The Diiiirty Dozen
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 8:45AM
An apple a day keeps the Dr. away, right? Maybe... if it's an organic one.
Imagine biting into a delicious crisp fuji apple, the sweet aroma fills your nostrils and puts a smile on your face. Now imagine knowing you are ingesting disgusting poison that can have negative consequences on your health. Nasty right? Kind of reminds me of The Witch in Snow White that uses apples as poison. Guess what? You my friends, are the lovely Snow Whites and the wicked witches are chemical plants. 
The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy nonprofit, just released the "Dirty Dozen" fruit and veggies with the highest contamination of pesticides. Guess what fruit was the big winner? Apples.
EWG found that apples were the most contaminated, at 98% testing positive for pesticides and 92% tested for more than one type. And on top of that, they are the hardest to wash off all traces of the nasty stuff. How much do we know about pesticides? Not enough. Just today, I read an article in The Bee that stated there were 34 unapproved pesticides found on cilantro. Recently, there was a protest because California just approved a new pesticide, methyl iodide, that has been linked to cancer. I mean really, who trusts a chemical plant anyway?
The USDA's new health guidelines (adios Food Pyramid) MyPlate suggest, you should fill half of your plate with fresh fruit and vegetables. You want to make sure that they are not drenched with harmful pesticides. Pesticides are designed to kill organisms. Many of the chemicals they use have not been completely tested for safety. Think about that next time you hand your sweet babe an apple. The amount of pesticides used, can be dangerous for your health, and more so for children and pregnant women. That is why it is important to know the "Dirty Dozen". Please sweet peeps, write this down, memorize, and only buy these treats organically and if not scrub, scrub, scrub.
Diiiirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines
7. Grapes
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/Collard Greens
I have to tell you, since my scare, I have been eating mostly organic food. Organic just taste better and knowing that it isn't covered in toxic pesticides makes me feel fresh and vitalized. Plus, organic food tends to be better for the environment. Organic food has to go through a whole slew of test and requirements. There is no sliding through the crack with becoming certified organic. "Organic production is the only system that uses third-party inspection and certification to verify that no toxic and persistent pesticides or synthetic fertilizers have been used," Organic Trade Association CEO, Christine Bushway points out.
"Clean 15"
1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapple
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas (Frozen)
7. Mangos
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe (Domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms
Trust me, I know what a pain it is to shop at different stores for different produce. I have three boys that test me each time. I try to break up the shopping trips. I still adore my organic Farm Fresh to You delivery service, but if I am in a pinch and I need something else, I go to Whole Foods. Otherwise, it is Trader Joe's for me!
On a side note, I had a wonderful Birthday weekend. Saturday we went to Napa for the night for my great friends birthday. We were able to visit a few wineries as well!
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Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/06/14/3699775/usda-pesticide-data-show-startling.html#ixzz1PO1SeUTk