The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen Fruits & Vegetables and

When To Buy Organic

DIRTY DOZEN - Buy These Organic

Produce with the highest levels of pesticides:                                 

1. Celery

2. Peaches

3. Strawberries

4. Apples

5. Blueberries

6. Nectarines

7. Bell Peppers

8. Spinach

9. Kale

10. Cherries

11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (imported)

CLEAN 15 - Lowest in Pesticides

1. Onions

2. Avocado

3. Sweet Corn
4. Pineapple
5. Mangos
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Cantaloupe
12. Watermelon
13. Grapefruit
14. Sweet Potato
15. Honeydew Melon

Do you know that over 70% of the food we eat is

Genetically Modified?!

                                      

Why Is Organic Usually More Expensive?

If money wasn't a factor, i'm sure we would all buy organic food. Organic food is generally more expensive because it is not genetically modified, food like produce and chicken portions are generally smaller because the food has not been exposed to growth hormones, and farmers and growers spend more time managing and growing their crops because organic fruits and vegetables are not subjected to gasses that speed up growing times like in some traditional produce.

Does Organic Food Really Make A Difference?
Scientists are finding more and more that pesticide exposure can lead to health issues, especially in unborn babies and childhood. As America continues to introduce more and more pesticides, we are starting to see the long-term effects of pesticides.

Can't I just wash them off or peel them?
For some fruits and vegetables, this does help, although it may not eliminate pesticides inside the produce and sometimes, the skin contains the most nutrients.

Tips for buying organic:
1. Buy in bulk. You can often buy organic beans, rice, flour and more and it is much cheaper than buying it pre-packaged. I love Henry's Market for this and produce!
2. I have found Trader Joe's to have some great prices on organic foods. For me, their produce is usually expensive, but a lot of their organic food options are priced great.
2. Buy in-season and check out your local Farmer's Market.
3. Check out the store brand organic options, many stores are now producing their own organic foods.
4. Pick what is most important to you when buying organic. I can't buy everything organic, so my must haves are organic milk, some fruits and veggies, most grains and organic chicken when possible.
5. Look for non-GMO (genetically modified organism) products in additional to organic.

Check out this blog for money saving tips and coupons when buying organic:
http://organiconadime.blogspot.com/

*The Dirty Dozen List and some information came from Environmental Working Group (EWG). Photos by br3akthru: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1341