Q&A with Sara Snow

Do you have a question for Sara? Feel free to post it here. In the meantime, here are Sara's answers your earlier questions:

Q: How do I know that foods are really organic, or am I just paying for the word?

A: That is an excellent question because, as we all know, the word organic can mean a few different things, like being derived from living organisms or even being related to chemical compounds. But when it comes to food, you can be sure that if a product wears the USDA Organic label it means that it is backed by national organic standards and strict labeling rules that let consumers know the exact organic content of the food they're buying.

Beyond that, foods can be listed as "100% organic", meaning that no synthetic ingredients were allowed or "Made with Organic Ingredients", which requires that 70% of ingredients be organic. And the remaining 30% must come from the USDA's approved list.

But, while we're on the subject, there are a few labels that are more or less meaningless. These include the words "natural" or "all natural" on a label. No standard definition for this term exists except when applied to meat, chicken or eggs. In that case the USDA defines it as not containing any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives or synthetic ingredients.

And "free-range" or "free-roaming" you'll often see on eggs, chicken or other meat products, suggesting that the animal has spent most of his/her life roaming freely in wide open pasture. This isn't necessarily the case. The regulations for this label are still weak. For example, when applied to poultry products the requirements are merely that the animal be allowed access to the outdoors for a portion of the day. Look for the USDA Organic label and eat with ease.

Q: I have been on a healthy weight-loss diet since May, and to make daily salad-making simpler have been buying bagged lettuce that is pre-washed. I recently read about contamination issues ... and am now very much afraid to buy it after talk of e-coli issues. Is it safe? Is there a best brand?

A:  Great question and I have a great story/answer for you. Twenty-one years ago a husband-and-wife team of farmers began picking and pre-washing the lettuce from their fields and bagging it up into ready-made salads for the week's lunches and dinners. They didn't realize so many people across the country were looking for convenience just like this. Before too long they saw the market for it and started selling their plastic cartons of organic greens under their farm name, Earthbound Farm. Thankfully for us, pre-washed packages of organic greens are available in supermarkets big and small as well as natural foods markets all across the country.

Every time I go to the grocery store (this is not an exaggeration) I buy a tub of organic pre-washed baby greens. I can always find them under a couple of different names, like Earthbound Farm and Newman's Own Organics. Because they were organically grown I feel safe, knowing there are no harmful pesticides lingering on the leaves and I'm comfortable with the pre-washed label. Comfortable enough that most lunches and dinners at home involve me grabbing a big handful of greens right out of the container and smacking it down on a plate with some sliced avocado, maybe some sprouts and a good drizzle of flax seed oil.

Q: I've been trying to switch my overweight family to a whole foods and organic diet. The problem is that organic and whole foods are a whole lot more expensive and the nearest organic grocery store is 45 minutes away. When I go to local grocery stores there is very little in lieu of organics and they are even more pricey than the organic grocery store. Is there an inexpensive way to switch my family to organic and whole foods without blowing our budget?

A: There are ways to avoid paying the highest prices out there, but first I'd like you to consider your family's health and possible impending medical bills into the cost. If you think in terms of your total health you could end up saving a LOT of money down the road by investing in your family's health today and avoiding medical bills later. You're on the right track: eating a whole foods diet of organic whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables, is a great way to improve your health.

When it's time to hit the stores, here's what I suggest. First off, look around because you can probably find organic products in the stores close to your home. I've seen organic milk and eggs in some of the unlikeliest stores. For produce, buy in season. You're always going to pay more if you're trying to buy peaches in Maine in December.

Next, find your nearest farmer's market. I can find all sorts of fresh, organic produce, eggs and cheeses at the farmer's markets near my home, often at much lower costs than a grocery store where you're paying extra for the transportation and the store overhead.

Finally, look for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program in your area. As a CSA member you pay a weekly fee, sometimes as little as $10, in exchange for a share of the farm's weekly harvests. For what you get, your cost is almost always less than buying the same items as non-organics at the store.

Q: Is there an exercise plan you like to accompany your feelings on natural living?

A: Exercise is something that fits well into my life. It helps me to feel energized, centered and calm. But, I have never been one to hit the treadmill for 40 minutes a day or even jog outside for extended periods. For me, exercise sometimes means 30 minutes on a bike followed by some stretching and light weights. But it also means yoga, long walks, and Pilates. Pilates, if you're not familiar, is centered around breathing, core strength and flexibility. So for me, it works to improve my posture, balance and control.

Q: What else besides food ties in to an organic lifestyle?

It seems as if everyday there is more and more, which is so exciting! You can find certified organic cotton clothing (which is important because cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world), organic beauty products, shampoos, lotions and creams (which is important because your skin is your largest organ and can absorb all sorts of harmful chemicals if the wrong products are applied).

To me, an "organic lifestyle" also means living in a way that embraces your individual health, the health of your family or those around you, and the health of our environment for generations to come. So, it goes beyond the products you buy to include the way you live with balance in your daily activities and emotions, and the way your behavior impacts the earth and others.