A Mid-Life Reflection: Why I Choose Organic Food

I have a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s in Public Health. But truthfully, that’s not what first led me to buy organic food. What really caught my attention was reading Harvard researcher Stephanie Seneff’s book Toxic Legacy. It encouraged me to think more carefully about long-term wellness and the environmental factors we encounter in daily life.

At first, I only bought certain organic products. Like many families, we had bills to pay and kids in school. Going fully organic right away simply wasn’t realistic for our budget.

Then I came across a news story that stayed with me. In 2022, the state of Maine banned the use of treated bio-solids on farmland because of concerns about soil and groundwater quality. That made me pause and wonder how food is grown in other places, including here in Toronto.

For me, one point stood out: both U.S. and Canadian organic farming standards do not allow bio-solids. Choosing organic became one practical way to feel more confident about at least one aspect of how my food is produced.

On a personal level, I’ve also seen family members and friends live with dementia. Watching that firsthand has made me think deeply about how much daily choices can impact long term quality of life. Someone once told me: when you’re young, you trade time for money. When you’re older, you may end up trading money for time.

I’m now in mid-life, not young, but not old either. I’d rather invest a little more in healthy choices today than spend later years wishing I had prioritized them sooner. For me, choosing organic food is part of that decision.

I understand that health is complex. No single food choice can guarantee a specific future. I can’t change my genetics, and I can’t control every part of the world around me. But I can make thoughtful decisions about what I eat and how I live. That’s one area where I have meaningful control.

Many people hope to grow older with dignity, independence, and the ability to enjoy life without placing unnecessary strain on loved ones. That’s what I want too.

So for me, choosing organic isn’t about perfection or fear, it’s about making intentional choices that align with how I want to live. And that’s a decision I feel good about.