Organic Food †Good for you, Good for the environment Essay

Organic food has quickly gained popularity over the years. What started as a trendy method that celebrities adopted has expanded mainstream and can be found in any thriving metropolis as well as many smaller towns and cities. Organic food refers to any type of produce or meat product that has not be treated with additional chemical preservatives when it is grown and therefore is considered to be of benefit to those that choose organic produce. Yet there are those that have not jumped on the organic bandwagon as they have reservations towards this option. We will examine both sides of the argument so as to analyze and finally decode the language that is organic food and come to the clear conclusion that organic food should be an investment we make for proper nutrition and health. Understanding Organic Food One of the most basic human needs is food. We need to feed our bodies with food in order to do any of the daily tasks that we may embark on. This need used to be supplied with food that was wholesome and pure. Our ancestors ate the fruit of their labor which was food that was grown in their farms or in local surrounding areas. We have come a long way from this with the expansion and growth of not only the population but also the technology that speeds up the 2 packaging and assembly of some of the larger chains which supply millions of households with food. Our food no longer is home grown; little do we know where in fact it comes from and for that matter what is being added to our food to give it color, taste and preserve its freshness. Organic farmers are looking to close the gap between the supplier and the ultimate consumer. By buying organic produce we go back to a simpler time where we knew where our food came from and what agricultural methods the farmer used to cultivate the food we put in our mouth. Critique Skeptics and critics of the organic food movement question if buying organic produce is worth it. They believe that organic food is costly compared to commercial and industrial produced food. It can cost a consumer anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars to purchase organic products vs. commercial products. This is due to the methods that organic farmers use when they grow their produce such as crop rotation which is a method that organic farmers use to maximize the soil and land they have by alternating the type of crop they grow. This method leads to less amount of one type of product being produced and also less variety or produce being only available in particular time periods or seasons. It also means that farmer will use less of the soil and less land. This can be a big disadvantage as in the United States alone 140 hectares of farmlands have been lost in the last 30 years to make room for non-agricultural purposes such as building urban cities and highways (Cunningham & Cunningham 2010 pg. 201) therefore it may seem to some that all the land given for the purpose of agriculture should be used and even exploited for maximum profit options. Another disadvantage that organic products have is their shelf life. Because no preservatives are used to keep the product fresh, organic products must be consumed within a very short time frame, which can be a big inconvenience to the consumer on a strict budget 3 looking to really expand the freshness of their products without the need to buy a large amount of groceries every few days. If we look at the economic disadvantage that buying organic food has we can see why some people are still skeptical of trying or buying organic products. With the economy still trying to recover from a period of recession and the job market being scarce, people have become savvy shoppers and want to stretch their dollars. While buying commercial products may seem like the best option when saving money, there are other ways to save and still enjoy the benefits that come from buying organic produce. When it comes to matters of health and giving your body the best nutrients, it is important to learn the facts and really analyze the options before making such an important decision. Benefits There is no denying the benefits that buying organic produce has over the conventional method and while the arguments for those opposing organic produce are valid they do not give the consumer the various methods and options they have when choosing organic products and thus it is up to the consumer to study and analyze the progress that organic farmers and retailers have taken in an effort to make organic produce more cost effective as well as various methods that can be taken to naturally preserve the freshness of the produce. Like all things when demand is high cost normally goes down, however because organic produce requires special labor, the cost of buying organic produce is also higher than the conventional method. A recent head-to-head comparison done by a group of Colby College students in 2011 was conducted surveying various commonly purchased products, comparing the prices of both non-organic and organic products and it was concluded that organic products can have a mark-up of up to 117% compared to non-organic products. According to these studies 4 organic carrots cost $1. 51/lb. while non-organic carrots cost $. 77/lb. , a difference of +96% for the consumer buying organic carrots over non-organic. (White Pillsbury, Melissa 2013). While the actual price may vary by location, it is true that organic products do cost more than their non-organic counterpart. One way to offset the cost of buying organic produce is to shop directly from the farmer. By doing this, the consumer not only can ensure that they are buying organic products, they also save money as the farmer will sell directly to the consumer and not have to spend extra money on packaging or transportation costs when selling to wholesaler. Farmers markets are growing in size and vary from city to city. If the consumer lives in an area where the resources for organic produce are scarce or they lack the time to visit a farmers market, they also have the option to subscribe to a monthly at home delivery service usually offered directly from a local farm such as Farm Fresh To You (www. farmfreshtoyou. com ) or Full Circle (www. fullcircle. com ) . These are at home delivery programs that work directly with a local farm which offer the convenience of having the products delivered to your front door, they also take the guess work off what products to buy. Each box of produce delivered weekly or bi-weekly depending on the type of membership you have signed up for, has a variety of hand-picked produce that is both fresh and in season. Another argument that is commonly brought up when discussing organic foods is that organic products lack preservatives that keep it fresh. Once again, a very valid point however, if the consumer were to investigate a little further, they would learn that farmers are great resources to look in to for special tips on how to naturally preserve food without the need for chemical preservatives. Some tips might be as simple as the storage of the produce. One such example is to keep commonly used fruits such as apples and grapes refrigerated at 32-36 degrees Fahrenheit (FarmFreshToYou. com) and away from vegetables to avoid ripening too early. Other methods 5 that have been successful in prolonging the freshness of organic produce are canning, drying, or freezing. These are also at home methods that the consumer can learn that will lock in the flavor and freshness of the produce at the time of purchase thus saving the consumer money. There are many food movements that have come and gone, some being too extreme to be adapted and adhered to permanently; the organic movement has proven not to be just another fad. Buying certified organic foods is the way to go because it helps the environment thanks to the type of natural soil the farmers use when cultivating such crops and also keeps agriculture growing. Organic farmers may seem like the winners in this deal due to the high cost of organic goods but in reality buying organic foods will be extremely beneficial for our health and wellbeing. References Associated Press. Not Quite Pesticide Free. Environment. 2002; 44:5-6 Costenbader, Carol W. The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest. North Adams, MA: Storey, 2002. Print. Cunningham, W. P. , & Cunningham, M. A. (2010). Environmental Science: A Global Concern. New York, NY: Mcgraw-Hill â€Å"National Rural Ecology Centre. † National Rural Ecology Centre RSS. N. p. , 2009. Web. 8 Mar. 2014. â€Å"Storage & Use Tips. † Storage & Use Tips. Farm Fresh To You, n. d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. White Pillsbury, Melissa. â€Å"Price Differences: Organic Versus Non-Organic; Store Versus Farmers’ Market. † Price Differences: Organic Versus Non-Organic; Store Versus Farmers’ Market. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, 2013. Web. 12.

