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.

Cars Enslave Us Rather Than Liberate Us Essay

How much effort do you put in travelling to school or workplace each week? Created in 1870, cars have been one of the most useful and spectacular inventions of human beings. The society we live in has recently became completely reliant on these fuel-burning vehicles. It is widely discuss whether cars are a blessing or a real nightmare that may lead people astray. As a young driver, I firmly believe in the liberating power of cars. Not only do they facilitate life, but also encourage to broadens one’s horizons, which may be justified in the following essay. To begin with, cars allow people to travel from place to place with no limits. Basically, they give a perfect opportunity for those who live in the suburbs and have no access to the public transport. Living far away from the city requires the involvement of other people, typically parents, who drive their children to various places. Otherwise, how would they be able to develop and participate in some additional activities, like volunteering or learning to play the violin? It is important to stress that these ingenious machines may give people the fantastic experience of travelling round the world without worrying about covering long distances having a place to sleep when one is on the way! Furthermore, cars have an unquestionable advantage over the means of public transport. Given the choice between walking in the rain to get to the bus station or taking a car and driving directly to one’s destination, who would not prefer the latter? Rarely do people claim that cars are less convenient or luxurious that buses owing to having the air-conditioning system or soft seats. What is more, there is little possibility of getting stuck in the crowd or being exposed to delay or robbery. Surprisingly, people who travel with the use of public transport are more likely to be late and to demonstrate continual anxiety. On the other hand, cars are very expensive to maintain. They burn a lot of fuel and, therefore, force people to be more restrictive about their expenses. However, public transport is not free too. For a five-member family, it is quite more beneficial to have a car since it not only saves money, but also a lot of free time that can be spent on more pleasant activities. To conclude, living without a car appears to have a lot of serious disadvantages. It strikes me that these vehicles save a lot of time and do not put any demand to subordinate to timetables. To my mind, they liberate us rather than enslave us.

Mangement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mangement - Essay Example He maintains that it is more important for a leader to be competent than intelligent. Due to the popularity of his competency movement, multinational companies started formulating complex competency models which laid down the framework regarding desirable behaviour and skills in the organization. People who adhered to these competency models would be rewarded and vice – versa. However, this model left very little room for the development of the leader. A leader was unable to show his motivational skills, leadership styles and even prove his point of view. Traditional competency models focussed on developing individual behaviour and skills and in overcoming individual weaknesses. They believed that this will lead to overall team development. However, they failed to understand that in a team environment individuals benefit from each other’s strengths and it is very important for overall team development and not to focus on individual development. The third and final assum ption of competency model is that jobs are static and individuals benefit by following a set of competency rules laid down by the organization. This thought in itself is flawed. People are hungry for recognition and they are happy to display their skills and qualities. In the modern world, leaders must have the below mentioned competency skills in order to be efficient and successful. 1. Visionary and strategic thinking – Leaders must be able to set long term goals and act as a guide and mentor to the followers by leading and directing them to achieve these goals. he must be able to understand the environmental changes both nationally and globally and guide his followers accordingly. 2. Adaptability and change movement – Leaders must be able to adapt to changes in the organization. An effective leader easily adapts to changes required to attain the goal.He also must be able to blend different leadership styles depending on the situation in order to guide his followers through the change process. 3. Drive for results – Leaders must take the ownership and be personally responsible for success and failures. He must be passionate to achieve goals and must encourage his followers to do the same. 4. Team leadership competency – An efficient leader should act as a guide and mentor and direct the team in order to attain desired objectives. He should be keen to take responsibilities to meet targets and also take active part in the organization’s success. 5. People development – Efficient leaders must promote follower’s growth and provide a platform for them to succeed. This will help to develop future leaders and will eventually lead to the success of the organization as a whole. 6. Risk management – Competent leaders must be innovative and be prepared to take risks and experiment with new methods in order to foster development. They must use new and innovative techniques to solve problems and also adapt to change s. 7. Values and ethics – Good leaders must follow social norms and ethics and set examples for the followers. They must not resort to dishonest means or engage themselves in illegal or unlawful activities. Nowadays, most organizations are giving a lot of importance to ethical behaviours of leaders as recently there has an increase in scams and scandals which translates to the fact that there has been a lot of ethically failed leaders. 8. Service orientation – An effective and competent leader understand the needs of his clients and tries to meet client expectations. He

