<p>Organic <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/recipes-with-rotisserie-chicken/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">chicken</a> is definitely a splurge, carrying a much higher price tag. However, it doesn't have any antibiotics or added hormones. Consuming antibiotics in conventional chicken can actually make the body resistant to certain strains of bacteria; and hormones in conventional chicken can mess with the body’s hormone profile, leading to early puberty and may contribute to cancer.</p> <p> Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/smoky-grilled-chicken-wings-with-pickled-red-chiles-dates-and-fresh-mint/21117/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Smoky Grilled Chicken Wings with Pickled Red Chiles, Dates and Fresh Mint</a></strong> </p>

<p>There is a big difference between wild <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/bbq/photos/easy-grilled-salmon-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">salmon</a> and the farmed variety. Like any animal that is raised in its natural habitat, wild salmon has a better nutritional profile. According to research, wild salmon is leaner, has more vitamins D and A. Farmed salmon, on the other hand, tends to be fattier which means its fat can accumulate more toxins and contaminants.</p> <p> Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/blog/salmon-burgers-dairy-free-tzatziki/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dill-Salmon Burgers With Dairy-Free Tzatziki</a></strong> </p>

<p>Tamari is similar to soy sauce in that it is a <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/fermented-foods-you-should-be-eating/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">fermented</a> soy product, but it's so much better in terms of taste and health benefits. It's less salty than soy sauce and has a naturally sweet flavour. Most soy sauces have a ton of unwanted ingredients, like caramel colour, which is known to cause hyperactivity and is a carcinogen. Tamari, on the other hand, has clean ingredients and is gluten-free. It doesn’t have to simply be reserved for Asian cooking, tamari gives so many dishes wonderful salty and sweet flavouring.</p>

<p>Grass-fed <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/quick-and-easy-ground-beef-recipes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">beef</a> is another product worth the splurge. The composition of the fat in this variety is even better than grain-fed beef — housing more omega-3 fatty acids. Grass-fed beef also has higher levels of vitamin E, beta-carotene and B vitamins. If you can opt for organic, grass-fed beef is the way to go! Organic means it is not fed any antibiotics or hormones, which can interfere with the body’s physiology. Pesticides and toxins also tend to accumulate in animal fat, so opting for organic is a major plus.</p>

<p>Environmentalist David Suzuki always says, “Choose <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/creative-ways-to-cook-eggs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eggs</a> from happy chickens.” That is very true for <em>any</em> animal product. Understanding “cage-free” “free-run” and “free-range” can be confusing. The best thing to do is to opt for organic as it ensures the chickens were not confined to cages, their feet touched the earth, they saw sunlight, they weren't given antibiotics or hormones and their feed was organic. When chickens get to move around and are given high-quality feed, their nutritional profile becomes much better than conventional eggs.</p>

<p> The average run-of-the-mill table sable contains a <em>lot</em> of sodium (no surprises there), but pink Himalayan salt has healthier ingredients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron. Also, it's pink crystals will naturally brighten your kitchen island or dinner table.</p>

<p>The vitamin E in olive oil can repair damaged skin, and it's also packed with antioxidants that promote your skin's natural production of collagen.</p>

<p>Raw honey is completely unprocessed and usually looks like a thick mass, rather than a liquidy syrup. Since it is not processed, raw honey contains natural enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. This honey should not be heated and is best used in dressings, sauces and smoothies.</p>

<p>You can find farmers markets just about everywhere. Buying fruits and veggies from farmers' markets not only supports the local economy but it also supports the body’s inner ecology. These locally grown produce contain way more nutrients. Conventional fruits and veggies lose a lot of their nutrition during their travel, whereas local produce just has a short distance to go. A lot of this produce is also organic, meaning it has more nutrition because the soil that it grows in rich in nutrients. But best to ask the vendor which varieties they offer in organic.</p>