Gwendolen Fairfax Essay

In Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest reflected the changing role of Victorian women. The character Gwendolen Fairfax was most like the women of the time. She is much like her mother, Lady Bracknell, who seemed very strong and independent. The women of the Victorian age were interested in educating and improving themselves. Both intellectually and cosmetically, women wanted to be better and have more rights. Gwendolen was a pretentious women who was obsessed with the name of Earnest. She said that she wouldn’t want to marry anyone without that name. Her superficial attitude concerning this is reflective of Victorian times, when middle to upper-class women were most concerned with appearance and reputation. These women felt that it was very important to appear honorable and virtuous, and their husbands had to reflect that image. It was a pretentious attitude of the time. Gwendolen also attended lectures, which was a way of improving herself intellectually. She was a thinking woman, who had her own thoughts. When she gives an opinion she gives it with authority. She is flirtatious with Jack/Earnest and comes off as a woman who expects her own way. She is much like her mother, Lady Bracknell. Lady Bracknell attempts to influence her daughter’s marital decisions, and it is clear that she is most concerned with image as well. Sources say that the ideas of marriage in the Victorian era were less romantic. Marriage served the purpose of a woman being taken care of and having an honorable reputation. Having a husband was very much a status symbol. We can see that even though Jack was lying about his name, he is supposed to be â€Å"Earnest. † The importance of being Earnest as the play title suggests, is actually the importance of maintaining the right image of honor and respectability. The fact that Lady Bracknell was independently in charge of her daughter, shows that women were becoming a bit more free. She was not a single mother, but due to the sickness of the father she was able to do as she pleased and have a say in who her daughter marries. Before this time it was the father who had that right. Women slowly became more and more influential, and her character reflects that. Works Cited Landale, Nacy S.. â€Å"Dirty Ideology and Sexuality among Victorian Women. † Social Science History, 36. 2 (1986): 147-170. JSTOR. 6 Apr. 2007 . Murray, Isobel, ed. Oscar Wilde: The Major Works. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Questia. 6 Apr. 2007 . Nicoll, Allardyce. A History of Late Nineteenth Century Drama, 1850-1900. Vol. 1. Cambridge, England: University Press, 1946. Questia. 6 Apr. 2007 .