Democracy, Equality, and the Supreme Court Essay

Democracy, Equality, and the Supreme Court - Essay Example Our regular elections work to keep the government in check as special interests, elected officials, political groups, and lobbyists jockey for the inside track at making laws and enacting policy. As these differing political and social forces meet, our civil society demands that their disagreements be settled peacefully and that the participants will honor the settlement. The real power of America's Democracy does not lie in the people, elected officials, special interests, or lobby groups. Our rule lies in our body of law and the constitution. Over the centuries, laws, rights, and freedoms have been challenged and debated. The US Supreme Court, the highest arbitrator in the land, has been the seat of responsibility for progress and the expression of these freedoms. Our individual and collective rights are protected and directed by the decisions made by the Court. We can measure and view our nation's progress by looking at the history of our Democracy through the court's decisions. The case of Marbury vs. Madison set the precedent that the Supreme Court would be the ultimate and final voice in constitutional questions and could void any law seen as contrary to the constitution. The court was further granted the power to determine the legality of the actions of the various branches of government and laid the foundation for the court's power, as well as our belief in a system guided by law and not men. Though the case was initiated over rather insignificant quarrels among the Republicans and Federalists, its effect has been paramount and enduring. Marbury vs, Madison has been the basis for bringing other landmark cases before the Supreme Court. The court had laid the groundwork as an arena to fight for individual rights as granted by the constitution. The case of Derd Scott vs. Sandford is an interesting case in that it was hoped that the court's decision would diminish further debate on the slavery issue. However, the court's finding that states could not outlaw slavery further divided the nation and led to the Civil War. Through great political pressure and deep differences, the court ruled that the constitution did not provide protection from slavery. This was not the failing of an unsympathetic court, it was a shortcoming in the constitution. But our founders had made provisions for the constitution to be fixed as the future would dictate. The decision ultimately led to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments which constitutionally guaranteed citizenship and equal rights for African-Americans and former slaves. Other decisions by the court have been viewed by history as contrary to freedom and liberty. In some of these cases, the court has overturned a previous ruling as changing times have dictated. Two such cases were Plessey vs. Ferguson and Brown vs. Board of Education. Plessey vs. Ferguson argued for definition of equality as guaranteed by the 14th amendment. The case was brought when Plessey, a Louisiana black, was arrested for violating the Separate Car Act. He had challenged the law that legalized segregation in public transportation and elsewhere. The court upheld Louisiana's segregationist laws under a finding that came to be known as

Functions of Management in Different Spheres Assignment

Functions of Management in Different Spheres - Assignment Example Therefore, movie-on-demand is a competitive substitute for the blockbuster movies. The major stakeholders of the university include; foundation members, the board of trustees, business and industry. The students are the major stakeholders in the university because they influence the long and short-term goals of the university. Managing diversity in the organization can be done by developing an organizational culture, which synchronizes the diverse cultures into the organizational policy and operation. In addition, cultural integration practices can be used to develop the necessary group cohesion. The manager can employ cultural acceptance to avoid conflict between individuals. Lack of accountability is the major barrier to goal setting. However, as a manager, the development of step plans to achieve the set goals. However, the accountability is the vital aspect of goal setting. Start the business from scratch offer the opportunity to understand the business effectively thereby reducing the chances of collapse. Proper planning of a new business venture is easy compared to a takeover business. However, take over business has an advantage of having already set capital and infrastructure outlay. Business engineering is the process of redesigning the business operations in order to improve performance and develop success in the whole process. Re-engineering can be integrated as a product of competition or the introduction of new products by the company which is intended to improve the business performance The internal recruitment process is simple and easy to be employed. The staff does not need to be oriented to the company as such they can assume the new roles with ease. However, it reduces the pool of choice while also limiting injection of new ideas. External recruitment offers the opportunity to inject new blood into the system thus  allowing for new ideas to be developed. External recruitment offers the company the opportunity to add new employees with better skills. However, the major problem with external recruitment is time constraints and the need for further training of the new stuff on the company details and system of operation.

