Organic produce has become more mainstream, affordable, and {most importantly}, available in recent years thanks to a sweet combination of increasing consumer awareness and demand. For good reason. Pesticides have been linked to neurological damage, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, endocrine and reproductive disorders, and cancer. Scary stuff.
In a perfect world, everything would be grown organically, but alas it is not. Sigh. Fortunately, there are ways that we can protect ourselves from harmful pesticides without breaking the bank. Here are my top picks:
1. Use the Dirty Dozen Plus and Clean 15 Shopper’s Guide
Available here, this fantastic resource created by the Environmental Working Group {EWG} should be your produce-purchasing bible. According to the EWG, you can lower your pesticide intake substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the 15 least contaminated produce.
2. Grow your own produce
I know, easier said than done. Trust me. I’m in year two of my organic veggie gardening adventures and if it weren’t for my sweet hubby keeping the crops watered, we’d have nothing. I mean nothing. However, when you do have the time to devote to it, it’s one of the most rewarding hobbies. There’s nothing like eating the fresh produce that YOU grew. And even better, it gets kids interested in eating the fresh veggies that they helped to grow, water, and pick.
3. Buy Fresh, Buy Local
Not all local farms are organic {the certification is freaking expensive}, but many are pesticide-free, which keeps their costs down, which are passed onto you, the consumer.
For those that do spray, many times they are not spraying near the amount that commercial farms spray, which is always a good thing if you can’t buy completely pesticide-free. Get to know your local farmer and ask about his or her spraying practices.
4. Wash, wash, wash
Make an inexpensive D-I-Y solution to remove the wax and pesticide residues on non-organic produce and then give them a good scrub (for the less delicate items).
Here’s how:
Using a 1:1 ratio, mix distilled white vinegar {buy that here} and water together. For every cup of liquid, add 5 drops of pure Lemon Essential Oil {buy high quality, therapeutic grade essential oils at wholesale prices here} and soak your items for a few minutes or pour into a spray bottle {like this one} and spray. I do both. For larger items that can use a good soak {i.e., apples, lemons, potatoes}, I’ll place in a large bowl and soak. For more delicate things, like herbs, or if I’m short on time, I’ll use my spray bottle that’s kept under the sink for easy access. Because essential oils dissolve petrochemicals {such as used in some pesticides and herbicides}, Lemon Essential Oil makes a fantastic fruit and veggie wash.
Note: Not all essential oils are created equal. This is the brand of essential oils that I use in my home above all others because they are pure, unadulterated, and manufactured for therapeutic use not just for smell. Quality matters, folks!
That’s it. So easy, a caveman can do it.
Of course, organic is the best option if you can afford it and it’s available. However, if it’s a choice between eating conventional fresh whole fruits and veggies vs. highly processed organic “food” and snacks {organic cookies, etc.}, go with option 1, use this new-found knowledge to remove the pesticides that you can, and be confident that your actions will yield amazing health for you and your family.
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What are some of the reasons that you do or do not buy organic produce? Cost, availability, other? I’d LOVE to hear! Please leave a comment.
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Just used the veggie wash technique. My new favorite kitchen trick. Ran out of store bought veggie wash years ago and beer replaced it. Awful, huh!?
Yahoo, Jennifer! Mine too! Beer huh? I’m intrigued. Did you use that to wash your veggies (or just drink it)? No judgment. I’d choose the latter – ha! :) Thanks for the comment!
Will washing all of your produce right when you get home from the store shorten its shelf life? I was just wondering if I could wash everything at the beginning of the week, or if I should wait until the day that I plan on eating it.
Hi Lindsey – great question, and yes – based on my experience, washing does shorten the shelf life of produce – so once you wash it, be sure to eat it soon after (at least in the next 2 days or so). For most of my produce, I don’t wash it until I use it – adds a little extra time, but saves me $ in the long run in lost produce! :) Thanks for the comment and your readership!