Monday, December 7, 2009

The Dirty Dozen

Eating green, healthy and organic on a budget can be a challenge in the best of economies.  Whether or not you agree that organic food is more nutritious for you, it's hard to argue against the idea that pesticide-free fruits and veggies have to be better for you-- and for the environment.

What to do if you can't spend your weekly food budget going entirely organic?  You can pick and choose certain organics to avoid the most pesticides and chemicals while being kinder to your wallet.  These pesticide-laden produce are called "The Dirty Dozen." 


What to buy organic whenever possible:

(The number in parentheses indicates the number of pesticides on conventionally grown fruit).

1) Apples (93)
2) Bell Peppers (83)
3) Celery (82)
4) Cherries (73)
5) Imported Grapes (66)
6) Nectarines (81)
7) Peaches (100)
8) Pears (63)
9) Potatoes (56)
10) Raspberries (46)
11) Spinach (58)
12) Strawberries (80)

Remember to strive to buy organic, local, and in-season produce to get the best for you, your local farmers, and to reduce the number of food miles your groceries travel to get to your table.

Learn more from these informative sites:

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