organic

Lunch with a view

JackBaranski — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:11:30 -0800

While visiting close friends who I haven't seen for ages, and with time to explore the country side on a bike, I got a little lost following a group of local riders who took me into the hills. I figured the best way to find where I am is to keep going up... and up, and up. But before setting off again, I found a little shop where I stocked up on freshly picked plums, peaches and blueberries. Some warm from the oven bread also caught my eye, just in case this turned out to be a really long day in the saddle.

After climbing up to where the road turned to sand and actually just circled the peak of this little mountain (794 meters), there it was, the Benedictine Abbey of San Salvatore (with parts dating back to the 11th century) overlooking Lago Maggiore, the largest lake in the lake region of Northwestern Italy. As I sat down, all good things in life seemed to come nicely together: good food, majestic nature and peace of mind, the simple life! At one point a little dog came by, just doing his daily rounds, but giving me a good laugh with his funny attitude.

After filling up with more water from an ancient looking faucet on side of the abbey, fully reenergized, I took the long way around the lake for what turned out to be a beautiful 100-mile day! But honestly, the good vibes I got from this ride could (and do) often come from weekend jaunts to places just hours away or simple local morning park workouts. ;o)

Cycling Team

What "Organic" has done for me

MarkCraddock — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:16:21 -0700

I wanted to tell you what "organic" has done for me.

Five years ago I weighed 480 pounds. I was miserable. I went through a weight management program through my local hospital for the morbidly obese. They supplied us with counselors, fitness gurus to get us moving, and nutritionists. As I went through this program I started reading about nutrition and trying to understand how food reacts in our bodies. As I kept reading I started seeing more and more benefits of being vegetarian. My nutritionist was not very enthusiastic about that, but I decided to try it anyway. So I went vegetarian and immediately started feeling better. As I worked with my fitness trainer I told him I had two goals; to be able to run, and to be able to ride a bike. The weight was coming down and when I got to 385 I decided to start riding. I picked up an old Schwinn Suburban at a yard sale and started riding. It was so free-ing! Then as I continued to learn about nutrition, I decided to go vegan. Now the weight REALLY started coming off. I started shopping at Whole Foods and buying only organic fruits and veggies, and eventually started my own raised bed garden so I could grow all kinds of stuff and know that it was clean, organic food. I am now at 199 pounds and am running 5 day week. I just signed up for my first "organized" 10k race, and am training to do a mini-traithlon next year with hopes of doing a full triathlon sometime. I know these are pretty big goals as a 48 year old man, but when I put on my OrganicAthlete cycling jersey and line up at the Saturday morning shop ride, I can keep up and even beat these young guys who are putting garbage in their stomachs. Organic is DEFINITELY the way to go! Thanks for being there and encouraging an organic lifestyle! I can't WAIT to order my cycling bibs that say "Go Veg" on the back. It will be fun to see the expression on the young guys' faces who think you can't be vegan and be competitive! Thanks for all the great info that you supply!

An Organic Essence

CaseyMcDonald — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:56:47 -0700

Why Organic? I’m an organic being, a sort of protoplasm on a stick, just like everything else that exists in this reality. Our makeup is essentially the same, or at least it started out that way. I’d hate to be a chemically enhanced version of myself, and my enduring empathy causes me to believe a plant or any another animal would feel the same. When I was about twelve my parents were concerned that my being shorter than the rest of the kids would be a disadvantage throughout my life, and took me to see a doctor about the possibility of growth hormones. Even at that age, and being presented with the prospect of taking a drug to grow to “normal” height I wondered why my natural height was a problem. Was I not good enough as I was? Because I had a choice, I didn’t take the drug. In high school I made the varsity soccer team as a freshman and made first team all-state. I was selected to the Oregon Olympic Development team, playing against the best players on the west coast. 20 years later I’m competing in mountain bike races in the Expert category….which begs the question: was my “vertically challenged” stature a detriment? All I really know is if I had taken those drugs when I was twelve, I’d be asking myself now if all that I accomplished was real. I like to think that all the plants out there would feel the same way.

Beyond the subject of chemical enhancement, ‘organic’ to me has a more romantic connotation. I think of it as more of a native occurrence possessing a natural beauty. Today in the short track race I had one particular turn out of a berm that felt organic to me, like it was the natural flow of the turn. Dreams are organic, as they are born from a natural state and no force can modify their direction. Oregon forests are organic, not simply because they haven’t been chemically fertilized, but because they thrive in the same manner that they did in ancient times. A quiet moment with my dog, lounging in the sun near the river in July just might be the most organic moment of them all.

I’d love to see the concept of organic change from whether this banana is better than that one to a sense of appreciation for all that is natural and a delight in all that is truly important in this world.

Portland Chapter

Why Organic

BenjaminPalmer — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:51:11 -0700

Despite not have a dramatic crop duster incident ala North By Northwest like Bradley, I'm still very motivated for choosing organic.

Of course personal health and ecological concerns certainly influence the prescense of produce laden with codes preceded by 9's in my grocery cart. However that being said I find that the lack of healthy food, free of pesticdies/herbicides and other toxins available to ALL people, not just those who are affluent enough to afford it…. quite disturbing.

While I have always felt this way, recently something I read revitalized this intent. I was doing some research online for possible vegan friendly things in the Adirondack region of New York where I will be next week for a family gathering and stumbled upon La Dolce Vegan, a small vegan cookie business in the Adirondack mountains.

While Scrolling through their site I read something that struck me.

"All our cookies are baked on the premises of the Misty Mountain Bakery Cafe which is a casual cafe in the Adirondacks. It is not a vegan or vegetarian cafe. It is not feasible in this remote & economically-challenged area of NY state to serve organic foods that are priced much higher than the residents here can afford."

Perhaps shopping at natural foods co-op's and farmers markets have made me forget that some people cannot afford or at least BELIEVE that they cannot afford organic food.

However the more organic produce that IS bought then there will be a larger market for food free from toxins. As more and more farmers adopt organic growing practices then the price difference between conventional and organic produce will decrease immensely, making organic food affordable to more and more people.

Does this mean seeing organic produce in the section of Wal-Mart?- perhaps . Is this the same as having your favorite underground noise band's records sold in Best Buy?- not really.

While it is arguably justifably to get upset when hormonal 9th graders "discover" a band you adored, health is not a sector that elitism has any justifiable context.

Triathlon Team

Monthly Member Contest: Go Organic!

BradleySaul — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:49:03 -0700

Share what it means to you be an OrganicAthlete!

Rules: You can write a short story of 200-500 words, create an image essay, or post a video blog of 5 minutes of less. All entries must be posted to the member's blog at OrganicAthlete.org. Entries must be tagged with the theme of the month. For example, if the theme is organic, you must tag your entry with "organic." Entries are due by the end of the month.

The OrganicAthlete staff will pick their favorite entry, and the winner will receive an OrganicAthlete longsleeve tshirt and a pair of socks.

This month's theme: Organic

The core values that guide OrganicAthlete combine the founding precepts of organic agriculture with an Olympic spirit. The organic movement was founded to preserve ecological integrity, establish equitable food systems, and grow wholesome, nutritious food.

How do you integrate the principles of the organic movement into your life? And why? What is your motivation for choosing organic?

Staff

OrganicAthlete's Origins

BradleySaul — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:41:18 -0700

Just how did the words Organic and Athlete come together?

Staff