Five easy pieces and the reflection of alienation in the 70s Essay

Five easy pieces and the reflection of alienation in the 70s - Essay Example Five Easy Pieces directed by Bob Rafaelson is among the greatest films of the Hollywood 1970’s golden era. In the film, the character of Bobby Dupea is the archetype of numerous heroes from that period. Bobby gets stuck in two worlds (Rafaelson). He is a man who cannot fit into the American society and is making efforts to find a place where he truly belongs. One of the outstanding features of the 1970’s films was the character’s struggle to deal with the problem of alienation that was prevalent in the America at that time. This emerged from the sixties as the rejection of both the working class and leisure class values. The film portrays an individual trying so hard to deal with the alienation problem without being a counter culture hippie. Most of the post sixties era exhibited the theme of alienation. The theme of alienation also defined the 70’s era. However, in recent films of the 1990’s and 1980’s era, alienation has been reflected to t he extreme with the so bloody and violent action films. The heroes in these movies are violent, anti-social and alienated. They have no societal respect at large. The first scenes of â€Å"Five Easy Pieces† show the main character Bobby as a typical oil mine worker. Bobby puts a lot of energy in his work to get his money. He spends his leisure time playing time drinking beer, playing cards, watching television and bowling.   At the beginning of the film, Bobby gets reflected as a happy person, but as the film progresses he gets revealed. as a man dissatisfied with his life (Rafaelson). Rayette’s clingy mature annoys Bobby so much. He loathes country music and dislikes the way his girlfriend lives her life through Tammy Wynette songs. Rayette seems to play songs for every occasion of her life. When they go out with their friends Stoney and Elton, Bobby could not enjoy the bowling. He is angry and highly competitive at Rayette’s inexperience in the game. At some point, he later cheats on his girlfriend with a woman named Sally Struthers. This shows the relationship trend at the time, where men cheated on their wives and girlfriends (Boyer 87). In contrast with his coworker and friend Elton, Bobby hates the life that comes with their job. Elton loves spending time with his wife and kid. His job at the oil field is due to lack of skills and that the job provides the basic needs for his family. Elton represents the working class who are in pursuit of the American dream. Bobby is more interested in worldly things. This film is a reflection of how the mid-seventies society got focused on the American dream. The contrast between the two characters gets clearly depicted in the scene where Elton and Bobby are in stuck in the freeway

Applications of Machiavelli Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Applications of Machiavelli - Term Paper Example In this paper, I will look at the application of Machiavelli philosophy into Macy’s and Apo’s Inc. Power as applied to Macy’s and Apo’s The corporate scandals are very common in modern business world. These scandals have aversely affected the business performance. The scandals have led to the loss of revenues and a negative impact on the economy in the long run. These effects can be ascribed to corporate irresponsibility among the leadership. The application of Machiavelli can be related to the current power tussles in the corporations. Corporate leaders can be related to the prince in the work of Machiavelli. Matters related to power have been a source of conflict among the leaders in corporations (Machiavelli, 44). The Machiavelli principles on power and leadership have been used in applying in exercising power by leaders in the corporate world. According to Machiavelli, one can work with moral means and only resort to immoral means when circumstances de mand so. This was evidenced in the recent legal tussle between the Macy’s and Apo’s inc. versus J.C Penny in the Martha Stewart courtroom tussle. In the case, Macy’s and Apo’s were in a legal tussle to fight over the right to control Martha Stewart. This was a battle of power in which the corporation wanted to retain the right to continue being the sole distributor of Martha Stewart. In this tussle, the struggle for power and dominance is evident. Each side wants to have the exclusive rights which would enable them have high sales (Machiavelli, 46). According to work by Machiavelli, the original Machiavelli ruler had to exercise virtu which meant that he was having inner strength, shrewdness and decisiveness. This could be used to gain power, glory, security and expansion. This is evident in the court tussles over dominance (Karen). Every corporation wants to have the power to dominate the other. This is mostly done through shrewd deals which gives exclus ive rights to an individual corporation. To be successful, one has to choose the Machiavellian virtuous life. Choosing the Machiavellian life comes with its won challenges related to corruption and power tussles. Liberty according to Machiavelli comes from adoption of the virtuous or the Machiavellians life by everyone (Machiavelli, 50). Corruption Corruption is always present in human beings according to Machiavelli. Self interest is always placed above the interest of public by the leaders. There have been cases of corruption that have been exposed in Macy’s and Apo’s. In the year 2012, corruption and unethical dealing was unearthed from the corporation’s documents. One of such cases is the fixing of their competitors in unethical means to gain competitive advantage. This was done when the company accused Goodfellas of selling counterfeit merchandise and goods stolen from Macy’s. The corporation even went a step further to make sure it severed Goodfella s market by informing the retailers who had their contracts that Goodfellas were selling counterfeits goods. This is not only unethical but unfair competition based on power and greed. The power was being abused by Macy’s and Apo’s against the citizens and their competitors. In some cases, the abuse of power is kept in secrecy, and only the corporation knows about it. In the case of Macy’s and Apo’s, they employed private investigators in order to frame Goodfellas (Association Of Truth). There were