Battles Of The Civil War Essay Research

Battles Of The Civil War Essay, Research Paper John Brown one time said, Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should give up my life for the promotion of the terminals of justness, and mix my blood further with the blood of my kids and with the blood of 1000000s in this slave state whose leotardss are disregarded by wicked, barbarous, and unfair passages, # 8211 ; I submit ; so allow it be done! He believed that the lone manner to free bondage from the United States was through bloodshed. He was right in stating this because on April 12, 1861, the American Civil War began. It was the most destructive war of all time fought in the Western Hemisphere. In footings of human life it was besides one of the most dearly-won wars. There were many different grounds for the Civil War, bondage being the prevailing ground. The immediate ground for the Civil War was the battle between the North and South over Fort Sumter. Lincoln had given South Carolina the pick of either allowing the garrison to keep out or unfastened fire with its shore batteries. In answer, the Southerners commenced fire. The onslaught on Fort Sumter and its gaining control angered many Northerners and began a loyal battle to salvage the brotherhood. One of the first major conflicts of the Civil War was the Battle of Bull Run. Federal military personnels, amounting to 30,000 marched from Washington, D.C. , to assail the Confederate forces positioned near Bull Run Creek at Manassas Junction, Virginia. The Union forces were close to triumph until Confederate supports sent Union military personnels into a retreat back to Washington. This conflict boosted moral of the South and lowered the North s. The North s hope for a short war was shattered. The B attle of Antietam illustrates how bloody the Civil War really was. Lee led his ground forces across the Potomac into enemy district. He hoped that a major Confederate triumph in the North would convert Britain to back up the Confederacy. McClellan, commanding officer of the Union ground forces had intercepted Lee s program and the invading Confederates at Antietam Creek. This was the bloodiest twenty-four hours of all conflicts that went on during the Civil War. Entire casualties for both sides amounted up to over 26,000 work forces, either being killed, wounded, captured or losing. The Battle of Gettysburg was besides one of the bloodiest conflicts. On July 1,1863 Lee and the Confederate ground forces surprised the Federal soldiers at Gettysburg. Through the yearss of conflict much of the Confederate ground forces was destroyed because of Lee s finding to win the war. Much of the Confederates were left for dead and the few that remained alive retreated to Virginia. This conflict was one of the most important conflicts of the war and besides one of the bloodiest. The figure of casualties was the greatest for this conflict, adding up to over 50,000 work forces killed, wounded, losing or captured. A month before Lee surrendered his ground forces President Lincoln was assassinated. His blackwash shocked and horrified many. This was the concluding act of ferociousness during the clip period of the Civil war. John Brown was right in stating that the lone manner to free the United States of bondage is through bondage. The combat between the North and South over slavery provinces and slavery free-states had to stop. Through the loss of lives, the devastation of land and places, and the blackwash of the president the Americans rid themselves of bondage

