Conscious Choice: Organic Living

March 2000

Organic Living

by Ana Arias Terry

An organic lifestyle is much like the debate over what comprises "organic" produce. It consists of cycles that require intention, knowledge, and action in a very particular direction.

Some produce, for example, is recognized as "fully" organic by a number of certification bodies. Other produce is considered "transitional" in its path to becoming certified organic. Yet other foodstuff is labeled "natural," and perhaps sustainable in its production but not necessarily "organic." It does not seem so farfetched, then, to extend the analogy to our own walk down a path that may lead to better organic living.

The Flavors

At one end of the spectrum is the purest pursuit of a lifestyle where what we eat, wear, and what material things we purchase depend entirely on the certified organic options available. It is at this noble but challenging stage that we are willing to sacrifice want or need for our beliefs. Often it is an option available to those with strong convictions and cash to spare.

Then there are those of us who are in the "transitional" phase of the organic lifestyle. We make conscious decisions about supporting organic options. But because our budgets are modest, we have to play the compromise game of what organic goods we will absolutely not do without, and which ones we’ll have to pass on for now. Fortunately, however transitional the stage, we can plan for a gradual replacement or acquisition of organic goods.

Those of us seeking "natural" alternatives often elect to find wholesome or low-chemical options in our food, clothing, beauty aids, and household items. Some of these options may be organic, some may simply have reduced levels of harmful substances or properties.

Regardless of the stage in which we operate, which can vary throughout our lives, a number of common threads seem to run among those interested in the quest for and maintenance of an organic life. I asked a number of individuals — folks who make their living through the sale of organic products or are passionate activists — to share their views on what organic living means to them.

Common Themes

If the characteristics of the entrepreneurs and activists I interviewed are representative of the majority of folks seeking or maintaining an organic lifestyle, there’s great hope for the future of Earth’s tribe, two-legged or otherwise.

Their motivations rank high on the goodness scale. The shared traits would make any parent proud. It would be sheer manna to jolly St. Nick, the Pope, Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Buddha, and Aphrodite.

Their commitment to organic living is tied to a deep understanding of the state of the world and to their wish to improve the present and leave a good future for unborn generations. They respect and honor the planet. They are honest about recognizing the need to improve not only their own lots but those of others. They promote health, love, happiness, community, and education. They are willing to lead by the example of their own lives. They support organic and sustainable farming. They also tread lighter and minimize negative impact.

Views

Steve Rosinkovich, owner of Grassroots Goods, believes in living and promoting a chemical- and pesticide-free society. "We already have bubble worlds," he says. "We have air and water purifiers that are needed in many areas with the depletion of the ozone, global warming, and skin cancer threat." But he’d like to make a contribution to help ensure that future generations don’t have to stay inside.

He’s a big proponent of the virtues of industrial hemp as the centerpiece of a sustainable future. Hemp’s byproduct nutritional values, especially hemp seed oil, can provide us with cleaner, greener ways to live. Grassroots Goods sells recycled items and products that are animal-free whenever possible, chemical-free, and agriculturally sustainable. These include body aids and oil goods, clothing made of hemp and hemp-blend fabrics, natural wool and alpaca products, and organic and natural cotton.

"We’re all about becoming 100 percent EC — environmentally correct," says Rosinkovich. "That tells you what we think of the PC — politically correct — label. Clearly, it’s not the‘stuff’ in life that counts. My purpose is to create a more contented society through better understanding."

For Paz, a self-proclaimed "independent Green" and member of Chicago’s Green Party who uses no last name, an organic lifestyle is about being conscious of the sources of our choices and doing something to help the planet. "Organic living is not only about being informed, nor is it just for myself," says Paz. "That’s mad world attitude. It’s about openly spreading the word — being an activist and being loving about it."

Paz has been involved in education going back to the early 1970s at the Berkeley Ecology Center. He’s an unorthodox macrobiotic who shares Rosinkovich’s passion about wanting a good life for himself and others, which means a greener, organic life through education and action. He’s been asked to be a member of the Illinois Renewable Energy Fair Steering Committee, and his next focus is to get off the power grid. "I have particularly high standards about what I eat, what I wear, and what I think," says Paz. "Organic living must incorporate the nature of our multifaceted lifestyle."

Action is something Wes Wagar knows a thing or two about. He’s a member of the Chicago Green Party, the National Green Party, and he works at MaxWorks Co-Op.

Through the co-op, he and his colleagues are involved in old building/wood recycling and promoting political and social activism. In cooperation with MaxWorks, Wes also allocates time to helping with the Creative Reuse Warehouse. This operation gathers food, educational material and construction material, and they reuse it within the community. They maintain what Wagar calls an impressive organic garden of their own. They also promote a program called "Turn a Lot Around," in which they work with inner-city community members to turn vacant lots into flourishing organic gardens, often using wood chips and compost that were byproducts from other projects. His motivation? "The state the world is in," says Wagar. "This is the most important work to be doing."

