Top 10 Organic Swaps

In celebration of Organic Fortnight from 3-17 September 2010, we have created a list of ideas to embrace chemical-free living.

1. Beer

Try swapping your usual brew for an organic version. We can highly recommend Freedom Organic Lager - available to buy in bottles, and is also on tap in some pubs.

2. Visit an Organic Farm

Get the family back to nature with some country fun. Find a farm near you here.

3. T-Shirts

We love this 100% organic cotton mens ‘Head For The Hills’ t-shirt, £25 from Howies.

4. Moisturiser

You can’t beat this wonderfully pure and natural Rehydrating Rose Daily Moisture, £22 for 100ml from Neal’s Yard Remedies.

5. Veggies

Ditch the supermarket and try out an organic veg box scheme. We are fans of Abel & Cole.

6. Host an Organic Dinner Party

Stuff your face, socialise and raise money for the Soil Association at the same time!

7. Go on Holiday

Use this fabulous site to find an organic place to stay: Organicholidays.co.uk

8. Meat Eating

Buy an organic chicken. You will find that, although they look smaller and are more expensive than economy chickens, they will retain their size once cooked and won’t be pumped full of water to make its weight up. Animals farmed on organic land will have ingested less chemicals and will be tastier too.

9. Natural Washing

Make sure your cleaning doesn’t harm the environment. We love Alma Win’s genuinely natural products.

10. Dairy Delights

Try Yeo Valley products for ice-creams, milk and yogurts that are UK-farmed, organic and totally delicious.

The Soil Association’s five reasons to choose organic

Organic is great for your well-being and the environment, is kind to animals and wildlife and allows us make a big difference - simply through the way we shop.

Your well-being - Hydrogenated fats and controversial additives including aspartame, tartrazine, MSG are banned under organic standards.
The environment - Organic farming releases less greenhouse gases than non-organic farming - choosing organic, local and seasonal food can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Animal welfare - Organic standards insist that animals are given plenty of space and fresh air to thrive and grow - guaranteeing a truly free-range life.
Protecting wildlife - Organic farms and havens for wildlife and provide homes for bees, birds and butterflies. In fact, the UK Government’s own advisors found that plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% greater on organic farms.
GM-free - Genetically modified crops and ingredients are banned under organic standards. You may be surprised to know that over a million tonnes of GM crops are imported each year to feed non-organic livestock which produce pork, bacon, milk, cheese and other dairy products.

For more ideas and information on Organic Fortnight, see The Soil Association website.