A passion for organics: pediatrician Alan Greene, MD, offered conventional medical advice for years. Following his wife's cancer diagnosis and a life-changing visit with a herd of cows, Greene now offers two words of advice to parents: go organic

Alan Greene, MD, is a practicing pediatrician in Danville, Calif., father of four, and, along with his wife, the originator of the popular pediatric reference Web site DrGreene.com. His newest book, Raising Baby Green: The Earth Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care, advises parents on making healthful and environmentally conscious choices for their children. Intrigued by a herd of certified-organic cows, Greene eliminated all nonorganic foods from his diet in 2005. Read on to learn more about Greene's new lifestyle and why he hasn't looked back.

What prompted your interest in organic foods?

What brought things to a head for us was my wife developed breast cancer in 1996. It came out of nowhere when she was nursing my youngest son. It was really hard--the question of where it came from and what to do about it. She had grown up on a conventional farm, and pesticides had gotten into the well water she was drinking from. Her bedroom window was right where the pesticides were being sprayed. I realized pesticides were something I had heard very little about in medical school. Here's something that's being sprayed on our foods all the time, and it's quite toxic. I hadn't understood much of the problem. In working on how to get her better, part of it was great nutrition and another part was organic food. It was an eye-opener.

Why did you decide to eat exclusively organic?

I was standing in a field of an organic dairy farm and talking to folks there about how healthy the cows were.

Organic cows are healthier and tend to live quite a bit longer. I was wondering, "What would it be like for a human to be 100 percent organic?" I went back to talk to my wife and kids and told them, "I'm thinking about being certified organic, like the cows!" I wanted to see where the gaps are in the system: Where can you find organic food, and where can't you--and how do you feel? I wanted to help move the system a little bit, so that there would be at least an organic option on menus, I've done so ever since.

What has been the health impact of your new diet?

I feel much more energy, and I don't need as much sleep. I'm getting sick much less, even as a pediatrician who travels frequently. A lot of people comment that my skin looks great.

How does your family stay healthy for back-to-school?

The core of being healthy during the back-to-school season is having your body running well, and avoiding things that interfere with that. Getting flesh organic fruits and veggies and whole grains is the key. They're packed with substances that plants develop to ward off predators and pests, and they tend to have higher levels of antioxidants than conventional foods. A diet rich in organics and physical activity are important to keep on the front burner. In addition, I try to minimize exposure to germs. Clean hands help do that.

Dr. Greene's Favorite Organic Foods:

* Seasonal fruits and veggies that are organic and local

* Chef Antonio Spinach & feta Pizza: "My son's favorite way to eat pizza."

* Caffe Sanora Antioxidant-Rich Coffee (below) contains more antioxidants than green tea

Dr. Greene's Kids' Favorites:

* Organic cheese: "Whether it's melted into your favorite Mexican dish or accompanied by apples and crackers, organic cheese always hits the spot."

* Organic fruit leathers

* Organic whole-wheat French bread with organic olive oil for dipping

* Amy's Organic Chili (below)

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