Lifekind co-owner Walt Bader is a big proponent of the organic bedroom. Bader was influenced by Dr. Ray, the M.D. who started the Environmental Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Ray proposed that most illnesses, particularly environmental illnesses, were associated with our exposure to chemicals in our environments and in relation to our immune systems and predisposition to chemical sensitivities.

Lifekind provides nonsynthetic and organically grown cotton products in addition to chemical-free wool items. Their products include mattresses, bedding, towels, personal care products, baby clothes, air purification systems, water de-chlorinators, birdhouses and hummingbird feeders made of recycled roofs and glass, and the only nonchemical dog bed available made of organic buckwheat and organic cotton. They also offer organic or natural laundry, cleaning, kitchen, and garden products.

"Living with few synthetic ingredients in my life" is how Bader defines organic living. He supports and practices an organic lifestyle "by accepting inconvenience instead of compromise for my day-to-day needs," and by bringing safe, synthetic-free products to market.

Daunting as it might be to accept the fact that we cannot significantly eliminate chemical exposure from stores, cars, and workplaces, there is one place where we can create a safe zone, says Bader. "We spend about a third of our lives in our bedroom. And while organic bedding costs significantly more than the chemical alternative, what dollar cap do we give our health? "There’s nothing like really burying your face in a pillow," says Bader, knowing that you’re breathing safely.

There are two driving forces behind Bader’s motivation to pursue an organic lifestyle. The first is maintaining his health and helping others do the same. "The bottom line is feeling good about making conscious choices."

The moral fiber of these organic entrepreneurs finds its match in Matthew Koch, president and owner of Road’s End Organics, offering organic pasta and dairy-free "chReese."

"What originally motivated me to get into living organically is my sense of ethics, love, light, and all that is positive," says Koch. He began to see and make connections among the foods he ate. He also had an eye-opening experience when he learned of the allowable levels of carcinogenic food substances approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For Koch, no level of carcinogen was an acceptable level to consume.

"Organic farmers have the same belief I do about safe, healthy food, and I like to work for them," says Koch. Although he feels good about making his living with products in support of organic principles, money’s not important to Koch. Life, happiness, and bringing health to himself, to others, and to Earth, that’s what he’s striving for because that’s what matters to him.

"My 1999 New Year resolution was to only wear certified organic clothing," says Koch, an undertaking he says he has accomplished quite well. He only eats organic food unless it’s impossible because he’s traveling. "I guess you could say I’m about 95 percent certified organic."

Road’s End Organics offers three nondairy pasta options: Semolina Shells and chReese, whole wheat Macaroni and chReese, and wheat-free Penne and chReese. The products are cholesterol-free and rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Even the packaging has a conscience. The box is 100 percent recycled and its printing is done with veggie-based inks. Individual chReese packages are available at health food stores and co-ops or through Road’s End Organics’ web site.

At the Frey household, organic grapes are serious business. Frey Vineyards, a family-owned business, where nine out of the twelve siblings and many of the in-laws are involved, makes organic wine exclusively, no sulfites or additives added.

"To live an organic life is to honor the source of our life, which is the Earth and the environment," says Katrina Frey, a co-owner. Part of the Frey commitment to supporting organics comes from not only the growing of their own organic grapes but the purchasing of such grapes from other organic farmers.

Frey claims to be somewhat fanatic about her food choices. She buys organic food and just about every aspect of what she keeps in her kitchen is organic. She also supports a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and promotes the concept of eating close to home, although the vineyard ships nationwide. It’s conceivable that Frey’s business is filling a gap in organic wines — classic reds and whites — that would otherwise be unavailable to people in other states.

Besides the motivation to maintain an organic existence provided by her family and their four kids, Frey feels another deep connection. "I feel very fortunate to live in a setting where it matters what the weather’s like," she says. "It keeps me closer to the seasonal rhythms."

Extrapolating Hope

Organic living doesn’t have to be left to the entrepreneur. We have choices and, yes, sometimes compromises that we must resolve.

We can choose to become mini-activists and follow the good examples provided by Paz and Wagar to whatever extent we’re comfortable. Or we can opt for a more behind-the-scenes approach that still gets us heard through our letters in support of organic products and through our dollars in support of organic options.

The key is to work on expanding the realm of our organic lifestyle gradually, consistently, and with conscious intention.

Resources

If you’d like to find out more about supporting these organic crusaders, here’s how to contact them:

Grassroots Goods, 773-248-1800; 3717 N. Southport Ave. (In the Music Box Theatre building), Chicago, IL

Lifekind, 800-284-4983; PO Box 1774, Grass Valley, CA 95945

Road’s End Organics, Inc., 877-247-3373; PO Box 104, Underhill Center, VT 05490

Frey Vineyards, Ltd., 800-760-3739; 14000 Tomki Rd., Redwood Valley, CA 95470

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