Shrek and Butter?

What do onions, avocado, broccoli, bananas, and pineapple have in common? Think, think, think; picture their color, texture, shape. If you can picture that group, then I have just tricked you into memorizing some of the best non-organic items to buy if you are on a tight budget because they collect the smallest amount of toxic residue from chemicals and fertilizers.

Let’s say you’ve decided to get Starbucks less often and spend a little more buying some organic food. Where is the best “organic” value for you dollar? You might be surprised to know that the choice of some experts is not even a fruit or vegetable. It’s butter!

“Non-organic meats have far higher concentrations of pesticides than all of the fruits and vegetables. And the highest concentration of pesticides is actually in non-organic butter. “ (1) We always think about organic in terms of fruits and vegetables, but if you have to choose, these animal products could be the best choice for your money.

Many of us avoid butter and red meat becasue of its saturated fat content. In defense of butter I think that real, ORGANIC butter might be something like Shrek; you start out thinking he’s the villain and find out later he’s actually nice to have around. For instance, the “evil” saturated fat found in butter and red meat provides strength to cell membranes, greatly enhances the absorption of calcium into bones and boosts our immune system. It may even protect the liver from damage caused by prescription drug use and alcohol.

In 1910 the average American ate 18 lbs. of butter a year, but that has shrunk to only 4 lbs. But while death from heart disease in 1910 was almost non existent, it now claims the lives of 40% of all Americans. And by the way, consumption of red meat has also drastically declined along with butter consumption, while death from heart disease has been increasing. Is saturated fat from animal products like butter and red meat what is killing us?

No matter where you stand, it has been well documented that trans fat is to be avoided, and that basically leaves you with the real thing if you want the great taste of butter on a warm muffin like the Coffee Molasses Muffin on in this week’s menu, or a pancake right off the griddle. When deciding where to spend your grocery dollars, consider spending the extra on organic butter or meat because like Shrek, the organic version has many good points you may be overlooking.

(1)- http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/08/17/saturated-fat1.aspx

Sources:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/08/17/saturated-fat1.aspx

http://www.westonaprice.org/abcs-of-nutrition/1950-comments-on-the-usda-dietary-guidelines.