Eating more organically grown (or chemical-free, locally grown) food is a good idea for everyone. The consumption of lots of pesticides and additiveslike the wax that is often applied to applesis something to be avoided. Following are a few ideas to help you transition to more fresh foods and fewer unwanted substances.

• Add some fresh, in-season organic berries to your cereal or oatmealor omit the grain altogether and just have the fruit.
• Instead of cow's milk, consider almond milk on your cereal or fruit in the morning. Kids love it, and there are no traces of antibiotics like there can be in cow's milk! (Almond milk is available in shelf-stable packaging in the health food store, or make your ownsee recipe below)
• Make a fresh fruit smoothie for breakfast, using a banana, some apple or orange juice and any berries or tropical fruit that suits you. Optional additions include a dash of vanilla and maybe a spritz of honey if needed. Smoothies travel well in the car when you're running late, and stick with you all morning without weighing you down.

• Take a small plastic bag of fresh sprouts in your purse or briefcase to add to a restaurant or cafeteria salad at lunch. Sprouted greens (such as alfalfa or sunflower) are still alive when you eat them, and that adds up to good nutrition and easy digestion.
• Make your own dressing: that way you'll know exactly what you're eating on that salad. Many packaged dressingseven those marked "healthy" or "organic"contain undesirable ingredients such as corn syrup and extra sodium. (See below for an easy dressing you can modify to your own taste.)
• Use an organic romaine leaf in place of a slice of bread or pita to make a light sandwich. Simply fill the leaf with your favorite fillings and eat like a burrito. Endive can work too.

• It's summer: go to the farmers market and buy an ingredient you have never made anything with before! Find a recipe and try it, or ask the grower for advice on how to enjoy your new discovery. (Many local growers have made the commitment to be chemical-free or organic and they need our support. Make your own commitment to try a new produce item every week for a month.)
• The warmer months are a great time to make cold soups. Most of us have had gazpachohow about a cool cucumber-dill soup or a cold version of Borscht? Best of all, there is no pan to wash when you're donejust rinse out the blender.  
• A fast and yummy desert idea: take an overripe (ripe enough that the skin turns black) banana and freeze it for several hours without the skin. Put the frozen banana into a blender or food processor and presto: banana ice cream! It's good enough to serve to company and can be enhanced with your ownorganic, of courseadditions from raisins to carob powder (sweeten with agave nectar or maple syrup, if desired. Taste it first!).

• If you love popcorn but are trying to be more health consciouspop up a batch of organic popcorn and sprinkle it lightly with nutritional yeast: a powdered supplement available at most health food stores. Its cheesy taste is satisfying, and as an added bonus you'll be getting some extra Vitamin B12. Red Star brand nutritional yeast is popular with vegans and raw foodists.
• To satisfy a salty craving: buy a cup or so of organic pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or almonds (or mix 'em all up!). Soak in water for a few hours. Drain and rinse. Add a small amount of soy sauce (start with a couple tablespoons). Mix it up and roast on a cookie sheet at a low temperature (200 or lower) in the oven or place in a dehydrator until all the moisture is gone (it may take hours). These are better for you than those oily nuts you buy in the store. Add garlic or onion powder before roasting for extra zip.