Clean 15, Dirty Dozen

Here's some information that I carry around with me in my wallet- so it's handy when I shop. There are different lists similar to this on the web, but this is the one I refer to. There isn't much variation between the lists out there, but still it's worth checking on every 6 months or so.

This is a list of the produce that you can buy that should either ALWAYS be organic - "the dirty dozen", or doesn't ever have to be organic - "the clean 15".

The dirty dozen are those items that have the highest amounts of pesticides in them, which means - you will eat those very same pesticides and they will soon be in you - BAD! Toxins collect in our bodies, and I believe - that makes us all sicker!

This means the Clean 15 are those fruits and veggies that have the least amount of residual pesticides..

The following is from the Environmental Working Groups Website:

What’s the Difference? EWG research has found that people who eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables ingest fewer than 2 pesticides daily.

Really, who wants ANY Pesticides? I know I don't... so at the very least, minimize your toxins!

Here's the list . There is a printable version of this, from the EWG. Mine is laminated for long life!

The CLEAN 15:
Onion
Avocado
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli
Tomato
Sweet Potato

The DIRTY DOZEN:
Peach
Apple
Bell Pepper
Celery
Nectarine
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Grapes (Imported)
Carrot
Pear

Not only can you save your health with this list, but you can save $ too! You don't have to guess anymore on whether that item you are putting in your shopping cart needs to be organic or not!

One more thing to note about Organics - Buy local! Support your local farmer. That means if it's not in season, don't buy it! Organic standards are not the same in Mexico, Chile, and anywhere else outside the US. Not only will you be promoting local businesses, but you will also help save the environment...no more shipping fuels! And really, how fresh is it if it traveled around the world to get to you?