If you are interested in switching to an organic diet, here are ten basic tips to get you on the path to a healthier food regime.

1. Do Your Research - As with any new endeavour, it pays to do a little background research. Start with the following areas:

Pay attention to your family's diet. What foods do they consume and enjoy often? What are their favourite foods? Are they open to organic alternatives?

Investigate local organic produce, growers and stores. Compare where the foods are grown. Are there organic alternatives to some food staples that interest you?

The Canadian Organic Growers website is an excellent resource for directories of organic retailers and farmers across the country.

2. Be Flexible - Not all organic foods taste or even look the same as their non-organic counterparts. An example of this would be organic bananas - they always arrive green and smaller than what you're probably used to seeing. Because they arrive green, they may not be as sweet or they may take a little longer to ripen.

3. Grow Your Own - If you have a "˜green' thumb, use it! There's nothing like eating fresh from your own garden. As a gardener, you control the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

4. Shop at Farmers Markets - Farmers markets are an excellent venue to learn about the food you eat and where it comes from. You will be introduced to the people who actually work the farms and how they do what they do. The insight you gain by engaging with the farmers directly is invaluable when you care about the use of pesticides and sustainable food systems.

5. Join a Co-op - Food Co-ops are a unique way in which you can see directly how your money is being spent. Typically, once you buy a membership, you are then partial owner of the organization, therefore you have voting rights and can then influence co-op processes and decisions. For example, the Ontario Natural Food Co-op has a buying club, where you can purchase natural foods directly from the wholesaler. The ONFC considers their members to be "˜member-owners.' Being empowered to improve or effectively change food processes to more "˜green' options, is certainly a step in the right direction.

6. Shop Online - Online shopping has eased its way into all facets of a busy lifestyle. There are online organic retailers who deliver directly to your home. A great example is http://www.eatit.ca/. While they are located in Winnipeg, they ship anywhere in Canada. Organic shopping has never been so easy. You will pay a premium for delivery to your door, however, that is the cost of convenience.

7. Buy Big In-Season - When organic produce is in-season, buy larger amounts. Once you return home, keep half of it fresh and ready-to-eat, and prepare the other half for the refrigerator (ex. chop vegetables and fruits into serving portions and store in the freezer, or make jams and preserves with the remainder).

8. In the Off-Season, Eat Preserves and Embrace the Big Freeze - This is where the "˜fruits of your labour' from in-season will pay off. When items are off-season, simply turn to your preserves and frozen produce.

9. Re- Think Your Food Budget - Eating healthier unfortunately (usually) means spending more. Until organics are considered part of the everyday, we will continue to have to pay extra for these alternatives. On the flip side, think of the many savings to be had when you limit your spending on junk food and empty carbohydrates, in favour of a sustainable food item. It's difficult to put a price tag on one's health and that of the environment.

10. Transition Slowly to Organics - Begin the transition to organic eating with some of your and your family's favourite foods. Pick produce with flavours that excite you and your family. Families with young children may want to start buying organic baby food and dairy products. Once the first initial organic items are integrated into your family's "˜normal' diet, continue adding one new organic item to the menu at a time.