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Wednesday, 09 February 2011 14:13

Avoid the “Dirty Dozen” – Support an Organic Farmer -- Week 36

Written by Karen
I recently stopped by Generation Green to pay a visit to owners Steve and Heather Johnson. My purpose: to remind them to register for the upcoming Green on the Green, a Big Green Fest. We want them there not only to share their green products, but their knowledge and passion for going green with visitors.
If you’ve been following my personal journey, 52 ways to go green, get lean, or die trying, you’ll know that I’m living an ordinary (so ordinary) life in the suburbs with my family (husband, 3 kids, dog, 2 bunnies, a turtle and one car) and taking baby steps to a greener lifestyle. To this point I can say with confidence that I have learned one very important thing about myself (and I assume it goes for many):

The more I know about the effects my actions have on the environment (home, office, neighborhood, planet, etc.) the harder it is NOT to change. Once I know there is a better, healthier, more sustainable way to conduct my life, it’s hard to turn back... I get the green guilt bad!

So do I thank Steve in earnest or sarcastically for handing me his business card, which on the back lists the “dirty dozen” and the “clean 15”. Now that I’ve seen it, how can I in good conscience keep feeding my family from the dirty dozen? I’m glad I know because I want my kids, husband and bunnies (they eat a lot of veggies) to live a long, healthy life. So here it is, I’m sharing it with you... sorry and you’re welcome!

You can lower your pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce, according to EWG calculations. When you eat the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, you’ll be exposed to an average of 10 pesticides a day. When you choose fresh produce from the 15 least contaminated fruits and vegetables, you’ll consume fewer than 2 pesticides per day.

The Dirty Dozen”

The 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables most likely to retain pesticide contamination. Buy these organically grown.

The Clean 15”

The fruits and vegetables least likely to test positive for pesticides – organically grown is better, but not as critical.

Fruits:

  1. peaches

  2. strawberries

  3. apples

  4. domestic blueberries

  5. nectarines

  6. cherries

  7. imported grapes

Vegetables:

  1. celery

  2. sweet bell peppers

  3. spinach

  4. kale

  5. potatoes

Fruits:

  1. avocados

  2. pineapples

  3. mangoes

  4. kiwi

  5. domestic cantaloupe

  6. watermelon

  7. grapefruit

  8. honeydew

Vegetables:

  1. onions

  2. sweet corn

  3. sweet peas

  4. asparagus

  5. cabbage

  6. eggplant

  7. sweet potatoes


 [Source: foodnews.org]
Karen

Karen

Follow Karen’s inspirational and humorous blog as she tackles the world of green living.

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4 comments

  • Comment Link Nazneen Thursday, 07 July 2011 14:14 posted by Nazneen

    i thought i was the only one with he "green guilt"! when i first started keeping track of the "dirty dozen" and "clean 15"...it was really hard to shop! the guilt was awful. well, i don't fight it anymore and try with good conscience to always buy clean.

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  • Comment Link Beth F. Tuesday, 15 February 2011 11:39 posted by Beth F.

    wow! i would've never thought that potatoes would be on the list. thanks for posting - i'm going to type it onto my phone so it's handy every time i head to the store.

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  • Comment Link cindy Thursday, 10 February 2011 14:54 posted by cindy

    i know exactly what you are talking about. i work at a utility company that has gone green and built a lead certified builing and i am on the green team, bla bla. well when i get home, my hubby is very resistant to going green. sometimes he makes comments and is mean about it and i just about give up. so when i go back to doing something the "old" way like not taking my reusable shopping bags to the store, i get the green guilt. i just tell him that it is easier to carry in the groceries and you can pack more in them, i dont even mention the green reason i use them. do you have any issues like this?? thanks!

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  • Comment Link Silvia Thursday, 10 February 2011 11:00 posted by Silvia

    thanks!

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