Organic Militants.

We are convinced that eating processed and unnatural food (which is laced with pesticides, additives, and GMO’s) is harmful to our health. This is why we are committed to an organic diet. And our bodies know the difference. When we don’t get the proper food we need, we experience a decline in our well-being. So, we make the sacrifice on the front end (our wallets) in order to enjoy the benefits on the back end (our health).

Cheaters on Occasions.

But…we are human. And from time to time we crave foods which are not necessarily health-giving, like potato chips, for example. We know that eating chips on a daily basis does nothing to bring vitality to our flesh. Therefore, we only eat them on occasion. This usually happens while we are out shopping and want a snack. Organic potato chips are not always available, so sometimes in a pinch — we cheat. Just a little. But we still have our standards — even when cheating.

Here is our standard for potato chip cheats:

• We first look for organic:
  • If the oil and additives meet our standard, we will purchase and enjoy.
  • However, we will reject the organic chips if the oil and additives are not right.
  • And if organic chips are not available (or up to par), we will choose a non-organic variety (so long as the oil and additives are okay).
• Next we look for a healthy oil:
  • We reject canola, soy, safflower, or corn oil — especially if not organic.
  • Olive oil is great.
  • Avocado oil is better.
  • Coconut oil is good.
  • Sunflower oil is acceptable.
• Then we look for chips with no unhealthy additives:
  • We reject all chips that contain artificial or so-called “natural” flavors — or any other additive that we don’t know or trust.
  • We prefer chips with sea salt (or the brand “Real Salt”) as the only additive.
  • Salt is acceptable if all else is safe.

Corn chips have a similar (but stricter standard):

• The oil and additives standards are the same as above.
• The organic standard is higher due to the use of GMO corn products:
  • Organic is the first choice.
  • Blue corn would be a non-organic possibility since it is not GMO.
  • White corn would be a non-organic possibility since it is not GMO.

Dessert Cheats.

We have a similar standard with desserts. First, we limit how often we partake. We have a weekly ice-cream Sunday (where we eat ice-cream as a treat on Sundays). And we usually have a dessert if we have company or it is a holiday or a birthday. Occasionally when we eat out at our local organic restaurant, we will enjoy a nice pastry or piece of cake. And unfortunately, when we are invited over to dinner with friends or are fellowshipping over a meal at church, we sometimes eat foods that we would rather not. Some of these things just can not be avoided. And when we are without a choice, we receive whatever is set before us with gratitude.

However, when we do have a choice about our dessert, we follow certain guidelines:

• Organic ingredients only (though I do occasionally use non-organic cocoa powder and chocolate chips from Trader Joe’s if money is really tight).
• We use only whole grain flour — so long as it won’t destroy the recipe.
• We bake with butter, coconut oil, palm oil, or olive oil — never lard, vegetable oils (other than those listed), or hydrogenated vegetable oils.
• All ingredients must be as natural as possible.
• We use no food coloring (unless I can make it myself).
• We add no unnatural additives, nor do we use any ingredient that contains unnatural additives.

Here are our guidelines for ice-cream Sunday:

• Our favorite is homemade, raw milk ice-cream (though this is costly and time-consuming so it rarely happens).
• The next best is store bought organic ice-cream:
  • We like Alden’s brand the best (but there are some flavors we will not buy due to certain additives).
  • Julie’s is another good brand (but we still have to look for bad additives).
  • Occasionally we do cheat on organic with Haagen Dazs — but only if we are desperate and it is all that is available. Even so — no bad additives.

So if you have to cheat, do it wisely:

• Do it only on occasion.
• Do it only if necessary.
• Do it as naturally as possible (which usually means with as few  ingredients as possible).
• Know where you draw your line in the sand (and how often you are willing to cross it).

March 2nd I plan to share two of my favorite chocolate frosting recipes. Sometimes you just have to eat cake — at least that is my motto. When you do: you need to do it well. I also have a chocolate beet cake recipe that my daughter has adapted into delectable. She likes it unfrosted. I like it frosted. I will be sharing that in the future too. So stay tuned!

Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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