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), Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS aka Environmental Illness), and/or Fibromyalgia (FM, FMS) have to go through some trial and error to discern what eating plan will work best for them. Many follow the eating plan with a specific food choice agenda like the Specific Carbohydrate Diet™ — which is proven helpful for those who have the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) problems that often accompanies Fibromyalgia (or ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and other digestive diseases as well), while others take a more relaxed approach to meeting their nutritional requirements, One thing that most experts agree all sensible eating plans have in common is 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. (Until recently, 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 wanted bacon, ham, salami, or other deli cuts, I had to rely on my niece bringing some with her when she visits from Atlanta or a nephew picking some up for me in Detroit — or I had to order directly from the Wellshire Farms Web site. While choices are still limited — and unfortunately far more expensive than regular deli meats, Kroger and WalMart now carry such brands as Hormel® Natural Choice® lunch meats and bacon.)

While the choices may not be certified organic, most local farmer’s markets do have vendor’s who sell locally grown, pesticide-free produce. Another way to find sources of organic foods is to visit The Organic Trade Association Web site; they’re the organization responsible for the “Store Wars” animation and they have an extensive organic foods directory available on their site.

Related posts:

1. Coping Skills: Special Diets
2. Redefining Slow: A Chronic Illness Realities Comic Strip
3. Sleep Medications for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
4. Chronic Fatigue Tests, Treatments, and Research
5. Chiari syndrome and/or cervical spinal stenosis

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