May the (Organic) Source Be With You

Many who must cope with the allergies and food sensitivities that often accompany Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, CFIDS) and/or Fibromyalgia (FM, FMS) have to go through some trial and error to discern what eating plan will work best for them. One thing that they all have in common, however, is that whether that eating plan is a specific food choice agenda like the Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ that is helpful for those who have the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) problems that often accompanies Fibromyalgia or a more relaxed approach to meeting their nutritional requirements, most experts agree that organic and all natural foods free of chemical additives and preservatives are the healthiest food choices.

Thanks to The Store Wars Veggie Tales-style animation, Chewbroccoli and a galaxy of other characters can help educate you and your family about the benefits of organic foods. The animation even has a "salad bar" cantana sequence!

It doesn't end there. Unless you're fortunate to have a store like Whole Foods Market in your neck o' the woods, finding organic products isn't always an easy task. More and more supermarkets are adding some organic foods to their store selections, but as anyone who doesn't have the time and energy to read each and every label can attest, those selections are limited. (None of the local supermarkets in my "farm country" smalltown Ohio area have preservative-, nitrite-, or nitrate-free deli meats, for example. So, if I want bacon, ham, salami, or other deli cuts, I have to rely on my niece bringing some with her when she visits from Atlanta -- or I have to order directly from the Wellshire Farms Web site.)

If you, too, are looking for sources of organic foods, the organization responsible for the "Store Wars" animation -- The Organic Trade Association -- has an extensive organic foods directory available on their Web site.