Current Event Review Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Current Event Review - Article Example However, he believes that the federal and judicial agencies are corrupt in protecting the whistleblowers and, instead, allow the bureaucracy to avenge those who have blown the whistle. In fact, those who endorse the corrupt activities and are involved in its operations are promoted for their work. The prevailing conditions for whistleblowers are very discouraging for individuals with moral spirit to come forward and uncover corrupt activities. For those, who can gather enough strength to voice out the misconduct, the ineffective laws are bound to destroy their professional careers and, possibly, their lives too. They will either be forced to leave the organization, or face a low-profile transfer; they may even be disregarded, or ridiculed, and threatened by their colleagues. Even in the U.S., a nation that proudly boasts justice, equality and freedom of speech, the judicial agencies ensure that a whistleblower is punished for being morally strong and honest. These conditions, on the contrary, are very encouraging for institutions to commit crimes. With an ineffective system, businesses and institutions can be corrupt and easily get away with it. The business can be harsh on any employee who intends to or already has blown the whistle. However the extent to which this is possible is debatable since the article talks about federal bureaucracy benefiting from a federal judicial system. In the case of other businesses or institutions it would be important to see the interests of the judicial agency within a particular scenario and the benefits they can get from it. Nonetheless from an institutional point of view a whistleblower’s lifelong savings can be seized through a lawsuit while institutions can spend millions of dollars in a lawsuit. Unless the government agencies become honest and work for the greater interest of their people, whistleblowers will be forced to follow the system whether it is wrong or right. The government needs to

Learning and Transfer of Training Research Paper

Learning and Transfer of Training - Research Paper Example They promote intellectual skills which results to faster problem solving and critical thinking. In addition to improved intellectual skills and practical application of knowledge video games improve the motor skills. This is important when in learning practical courses such as telephone repair, computer repair, plumbing and driving. Video games promote just in time learning since the players are constantly encouraged to be better through the various levels of difficulty. Video games encourage critical thinking since the trainees enter into a virtual world and are supposed to come up with ideas on the next move that they are supposed to take (Jana, 2005). It has been proven that learning through images is the best since vision is the most important sense of the brain. Video games are highly visual and this makes it easier for the information that is learnt to be recalled better. Finally, video games stimulate the emotional interest of the trainees because they are emotionally engaging. Transfer of training is defined as the epitome of any learning process. This is because it determine how well individuals what they learnt in their jobs. Video games facilitate generalization that is termed as the trainee’s capacity to use the information that was imparted on them during the training (Jana, 2005). Video games present the situation that the trainees will encounter in the field and this promotes transfer training in general. In other words, the problems that are present in the learning environment are similar to those that are found in the learning environment. Video games facilitate maintenance which refers to the process through which individuals apply what they were taught over time. It is imperative to note that for training to be efficient, both transfer of training and learning and mandatory. It has been observed that individuals that fail to apply what they

Zara Marketing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Zara Marketing Plan - Essay Example From this discussion it is clear that the company responds quickly and more efficiently to customers demand in the market and in so doing, Zara has remained in the forefront in delivering the latest fashion to customers at a fair price in locations like Paris and New York. Zara operates in more than 77 countries since 1990’s, a business that has grown from 6 stores in the year 1979. Later, several retail operations stores sprout up in major Spanish cities before going global as from 1988. The expansion of its market shows the growth in size, production and customer demand. To ensure sustainability in the market and satisfaction of customers, the company invests in innovation and creativity to enhance the introduction of new brands which targets different segments of customers in the market such as the â€Å"Pull & Bear†, â€Å"Massimo Dutti†, and the â€Å"Bershka†.This paper stresses that  the ability to identify the consumers in need of the latest fash ion and international brands has been the drive towards international growth. This presents Zara to other large competitors in the market such as Victoria’s Secret and GAP as well as from new entrants. The highly targeted market is women as they account for 60% of the company sales. In display, management saw to it that products were mixed from skirts, shirts, to pants; a move that enabled customers to get and buy, unique-well combined outfits.... In display, management saw to it that products were mixed from skirts, shirts, to pants; a move that enabled customers to get and buy, unique-well combined outfits. The firm has experienced exponential growth while employing its flexible and high-speed business model as this has enabled the sales to increase from $8.15 billion in 2006 to $17.2 billion in 2011. This is facilitated by the continual global expansion of its market as this has the company to open branches in 77 countries with over 4000 overall stores globally (Hansen 12). Analysis of issues The major issues facing Zara includes maintaining a strong and effective customer care, optimization of the high development and training cost as well as maintenance of the company’s ability of effectively responding to market needs. The production system of Zara is more flexible; hence, this calls for an efficient distribution system, fast supply chain and commitment of employees. Moreover, the new breed of shoppers calls for a new variety, freshness and loyalty. The brand should be able to serve the increased demand from a more educated and savvy consumers who demand more choices (Lynn et al 3). The major market comprises of full bodied women who are full size. Clothes are produced that will fit them properly so as to enhance their beauty. This market segment is more conscious on their looks and they enjoy shopping as they are hectic of socializing lifestyles. In essence, attention is laid on the plus size ladies aged 18-40 who work in big cities with mid range level of income or those in pursuit of higher levels of education. Customer service is an important tool in marketing and promotion. The company focused heavily on training of its sales team so as they may serve customers more effectively.

