IT ALL BEGINS IN THE SOIL
“It is increasingly recognized that the soil is an ecosystem with a myriad of interconnected parts, each influencing the other, and when all necessary parts are present and functioning (ie, the soil is healthy), human health also benefits.
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The above infers that human health begins in our soil.
This is why I named my first business Soil2Soul Functional Nutrition.
I wanted to emphasise the origins of human health.
The soil that our food grows in, which we then consume, and the pastures that our animals eat from, are directly correlated to a functional body, or, in the alternative, a dysfunctional body.
This information can no longer be ignored, and those that dismiss it or tell you that “it doesn’t matter” and “organic means nothing” are ill-informed and would rather not acknowledge the damage that it is causing not only to their bodies but the world.
Buying from the major supermarkets is perhaps easier, and quicker. It requires less time to research suppliers and understand how a particular product is grown. But produce should never be processed, sprayed, or genetically modified. Produce should be well-researched as it is what nourishes your body every day.
I began on my own organic and whole foods lifestyle journey for my health. It was not easy, as I was simultaneously learning and unlearning everything I’d been taught about “grocery shopping.” Now, I refuse to give my money to major supermarket suppliers when there are small-scale farmers and ethical/regenerative butchers/fishmongers selling their products without chemicals.
It only required a bit of research and a lot of questions and if I’m completely honest, it all started with different Organic Farmer's Markets around Sydney that I would shop at. I met some amazing people there too and their passion for the way their product was created/raised/grown is one of the many reasons why I will always advocate for this type of ‘grocery shopping.
Our modern-day environment (which also includes air and water, not just the soil) is unfortunately contaminated and depleted with thousands of chemicals (pesticides, etc).
And before you say, it, I know - our bodies have a process for regular detoxification, however, when individuals are living in crowded places, exposing themselves to external toxins and heavy metals, not moving regularly, eating inorganic foods, processed sugars, and have an over-reliance on medication, their body is at a greater risk to toxicity.
This risk is now higher than ever and most of us are living the above life without really understanding what it's silently doing to our internal ecosystems.
In this situation, individuals should detox more regularly and opt for organic produce and regenerative proteins as much as they can. We will talk about the detoxification process, and how to activate pathways in a later post.
Back to the soil!
Pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides (the list goes on but to save your eyes I’ll stop at 3), are chemically manufactured in laboratories to destroy pests and insects, and herbicides, which are designed to kill weeds, are used by farmers to protect their crops [vegetables]. Inorganic farmers and those who don’t focus on regenerative practices will employ these chemicals daily because it makes their farming practices easier. As we know, farming is an arduous trade and one that doesn’t fully receive the respect it deserves. However, when you add pests, insects, and herbicides that destroy crops, the method of farming becomes even harder. Therefore, farmers who don’t practice regenerative methods or organic farming will use these chemicals because it makes the process of farming:
Less arduous
A platform to yield more crops and therefore more income
Unfortunately, this all results in soil contamination, and therefore our health is contaminated, regardless of whether we “rinse” our vegetables or not. These chemicals can also linger in the soil for years/decades after they’ve been applied to crops. It seriously is a never-ending cycle of contamination. This is also because many of the chemicals applied are with a “boom spray” also known as “spray drift”. Spray drift can be a major concern as it not only impacts the crops that are being sprayed but, it also travels further to nearby properties, impacting the health of their crops and their health if they aren’t wearing protective gear.
Image of Spray Drifting sourced from the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 2018
Let’s take a look at what contaminated soil can do on a topical level to clearly highlight its potent implications:
Burns
Rashes
Blisters
Stinging eyes
Again, the above is just on a topical level. Now pause, and imagine what the internal implications are when consuming foods with these substances on them:
Cancers
Infertility
Birth Defects
Immunotoxicity
Reproductive harm
Disruption of hormones
Disruption of the endocrine system
Neurological and developmental toxicity
Some individuals are more vulnerable than others to pesticide impacts. For example, infants and young children are known to be more susceptible than adults to the toxic effects of pesticides. This is because organs, nervous systems, and immune systems are still developing. Children are also less able to detoxify and excrete pesticides. Exposure during certain early development periods can cause permanent damage.
I also forgot to mention that in addition to impacting human health, these chemicals also destroy precious ecosystems within the soil, such as earthworms, nematodes, and springtails.
So, what simple steps can an individual take?
Buy organic. Unsure where to start? Google your local farmer's markets in your area and research whether there are any farms that you can shop directly from. Buying in season, local, and from farmer’s markets where possible will provide you with access to fresher produce that has had a shorter journey from paddock to plate.
Be selective! If budget constrictions mean you can only afford some organic produce, always choose vegetables as these are exposed to the most amount of chemicals. Animals are able to detox some of the chemicals, but vegetables can’t. Always opt for cheaper cuts of regenerative and ethically produced proteins.
If you can’t buy organic, avoid the DIRTY DOZEN and opt for the CLEAN 15. NOTE: There are still vegetables that aren’t on the CLEAN 15 that I would consider essential to buy organic, such as root vegetables, which are literally covered in soil.
Use fresh whenever possible, then frozen.
Ensure you are washing your vegetables with water and apple cider vinegar or an organic vegetable wash. Soaking produce in a vinegar solution can help to inactivate or kill microorganisms, as the acidity (low pH) disrupts their metabolism.
Grow your own food - start with a simple herb and vegetable patch. You don’t need large amounts of space either!
Join a food co-op. Food co-ops are not-for-profits that you become a member of. These groups sell clean food that doesn’t cost the earth and focus on fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, and local produce – grown right in the area where they exist in.
Ideally, individuals would obviously eat both organic, homegrown, local, and what’s in season, however, I understand that’s not always possible. Do the best you can do and arm yourself with the information you need to make the necessary and nourishing changes for your health.
It all starts with simple swaps. You don’t have to dive in straight away!
Chi vai piano, vai lontano (My Nonna) - who takes things slow, goes far.
“✌️, ❤️ & 🚫 pesticides.
In Health,”
