When To Buy Organic Produce
When I was younger, my mother would ALWAYS tell me to wash my fruits before eating them. As a stubborn child who didn’t want to listen, I would look at her as she watched me toss unwashed grapes in my mouth, from the newly purchased bag that sat on the kitchen counter waiting to be put away.
Now, I KNOW BETTER.
Now, I know that the world is full of toxins, and they are pretty unavoidable.
We walk outside and are exposed to exhaust fumes from cars passing by.
We pump gas and inhale the distinct odor of gasoline.
We use endless amounts of skincare and body products, not realizing that our skin is our biggest organ, and those toxins get into our bloodstream in a matter of minutes.
The world is toxic, and while it sounds pretty doom and gloom, it doesn’t have to be.
Because with the right knowledge, we can make a conscious choice to reach for products, foods, fruits, and vegetables that are better for us.
2021 EWG Dirty Dozen
Earlier this week, The Environmental Working Group released their 2021 Dirty Dozen list which lists the top 12 most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables.
While toxins are everywhere and unavoidable, buying organic when it comes to these 12 items is a great way to reduce toxin exposure.
Which foods made the list for 2021?
Strawberries. Strawberries have been at the top of the list for the last 6 years. During testing, it was reported that 90% of strawberries had at least one pesticide, after washing, and 30% had residue of 10 or more pesticides.
Spinach. Spinach took the number 2 spot and is listed as having the most pesticide residue by weight than any other produce that was testing. 75% of the samples that were tested also had a neurotoxic bug killer on them, which is actually banned on food crops grown in Europe.
Neurotoxins are poisons that affect our nervous system. NO THANKS!
Kale. Kale, collard greens and mustard greens all tied for third.
Nectarines.
Apples. Apples are treated with a specific chemical that is used to prevent bruising and brown spots. The chemical, diphenylamine, is banned in Europe due to a link to stomach cancer and esophageal cancer.
Grapes.
Cherries.
Peaches.
Pears.
Sweet Bell Peppers. Peppers had more types of pesticides than any of the other produce that was tested.
Celery.
Tomatoes.
For the complete list, click here: EWG 2021 Shopper’s Guide .
The Clean 15
If you aren’t able to buy the dirty dozen organic, another solution can be to swap out one of the dirty dozen for a clean 15.
1. Avocados
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Eggplant
8. Asparagus
9. Broccoli
10. Cabbage
11. Kiwi
12. Cauliflower
13. Mushrooms
14. Honeydew melon
15. Cantaloupe
Why does it matter?
In response to my mother telling me to wash my grapes, I would always answer the same…
“I’m going to die anyways!”
She did not find it amusing.
What I didn’t realize at the time, what I realize now, is that even though the pesticides in a handful of grapes wouldn’t kill me then and there, the accumulation of those toxins can be dangerous.
And while our body has an incredible way of removing toxins, of detoxifying itself, whether or not the body does this optimally, is another story.
Toxins can build up in our body, and if our liver, our major detoxifying organ, is not able to keep up with the total number of toxins we are bringing in, it will start to store them.
YUP, our body can store these toxins, in our liver, in our tissues, in our cells. Because the body knows that it can not have toxins floating around, so what does it do? It protects us by storing them.
Unfortunately, too many toxins can lead to a high toxic burden, where the body is simply not able to remove the toxins efficiently. And when this happens, symptoms start to occur.
Not to mention that many of the pesticides we use in the United States are banned in Europe and the UK because some are known neurotoxins and others are linked to various cancers!
Buying organic can be expensive, but illness is even more expensive.
Next time you are at the store and looking to buy any of these 12 produce items, do yourself, and your health a favor, and opt for the organic ones instead.
Apple Cider Vinegar Wash
Anytime I purchase non-organic produce, I will usually do an ACV soak to help rid some of the residue leftover on my produce.
It’s super simple, simply fill a bowl with water and add in 2 tablespoons of ACV and let soak for 15-20 minutes.
After soaking, you can do a gentle scrub of the produce to help rinse off any residue and ACV!