Abuse of prescription of narcotics in primary care and its prevention Dissertation

Abuse of prescription of narcotics in primary care and its prevention - Dissertation Example Journal Issue, Pages: Journal of General Internal Medicine Vol. 21 No. 6 Pages 652-655. Year published Years data collected: Published in 2006. Purpose: To determine in community health care environments the level of satisfaction with regard to training received on current practices in the management of pain among the care providers. Methodology, Variables Design, Sample, Instruments: Qualitative study. Variables Design: Issues involving reaching optimal control of pain in patients and approaches that would assist in improving prescribing of opioids in managing chronic pain. Sample: 67 attending physicians, 19 nurse practitioners, 3 physician assistants, and 22 family practice residents, making a total of 111 participants from 178 selected. Instruments: Survey questionnaire relating to satisfaction with training and care delivery with regards to chronic pain, issues concerning chronic pain management, possibility of prescribing opioids, and estimation of the probability of psycho-soc ial co-morbidities Findings: From a wide perspective there was low satisfaction among primary care providers in satisfaction of the treatment of chronic pain. For most of the attending physicians the training received in chronic pain treatment during their medical education and residency training was insufficient. For most of the care providers the major barriers to optimal pain treatment were patient self-management, patient, psychological factors, and patient compliance. There was a low rate of willingness to prescribe opioids, with the factor of the patients selling the opioids being the main barrier. Moe frequent visits raised the likelihood of willingness to prescribe opioids. Comments, Implications, Limitations: Primary care providers hold the view that the patients are the biggest barrier to optimal chronic care in primary care settings. Implications: The findings of the study suggest that education and training of primary care providers in chronic pain treatment should have a greater focus on patient oriented approaches in the management of chronic pain, and how to deal with substance abuse and addiction. Strengths: Survey questionnaire grounded in earlier studies, with assistance from a group consisting of primary care providers, researchers, and a pain specialist. Limitation: Small sample size limits the generalization of the findings of the study. Theme – 1: Lack of education of primary care providers about pain management. Unique Identifier: Sullivan 2 Authors: Sullivan, M. D., Edlund, M. J., Zhang, L., Unutzer, J. & Wells, K. B. Title: Association Between Mental Health Disorders, Problem Drug Use, and Regular Prescription Opioid Use. Journal Issue, Pages: Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 166 Pages 2087-2093. Year published Years data collected: Published in 2006. 1998 and 2001. Purpose: To investigate whether mental disorders enhance the risk of opioid use or whether opioid enhances the risk for mental disorders from a large cross section of the population. Methodology, Variables Design, Sample, Instruments: Cross-sectional Qualitative study. Variables: Dependent Variables – Regular prescription opioid use. Independent Variables – Mental health and problem drug use. Sample: 6439 individuals matching the inclusion criteria from the 1998 and 2001 waves of the population-base survey Health-care for Communities (HCC). Instruments: Data from the 1998 and 2001 waves of the population-base survey Health-care for Communities (HCC). Findings: Patients on regular prescription opioids had the higher risk probability by two to three times to seek mental health assistance. Continued use of opioids by patients from 1998-2001 was associated with a higher risk for common mental

