In the light of recent rants by Dr. Ben Goldacre and others, it suddenly seems distinctly unfashionable to be using the 'd' word. What was once a yearly ritual for most self-respecting health freaks is now seen as a bit of a joke, with many people simply admitting that they don't want to punish themselves by avoiding booze and comfort food during their 'holiday comedown' and when the weather's at its bleakest. Words that all but the most strong willed will cling to in an instant...

So, let's assume that quite a few of you will be shunning the season of self-flagellation in 2009, and talk about the substance that has taunted many a fad-dieter over the years: chocolate.

You may have sometimes heard chewing gum referred to as 'chicle', which is because gum originally came from a tropical evergreen tree called Manilkara chicle before the present day, synthetic sort became common. And now, a small cooperative in the Mexican rainforest is hoping to ressurect the chicle industry by selling the natural gum as an organic, sustainable product that's also fully biodegradable - unlike the unsightly stuff that's spat on to our pavements costing millions in street cleaning each year.

We can't all be nutrition scientists, so claims about organic food actually being better for us are best left to the experts, and read with interest whenever they emerge. But what about the taste? We can all have an opinion on that...for example, following a last minute decision at the checkout earlier this week I now know that organic Weetabix tastes massively better than the original sort which I've been eating all my life.

I find it's always good to question your behaviour, particularly if it involves spending extra money, going out of your way to find products or attracting ridicule...not that buying organic is seen as in any way odd anymore: in fact, buying organic has become so much 'the norm' for many people that it does no harm to look at why you're doing it and whether it's worth the extra cost.

Follow the jump for the most persuasive reasons I've picked up in the past year or so, that remind me why I think buying organic is definitely the right thing to do.

Related: Which products is it best to buy organic?

Now that the organic message is really getting across to most consumers, it's the things that are closest to our bodies we tend to want to keep free of chemical pesticides. Food is an obvious one, clothing another. But what about where we sleep? I for one like to spend a fair amount of time tucked up in bed, and even insomniacs tend to visit it at least once a night...

Yes, it's that time of year again: Organic Fortnight now seems as much a part of early autumn as shorter days, conkers and in its ability to creep up really quickly and make you go 'crikey. Is it really September already?'

And with it come another year's worth of exciting developments in the world of organic food, drink, clothing and more, all brought to you with a host of fun activities and events.

Follow the jump for our roundup of ways you can celebrate best of organic in 2008.

I love Tonic's quirky t-shirt designs, and for a small company, its designers do a great job of churning out consistently strong new styles.

The latest is inspired by George Orwell's novel and so-hot-right-now 1980's fonts and graphics; it's available on 100% SKAL-certified organic cotton Fairtrade slate blue t-shirts. What's more, if you sign up to Tonic's mailing list, you'll get a 30% discount on your order, bringing down the cost of this £22 to just £16. Who said ethical fashion was expensive?

Related: Tonic's tribute to TV's Bruce Forsyth | Tonic clothing gets a touch of Bollywood glamour

Wearing ethically made, eco-friendly clothing needn't be expensive, as this fun, halterneck 'travel dress' and scarf set from Natural Collection goes to show.

Made from 100% organic cotton, the set is available in three different patterns, or in plain black. Small, light and versatile, the dress will take up very little room in your suitcase, but will serve as an ideal holiday staple; perfect for walks on the beach over swimwear, or dressed up with jewellery in the evening. The scarf also double up as a tie-belt. Best of all, it's only £9.99

Related: Eco-chic summer dresses roundup #1 | Eco-chic summer dress roundup #2

Organic Stereo is a Brighton-based label that's getting a lot of buzz from the green fashion community right now.

As the name suggests, the clothes are certified organic wherever possible, printed with eco-friendly dyes and are put together in Portugal. And being from Brighton, the designers certainly know a thing or two about making stuff that's perfect for the beach, with loads of funky printed smocks and cool t-shirts. A limited range from the collection has just landed at Adili, so head over there now if you want to check it out!

This has got to be one of the stranger publicity stunts I've seen recently, but I've also met quite a lot of women named 'Rachel' in my time and I guess it worked well enough for Dave Gorman...

The organic dairy brand is calling on anyone named Rachel (and there have been some blokes too, I recall) to "lead the nation in living a more naturally stylish life", as part of a social network of Rachels that aims to count everyone bearing that name among its members.

This adorable black and floral party dress has become one of the hottest and most sought-after summer pieces for 2008, and it's been hiding a secret...it's green.

In fact, everything by its designer Annie Greenabelle has an exemplary ethical record, being made from 100% organic cotton and under fairtrade conditions. Loved by Marie Claire, this is definitely a name to watch in eco fashion that's not only utterly on-trend, but affordable, too. This dress that's sure to become a classic is just £69 at Equa

Related: Pick of the best eco chic summer dresses

In my quest to find the holy grail of eco-chic summer dresses, I've now scoured most of my favourite green and ethical stores, but let's not forget there are some fabulous offers to be had at The Hunger Site, including these fun and flirty wrap dresses.

The 'Zoe' dress is made from organic cotton and buying it will fund 50 cups of food for people affected by famine. Each dress is hand-sewn by women's groups in Nepal who work under a fairtrade scheme. Synthetic dyes are the biggest cause of pollution in Nepal's rivers, so these garments are coloured with 100% natural dyes, helping preserve the health of millions who live around the rivers. $46.00

Related: Pick of the best eco-chic summer dresses #1 | Pick of the best eco-chic summer dresses #2

Getting your hair done in a salon should be a relaxing experience. It requires friendly but not to talkative staff, a selection of up to date magazines, and of course a complimentary glass of champers. However, when you're offered a wine-list from the comfort of the chair you realize you've arrived somewhere really special. Enter the world of Karine Jackson, a finalist for the L'Oreal Colour Trophy and London Hairdresser of the year 2007. She's going to sort me out with a gorgeous colour today, using an Organic hair colour system. [Via Kiss & Makeup]

These little mice are some of the most bright and cheerful pet toys I've seen, but don't be deceived by those vibrant colours; they're made with only AZO-free dyes, which is probably a good thing when you think about where these chewable toys tend to fetch up.

They're also made from 100% organic cotton, so there are no planet-harming pesticides in the production. Purr-fect for the pet owner who wants a greener pooch or moggy. The toys are fully machine-washable, promote healthy teeth and gums in your pet and come in a variety of fun shapes: if mice aren't your pet's 'bag', choose from bunnies, carrots, donut rings, bones and more. $6 at Harry Barker [Via Pet Sugar]

OK, I admit this post is a blatant plug for my current TV comedy fave, but I was surprised and delighted to see that it's possible to buy an organic Flight of the Conchords t-shirt. It doesn't get much better than that!

Available in sizes small to '2 x extra large', the tees are 100% certified organic cotton with a hot dog motif printed in low-impact inks. If you haven't yet checked out the antics of New Zealand wannabe-rockers Brett and Jermaine on this fantastic show I suggest you do so - if only to prove that greens can have a sense of humour!

$26.99 at the HBO Store