upon us all their view that organic food has no health benefits over “ordinary” food.  Funny how food that is produced by using chemicals and pesticides is now regarded as being “ordinary” food don’t you think?
It’s not natural, but thankfully and to much relief all round, the FSA has decreed it to be “ordinary”.  Phew!

It is even more funny (peculiar, not ha ha) that when you think about it that we are therefore the only species on the Planet who are eating “ordinary” food by choice because we are the only species on the Planet who deliberately “flavour” our food with such chemicals and pesticides.  (Of course many of these species now do partake of our chemical cocktail soup because they have no choice, but that’s another matter.)  By the way can we extend their analogy to things like “ordinary” weapons of mass destruction and organic ones?  Are “ordinary” WMDs better?

Do all those poor critters and plants know what they were missing before we came along?
Well maybe they do because other “scientific” reports indicate that about 67 million birds die each year in the USA as a direct result of the use of pesticides.  But of course if the FSA say there are no health benefits in eating organic food then who am I to argue?

Or what about the fact that the average Irish person eats about 7kg worth of preservatives and additives each year, many of which are carcinogenic and certainly aren’t healthy?  But no, the FSA says there are no health benefits in eating organic.

Or what about the fact that organic food has been shown to contain much higher levels of flavonoids, proteins and zinc for example than “ordinary” food.  These all been proven to have positive health benefits, but these scientific reports “weren’t relevant” to the FSA report. Of course not, you’d have to be an idiot to think they would be wouldn’t you?

Saying that organic food is no healthier than “ordinary” food is also a bit like the Chinese saying opening a new coal mine every week is going to boost their economy.  In fact the economic costs of doing so will far outweigh any potential benefits due to environmental degradation, pollution and massive health costs as a result.

Is the use of pesticides and chemicals any different in the long run?

Any scientific report to have credibility needs context, meaningful content and most importantly of all objectivity.

The FSA report lacks all three and therefore falls on its own sword of being – ordinary!
Do not digest it would be my advice – it could damage your health!

Tony Kearney
www.whoownsthefuture.com
07/08/09

Congratulations to last months winners of the eco fabulous book Drive Like a Woman, Shop Like a Man.  Below are the three favourite eco tips chosen by the GreenMe team.  We would also like to thank everyone who submitted a tip.

To be in with a chance to win a copy of 101 tips which will not only help save you money but also the planet. Email us your top green tip

Tip 1

submitted by Harry Toye, Co Meath

Wash without Water – Polish without Pollution.

Thinking of washing your car?

Think for a moment about all the water you’re wasting: A standard garden hose spews roughly 10 gallons of water per minute, adding up to between 80 and 140 gallons per wash (National Geographic).

This could also be an opportunity to Save Energy – Reduce CO2:
To supply every thousand cubic metres of water, approximately 500Kwh of energy is used, and wastewater disposal uses about another 400Kwh, which means about 400kg of CO2 is being emitted.

The Solution?  Save Water and Stop Pollution in one go!

Latest technology has seen the arrival of several waterless car wash products that Clean, Polish, Wax and Seal your car, without using any water at all!

But beware of the dreaded “Green Washers”. Ensure that your cleaning products do not contain Solvents, Petroleum distillates, Acids, Silicones or a host of other chemicals harmful to humans, animals or plant life. Those types can contribute to the pollution of our groundwater, rivers and lakes.

So check first then enjoy treating your four-wheeled, pride and joy without feeling guilty!

Tip 2

submitted by Sharon Conroy, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway

Soda crystals

A kilogram of soda crystals cost 91c in Dunnes Stores.  Soda Crystals are basically sodium carbonate and it’s strong, so do wear rubber gloves when using them.  You should not use this on aluminium or a varnished surface as it may strip them.

Put a small amount into a basin of hot water, put on your marigolds and use on any sink or ceramic surface for a  glimmering glow.

Also great on cookers, grease is instantly dissolved and guaranteed to get your cooker hood shining.

If you have really soiled clothes you can also add 50g to your clothes detergent when washing, and if you pour the crystals down your drains it will clean them.  Apparently if you sprinkle on moss on paths and patios, then sprinkle water on top and leave for a day, it also dissolves the moss.

Tip 3

submitted by Margaret Mc Gettigan, Dunfanaghy

Weed killing the eco friendly way

Boiling water

Instead of using really nasty chemicals to rid your garden of harmful weeds try using boiling water. This is particularly effective for use on weeds in the expansion joints on driveways and paths.

Vinegar

Neat white vinegar is good as an alternative broad leaf weed killer. Vinegar is most effective when applied on a sunny day.

Salt

A strong saline (salt) solution can be used on gravel driveways and where weeds have sprung up between cracks or joints in pavements. You shouldn’t use this in open areas close to other plants are close by as repeated applications can cause the salt to leach over a wider area..

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is also highly effective in killing weeds of all types and it will break down very quickly.

Last week we talked about the tips and tricks when using white vinegar, but it′s not the only ordinary household product that can do double duty.

Baking soda – at less than €2 a bag is a must for lots of cleaning recipes. Below are just a few handy uses for baking soda.

1. Whiff free fridge. Simply pop open the box top of your baking soda, and place it in the fridge.

2. When mixed with white vinegar (these super cleaners work very well together) it can help de-pong your rubbish bin.

3. For the true frugalist you can use baking soda in place of toothpaste. Put a small amount on your brush and use as you would toothpaste.

4. Baking soda is great at giving you a little more scrubbing power when white vinegar just won′t budge a sticky spot on the stovetop or in the bathtub.

5. Kit cat clean. This is a new one for me as we recently adopted a lovely kitten who my daughter has decided to call Bisky. Sprinkle it on top of the litter in your litter box to help eliminate the odour.

6.Pain free. It can help remove the sting from sunburns and insect bites!

If you have any baking soda tips, drop us an email or leave a comment ,the GreenMe team would love to hear from you.