Three chapters READING quiz (( Aboriginal Treaties ) Assignment

Three chapters READING quiz (( Aboriginal Treaties ) - Assignment Example Marriages were mostly used by non-natives to cement social, political and economic links with the natives. Strangers who were perceived beneficial to the aboriginal people were incorporated into the kinship ties via association/adoption. For example, prisoners of war were incorporated into the society rather than being executed as a way of ensuring the communities had higher numbers (Ch. 1, pg. 5). A ceremonial ritual would be carried out for traders or new comers as a welcome gesture. Together with the community leaders, the newcomers would smoke a ceremonial pipe and then enjoy meals. This ceremony would be repeated severally in the future to strengthen the already existing relationship and also to renew it. However, this ceremony was only meant for non-native traders and not for prisoners of war. The latter were given a feast of honor by the families that adopted them after which they became full members of the community. (Ch. 1, pg. 6) Due to their extensive reliance on skills, knowledge and labor and the good treatment that the Europeans enjoyed at the hands of the natives, they easily accepted the terms of their hosts. This was essential for trade as the natives would allow them to operate in their lands. They would also give them permission and access to navigation routes, market for their goods and also protection. (Ch. 1, pg. 10) Gifts were extremely important to aboriginal people since it assured them that their trading partners had not backtracked from their initial relationship. To them it was a sign that there was no enmity between them. Furthermore, gifts could be used to wipe away tears in the event of a misfortune like death of members or business loss. Aboriginals claimed that gifts could ‘clear the throat’ and ‘unstop the ears’- expressions that translate to honesty and loyalty respectively (Ch. 1, pg. 18). The act of gift giving among the natives was practiced

British Media and Cultural Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

British Media and Cultural Studies - Essay Example It is often called as Pop culture or popular culture since this is followed by people irrespective of their class or religious affinities. Mass media plays a very importanty role in disseminating values or ideas of mass culture. In fact, mass culture is possibly acquired due to modern communications and electronic media. These agencies use their wide networks and mass reach to popularize and transmit ideas and values that are picked by the population. Thus mass culture is different from so called subcultures where there is a certain distinctiveness due to community or religious or regional concepts. This culture or concept actually gains recognition because it is loosely based on ideas of freedom and liberalization. People can choose to be free from their regional and religious disparities and gain common ground for interaction with each other. This could in a form of music, art, films, fashion or the form of language they use to comminicate with each other. Earlier. It was thought t his mass culture or pop culture is only associated with young population. But it is not so , even the adults or the older generation identifies itself with with the value system or the new ideas. Thus mass culture is the value system whose appeal cuts across all barriers of education, sex, age, religion or community. Paul Hodkinson talked about the concept of subcultural substance in h... These four criterias should be used to ascertain the worthiness of something being a subculture. Thus these criteria are used as a tool for description and analysis of different subcultures. A subculture is a distinct subset of a culture, which coexists within a culture and is distinguishable from the majority culture by its values, ideas and a common way of life. Fischer defines a subculture as, "...a large set of people who share a defining trait, associate with one another, are members of institutions associated with their defining trait, adhere to a distinct set of values, share a set of cultural tools and take part in a common way of life" (Fischer, 1995). Identity: The people of a subculture have a distinct feeling of identity which they share with other members.of their group. This feeling is the feeling of oneness amongst them. Commitment: The commitment of the members of a subculture towards a common shared way of life is another important factor. The people follow certain rules or set of practices that they follow in their everyday routine. And they show a particular commitment to guard or protect their unique practices or the values that make them distinct from others. This is passed on from generation to generation within the community. Consistent distinctiveness: The third criteria of consistent distinctiveness is the existence of a set of shared tastes and values which is distinctive from those of other groups and reasonably consistent, from one person to the next and over the years. This is again passed from generation to generation. Autonomy : As per Hodkinson, autonomy is the fourth criterion to be evaluated when defining something as a subculture. Autonomy is nothing but a action of self government. This is not a sort of