5 Tips To Help You Get Started Eating Organic & A Nutritious Breakfast Recipe

By: The Food Hunter

The reasons for why you should eat organic are solid:

• To keep chemicals out of our body and the environment.
• To enjoy better taste, texture & flavor.
• To avoid artificial growth hormones and antibiotics found in meat and dairy.
• To support farmers that have invested in growing foods without toxic synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

But how do you start?

Changing your eating habits all at once is hard, and not something I would suggest doing. In this situation little steps make a big difference. Below are 5 tips to help you get started eating organic:
1. Start on a trial basis; switch out a few products you already use for their organic counterpart. Gradually replace as much as you can with organic.

2. When it comes to produce know which items matter most. According to the Environmental Working Group, commercially-farmed fruits and vegetables vary in their levels of pesticide residue. To help you make the best choices the EWG has put together a list of the 12 most pesticide-laden produce on the market. Note: These are not items you should avoid eating, rather they are items you should eat organic whenever possible.

• 1. Apples
• 2. Strawberries
• 3. Grapes
• 4. Celery
• 5. Peaches
• 6. Spinach
• 7. Sweet Bell Peppers
• 8. Nectarines (Imported)
• 9. Cucumbers
• 10. Cherry Tomatoes
• 11. Snap Peas (Imported)
• 12. Potatoes

 3. Purchase hormone and antibiotic free meats and dairy items whenever possible. Studies have shown that organic dairy contains higher level of healthier fats than non-organic milk. Remember you are what you eat.

4. Read labels of packaged products to determine how organic they are and to see if they include the USDA organic label. (see explanation below of organic terms.)

• 100% Organic = 100% of ingredients are certified organic, excluding salt and water.
• Certified Organic = 95% of ingredients are certified organic, excluding salt and water.
• Made with Organic Ingredients = At least 70% of ingredients are certified organic, excluding salt and water.
• No Label Claims = Less than 70% of ingredients are certified organic.

5. Shop around and find a store that has organic versions of most of your favorite items. Be sure to look for items not only in the organic section but also in the regular aisles.

To show you how easy it is to start eating organic I put together a quick breakfast recipe using some of my favorite organic products from Sprouts Market. These hearty pancakes are made with organic whole grain oats, organic Stonyfield yogurt, organic blueberries & fresh nuts. A simple mix of organic ingredients that will fill you up quick and keep you satisfied throughout the morning, exactly what I need when it comes to breakfast!

Blueberry Pecan Oatmeal Griddle Cakes
1½ cups organic old fashioned oats, divided
½ cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup fat-free Greek Yogurt
1 egg
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup organic blueberries

Preheat a greased griddle pan over medium heat.

In a food processor, pulse 1 cup of oats until finely ground and resembling flour. In a mixing bowl, add oat flour, the remaining ½ cup old fashioned oats, pecans, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl, combine yogurt, egg, oil, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix to incorporate. Fold in the blueberries.

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop batter onto pre-heated pan. Gently flatten the batter to resemble patties. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip cakes and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Cakes are done when both sides are golden brown and center is set.

Optional: Top with lightly sweetened yogurt and blueberries before serving.

I have an ongoing relationship with Sprouts.  I receive product or compensation for posts featuring their products. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.