Organic Cooking Tips

If you want to start organic cooking for whatever reason, it's not as difficult as it used to be. More stores are starting to include wider varieties of organic produce and foods. Not very long ago, a person had to find a specialty grocery store in order to buy organic foods.

In the United States at least, organic food has to pass strict regulation by the USDA in order to be accepted and labeled as organic. In a nutshell, organic food can have no added chemicals or be grown with anything that isn't natural.

This means no pesticides, preservatives or chemical fertilizers are allowed for organic produce. Meat can only be labeled organic if there have been no added antibiotics or growth hormones, for example. Irradiated food also can't be labeled organic food.

So it only makes sense that cooking with organic foods is better for you and your family's health. Some studies have shown that organic food contains more vitamins and other important nutrients than conventionally grown food. Many people have claimed that after they started organic cooking, various health problems simply resolved themselves. Going organic is definitely a healthy cooking choice!

Keep in mind that organic food, by definition, is mostly available on a seasonal basis. Adjust your organic cooking menu to switch fresh produce according to season. Or you can learn how to can and freeze organic foods for organic recipes to make year round!

Along with searching for labeled organic foods at the supermarket, try local farmer's markets when you want to start organic cooking.

Organic cooking is also cooking with minimal added chemicals, if possible. Try healthy cooking with good for you olive oil. Add flavor with vinegars, such as wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar. There are even organic spices and sweeteners!

Another great thing about organic cooking is that it's possible to grow many foods yourself. Even if you live in a small apartment, it's still possible to grow a pot of cherry tomatoes. And most fresh herbs will grow practically anywhere.

If you have enough room, chickens are very easy to keep. And if you really feel adventurous and get into organic cooking whole hog, (pun intended), you can raise cows, hogs, and other livestock. Plus grow a garden full of organic produce for an almost completely self sufficient food source for your healthy cooking lifestyle!

Jamie Oliver's new reality show, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, may spur more interest in the organic cooking lifestyle. Jamie is attempting to change the eating habits of the unhealthiest city in America, Huntington, West Virginia by teaching healthy cooking habits. Jamie especially wants to improve school lunch nutrition, like he has already done in Great Britain.

Jamie had his own cooking show called The Naked Chef before coming across the ocean to attempt to promote organic cooking in the United States. He has published several cookbooks that are best sellers around the globe.

His latest cookbook, Jamie at Home, is all about healthy organic cooking, including growing your own vegetables and herbs. I highly suggest it, or any of Jamie Oliver cookbooks, if you want to get started in organic cooking.